Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he is taking steps to update regulations on the (a) composition, (b) marketing and (c) labelling of commercial infant foods.

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

Children’s early years provide an important foundation for their future health and strongly influences many aspects of well-being in later life.

It is vital that we maintain the highest standards for foods consumed by babies and infants, which is why we have regulations in place that set nutritional and compositional standards for commercial baby food. The regulations also set labelling standards to ensure consumers have clear and accurate information about the products they buy. We continue to keep these regulations, which apply in England, under review to ensure they reflect the latest scientific and dietary guidelines. Similar legislation exists in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to ensure that people in rural areas have equal access to broadband services.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Project Gigabit is the government’s programme to roll out fast, reliable broadband to UK premises that are not included in suppliers' commercial plans. Over 35 contracts, with a combined value of over £2.3 billion, have already been signed to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to over 1 million premises, predominantly in rural areas.

Last week we announced a £157 million contract with Openreach to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to up to 65,000 rural and hard-to-reach premises across Central, Northern and Western Scotland, including in the Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey constituency.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to improve the availability of cellular networks in rural areas.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The government wants all areas of the UK to benefit from reliable, high quality mobile coverage. We continue to work with Ofcom to ensure that their coverage reporting is as accurate as possible to allow us to reliably and accurately identify underserved areas.

4G geographic coverage from at least one mobile operator has now reached over 95% of the UK landmass, and we continue to work with the industry to deliver 4G mobile connectivity to places where there is either limited or no coverage.

Our ambition is to go further, and for all populated areas, including rural communities, to have access to higher-quality standalone 5G by 2030. We continue to work closely with the mobile network operators and are committed to ensuring we have the right policy and regulatory framework in place to support investment and competition in the market.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what disposal schemes exist for banned pesticides.

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

For all pesticides, there are legal requirements to store the product securely and dispose safely of any surplus. It is illegal to use or store any plant protection product (pesticide) that is no longer authorised. Professional users in possession of unauthorised plant protection products should contact an authorised business to dispose of them. While there are currently no specific government schemes for the disposal of banned pesticides, guidance for businesses needing to dispose of hazardous waste such as pesticides can be found on gov.uk. Amateur users should contact their local Civic Amenity site and ask them for guidance on disposal.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has had discussions with her European counterparts on improving visa-free travel arrangements to Europe for British citizens.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The Home Office is not responsible for those arrangements.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps to engage with Distribution Network Operators on (a) grid connections and (b) the standardisation of electric vehicle charging.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department for Transport engages regularly with Distribution Network Operators, and with National Grid, on work related to accelerating the delivery of electric vehicle (EV) charging. This includes discussions on power capacity, grid infrastructure, and standardisation required to meet growing demand for EV charging.

In December 2024, the Government published the outcome of a review on improving the grid connection process for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. In March, I met with Distribution Network Operators and other industry groups to understand industry’s perspective on improving EV charging on the Strategic Road Network (England’s motorways and major A roads).

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to engage with (a) devolved governments, (b) local authorities and (c) regional transport partnerships to share best practice on electric vehicle charging strategies and implementation.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles engages regularly with devolved governments, local authorities and regional transport partnerships on a range of issues related to improving electric vehicle charging. This includes work through the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund which is supporting local authorities to scale up local EV charging provision across England. Support includes £381m of funding, one-to-one guidance, regional workshops and an online knowledge repository to share practice. This is in addition to a dedicated electric vehicle training course, completed by over 150 local authority officers to date.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of including renewable electricity in the Renewal Transport Fuel Obligation.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department for Transport continues to review all policy options that may support the continued rollout of public electric vehicle chargepoints. This includes reviewing the potential for inclusion of electricity in the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has had discussions with his European counterparts on improving visa-free travel arrangements to Europe for British citizens.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The UK and the EU allow for visa-free short-term travel in line with their respective arrangements for third country nationals. The UK allows EU citizens short-term visa-free travel for up to six months. Meanwhile, the EU allows for travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period; this is standard for third countries travelling visa-free to the EU. UK nationals planning to stay longer will need permission from the relevant Member State. This may require a visa and/or permit.The UK Government will continue to listen to and advocate for UK nationals.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of prioritising upgrades to the National Grid at (a) major visitor attractions and (b) areas of high public footfall to support the expansion of (i) electric vehicle charging infrastructure and (ii) on-site renewables.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The electricity networks in Great Britain are owned and operated by private companies and regulated independently by Ofgem, who ensure the network companies are investing to operate, maintain and upgrade their infrastructure. To enable the Government’s Clean Energy Superpower and Growth missions, significant investment in new capacity ahead of need is required. This will be based on, among other considerations, strategic planning and projections of future demand across the network and will support the connection of new on-site renewable generation and demand projects, including electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

As of 1 May 2025, the Government and industry have supported the installation of 79,326 publicly available charging devices (including 15,856 rapid charging devices). This reflects a year-on-year percentage increase of 30%. Policy on charging infrastructure is devolved in Scotland.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has made an estimate of the number organisations not complying with (a) the Equality Act 2010, (b) the Disability Confident Scheme and (c) Access to Work.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Disability Confident Scheme encourages employers to create disability inclusive workplaces and to support disabled people to get work and get on in work.

In 2022, the department commissioned a survey to understand from members’ perspectives the impact that signing up to the scheme has had on their recruitment and retention attitudes and practices towards disabled people. The survey can be accessed on gov.uk using the following link: Disability Confident: survey of participating employers, May 2022 - GOV.UK

There is a Disability Confident complaints process in place that sets out the steps that should be taken to address and resolve any concerns raised that an employer is failing to comply with Disability Confident criteria. More information is available here: Disability Confident complaints process.We have worked with several employers who have been the subject of a complaint to improve their compliance with the scheme criteria.

If an employer has failed to take adequate steps to resolve an issue, and there is unambiguous evidence the employer is not adhering to the principles and criteria of the Disability Confident scheme, DWP has the right to suspend the Disability Confident status of the employer until they have taken the necessary action.

I have been discussing with stakeholders in Disability Confident ideas for making the scheme criteria more robust, and plan to bring forward proposals for this in due course.

All employers have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ in the workplace where a disabled person would otherwise be put at a substantial disadvantage compared with their colleagues. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Equality Act and providing guidance on reasonable adjustments.

Access to Work aims to support the recruitment and retention of disabled people into employment. In 23/24 the Access to Work Scheme supported 67,720 people with a workplace adjustment to move into or stay in work. This includes a wide range of support including travel to work, support workers, and specialist aids and equipment, as well as the Mental Health support service which provides up to nine months of non-clinical support for people who need additional help with their well-being.

The AtW evaluation conducted by IFF in 2018 provides qualitative evidence on where AtW is adding value: Access to Work: Qualitative research with applicants, employers and delivery staff (publishing.service.gov.uk).

The Department has not made an estimate of the effectiveness of the Access to Work scheme, and faces challenges to do so. Research conducted by NatCen in 2018 uncovered several challenges, including identifying an appropriate counterfactual and constructing a comparison group, meaning therefore it is difficult to conduct an impact evaluation of Access to Work. You can view the report here: Feasibility of evaluating the impact of the Access to Work programme

Access to Work is a personalised discretionary grant that provides support with workplace adjustments beyond an employer’s obligation outlined in the Equality Act 2010, to support the recruitment and retention of disabled people into employment. The grant is targeted towards individual, rather than employer needs, so we are unable to comment on employer’s compliance with the Scheme. We do encourage people to have conversations with their employer regarding reasonable adjustments in the first instance.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to ensure that employers in the Disability Confident Employer Scheme are (a) making reasonable adjustments and (b) adhering to the Equality Act 2010.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Disability Confident Scheme encourages employers to create disability inclusive workplaces and to support disabled people to get work and get on in work.

In 2022, the department commissioned a survey to understand from members’ perspectives the impact that signing up to the scheme has had on their recruitment and retention attitudes and practices towards disabled people. The survey can be accessed on gov.uk using the following link: Disability Confident: survey of participating employers, May 2022 - GOV.UK

There is a Disability Confident complaints process in place that sets out the steps that should be taken to address and resolve any concerns raised that an employer is failing to comply with Disability Confident criteria. More information is available here: Disability Confident complaints process.We have worked with several employers who have been the subject of a complaint to improve their compliance with the scheme criteria.

If an employer has failed to take adequate steps to resolve an issue, and there is unambiguous evidence the employer is not adhering to the principles and criteria of the Disability Confident scheme, DWP has the right to suspend the Disability Confident status of the employer until they have taken the necessary action.

I have been discussing with stakeholders in Disability Confident ideas for making the scheme criteria more robust, and plan to bring forward proposals for this in due course.

All employers have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ in the workplace where a disabled person would otherwise be put at a substantial disadvantage compared with their colleagues. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Equality Act and providing guidance on reasonable adjustments.

Access to Work aims to support the recruitment and retention of disabled people into employment. In 23/24 the Access to Work Scheme supported 67,720 people with a workplace adjustment to move into or stay in work. This includes a wide range of support including travel to work, support workers, and specialist aids and equipment, as well as the Mental Health support service which provides up to nine months of non-clinical support for people who need additional help with their well-being.

The AtW evaluation conducted by IFF in 2018 provides qualitative evidence on where AtW is adding value: Access to Work: Qualitative research with applicants, employers and delivery staff (publishing.service.gov.uk).

The Department has not made an estimate of the effectiveness of the Access to Work scheme, and faces challenges to do so. Research conducted by NatCen in 2018 uncovered several challenges, including identifying an appropriate counterfactual and constructing a comparison group, meaning therefore it is difficult to conduct an impact evaluation of Access to Work. You can view the report here: Feasibility of evaluating the impact of the Access to Work programme

Access to Work is a personalised discretionary grant that provides support with workplace adjustments beyond an employer’s obligation outlined in the Equality Act 2010, to support the recruitment and retention of disabled people into employment. The grant is targeted towards individual, rather than employer needs, so we are unable to comment on employer’s compliance with the Scheme. We do encourage people to have conversations with their employer regarding reasonable adjustments in the first instance.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to ensure that employers who are part of the Disability Confident Employer Scheme are (a) meeting the commitments they have made and (b) undertaking the actions they agreed to when they signed up to that scheme.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Disability Confident Scheme encourages employers to create disability inclusive workplaces and to support disabled people to get work and get on in work.

In 2022, the department commissioned a survey to understand from members’ perspectives the impact that signing up to the scheme has had on their recruitment and retention attitudes and practices towards disabled people. The survey can be accessed on gov.uk using the following link: Disability Confident: survey of participating employers, May 2022 - GOV.UK

There is a Disability Confident complaints process in place that sets out the steps that should be taken to address and resolve any concerns raised that an employer is failing to comply with Disability Confident criteria. More information is available here: Disability Confident complaints process.We have worked with several employers who have been the subject of a complaint to improve their compliance with the scheme criteria.

If an employer has failed to take adequate steps to resolve an issue, and there is unambiguous evidence the employer is not adhering to the principles and criteria of the Disability Confident scheme, DWP has the right to suspend the Disability Confident status of the employer until they have taken the necessary action.

I have been discussing with stakeholders in Disability Confident ideas for making the scheme criteria more robust, and plan to bring forward proposals for this in due course.

All employers have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ in the workplace where a disabled person would otherwise be put at a substantial disadvantage compared with their colleagues. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Equality Act and providing guidance on reasonable adjustments.

Access to Work aims to support the recruitment and retention of disabled people into employment. In 23/24 the Access to Work Scheme supported 67,720 people with a workplace adjustment to move into or stay in work. This includes a wide range of support including travel to work, support workers, and specialist aids and equipment, as well as the Mental Health support service which provides up to nine months of non-clinical support for people who need additional help with their well-being.

The AtW evaluation conducted by IFF in 2018 provides qualitative evidence on where AtW is adding value: Access to Work: Qualitative research with applicants, employers and delivery staff (publishing.service.gov.uk).

The Department has not made an estimate of the effectiveness of the Access to Work scheme, and faces challenges to do so. Research conducted by NatCen in 2018 uncovered several challenges, including identifying an appropriate counterfactual and constructing a comparison group, meaning therefore it is difficult to conduct an impact evaluation of Access to Work. You can view the report here: Feasibility of evaluating the impact of the Access to Work programme

Access to Work is a personalised discretionary grant that provides support with workplace adjustments beyond an employer’s obligation outlined in the Equality Act 2010, to support the recruitment and retention of disabled people into employment. The grant is targeted towards individual, rather than employer needs, so we are unable to comment on employer’s compliance with the Scheme. We do encourage people to have conversations with their employer regarding reasonable adjustments in the first instance.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of (a) the Disability Confident Employer Scheme and (b) Access to Work.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Disability Confident Scheme encourages employers to create disability inclusive workplaces and to support disabled people to get work and get on in work.

In 2022, the department commissioned a survey to understand from members’ perspectives the impact that signing up to the scheme has had on their recruitment and retention attitudes and practices towards disabled people. The survey can be accessed on gov.uk using the following link: Disability Confident: survey of participating employers, May 2022 - GOV.UK

There is a Disability Confident complaints process in place that sets out the steps that should be taken to address and resolve any concerns raised that an employer is failing to comply with Disability Confident criteria. More information is available here: Disability Confident complaints process.We have worked with several employers who have been the subject of a complaint to improve their compliance with the scheme criteria.

If an employer has failed to take adequate steps to resolve an issue, and there is unambiguous evidence the employer is not adhering to the principles and criteria of the Disability Confident scheme, DWP has the right to suspend the Disability Confident status of the employer until they have taken the necessary action.

I have been discussing with stakeholders in Disability Confident ideas for making the scheme criteria more robust, and plan to bring forward proposals for this in due course.

All employers have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ in the workplace where a disabled person would otherwise be put at a substantial disadvantage compared with their colleagues. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Equality Act and providing guidance on reasonable adjustments.

Access to Work aims to support the recruitment and retention of disabled people into employment. In 23/24 the Access to Work Scheme supported 67,720 people with a workplace adjustment to move into or stay in work. This includes a wide range of support including travel to work, support workers, and specialist aids and equipment, as well as the Mental Health support service which provides up to nine months of non-clinical support for people who need additional help with their well-being.

The AtW evaluation conducted by IFF in 2018 provides qualitative evidence on where AtW is adding value: Access to Work: Qualitative research with applicants, employers and delivery staff (publishing.service.gov.uk).

The Department has not made an estimate of the effectiveness of the Access to Work scheme, and faces challenges to do so. Research conducted by NatCen in 2018 uncovered several challenges, including identifying an appropriate counterfactual and constructing a comparison group, meaning therefore it is difficult to conduct an impact evaluation of Access to Work. You can view the report here: Feasibility of evaluating the impact of the Access to Work programme

Access to Work is a personalised discretionary grant that provides support with workplace adjustments beyond an employer’s obligation outlined in the Equality Act 2010, to support the recruitment and retention of disabled people into employment. The grant is targeted towards individual, rather than employer needs, so we are unable to comment on employer’s compliance with the Scheme. We do encourage people to have conversations with their employer regarding reasonable adjustments in the first instance.

Rob Dunkley fundraising

New Lord Lieutenant of Moray

National Care Home Awards and Grantown-on-Spey

Bijou Elgin awarded Scottish Gift Shop of the Year

Scottish bathing water quality

UK Government recognition of the state of Palestine

150th Anniversary of the Founding of Bracoden School, Banffshire

Kim Little, Arsenal and UEFA Women's Champions League

Hospitalfield Arts garden award at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Nablus

One hundredth anniversary of the Royal Research Ship Discovery

Christian persecution in Niger State, Nigeria

Aberdeen’s Sustainable Food Places gold award

40th anniversary of the Scottish Refugee Council

Scottish Opera wins Classical:NEXT Innovation Award

Rachel Corsie's career

Aberdeen Science Centre

Madleen Freedom Flotilla Ship

Snares

Use of swift bricks

Humanitarian aid into Gaza

Peace Child International time capsule in Perth

Peterhead Football Club, Scottish League 2 champions

Digital-only immigration status

The Bookhouse in Broughty Ferry

Denis Law Legacy Trail

Gillies 130 years in business in Broughty Ferry

120 years of DC Thomson

Carnoustie Golf Links wins Best Golf Course in Scotland award

Arms exports to Israel

Found: _2 Graham Leadbitter Kirsty Blackman Stephen Flynn Dave Doogan Stephen Gethins Chris Law Pete

Found: sexual exploitation of children by organised networks. 33 REPORT STAGE Friday 6 June 2025 _2 Graham Leadbitter

Found: sexual exploitation of children by organised networks. 33 REPORT STAGE Thursday 5 June 2025 _2 Graham Leadbitter

Found: _2 Graham Leadbitter Kirsty Blackman Stephen Flynn Dave Doogan Stephen Gethins Chris Law Pete

Found: _2 Graham Leadbitter Kirsty Blackman Stephen Flynn Dave Doogan Stephen Gethins Chris Law Pete

Found: ” _2 Graham Leadbitter Kirsty Blackman Stephen Flynn Dave Doogan Stephen Gethins Chris Law Pete

Found: ” _2 Graham Leadbitter Kirsty Blackman Stephen Flynn Dave Doogan Stephen Gethins Chris Law Pete

Found: _2 Graham Leadbitter Kirsty Blackman Stephen Flynn Dave Doogan Stephen Gethins Chris Law Pete

Found: ” _2 Graham Leadbitter Kirsty Blackman Stephen Flynn Dave Doogan Stephen Gethins Chris Law Pete

Found: ”” _2 Graham Leadbitter Kirsty Blackman Stephen Flynn Dave Doogan Stephen Gethins Chris Law Pete

Found: be required in each case for reform to take place.” 13 REPORT STAGE Tuesday 20 May 2025 _2 Graham Leadbitter

Found: _2 Graham Leadbitter Kirsty Blackman Stephen Flynn Dave Doogan Stephen Gethins Chris Law Pete

Found: _2 Graham Leadbitter Kirsty Blackman Stephen Flynn Dave Doogan Stephen Gethins Chris Law Pete

Found: ” _2 Graham Leadbitter Kirsty Blackman Stephen Flynn Dave Doogan Stephen Gethins Chris Law Pete

Found: _2 Graham Leadbitter Kirsty Blackman Stephen Flynn Dave Doogan Stephen Gethins Chris Law Pete

Found: Chris Law Seamus Logan Apsana Begum Siân Berry Iqbal Mohamed Ben Lake Liz Saville Roberts Graham Leadbitter

Found: Law Seamus Logan Apsana Begum Siân Berry Iqbal Mohamed Ben Lake Liz Saville Roberts Graham Leadbitter

Found: Chris Law Seamus Logan Apsana Begum Siân Berry Iqbal Mohamed Ben Lake Liz Saville Roberts Graham Leadbitter

Found: Stephen Flynn Brendan O'Hara Dave Doogan Chris Law Seamus Logan Apsana Begum Siân Berry Graham Leadbitter

Found: Wishart Kirsty Blackman Stephen Flynn Brendan O'Hara Dave Doogan Chris Law Seamus Logan Graham Leadbitter