Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate her Department has made of the number of people who have faced identity fraud through impersonation.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

Cifas, a not-for-profit fraud prevention organisation, holds records of first and third-party fraud risk, including identity fraud. In the first six months of 2025, Cifas reported that over 118,000 identity fraud cases were reported to their NFD in their Fraudscape 2025 six-month update (Fraudscape 2025 - Cifas).

Identity theft is not a standalone criminal offence and not included in official crime statistics The Independent Review of Fraud Offences will consider whether a specific offence for identity theft is needed.

We also recognise that one of the most effective ways of preventing identity theft enabled fraud is to improve the safety and security of the identity systems we use. The Government is developing proposals for a digital identity system, to enable people to prove their identity securely, without physical documents, with the aim of reducing identity-enabled fraud and crime. Information on digital identity and the Trust Framework can be found here: UK digital identity and attributes trust framework - GOV.UK.

It is also important to empower the public to protect themselves and keep their identities safe. That is why we have introduced a checklist, providing advice and steps on how to prevent the misuse of identities: Identity fraud victims' checklist.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help protect people from identity fraud through impersonation.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

Cifas, a not-for-profit fraud prevention organisation, holds records of first and third-party fraud risk, including identity fraud. In the first six months of 2025, Cifas reported that over 118,000 identity fraud cases were reported to their NFD in their Fraudscape 2025 six-month update (Fraudscape 2025 - Cifas).

Identity theft is not a standalone criminal offence and not included in official crime statistics The Independent Review of Fraud Offences will consider whether a specific offence for identity theft is needed.

We also recognise that one of the most effective ways of preventing identity theft enabled fraud is to improve the safety and security of the identity systems we use. The Government is developing proposals for a digital identity system, to enable people to prove their identity securely, without physical documents, with the aim of reducing identity-enabled fraud and crime. Information on digital identity and the Trust Framework can be found here: UK digital identity and attributes trust framework - GOV.UK.

It is also important to empower the public to protect themselves and keep their identities safe. That is why we have introduced a checklist, providing advice and steps on how to prevent the misuse of identities: Identity fraud victims' checklist.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle potential barriers to home ownership for local people in popular tourist destinations.

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

The government recognise that excessive concentrations of short-term lets and second homes impact on the availability and affordability of homes for local residents to buy and rent, as well as local services.

Local authorities are now able to apply a premium of up to 100% extra on the council tax bills of second homes. The premium will provide additional funding for councils and help local leaders to address the impacts of second homes and improve the sustainability of communities where they consider it necessary.

From 31 October 2024, the higher rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) on additional dwellings were increased from three percentage points above standard rates to five percentage points above standard rates. This is to ensure that those looking to move home, or purchase their first property, have a greater advantage over second home buyers, landlords, and businesses purchasing residential property.

We are considering what additional powers we might give local authorities to enable them to respond to the pressures created by short-term lets and second homes.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of short term holiday lets on accessibility to local housing stock.

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

The government recognise that excessive concentrations of short-term lets and second homes impact on the availability and affordability of homes for local residents to buy and rent, as well as local services.

Local authorities are now able to apply a premium of up to 100% extra on the council tax bills of second homes. The premium will provide additional funding for councils and help local leaders to address the impacts of second homes and improve the sustainability of communities where they consider it necessary.

From 31 October 2024, the higher rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) on additional dwellings were increased from three percentage points above standard rates to five percentage points above standard rates. This is to ensure that those looking to move home, or purchase their first property, have a greater advantage over second home buyers, landlords, and businesses purchasing residential property.

We are considering what additional powers we might give local authorities to enable them to respond to the pressures created by short-term lets and second homes.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of short term holiday lets on accessibility to local housing stock for communities in the Scottish Highlands.

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

As the hon. Member will be aware, housing within Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Government.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the importance of (a) early intervention and (b) prevention before the cure in eating disorder treatment.

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

The Government recognises that the earlier that treatment is provided, the better the chance of short-term recovery. We are committed to ensuring that everyone with an eating disorder can access specialist help.

As part of our mission to build an NHS fit for the future, there is a critical need to shift treatment of eating disorders from hospital to the community. NHS England is currently seeking to expand the capacity of children’s community eating disorder services, to allow for crisis care and intensive home treatment. Improved care in the community will give young people early access to evidence-based treatment involving families and carers, improving outcomes and preventing relapse. By preventing eating disorders from progressing to adulthood, we will build on our aim of raising the healthiest generation of children.

Early intervention is a priority for adults with eating disorders too, as set out in NHS’s Adult Community Mental Health Framework. NHS England have established 15 Provider Collaboratives focusing on adult eating disorders. These Collaboratives are working to redesign care pathways, and focus resources on community services. By providing treatment earlier and closer to home, we will see better outcomes for adults with eating disorders and their families.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of AI-driven detection technologies in preventing online child sexual abuse.

Answered by Jess Phillips - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Home Office, in collaboration with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the Alan Turing Institute, and the Accelerated Capability Environment has led the Deepfake Detection Challenge. This initiative brought together experts to develop and evaluate detection tools, which are essential in addressing serious harms including online child sexual abuse. As offenders increasingly exploit AI, we must harness its potential for good.

A key outcome has been the creation of a tool which enables scientific evaluation of detection technologies, offering actionable metrics to support informed procurement decisions and helping end users select the most effective solutions. This capability is now being considered as a potential global standard.

The next phase of the Challenge will continue to identify and benchmark AI-driven solutions. The Government remains committed to investing in innovation to combat this appalling crime.

The Home Office has also introduced world leading measures by becoming the first country in the world to criminalise the possession, creation and distribution of AI tools to generate child sexual abuse material, and criminalised the possession of paedophile manuals that teach others how to create tools for this purpose.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions she has had with her international counterparts on tackling livestreamed child sexual abuse.

Answered by Jess Phillips - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Government is unequivocal in its commitment to protecting children from all forms of child sexual exploitation and abuse. This includes ensuring that we are working to combat livestreamed abuse and ensuring that offenders cannot use technology to harm children with impunity.

The Home Office continues to invest in a network of Undercover Online Officers (UCOLs) in Regional Organised Crime Units. UCOLs deploy online to identify and pursue offenders seeking to sexually exploit children, including those who consume and facilitate livestreaming of child sexual abuse. Home Office funding supports the National Crime Agency to use its unique capabilities to disrupt high harm offenders, including those based overseas who seek to livestream abuse.

The UK is leading the way in supporting the building and developing thematic knowledge and operational capabilities of other international law enforcement agencies to work together to pursue offenders and safeguard children. In addition, the NCA is leading a number of initiatives with industry and engagement with the financial sector, to specifically prevent and detect livestreaming offending. This includes work to build on the UK-supported report by the Financial Action Taskforce (FATF) ‘Detecting, Disrupting and Investigating Online Child Sexual Exploitation’.

The Online Safety Act introduces world-leading protections for children. It places robust duties on tech companies to prevent and swiftly remove illegal content, including child sexual abuse material, and to take proactive steps to protect children from harm. Ofcom, as the regulator, will have strong enforcement powers to ensure compliance.

We also recognise the importance of device-level protections in preventing livestreaming abuse and we support the development and deployment of safety technologies that can help prevent abuse before it happens. This includes exploring the role of on-device tools that can detect and disrupt livestreamed abuse and other image-based harms, while respecting users’ privacy and maintaining end-to-end encryption.

The Government continues to work closely with law enforcement, industry, and child protection experts to ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of efforts to tackle online child sexual abuse.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to tackl livestreamed child sexual abuse being accessed in the UK.

Answered by Jess Phillips - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Government is unequivocal in its commitment to protecting children from all forms of child sexual exploitation and abuse. This includes ensuring that we are working to combat livestreamed abuse and ensuring that offenders cannot use technology to harm children with impunity.

The Home Office continues to invest in a network of Undercover Online Officers (UCOLs) in Regional Organised Crime Units. UCOLs deploy online to identify and pursue offenders seeking to sexually exploit children, including those who consume and facilitate livestreaming of child sexual abuse. Home Office funding supports the National Crime Agency to use its unique capabilities to disrupt high harm offenders, including those based overseas who seek to livestream abuse.

The UK is leading the way in supporting the building and developing thematic knowledge and operational capabilities of other international law enforcement agencies to work together to pursue offenders and safeguard children. In addition, the NCA is leading a number of initiatives with industry and engagement with the financial sector, to specifically prevent and detect livestreaming offending. This includes work to build on the UK-supported report by the Financial Action Taskforce (FATF) ‘Detecting, Disrupting and Investigating Online Child Sexual Exploitation’.

The Online Safety Act introduces world-leading protections for children. It places robust duties on tech companies to prevent and swiftly remove illegal content, including child sexual abuse material, and to take proactive steps to protect children from harm. Ofcom, as the regulator, will have strong enforcement powers to ensure compliance.

We also recognise the importance of device-level protections in preventing livestreaming abuse and we support the development and deployment of safety technologies that can help prevent abuse before it happens. This includes exploring the role of on-device tools that can detect and disrupt livestreamed abuse and other image-based harms, while respecting users’ privacy and maintaining end-to-end encryption.

The Government continues to work closely with law enforcement, industry, and child protection experts to ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of efforts to tackle online child sexual abuse.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Health Minister on the importance of focusing on early intervention in eating disorders in Scotland.

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

Close collaboration between the devolved governments is important and takes place on a regular basis. Although no recent specific discussions have taken place with the Scottish Health Minister on this topic, we acknowledge that specialist expertise and facilities are shared between the four nations to combat eating disorders.

The Government recognises that the earlier that treatment is provided, the better the chance of short-term recovery, and is committed to ensuring that everyone with an eating disorder can access specialist help.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of (a) urban littering and (b) waste management on the behaviour of gull populations.

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

This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only.

The Government has not made a recent national assessment on the potential impact of urban littering and waste management on the behaviour of gull populations. The effective management of litter and waste are matters for local authorities in the areas in which they occur.

All wild birds in England, including gulls, are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and only in exceptional cases does the law allow for certain exemptions to this protection, such as to preserve public health and safety.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help ensure that the Ukrainian nationals living in the UK are aware of the information on her Department’s page on gov.uk entitled Immigration information for Ukrainians, British nationals and their family members, last updated on 2 August 2025; and what steps she plans to take to ensure that Ukrainian nationals living in the UK are updated about any future changes to visa (a) schemes and (b) expiration dates.

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

The Home Office provide updates to GOV.UK pages as it is required, updating information to ensure any changes that impact Ukrainians are clearly explained and noted.

The Home Office will continue to update GOV.UK, when necessary, with the latest information so individuals remain informed.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of maintaining long wave radio transmission infrastructure on (a) national resilience and (b) strategic defence.

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

The BBC is operationally and editorially independent from the Government, and the Government cannot intervene in the BBC’s day-to-day operations. The decision on transmissions and distribution of BBC radio services, including for how much longer the BBC maintains Radio 4 long wave, is wholly a matter for the BBC.

The Government understands how important it is that citizens can access information in times of national emergency. Radio plays an important role in providing such access in a range of different emergency scenarios, including scenarios where other communications may be disrupted. The BBC has specific requirements under its Framework Agreement in relation to broadcast security and resilience, and works closely with DCMS in ensuring its networks are able to support emergency communications.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that (a) disabled people and (b) carers are directly involved in the review of the Personal Independence Payment.

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

The Timms review will be co-produced with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, clinicians, experts, MPs and other stakeholders, so a wide range of views and voices are heard. This will include carers' organisations so that the voices of unpaid carers are heard.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance his Department issues to employers on managing risks associated with lone working in retail.

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

I refer the Honourable Member to the previous answer 71094.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if his Department will take steps to ensure that retail workers required to work alone are adequately protected from (a) violence, (b) abuse and (c) theft.

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

I refer the Honourable Member to the previous answer 71094.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what his timetable is for the review of the Personal Independence Payment.

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

I am aiming to complete the review by Autumn 2026.

The review will ultimately report to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for final decisions. We are committed to reporting the outcomes of the review to Parliament.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on the number of officer hours spent policing protests by Palestine Action since 1 January 2025.

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

The Home Office does not hold this information.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with police forces on the potential impact of policing protest activity by Palestine Action on the allocation of police resources.

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

Decisions on how to police individual protests, including those by Palestine Action, are for Chief Constables, who are operationally independent and best placed to assess local threat and risk.

Where the activity of protestors breaks the law, the police have the powers they need to respond.

It would not be appropriate for Ministers to intervene in those operational decisions, but we continue to work closely with policing to ensure they have the right capabilities and support in place to keep the public safe and uphold the law.

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Solicitor General, what assessment her Department has made of the cost to the public purse of prosecutions arising from protest activity by Palestine Action.

Answered by Ellie Reeves - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)

Prosecutions relating to Palestine Action arrests are currently ongoing and at different stages of progression.

As such, no Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) costs assessments have been made at this stage, but the CPS continues to keep resourcing under review.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of internet connectivity on long-distance rail services between Scotland and London.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

An assessment was carried out as part of the spending review business case. This determined the Low Earth Orbit approach on all mainlines.

As a result of the spending review, we secured funding to deliver low earth orbit satellite technology on all mainline trains to improve on train passenger wifi. This will include services between London and Scotland such as LNER and Avanti West Coast.

However, we know satellite connectivity will not work in tunnels. The Department has also been working with Network Rail to deliver improved connectivity on the rail network. Project Reach, which will renew fibre optic cables and address 4G / 5G mobile signals in 57 key mainline tunnels and stations was signed 26 June 2025 between Network Rail, and telecoms companies, Neos Networks and Freshwave. Once the mobile operators are signed up, passengers will see a boost in their mobile connection in these tunnels.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of a just transition for climate policies on (a) rural areas and (b) Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire constituency.

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

The transition to net zero is the economic and industrial opportunity of the century. The government's approach is built on fairness and it is committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to access the benefits. The upcoming publication of the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan and the Clean Energy Workforce Strategy will outline this approach further. This includes ongoing work supporting both rural and urban communities and working with Devolved Governments to ensure a prosperous and fair transition for all.

In particular, the Clean Energy Workforce Strategy which will set out our approach to upskilling and reskilling the workforce into clean energy roles through initiatives including the Energy Skills Passport, in collaboration with industry. The skills system is delivering training for existing workers looking to retrain or upskill into clean energy.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that climate policies support a just transition for (a) workers and (b) communities.

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

The transition to net zero is the economic and industrial opportunity of the century. The government's approach is built on fairness and it is committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to access the benefits. The upcoming publication of the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan and the Clean Energy Workforce Strategy will outline this approach further. This includes ongoing work supporting both rural and urban communities and working with Devolved Governments to ensure a prosperous and fair transition for all.

In particular, the Clean Energy Workforce Strategy which will set out our approach to upskilling and reskilling the workforce into clean energy roles through initiatives including the Energy Skills Passport, in collaboration with industry. The skills system is delivering training for existing workers looking to retrain or upskill into clean energy.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of the Climate Change Committee’s report entitled "Progress in reducing emissions – 2025 report to Parliament”, published on 25 June 2025.

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

We thank the Climate Change Committee for their report which highlights the significant progress this Government has made to reduce emissions over the past year. We are now considering their recommendations and will respond by October.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support the extension of local DAB multiplexes in areas where coverage is limited.

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

The government is highly supportive of the value of radio in local communities, and wants to support areas that are struggling to gain access to local services on digital.

Commercial radio and the BBC are responsible for the operation of their respective radio networks, including the DAB radio networks. This includes delivering coverage to areas and the provision of radio services to listeners as more listening migrates to digital radio and to online services.

DAB household coverage was assessed by the Digital Radio and Audio Review report published in October 2021. The Review concluded that the financial challenges involved meant that further DAB coverage by the BBC and commercial radio over the next 5 years was likely to be modest. While there are no current plans by the BBC to further expand the coverage of its national DAB network or by commercial radio operators to add more sites to the local DAB network, the government will continue to work with the BBC and commercial radio on developing future options.

As well as supporting the improvements to national and local DAB coverage, DCMS has backed the development of small-scale DAB with Ofcom and the radio industry. Small-scale DAB is a new way of transmitting digital radio that uses advances in software and low-cost computer technology to provide a flexible and inexpensive approach to the terrestrial broadcast of digital radio services to a relatively small geographic area. This initiative will provide local commercial and community radio stations with a viable opportunity to broadcast on digital, and reach under-served areas.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with Ofcom on improving DAB radio coverage in (a) rural and (b) remote areas.

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

The government is highly supportive of the value of radio in local communities, and wants to support areas that are struggling to gain access to local services on digital.

Commercial radio and the BBC are responsible for the operation of their respective radio networks, including the DAB radio networks. This includes delivering coverage to areas and the provision of radio services to listeners as more listening migrates to digital radio and to online services.

DAB household coverage was assessed by the Digital Radio and Audio Review report published in October 2021. The Review concluded that the financial challenges involved meant that further DAB coverage by the BBC and commercial radio over the next 5 years was likely to be modest. While there are no current plans by the BBC to further expand the coverage of its national DAB network or by commercial radio operators to add more sites to the local DAB network, the government will continue to work with the BBC and commercial radio on developing future options.

As well as supporting the improvements to national and local DAB coverage, DCMS has backed the development of small-scale DAB with Ofcom and the radio industry. Small-scale DAB is a new way of transmitting digital radio that uses advances in software and low-cost computer technology to provide a flexible and inexpensive approach to the terrestrial broadcast of digital radio services to a relatively small geographic area. This initiative will provide local commercial and community radio stations with a viable opportunity to broadcast on digital, and reach under-served areas.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the potential impact of inheritance tax changes on farm succession planning.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, and fixing the public finances. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free.

The Government has set out that the reforms are expected to result in up to 520 estates across the UK claiming agricultural property relief, including those also claiming business property relief, paying more inheritance tax in 2026-27. Almost three-quarters of estates claiming agricultural property relief, including those that also claim for business property relief, will not pay any more tax as a result of the changes in 2026-27, based on the latest available data.

The reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief are forecast to raise a combined £520 million in 2029-30. The independent Office for Budget Responsibility certified this costing at Autumn Budget 2024 and it does not expect the reforms to have a significant macroeconomic impact.

The Government published a tax information and impact note on the reforms on 21 July 2025. The note explains that the measure is not expected to have a material impact on food security and it is available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/reforms-to-agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of changes to inheritance tax on the long-term financial viability of family farms.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, and fixing the public finances. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free.

The Government has set out that the reforms are expected to result in up to 520 estates across the UK claiming agricultural property relief, including those also claiming business property relief, paying more inheritance tax in 2026-27. Almost three-quarters of estates claiming agricultural property relief, including those that also claim for business property relief, will not pay any more tax as a result of the changes in 2026-27, based on the latest available data.

The reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief are forecast to raise a combined £520 million in 2029-30. The independent Office for Budget Responsibility certified this costing at Autumn Budget 2024 and it does not expect the reforms to have a significant macroeconomic impact.

The Government published a tax information and impact note on the reforms on 21 July 2025. The note explains that the measure is not expected to have a material impact on food security and it is available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/reforms-to-agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of changes to inheritance tax on levels of domestic food production.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, and fixing the public finances. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free.

The Government has set out that the reforms are expected to result in up to 520 estates across the UK claiming agricultural property relief, including those also claiming business property relief, paying more inheritance tax in 2026-27. Almost three-quarters of estates claiming agricultural property relief, including those that also claim for business property relief, will not pay any more tax as a result of the changes in 2026-27, based on the latest available data.

The reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief are forecast to raise a combined £520 million in 2029-30. The independent Office for Budget Responsibility certified this costing at Autumn Budget 2024 and it does not expect the reforms to have a significant macroeconomic impact.

The Government published a tax information and impact note on the reforms on 21 July 2025. The note explains that the measure is not expected to have a material impact on food security and it is available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/reforms-to-agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of changes to inheritance tax relief on family farm businesses.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, and fixing the public finances. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free.

The Government has set out that the reforms are expected to result in up to 520 estates across the UK claiming agricultural property relief, including those also claiming business property relief, paying more inheritance tax in 2026-27. Almost three-quarters of estates claiming agricultural property relief, including those that also claim for business property relief, will not pay any more tax as a result of the changes in 2026-27, based on the latest available data.

The reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief are forecast to raise a combined £520 million in 2029-30. The independent Office for Budget Responsibility certified this costing at Autumn Budget 2024 and it does not expect the reforms to have a significant macroeconomic impact.

The Government published a tax information and impact note on the reforms on 21 July 2025. The note explains that the measure is not expected to have a material impact on food security and it is available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/reforms-to-agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with Ofcom on improving DAB radio signal reach in north west Scotland.

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

The government is highly supportive of the value of radio in local communities, and wants to support areas that are struggling to gain access to local services on digital.

Commercial radio and the BBC are responsible for the operation of their respective radio networks, including the DAB radio networks. This includes delivering coverage to areas and the provision of radio services to listeners as more listening migrates to digital radio and to online services.

DAB household coverage was assessed by the Digital Radio and Audio Review report published in October 2021. The Review concluded that the financial challenges involved meant that further DAB coverage by the BBC and commercial radio over the next 5 years was likely to be modest. While there are no current plans by the BBC to further expand the coverage of its national DAB network or by commercial radio operators to add more sites to the local DAB network, the government will continue to work with the BBC and commercial radio on developing future options.

As well as supporting the improvements to national and local DAB coverage, DCMS has backed the development of small-scale DAB with Ofcom and the radio industry. Small-scale DAB is a new way of transmitting digital radio that uses advances in software and low-cost computer technology to provide a flexible and inexpensive approach to the terrestrial broadcast of digital radio services to a relatively small geographic area. This initiative will provide local commercial and community radio stations with a viable opportunity to broadcast on digital, and reach under-served areas.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the availability of DAB radio services in the Highlands.

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

The government is highly supportive of the value of radio in local communities, and wants to support areas that are struggling to gain access to local services on digital.

Commercial radio and the BBC are responsible for the operation of their respective radio networks, including the DAB radio networks. This includes delivering coverage to areas and the provision of radio services to listeners as more listening migrates to digital radio and to online services.

DAB household coverage was assessed by the Digital Radio and Audio Review report published in October 2021. The Review concluded that the financial challenges involved meant that further DAB coverage by the BBC and commercial radio over the next 5 years was likely to be modest. While there are no current plans by the BBC to further expand the coverage of its national DAB network or by commercial radio operators to add more sites to the local DAB network, the government will continue to work with the BBC and commercial radio on developing future options.

As well as supporting the improvements to national and local DAB coverage, DCMS has backed the development of small-scale DAB with Ofcom and the radio industry. Small-scale DAB is a new way of transmitting digital radio that uses advances in software and low-cost computer technology to provide a flexible and inexpensive approach to the terrestrial broadcast of digital radio services to a relatively small geographic area. This initiative will provide local commercial and community radio stations with a viable opportunity to broadcast on digital, and reach under-served areas.

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 international counterparts in preparation for COP30.

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

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero engages regularly with his international counterparts on a range of departmental priorities and interests, including on COP30. During London Climate Action Week, for example, he met with counterparts from a range of countries, and he will meet others in the coming weeks.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on the cost to police forces of responding to protest activity by Palestine Action since 1 January 2025.

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

The Home Office does not routinely collect information on the costs of police operations.

It is a local decision for elected Police and Crime Commissioners and their equivalents, working with their chief officers, to determine how best to allocate resources.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with police forces on the potential impact of policing Palestine Action protests on their capacity to deliver core policing services.

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

Decisions on how to police individual protests, including those by Palestine Action, are for Chief Constables, who are operationally independent and best placed to assess local threat and risk. Where the activity of protestors breaks the law, the police have the powers they need to respond.

It would not be appropriate for Ministers to intervene in those operational decisions, but we continue to work closely with policing to ensure they have the right capabilities and support in place to keep the public safe and uphold the law.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of removing Dental Therapist/Hygienist roles from the Skilled Worker visa route from 22 July 2025 on NHS dental services.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the Answer I gave on 16th September to Question 70526.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if her Department will consider (a) adding dental therapists to the Temporary Shortage List and (b) establishing a transitional sponsorship route for healthcare professionals whose Graduate visas expire after 22 July 2025.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the Answer I gave on 16th September to Question 70526.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help ensure enforcement of international humanitarian law protections for journalists in Gaza.

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

The UK strongly condemns all violence directed against journalists and media workers. Civilian reporters covering conflicts are afforded protection under international humanitarian law. We are therefore appalled by the extremely high number of fatalities, arrests and detentions of media workers in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. In a recent joint statement with 28 other countries, we called on the Israeli authorities and all other parties to make every effort to ensure that media workers in Gaza, Israel, the West Bank and East Jerusalem can conduct their work freely and safely. The statement also called for all attacks against media workers to be investigated and for those responsible to be prosecuted in compliance with national and international law.

The UK has contributed £3 million to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) Global Media Defence Fund, benefitting over 9,000 journalists, including time-sensitive emergency support to journalists and media experiencing sudden major crises in Ukraine, Sudan and Haiti. Earlier this year the UK provided funds to UNESCO's Special Fund for Gaza, supporting locally based journalists with vital equipment.

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 her counterpart in the Scottish Government on Scotland’s short-term let regulatory regime.

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

DCMS Ministers met with the Scottish tourism minister in July 2025 as part of the Devolved Administrations' Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) for Tourism, where Short-Term Lets were briefly discussed. Additionally, DCMS officials meet regularly with their counterparts in the Devolved Administrations, including the Scottish Government, to discuss issues related to tourism, including short-term lets.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that access to public services does not depend exclusively on the use of digital identity systems.

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

GOV.UK One Login is being developed by Government Digital Service (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology), as the ‘front door’ for accessing government services online. Our aim is to make it as simple and inclusive as possible for individuals, while protecting them and the government from the risks of fraud.

Inclusion is at the heart of GOV.UK One Login - we provide several ways for individuals to verify their identity, including in person at the Post Office. While we expect it to become the primary method for accessing online government services, departments will continue to provide offline alternatives for those who prefer or are unable to use digital channels.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of urban gull populations on public (a) health and (b) safety.

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

The two large gull species frequently seen in urban areas are the lesser black-backed gull and herring gull. There is a long term decline in the breeding population of both, which is most acute in coastal, rural areas. At the same time as this decline, and notwithstanding that populations of these birds in towns and cities are problematic to estimate, urban populations may have increased in recent years.

Defra has not made a recent assessment of the potential impact of trends in the level of urban gull populations on public health and safety. All wild birds in England, including gulls, are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The law allows for certain exemptions to this protection, such as to preserve public health and safety.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made a recent assessment of the adequacy of HMRC’s procedures for (a) identifying and (b) protecting people who are victims of crime.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government takes the issue of fraud extremely seriously, recognising its impact on businesses and taxpayers.

HMRC regularly reviews its approach to identifying and supporting customers who are victims of crime to ensure they are provided with support tailored to their individual circumstances.

HMRC is committed to fulfilling its responsibilities under the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime in England and Wales, and equivalent frameworks in Scotland and Northern Ireland, ensuring they are afforded the rights and entitlements set out in the Code.

HMRC does this by ensuring guidance and training is in place for all advisors on how to identify taxpayers who need extra support and provide reasonable adjustments to meet their needs. For example, in certain circumstances HMRC can give an extension to a deadline or spend more time on the telephone to support an individual who needs extra help. Further information on this and other reasonable adjustments can be found at: Get help from HMRC if you need extra support: Help you can get - GOV.UK.

In addition, HMRC’s Fraud Prevention Centre focuses on protecting, detecting and responding to identity-related security issues, developing this service with improvements aimed at aligning with industry best practice.

HMRC has published its commitment to supporting customers in the HMRC Charter and the principles of support for customers who need extra help.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of legislative changes to require HMRC to prioritise investigations of (a) promoters and (b) perpetrators of fraudulent schemes over investigations of (i) professional footballers, (ii) loan charge victims and (c) other individuals misled into such schemes.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC already takes action against those behind tax avoidance schemes by using a variety of legislation and tools to challenge promoters and others in the tax avoidance supply chain.

HMRC also regularly publishes information on tax avoidance schemes, those who promote them and others connected to avoidance schemes, to help customers identify, avoid, and exit them. As of 4 September 2025, HMRC has published details of more than 170 tax avoidance schemes and named more than 170 promoters on GOV.UK

The Government is determined to do more to close in on promoters of marketed tax avoidance and recently consulted on a package of measures to strengthen existing powers. This includes proposals to:

• expand the scope of the Disclosure of Tax Avoidance Schemes (DOTAS) regime;
• introduce a Universal Stop Notice and Promoter Action Notice; introduce stronger information powers so HMRC can effectively tackle those who own and control promoter organisations; and
• tackle the small number of legal professionals designing or contributing to the promotion of avoidance schemes.

Where individuals owe tax, HMRC seeks to take a supportive and proportionate approach to recovering the amount due, including providing extra support for individuals who need it and offering ‘Time to Pay’ instalment arrangements where appropriate.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the introduction of digital identity systems on people who are digitally excluded.

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

The Government is committed to making the state more efficient and easier to interact with through harnessing technology. We want to learn from countries who have digitised government services for the benefit of their citizens.

We are looking at whether a new digital ID could help tackle illegal immigration, transform public services, and bring benefits to people’s everyday lives. This includes ensuring that services are always accessible to all those entitled to them, via digital and non-digital routes.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of introducing digital identity systems on people living in (a) Inverness, (b) Skye and West Ross-shire constituency and (c) other rural areas with limited digital connectivity.

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

The Government is committed to making the state more efficient and easier to interact with through harnessing technology. We want to learn from countries who have digitised government services for the benefit of their citizens.

We are looking at whether a new digital ID could help tackle illegal immigration, transform public services, and bring benefits to people’s everyday lives. This includes ensuring that services are always accessible to all those entitled to them, via digital and non-digital routes.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of digital identity systems on data security.

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

The Government is committed to making the state more efficient and easier to interact with through harnessing technology. We want to learn from countries who have digitised government services for the benefit of their citizens.

We are looking at whether a new digital ID could help tackle illegal immigration, transform public services, and bring benefits to people’s everyday lives. This includes ensuring that services are always accessible to all those entitled to them, via digital and non-digital routes.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on digital identity systems.

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

The Government is committed to making the state more efficient and easier to interact with through harnessing technology. We want to learn from countries who have digitised government services for the benefit of their citizens.

We are looking at whether a new digital ID could help tackle illegal immigration, transform public services, and bring benefits to people’s everyday lives. This includes ensuring that services are always accessible to all those entitled to them, via digital and non-digital routes.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on the number of people who were arrested in relation to the protests in Parliament Square on 6 September 2025.

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

The Government is absolutely clear that support for proscribed organisations is unacceptable. Anyone expressing support for a proscribed organisation should expect to be investigated by the police.

The Metropolitan Police Service has released statistics on the arrests made at the central London protests on 6 September 2025 which can be found here:

https://news.met.police.uk/pressreleases/update-on-demonstration-in-support-of-palestine-action-3403168

Operational decisions, including arrests, are a matter for the police, who are independent of Government.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on the number of people who were arrested at the protests in Parliament Square on 6 September 2025 who have since been (a) charged and (b) released without charge.

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

The Government is absolutely clear that support for proscribed organisations is unacceptable. Anyone expressing support for a proscribed organisation should expect to be investigated by the police.

Charging decisions are a matter for the police and the CPS who are independent of Government. The CPS regularly publish information relating to Palestine Action related charges.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what estimate he has made of the number of premises without access to gigabit-capable broadband in Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire constituency.

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

Through its Open Market Review (OMR) process, Building Digital UK identifies premises in England and Wales with no gigabit network infrastructure and where none is likely to be developed within the next three years. This information is routinely published on the GOV.UK website. In Scotland, this process is carried out by the Scottish Government, who will hold the most up to date information on the Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire constituency.

Additionally, the independent website ThinkBroadband.com publishes its own information on broadband coverage at a constituency level. It reports that 67.6% of premises in the hon. Member’s constituency can access a gigabit-capable connection.

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 Ofcom on the number of mobile phone not-spots in Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire constituency.

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

According to Ofcom’s Connected Nations Spring Update (8 May 2025), approximately 24% of the constituency of Inverness, Skye and West Ross-Shire has no 4G geographic coverage from any mobile network operator (MNO), and similarly around 20% of premises lack 5G coverage outside.

The government is working closely with the MNOs on improving mobile coverage right across the UK, including in Inverness, Skye and West Ross-Shire. We recently upgraded and activated a Home Office mast near Kyle of Lochalsh for the Shared Rural Network and there will be further coverage improvements to come from that programme.

Our ambition is for all populated areas to have higher quality standalone 5G by 2030, and we are committed to ensuring we have the right policy and regulatory framework to support investment and competition in the market.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what estimate he has made of the number of households with copper-based broadband connections only in Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire constituency.

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

Using Connected Nations 2025 Spring Update data published by Ofcom, we estimate that of the 52,930 residential properties in the Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire constituency, approximately 18,540 households (35%) are reliant on copper-based broadband connections, and 34,390 households have access to full fibre broadband. Most of these premises may also have recourse to connectivity through fixed wireless access.

These figures are accurate as of January 2025. The figure for copper-based connections includes broadband delivered by mixed technologies such as fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) as well as solely copper-based technologies such as ADSL.

Dyslexia Awareness Week

Dentists in Hazel Grove constituency

Parkrun’s 21st anniversary

Political donations

Friends of the Shakespeare Line

Global Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day 2025

Fruit and Vegetable Aid Scheme

Drug deaths

Global Sumud Flotilla

First female Astronomer Royal

National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) grant

Access to rail in Hazel Grove

Judith Hammond

INtuition

Eating disorders and online harms

40mph default speed limit on country lanes

30th anniversary of Drylaw Community Centre

Tom Dunlop's UK racecourse charity cycle

Grower’s Garden

Motor neurone disease

Prostate screening in Hampshire

Ben Russell Salon

The Castle School’s World of Work celebration

Scottish Takeaway Awards 2025

Jackie Ingle’s service to Street Library

General Tarleton reopening and Jeopardy Hospitality

Award of honorary posthumous England cap to Frank Soo

East Neuk Kilnhouse Great Taste recognition

200th anniversary of the Church of St Martin of Tours, Epsom

Fertility funding access for LGBTQIA+ people

Winnersh Film Studios

Independence of Healthwatch England

University of St Andrews support for the Blue Carbon Action Plan

Dame Annette Brooke

Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize awarded to Mines Advisory Group

Neurodivergent children at school

Edinburgh Kiltwalk 2025

Commemoration of H G Wells’ birthday

Tribute to Councillor Nick Cottle

Lucy Bull

Mental health care in Gaza

Dentistry in Taunton and Wellington

Funding for The Wharf Marple

Oversight of automated moderation by social media companies

Career of Sharon Cornwell

Air Ambulance Week 2025 (No. 2)

Final delivery plan on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)

Public service of PCSO Elaine Cave and PCSO Bev Jackson

Found: National Party; Angus and Perthshire Glens) Lillian Jones (Labour; Kilmarnock and Loudoun) Mr Angus MacDonald

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Patricia Ferguson (Chair); Lillian Jones; Mr Angus MacDonald; Douglas

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