Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will correct the commentary in their recent fraud statistics publication regarding the transition to universal credit from tax credit recipients.

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

The explanation provided for the shift in the overall overpayment rate being partly driven by the growth in the Universal Credit caseload, including the migration of Tax Credit recipients is accurate and has been consistently set out in the Department’s published analysis since 2022. Therefore, there are no plans to change the commentary in the Fraud and Error Official Statistics.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government (1) how many, and (2) which, community diagnostic centres have seen fewer than 50 patients, on average, per week since July 2024.

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

The Department does not hold patient-level activity data for community diagnostic centres.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to undertake research with serving female soldiers on the kit and armour provided within the last three years.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Department’s priority is to ensure all service personnel receive appropriate and equitable levels of protection. We have initiated a Complex Geometry Body Armour project, which will include the development of an appropriate testing regime and Human Factors Integration work to ensure this capability delivers improved fit and operational effectiveness for servicewomen.

In parallel, we will continue the procurement of Tactical Ballistic Plates, which will replace the in-service OSPREY and Enhanced Combat Body Armour plates. These will be available in four sizes to provide an improved fit for a wider range of personnel and reduced weight for most users.

The Army has conducted a study of the Multi Terrain Pattern (MTP) 23 trouser following its introduction, comparing the current size regime to Defence anthropometric data which has been collected since the introduction of MTP23. There has been extensive feedback from female service personnel which has been formally collated and analysed to inform the design of the next iteration of combat clothing. This clothing will be available in a dual-sizing regime of ‘straight’ and ‘contoured’ fit garments to better meet the needs of all service personnel.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the Army's new body armour on women.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Department’s priority is to ensure all service personnel receive appropriate and equitable levels of protection. We have initiated a Complex Geometry Body Armour project, which will include the development of an appropriate testing regime and Human Factors Integration work to ensure this capability delivers improved fit and operational effectiveness for servicewomen.

In parallel, we will continue the procurement of Tactical Ballistic Plates, which will replace the in-service OSPREY and Enhanced Combat Body Armour plates. These will be available in four sizes to provide an improved fit for a wider range of personnel and reduced weight for most users.

The Army has conducted a study of the Multi Terrain Pattern (MTP) 23 trouser following its introduction, comparing the current size regime to Defence anthropometric data which has been collected since the introduction of MTP23. There has been extensive feedback from female service personnel which has been formally collated and analysed to inform the design of the next iteration of combat clothing. This clothing will be available in a dual-sizing regime of ‘straight’ and ‘contoured’ fit garments to better meet the needs of all service personnel.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment have they made of the new MTP trousers in fitting female soldiers.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Department’s priority is to ensure all service personnel receive appropriate and equitable levels of protection. We have initiated a Complex Geometry Body Armour project, which will include the development of an appropriate testing regime and Human Factors Integration work to ensure this capability delivers improved fit and operational effectiveness for servicewomen.

In parallel, we will continue the procurement of Tactical Ballistic Plates, which will replace the in-service OSPREY and Enhanced Combat Body Armour plates. These will be available in four sizes to provide an improved fit for a wider range of personnel and reduced weight for most users.

The Army has conducted a study of the Multi Terrain Pattern (MTP) 23 trouser following its introduction, comparing the current size regime to Defence anthropometric data which has been collected since the introduction of MTP23. There has been extensive feedback from female service personnel which has been formally collated and analysed to inform the design of the next iteration of combat clothing. This clothing will be available in a dual-sizing regime of ‘straight’ and ‘contoured’ fit garments to better meet the needs of all service personnel.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many prosecutions for benefits fraud have been made since July 2024.

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

The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government why they have not yet ratified the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction despite the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026 having received Royal Assent on 12 February.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer provided in the House of Commons on 5 February in response to Question 109027, which - for ease of reference - is reproduced below:

Following Royal Assent of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Act, further secondary legislation is required before the BBNJ Agreement can be ratified by the UK. This will happen when the parliamentary timetable allows.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many pharmacies are participating in the Pharmacy First programme; and what percentage of pharmacies that constitutes.

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

The latest published data shows that, as of February 2026, 9,484 of the 10,381 community pharmacies in England had delivered at least one clinical pathway consultation under Pharmacy First service. This is approximately 91% of pharmacies nationwide.

Found: Barber of Chittlehampton (member of the Committee from 1 June) No relevant interests to declare Baroness Coffey

Found: on Wednesday 03 June 2026 Present: Lord Barber of Chittlehampton Lord Bradley (Chair) Baroness Coffey