Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the importance of railways in improving economic growth, in particular the importance of opening new lines and stations.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

New rail lines and stations can help drive economic growth by opening up new development opportunities, unlocking housing, reducing costs for businesses and supporting people into work. The Government recognises the crucial role rail plays in kickstarting economic growth and is backing this with the funding needed to deliver.

The 2025 spending review committed £10.2bn provided for rail enhancements in the period over the next four years.  Estimates of the impact of new rail stations and lines on growth are assessed on a case-by-case basis so as to reflect local economic conditions.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many people with skills in (1) cybersecurity, and (2) artificial intelligence, have applied to settle in the UK in the past 12 months, and how many of those applications were successful.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The information requested is not available from published statistics and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is the cost to the NHS of phasing out the use of mercury amalgam fillings in dentistry.

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

Dental amalgam is a well-established, safe, and effective dental filling material. Current policy is to restrict and phase down the use of dental amalgam to reduce any environmental impacts. This includes regulations to ban the use of amalgam in baby teeth, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and children under 15 years old, except when deemed strictly necessary for specific medical needs. This has been in place since 2018.

The cost of the National Health Service phasing out the use of mercury amalgam fillings would vary depending on the timing of a phase out and other relevant factors, such as the price of alternative restorative materials.

The Department funds research on health and social care through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including dentistry. This includes a recent systematic review of the environmental and health impacts of amalgam fillings and other restorative materials. This study has been completed, and the findings will be published in due course.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what investment they have made into the research and development of appropriate alternatives for mercury amalgam fillings in dentistry.

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

Dental amalgam is a well-established, safe, and effective dental filling material. Current policy is to restrict and phase down the use of dental amalgam to reduce any environmental impacts. This includes regulations to ban the use of amalgam in baby teeth, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and children under 15 years old, except when deemed strictly necessary for specific medical needs. This has been in place since 2018.

The cost of the National Health Service phasing out the use of mercury amalgam fillings would vary depending on the timing of a phase out and other relevant factors, such as the price of alternative restorative materials.

The Department funds research on health and social care through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including dentistry. This includes a recent systematic review of the environmental and health impacts of amalgam fillings and other restorative materials. This study has been completed, and the findings will be published in due course.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking to attract people with cybersecurity and artificial intelligence skills to apply to settle in the UK.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government recognises the importance of attracting world-class cybersecurity and AI talent to maintain the UK’s position as a global tech leader.

Through the AI Action Plan, we are taking action to strengthen the domestic talent pipeline and ensure the UK remains attractive to global innovators. The AI Spärck Master’s programme will offer up to 100 fully funded places for exceptional graduates, while the Turing AI Global Fellowships provide up to £5 million per fellow to relocate to the UK, build a highly skilled team, and undertake transformative core AI research. Moreover, the AI Security Institute provides comprehensive visa and relocation support for frontier AI researchers, ensuring the UK remains a global centre for safe and responsible AI development.

The Global Talent Taskforce has also been launched to address barriers to international recruitment and promotes the UK to top-tier talent. Domestically, the TechFirst and CyberFirst programmes are growing UK-based expertise. CyberFirst has reached 415,000 young people and offers scholarships with an 88% job placement rate.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking to promote the benefits of physical activity, including walking.

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

The Government and the National Health Service recognise that reducing physical inactivity in people of all ages is important in helping people live longer, healthier lives. This is why in the 10-Year Health Plan, we committed to developing a national movement campaign led by Brendan Foster, with the aim of getting millions more people walking, and where possible, running. Wider cross-Government action is underway, including investment in grassroots sport and the development of a new Physical Education and school sports partnership network, all with the aim of increasing physical activity in children and adults.

The Government is also committed to making walking and wheeling safe, convenient, and accessible for everyone. To support this the third Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy is currently in development, with a public consultation underway.

The NHS Better Health campaign and NHS Active 10 walking app help raise awareness and provide free and accessible ways to help people build movement back into their everyday life.