Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of conducting a formal review of mandatory testing, clearer labelling and targeted restrictions on high-exposure plastic baby products.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government takes the safety of baby products seriously and has robust regulations requiring that all products placed on the UK market are safe, with specific controls addressing chemical exposure from plastic baby products. These requirements are kept under review.

The Government's consultation on reforming the core Product Safety Framework closed on 23 June 2026. We are considering all feedback received including any evidence presented on the regulation of these products. The Government also launched a Call for Evidence on toy safety on 6 July, to ensure protections keep pace with emerging risks.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department assessed the implications for the UK's sanctions policy of importing jet fuel from the Jamnagar refinery in India; and what assessment has he made of the UK's need for that fuel shipment; what consideration was given to alternative non-Russian-linked sources of supply; and on what basis any licence or authorisation relating to that shipment was approved.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

On 20 May 2026, the UK introduced a new sanctions package to further target Russian revenues and degrade its ability to wage its illegal war in Ukraine and for the first time processed oil products refined from Russian crude in third countries have been banned. The UK Government published an Impact Assessment alongside the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, available on legislation.gov.uk.

Alongside this, a general trade licence, including for jet fuel processed in third countries from Russian crude, was issued to support a managed and phased implementation of complex restrictions, and to provide targeted, temporary flexibility to safeguard UK energy supply and global market stability.

The Government will continue to review the licence every two weeks. This involves continually assessing its impact on energy supply, market conditions and other relevant considerations, against our objective to revoke the licence as soon as is practicable. As part of this process, we have since set an end date of 1 January 2027.

The Secretary of State will consider each application for a trade licence on a case-by-case basis, with key consideration given to whether the proposed activity is consistent with the purposes of the sanctions as specified in Regulation 4 of the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. The Secretary of State must act within the statutory framework Parliament has approved, the licensing power is exercised in a targeted and proportionate way.

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 international counterparts on improving the security and physical protection of humanitarian personnel operating in conflict zones in Ukraine.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK condemns Russia's attacks affecting humanitarian personnel, infrastructure and supplies in Ukraine. We continue to hold Russia to account through the UN Security Council, and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, as well as through our sanctions regime, and support for investigations and accountability mechanisms. We also work with international partners to strengthen compliance with international humanitarian law and practical protection for aid workers.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps she is taking to hold the Russian Government accountable for missile strikes targeting humanitarian workers.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK condemns Russia's attacks affecting humanitarian personnel, infrastructure and supplies in Ukraine. We continue to hold Russia to account through the UN Security Council, and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, as well as through our sanctions regime, and support for investigations and accountability mechanisms. We also work with international partners to strengthen compliance with international humanitarian law and practical protection for aid workers.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department has taken and what mechanisms are being used to ensure that Article 15 of the 2025 UK-EU Common Understanding Agreement on cultural exchange and touring matters is being upheld.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Common Understanding from the inaugural UK-EU Summit in May 2025 notes that the UK and EU are committed to cultural and artistic exchange, including through the activities of touring artists. This is a priority, as set out in the Government’s manifesto.

To deliver this commitment, we regularly engage with the EU institutions and Member States, as well as music and arts industry stakeholders, to determine the most effective ways to foster cultural exchange and support touring artists who wish to perform across the European continent. Our engagement has led to improvements in individual EU Member States, for instance the recent removal of visa and work authorisation certificate requirements for touring artists and technical staff for stays of less than three months in Croatia.

On 24 March, I co-chaired the first UK-European Commission High-Level Meeting on Culture with Commissioner Micallef (Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport) to support UK-EU cultural cooperation. I also attended an industry panel session at the European Parliament, hosted by MEPs Hannes Heide and Bogdan Zdrojewski in collaboration with the Cultural Exchange Coalition, focused on strengthening UK-EU cultural exchange, including removing barriers to cross-border touring.

I welcome the European Commission’s new EU Visa Strategy, which commits to exploring practical flexibilities for touring artists, specialist crew, and hauliers within the existing Schengen framework. This Government is also modernising cross-border infrastructure to simplify processes and reduce administrative burdens. Most notably, we have launched HMRC’s digital ATA carnets pilot on 1 June, in collaboration with EU Member States, Switzerland, and Norway, enabling touring artists and their crews to move equipment temporarily without the burden of customs duties.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made on the recommendations in the Royal College of Anaesthetists’ report, titled ‘The Anaesthetic Workforce: UK State of the Nation Report’ published in June 2026.

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

This specific assessment has not been made. Officials have noted the Royal College of Anaesthetists’ report.

In relation to pay and training places, on 29 June 2026, the British Medical Association Resident Doctors Committee announced that their membership had voted to accept an offer from the Government to resolve their dispute on pay and jobs. The deal for resident doctors includes the introduction of up to 4,500 specialty training places over the next three years in England.

The Government is committed to ensuring that the number of medical specialty training places meets the demands of the National Health Service in the future. That is why NHS England will work with stakeholders to ensure that the expansion of places is sustainable and focused in the service areas where need is greatest.

The Government greatly values consultants and specialty, associate specialists, and specialist doctors and remains committed to working with trade unions to improve the working lives of all senior doctors, including anaesthetists.

The Government is committed to publishing a 10 Year Workforce Plan to set out the action we will take to create a workforce ready to deliver the transformed service set out in the 10-Year Health Plan.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with international counterparts on accelerating the deployment of remote-controlled and autonomous mine-clearance technology to Ukraine to minimize the physical risk to civilian humanitarian deminers.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

The UK continues to work closely with international partners through the Demining Capability Coalition to support Ukraine's demining requirements. Through this collaboration, the Coalition provides equipment, training and specialist expertise, including technologies that help reduce the risk to personnel operating in hazardous environments. Support is delivered in response to Ukrainian priorities, and the UK remains committed to working with allies and Ukraine to develop the capabilities needed to address explosive hazards safely and effectively.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to share technical expertise and threat intelligence with humanitarian mine action organisations in Ukraine to protect personnel from targeted missile and artillery strikes.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

The UK continues to work closely with international partners through the Demining Capability Coalition to support Ukraine's demining requirements. Through this collaboration, the Coalition provides equipment, training and specialist expertise, including technologies that help reduce the risk to personnel operating in hazardous environments. Support is delivered in response to Ukrainian priorities, and the UK remains committed to working with allies and Ukraine to develop the capabilities needed to address explosive hazards safely and effectively.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what data her Department holds on the number of Metropolitan police officers who have left the service before retirement age in each year, due to the staff rotation policy of the metropolitan police.

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

The Home Office does not hold data on the number of police officers leaving the Metropolitan Police Service due to staff rotation policy.

The Home Office collects and publishes data annually on the number of police officers leaving the police service and their reasons for leaving, for each year ending 31 March, in the ‘Police Workforce, England and Wales’ statistical bulletin which can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-workforce-england-and-wales.

Information on the number of police officers leaving the police service by reason for leaving and Police Force Area between the years ending 31 March 2007 and 2025 can be found in the ‘Leavers Open Data Table’ here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/687a364d312ee8a5f0806b7c/open-data-table-police-workforce-leavers-230725.ods

Information on the length of service of police officers leaving the police service by reason for leaving and Police Force Area, for the years ending 31 March 2024 and 2025 can be found in the ‘Length of Service Open Data Table’ here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6972562d3f2908a349040577/open-data-table-police-workforce-length-of-service-280126.ods

Reasons for leaving include normal retirement, medical retirement, voluntary resignation, dismissal or contract termination, voluntary exit scheme, death or transfer.

Data covering the year ending 31 March 2026 are scheduled for release on 22 July 2026.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many Courses of Treatment were delivered by the Community Dental Service in each year since 2010-11.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Secretary of State for Wales

We do not hold data at a national level on the number of Community Dental Service (CDS) referrals or activity delivered. However, data may be held at a CDS provider or integrated care board (ICB) level.

We recognise that certain groups of patients may be particularly vulnerable to oral health problems and may find it difficult to access dental care. Specialised dental services are in place to provide dental treatment and are commissioned by ICBs.

The January 2025 Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) report on CDS highlighted several known challenges in the operation and monitoring of CDS and offered recommendations for improvements. The majority of recommendations in the GIRFT report related to operational considerations for individual ICBs to address, which varies according to local arrangements, priorities, and needs.

NHS England and the Department have taken the recommendations on board and are working to improve the data reporting process to increase oversight of CDS activity, including current waiting lists and performance reporting. An amended waiting list data collection was implemented in August 2025 and will improve oversight of the current waiting lists and waiting times for adults and children.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many referrals to the Community Dental Service were received in each year since 2010-11.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Secretary of State for Wales

We do not hold data at a national level on the number of Community Dental Service (CDS) referrals or activity delivered. However, data may be held at a CDS provider or integrated care board (ICB) level.

We recognise that certain groups of patients may be particularly vulnerable to oral health problems and may find it difficult to access dental care. Specialised dental services are in place to provide dental treatment and are commissioned by ICBs.

The January 2025 Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) report on CDS highlighted several known challenges in the operation and monitoring of CDS and offered recommendations for improvements. The majority of recommendations in the GIRFT report related to operational considerations for individual ICBs to address, which varies according to local arrangements, priorities, and needs.

NHS England and the Department have taken the recommendations on board and are working to improve the data reporting process to increase oversight of CDS activity, including current waiting lists and performance reporting. An amended waiting list data collection was implemented in August 2025 and will improve oversight of the current waiting lists and waiting times for adults and children.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many patients were treated by the Community Dental Service in each year since 2010-11.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Secretary of State for Wales

We do not hold data at a national level on the number of Community Dental Service (CDS) referrals or activity delivered. However, data may be held at a CDS provider or integrated care board (ICB) level.

We recognise that certain groups of patients may be particularly vulnerable to oral health problems and may find it difficult to access dental care. Specialised dental services are in place to provide dental treatment and are commissioned by ICBs.

The January 2025 Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) report on CDS highlighted several known challenges in the operation and monitoring of CDS and offered recommendations for improvements. The majority of recommendations in the GIRFT report related to operational considerations for individual ICBs to address, which varies according to local arrangements, priorities, and needs.

NHS England and the Department have taken the recommendations on board and are working to improve the data reporting process to increase oversight of CDS activity, including current waiting lists and performance reporting. An amended waiting list data collection was implemented in August 2025 and will improve oversight of the current waiting lists and waiting times for adults and children.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of creating a digital sovereignty strategy.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government's current approach is set out through the Modern Industrial Strategy (2025) and the Digital and Technologies Sector Plan (2025), which build sovereign capability in critical technologies - including through the Sovereign AI Fund - while keeping the UK open to global markets.

This is supported by an established framework of safeguards, including data protection legislation, UK security standards, the Cloud First policy and the Data and AI Ethics Framework.

As this remains a complex and developing policy area, engagement across government is ongoing.

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 potential impact of reimbursement and capital funding arrangements under the NHS (General Medical Services – Premises Costs) Directions on levels of investment in low-carbon and energy-efficient upgrades in GP premises; and whether he plans to introduce reforms to those arrangements.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Secretary of State for Wales

The Premises Costs Directions (PCDs) are regulations setting out how improvement of practice premises can be covered by premises improvement grants from the National Health Service, and how general practice (GP) contractors can apply for capital grants via the Utilisation and Modernisation Fund (UMF). UMF funding can support the improvement of practice premises’ lighting, ventilation, and heating installations, including the replacement of other forms of heating by central heating, except where improvements are designed solely to reduce the environmental impact of premises, such as the installation of solar energy systems or the replacement windows, doors, or facades, unless the contractor can satisfy NHS England, acting reasonably, that those improvements provide a net financial benefit to the health service.

The PCDs were reviewed and updated in 2024, with the revised directions allowing commissioners to make larger investments in GPs in a more flexible way and to seek to provide contractors with some reassurance about their premises liabilities.

In 2025/26 we committed to investing £102 million to upgrade GP surgeries across England, through the UMF. We are continuing this by providing £200 million over the next four years, in addition to up to £200 million to support 40 to 50 neighbourhood health centres this Parliament through the refurbishment of existing buildings.

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 staffing levels in Community Dental Services.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Secretary of State for Wales

NHS England introduced the annual Dental Workforce Survey to improve understanding of the National Health Service dental workforce. NHS England has published this survey, and further information is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/dental-workforce/

This includes a subset of data for Community Dental Services (CDS). The latest published workforce returns, a copy of which is attached, shows that the workforce, as of December 2024, provided responses for 54 out of the 68 CDS contractors. These returns showed that there were 317.2 full time equivalent dentists reported to be working within CDS. Dentists’ vacancy rate within CDS was lower than within high street providers, at 13.4% compared to a high street rate of 17%.

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 potential impact of the NHS (General Medical Services – Premises Costs) Directions on the ability of GP practices and landlords to invest in energy efficiency and sustainability improvements to primary care premises.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Secretary of State for Wales

The Premises Costs Directions (PCDs) are regulations setting out how improvement of practice premises can be covered by premises improvement grants from the National Health Service, and how general practice (GP) contractors can apply for capital grants via the Utilisation and Modernisation Fund (UMF). UMF funding can support the improvement of practice premises’ lighting, ventilation, and heating installations, including the replacement of other forms of heating by central heating, except where improvements are designed solely to reduce the environmental impact of premises, such as the installation of solar energy systems or the replacement windows, doors, or facades, unless the contractor can satisfy NHS England, acting reasonably, that those improvements provide a net financial benefit to the health service.

The PCDs were reviewed and updated in 2024, with the revised directions allowing commissioners to make larger investments in GPs in a more flexible way and to seek to provide contractors with some reassurance about their premises liabilities.

In 2025/26 we committed to investing £102 million to upgrade GP surgeries across England, through the UMF. We are continuing this by providing £200 million over the next four years, in addition to up to £200 million to support 40 to 50 neighbourhood health centres this Parliament through the refurbishment of existing buildings.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to review the NHS (General Medical Services – Premises Costs) Directions to support greater investment in sustainability and net zero improvements in GP premises.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Secretary of State for Wales

The Premises Costs Directions (PCDs) are regulations setting out how improvement of practice premises can be covered by premises improvement grants from the National Health Service, and how general practice (GP) contractors can apply for capital grants via the Utilisation and Modernisation Fund (UMF). UMF funding can support the improvement of practice premises’ lighting, ventilation, and heating installations, including the replacement of other forms of heating by central heating, except where improvements are designed solely to reduce the environmental impact of premises, such as the installation of solar energy systems or the replacement windows, doors, or facades, unless the contractor can satisfy NHS England, acting reasonably, that those improvements provide a net financial benefit to the health service.

The PCDs were reviewed and updated in 2024, with the revised directions allowing commissioners to make larger investments in GPs in a more flexible way and to seek to provide contractors with some reassurance about their premises liabilities.

In 2025/26 we committed to investing £102 million to upgrade GP surgeries across England, through the UMF. We are continuing this by providing £200 million over the next four years, in addition to up to £200 million to support 40 to 50 neighbourhood health centres this Parliament through the refurbishment of existing buildings.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support the protection of humanitarian demining personnel in Ukraine in the context of the attack on Norwegian People's Aid staff in Kherson Oblast on 24 June 2026.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Attacks on humanitarian personnel in any circumstances are totally unacceptable, and it is deplorable for staff engaged in the already hugely dangerous work of demining in Ukraine to be killed or injured by Russian strikes. Russia's illegal invasion has left Ukraine with extensive explosive ordnance contamination, threatening civilians and acting as an obstacle to recovery, reconstruction and the safe return of displaced people.

Since June 2022, through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office's Global Mine Action Programme, the UK has funded UK NGO The HALO Trust to deliver humanitarian mine action interventions in Ukraine, latterly with UK NGO Mines Advisory Group and Ukrainian Deminers Association as downstream partners. Our demining efforts have released over 1,131,304 square metres of land and provided Explosive Ordnance Risk Education to 134,491 beneficiaries (June 2022 to end March 2026).

The UK has also provided equipment and training to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and the State Transport Special Service to strengthen Ukraine's humanitarian demining sector. Our funding for these efforts in Ukraine is just one aspect of our wider support for demining activities in countries and regions across the world, delivered primarily through our Global Mine Action Programme.

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 long-term impact of explosive ordnance contamination on civilian return rates in Ukraine and what steps the Government is taking to support NGOs and commercial companies delivering humanitarian mine action alongside state military aid.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Attacks on humanitarian personnel in any circumstances are totally unacceptable, and it is deplorable for staff engaged in the already hugely dangerous work of demining in Ukraine to be killed or injured by Russian strikes. Russia's illegal invasion has left Ukraine with extensive explosive ordnance contamination, threatening civilians and acting as an obstacle to recovery, reconstruction and the safe return of displaced people.

Since June 2022, through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office's Global Mine Action Programme, the UK has funded UK NGO The HALO Trust to deliver humanitarian mine action interventions in Ukraine, latterly with UK NGO Mines Advisory Group and Ukrainian Deminers Association as downstream partners. Our demining efforts have released over 1,131,304 square metres of land and provided Explosive Ordnance Risk Education to 134,491 beneficiaries (June 2022 to end March 2026).

The UK has also provided equipment and training to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and the State Transport Special Service to strengthen Ukraine's humanitarian demining sector. Our funding for these efforts in Ukraine is just one aspect of our wider support for demining activities in countries and regions across the world, delivered primarily through our Global Mine Action Programme.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps her Department is taking to promote British soft power through the mine action sector.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Attacks on humanitarian personnel in any circumstances are totally unacceptable, and it is deplorable for staff engaged in the already hugely dangerous work of demining in Ukraine to be killed or injured by Russian strikes. Russia's illegal invasion has left Ukraine with extensive explosive ordnance contamination, threatening civilians and acting as an obstacle to recovery, reconstruction and the safe return of displaced people.

Since June 2022, through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office's Global Mine Action Programme, the UK has funded UK NGO The HALO Trust to deliver humanitarian mine action interventions in Ukraine, latterly with UK NGO Mines Advisory Group and Ukrainian Deminers Association as downstream partners. Our demining efforts have released over 1,131,304 square metres of land and provided Explosive Ordnance Risk Education to 134,491 beneficiaries (June 2022 to end March 2026).

The UK has also provided equipment and training to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and the State Transport Special Service to strengthen Ukraine's humanitarian demining sector. Our funding for these efforts in Ukraine is just one aspect of our wider support for demining activities in countries and regions across the world, delivered primarily through our Global Mine Action Programme.

Merchant Navy Day

Military housing

Defence Investment Plan

Local Housing Allowance rates

Royal Mail delivery standards

Ehlers Danlos Syndrome

Support for post offices

Russian sanctions

International Court of Justice's July 2024 Advisory Opinion on the Occupied Palestinian Territories

100th anniversary of the Campaign to Protect Rural England

Childhood dementia awareness and support

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether an assessment has been made of the potential merits of launching a public consultation into the use of high concentration carbon dioxide for slaughtering pigs.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell, Helen Maguire, on 20 May 2026 to PQ UIN 613.

Found: Committed London Helen Gowar Marketing Limited Liverpool L1 0AB Other Committed North West England Helen Maguire