Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Runnymede Trust Excluded: Misrecognition, control and the Roma experience in Bradford schools, published on 25 March; and what plans they have to implement its recommendations.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The department recognises the issues faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children and young people, and how schools and others can make a positive difference.

We are currently reviewing the report’s findings alongside existing evidence on school exclusions and ethnic disparities. This assessment will inform our ongoing work to ensure that behaviour and attendance policies are applied fairly and that schools are supported to meet the needs of all pupils, including Roma communities.

Under the Equality Act 2010, schools must not discriminate against pupils on the basis of their ethnic background. We have already published guidance for schools on complying with this duty.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to strengthen leak detection, odorisation and public health-related standards for gas used for cooking in domestic and other premises.

Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

I refer the noble Baroness to the answer I gave to question HL13613 on 2 February 2026.

There is already robust regulation in place to detect leaks and odourised gas. Gas Industry standards are set by the relevant industry standard setting bodies, for example, the Institute for Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM), British Standards Institute (BSI) and Liquid Gas UK.

The Health and Safety Executive has regulatory responsibility for public health-related standards in commercial premises, but not in domestic homes.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to align apprenticeships for 16–18-year-olds with those for people aged 19 and above by removing the requirement to achieve English and maths qualifications.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The government is committed to high standards of English and maths and funds apprentices aged 16-18 at the start of their training to achieve English and maths qualifications, if they do not already hold suitable equivalent qualifications, in order to complete their apprenticeship.

This is consistent with our expectation that all young people should have a further meaningful opportunity to secure English and maths qualifications post-16, where they do not already hold them. This can be a GCSE or functional skills qualification.

Further flexibility is in place for apprentices with a learning difficulty and/or disability where there is evidence this is likely to be a barrier to them completing their apprenticeship. In these cases, they are able to achieve an entry level 3 functional skills qualification to complete. Since August 2024, this flexibility has been available to apprentices with a learning difficulty and/or disability but without an Education Health and Care Plan.

As with all apprenticeship policies, we continue to monitor the impact of the English and maths requirements, to ensure they are striking the right balance.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the research published by PSE Healthy Energy and Stanford University in Environmental Research Letters on 25 March on the harmfully high levels of benzene measured in UK homes emitted by gas cooktops.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has noted the published research but has not made a full assessment of the study, which is based on a small number of stoves. Currently, there are limited studies that have investigated benzene concentrations in United Kingdom homes. Further research is needed to better understand exposure to indoor air pollutants and the effects on health.

Reducing emissions of pollutants and ensuring adequate ventilation within indoor environments are important. The UKHSA continues to consider and evaluate the evidence of exposure to indoor air pollutants and the potential health effects.

Found: stage in the Commons by Andy Slaughter MP (PDF, new clause 25) and at Lords committee stage by Baroness Whitaker

This short inquiry will consider pet parasite medication (PPM), with a focus on treatments containing pesticides of concern such as fipronil and imidacloprid. The inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways, and the impact of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and pet owners of alternative medications or application practices.