Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department are taking to ensure the effectiveness of cancer screening programmes in Buckingham and Bletchley constituency.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England Screening and Immunisation Teams, including a dedicated team covering Thames Valley, work closely with providers and local partners to ensure cancer screening programmes are delivered in line with national standards for quality, safety and effectiveness.

At a local level, the NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (ICB) works in partnership with NHS England, primary care, providers and the Thames Valley Cancer Alliance to support the delivery and uptake of cancer screening programmes across Buckingham and Bletchley. This includes ongoing monitoring of screening coverage and performance at place and practice level, identifying variation, and supporting action where uptake or performance falls below national standards.

At a national level, we recently announced that the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme in England is lowering the faecal immunochemical test threshold from 120 micrograms of blood per gram of faeces to 80 micrograms of blood per gram of faeces. It is estimated that this change will detect approximately 600 additional bowel cancers early each year in England, approximately an 11% increase, and find 2,000 more people with high-risk polyps in their bowel, allowing doctors to remove them before they ever turn into cancers.

Additionally, in early 2026, the NHS Cervical Screening Programme will be offering a self-testing kit to under-screened women, starting with those who are the most overdue for screening. This will help tackle deeply entrenched barriers that keep some away from screening.

These national-level changes will benefit people across England, including those living in the Buckingham and Bletchley constituency.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what metrics her Department will use to assess the potential impact of additional investment on fostering support models.

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

We have announced an ambitious reform programme to urgently address the sharp decline in foster carers and modernise fostering. The reforms establish a clear direction built on relationships, stability and trust: simplifying outdated rules, strengthening national recruitment, expanding regional collaboration and improving support and respect given to carers.

Our primary metric will be the number of approved fostering places in local authorities and third sector providers, with a target of 10,000 more approved fostering places by the end of this Parliament. We will also monitor wider trends such as conversion from enquiry to approval, assessment timeliness, placement stability, and reduced reliance on residential care.

We will improve the approval process by strengthening expectations on timeliness and reducing bureaucracy. We are also consulting on removing fostering panels for initial approvals while retaining strong oversight. For fostering recruitment hubs, we will introduce a new performance framework so that hubs are both clear on expectations on data collection and accountable for outcomes and continuous improvement.

The department does not hold data centrally on the number of fostering placements at constituency level. Nationally, placement sufficiency remains under strain, which is why reforms are essential to renewing fostering and improving support for carers and children.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what estimate he has made of the potential impact of an enhanced UK-Switzerland trade agreement on jobs in the UK.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The current UK-Swiss Free Trade Agreement dates back to 1972 and covers goods but not services. UK-Swiss services trade is worth around £30 billion annually and our exports to Switzerland support over 100,000 jobs across the UK. Negotiations on an enhanced trade deal with Switzerland are focused on unlocking more opportunities for UK services firms with our 6th largest services export market, to help support jobs across the UK. The Department will publish an assessment of the finalised agreement.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of how export credit support affects business resilience to global economic shocks.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The recently published report by Oxford Economics, Analysing UKEF-Supported Supply Chains (which is available online at: Research and Analysis: Analysing UKEF-supported supply chains - GOV.UK), shows that in the last five years, deals supported by UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK’s export credit agency, were responsible for £23 billion gross value added contributions to the UK economy, and supported an average of up to 66,000 jobs per annum. That report also showed that the supply chains of the businesses directly supported by UKEF include 115,000 businesses around the UK.

In April 2025, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced an expansion of UKEF’s support to bolster the resilience of British businesses. This included increasing its financial capacity by £20 billion, to £80 billion, and targeting £10 billion of that to support firms that had been impacted by uncertainties in the world economy, including the new tariff environment.

Further information about the nature and extent of UKEF’s support is available in the Annual Report and Accounts, available online at: UK Export Finance annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the contribution of export credit to the UK economy over the last five years.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The recently published report by Oxford Economics, Analysing UKEF-Supported Supply Chains (which is available online at: Research and Analysis: Analysing UKEF-supported supply chains - GOV.UK), shows that in the last five years, deals supported by UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK’s export credit agency, were responsible for £23 billion gross value added contributions to the UK economy, and supported an average of up to 66,000 jobs per annum. That report also showed that the supply chains of the businesses directly supported by UKEF include 115,000 businesses around the UK.

In April 2025, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced an expansion of UKEF’s support to bolster the resilience of British businesses. This included increasing its financial capacity by £20 billion, to £80 billion, and targeting £10 billion of that to support firms that had been impacted by uncertainties in the world economy, including the new tariff environment.

Further information about the nature and extent of UKEF’s support is available in the Annual Report and Accounts, available online at: UK Export Finance annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how UK Export Finance measures the economic impact of its support across domestic supply chains.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The recently published report by Oxford Economics, Analysing UKEF-Supported Supply Chains (which is available online at: Research and Analysis: Analysing UKEF-supported supply chains - GOV.UK), shows that in the last five years, deals supported by UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK’s export credit agency, were responsible for £23 billion gross value added contributions to the UK economy, and supported an average of up to 66,000 jobs per annum. That report also showed that the supply chains of the businesses directly supported by UKEF include 115,000 businesses around the UK.

In April 2025, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced an expansion of UKEF’s support to bolster the resilience of British businesses. This included increasing its financial capacity by £20 billion, to £80 billion, and targeting £10 billion of that to support firms that had been impacted by uncertainties in the world economy, including the new tariff environment.

Further information about the nature and extent of UKEF’s support is available in the Annual Report and Accounts, available online at: UK Export Finance annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what evaluation framework he will use to measure the economic impact of the High Street Strategy.

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

The Government recognises that too many high streets are facing significant social and economic pressures, including high vacancy rates, dwindling footfall and the loss of local businesses. That is why the Government committed this January to bring forward a new High Streets Strategy to help reverse these trends.

This strategy will be backed by at least £150 million to support some of the most in-need high streets. Funding will be directed towards areas that have felt the harshest impact of high street decline. Further details on the strategy, including the evaluation approach, will be set out in due course.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of betting shops on town centre vitality.

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

Some high streets have become increasingly dominated by certain types of premises – including gambling establishments – which don’t always meet the needs of their communities. According to the Gambling Commission, the number of adult gaming centres (AGCs) rose by 7% between 2022 and 2024, with additional data showing that AGCs are most concentrated in areas of higher deprivation.

My Department will take action to tackle the number of gambling premises in vulnerable areas by introducing Cumulative Impact Assessments in gambling licensing when parliamentary time allows.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he us taking to help ensure new regeneration tools like Community Right to Buy deliver outcomes for independent retailers.

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

The Government is committed to supporting independent retailers and the high streets on which they operate. Community right to buy, which we are introducing through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, will empower local communities to bring a wide range of assets into community ownership and protect them for future use, including shops.

This is part of a wider suite of regeneration tools the Government is introducing, including High Street Rental Auctions and a more streamlined Compulsory Purchase Order process, which offer councils and communities the chance to preserve valuable spaces and create a higher quality trading environment for independent retailers.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she has taken to ensure UK firms are impacted the designation of the Bank of China’s London Branch as the UK’s second renminbi clearing bank.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The agreements reached at the first UK‑China Financial Working Group in Beijing will strengthen cooperation with China in ways that support the UK’s position as an open, competitive and well‑regulated international financial centre, supporting jobs and growth in the UK.

As set out in HM Treasury’s press release and the joint readout of the first UK-China Financial Working Group meeting (FWG), the FWG provides a new formal mechanism for structured, substantive and technical dialogue between UK and Chinese financial authorities on issues including financial stability and resilience, capital markets, market development and sustainable finance.

Specific outcomes include the designation of Bank of China’s London Branch as the UK’s second renminbi (RMB) clearing bank, which will broaden the range of services available to UK businesses trading with China and strengthen London’s role as a leading international financial centre. Technical discussions were also held on long-term initiatives to support the UK’s capital markets, as well as green finance and asset management sectors. Alongside the FWG and the Prime Minister’s visit, the UK and China also agreed to pursue new cooperation on innovative financing, such as RMB-denominated sovereign biodiversity bond issuances, cementing the City's role as the global hub for green finance.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the outcomes of the UK-China Financial Working Group on UK-China trade flows.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The agreements reached at the first UK‑China Financial Working Group in Beijing will strengthen cooperation with China in ways that support the UK’s position as an open, competitive and well‑regulated international financial centre, supporting jobs and growth in the UK.

As set out in HM Treasury’s press release and the joint readout of the first UK-China Financial Working Group meeting (FWG), the FWG provides a new formal mechanism for structured, substantive and technical dialogue between UK and Chinese financial authorities on issues including financial stability and resilience, capital markets, market development and sustainable finance.

Specific outcomes include the designation of Bank of China’s London Branch as the UK’s second renminbi (RMB) clearing bank, which will broaden the range of services available to UK businesses trading with China and strengthen London’s role as a leading international financial centre. Technical discussions were also held on long-term initiatives to support the UK’s capital markets, as well as green finance and asset management sectors. Alongside the FWG and the Prime Minister’s visit, the UK and China also agreed to pursue new cooperation on innovative financing, such as RMB-denominated sovereign biodiversity bond issuances, cementing the City's role as the global hub for green finance.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the agreements from the first UK-China Financial Working Group in Beijing on UK financial services.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The agreements reached at the first UK‑China Financial Working Group in Beijing will strengthen cooperation with China in ways that support the UK’s position as an open, competitive and well‑regulated international financial centre, supporting jobs and growth in the UK.

As set out in HM Treasury’s press release and the joint readout of the first UK-China Financial Working Group meeting (FWG), the FWG provides a new formal mechanism for structured, substantive and technical dialogue between UK and Chinese financial authorities on issues including financial stability and resilience, capital markets, market development and sustainable finance.

Specific outcomes include the designation of Bank of China’s London Branch as the UK’s second renminbi (RMB) clearing bank, which will broaden the range of services available to UK businesses trading with China and strengthen London’s role as a leading international financial centre. Technical discussions were also held on long-term initiatives to support the UK’s capital markets, as well as green finance and asset management sectors. Alongside the FWG and the Prime Minister’s visit, the UK and China also agreed to pursue new cooperation on innovative financing, such as RMB-denominated sovereign biodiversity bond issuances, cementing the City's role as the global hub for green finance.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to help ensure regulatory co-operation with China does not impact on UK standards in financial supervision.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The agreements reached at the first UK‑China Financial Working Group in Beijing will strengthen cooperation with China in ways that support the UK’s position as an open, competitive and well‑regulated international financial centre, supporting jobs and growth in the UK.

As set out in HM Treasury’s press release and the joint readout of the first UK-China Financial Working Group meeting (FWG), the FWG provides a new formal mechanism for structured, substantive and technical dialogue between UK and Chinese financial authorities on issues including financial stability and resilience, capital markets, market development and sustainable finance.

Specific outcomes include the designation of Bank of China’s London Branch as the UK’s second renminbi (RMB) clearing bank, which will broaden the range of services available to UK businesses trading with China and strengthen London’s role as a leading international financial centre. Technical discussions were also held on long-term initiatives to support the UK’s capital markets, as well as green finance and asset management sectors. Alongside the FWG and the Prime Minister’s visit, the UK and China also agreed to pursue new cooperation on innovative financing, such as RMB-denominated sovereign biodiversity bond issuances, cementing the City's role as the global hub for green finance.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what mechanisms she will use to monitor the implementation of agreements reached on innovative biodiversity financing with China.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The agreements reached at the first UK‑China Financial Working Group in Beijing will strengthen cooperation with China in ways that support the UK’s position as an open, competitive and well‑regulated international financial centre, supporting jobs and growth in the UK.

As set out in HM Treasury’s press release and the joint readout of the first UK-China Financial Working Group meeting (FWG), the FWG provides a new formal mechanism for structured, substantive and technical dialogue between UK and Chinese financial authorities on issues including financial stability and resilience, capital markets, market development and sustainable finance.

Specific outcomes include the designation of Bank of China’s London Branch as the UK’s second renminbi (RMB) clearing bank, which will broaden the range of services available to UK businesses trading with China and strengthen London’s role as a leading international financial centre. Technical discussions were also held on long-term initiatives to support the UK’s capital markets, as well as green finance and asset management sectors. Alongside the FWG and the Prime Minister’s visit, the UK and China also agreed to pursue new cooperation on innovative financing, such as RMB-denominated sovereign biodiversity bond issuances, cementing the City's role as the global hub for green finance.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the number of children in care that are unable to access stable fostering placements in the Buckingham and Bletchley constituency.

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

We have announced an ambitious reform programme to urgently address the sharp decline in foster carers and modernise fostering. The reforms establish a clear direction built on relationships, stability and trust: simplifying outdated rules, strengthening national recruitment, expanding regional collaboration and improving support and respect given to carers.

Our primary metric will be the number of approved fostering places in local authorities and third sector providers, with a target of 10,000 more approved fostering places by the end of this Parliament. We will also monitor wider trends such as conversion from enquiry to approval, assessment timeliness, placement stability, and reduced reliance on residential care.

We will improve the approval process by strengthening expectations on timeliness and reducing bureaucracy. We are also consulting on removing fostering panels for initial approvals while retaining strong oversight. For fostering recruitment hubs, we will introduce a new performance framework so that hubs are both clear on expectations on data collection and accountable for outcomes and continuous improvement.

The department does not hold data centrally on the number of fostering placements at constituency level. Nationally, placement sufficiency remains under strain, which is why reforms are essential to renewing fostering and improving support for carers and children.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans she has to (a) monitor and (b) shorten the fostering approval process to meet the Government’s pledge for getting vulnerable children into foster homes.

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

We have announced an ambitious reform programme to urgently address the sharp decline in foster carers and modernise fostering. The reforms establish a clear direction built on relationships, stability and trust: simplifying outdated rules, strengthening national recruitment, expanding regional collaboration and improving support and respect given to carers.

Our primary metric will be the number of approved fostering places in local authorities and third sector providers, with a target of 10,000 more approved fostering places by the end of this Parliament. We will also monitor wider trends such as conversion from enquiry to approval, assessment timeliness, placement stability, and reduced reliance on residential care.

We will improve the approval process by strengthening expectations on timeliness and reducing bureaucracy. We are also consulting on removing fostering panels for initial approvals while retaining strong oversight. For fostering recruitment hubs, we will introduce a new performance framework so that hubs are both clear on expectations on data collection and accountable for outcomes and continuous improvement.

The department does not hold data centrally on the number of fostering placements at constituency level. Nationally, placement sufficiency remains under strain, which is why reforms are essential to renewing fostering and improving support for carers and children.