Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of progress on the establishment of a specialised NHS service for people with very severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, including timelines, funding arrangements and decision-making criteria.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The action within July 2025’s final delivery plan on myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), to consider whether a specialised service should be prescribed by my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for very severe ME/CFS has been delayed until April 2027.

Officials in the Department and NHS England are currently considering, alongside ME/CFS stakeholders, interim measures to support patients with very severe ME/CFS.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of the Treasury expanding the FCA’s remit to include in-person banking services.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Government supports initiatives which give customers access to in-person banking, as well as digital access.

The Government is committed to supporting the financial services industry’s roll-out of 350 banking hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 275 hubs have been announced so far, and more than 230 are already open.

The Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 provides the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) with responsibilities and powers to seek to ensure reasonable provision of cash access services, including free withdrawal and deposit facilities for personal current accounts. Additionally, the FCA’s existing regulatory framework and guidance expect firms to consider the impact of changes to their services on customers, including those who rely on in‑person banking, and to put appropriate alternatives in place, where needed.

The Government keeps the effectiveness of current arrangements under review through regular engagement with industry and the FCA to ensure they meet the needs of local communities.

Found: Labour; Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch) Gavin Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party; Belfast East) David Smith

Found: David Mundell: 80th Anniversary of Victory over Japan and the end of the War in the Far East David Smith

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she will make an assessment of the potential merits of appointing a senior official to lead UK engagement with the Government of Nigeria on freedom of religion or belief, including the protection of (a) Christian communities and (b) other groups affected by religion-based violence.

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

The UK's Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), David Smith MP, continues to lead the UK Government's work on FoRB across the world. He visited Nigeria between 18 and 21 May and engaged directly with the Nigerian authorities, religious leaders and civil society on these issues. Nigeria is one of the ten priority countries highlighted in the Government's FoRB strategy, published on 8 July 2025. We continue to support the Nigerian authorities in tackling violence against civilians of all religions in Nigeria, as set out in my Written Ministerial Statement on 27 November 2025 (HCWS1105).

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made regarding the protection of Christian communities and other religious minorities in Sudan .

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

The UK continues to use our position as penholder at the UN Security Council and leader of the core group on Sudan at the Human Rights Council to keep a spotlight on, and take actions in response to, the human rights situation in Sudan. In November 2025, our Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), David Smith MP, made a statement at the event held in Czechia to mark the fifth anniversary of the Article 18 Alliance, laying out the UK's ambitious FoRB strategy and reinforcing our belief that FoRB is central to global stability, including in Sudan.

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 adequacy of the treatment of Bahá’ís in Iran.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK strongly condemns the repression of religious minorities in Iran, including members of the Baha'i faith.

We were integral to the UN Human Rights Council adopting a resolution on 23 January renewing the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Iran and the Fact-Finding Mission to monitor the situation of human rights in the country and investigate violations. This mission will also establish the facts, circumstances and structural causes of such violations, including discrimination on grounds of religion or belief.

On 28 April, the UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), David Smith MP, made clear that the UK will continue to monitor and pursue accountability for the dire situation for religious minorities in Iran and highlighted the abhorrent reports that Baha'is have been subject to torture and mock execution. Last July, he also delivered a speech highlighting the acute vulnerability of Baha'is to scapegoating, incitement, and threats of violence from authorities, and met Baha'i International Community UN Representative, Simin Fahandej, to discuss the current and historic situation of Baha'is in Iran.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department is taking diplomatic or humanitarian steps support female Christian converts globally.

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

The UK continues to champion Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, and we continue to recognise the issue of persecution of Christians globally on account of their faith, alongside the persecution of other groups. We also recognise that women and girls may face heightened and overlapping risks of persecution or violence where religious discrimination intersects with gender-based inequality, including in contexts where women's rights and freedoms are systematically restricted, such as Afghanistan.

Last July, the UK Special Envoy for FoRB, David Smith MP, publicly set out the Government's approach to FoRB, providing a framework for UK engagement. Within this framework, we identified Afghanistan as one of ten focus countries for work on the issue. As part of this strategy, the UK continues to highlight FoRB violations on the international stage, through our position at the UN, G7, and as an active member of the Article 18 Alliance.

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 implications for her policies of attacks on female Christian converts in Central Asia.

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

The UK continues to champion Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, and we continue to recognise the issue of persecution of Christians globally on account of their faith, alongside the persecution of other groups. We also recognise that women and girls may face heightened and overlapping risks of persecution or violence where religious discrimination intersects with gender-based inequality, including in contexts where women's rights and freedoms are systematically restricted, such as Afghanistan.

Last July, the UK Special Envoy for FoRB, David Smith MP, publicly set out the Government's approach to FoRB, providing a framework for UK engagement. Within this framework, we identified Afghanistan as one of ten focus countries for work on the issue. As part of this strategy, the UK continues to highlight FoRB violations on the international stage, through our position at the UN, G7, and as an active member of the Article 18 Alliance.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussion she has had with her Afghan counterparts regarding the displacement of Afghan Christian women.

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

The UK continues to champion Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, and we continue to recognise the issue of persecution of Christians globally on account of their faith, alongside the persecution of other groups. We also recognise that women and girls may face heightened and overlapping risks of persecution or violence where religious discrimination intersects with gender-based inequality, including in contexts where women's rights and freedoms are systematically restricted, such as Afghanistan.

Last July, the UK Special Envoy for FoRB, David Smith MP, publicly set out the Government's approach to FoRB, providing a framework for UK engagement. Within this framework, we identified Afghanistan as one of ten focus countries for work on the issue. As part of this strategy, the UK continues to highlight FoRB violations on the international stage, through our position at the UN, G7, and as an active member of the Article 18 Alliance.

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: will be: 110 trailer(s) 7 OC1062608 R SMITH BROTHERS STORES LIMITED Director(s): ANTHONY DAVID SMITH

Found: Transport Manager(s): Christian Lynton White OC2090394 SN JDS COMMERCIAL LTD Director(s): Jess David Smith

Found: authorisation will be 6 trailer(s) OC1040420 SI IAIN D SMITH TRANSPORT LTD Director(s): IAIN DAVID SMITH

Found: authorisation will be 8 vehicle(s) OC1040420 SI IAIN D SMITH TRANSPORT LTD Director(s): IAIN DAVID SMITH

Found: 5 vehicle(s), 5 trailer(s) OH1100873 R SMITH BROTHERS STORES LIMITED Director(s): ANTHONY DAVID SMITH

Found: Restricted to Standard National OH1100873 R SMITH BROTHERS STORES LIMITED Director(s): ANTHONY DAVID SMITH

Found: appeals (PDF, 1.19 MB, 11 pages) Presented by Richard Schofield (Chief Planning Inspector) and David Smith

Found: Planning Conditions: Best Practice Guidance from Inspectors Deborah Board and David Smith 21 January

Found: However, as David Smith noted in the webinar, the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) does not make the regulations

Found: However, as David Smith noted in the webinar, the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) does not make the regulations

Found: Approach to decision making in Green Belt appeals Chaired by Richard Schofield with David Smith 10 January

Found: FullTransferredNot LinkedGSC Estates (Wantage) Ltd, Lidl Great Britain Ltd and Richard William Smith, Roger David Smith

Found: Schmulian Reform Glasgow (R) Mark Simpson Reform North East Scotland (R) Alyn Smith SNP Stirling (C) David Smith

Found: Schmulian Reform Glasgow (R) Mark Simpson Reform North East Scotland (R) Alyn Smith SNP Stirling (C) David Smith