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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether decision-making process on the proposed switch off the UK's digital terrestrial television will take into account the impact on low-income households, particularly in the North West of England.

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

I can confirm that my department is working closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to ensure that the impact on low-income households across the UK, including in the North West of England, is fully considered as part of any decisions on the future of digital terrestrial television beyond 2034.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to page 8 of the Government's document entitled Global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security, published on 20 January 2026, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to reduce the level of risk of the six ecosystem regions collapsing.

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

Nature underpins the UK’s security, prosperity and resilience and understanding the threats we face from biodiversity loss is essential to addressing them effectively. The Nature security assessment forms part of cross-government resilience planning and complements the UK’s National Security Strategy, National Risk Register and Chronic Risks Analysis. It will help the Government plan for potential shocks that are credible enough to warrant preparation.

The UK is already taking action to address the potential risks identified in the Assessment, including major investment in nature, forests and climate resilience.

Internationally, the UK is investing in forest and ocean protection and is on track to invest £11.6 billion of International Climate Finance between 2021 to 2026, including £3 billion for vital habitats such as tropical rainforests and marine ecosystems, and to support indigenous communities.

Domestically, tree planting in England is at its highest rate in over twenty years; we are restoring peatlands, improving water quality, protecting pollinators, and have introduced landmark legislation to safeguard our marine environment. The UK is strengthening supply chain resilience through the Critical Imports and Supply Chains Strategy and supporting food security by backing British farmers through new technology, streamlined regulation, and nature-friendly farming schemes that reward sustainable production.

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 plans to take to help mitigate the national security risks identified in the nature security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security.

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

Nature underpins the UK’s security, prosperity and resilience and understanding the threats we face from biodiversity loss is essential to addressing them effectively. The Nature security assessment forms part of cross-government resilience planning and complements the UK’s National Security Strategy, National Risk Register and Chronic Risks Analysis. It will help the Government plan for potential shocks that are credible enough to warrant preparation.

The UK is already taking action to address the potential risks identified in the Assessment, including major investment in nature, forests and climate resilience.

Internationally, the UK is investing in forest and ocean protection and is on track to invest £11.6 billion of International Climate Finance between 2021 to 2026, including £3 billion for vital habitats such as tropical rainforests and marine ecosystems, and to support indigenous communities.

Domestically, tree planting in England is at its highest rate in over twenty years; we are restoring peatlands, improving water quality, protecting pollinators, and have introduced landmark legislation to safeguard our marine environment. The UK is strengthening supply chain resilience through the Critical Imports and Supply Chains Strategy and supporting food security by backing British farmers through new technology, streamlined regulation, and nature-friendly farming schemes that reward sustainable production.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she’s taking with Cabinet Colleagues to work with voluntary organisations, such as Girl guiding, to help ensure that girls’ voices are heard in the national consultation, Growing up in the online world.

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

On 2 March, the government launched a landmark consultation on how to give young people the childhood they deserve in an online world. Alongside the formal consultation, we published a child‑ and parent‑friendly version to ensure these important voices are heard.

Officials are working closely with other government departments, and with voluntary and civil society organisations to reach a diverse range of children and young people.

We recognise that boys and girls have different experiences online. We are actively engaged with organisations such as Girlguiding and the Scouts to ensure these varied perspectives are heard.

Redundancies of skilled rail workers at Balfour Beatty

King's Guard's ceremonial bearskin caps

Found: Current membership Cat Smith (Labour; Lancaster and Wyre) (Chair) James Asser (Labour; West Ham and Beckton