Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 7 July to Question 14117 on Railways: Chichester, and with reference to derailment incidents during summer 2026, whether she plans to (a) review and (b) expedite the Weather Resilience and Climate Change Adaption plans for the railways in England.

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

Network Rail, as the infrastructure manager of Britain’s railways, has the main responsibility for maintaining the integrity and safety of the rail network to ensure passenger and freight services can operate reliably. Network Rail’s Weather Resilience and Climate Change Adaptation (WRCCA) Plans are aligned with planned renewals delivery over the course of their 2024 to 2029 delivery period. Where appropriate and feasible, some of the planned actions may be brought forward on a case-by-case basis but in general, Network Rail will continue to deliver the plans as scheduled.

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 Government response to consultation on the implementation of the new subscription contracts regime, how he intends to define the point of supply for businesses producing (a) perishable or (b) custom goods.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The Government consultation on subscription contracts considered how perishable or bespoke (custom) goods should be treated, including how refunds should work if a consumer exercises their cooling-off cancellation rights.

The Government Response explains that refunds for perishable or bespoke goods will depend on whether the goods have been ‘supplied’ to the consumer during the cooling-off period. ‘Supply’ is already an established concept in consumer law. In practice, this means that if the perishable or bespoke goods have been supplied, the consumer can remain liable to pay for those goods as well as the cost of delivery.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, under what circumstances may an Ofsted inspection outcome be amended or downgraded by people who did not visit during a school inspection.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

This is a matter for His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver. I have asked him to write to the hon. Member for St Albans directly, and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to improve educational support and outcomes for children and young people with acquired brain injury.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Children with an acquired brain injury can be affected in different ways. Some brain injuries will result in a special educational need or a medical need, whilst others may affect a child in other ways. In whatever way a brain injury manifests, it is essential that the pupil’s individual needs are identified and supported appropriately. Identification and diagnosis of acquired brain injuries are the responsibility of healthcare professionals.

Through the department’s reform of the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) programme, we have proposed the introduction of National Inclusion Standards. This will support education settings to identify and respond to needs earlier and more consistently, drawing on a broad range of evidence and professional expertise, so that all children and young people can receive the support they need to achieve and thrive.

The National Inclusion Standards will be underpinned by a £200 million training package to ensure that all teachers, educators, teaching assistants, support staff and leaders across early years, schools and post-16 settings can be trained to support pupils with SEND, and a new investment of £3.7 billion to drive more inclusive school estates and create additional specialist places.

In addition, the Department of Health and Social Care is currently developing an Acquired Brain Injury Strategy.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will establish an urgent MP hotline for Valuation Office Agency casework enquiries.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

Following the Valuation Office integration into HMRC, MPs can call the established HMRC MP helpline with any urgent enquiries, which can be passed to the relevant VO team as appropriate. The established arrangements for handling VO related enquiries from Members of Parliament through a dedicated correspondence mailbox remain in place. This dedicated mailbox is monitored throughout working hours to support MP casework and other enquiries.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she plans to reply to the correspondence of 5 June 2026 from the Hon. Member for St Albans, reference DC55255/DFE.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

I can confirm that a response to the correspondence of 5 June 2026 from the Hon. Member for St Albans was sent on 12 October 2026.

Afghan women and girls