Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the benefits of expanding local rail services to local economies, and of increasing rail services into cities to reduce road congestion, improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions.

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

Assessments of the benefits of expanding local rail services to local economies, and of increasing rail services into cities, are assessed on a case-by-case basis to reflect local economic conditions, using Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG).

Expanded local rail services can help drive local economic growth by opening up new development opportunities, unlocking housing, reducing costs for businesses and supporting people into work. TAG is used to assess the wider benefits of rail interventions including reduced road congestion, improved air quality and reduced carbon emissions.

The Government recognises the crucial role rail plays in delivering these benefits and is backing rail with the funding needed. The 2025 spending review committed £10.2 billion provided for rail enhancements in the period over the next four years.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the mixed use railways team at Network Rail is being dissolved; and if so, what assessment they have made on the impact of that dissolution on the ability of light rail vehicles to operate on parts of the main line rail network.

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

Network Rail’s regional teams lead on the development of projects, including light rail proposals. Network Rail has light rail expertise centrally that supports the regions in the operation, design and implementation of light rail projects. The required resource level of this team will be reviewed as the project pipeline develops.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that older adults with type 1 diabetes retain access to essential technologies upon entering residential care, and whether they will introduce statutory training and regulatory standards to support safe, consistent and dignified diabetes management in those settings.

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

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for implementing National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) clinical guidelines and technology appraisals relating to diabetes care and access to diabetes technologies. NHS England supports ICBs by providing supportive funding, data, policy levers, and clinical leadership at national level. Locally, support for people with type 1 diabetes to access and use diabetes technology is provided by diabetes specialists, general practices, and community diabetes teams. Clinical care and support for people in residential care is locally organised.

All health and social care providers must comply with the fundamental standards set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. These include requirements that the care provided be centred on the needs of the individual and that providers employ enough suitably qualified, competent, and experienced staff to ensure standards are met.