Written Statements

Thursday 2nd July 2026 Written Statements

Thursday 2 July 2026

Independent Reviewer of the Use of Non-corporate Communications Channels in Government

Thursday 2nd July 2026 Written Statements

[The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Darren Jones)]

The Government are committed to maintaining the highest standards of information security, transparency, propriety, and record-keeping. These standards are essential to ensure public trust in how we make decisions.

In recent years, the way we all communicate has changed considerably, including across the public sector. I share the view of many Members that there is a need for greater clarity over the use of non-corporate communication channels—such as personal messaging apps—for Government business to remain secure and for decisions to be recorded appropriately. It is of course important that we strike the right balance between transparency and accountability, alongside operational efficiency and information security.

I am therefore pleased to confirm the appointment of Professor Sir Anthony Finkelstein CBE FRS FREng as the independent reviewer of the use of non-corporate communications channels in Government. Sir Anthony is a distinguished scholar and public servant, with deep expertise in technology, national security, and management.

Sir Anthony’s review will be wide-ranging. He will examine the human, organisational, legal and technical factors involved when officials, advisers and Ministers use non-corporate communication channels for work.

The review’s terms of reference will be published on gov.uk. The review will:

Define NCCCs within the context of Government business;

Cover the use of disappearing messages and similar auto-deletion features;

Identify security risks related to NCCCs, including risks of interception, where devices may be compromised and questions about where data is stored; and

Make practical and actionable recommendations concerning NCCCs to improve the Government’s record-keeping.

Sir Anthony will report his conclusions and recommendations to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the Security Minister in early 2027. The Government will publish the final report and will present our response to Parliament.

I have full confidence that Sir Anthony’s review will provide the clarity, guidance, and strategic direction needed to ensure our communications practices remain robust, secure, and appropriate into the future.

[HCWS176]

HMRC Transformation Road Map

Thursday 2nd July 2026 Written Statements

[The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Dan Tomlinson)]

Today, the Government are providing an update on HMRC’s transformation road map, setting out the progress made in the first year of delivery and sharing HMRC’s transformation priorities for 2026-27.

Published in July 2025, HMRC’s transformation road map maps out a five-year programme to build a tax and customs system that works better for everyone, including over 100 commitments to enhance day-to-day performance, close the tax gap and reform and modernise tax and customs administration. Delivering this ambition requires sustained investment, bold reform and a willingness to do things differently.

Digital services are an essential part of how HMRC is improving the experience of its customers: 78% of customer interactions are now taking place digitally, with 2.8 million new HMRC app users in 2025-26—bringing the total number of unique users to over 7.6 million—and nearly 20 million people now using personal tax accounts. This is significant progress towards our ambition of at least 90% of customer interactions being digital by 2030.

The introduction of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax in April 2026 marked the biggest modernisation of the tax system for a generation, helping people to get their tax right first time and reducing error through digital record-keeping.

In laying the foundations for this digital transformation, HMRC has improved telephony performance with call waiting times almost halving over the past two years. As HMRC modernises its services, it is continuing to support customers who are in vulnerable circumstances, digitally excluded or have complex tax affairs, including through existing channels such as phonelines.

The Government have also acted to strengthen compliance, ensure fairness and tackle those who seek to break the rules. HMRC is making good progress in recruiting and training 5,500 new compliance officers and 2,400 debt management officers, alongside increasing HMRC’s use of artificial intelligence tools, strengthening the reward scheme for informants and using new powers to tackle dishonest tax advisers.

This year has also seen an important step in reform and modernisation, through the integration of the Valuation Office into HMRC. This brings together two organisations with a shared ambition to deliver a modern, digital-first service which protects the funding that underpins public services and frees businesses to focus on growth. As part of this update, the Valuation Office has set out how it will improve valuation services, speed up decisions, increase trust and transparency, and modernise the administration of property tax.



This first year of delivery represents an important step towards the Government’s long-term ambition for a tax and customs system that is simpler, more efficient, and better supports taxpayers and businesses, while ensuring that everyone pays the tax that is due.

HMRC will continue to build on this progress over the coming years, informed by engagement with stakeholders and customers and guided by our HMRC charter commitments. Further updates will be provided as delivery continues, including reporting progress against the commitments set out in the road map.



The HMRC transformation road map update can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hmrc-transformation-roadmap-progress-update-2026

[HCWS181]

Donated Medicines: VAT

Thursday 2nd July 2026 Written Statements

[The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Dan Tomlinson)]

In response to an oral question on Tuesday 23 June, I announced that the Government will take forward a new approach on VAT on free of charge donations of medicines, consisting of either changes to the VAT rules or a reimbursement scheme. I can now give the House further details on this announcement.

Under UK VAT law, some transactions where no money changes hands are treated for VAT purposes as if a supply has been made and so VAT is due—these are known as deemed supplies. These are long-standing VAT rules in place to keep the system fair if a business has reclaimed VAT on costs.

Pharmaceutical companies donate certain medicines to the NHS, such as through early access schemes. For many years, under these long-standing VAT rules, some pharmaceutical businesses have been paying VAT on donations of medicines. Other businesses have not, and in 2023 HMRC wrote to the sector to begin the process of making sure firms paid the correct tax.

The Government understand that any additional VAT burden on medicines provided free of charge has the potential to impact patient outcomes, and so the Government will bring forward a new approach as soon as possible.

Changes will be effective for donations made on or after 23 June 2026 and the Government will engage with stakeholders on these options.

[HCWS177]

Historical Forced Adoption

Thursday 2nd July 2026 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Education (Bridget Phillipson)]

Today the Prime Minister has delivered an apology on behalf of the state for historical forced adoption practices in England. These practices, which predominantly occurred between 1949 and 1976, involved mostly young, unmarried women being coerced into having their babies taken from them.

The apology follows extensive engagement with campaign groups and individuals with lived experience.

Commitments to action and support

We know that, for many people, the consequences of these experiences have not diminished with time. An apology, while important, cannot undo the profound and lasting harm that was caused. Those affected have made it clear—powerfully and consistently—that healing and recognition require meaningful, practical support.

Today marks not an end point, but the beginning of a continuing commitment to address this legacy. The Government are determined to learn from this historic injustice and to improve access to support for those affected and their families. This includes improving access to records, strengthening specialist intermediary services, expanding trauma-informed support, and ensuring clearer routes to information and assistance.

We will continue to work closely with people with lived experience, experts and delivery partners to ensure that this acknowledgement is matched by meaningful and lasting change.

Today, the Government commit to a programme of measures worth £4 million over three years to support those affected. Initial steps will include:

Transforming access to and safeguarding of adoption records

Extending record retention

We will consult on strengthening access to historical adoption information by extending the retention period for existing pre-2005 adoption case records to at least 100 years, bringing them into line with post-2005 requirements and helping to ensure records remain available throughout the lifetime of those affected.

Making access to records simpler and more transparent

We will fund the further development of a national platform, led by CoramBAAF in partnership with the Archives and Records Association, providing a single access point to a comprehensive dataset of adoption and care records held by agencies, organisations and record offices.

Driving consistency and accountability

This will be reinforced through ministerial communications to local authorities, regional adoption agencies and voluntary adoption agencies, emphasising the importance of responding appropriately to information requests, and in line with the Government-funded and endorsed 2025 Adoption England practice guidance. This includes improving transparency around response times and reducing unnecessary redaction.

Expanding access to specialist support and reconnection services

Strengthening access to advice and information

Through FamilyConnect, we will expand the national advice line to improve access to information and services for adopted adults, their descendants, birth parents and relatives seeking information, support or reconnection. This will include advice on any funding that may be available to assist them.

We will also support the development of dedicated areas within the FamilyConnect website, providing tailored information, guidance and resources for adult adoptees, birth parents, relatives and professionals.

Funded intermediary services

We will provide funded intermediary services for historical adoption cases that took place between 1949 and 1976, in line with existing regulations, which allow prioritisation of adoptions before 12 November 1975, ensuring those with the greatest need are supported to access information, trace relatives and pursue reconnection safely and sensitively.

A national peer support offer

We will establish national virtual peer support groups for birth parents and adopted adults, improving access to ongoing, trauma-informed support regardless of where people live.

Strengthening access to trauma-informed NHS services

Improving access and clinician understanding

We will work with NHS England and those affected by historical forced adoption practices to co-produce practical tools and guidance that:

Recognise their experiences and help clinicians understand the impact of forced adoption.

Clearly set out the support that may be relevant and improve referral and triage pathways.

Support individuals to access the care most appropriate to their needs.

Improve consistency across GP services, NHS 111 and NHS talking therapies.

Recognise the implications of unknown family medical histories, including when considering health screening and referrals for genetic testing.

Better recognition within care pathways

We will improve clinician awareness and provide practical guidance to support the identification of forced adoption experiences within patient histories, helping to inform appropriate care, referrals and signposting. This will support affected individuals to access the full range of NHS services in a way that recognises and responds to their experiences.

Exploring the option of a health record marker

NHS England will explore how individuals can choose to have their experience of forced adoption appropriately recorded within their health records, where they wish to do so. This could help clinicians take that experience into account when considering:



Care and treatment decisions.



Family medical history.



Wider health and support needs.

Recognition and voice

We will commission a testimonials project to preserve and share the experiences of those affected by historical forced adoption practices, ensuring that their voices continue to be heard and that the lessons of the past are not forgotten.

We will also gather evidence on the effectiveness of the measures announced today and keep the need for further research under review.

Accountability

We will establish a reference group comprising people with lived experience of historical forced adoption practices to help review progress, and provide ongoing challenge and insight as these commitments are delivered.

Closing

We offer this apology and package of support in the hope that it brings recognition, understanding and a measure of healing to those affected.

Today, we acknowledge a profound wrong.

On behalf of the Government, we say clearly and unequivocally: what happened was wrong. It should never have happened. We are deeply sorry.

[HCWS179]

Human Genomic Data: Safeguarding

Thursday 2nd July 2026 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Preet Kaur Gill)]

This is a joint statement made with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Human genomic data drives medical and scientific breakthroughs that benefit people by helping to identify some of the underlying factors in who will develop diseases and how they progress, leading to the development of new treatments. It also contributes significantly to global scientific benefit and economic growth. The UK is a global leader in human genomic data, due to the scale, richness and diversity of its datasets.

However, we also know that human genomic data, if shared without due care, has the potential to present national, economic and biological security risks to the UK. The UK Government are committed to keeping human genomic data safe. Keeping human genomic data secure is also important in maintaining the trust of the public in how their health data is used, even more so when people have voluntarily shared their genomic data for research studies. While there are clear legislative requirements and regulatory frameworks that help protect people’s health data, there is no clear statement of the Government’s expectations regarding how human genomic data should be made available for research.

Therefore, over the last 12 months, we have been considering how to protect people’s privacy and security, while continuing to make human genomic data available for legitimate research. Today we are publishing new guidance for UK Government funded major holders of human genomic data that make data available to external users. This applies to Genomics England, Our Future Health, UK Biobank and NIHR BioResource. It sets out recommendations on how these bodies can make data available in a way that manages the benefits of global access and use of human genomic data, while managing security risks.

The guidance is in three parts:

The first part uses the Office for National Statistics’ “Five Safes” framework, which is widely regarded as best practice in protecting data when making it available to users.

The second part sets out a framework to support major holders of human genomic data when considering whether to make data available to users outside of the UK.

The third part sets out the expectations on protective security and the measures that holders should have in place to manage insider risk and protect their physical environment.

The guidance makes clear recommendations for how major holders of human genomic data should make data available using the Five Safes framework: safe settings, safe data, safe people, safe projects and safe outputs. It recommends that:



Human genomic data should be made available through one or more secure data environments, which have an appropriately robust “airlock” in place—the airlock places controls on the data and tools that are allowed into or out of an SDE.

Holders of human genomic data should have robust policies and processes in place to assess individuals who are potential users, and the organisation sponsoring the project to check access is justified before it is granted.

Careful consideration should be given where a user or their sponsoring organisation have a history of data breaches or misuse: the expectation is that a history means approval will not normally be given.

Access should be granted only for projects that are intended to benefit human health or deliver wider public benefit.

Access to data by users located outside the UK is considered an international data transfer. The guidance makes it clear that where a holder of human genomic data is considering access by a user located outside the UK, in a country or territory that is not covered by UK adequacy regulations, a transfer risk assessment must be completed before access is allowed. Adequate countries and territories are those that the UK Government have assessed as having a level of data protection that is “not materially lower” than that provided for by UK law. This allows personal data to be sent to those countries without the need for additional transfer mechanisms and safeguards.

As the guidance notes, the Information Commissioner Office’s TRA tool can help holders complete their transfer risk assessment. Given the potential significant personal impacts that could be associated with HGD, it is likely to be considered a “high harm risk” category of data transfer. GDPR requires supplementary measures to be put in place if, after risk assessment, relevant tests are not likely to be met. The guidance sets out some criteria that holders of human genomic data can use when assessing whether the data protection test is met.

The way in which human genomic data can be made available safely and securely for a range of research and other uses is rapidly developing as technology advances. We will, therefore, keep this guidance under review and will update it when required.

[HCWS177]

Southport Inquiry Phase 1: Government Response

Thursday 2nd July 2026 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Shabana Mahmood)]

On 13 April 2026, the chair of the Southport inquiry, Sir Adrian Fulford published his phase 1 report. Sir Adrian sets out five fundamental failings, and makes 67 recommendations for central Government, and a range of national and local partners to consider. He concludes that the attack was foreseeable and avoidable.

I am grateful to Sir Adrian and his team for their diligent work in producing this comprehensive report. When I addressed Parliament on 13 April, I committed to publish our response by summer. Today that response has been published. The response has been laid before Parliament as a Command Paper (CP 1623) and copies are available in the Vote Office and on gov.uk.

In the response, we recognise the five fundamental failings. We accept all the recommendations that are for central Government to deliver and set out how we are working at pace to implement these in full. There are recommendations that Government have already made progress against, or in some cases, completed. The pace of this work demonstrates the urgency with which Government are working towards meeting the outcomes set by the inquiry. I have committed to formally report to Sir Adrian again in a year’s time.

I am clear that Government expects other organisations to implement their recommendations. We have written to all organisations to highlight the findings of the inquiry and will facilitate and support on delivery as far as possible.

The Government have already acted across a number of areas.

We have published our halving knife crime plan with the ambition to halve the level of knife crime across 10 years. We have also taken the Crime and Policing Act 2026 through Parliament to significantly tighten the law on knives and other bladed articles. We have also recently held a public consultation about introducing licensing for sellers of knives and importers.

We published a youth justice White Paper setting out a comprehensive programme of reform to modernise the youth justice system, establishing a clear direction toward earlier intervention and taking action to encourage and strengthen the use of parenting orders.

The Government are introducing legislation this session to criminalise lone individuals planning an attack without an ideological motive, closing a gap and strengthening our ability to disrupt the most serious threats from violence-fixated individuals.

We have announced that we will ban social media companies from offering their services to under-16s, in addition to new action to restricting their access to livestreaming and communication with strangers on services including gaming. We will also introduce legislation to tackle extreme violence content, to create a safer online environment, particularly for children and young people.

Alongside delivering the recommendations in phase 1, we will work with the inquiry throughout phase 2 to strengthen our understanding of the evolving threat from extreme violence and the effectiveness of different interventions.

In the immediate aftermath of the attack, my predecessor appointed Lord Anderson as the interim independent Prevent commissioner and asked him to review the Southport attack along with the tragic murder of Sir David Amess. Today I am also publishing a letter accepting all the recommendations Lord Anderson made and setting out how we have delivered against them.

Today my thoughts remain with Alice da Silva Aguiar, Bebe King and Elsie Dot Stancombe, their families and friends, and the survivors. We owe it to them to act on the findings of these reports.

[HCWS178]

Machinery of Government

Thursday 2nd July 2026 Written Statements

[The Prime Minister (Keir Starmer)]

I am making this statement to bring to the House’s attention the following machinery of government change.

As part of the reforms the Government are making to nuclear regulation, I am today announcing that responsibility for the Office for Nuclear Regulation will transfer from the Department for Work and Pensions to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. As the lead Department for civil nuclear policy, DESNZ will be best placed to ensure that nuclear regulation is proportionate and suited to deliver the UK’s long-term nuclear ambitions, supporting the Government’s broader response to the nuclear regulatory review 2025. The ONR’s statutory independence will be unaffected by this change.

This change will take effect from 1 August 2026.

[HCWS180]