Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Annual statistics of scientific procedures on living animals, Great Britain 2025, published in July 2026, how many dogs and non-human primates were used in dedicated pharmacokinetic studies and dedicated cardiovascular safety studies in 2025; and what steps she is taking to reduce the use of those animals in such studies, in line with the commitments set out in the Replacing Animals in Science strategy.

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

The annual statistics do not separately identify dedicated pharmacokinetic studies or dedicated cardiovascular safety studies. Pharmacokinetic procedures are reported within the wider “kinetics” category, which also includes toxicokinetic and residue depletion studies. It is therefore not possible to provide the requested figures from the published statistics.

The Government’s strategy, Replacing animals in science, sets targets to use validated alternative methods to reduce the use of dogs and non-human primates in dedicated pharmacokinetic studies for human medicines by at least 35% by 2030, and in dedicated cardiovascular safety studies by at least 50% by 2030.

The Government’s strategy sets out measures to accelerate the development, validation and adoption of alternative methods, increased research investment, the establishment of a UK Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods, greater collaboration between regulators, researchers and industry, and work to support regulatory acceptance. It highlights technologies including artificial intelligence, organoids and three-dimensional cell systems as offering opportunities to reduce reliance on animals. Under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, animals may be used only where no scientifically satisfactory non-animal method is available.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the legal framework for payments initiated by autonomous software agents.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Payments are a fundamental component of a thriving financial sector, and the Government wants the UK to be at the forefront of the safe development of agentic payments. The Government’s National Payments Vision is for a trusted, world-leading payments ecosystem delivered on next generation technology, where consumers and businesses have a choice of payment methods to meet their needs.

A number of steps are being taken to lay the foundations for the safe adoption of agentic payments in the UK. Firstly, the Government is consulting on modernising payment services regulation. This consultation asks whether and how the regulatory framework needs to evolve to ensure the safe adoption of agentic payments. This consultation closes on 6 October, and the Government will consider the responses carefully.

Agentic payments are also being considered in the design of the new payments infrastructure. In June, the Retail Payments Infrastructure Board published a consultation on the Design of the Future Retail Payments Infrastructure. This asked what capabilities or functions the next-generation infrastructure would need to support the safe provision of agentic payments.

Finally, in July, the Financial Conduct Authority launched its second supercharged sandbox cohort, where participating firms are exploring use cases designed to enable agent-led payments and commerce.

The Government also engages with international partners on payments innovation. As agentic payments develop, the Government will continue to work with international partners to support approaches that enable innovation while maintaining appropriate consumer protection and security.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to establish liability and consumer redress arrangements for transactions initiated by an autonomous software agent acting outside the scope of its mandate.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Payments are a fundamental component of a thriving financial sector, and the Government wants the UK to be at the forefront of the safe development of agentic payments. The Government’s National Payments Vision is for a trusted, world-leading payments ecosystem delivered on next generation technology, where consumers and businesses have a choice of payment methods to meet their needs.

A number of steps are being taken to lay the foundations for the safe adoption of agentic payments in the UK. Firstly, the Government is consulting on modernising payment services regulation. This consultation asks whether and how the regulatory framework needs to evolve to ensure the safe adoption of agentic payments. This consultation closes on 6 October, and the Government will consider the responses carefully.

Agentic payments are also being considered in the design of the new payments infrastructure. In June, the Retail Payments Infrastructure Board published a consultation on the Design of the Future Retail Payments Infrastructure. This asked what capabilities or functions the next-generation infrastructure would need to support the safe provision of agentic payments.

Finally, in July, the Financial Conduct Authority launched its second supercharged sandbox cohort, where participating firms are exploring use cases designed to enable agent-led payments and commerce.

The Government also engages with international partners on payments innovation. As agentic payments develop, the Government will continue to work with international partners to support approaches that enable innovation while maintaining appropriate consumer protection and security.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department plans to recognise autonomous software agents as a distinct class of payment initiator as part of the review of payments legislation.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Payments are a fundamental component of a thriving financial sector, and the Government wants the UK to be at the forefront of the safe development of agentic payments. The Government’s National Payments Vision is for a trusted, world-leading payments ecosystem delivered on next generation technology, where consumers and businesses have a choice of payment methods to meet their needs.

A number of steps are being taken to lay the foundations for the safe adoption of agentic payments in the UK. Firstly, the Government is consulting on modernising payment services regulation. This consultation asks whether and how the regulatory framework needs to evolve to ensure the safe adoption of agentic payments. This consultation closes on 6 October, and the Government will consider the responses carefully.

Agentic payments are also being considered in the design of the new payments infrastructure. In June, the Retail Payments Infrastructure Board published a consultation on the Design of the Future Retail Payments Infrastructure. This asked what capabilities or functions the next-generation infrastructure would need to support the safe provision of agentic payments.

Finally, in July, the Financial Conduct Authority launched its second supercharged sandbox cohort, where participating firms are exploring use cases designed to enable agent-led payments and commerce.

The Government also engages with international partners on payments innovation. As agentic payments develop, the Government will continue to work with international partners to support approaches that enable innovation while maintaining appropriate consumer protection and security.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department plans to establish a testing environment for agent-initiated payments covering both card and tokenised settlement.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Payments are a fundamental component of a thriving financial sector, and the Government wants the UK to be at the forefront of the safe development of agentic payments. The Government’s National Payments Vision is for a trusted, world-leading payments ecosystem delivered on next generation technology, where consumers and businesses have a choice of payment methods to meet their needs.

A number of steps are being taken to lay the foundations for the safe adoption of agentic payments in the UK. Firstly, the Government is consulting on modernising payment services regulation. This consultation asks whether and how the regulatory framework needs to evolve to ensure the safe adoption of agentic payments. This consultation closes on 6 October, and the Government will consider the responses carefully.

Agentic payments are also being considered in the design of the new payments infrastructure. In June, the Retail Payments Infrastructure Board published a consultation on the Design of the Future Retail Payments Infrastructure. This asked what capabilities or functions the next-generation infrastructure would need to support the safe provision of agentic payments.

Finally, in July, the Financial Conduct Authority launched its second supercharged sandbox cohort, where participating firms are exploring use cases designed to enable agent-led payments and commerce.

The Government also engages with international partners on payments innovation. As agentic payments develop, the Government will continue to work with international partners to support approaches that enable innovation while maintaining appropriate consumer protection and security.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Payments Vision Delivery Committee has considered agent-initiated payments; and when he expects the Committee to report on that work.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Payments are a fundamental component of a thriving financial sector, and the Government wants the UK to be at the forefront of the safe development of agentic payments. The Government’s National Payments Vision is for a trusted, world-leading payments ecosystem delivered on next generation technology, where consumers and businesses have a choice of payment methods to meet their needs.

A number of steps are being taken to lay the foundations for the safe adoption of agentic payments in the UK. Firstly, the Government is consulting on modernising payment services regulation. This consultation asks whether and how the regulatory framework needs to evolve to ensure the safe adoption of agentic payments. This consultation closes on 6 October, and the Government will consider the responses carefully.

Agentic payments are also being considered in the design of the new payments infrastructure. In June, the Retail Payments Infrastructure Board published a consultation on the Design of the Future Retail Payments Infrastructure. This asked what capabilities or functions the next-generation infrastructure would need to support the safe provision of agentic payments.

Finally, in July, the Financial Conduct Authority launched its second supercharged sandbox cohort, where participating firms are exploring use cases designed to enable agent-led payments and commerce.

The Government also engages with international partners on payments innovation. As agentic payments develop, the Government will continue to work with international partners to support approaches that enable innovation while maintaining appropriate consumer protection and security.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of agent-initiated payments on the volume of low-value, high-frequency transactions and on the capacity of UK payment systems to process them.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Payments are a fundamental component of a thriving financial sector, and the Government wants the UK to be at the forefront of the safe development of agentic payments. The Government’s National Payments Vision is for a trusted, world-leading payments ecosystem delivered on next generation technology, where consumers and businesses have a choice of payment methods to meet their needs.

A number of steps are being taken to lay the foundations for the safe adoption of agentic payments in the UK. Firstly, the Government is consulting on modernising payment services regulation. This consultation asks whether and how the regulatory framework needs to evolve to ensure the safe adoption of agentic payments. This consultation closes on 6 October, and the Government will consider the responses carefully.

Agentic payments are also being considered in the design of the new payments infrastructure. In June, the Retail Payments Infrastructure Board published a consultation on the Design of the Future Retail Payments Infrastructure. This asked what capabilities or functions the next-generation infrastructure would need to support the safe provision of agentic payments.

Finally, in July, the Financial Conduct Authority launched its second supercharged sandbox cohort, where participating firms are exploring use cases designed to enable agent-led payments and commerce.

The Government also engages with international partners on payments innovation. As agentic payments develop, the Government will continue to work with international partners to support approaches that enable innovation while maintaining appropriate consumer protection and security.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions his Department has had with international counterparts on standards for agent-initiated payments, including through the G20 cross-border payments roadmap.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Payments are a fundamental component of a thriving financial sector, and the Government wants the UK to be at the forefront of the safe development of agentic payments. The Government’s National Payments Vision is for a trusted, world-leading payments ecosystem delivered on next generation technology, where consumers and businesses have a choice of payment methods to meet their needs.

A number of steps are being taken to lay the foundations for the safe adoption of agentic payments in the UK. Firstly, the Government is consulting on modernising payment services regulation. This consultation asks whether and how the regulatory framework needs to evolve to ensure the safe adoption of agentic payments. This consultation closes on 6 October, and the Government will consider the responses carefully.

Agentic payments are also being considered in the design of the new payments infrastructure. In June, the Retail Payments Infrastructure Board published a consultation on the Design of the Future Retail Payments Infrastructure. This asked what capabilities or functions the next-generation infrastructure would need to support the safe provision of agentic payments.

Finally, in July, the Financial Conduct Authority launched its second supercharged sandbox cohort, where participating firms are exploring use cases designed to enable agent-led payments and commerce.

The Government also engages with international partners on payments innovation. As agentic payments develop, the Government will continue to work with international partners to support approaches that enable innovation while maintaining appropriate consumer protection and security.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of recent funding cuts to the Nature for Climate Fund on the UK's ability to meet its carbon budgets and meet the target to restore 35,000 hectares of peat in England by 2025 and 280,000 hectares by 2050 in the National Adaptation Programme.

Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

This Government is committed to peatland restoration. We have announced that we will invest £85 million between 2026 to 2030 to improve and restore our peatlands. This has included extending the Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme by an additional year, until March 2027, enabling thousands more hectares of peatland restoration.

Once the Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme comes to an end, funding for peatland restoration will continue to be available through Environmental Land Management schemes such as Landscape Recovery and Countryside Stewardship.

We will ensure these schemes provide strong support for peatland outcomes.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she will provide long-term funding certainty for upland peatland restoration beyond the expiry of the Nature for Climate Fund in March 2027.

Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

This Government is committed to peatland restoration. We have announced that we will invest £85 million between 2026 to 2030 to improve and restore our peatlands.

This includes extending the Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme by an additional year, until March 2027. The scheme has already delivered the restoration of approximately 28,000 hectares of peatland, and this extension will enable thousands more hectares to be restored.

Once the Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme comes to an end, funding for peatland restoration will continue to be available through Environmental Land Management schemes such as Landscape Recovery and Countryside Stewardship. We are working to ensure that these schemes provide strong support for peatland outcomes, and prevent a drop off in peatland restoration after April 2027.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate she has made of the number of supported accommodation places available in England (a) overall and (b) specifically designed for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the Hon Member to the response to his previous question in July which can be found here. We do not hold more recent data. However, the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023 places a duty on all local housing authorities in England to assess the current provision of supported housing, and to estimate current unmet and future need. Local housing authorities have received new burdens funding to publish this information as part of their local supported housing strategies. Delivery of the strategies will be a crucial step forward in increasing the government’s and local councils’ understanding of the supply and need for supported accommodation.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate she has made of the number of supported accommodation places available in England (a) overall and (b) designed for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the Hon Member to the response to his previous question in July which can be found here. We do not hold more recent data. However, the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023 places a duty on all local housing authorities in England to assess the current provision of supported housing, and to estimate current unmet and future need. Local housing authorities have received new burdens funding to publish this information as part of their local supported housing strategies. Delivery of the strategies will be a crucial step forward in increasing the government’s and local councils’ understanding of the supply and need for supported accommodation.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the National Audit Office's letter of 12 August 2026 concerning the West Bank Protection Consortium, if he will publish the (a) WBPC-specific value-for-money analysis and external evaluation reviewed by the National Audit Office and (b) assessment and other documentation recording the risk of demolition of UK-funded assets.

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

Before funding is committed and disbursed to any partners, we ensure that due diligence and value for money considerations are carried out in line with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office programme operating framework. We also monitor effectiveness through our general programme oversight including annual reviews, partner engagement, and monitoring visits to scrutinise performance. Our business cases and annual review processes consider the risks to and around our Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) support.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which foreign counterparts he plans to meet during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

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

The Foreign Secretary plans to attend the High-Level Week of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. During his visit, the Foreign Secretary expects to meet a range of international counterparts and other interlocutors. Details of his programme are being finalised in the coming weeks.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

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

The Foreign Secretary plans to attend the High-Level Week of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. During his visit, the Foreign Secretary expects to meet a range of international counterparts and other interlocutors. Details of his programme are being finalised in the coming weeks.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether an individual's leave to remain or UK settlement status is subject to review in instances where they have committed UK insolvency offences and is acting as a director while an undischarged bankrupt.

Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

Any foreign national who is convicted of a crime and given a prison sentence is considered for deportation at the earliest opportunity. Deportation will be pursued where a foreign criminal is given a prison or suspended sentence of least 12 months, if their offending has caused serious harm or if they are a persistent offender. Section 5(1) of the Immigration Act 1971 provides that any leave, including indefinite leave, is invalidated when a deportation order is made.

Where the threshold for deportation is not met, the Immigration Rules provide that entry clearance or permission may be cancelled where the person has been convicted of a criminal offence in the UK or overseas for which they have received a custodial or suspended sentence of less than 12 months or more or a non-custodial or out-of-court disposal that is recorded on their criminal record.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether, during his meeting with the Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China at the ASEAN Summit on 23 July, he discussed plans for a future visit to Beijing.

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

During his meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the Foreign Secretary stressed the importance of long-term cooperation on global issues, including de-escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and pushing Russia to end their invasion of Ukraine. He also raised the ongoing imprisonment of Jimmy Lai - a matter of the utmost importance to the UK Government. The Government's policy towards China remains consistent and long term, we will cooperate when we can and challenge when we must.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, with reference to the Annual statistics of scientific procedures on living animals, Great Britain 2025, published in July 2026, what steps he is taking to replace the use of horses in science with human-specific technologies.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is committed to reducing and replacing the use of specially protected species, including horses, in scientific research through the Replacing Animals in Science strategy. The strategy supports the development, validation and regulatory uptake of human-specific technologies, including advanced cell-based models, organ-on-a-chip systems, data-driven approaches and AI-enabled tools. The use of specially protected species remains subject to stringent controls and is permitted only where no validated alternative exists.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the approach taken by the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission to event contracts, and of its potential implications for the competitiveness of UK financial markets.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

As set out by ministers from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in answers to questions on this topic, in order to operate in Great Britain, any prediction market would require a licence from the Gambling Commission, the independent regulator for gambling. If approved, they would be classified as a ‘Betting Intermediary’ and subject to regulation under the Gambling Act 2005. The government will monitor the potential impacts of prediction markets and consider further action if needed.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions his Department has had with the Financial Conduct Authority on the regulatory treatment of prediction markets.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

As set out by ministers from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in answers to questions on this topic, in order to operate in Great Britain, any prediction market would require a licence from the Gambling Commission, the independent regulator for gambling. If approved, they would be classified as a ‘Betting Intermediary’ and subject to regulation under the Gambling Act 2005. The government will monitor the potential impacts of prediction markets and consider further action if needed.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department plans to bring forward legislative proposals to establish a regulatory framework for prediction markets.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

As set out by ministers from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in answers to questions on this topic, in order to operate in Great Britain, any prediction market would require a licence from the Gambling Commission, the independent regulator for gambling. If approved, they would be classified as a ‘Betting Intermediary’ and subject to regulation under the Gambling Act 2005. The government will monitor the potential impacts of prediction markets and consider further action if needed.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to the governments of Israel and Jordan concerning restrictions on organised Jewish prayer at Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount.

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

The UK recognises that Jerusalem, including the Haram Al-Sharif / Temple Mount, holds particular significance for many around the globe, especially the three Abrahamic faiths of Christianity, Islam and Judaism. We value Jordan's important role as custodian of the holy sites in Jerusalem. The UK is committed to working with all parties to maintain calm, avoid provocation and uphold the status quo to ensure the safety and the security of the Al Haram Al Sharif / Temple Mount and all who worship there.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of restrictions on organised Jewish prayer at Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount on freedom of religion or belief.

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

The UK recognises that Jerusalem, including the Haram Al-Sharif / Temple Mount, holds particular significance for many around the globe, especially the three Abrahamic faiths of Christianity, Islam and Judaism. We value Jordan's important role as custodian of the holy sites in Jerusalem. The UK is committed to working with all parties to maintain calm, avoid provocation and uphold the status quo to ensure the safety and the security of the Al Haram Al Sharif / Temple Mount and all who worship there.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what her policy is on restrictions on organised Jewish prayer at Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount.

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

The UK recognises that Jerusalem, including the Haram Al-Sharif / Temple Mount, holds particular significance for many around the globe, especially the three Abrahamic faiths of Christianity, Islam and Judaism. We value Jordan's important role as custodian of the holy sites in Jerusalem. The UK is committed to working with all parties to maintain calm, avoid provocation and uphold the status quo to ensure the safety and the security of the Al Haram Al Sharif / Temple Mount and all who worship there.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance has the Department provided to local authorities on the mechanisms they should be using to scrutinise Housing Benefit claims in the period prior to the implementation of the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)

Whilst DWP has responsibility for overall Housing Benefit policy and legislation, local authorities have statutory responsibility for the day-to-day administration and assessment of Housing Benefit claims.

The existing Housing Benefit guidance for supported housing claims provides advice for local authorities on how to assess and process Housing Benefit claims. We will be updating this manual early next year to reflect the measures being implemented within the Act.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what is the Government's rationale for policies and funding decisions that have resulted in reduced capacity for schools to deliver extra-curricular sport.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

On 21 May 2026, the government announced a new approach to PE and school sport funding, backed by over £1 billion across the next three years. The new model combines a universal offer for all primary and secondary schools with targeted support for schools and pupils who need it most.

A new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network will strengthen links between schools and local sports clubs, support high-quality PE, and help remove barriers to participation. Delivery will be informed by baseline and ongoing needs assessments led by a National Delivery Partner. Funding for the School Games Organiser network has also been confirmed for 2026/27 to support transition to the new system and maintain continuity of expertise.

Despite over a decade of investment via the PE and sport premium, less than half of all children meet the Chief Medical Officer’s recommended 60 active minutes a day. Inequalities persist, particularly for girls and pupils from disadvantaged and black and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of reductions in School Sport Partnership and School Games Organiser funding on the organisation and delivery of competitive school sport.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

On 21 May 2026, the government announced a new approach to PE and school sport funding, backed by over £1 billion across the next three years. The new model combines a universal offer for all primary and secondary schools with targeted support for schools and pupils who need it most.

A new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network will strengthen links between schools and local sports clubs, support high-quality PE, and help remove barriers to participation. Delivery will be informed by baseline and ongoing needs assessments led by a National Delivery Partner. Funding for the School Games Organiser network has also been confirmed for 2026/27 to support transition to the new system and maintain continuity of expertise.

Despite over a decade of investment via the PE and sport premium, less than half of all children meet the Chief Medical Officer’s recommended 60 active minutes a day. Inequalities persist, particularly for girls and pupils from disadvantaged and black and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will review the protections afforded to whistleblowers who disclose information in the public interest relating to potential interference with, disturbance of, or artefact recovery from First and Second World War United Kingdom-owned wrecks and maritime grave sites, including merchant vessels that were operating in support of the United Kingdom’s war effort at the time of their loss.

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

Whistleblowers who make a protected disclosure are protected under the provisions of the Employment Rights Act 1996.

The Department for Business, Science, Innovation and Trade plans to consult on whistleblowing in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will introduce measures to ensure that information relating to artefacts recovered from United Kingdom-owned First and Second World War wrecks and maritime war graves, including the SS Tilawa, is not routinely withheld under exemptions contained within the Freedom of Information Act 2000 where disclosure would support public accountability, heritage protection, and the commemoration of wartime loss.

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

Information regarding items recovered from wrecks, which is provided to the Receiver of Wreck as required under section 236 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 is routinely available under the Freedom of Information Act and is not subject to any exemptions.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether a) his policy remains that freedom of religion or belief includes the ability of members of all faiths to access and worship at sites of particular religious significance to them; b) whether that principle applies equally to Jews, Christians and Muslims in Jerusalem, including at the Temple Mount/Al-Aqsa compound; and c) whether he has assessed the compatibility of the arrangements governing access and worship at that site with the UK's commitment to freedom of religion or belief and equal treatment for all faiths.

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

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer of 7 September in response to Question 18985.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what consideration has been given to providing schools with additional funding or staffing flexibility to protect extra-curricular sport, including allowing PE departments dedicated timetable capacity to organise and deliver sporting activities beyond the curriculum.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

PE and School Sport are a key priority for this government. However, despite over a decade of investment via the PE and sport premium, less than half of all children meet the Chief Medical Officer’s recommended 60 active minutes a day. ​

​​The new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network will provide practical, targeted support to help schools increase participation and offer stronger links to extra‑curricular sport and local clubs. It will provide training to build staff confidence in delivering PE and set out clearer pathways into community sport. Support will align more closely with wider programmes and include competitive sport opportunities and inclusive events for less‑active pupils.

We have and continue to work closely with the teaching sector and sporting national bodies in the development and delivery of the new Network.

A core objective of the new Network is reducing the administrative burden on schools, introducing greater streamlined and standardised processes to provide PE and school sport.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions has the Department had with school leaders, PE teachers and representative bodies regarding the sustainability of current extra-curricular sports provision in state secondary schools.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

PE and School Sport are a key priority for this government. However, despite over a decade of investment via the PE and sport premium, less than half of all children meet the Chief Medical Officer’s recommended 60 active minutes a day. ​

​​The new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network will provide practical, targeted support to help schools increase participation and offer stronger links to extra‑curricular sport and local clubs. It will provide training to build staff confidence in delivering PE and set out clearer pathways into community sport. Support will align more closely with wider programmes and include competitive sport opportunities and inclusive events for less‑active pupils.

We have and continue to work closely with the teaching sector and sporting national bodies in the development and delivery of the new Network.

A core objective of the new Network is reducing the administrative burden on schools, introducing greater streamlined and standardised processes to provide PE and school sport.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment has been made of the extent to which workload pressures on PE teachers have contributed to reductions in after-school sports clubs, training sessions and fixtures.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

PE and School Sport are a key priority for this government. However, despite over a decade of investment via the PE and sport premium, less than half of all children meet the Chief Medical Officer’s recommended 60 active minutes a day. ​

​​The new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network will provide practical, targeted support to help schools increase participation and offer stronger links to extra‑curricular sport and local clubs. It will provide training to build staff confidence in delivering PE and set out clearer pathways into community sport. Support will align more closely with wider programmes and include competitive sport opportunities and inclusive events for less‑active pupils.

We have and continue to work closely with the teaching sector and sporting national bodies in the development and delivery of the new Network.

A core objective of the new Network is reducing the administrative burden on schools, introducing greater streamlined and standardised processes to provide PE and school sport.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment has the Department made of the potential impact of increasing teaching allocations and wider workload demands on the ability of physical education teachers to deliver extra-curricular sport, training sessions and competitive fixtures outside normal school hours.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

PE and School Sport are a key priority for this government. However, despite over a decade of investment via the PE and sport premium, less than half of all children meet the Chief Medical Officer’s recommended 60 active minutes a day. ​

​​The new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network will provide practical, targeted support to help schools increase participation and offer stronger links to extra‑curricular sport and local clubs. It will provide training to build staff confidence in delivering PE and set out clearer pathways into community sport. Support will align more closely with wider programmes and include competitive sport opportunities and inclusive events for less‑active pupils.

We have and continue to work closely with the teaching sector and sporting national bodies in the development and delivery of the new Network.

A core objective of the new Network is reducing the administrative burden on schools, introducing greater streamlined and standardised processes to provide PE and school sport.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment has been made of trends in participation in extra-curricular sport and inter-school competitions in secondary schools over the last ten years.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

PE and School Sport are a key priority for this government. However, despite over a decade of investment via the PE and sport premium, less than half of all children meet the Chief Medical Officer’s recommended 60 active minutes a day. ​

​​The new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network will provide practical, targeted support to help schools increase participation and offer stronger links to extra‑curricular sport and local clubs. It will provide training to build staff confidence in delivering PE and set out clearer pathways into community sport. Support will align more closely with wider programmes and include competitive sport opportunities and inclusive events for less‑active pupils.

We have and continue to work closely with the teaching sector and sporting national bodies in the development and delivery of the new Network.

A core objective of the new Network is reducing the administrative burden on schools, introducing greater streamlined and standardised processes to provide PE and school sport.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions officials in her Department have had with the Football Association, the National League, and the Independent Football Regulator regarding the role of Abdulla Al-Humaidi during the ongoing sale of Ebbsfleet United FC.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

Our thoughts are with Ebbsfleet United’s fans and the wider community, none of whom are responsible for the club’s current situation.

My officials are closely monitoring events which continue to move at pace – but it would be wrong to intervene further while the change of ownership is an ongoing matter for the National League, who are making regular statements. The National League South sits outside the remit of the Independent Football Regulator (IFR).

We would like to see stability brought back quickly.

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 support freedom of religion or belief for Jews who wish to engage in organised prayer at the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif.

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

I refer the Honourable Member to the answer given on 7 September 2026 to question 18985.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions the Government had with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before the announcement of sanctions on Israel on 8 September 2026.

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

The Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Ministers and senior officials regularly engage with Israeli counterparts on a range of issues, including ahead of the package of measures announced on 8 September. The Government remains committed to open and candid dialogue with the Government of Israel.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he had with his Israeli counterpart before the announcement of sanctions on Israel on 8 September 2026.

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

The Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Ministers and senior officials regularly engage with Israeli counterparts on a range of issues, including ahead of the package of measures announced on 8 September. The Government remains committed to open and candid dialogue with the Government of Israel.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how children’s hospices are being supported to deliver the shift from hospital to community care.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

We recognise the challenging financial situation facing many hospices due to a range of cost pressures, and we understand that some children and young people’s hospices are having to make difficult decisions about services.

However, to support the sector, the Government has provided a £125 million capital funding boost for adult, and children and young people’s, hospices in England and has secured approximately £80 million of revenue funding for children and young people’s hospices over the three financial years, from 2026/27 to 2028/29, helping to provide greater financial certainty and stability.

Since the beginning of this year, NHS England has written twice to all integrated care boards requesting an update on the financial stability of hospices within their footprint and the steps being taken to mitigate risks as a matter of urgency. As part of the most recent request, in April, information was also gathered from Hospice UK to provide a rounded picture of the hospice sector. It is clear from all the returns received that there is a clear commitment from integrated care boards to work collaboratively with hospices and to understand any existing or potential impact of financial pressures, with clear steps being taken at a local level to mitigate risks to patients.

More widely, we are developing a Modern Service Framework for Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care, and an interim update was published on 4 June in the form of a Written Ministerial Statement, which is available at the following link:

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2026-06-04/hcws88

As part of this work, we expect all integrated care boards to complete an integrated needs assessment, to gain a detailed understanding of their current and future population, including people of all ages with palliative care and end-of-life care needs. This is vital in order to commission the services to best meet that need, whilst providing the best value for money.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to prevent reductions in children’s hospice-at-home services.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

We recognise the challenging financial situation facing many hospices due to a range of cost pressures, and we understand that some children and young people’s hospices are having to make difficult decisions about services.

However, to support the sector, the Government has provided a £125 million capital funding boost for adult, and children and young people’s, hospices in England and has secured approximately £80 million of revenue funding for children and young people’s hospices over the three financial years, from 2026/27 to 2028/29, helping to provide greater financial certainty and stability.

Since the beginning of this year, NHS England has written twice to all integrated care boards requesting an update on the financial stability of hospices within their footprint and the steps being taken to mitigate risks as a matter of urgency. As part of the most recent request, in April, information was also gathered from Hospice UK to provide a rounded picture of the hospice sector. It is clear from all the returns received that there is a clear commitment from integrated care boards to work collaboratively with hospices and to understand any existing or potential impact of financial pressures, with clear steps being taken at a local level to mitigate risks to patients.

More widely, we are developing a Modern Service Framework for Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care, and an interim update was published on 4 June in the form of a Written Ministerial Statement, which is available at the following link:

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2026-06-04/hcws88

As part of this work, we expect all integrated care boards to complete an integrated needs assessment, to gain a detailed understanding of their current and future population, including people of all ages with palliative care and end-of-life care needs. This is vital in order to commission the services to best meet that need, whilst providing the best value for money.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to comply with the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 and the principles established by the Court of Appeal in Fogg and Ledgard v Secretary of State for Defence [2006] EWCA Civ 1270, to ensure that qualifying wartime merchant vessels operating in military service are capable of receiving recognition and protection comparable to that afforded to SS Storaa.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

Under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 (PMRA), merchant vessels at the time of their loss, that were formally requestioned, utilised for armed forces purposes and operating under military command can be designated as either "Protected Places" or "Controlled Sites". Should the amendments to PMRA proposed in the Armed Forces Bill 2026, currently going through Parliament, be successful, merchant vessels in military service at the time of their loss located in UK territorial, and international waters will be automatically protected.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will undertake a review with the Secretary of State for Transport of the status of the SS Tilawa in light of the Court of Appeal judgment in Fogg and Ledgard v Secretary of State for Defence [2006] EWCA Civ 1270.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

MOD officials have carefully reviewed the circumstances of the SS Tilawa's status at the time of her loss, including in light of the Court of Appeal judgment in Fogg and Ledgard v Secretary of State for Defence.

Vessels qualify for protection under the Protection of Military Remains Act (1986) (PMRA) if they were directly supporting military activity at the time of their loss. SS Storaa qualified because her function and activities at the time of sinking placed her within military service for the purpose of PMRA. By contract, SS Tilawa was operating in a civilian capacity when she was lost and so falls outside of scope.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure Councils are able to access the statutory arbitration process for resolving which council is responsible for a homeless household when 1) a referral has been made under section 198 of the Housing Act 1996 2) there has been a failure to agree a referee.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Where there are disputes between the notifying authority and the notified authority over which authority should be responsible for an applicant, the Homelessness (Decisions on Referrals) Order 1998 sets out a process for resolving the dispute. In these circumstances, the Local Government Association will typically mediate between the two authorities to resolve the dispute, and the Local Government Association has issued its own guidance for authorities for invoking this disputes procedure and agreeing a referee.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has received any request from Kuwaiti authorities relating to the residence or immigration status of Abdulla Al-Humaidi.

Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The UK and Kuwait maintain a regular dialogue on a broad range of bilateral issues. Any discussions with Kuwaiti counterparts concerning specific individuals would be conducted in accordance with relevant UK laws and our international obligations.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions UK officials have had with their Kuwaiti counterparts regarding UK-based Kuwaiti nationals who are the subject of Kuwaiti criminal proceedings or convictions, including those related to alleged financial offences.

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

UK officials maintain a regular dialogue with their Kuwaiti counterparts concerning judicial and law-enforcement matters relating to cases with a UK connection. We do not comment on the detail of confidential exchanges or on individual cases where legal proceedings are ongoing. Any request for UK assistance is considered by the appropriate authorities in accordance with UK law, due process and the independence of the judiciary.

International student levy

National Cholesterol Month

Second Reading of the Mental Capacity (Duty to Assess) Bill

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Nick Smith (Chair); Bob Blackman; Bambos Charalambous; Mary Glindon

Found: Backbench Business Committee and Petitions Committee Debates Bob Blackman MP, Chair of the Backbench

Found: Smith (Labour; Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney) (Chair) Mr Alex Barros-Curtis (Labour; Cardiff West) Bob Blackman

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Bob Blackman (Chair); Jonathan Davies; Mary Glindon; Alison Hume;

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Bob Blackman (Chair); Jonathan Davies; Mary Glindon; Alison Hume;