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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of a) local, b) regional and c) general elections being held on a Saturday on voter turnout.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government has not made any recent assessment of the impact of moving polling day to a Saturday on voter turnout.

The Government is committed to increasing democratic participation, as set out in its manifesto. As part of this work, we are preparing to pilot a range of flexible voting options at this May’s local elections, including opportunities for electors to cast their vote over the weekend alongside the traditional polling day. These pilots are designed to build a fuller understanding of how giving people greater choice in when and where they vote can support wider participation and strengthen the overall voting experience.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will remove the right to vote from Irish passport holders in elections in the United Kingdom.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government has no plans to change the existing voting rights of Irish citizens or Commonwealth citizens.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to remove the right to vote from Commonwealth citizens in elections in the United Kingdom.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government has no plans to change the existing voting rights of Irish citizens or Commonwealth citizens.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with the Children’s Commissioner for England on proposals to protect young people in a) Newcastle-under-Lyme, b) Staffordshire and c) England from harm online.

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

On 2 March, the government launched a landmark consultation on how to give young people the childhood they deserve in an online world. This includes versions accessible to both children and busy parents.

In addition, we have started the National Conversation to gather input from parents and children throughout the UK. Children are at the heart of this discussion; we've held two events with the Children’s Commissioner for England so far, and we plan to keep working together in the future.

Details of ministerial meetings, including the purpose of meetings, are published quarterly on the GOV.UK website.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that people in a) Newcastle-under-Lyme, b) Staffordshire and c) England with Huntington's disease are able to access hyoscine hydrobromide.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

We are aware that hyoscine hydrobromide 1.5 milligram patches are currently out of stock and we are in dialogue with the manufacturer. We do not hold information on stock availability locally, however, this product is currently unavailable across the United Kingdom.

The resupply date has yet to be confirmed by the supplier, however, to minimise the impact on patients, we have issued comprehensive management guidance to the National Health Service, including all general practitioners (GPs) and community pharmacists, on alternative products, including unlicensed hyoscine hydrobromide. The decision on whether to prescribe an unlicensed medicine rests with the prescriber.

Patients/patient representatives should speak to their GP or specialist on the most appropriate treatment option, taking into account the licensed and unlicensed alternatives available.

We continue to work with the supplier and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, as appropriate, to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

The vast majority of the UK’s licensed medicines are in good supply and to make sure this remains the case, we are investing more in the domestic medicine manufacturing industry.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to promote community cohesion in a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and b) Staffordshire.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

MHCLG’s Community Cohesion Unit supports and promotes cohesion across England by working closely with local authorities, voluntary and community sector and faith organisations, and other government departments.

Following the disorder in summer 2024, several areas in Staffordshire have received sustained support. In Stoke-on-Trent, MHCLG has supported a multi-agency partnership approach to strengthen cohesion and resilience, aligned with the development of the city’s cohesion strategy. This brings together statutory and community partners to address integration, cohesion and tensions monitoring. Two areas, Bentilee and Ubberley, and Meir North, have each been awarded Pride in Place Programme funding, with £20 million invested over ten years to deliver long-term, preventative improvements to community cohesion.

In Tamworth, MHCLG supported the Borough Council following unrest in summer 2024, addressing immediate challenges and strengthening longer-term cohesion capability through initiatives such as the ‘We Are Tamworth’ programme. Glascote Heath has also been allocated Pride in Place funding.

Nationally, MHCLG is coordinating cross-government work on a longer-term approach to social cohesion. Protecting What Matters, published on 9 March 2026, sets out HMG’s vision to build stronger, more cohesive communities through sustained investment, improved integration, strengthened English language provision, and robust action against hate and extremism.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what support his Department is providing to the Iranian community in the United Kingdom.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Secretary of State, Ministers and officials are regularly engaging with faith, community and diaspora leaders as well as with local authorities who have Iranian constituents, providing an opportunity for the Iranian community to share how they are feeling, their concerns and any support needs. Further engagement with organisations supporting the Iranian community are being agreed.

We are aware that many in the Iranian diaspora in the UK are vocal in calling out the Iranian regime's unacceptable human rights record. We have been consistent in highlighting this record on the world stage and directly with the Iranian government. We continue to engage Iranian human rights experts in the UK.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions she has had with her US counterpart on sanctions on Russian oil.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Chancellor continues to reiterate the UK’s commitment to placing economic pressure on Russia to end its illegal war on Ukraine. She regularly engages her US counterpart, including through joining a G7 Finance Ministers call on 9 March which discussed the current conflict in the Middle East.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with his Cabinet colleagues in relation to the rising price of home heating oil in Northern Ireland.

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

We understand that heating oil pricing is a significant issue for households in Northern Ireland. The Minister for Energy met with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland this week to discuss the impacts to households.

The Secretary of State has written to the industry reminding heating oil distributors of their commitments under the UKIFDA Code of Practice, including the need for fair, transparent and justifiable pricing. Following discussions with the Competition and Markets Authority, the CMA are launching a comprehensive examination of the heating oil industry. We will work closely with the CMA to understand findings and develop options to increase consumer protections in this sector.

The Chancellor has also allocated £17m to support the most vulnerable customers in Northern Ireland.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the price of home heating oil in a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and b) Staffordshire.

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

We understand that heating oil pricing is a significant issue for households. The Secretary of State and The Minister for Energy have been closely engaging with their counterparts across Government on heating oil prices, including with the Treasury and Devolved Governments. These discussions have been focussed on UK-wide prices of heating oil.

The Secretary of State has written to the industry reminding heating oil distributors of their commitments under the UKIFDA Code of Practice, including the need for fair, transparent and justifiable pricing.

Following discussions with the Competition and Markets Authority, the CMA are launching a comprehensive examination of the heating oil industry. We will work closely with the CMA to understand findings and develop options to increase consumer protections in this sector.

For the most vulnerable households, £27m in support is being provided to England, which will be distributed by Local Authorities via the Crisis and Resilience Fund.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has had discussions with the First and deputy First Ministers of Northern on the rising price of home heating oil.

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

We understand that heating oil pricing is a significant issue for households in Northern Ireland. The Minister for Energy met with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland this week to discuss the impacts to households.

The Secretary of State has written to the industry reminding heating oil distributors of their commitments under the UKIFDA Code of Practice, including the need for fair, transparent and justifiable pricing. Following discussions with the Competition and Markets Authority, the CMA are launching a comprehensive examination of the heating oil industry. We will work closely with the CMA to understand findings and develop options to increase consumer protections in this sector.

The Chancellor has also allocated £17m to support the most vulnerable customers in Northern Ireland.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he has had discussions with the Minister for Communities in the Northern Ireland Executive on Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann being held in Belfast.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and I have regular discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive, including the Communities Minister, on a range of priorities. Northern Ireland Office officials have engaged directly with Comhaltas on the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast this summer.

The Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will be a great opportunity for Northern Ireland. As one of only three UK cities with UNESCO City of Music status, I am delighted that Belfast will host the world's largest celebration of Irish music and culture. This event will attract global visitors, providing a chance for the city to showcase its rich and diverse cultural offering. The decision by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann to bring the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann back to Belfast in 2027 is also very welcome news.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking to support the Northern Ireland Executive with Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and I have regular discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive, including the Communities Minister, on a range of priorities. Northern Ireland Office officials have engaged directly with Comhaltas on the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast this summer.

The Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will be a great opportunity for Northern Ireland. As one of only three UK cities with UNESCO City of Music status, I am delighted that Belfast will host the world's largest celebration of Irish music and culture. This event will attract global visitors, providing a chance for the city to showcase its rich and diverse cultural offering. The decision by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann to bring the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann back to Belfast in 2027 is also very welcome news.

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 the BBC regarding the decision not to air the Commonwealth Day service live.

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

The Secretary of State regularly meets with the BBC to discuss a range of issues. However, the BBC is editorially and operationally independent of the government and decisions regarding the coverage of the Commonwealth Day service are a matter for the BBC.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions he has had with his Arab counterparts on the global price of energy.

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

The Government continues to monitor the situation in oil and gas markets and work with our international partners.

Since 28 February, the Secretary of State has engaged with several counterparts. Further calls with a range of international partners are planned over the coming days.

Details of the Secretary of State’s meetings are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions he has had with his European counterparts on the global price of energy.

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

The Secretary of State is in regular contact with European counterparts on international oil and gas price developments. Details of the Secretary of State’s meetings are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, further to the Answer of 21 October 2025 to Question 81646, what specific policies, programmes or commitments have resulted from the Government’s engagement with Pakistan’s Human Rights and Interior Ministers regarding the protection of Christian and Hindu prisoners; and how frequently such ministerial or official-level engagement takes place.

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

The UK engages with the Government of Pakistan on the rights of religious minorities, including the treatment of Christian and Hindu prisoners, at Ministerial and official levels as appropriate. We do not comment on private diplomatic exchanges, but this engagement complements Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office work to strengthen the rule of law, prison oversight and minority protections, including through our High Commission's partnerships with civil society. We will continue to raise these concerns where appropriate and press for improved safeguards.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will meet with the Tenant Farmers Association to discuss the potential merits of compensation for tenant farmers who lose land due to non-agricultural development.

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

The Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) raised the important matter of compensation for tenant farmers when they recently met with me, one in a series of regular meetings.

The Secretary of State is also due to meet with the TFA, providing another opportunity for this issue to be discussed.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the additional jobs that will be required in the reuse and repair sectors as the UK moves to a more circular economy.

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

This Government is committed to transitioning towards a circular economy where resources are kept in use for longer and waste is designed out. This systemic change, with investment in green jobs and vital infrastructure, builds a path to economic growth, progress towards Net Zero, restoration of nature, and a more resilient economy.

We intend to publish a Circular Economy Growth Plan that sets out how the Government will deliver a more circular and more prosperous economy. The Plan will set out the biggest opportunities to support growth in sectors right across the economy, including: agri-food; built environment; chemicals and plastics; electrical and electronic equipment; textiles; and transport.  It will consider critical enablers including skills and infrastructure.

Defra recognises that fostering green skills, including those needed for repair and reuse, is a fundamental tenet of any circular economy, and a successful transition aims to deliver on strengthening our current green workforce as well as developing the new green skills we will need for the future. We will consider the evidence for appropriate action right across the economy as we develop the Plan.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to take steps to help ensure the provision of green skills to deliver a more circular economy.

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

This Government is committed to transitioning towards a circular economy where resources are kept in use for longer and waste is designed out. This systemic change, with investment in green jobs and vital infrastructure, builds a path to economic growth, progress towards Net Zero, restoration of nature, and a more resilient economy.

We intend to publish a Circular Economy Growth Plan that sets out how the Government will deliver a more circular and more prosperous economy. The Plan will set out the biggest opportunities to support growth in sectors right across the economy, including: agri-food; built environment; chemicals and plastics; electrical and electronic equipment; textiles; and transport.  It will consider critical enablers including skills and infrastructure.

Defra recognises that fostering green skills is a fundamental tenet of any circular economy, and a successful transition aims to deliver on strengthening our current green workforce as well as developing the new green skills we will need for the future. We will consider the evidence for appropriate action right across the economy as we develop the Plan.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the a) names and b) positions of the committee members who decide the awarding of honours.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

Honours committees are made up of individuals with considerable experience of the areas covered by the committee. Each of the ten independent committees are made up of senior civil servants (‘official members’) and people who are independent of government (‘independent members’). All honours committees have a majority of members who are independent and each has an independent chairperson.

Each committee sends their recommendations to the Main Honours Committee which is made up of the chairs of all ten honours committees as well as an official chairperson who is appointed by the Cabinet Secretary. This Committee agrees on a final list of recommendations which goes to the Prime Minister and then to The King, who awards the honour.

The names and positions of all committee members are published on gov.uk and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/honours-committees

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill (Network and Information Systems) Bill, a) what estimate she had made of the shortage of the cybersecurity skills which will be necessary to implement and comply with the new regulations created by the Bill and b) what steps the department is taking to address skills gaps.

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

The Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill was introduced in November 2025 to increase UK defences against cyber attacks. The Bill has been developed in close collaboration with regulators to ensure that they have the right information and tools they need to be supported and effective under the new framework.

This includes allowing regulators to recover all the costs of their activities under the regime so that they can be sufficiently resourced, enhancing their impact through clearer information gateways, and establishing a unified set of objectives so that regulators can better focus their resources. DSIT will also issue clear guidance to support regulators as they exercise their functions and will monitor and evaluate the new framework following its implementation to review the effectiveness of the regime, which could include regulator capability.

New regulated entities being brought into scope of the Bill are in highly technical, high skill sectors and will have guidance and support they can draw from Regulators, Government and NCSC to help them to drive up cyber maturity and effectively manage risks to the essential services they provide. To further support the development of cyber security skills, the £187 million TechFirst programme will fund up to 4,000 students, researchers and innovators entering frontier industries, and help local firms fill around 1,000 tech roles, including cyber security roles.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to reduce waiting times for decisions on Access to Work claims.

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

We are committed to reducing waiting times in Access to Work so that people can access the support they need. We prioritise applications from customers who are due to start work within the next four weeks, as well as renewals for existing grants, to minimise disruption to employment.

The Pathways to Work Green Paper launched a consultation on the future of Access to Work which has now concluded. Following over 47,500 responses from individuals, charities and other stakeholders, as well as 18 consultation events, we published our summary of the responses to the Pathways to Work Green Paper consultation on 30 October 2025.

We are now considering the responses and will bring forward our proposals for reforming Access to Work as soon as we are able to.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department will take to mitigate the risk of supply delays of bone cement, and other medical supplies.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government has very well-established processes in place to help manage disruption to the supply of medical products when it occurs, always very seriously considering the needs of individual patients.

The Department’s National Supply Disruption Response acts as the single point of contact for the medical supply industry, and has been supporting the bone cement shortage since early February this year. Together with NHS England and NHS Supply Chain we have organised a formal coordinated national incident response, including daily meetings with operational colleagues, development of clinical guidance, and close engagement with suppliers, professional bodies, and the devolved administrations.

The incident management group was able to secure additional supplies from alternative, clinically assured suppliers, which are now being actively used. Elective orthopaedic activities have resumed.

These measures ensured that trauma and urgent care continued safely during the shortage, with orthopaedic waiting lists prioritised according to clinical needs.

The Department continues to hold regular discussions with NHS England on the supply position, operational impact, and alternative products, using well-established incident coordination arrangements.

Ollie Royles

Darcy Webb from Betley Primary School in Newcastle-under-Lyme

Support for the ceramics industry

200th anniversary of High Street Methodist Church, Lurgan

Museum online sales to Northern Ireland

Save by the Bell Dundee 20th anniversary

75th anniversary of Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster