Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of including clear information on the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes in the Personal Child Health Record.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

While the Personal Child Health Record (PCHR) does not currently contain a dedicated section on diabetes, it includes signposting to National Health Service online information on serious childhood illness, including symptoms of diabetes.

NHS England is working with clinical experts, royal colleges, and wider stakeholders to review whether further opportunities exist to improve awareness of the key signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes among both healthcare professionals and the public. This includes, as I set out in the Westminster Hall debate on this issue last week, looking carefully to see what further improvements might be made to the red book.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing MPs with formal opportunity to scrutinise the annual changes to pension thresholds for eligible pensions that live overseas.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Social Security Benefits up-rating Regulations 2026 are consequential on the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2026.

The regulations are subject to the negative procedure. They were laid on 6 March 2026 and will come into force on the same date as the Up-rating Order on 6 April 2026. This is a convention that has been in place for a number of years including under the Lib Dem coalition.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has been made of the impact of proposed changes to the qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain on international nursing staff; and what steps the Department is taking to ensure the UK can retain the nursing workforce.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The consultation for the earned settlement model, as proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, was open to the public between 20 November 2025 and 12 February 2026.

As part of this consultation, we sought views on the potential impact of the proposed changes, including the impact on international nursing staff.

We are now reviewing and analysing all responses received.  This analysis will help inform the development of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement.

Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly.  As with all significant policy changes, the proposals will be subject to both economic and equality impact assessments.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the sustainability of fire and rescue services in England over the next three years; and what steps he plans to take to address budget deficits facing fire and rescue authorities.

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

The 2026/27 Local Government Finance Settlement will make available almost £1.95 billion in core spending power (CSP) for standalone fire and rescue authorities (excluding York & North Yorkshire and Greater Manchester). This was the first multi-year funding Settlement in 10 years, giving services the certainty to plan and invest for the long term.

In 2026/27, all standalone services will see an above inflation increase in CSP, with services seeing CSP increases between 3.8% and 7.7% compared to 2025/26. By the end of the multi-year period, we will have provided a 12.75% increase in CSP compared to 2025/26.

Decisions on how resources are best deployed to meet their core functions are a matter for each fire and rescue authority.

The Ministry will continue to work closely with stakeholders across the sector to ensure that fire and rescue services have the resources they need to protect communities.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 20 January 2026 to Question 104873, what additional steps her Department is taking beyond existing licensing‑authority and police powers to prevent glassware attacks; whether she is considering any new enforceable national measures; and what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of current Home Office‑led actions in reducing such incidents.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

As set out in my earlier response, the police have a responsibility to protect the public by detecting and preventing crime, including violent crime within the nighttime economy. They already have a wide range of powers to do this effectively, including those provided under the Prevention of Crime Act 1953 in relation to the possession and use of offensive weapons.

The Home Office keeps existing powers under review and would consider any new or emerging evidence as appropriate.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer to Question UIN 102267, what progress has been made on the development of the withdrawal scheme for owners wishing to de‑register dogs incorrectly classified as XL Bullies; when her Department expects to publish information on the scheme; and what indicative timeframe has been set for making these details publicly available.

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

Defra is continuing to develop a withdrawal scheme so that owners who no longer believe that their dog is an XL Bully type can apply to have their certificate of exemption withdrawn.

Defra does not have a definitive timeline for when this process will be available. Officials are working diligently to develop the withdrawal scheme as soon as possible and further details will be shared once finalised.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when her Department plans to assess whether national speed‑limit guidance remains adequate in light of changes to traffic volumes, vehicle technology and road‑safety developments; and when it intends to publish the updated guidance linked to the forthcoming Road Safety Strategy, including what information it will contain.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

Work to update the Setting Local Speed Limits guidance is expected to commence shortly. No timetable has yet been set for the publication of the revised guidance.

This update will ensure the guidance remains aligned with current policy priorities and emerging evidence. The detailed scope and content of the updated guidance will be developed as that work progresses.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 23 January 2026 to Question 106379, what measures her Department is using to evaluate public understanding of, and compliance with, the 2022 Highway Code changes.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

I refer the Hon. Member to the Answer given on 5th March to PQ UIN 116052.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has assessed the impact of not having access to statutory paid parental leave on kinship carers; and whether he is taking steps to consider options for improving employment support for kinship carers.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government’s Parental Leave and Pay Review will conclude in early 2027 with a set of findings which outline next steps for implementing any reforms.

In addition to considering all current and upcoming parental leave and pay entitlements, the Review is considering the needs of other working families who do not qualify for existing leave and pay entitlements, such as kinship carers.

The Government is also supporting kinship carers through other mechanisms and has recently launched a kinship pilot to support around 5,000 children by paying eligible carers an allowance equivalent to the Fostering National Minimum Allowance.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department will publish the guidance issued to local authorities in the 1990s on the inclusion of part‑time teachers in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme following maternity leave.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

I refer the hon. Member for North East Hampshire to the answer of 21 January 2026 to Question 103065.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when her Department plans to consult on the revised citizenship programmes of study.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

We are revising the national curriculum following the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review. We will make citizenship compulsory in key stages 1 and 2 so that primary aged children are introduced to key content on media literacy, financial literacy, law and rights, democracy and government, and climate education. We will publicly consult on all national curriculum programmes of study from summer 2026 and fully implement the new full national curriculum for first teaching from September 2028.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what measures are being taken to ensure that the withdrawal of 3G services does not leave gaps in mobile coverage, and how the Government is accelerating the availability of 5G to address these gaps.

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

All 3G networks in the UK have now been switched off. EE and Vodafone switched off 3G in February 2024, Three in November 2025, and VMO2 in February 2026. Ofcom’s expectation of the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) was that they would provide broadly equivalent levels of coverage after switching off 3G. As reported in its 2025 Connected Nations report, Ofcom has received very few complaints from customers about the 3G switch-off. The mobile industry has not reported to Ofcom any significant disruption.

The 3G switch-off released spectrum to be reallocated to improve the newer and more efficient 4G and 5G networks.

The MNOs have committed significant investment which aligns with the Government's ambition of all populated areas being able to access higher quality standalone 5G by 2030. We continue to work with network operators to ensure this investment translates into benefits for communities right across the UK. In parallel, we are continuing work to identify and address barriers to deployment where it is practical to do so.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps are being taken to help ensure that individuals who commit assaults and may require mental health assessment are managed safely; and how the Department is working to prevent them returning to commit further assaults.

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

Where, due to someone’s mental disorder, an individual poses a risk to others, mental health services have a role to play in identifying and managing that risk, including treating the person’s disorder, maintaining safety whilst the treatment starts to work, for however long this may take, engaging in safeguarding, and multi-agency liaison as required.

Mental health services can only treat individuals who have a diagnosable mental disorder. Where an individual does not have a diagnosable mental health need, mental health services will discharge the individual to their general practice and if other needs are identified, the appropriate multi-agency referrals should be made.

The police have powers under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act to remove someone from, or keep them at, a “place of safety” for the purpose of enabling them to be examined by a registered medical practitioner and to be interviewed by an Approved Mental Health Professional and of making any necessary arrangements for the person’s treatment or care. Police can use this power if a person appears to a constable to be suffering from mental disorder and to be in immediate need of care or control, and if they think it is necessary in the interests of that person or for the protection of others. Arrangements for the person's treatment of care can include an application to detain for assessment or treatment under the Mental Health Act, or for ongoing community mental health support.

People in prison and on remand may be also detained under Part 3 of the Mental Health Act where they meet the relevant threshold for detention, which allows them to be diverted to hospital for treatment instead of prison.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate her Department has made of the level of economic growth required to support long‑term defence spending commitments.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

This Government has announced a significant uplift in defence spending over the Spending Review period, paid for by a reduction to ODA. This uplift is underpinned by our non-negotiable fiscal rules; reducing borrowing whilst investing in defence to keep the UK and allies safe and thus providing the stability that underpins the plans to boost economic growth. Future years’ spending allocations will be considered at the next Spending Review in 2027, which will be underpinned by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility’s economic and fiscal forecasts.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that banks respond more rapidly to reported fraud by freezing suspected scam accounts immediately pending investigation.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government takes the issue of fraud very seriously and is dedicated to protecting the public from this appalling crime.

Financial institutions are required to maintain robust systems and controls to detect and prevent financial crime under the Money Laundering Regulations. Banks must report certain suspicious activity, including fraud, to the National Crime Agency under the Proceeds of Crime Act, and banks may already freeze or block accounts where suspicious activity is detected.
We introduced new rules allowing banks to delay and investigate suspicious payments for up to 72 hours. This supports interception of suspicious payments — complementing existing account‑freezing powers — by giving firms more time to prevent funds reaching fraudsters when complex cases are identified

As set out in the Fraud Strategy published on 9 March, we are now taking decisive additional action to reinforce the system‑wide response. The new Online Crime Centre will bring together law enforcement, intelligence agencies and private‑sector partners, including the financial services industry, to improve real‑time data sharing and analysis, helping firms spot suspected scam accounts sooner and act more quickly to freeze or restrict them where appropriate. Alongside this, we have launched a call for evidence on economic‑crime information sharing to remove barriers that currently prevent firms acting on intelligence earlier.

The Strategy also tasks the FCA with developing best‑practice guidance on preventing APP fraud and money‑mule activity, supporting firms to identify, investigate and close suspicious accounts more effectively, and improving protections for customers at risk.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support newly qualified allied health professionals, including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and radiographers, in securing employment following the completion of their training placements.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Decisions on the employment of newly qualified allied health professionals are a matter for individual National Health Service trusts which manage their recruitment at a local level, ensuring they have the right number of staff in place, with the right skill mix, to deliver safe and effective care.

As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we are working closely with NHS England, employers and educators to improve transition into the workforce.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help increase uptake of the measles vaccination, and what plans are in place to support the rollout.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department continues to work with the UK Health Security Agency and NHS England to promote vaccine uptake by providing diverse delivery methods to make getting vaccinated easier, increasing outreach efforts to under-served groups, and raising awareness of the dangers of vaccine preventable diseases.

The launch of the measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccination programme in January 2026 saw a press campaign to inform and educate the public on the benefits of vaccination, with key bursts of activity on all childhood immunisations to continue throughout the year. In February 2026 the Department launched a national childhood vaccination campaign targeting parents and guardians of children aged zero to five years old to encourage uptake of all childhood vaccinations. This includes television and video on demand advertising, online video, social media, and digital display advertising, and partnerships with parenting forums, with activity prioritised to low uptake communities and geographical areas.

From January 2026, the age at which the second MMRV dose is offered was brought forward to 18 months from three years and four months old, based on evidence that this earlier appointment could improve uptake and provide earlier protection against measles.

In line with the 10-Year Health Plan, pathfinders are underway in 12 locations across the country, delivering childhood vaccinations, including MMRV, during health visits to pre-school children from underserved groups.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer to Question 94138, what steps her Department is taking to achieve the 18‑minute Category 2 ambulance response target in North East Hampshire; and when she expects that target to be met.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Medium-Term Planning Framework states that by 2028/29, nationally Category 2 incidents will be responded to in an average of 18 minutes, with 90% of responses within 40 minutes. These targets will ensure patients in urgent need receive care more quickly, wherever they are. We expect all ambulance trusts, including the South Central Ambulance Service, to contribute to meeting this ambition, with more specific targets set out in individual planning returns.

National Health Service performance figures for the South-Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS), which serves North- East Hampshire, show that this financial year to date, from April 2025 to February 2026, Category 2 incidents were responded to in 30 minutes 18 seconds on average. This is over two minutes faster than the same period last year.

SCAS has set out a range of improvement initiatives, closely aligned with actions in the Urgent and Emergency Care Plan, to improve ambulance response times, such as expanding hear and treat.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Plan 2 student loan system on graduates whose repayments do not cover the interest added to their balance.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Plan 2 student loans were designed and implemented by previous governments and students in England starting degrees under this government have different arrangements.

Plan 2 loans interest rates are applied at the Retail Price Index (RPI) only, then variable up to RPI +3% depending on earnings. Interest rates do not impact monthly repayments made by student loan borrowers, which stay at a constant rate of 9% above an earnings threshold to protect lower earners.

Any outstanding loan and interest written off at the end of the loan term, and debt is never passed on to family members or descendants.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the consultation on banning trail hunting will begin.

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

Defra intends to publish the consultation as soon as practicable.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what evaluation has been undertaken of the use of artificial intelligence and enhanced NHS App tools in supporting patients with complex needs; how progress is being monitored towards the commitment that 95% of people with complex needs will have a personalised care plan by 2027; and what the current estimate is of progress towards meeting that target.

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

NHS England is in the early stages of exploring how the use of artificial intelligence (AI) can improve patient access to services through the NHS App, including patients with complex needs. We are currently piloting AI triage in the NHS App in one area and plan to extend to three more areas by the end of the 2026/27 financial year to inform best approach.

Work is also underway to define an approach to enable patients with long term conditions to co-manage their care with clinical teams via the NHS App. Priority use cases will be agreed in the first half of the next financial year to take forward into delivery.

The Government is fully committed to the 10-Year Health Plan ambition that 95% of people with complex needs will have an agreed care plan by 2027, and the work required to deliver this commitment is in active development.

This includes how emerging technologies, including enhanced NHS App functionality, can support people with complex needs to be active participants in their own care. Through the Transforming People and Patient Facing Services programme, we are exploring how care plans can be made visible to patients via the NHS App. This work is currently in the discovery phase, examining priority use cases and the safest and most effective ways to present care plan information digitally.

We have also developed proxy access for the NHS App and are building and piloting the National Proxy Service to make it easier for people to manage healthcare on behalf of others, including those with complex needs.

King's Guard's ceremonial bearskin caps

Import and sale of real fur

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Sarah Owen (Chair); Alex Brewer; David Burton-Sampson; Dame Nia Griffith

Submit Evidence (by 8 May 2026)

The Women and Equalities Committee will examine different ways women and girls can be involved in sport beyond participating as athletes, players and competitors.