Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she plans to take to improve the provision of public libraries in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (b) Staffordshire.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Public libraries are funded by local authorities and each local authority is responsible for assessing the needs of their local communities and designing a library service to meet those needs within available resources.

The Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 requires the Secretary of State to “superintend and promote the improvement of the public library service provided by local authorities in England”. To assist this function the department regularly monitors and reviews changes to local authority library service provision, and engages with local authorities to discuss issues related to their respective library service.

The government is committed to getting local government back on its feet. The final Local Government Finance Settlement for 2025-26 makes available over £69 billion for local government, which is a 6.8% cash terms increase on 2024-25.

The Secretary of State announced in February 2025 a further £5.5 million of the Libraries Improvement Fund for 2025-26 to enable library services across England to invest in a range of projects to upgrade buildings and technology. Staffordshire County Council has previously received around £465,000 from this fund to support projects at Burton and Wombourne libraries.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of flight connections between England and Northern Ireland.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

We recognise the importance of maintaining a thriving and competitive aviation sector in the UK that supports Union connectivity.

The Department continues to joint-fund a Public Service Obligation route between London and Derry/Londonderry.

During March 2025, around 4,000 passenger flights were operated by airlines including Aer Lingus, British Airways, easyJet, Loganair and Ryanair, between several airports across England and Northern Ireland.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps he has taken to increase the level of access to NHS dentists by people in a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (b) Staffordshire.

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

The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patients trying to access National Health Service dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to the areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term, we will reform the dental contract with the sector, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.

The responsibility for commissioning primary care services, including NHS dentistry, to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to the integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. For the Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency and Staffordshire, this is the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB. ICBs have been asked to start making extra urgent dental appointments available from April 2025. The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB is expected to deliver 16,190 additional urgent dental appointments as part of the scheme.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent steps he has taken to improve digital connectivity for older people living in rural communities.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government published its Digital Inclusion Action Plan in February 2025, which identified five target groups to benefit most from digital inclusion initiatives, including older people. The initiatives will be targeted locally for boosting digital skills and confidence, widening access to devices and connectivity, and getting support to people in their own communities so everyone can reap the benefits of technology.

Through Project Gigabit and the Shared Rural Network, we are continuing to deliver broadband and mobile connectivity to hard-to-reach areas with limited or no coverage. Over 87% of UK premises now have access to a gigabit capable broadband connection, while more than 95% of the UK now has 4G geographic coverage from at least one mobile operator.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential contribution of Invest Staffordshire to her Department’s delivery of her priorities for (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (b) Staffordshire.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Invest Staffordshire was launched at UKREIIF in May 2025. It aims to promote key strategic investment sites and economic opportunities in Staffordshire. We hope to see it play an important role in promoting economic growth, attracting private sector investment, and supporting local businesses to scale and innovate.

The Department values this partnership and remains committed to supporting initiatives that deliver real, lasting benefits for residents and businesses across the region.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent steps she has taken to encourage youth democracy in schools in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (b) Staffordshire.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

Democracy forms a central part of the national curriculum for citizenship at key stages 3 and 4. Primary schools can choose to teach citizenship at key stages 1 and 2, following the non-statutory framework for citizenship.

Schools have considerable flexibility to organise the content and delivery of their curriculum and enrichment programme, including to suit their local context. This can include providing opportunities for pupil participation in democratic processes, subject to schools meeting their obligations to ensure political balance.

UK Parliament run educational tours for pupils, youth and community groups to see how Parliament works in action. UK Parliament also produce resources which can be downloaded or ordered for free, tailored to different age groups.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport funds the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) to support young people to engage in the democratic process. Every two years, the UKYP runs ‘Make Your Mark’, a youth vote open to all 11 to 18 year-olds in the UK, for them to be able to vote on what are the most important issues for young people.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, which Ministers attended the 4th Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition Forum on 20 May 2025.

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

Details of Ministerial meetings are published quarterly in arrears on gov.uk.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he plans to take to improve standards for kept animals.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

This Government was elected on a mandate to introduce the most ambitious plans to improve animal welfare in a generation. The Department is engaging with key animal welfare stakeholders as part of the development of our overarching approach to animal welfare. We will be outlining more details on this in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether she has discussed the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill with representatives of the Welsh Government.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The Secretary of State has not discussed the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill with counterparts in the Welsh Government.

The Government is neutral on the matter of assisted dying and the passage of the Bill.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions she has had with the National Fire Chiefs Council on the adequacy of mental health and wellbeing support for firefighters in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme, (b) Staffordshire and (c) England.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Government supports the work that the National Fire Chiefs Council is doing through its Wellbeing Board to assist services to drive positive improvements in mental health provision for their workforce. It is for fire and rescue authorities to work with their individual service to ensure that the right support is in place to meet local needs and circumstances. The Government does not assess the needs of individual or services or at national level.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the work of the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

The Lord Chancellor has appointed Dame Vera Baird DBE KC to carry out a thorough review of the operation of the Criminal Cases Review Commission, to increase public confidence in the organisation and the important work it undertakes investigating potential miscarriages of justice.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with his counterparts from the (a) Southern African Development Community, (b) Caribbean Community and (c) Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries on digital transformation.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

International engagement is vital to the UK’s science and technology priorities. The Secretary of State and Ministers regularly engage with partners around the world, including a variety of nations in the regions represented by the organisations outlined. For example, the UK and Singapore recently signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen cooperation on digital transformation and the Secretary of State recently met Minister Teo on 6 November.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the link between the installation of solar panels on new build homes and the cost of energy for those residents.

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

Solar panels benefit households by reducing electricity bills significantly and providing payment for excess electricity generated through the Smart Export Guarantee.

Future standards this year will set our newbuild homes on a path that moves away from relying on fossil fuels and ensures readiness for a net zero future. We will encourage the installation of solar panels on these developments, where appropriate.

We received a lot of feedback on the Future Homes Standard consultation proposals relating to solar and are mindful of the opportunity it represents. We are committed to ensuring that the standards we set are ambitious and technically achievable. We are working to get the technical detail right and will provide an update soon.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the United Nations Development Programme.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office maintain a close working relationship, with regular senior-level discussions to align on strategic priorities, coordinate development efforts, and respond jointly to global challenges.

His Majesty the King and the Foreign Secretary engaged with the UNDP on Clean Energy in April at a UK-hosted Roundtable in Rome. Nick Dyer, the Second Permanent Under-Secretary met with the UNDP Administrator at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference on 2 June.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the East–West Council.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The East-West Council, established under the Safeguarding the Union Command Paper, first met in London in March 2024. It will meet for the first time in Belfast later this month. This forum provides exciting opportunities for Northern Ireland as we prioritise building and strengthening connections across the United Kingdom, focussing on shared opportunities and addressing mutual challenges.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps she has taken to encourage investment in (a) Staffordshire and (b) Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Office for Investment (OfI) works with stakeholders across Staffordshire and Newcastle Under Lyme to promote strategic Investment opportunities to create high quality job growth in the region. OfI has funded a strategic key account management initiative in Staffordshire and Newcastle Under Lyme, to provide direct support to investors.

I am delighted that Keele University, in Newcastle-under-Lyme, is ambitious to grow their successful Science and Innovation Park, and the OfI is supporting their work to bring this forward.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent engagement he has had with the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Baroness Hayman of Ullock, Defra Animal Welfare Minister, periodically meets with the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA). Most recently the Minister met both the Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) at a visit to Chester Zoo on 22 May 2025, ahead of the launch of the new Standards of Modern Zoo Practice for Great Britain and also hosted an Animal Welfare Strategy development roundtable, which BIAZA attended. Defra officials also have regular meetings with BIAZA.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the (a) political and (b) security situation in Tunisia.

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

The UK and Tunisia share an ambition to build the bilateral relationship across trade, energy and security portfolios. The UK monitors the political and security situation in Tunisia closely. As noted by the UK's Human Rights Ambassador last October, the space for political participation in Tunisia has shrunk considerably. In both public and private, we encourage respect for civil, political, social and economic rights and the rule of law in Tunisia. During his visit to Tunisia in January, the Foreign Secretary noted the importance of political participation and human rights in discussions with the Tunisian Government. The UK continues to use a range of programmes and activities to encourage and support an open society, including the Integrated Security Fund (ISF) Programme that aims to directly tackle the drivers of instability.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the (a) political and (b) security situation in Iraq.

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

The UK wants to see a stable, peaceful and prosperous Iraq. In partnership with the Iraqi Government, we aim to counter threats and foster stability and development, while promoting UK interests and values. We are encouraged by this period of relative security stability in the country and will continue to work with Iraq and other regional partners to ensure this continues. With the transition of the Global Coalition Against Daesh's military mission, Operation Inherent Resolve, set for September this year, the UK is working at pace to implement new defence and security agreements with the Government of Iraq.

Elections are due to take place in Iraq in November this year. We continue to monitor the election build-up and look forward to a free and fair election.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart on increasing levels of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

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

The UK remains in close and regular contact with the United States to jointly seek ways to get urgently-needed humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza. In April and May the Foreign Secretary, Secretary of State Rubio and Special Envoy Witkoff discussed the urgent need for a full and unhindered flow of humanitarian assistance. We continue to work closely with the US on the delivery of aid and medical support. Together with our international partners, we are calling on Israel to immediately allow the rapid, safe and unfettered resumption of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the (a) political and (b) security situation in Libya.

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

We are deeply concerned by the recent violence in Tripoli and we are continuing to monitor developments closely. We welcome the truces that have been agreed, urge all parties to respect them unconditionally and work towards agreeing a permanent ceasefire. This latest unrest highlights the urgent need for a sustainable political solution. Libyan actors must take responsibility for peace and security by engaging constructively with the UN to achieve a Libyan-led political agreement. The UK remains committed to supporting the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and will continue engaging a broad range of political stakeholders to help build a more stable, democratic, and prosperous Libya.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions she has had with her counterparts in (a) Southern African Development Community and (b) Carribbean Community countries on investment opportunities.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The Department for Business and Trade discusses a number of issues with partners across the Caribbean and the Southern Africa community aimed at increasing bilateral investment. In addition, the UK’s Trade Envoys for those regions will seek to develop high level relationships with key decision makers to help further increase trade and investment.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to update the Standards of Modern Zoo Practice for Great Britain.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government published new Standards of Modern Zoo Practice for Great Britain on 24 May 2025. The Standards will come into force from May 2027 and will replace the current 2012 Secretary of State’s Standards of Modern Zoo Practice. The new Standards reflect the latest in best practice for keeping wild animals in zoos and aquariums.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of updates to the Standards of Modern Zoo Practice for Great Britain on animal welfare standards at zoos.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government published new Standards of Modern Zoo Practice for Great Britain on 24 May 2025. The Standards will come into force from May 2027 and will replace the current 2012 Secretary of State’s Standards of Modern Zoo Practice. The new Standards reflect the latest in best practice for keeping wild animals in zoos and aquariums.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taken since 1 May 2025 to advance the implementation of a two-state solution to the crisis in the Middle East.

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

The UK's commitment to a two-state solution is unwavering. We support a two-state solution that guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people and are regularly engaging Israelis, Palestinians and regional partners on this. On May 19, alongside France and Canada, the UK issued a joint statement expressing concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and the expansion of settlements in the West Bank. On May 20, the UK sanctioned Israeli individuals, illegal settler outposts and organisations supporting violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank. We continue to call on Israeli authorities to exercise restraint, adhere to international law, and clamp down on the actions of those who seek to inflame tensions. The UK is also continuing to support the Palestinian Authority (PA) as it delivers its vital reform agenda. An effective PA is vital for lasting peace and progress towards a two-state solution, and the UK is supporting the Palestinian Authority as delivers much-needed reforms.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Jordanian counterpart on increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza.

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

The Jordan corridor has been a vital channel for achieving the scale of aid needed in Gaza over the last 18 months. The UK has worked with Jordan to facilitate the supply of aid through this channel. The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary met His Majesty King Abdullah II and Foreign Minister Safadi of Jordan on 5 June, and discussed ways to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza. The Prime Minister emphasised that it was vital that a sustainable ceasefire and the release of all hostages be secured, and humanitarian aid be delivered at speed and volume. He reiterated that if Israel did not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, the UK and its partners would take further concrete actions in response. Both leaders agreed on the importance of the Palestinian Authority's reform agenda as part of the path to a two-state solution and lasting peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reasons wildfire warning signs have been installed on English moorland.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The decision to install signage has been made at a local level by Moors for the Future Partnership and Peak District National Park Authority.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent steps he has taken with Cabinet colleagues to help increase job (a) creation and (b) retention in (i) industrial communities, (ii) Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency and (iii) Staffordshire.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

There is a strong ecosystem of skills and employment support, across Staffordshire and Newcastle -Under Lyme, co-ordinated through county, district and borough councils, in partnership with national government and not for profit organisations.

The Department for Business and Trade offers a range of business support services which we will be building with measures being announced in the Small Business Strategy later this year. Our support helps businesses start, grow, invest, and export, creating opportunities across the country, including communities in Staffordshire and Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taken to advance recognition of the State of Palestine since 20 May 2025.

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

The UK commitment to a two-state solution is unwavering.  We are committed to recognising a Palestinian state at a time that has the most impact in achieving this reality and is most conducive to long-term prospects for peace. We are clear that does not need to be at the end of a process. UK bilateral recognition is the single most important action the UK can take with regard to Palestinian statehood. That is why it is important to get the timing right so that it creates genuine momentum and is not simply a symbolic gesture. We are continuing to engage all partners on advancing a two-state solution and supporting the foundations of Palestinian statehood.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent steps she has taken to support universities with funding challenges.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

To support universities in stabilising their financial positions, the Office for Students (OfS) will continue dedicating significant resources to ensuring the sector's financial sustainability. The department has appointed Professor Edward Peck as the substantive Chair of the OfS, where he will play a key role in strengthening this commitment while also expanding opportunities in higher education (HE).

Additionally, we have made the difficult decision to increase tuition fee limits by 3.1% for the 2025/26 academic year, aligning with inflation.

The department will outline its plans for HE reform in the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, set to be published this summer.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the link between trends in the number of international students and the number of courses at universities.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

This government’s position on international students is clear. We are committed to a United Kingdom that is outward looking and welcomes international students who make a positive impact on the UK’s higher education (HE) sector, our economy and society as a whole.

The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) collects and publishes data on student enrolments across UK HE providers.

Counts of student enrolments in UK HE providers by permanent address are published in Table 1 of HESA’s Student Data and can be accessed here: https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/students/table-1.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of children and young people waiting for an ADHD assessment in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (b) Staffordshire.

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

There is, at present, no single established dataset that can be used to monitor waiting times for assessment and diagnosis for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for individual organisations or geographies in England. Although the data requested is not held centrally, it may be held locally by individual National Health Service trusts or commissioners.

For the first time, NHS England published management information on ADHD waits at a national level on 29 May 2025 as part of its ADHD data improvement plan; it will soon release technical guidance to integrated care boards (ICBs) to improve recording of ADHD data, with a view to improving the quality of ADHD waits data and publishing more localised data in future.

NHS England has established an ADHD taskforce which is bringing together those with lived experience with experts from the NHS, education, charity and justice sectors to get a better understanding of the challenges affecting those with ADHD, including in accessing services and support, with the report expected in the summer. NHS England has also captured examples from ICBs who are trialling innovative ways of delivering ADHD services and is using this information to support local systems to tackle ADHD waiting lists and provide support to address people’s needs.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent steps she has taken to help reduce the number of shoplifting offences in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency and (b) Staffordshire

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

We are providing £5 million over the next three years to continue funding a specialist analysis team within Opal, the National Policing Intelligence Unit for serious organised acquisitive crime, to crack down on the organised gangs targeting retailers.

We are also investing £2 million over the next three years in the National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) which provides a resource for both police and businesses to learn, share and support each other to prevent and combat crime.

Via the Crime and Policing Bill we will end the effective immunity for shop theft of and below £200 sending a clear message that any level of shop theft is illegal and will be taken seriously. Also included in the Bill is a new offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores.

I chair regular meetings of the Retail Crime Forum, which brings together the retail sector, security providers and law enforcement agencies to ensure we understand the needs of all retailers promote collaboration, share best practice, and work collectively to tackle the serious issue of retail crime. This includes the development of a new strategy to tackle shop theft published by policing, retail sector representatives and industry as part of collective efforts to combat shop theft – Tackling Retail Crime Together.

The strategy builds on previous progress made by police and retailers but provides a more comprehensive and intelligence-led approach to tackle all perpetrators of shop theft – not just organised criminal gangs.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he plans to take to tackle livestock worrying in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (b) Staffordshire.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

This Government recognises the distress livestock worrying can cause animals and their keepers.

The Government is supporting a Private Members’ Bill which will amend and update the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953. The Bill will modernise definitions and scope, strengthen police powers and increase the maximum penalty from a fine of £1,000 to an “unlimited” fine to act as a deterrent.

The legislation will apply to England and Wales.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will meet with the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme to discuss the potential merits of a police station providing a 24-hour public reception in Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

Decisions about local resourcing and the police force estate, including police stations and their opening hours, are a matter for Chief Constables and directly elected, independent Police and Crime Commissioners (or equivalents). They are best placed to make these decisions based on their knowledge of local need and experience.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to increase access to the arts for children and young people in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency and (b) Staffordshire.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Secretary of State has a range of discussions with Cabinet colleagues across the whole of her portfolio. DCMS officials regularly discuss access to the arts for children and young people with their counterparts across His Majesty’s Government including with the Department for Education.

The government, through the recently announced Dormant Assets Scheme Strategy, has allocated £132.5 million in England towards youth. This will increase disadvantaged young people’s access to enrichment opportunities in the arts, culture, sports and wider youth services, aimed at improving wellbeing and employability.

In addition, our arms-length body, Arts Council England (ACE) coordinates public funding which supports a number of creative programmes and activities for children and young people across Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire. This includes Shaw Education Trust’s ‘Young Curators’ programme, which gives high school students in Newcastle-under-Lyme the opportunity to learn hands-on about curation and host their own exhibitions in the local art gallery.

Since 2024, ACE has invested nearly £8 million into programmes and projects in the Staffordshire region (excluding the Stoke-on-Trent City Council area) which have had a focus on children and young people. This figure includes almost £3 million of support for organisations in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on steps to increase access to the arts for children and young people in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (b) Staffordshire.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Secretary of State has a range of discussions with Cabinet colleagues across the whole of her portfolio. DCMS officials regularly discuss access to the arts for children and young people with their counterparts across His Majesty’s Government including with the Department for Education.

The government, through the recently announced Dormant Assets Scheme Strategy, has allocated £132.5 million in England towards youth. This will increase disadvantaged young people’s access to enrichment opportunities in the arts, culture, sports and wider youth services, aimed at improving wellbeing and employability.

In addition, our arms-length body, Arts Council England (ACE) coordinates public funding which supports a number of creative programmes and activities for children and young people across Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire. This includes Shaw Education Trust’s ‘Young Curators’ programme, which gives high school students in Newcastle-under-Lyme the opportunity to learn hands-on about curation and host their own exhibitions in the local art gallery.

Since 2024, ACE has invested nearly £8 million into programmes and projects in the Staffordshire region (excluding the Stoke-on-Trent City Council area) which have had a focus on children and young people. This figure includes almost £3 million of support for organisations in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of arts and culture on (a) society and (b) education in (i) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (ii) Staffordshire.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The government strongly believes in the benefits that the arts and culture can bring to the UK, both in terms of their social and economic impact. According to DCMS Economic estimates, the cultural sector contributed an estimated £35.0bn in 2023, accounting for 1.5% of UK GVA.

Newcastle-under-Lyme currently has three National Portfolio Organisations (NPO) receiving public funding of almost £1.5 million per annum. In total, Arts Council England (ACE) funding to organisations and individuals in Staffordshire since 2024 is over £12 million. This includes a major award of £1.7m towards the restoration of Tamworth Castle, through the Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND).

An example of this positive impact is the ACE funded New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme, which delivers community programmes that are a strong example of how investment into creative infrastructure can benefit communities. Their ‘Tale Trail’ experience is a first introduction to the arts for 88% of the children who attend, with 87% of children attending the theatre’s programmes showing improved markers for school readiness. These positive outcomes are also reflected in the theatre’s work with dementia patients, with self-reported health ratings nearly tripling following interactions with the ‘Dementia and Creativity’ programme.

ACE is also delivering Music Hubs, which are supported by Department for Education funding. Staffordshire Music Hub offers a wide range of instrumental lessons and access to rehearsal spaces for children and young people.

DCMS is committed to promoting the culture of Staffordshire, including in its heritage buildings, ensuring these buildings serve the needs of local communities. Since 1994, The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded nearly £100 million to 760 projects across Staffordshire. The National Lottery Heritage Fund has identified Stoke-on-Trent as one of twenty places as part of their Heritage Places UK-wide initiative which aims to provide long term place-based investment that boosts pride in place and connects communities and visitors with heritage.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to increase access to the arts for people over the age of 60 in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (b) Staffordshire.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Arts Council England is the DCMS arms-length body with responsibility for distributing arts funding. Arts Council England provides both Grant-in-Aid and lottery funding which supports a number of creative programmes and activities for older people across Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire. This includes project grants to music organisation Madula, who host weekly drum circles for older residents in the area to learn from international artists in a social environment. Castle Hill Creatives, a group of artists which provide events and exhibitions in Torrington have also worked with older and isolated people to create sculptural lanterns for the Stoke Lanterns event that took place in March 2025.

Beyond project grants, Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places projects are designed to work on intergenerational projects with people across the area. In Stoke-on-Trent, this is run by Appetite and in Staffordshire Moorlands, projects are run by Outside.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Saudi Arabia counterpart on increasing humanitarian aid into Gaza.

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

As part of our continuous engagement at all levels with Saudi Arabia, the Foreign Secretary spoke with Foreign Minister His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Gaza and the humanitarian crisis on 10 May.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the (a) political and (b) security situation in Myanmar.

Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We continue to closely monitor and assess the political and security context in Myanmar and ensure this informs UK policy.

In assessing the security and humanitarian access constraints, we have continued to prioritise delivering humanitarian aid mainly through local partners, to reach populations most in need, and have been clear at the UN Security Council on calling for full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access.

Additionally, we continue to assess and call out the escalating conflict. In April, the UK supported a Human Rights Council Resolution calling for protection of civilians and all minorities and in May I called out the reported military airstrikes on schools and civilians' infrastructure.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether people who are in receipt of the Universal Credit health element who were not also in receipt of the Personal Independence Payment daily living component prior to the Work Capability Assessment being abolished will automatically lose their entitlement to the Universal Credit health element once the Work Capability Assessment is abolished.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Our Pathways to Work Green Paper set out why we are scrapping the Work Capability Assessment (WCA). We want to end the binary categorisation of groups and labelling as either ‘can or can’t work’. Instead, any extra financial support for health conditions in UC will be assessed via a single assessment – the PIP assessment – and be based on whether someone is receiving any Daily Living award in PIP, not on capacity to work. This will de-couple access to the health element in from work status, so people can be confident that the act of taking steps towards and into employment will not put their benefit entitlement at risk.

We are considering how any change of this kind could affect individuals who currently meet limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) criteria due to non-functional special circumstances; for example, those affected by cancer treatment, people with short term conditions that get better, women with a high-risk pregnancy and those currently classed as having substantial risk. Individuals in these categories may not be eligible for PIP, and therefore the UC health element, in the reformed system.

In the reformed system these groups will still be eligible for UC and for the proposed new higher rate Unemployment Insurance if they meet relevant eligibility criteria. Individuals who are nearing the end of their life with 12 months or less to live will continue to be able to access PIP through the existing fast track route (Special Rules for End of Life (SREL) to ensure we protect those who are nearing the end of their life, irrespective of the duration of their illness.

Further details on these changes will be set out in a White Paper in the Autumn.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Canadian counterpart on trade.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign Secretary spoke with his new Canadian counterpart, Anita Anand, on 30 May, and met with her in person on 6 June. On both occasions, they discussed a wide range of issues across our economic and security relationship. The Foreign Secretary looks forward to working with her closely in the future to deepen the vitally important UK-Canada relationship, including through strengthening our significant economic partnership.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether a British High Commissioner has been appointed in all Commonwealth member states.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) regularly reviews its overseas network to ensure it reflects UK foreign priorities and provides effective representation across the Commonwealth. All Commonwealth member states, except the UK, have a UK High Commissioner representation. This may be resident or non-resident High Commissioners. The UK has the UK Commonwealth Envoy based in the FCDO in London.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to protect nature through her Department's housebuilding programme.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December 2024 is clear about the importance of protecting and enhancing biodiversity where it is affected by development and includes stringent protections for nationally designated sites and irreplaceable habitats.

The implementation of Local Nature Recovery Strategies and Biodiversity Net Gain are helping to highlight opportunities to improve nature in conjunction with development, and to secure tangible contributions to biodiversity enhancements.

The Nature Restoration Fund, introduced by the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, will provide further benefits where development could affect protected habitats and species, by enabling strategic improvements.

Found: Sullivan Mrs Sharon Hodgson Johanna Baxter Jonathan Hinder Dr Scott Arthur Maureen Burke Adam Jogee

Found: Sullivan Mrs Sharon Hodgson Johanna Baxter Jonathan Hinder Dr Scott Arthur Maureen Burke Adam Jogee

Found: Dr Al Pinkerton Connor Naismith Manuela Perteghella Susan Murray Clive Jones Adrian Ramsay Adam Jogee

Found: Asato Kim Johnson Tonia Antoniazzi Dr Allison Gardner Jen Craft Abtisam Mohamed Tom Hayes Adam Jogee

Found: Asato Kim Johnson Tonia Antoniazzi Dr Allison Gardner Jen Craft Abtisam Mohamed Tom Hayes Adam Jogee

Found: _38 Naz Shah Dame Meg Hillier Graham Stringer Rebecca Paul Adam Jogee Maya Ellis Mary Glindon

Found: Asato Kim Johnson Tonia Antoniazzi Dr Allison Gardner Jen Craft Abtisam Mohamed Tom Hayes Adam Jogee

Found: _NC6 Valerie Vaz Rachael Maskell Adam Jogee Mary Glindon Dr Allison Gardner Jonathan Davies 33

Found: _NC5 Valerie Vaz Rachael Maskell Adam Jogee Mary Glindon Dr Allison Gardner .

Found: Daniel Francis Anna Dixon Antonia Bance Patricia Ferguson Uma Kumaran Dame Harriett Baldwin Adam Jogee

Found: Dinenage Olly Glover Valerie Vaz Oliver Ryan Graeme Downie Andy Slaughter Manuela Perteghella Adam Jogee

Found: _NC5 Valerie Vaz Rachael Maskell Adam Jogee Mary Glindon Dr Allison Gardner .

Found: Dinenage Olly Glover Valerie Vaz Oliver Ryan Graeme Downie Andy Slaughter Manuela Perteghella Adam Jogee

Found: _NC5 Valerie Vaz Rachael Maskell Adam Jogee Mary Glindon Dr Allison Gardner .

Found: Wilson Juliet Campbell Dr Jeevun Sandher Graeme Downie Andy Slaughter Manuela Perteghella Adam Jogee

Found: _NC5 Valerie Vaz Rachael Maskell Adam Jogee Mary Glindon Dr Allison Gardner .

Commonwealth APPG
Tuesday 10th June 2025

Found: Adam Jogee M.P. Andrew Rosindell M.P. Sam Rushworth M.P. The Rt Hon.

Commonwealth APPG
Tuesday 10th June 2025

Found: The Baroness Uddin Adam Jogee M.P. 1.

Australia and New Zealand (ANZAC) and the Pacific Islands APPG
Tuesday 10th June 2025

Found: Adam Jogee M.P. Aphra Brandreth M.P. Maureen Burke M.P. Elaine Stewart M.P.

Ireland and the Irish in Britain APPG
Tuesday 10th June 2025

Found: Minutes ▪ Welcome and Introduction to the Ireland and Irish in Britain APPG In attendance: Adam Jogee

Beauty and Wellbeing APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: Carolyn Harris MP Baroness Luciana Berger Richard Holden MP Mary Glindon MP Leigh Ingham MP Adam Jogee

Less Survivable Cancers APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: attended in his place) Danny Beales MP Chris Bloore MP Paul Davies MP Josh Fenton-Glynn MP Adam Jogee

Global Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on tackling violence against women and girls – Adam Jogee