Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to mitigate the impact of increases in rail fares on residents in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (b) Staffordshire.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

We have announced that regulated rail fares will be frozen, for a year from March 2026, for the first time in 30 years putting money back in the pockets of hardworking people. Passengers will benefit from savings on over a billion journeys with season tickets, peak return tickets on commuter routes, and off-peak return tickets on longer-distance routes all protected.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the cost of an off peak return ticket between Stafford Railway Station and London Euston Railway Station was in each of the last 15 years.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The cost of an off-peak return ticket in each of the last 15 years between Stafford and London Euston was:

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the cost of an off peak return ticket between Crewe Railway Station and London Euston Railway Station was in each of the last 15 years.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The cost of an off-peak return ticket in each of the last 15 years between Crewe and London Euston was:

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with her counterparts in sub-Saharan Southern Africa on economic growth.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The promotion of economic growth, investment and trade is a key priority for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and forms a regular and essential part of our engagement with counterparts across the world, including in Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, Australia and Canada.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with her Australian counterpart on economic growth.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The promotion of economic growth, investment and trade is a key priority for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and forms a regular and essential part of our engagement with counterparts across the world, including in Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, Australia and Canada.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with her Canadian counterpart on economic growth.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The promotion of economic growth, investment and trade is a key priority for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and forms a regular and essential part of our engagement with counterparts across the world, including in Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, Australia and Canada.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic engagement she has had with her European colleagues on helping encourage economic growth in the United Kingdom.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The promotion of economic growth, investment and trade is a key priority for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and forms a regular and essential part of our engagement with counterparts across the world, including in Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, Australia and Canada.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the cost of an off peak return ticket between Stoke-on-Trent Railway Station and London Euston Railway Station was in each of the last 15 years.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The cost of an off-peak return ticket in each of the last 15 years between Stoke-on-Trent and London Euston was:

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he plans to take to tackle rising temperatures.

Answered by Katie White - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Tackling climate change is at the heart of this Government’s clean energy superpower mission.

On 29 October we published the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan which sets out in detail how the UK will continue to reduce emissions in a way that lowers bills and secures good jobs, in line with the Climate Change Act 2008.

With the UK contributing 1% of global emissions, collaboration with other countries is critical. That is why my Rt hon Friend the Prime Minister led the UK’s COP30 delegation and the UK pushed for the transition away from fossil fuels and deforestation that is needed to keep our goal of limiting global temperature rises to 1.5 degrees in reach.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many civil servants in his Department, beyond the Bill team, are working on the a) passage and b) preparation for the implementation of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Bill officials are currently working to fulfil the Government’s duty to the statute book, including providing technical workability advice on the bill. No officials are working on the implementation of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life Act).

We are unable to quantify how many civil servants in the Department outside the bill team have provided input to the bill process. Officials in the bill team have sought input from the teams with relevant expertise on specific issues on an ad-hoc basis. None of these civil servants are working full-time on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the statement on the Middle East made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 18 November.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking with the Southern African Development Community to help tackle violence against women and girls.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Tackling violence against women and girls is a key priority for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and forms a regular and essential part of our engagement with counterparts across the world, including in the Southern African Development Community.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he has taken to support young people in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (b) Staffordshire into employment, education or training.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Government understands the negative effects of unemployment can be particularly pronounced for young people and can have longstanding implications on their future earnings potential and life chances.

That is why at Budget the Government announced that £820 million has been committed to the Youth Guarantee over the next three years to support all young people aged 16 to 24 to earn or learn. This includes the previously announced Jobs Guarantee, which will guaranteeing six-months of paid work for every eligible 18-21 year old who has been on Universal Credit and looking for work for 18 months. Under the Jobs Guarantee we will fund 100% of the wages for the six months (up to 25hrs/week at the relevant minimum wage), as well as the additional employment costs and a budget for wrap around support. Further details on the Youth Guarantee will be announced shortly.

In Newcastle-under-Lyme the DWP Employer and Partnership team is actively involved with the Newcastle Employment and Skills Group (NSEG). They work closely with stakeholders such as Aspire Housing, Keele University, and prominent employers at Lymedale Business Park, including TK Maxx, ASDA, and Radwell International. Youth Employment Programmes, such as Positive Directions and We Mean Business, offer fully funded 5-week courses for 16–24-year-olds who are not engaged in employment, education, or training. Additionally, our outreach efforts through probation services and police provide tailored employment pathways, mentoring, and reintegration support for young people at risk of offending.

In Staffordshire, our DWP Schools Advisers have supported over 3,600 young people across in the 2024/25 academic year. This includes 220 students in Newcastle-under-Lyme at Orme Academy, St Peter's Academy, and Abbey Hill Special School. Young people have access to training in Digital Marketing, Cyber Security, Web Design, and Emergency First Aid for Mental Health through The Training Initiative.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the activities of the Russian government in sub-Saharan Africa on (a) her Department's objectives and (b) the UK's international role.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 26 February 2025 to Question 30979.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has provided support to the Jamaican diaspora in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon. Member to my statement to the House on 4 November 2025, Official Report, vol. 774, col. 33WS to 35WS.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to increase (a) skills and (b) employment support for people in (i) Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency and (ii) Staffordshire who are in receipt of sickness benefits.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

We have a team of colleagues that offer tailored support to people with health conditions in Newcastle-under-Lyme and the Shires District through our Pathways to Work programme. We set out our plan for the “Pathways to Work Guarantee” in our Pathways to Work Green Paper. Our dedicated team is committed to understanding and addressing the unique needs of these individuals. They spend extra time listening to their concerns, triaging, and directing them to the appropriate support for their complex needs, skills and employability.

Our efforts are closely linked with partners, including the Local Authority-led Supported Employment programme Connect to Work, and we collaborate extensively with broader health, employment and skills support networks. This integrated approach ensures that we provide holistic and effective support to those who need it most.

Newcastle-under-Lyme is part of the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Connect to Work delivery area. Staffordshire County Council is the Lead Authority for Connect to Work in the region. We have agreed their delivery plan and have approved a £19 million grant to fund this programme for approximately 5,250 participants by the end of the decade. The programme has recently opened, and local constituents can find out more through the Staffordshire Jobs and Careers page: www.staffsjobscareers.com/.

The “Pathways to Work Guarantee” is backed by £1 billion a year of new, additional funding by the end of the decade. We anticipate the guarantee, once fully rolled out, will include: a support conversation to identify next steps, one-to-one caseworker support, periodic engagement, and an offer of specialist long-term work health and skills support.

The NHS 10 Year Health Plan, published in July, stated the Government’s intention to break down barriers to opportunity by delivering the holistic support that people need to access and thrive in employment by ensuring a better health service for everyone, regardless of condition or service area. It outlines how the neighbourhood health service will join up support from across the work, health and skills systems to help address the multiple complex challenges that often stop people finding and staying in work.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of appointing a UK Data Protection Ombudsman.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Data protection complaints are dealt with by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the independent regulator, which has a statutory duty to investigate data subject complaints to the extent appropriate.

The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 introduces reforms to the ICO as well as a new requirement for data controllers to respond to data protection complaints themselves, reducing premature complaints to the regulator. The ICO is also reviewing its approach to data protection complaints and has carried out a public consultation on changes to how it assesses and determines the level of investigation. It is now reviewing feedback from that consultation.

Given our recent legislative reforms and the ICO’s consultation, there are no current plans to consider a Data Protection Ombudsman. If individuals are dissatisfied with the ICO’s service (not its legal interpretation), they can escalate complaints to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many data protection complaints were filed with the Information Commissioner’s Office in each of the last five years.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The number of data protection complaints filed with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) are available on ICO’s Annual Reports, which can be viewed on their website at: https://ico.org.uk/about-the-ico/our-information/annual-reports/.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan regarding the imprisonment of former Prime Minister, Imran Khan.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

While judicial matters are for Pakistan's courts, the UK has consistently emphasised to its counterparts in Pakistan the need for due process, fair trials, and humane treatment for all, including Mr Imran Khan. I covered these matters during a wide-ranging discussion with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister when we met in August 2025.

Christmas (No. 2)

The achievement of Mr Atushi Horiba

Walker's Shortbread Exporter of the Year

Team GB at the 2025 Deaflympics

Royal Naval Association Torbay

UN International Human Rights Defenders Day

Anniversary of the murder of Ken Smyth and Daniel McCormick

McLaren title win for British motorsport

Thanking postal workers

150th Anniversary of Bo’ness Public School

140th anniversary of the North West of Ireland Football Association

Hilary Freedman's 60 years of service to the NHS

Found: Democratic & Labour Party; Belfast South and Mid Down) Simon Hoare (Conservative; North Dorset) Adam Jogee