Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions she has had with Gloucestershire Constabulary on anti-social behaviour.

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

Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) is a top priority for this Government, and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission and through the Crime and Policing Bill, we are strengthening the powers available to police and other relevant agencies under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to improve the tools agencies have at their disposal to tackle ASB.

As part of the Safer Streets Summer Initiative Gloucestershire Constabulary have been focusing on Anti-Social Behaviour, Retail Crime and Street Crime in six town centres.

The Safer Streets Summer Initiative launched on 30 June and ran until 30 September 2025, targeting over 600 town centres across England and Wales, through visible policing and swift, meaningful consequences.

On 10 April, the Prime Minister announced the details of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee which includes that every force area will have a dedicated lead officer for ASB. They will work with communities to develop an action plan to reduce and prevent ASB. Forces will be expected to publish their respective plan by April 2026.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to incentivise private investment in large nature recovery projects.

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

Defra has put in place a number of interventions to scale up private sector investment in nature recovery projects across England. These include:

• Supporting market development through our partnership with the British Standards Institution to develop a suite of nature investment standards
• Stimulating a pipeline of investable nature projects, working with farm clusters and leading Local Authorities, through our Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund and Local Investment in Natural Capital programmes
• Developing blended finance models including through our Landscape Recovery scheme; our investment in the forthcoming Big Nature Impact Fund; and our work with Government’s public financial institutions such as the National Wealth Fund

We are analysing responses to our call for evidence on expanding the role of the private sector in nature recovery and will set out next steps in due course.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on integrating nature risks into broader security and risk planning.

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

Nature risks are recognised in the Government’s National Security Strategy 2025: Security for the British People in a Dangerous World. Its implementation will ensure these risks inform security and risk planning across Government.

Together with my Cabinet colleagues the Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, and Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband, I was pleased to attend the recent Countdown to COP30: mobilising action for climate and nature event hosted by the Natural History Museum. My ministerial team and I look forward to continuing cross- government discussions as we prepare for the 30th United Nations climate change conference in Bélem, Brazil.

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 adequacy of the Environmental Land Management payment scheme in supporting farmers with a clear roadmap to 2030.

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

This Government has committed a record £11.8 billion allocation to deliver sustainable farming and food production over this parliament. This includes increasing spend on nature-friendly farming including Environmental Land Management schemes to £2 billion by 28/29. As a result of the Government’s determination to get more farmers to participate, there are now 50,000 farm businesses and half of all farmed land now managed under our schemes – with more money being spent through these schemes than at any point.

We are now working with farmers, farming and environmental organisations to develop the Farming Roadmap, which will set the course of farming in England for the next 25 years. It will set out how farming will, must and can evolve in response to changing markets, technologies, and environmental pressures - and how government will support that transition.We are committed to an ongoing process of iterating and maturing the Roadmap as we learn from farmers what they need to succeed.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to secure long-term public budgets for nature recovery.

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

We are prioritising investment that supports the Government’s Plan for Change and builds work to reform Defra to drive growth, while maintaining our commitment to farming, food security, and nature’s recovery.

This Government has committed a record £11.8 billion allocation to deliver sustainable farming and food production over this parliament. This includes increasing spend on nature-friendly farming including Environmental Land Management schemes to £2 billion by 28/29.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the processing of SET DV applications.

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

Tackling violence against women and girls is a top priority for this government and our mission is to halve levels of violence against women and girls within a decade.

Migrant victims of domestic abuse can apply via form SET(DV) for immediate settlement under the Immigration Rules (Appendix Victim of Domestic Abuse (Appendix VDA)). Appendix VDA provides for victims of domestic abuse who have, or were last granted, permission to stay as a partner under the family Immigration Rules where the sponsor is a British citizen, settled, a member of HM Forces, is in the UK with limited stay as a refugee or with pre-settled status under the EUSS.

SET(DV) is a bespoke application form that captures all the information required to make a decision under Appendix VDA. These applications are assessed by a dedicated domestic abuse caseworking team within the Home Office. They consider all the information and evidence provided in the round and whether, on the balance of probabilities, the applicant can be granted settlement as a victim of domestic abuse.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to enable citizenship applicants to track the progress of their applications.

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

Citizenship customers can submit their application for British citizenship online, however they are not currently able to track it’s progress.

The service standard for the processing of a straightforward application for British citizenship is six months.

The most recent migration transparency data confirms that 99.36% of straightforward applications for citizenship are processed within service standard. This can be found at the following link: Migration transparency data - GOV.UK

The Home Office does contacts customers and provides them with an update, where an application cannot be processed within the published service standard.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to help ensure fair council tax valuations in areas with new residential developments.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

For Council Tax purposes all homes are assessed to reflect their open market value at a valuation date set in law, which in England is 1 April 1991. This is so all properties, even new ones, are valued on a fair and consistent basis. To band a property, the Valuation Office Agency considers the property details and looks for sales of similar properties (in terms of age, location, size and character) which took place on or around 1 April 1991. Further information about how Council Tax bands are assessed can be found here:

www.gov.uk/guidance/understand-how-council-tax-bands-are-assessed.

The Valuation Office Agency has published a blog article specific to the assessment of new properties here: How we value new properties for Council Tax – Valuation Office Agency

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help increase capacity in phlebotomy services.

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

Blood tests are among the most commonly requested diagnostic investigations across primary and secondary care, and they are readily available across all 27 National Health Service pathology networks. Phlebotomy – the procedure to collect blood samples – is widely available across general practice, community health services, and secondary care phlebotomy clinics, supporting equitable access to blood testing.

Where phlebotomy services are provided by general practice, they are commissioned locally by integrated care boards (ICBs). ICBs are responsible for commissioning phlebotomy services based on local population need and are funded for these services as part of their annual funding allocations.

In January 2025, we published the Elective Reform Plan, which sets out the productivity and reform efforts needed to return to the 18-week constitutional standard by the end of this parliament. The Plan commits to transform and expand diagnostic services and speed up waiting times for tests, a crucial part of reducing overall waiting times.

Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs), including those in Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, are supporting one of the governments key strategic shifts – moving care from the hospital to the community. CDCs offer local populations a wide range of diagnostic tests, including phlebotomy, closer to home and greater choice on where and how they are undertaken.

We are continuing to invest in expanding diagnostic capacity in the NHS. As set out in the Elective Reform Plan, we plan to build up to five more CDCs in 2025/26, alongside increasing the operating hours of existing sites so that more offer services 12 hours a day, seven days a week. This is backed by part of the £600 million of capital investment for diagnostic services announced at the October 2024 Spending Review.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will hold discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence on the development of guidelines for PANS and PANDAS.

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

Decisions on topics for new or updated guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) are considered through an established NICE prioritisation process with decisions overseen by a prioritisation board, chaired by NICE’s Chief Medical Officer.

NICE’s prioritisation board considered the development of guidance on paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome and paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcus in November 2024 and concluded that there is insufficient evidence in this area to develop useful guidance.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to extend the eligibility criteria for the covid-19 vaccine to include people with asthma.

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

The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The primary aim of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme remains the prevention of serious illness (hospitalisations and deaths) arising from COVID-19. Population immunity to COVID-19 has been increasing due to a combination of naturally acquired immunity following recovery from infection and vaccine-derived immunity. COVID-19 is now a relatively mild disease for most people, though it can still be unpleasant, with rates of hospitalisation and death from COVID-19 having reduced significantly since COVID-19 first emerged.

The focus of the JCVI advised programme has therefore moved towards targeted vaccination of the two groups who continue to be at higher risk of serious disease, including mortality. These are the oldest adults and individuals who are immunosuppressed.

On 13 November 2024, JCVI published advice on who should be offered vaccination in autumn 2025. On 26 June 2025, the Government accepted the JCVI’s advice that in autumn 2025, a COVID-19 vaccination should be offered to the following groups:

• adults aged 75 years and over;

• residents in care homes for older adults;

• individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed (as defined in the ‘immunosuppression’ sections of tables 3 or 4 in the COVID-19 chapter of the UK Health Security Agency Green Book).

The Government has no plans to change eligibility for autumn 2025. It has accepted the JCVI advice for this campaign in full. As for all vaccines, the JCVI keeps the evidence under regular review.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate her Department has made of the time it will take UK Visas and Immigration to process its backlog of citizenship applications for people with indefinite leave to remain.

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

The service standard for the processing of a straightforward application for British citizenship is six months.

The most recent migration transparency data confirms that 99.36% of straightforward applications for citizenship are processed within published service standard.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/migration-transparency-data#passports-citizenship-and-civil-registration

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether there is a backlog of citizenship applications from people with indefinite leave to remain.

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

The service standard for the processing of a straightforward application for British citizenship is six months.

The most recent migration transparency data confirms that 99.36% of straightforward applications for citizenship are processed within published service standard.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/migration-transparency-data#passports-citizenship-and-civil-registration

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to support male victims of domestic violence.

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

We recognise that men and boys experience abusive and violent crimes, such as stalking, domestic abuse, and sexual violence. That is why we are committed to ensuring male victims and survivors get the support they need. We are working tirelessly across government to deliver the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy as soon as possible, which will set out commitments for all victims, including for men and boys that are victims of abuse.

We know that male victims may face different barriers to accessing support. The Home Office and Ministry of Justice fund specialist services for victims of these crimes, including services for male victims, such as Respect, Galop, SignHealth, Hourglass, and Mankind UK. This includes the Men’s Advice Line, run by Respect, which offers vital support to male victims of domestic abuse.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that disabled people have access to all modes of public transport on every day of the week.

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

The government wants everyone to have access to accessible and reliable public transport every day of the week.

We are committed to improving bus services, so they are more inclusive and enable everyone to travel safely and confidently. In December last year, the government introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill which includes a comprehensive package of measures to improve the accessibility and inclusivity of local bus services. From safer and more accessible bus stops and stations to more comprehensive disability training for drivers and frontline staff and a new requirement for local authorities to regularly review the accessibility of their bus networks.

In addition, the government has confirmed over £1 billion for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services and keep fares affordable, including £712 million for local authorities. Local authorities can use this funding to introduce new bus routes, protect crucial bus routes and make sure bus infrastructure is accessible.

The government also has ambitious plans to reform the rail sector, unifying track and train under one organisation. The cornerstone of the Government’s plan for rail reform is to establish Great British Railways (GBR), a publicly owned arm’s length body charged with running Britain’s railways in the public interest. Accessibility is one of the Government’s six priorities for the railway and will be central to GBR. To support this, the Railways Bill includes legal requirements relating to accessibility that will ensure that the interests of passengers, including those with accessibility needs, will be a fundamental part of decision-making on the railways.

We are already taking action ahead of the establishment of GBR to make rail travel easier and more reliable for disabled passengers, including investing over £10 million in upgrades to the Passenger Assist Scheme which supports disabled passengers and those with additional needs to use the rail network with confidence and in safety. We have improved information about the facilities available to provide support to passengers at stations and will be publishing a rail accessibility roadmap which sets out the actions we are taking to make the railway more accessible.

The Department also published the Aviation Accessibility Task and Finish Group’s independent report on 16 July 2025. The report sets out 19 recommendations to improve aviation accessibility across the consumer journey. The Group will continue its work to help industry to implement the recommendations.

We are also currently developing a plan for an Accessible Travel Charter which aims to empower disabled voices in establishing clear, unified principles that guide passengers, and assists operators and enforcement bodies in upholding accessibility standards. The Charter aims to set out what disabled travellers can expect from their journeys.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to help mitigate the potential impact of moving the Valuation Office Agency into HMRC on the timely processing of cases.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The VOA is meeting the majority of its performance targets. In the areas where it isn’t, it has robust service recovery plans in place. These include moving staff to where there is the greatest customer demand and upskilling its workforce in a wider range of casework, to ensure greater flexibility. It continues to prioritise any cases where a customer is facing financial hardship.

The VOA proactively contacts customers, through direct email or automated updates sent as cases progress through a service.

The VOA reports monthly on performance to the HMRC Executive Committee and Board. The decision to move the VOA’s functions into HMRC next year will strengthen direct accountability to ministers.

Integration is being carefully managed by a joint HMRC and VOA team, with detailed transition plans in place and appropriate oversight from my department.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to help people track the progress of cases pending with the Valuation Office Agency.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The VOA is meeting the majority of its performance targets. In the areas where it isn’t, it has robust service recovery plans in place. These include moving staff to where there is the greatest customer demand and upskilling its workforce in a wider range of casework, to ensure greater flexibility. It continues to prioritise any cases where a customer is facing financial hardship.

The VOA proactively contacts customers, through direct email or automated updates sent as cases progress through a service.

The VOA reports monthly on performance to the HMRC Executive Committee and Board. The decision to move the VOA’s functions into HMRC next year will strengthen direct accountability to ministers.

Integration is being carefully managed by a joint HMRC and VOA team, with detailed transition plans in place and appropriate oversight from my department.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to ensure the Valuation Office Agency processes cases in a timely manner.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The VOA is meeting the majority of its performance targets. In the areas where it isn’t, it has robust service recovery plans in place. These include moving staff to where there is the greatest customer demand and upskilling its workforce in a wider range of casework, to ensure greater flexibility. It continues to prioritise any cases where a customer is facing financial hardship.

The VOA proactively contacts customers, through direct email or automated updates sent as cases progress through a service.

The VOA reports monthly on performance to the HMRC Executive Committee and Board. The decision to move the VOA’s functions into HMRC next year will strengthen direct accountability to ministers.

Integration is being carefully managed by a joint HMRC and VOA team, with detailed transition plans in place and appropriate oversight from my department.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment has she made of the volume of cases waiting to be considered by the Valuation Office Agency.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The VOA is meeting the majority of its performance targets. In the areas where it isn’t, it has robust service recovery plans in place. These include moving staff to where there is the greatest customer demand and upskilling its workforce in a wider range of casework, to ensure greater flexibility. It continues to prioritise any cases where a customer is facing financial hardship.

The VOA proactively contacts customers, through direct email or automated updates sent as cases progress through a service.

The VOA reports monthly on performance to the HMRC Executive Committee and Board. The decision to move the VOA’s functions into HMRC next year will strengthen direct accountability to ministers.

Integration is being carefully managed by a joint HMRC and VOA team, with detailed transition plans in place and appropriate oversight from my department.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans her Department has to allow holders of disability-related concessionary bus passes to use their passes at all times on weekdays.

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

The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age. The ENCTS costs around £700 million annually and any changes to the statutory obligations, such as extending the travel time criteria, would therefore need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability.

However, local authorities in England do have the power to offer concessions in addition to their statutory obligations, for example, by extending the times travel passes can be used. These are additional local concessions provided and funded by local authorities from local resources. The government has also conducted a review of the ENCTS, which included considering travel times for disabled passholders, and is currently considering next steps.

The government has confirmed over £1 billion for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London and keep fares affordable. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country. Gloucestershire County Council has been allocated £8 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services for passengers can be used in whichever way they wish.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle anti-social behaviour in large housing developments.

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

Tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) is a top priority for this Government, and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission.

We understand that ASB causes great harm and misery to our communities, and, if left unchecked, can lead to more serious offending.

When tenants commit anti-social behaviour (ASB) it can cause misery for housemates, neighbours, and the wider community. While we are clear that it’s better to resolve issues without eviction, regaining possession is sometimes necessary, and landlords should have the tools they need to keep people safe.

That is why the Renters’ Rights Bill will shorten the notice period for the existing mandatory eviction ground, with landlords being able to make a claim to the court immediately in all cases of anti-social behaviour.

The Bill also amends the matters that judges must consider when deciding whether to award possession under the discretionary ground. This will ensure judges give particular regard to whether tenants have engaged with efforts to resolve their behaviour and the impact on other tenants within HMOs.

The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 gives social landlords, the police and local authorities have a range of powers and tools to tackle housing related ASB, including a Civil Injunction under Section 1 of that Act, and local agencies are expected to use those powers promptly and proportionately, putting the needs of victims at the heart of their response.

We will crack down on those making neighbourhoods feel unsafe and unwelcoming by introducing the new Respect Order, which local authorities will be able to apply for and which will carry tough sanctions and penalties for persistent adult offenders.

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 is taking with the Minister for Defence to ensure that veterans in receipt of means-tested support who are living in areas with district councils are not disadvantaged by the move to unitary authorities.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

There will be no changes to how we expect councils to continue to support the armed forces community throughout the local government reorganisation process.

By abolishing two-tier local government across England, we will set up strong unitary councils that will improve public services, bringing them under one roof, improving join up with local partners, and making life easier for local residents.

We are committed to working with the Minister for Defence and across government to make sure unitarisation improves public services for all residents, including the armed forces community.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to introduce a standardised national framework for supporting children with SEND.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.

We are aware of the challenges in the SEND system and understand how urgently they need to be addressed.

We will build a better system which is grounded in evidence, identifies and supports need at the earliest opportunity, and ensures families can secure support swiftly without a fight.

We are continuing to engage closely with children, parents and experts as we develop plans to ensure all children get the outcomes and life chances they deserve.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to put the SEN support arrangements on a statutory footing.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.

We are aware of the challenges in the SEND system and understand how urgently they need to be addressed.

We will build a better system which is grounded in evidence, identifies and supports need at the earliest opportunity, and ensures families can secure support swiftly without a fight.

We are continuing to engage closely with children, parents and experts as we develop plans to ensure all children get the outcomes and life chances they deserve.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the recently announced £15,000 bursary for SEND-specialist teacher trainees will include those training to become multi-sensory impairment teachers.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The department recently announced that the further education (FE) initial teacher education bursaries programme will continue to be available for the 2026/27 academic year. Eligible subjects include special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with bursaries worth £15,000 each, tax free.

The SEND bursary is intended to support new teachers training to work with learners with a wide range of SEND in FE settings. This could include learners with multi-sensory impairments.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that the progress of children with SEND is accurately measured.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Through the school census, the department collects data on the performance of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities across the country. We use this to routinely publish data on the outcomes of pupils with special educational needs throughout their education, including attainment, absence, exclusions and progression to further and higher education.

The Curriculum and Assessment Review is reviewing how performance measures incentivise behaviour and outcomes for every child. Once the final report is published, the government will respond, including consideration of its recommendations on performance measures.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure provision is available for all disabled children to receive an education in schools rather than at home.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The government is committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, as well as ensuring special and alternative provision schools cater to those with the most complex needs.

We expect schools to welcome all pupils, including those with disabilities. The Equality Act 2010 outlines the duties of schools to make reasonable adjustments for disabled children and young people. Settings will be held to account for their support for pupils with disabilities through Ofsted, who are focusing on inclusion in their new approach to inspection.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the provision of multi-sensory impairment teachers.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

It is the responsibility of local authorities, schools, and further education (FE) settings to commission appropriately qualified staff to support the education of children and young people in their area.

To teach a class of pupils with sensory impairments, a teacher is required to hold the relevant mandatory qualification in sensory impairment (MQSI). This is in addition to qualified teacher status (QTS) and must be achieved within three years. Teachers working in an advisory role to support these pupils should also hold the appropriate qualification. To offer MQSIs, providers must be approved by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education. There are currently seven providers of the MQSI.

An apprenticeship in sensory impairment has been available since September 2025 and will open up a paid, work-based route into teaching children and young people with sensory impairments. This will improve the supply of those qualified to teach this important cohort and further help to improve their outcomes.

Trainee teachers intending to work as special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) specialists in the FE sector are eligible for a training bursary worth £15,000, tax free. The bursary will again be offered in the 2026/27 academic year. SEND specialist teachers working with learners with sensory impairments are eligible to apply for the bursary.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of taking steps to help ensure that all local authorities employ multi-sensory impairment teachers.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

It is the responsibility of local authorities, schools, and further education (FE) settings to commission appropriately qualified staff to support the education of children and young people in their area.

To teach a class of pupils with sensory impairments, a teacher is required to hold the relevant mandatory qualification in sensory impairment (MQSI). This is in addition to qualified teacher status (QTS) and must be achieved within three years. Teachers working in an advisory role to support these pupils should also hold the appropriate qualification. To offer MQSIs, providers must be approved by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education. There are currently seven providers of the MQSI.

An apprenticeship in sensory impairment has been available since September 2025 and will open up a paid, work-based route into teaching children and young people with sensory impairments. This will improve the supply of those qualified to teach this important cohort and further help to improve their outcomes.

Trainee teachers intending to work as special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) specialists in the FE sector are eligible for a training bursary worth £15,000, tax free. The bursary will again be offered in the 2026/27 academic year. SEND specialist teachers working with learners with sensory impairments are eligible to apply for the bursary.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to improve recruitment and retention of multi-sensory impairment teachers.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

It is the responsibility of local authorities, schools, and further education (FE) settings to commission appropriately qualified staff to support the education of children and young people in their area.

To teach a class of pupils with sensory impairments, a teacher is required to hold the relevant mandatory qualification in sensory impairment (MQSI). This is in addition to qualified teacher status (QTS) and must be achieved within three years. Teachers working in an advisory role to support these pupils should also hold the appropriate qualification. To offer MQSIs, providers must be approved by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education. There are currently seven providers of the MQSI.

An apprenticeship in sensory impairment has been available since September 2025 and will open up a paid, work-based route into teaching children and young people with sensory impairments. This will improve the supply of those qualified to teach this important cohort and further help to improve their outcomes.

Trainee teachers intending to work as special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) specialists in the FE sector are eligible for a training bursary worth £15,000, tax free. The bursary will again be offered in the 2026/27 academic year. SEND specialist teachers working with learners with sensory impairments are eligible to apply for the bursary.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with (a) her Nigerian counterpart and (b) governors of Nigerian states on malnutrition in that country.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 2 October to Question 73649.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of its policies in tackling malnutrition in Nigeria.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 2 October to Question 73649.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with NGOs on tackling malnutrition in Nigeria.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 2 October to Question 73649.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of reductions in the international aid budget on malnutrition in Nigeria.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 2 October to Question 73649.

Conduct of Samir Zitouni and Stephen Crean on the 18.25 Doncaster to Kings Cross train on 1 November 2025

Protections for animals and people

Taxi accessibility for disabled people

Scientific hearing on animal experiments

Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief

Implications for rural communities of the Autumn Budget 2024

Farmers, growers and the supermarket supply chain

Impact of extreme weather on farming

Fossil fuel company profits

Government proposals for mandatory digital ID

Medical Defence Union 140th anniversary

Great Western Railway train cancellations

Warm Homes Plan

Eligibility variations in access to IVF

National Cancer Plan

Water bills

Conduct of the hon. Member for Runcorn and Helsby

80 years of the Moomins

Improving equestrian road safety awareness

Flying Nightingales

Council elections in areas pursuing devolution reform

National inquiry into child sexual exploitation

Found: Stephenson (Conservative; Mid Bedfordshire) Alison Taylor (Labour; Paisley and Renfrewshire North) Cameron Thomas