Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her department has considered proposals to introduce an extended maintenance loan, aligned with the Long courses Loan, for independent students to support with 52-week living costs.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department recognises that independent students, including care leavers, care experienced and estranged students, may require additional support to access and achieve in higher education (HE).

The new targeted, means-tested maintenance grants of up to £1,000 per year will help support students study subjects that support the government’s mission and Industrial Strategy. Further details can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/maintenance-grants-for-higher-education-students/maintenance-grant-amounts-and-eligibility-criteria.

Care leavers aged under 25 will continue to receive a non-repayable £2,000 bursary for HE, and from the 2026/27 academic year all care leavers will receive the maximum loan for living costs. This support is irrespective of subject studied.

In addition, most independent students who are single will qualify for the maximum loan, and where applicable, the maximum long courses loan available to them for their full time courses. Maximum loans for living costs for undergraduate students will increase by 2.71% for the 2026/27 academic year.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has considered (a) the reintroduction of maintenance grants for independent students and (b) removing the priority course requirement for this group of students.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department recognises that independent students, including care leavers, care experienced and estranged students, may require additional support to access and achieve in higher education (HE).

The new targeted, means-tested maintenance grants of up to £1,000 per year will help support students study subjects that support the government’s mission and Industrial Strategy. Further details can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/maintenance-grants-for-higher-education-students/maintenance-grant-amounts-and-eligibility-criteria.

Care leavers aged under 25 will continue to receive a non-repayable £2,000 bursary for HE, and from the 2026/27 academic year all care leavers will receive the maximum loan for living costs. This support is irrespective of subject studied.

In addition, most independent students who are single will qualify for the maximum loan, and where applicable, the maximum long courses loan available to them for their full time courses. Maximum loans for living costs for undergraduate students will increase by 2.71% for the 2026/27 academic year.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment the Government has made of the (a) levels of welfare of hounds used in hunting activities and (b) adequacy of the arrangements for their care or rehoming when no longer required.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (the 2006 Act), it is an offence to cause any animal unnecessary suffering or to fail to provide for its welfare. Anyone who does not provide for their animals’ welfare may be banned from owning animals. They may also face an unlimited fine, be sent to prison, or both.

The 2006 Act is backed up by the statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs which provides owners and keepers with information on how to meet the welfare needs of their dogs, as required by the 2006 Act.

As set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy, Defra will launch a consultation on licensing domestic rescue and rehoming organisations.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the Statement of Expectations relating to student housing will include specific measures to ensure independent students can access housing for twelve months whilst at university; and whether enforcement mechanisms will be in place.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

This government recognises that independent students, including care leavers, care experienced students and estranged students, may require additional support to access higher education (HE), including access to student accommodation.

As universities and landlords are autonomous, the department has no remit to intervene in the provision of student residential accommodation. Nevertheless, the forthcoming Statement of Expectations for the HE sector will urge HE providers to plan strategically for the supply of sufficient suitable accommodation for their students and include guidance on how providers can support the needs of vulnerable students.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the level of humanitarian aid entering Gaza.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Since the ceasefire, aid flows have increased and more crossings are partially reopened, but the level of need cannot be met unless more restrictions are lifted.

Medical equipment, components for field hospitals and basic shelter items must be allowed to enter to alleviate suffering.

We continue to raise with Israel, the US and regional partners the immediate requirement to lift restrictions on aid.

Child protection from illicit vapes

90th anniversary of the Spitfire

Found: Glindon (Labour; Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend) Alison Hume (Labour; Scarborough and Whitby) Will Stone

Found: (83.7%) Alison Hume (Labour, Scarborough and Whitby) (added 28 Oct 2024) 26 of 49 (53.1%) Will Stone

Found: the meeting Members present: Bob Blackman (Chair); Jonathan Davies; Mr Lee Dillon; Mary Glindon; Will Stone

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Bob Blackman (Chair); Jonathan Davies; Mary Glindon; Will Stone;