Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to publish an evaluation of the LGBTQ+ financial Recognition Scheme, including information on application numbers, outcomes, lessons learned and recommendations for future restorative justice programmes.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

To date, the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme has paid out over £57 million. The Department’s current priority is to maximise awareness of the scheme among eligible veterans and encourage applications before the closing date on 12 December 2026. Once the scheme has closed and all applications have been assessed, the Department will review next steps.

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 is taking to improve the publication of farmed animal welfare inspections; and if she will consider extending transparency requirements across farmed animal sectors, including work carried out by the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

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

The Government recognises the importance of transparency where it relates to the welfare of farmed animals. The Government publishes the Multi Annual National Control Plan (MANCP) Annual Reports which includes national data on inspections, including work carried out by the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what resources within the Valour programme are dedicated to the needs of LGBTQ+ Veterans.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

This government is committed to ensuring that all veterans, including LGBT+ veterans, have easy access to support, when and where it is needed, and that any barriers to accessing support are addressed.

The £50 million VALOUR programme will make it easier for all veterans to access the care and support they deserve wherever they live in the UK. We are working hard to ensure that the VALOUR network is inclusive of all veterans’ needs and experiences, including women, LGBT+ veterans and others.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will outline the proposed timeline of the government consultation on the legislation on E-scooters and E-bikes.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government plans to consult on e-scooter regulations over the next year.

We will also consult on the implementation of licensing for shared cycle schemes over the coming months to ensure we deliver a combination of regulations and guidance which empowers our local leaders to maximise the benefits of these schemes and tackle negative impacts.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his department has made of the potential impact of the requirement for all rental properties to obtain a level of C for the Energy Performance Certificate on homeowners, and whether exemptions have been considered for properties that have previously made energy efficiency improvements such as loft insulation or double glazing installed.

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

The Impact Assessment, which provides an estimated impact of the final policy, including on owners of let homes was published on 7 February 2026.

Properties that can demonstrate appropriate energy efficiency measures are already in place will have these represented in their EPC assessment and rating. Those property owners who make energy efficiency improvements before the standard applies and can demonstrate their property is EPC C before 1 October 2029 will be considered compliant under the transition measures until their EPC expires. Those who install, or have installed since 1 October 2025, relevant measures in their properties, but are unable to achieve a C rating in advance of the transition deadline, may be able to count their spend towards a cost cap exemption once the standard applies.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the suggested recommendations provided in the Royal College of Anaesthetists’ report titled 'The Anaesthetic Workforce: UK State of the Nation Report, June 2026'.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 16 July in response to Question 17628.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, (a) how many referrals via Advice and Guidance have been rejected each month since July 2024 (b) how many of these were later successfully referred.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Advice and Guidance (A&G) does not reject referrals. A&G allows general practitioners (GPs) to receive advice from specialists without the need for a referral, ensuring that patients get the right care in the right place, first time. A GP’s clinical decision to refer remains unchanged.

Monthly data on the number of processed advice and guidance requests, including the number of diverted requests, is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/outpatient-transformation/specialist-advice/

The Department does not hold data on the number of referrals that were not added to the waiting list but subsequently later successfully referred.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his department has made on a) funding access to lipreading classes and b) classifying them as health and wellbeing courses rather than leisure activities to recognise their importance.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Adult Skills Fund (ASF) fully funds or co-funds education and skills training for eligible adults aged 19 and above from pre-entry level to Level 3, helping them gain the skills they need for work, an apprenticeship or further learning.

In addition to qualification-based provision, the ASF can fund Tailored Learning, which is flexible, non-qualification provision developed to meet the needs of learners and communities. Lipreading is an eligible Tailored Learning aim and may be delivered through ASF-funded provision, including where it supports objectives such as health and wellbeing, social inclusion, confidence building or progression into further learning.

The Department recognises the value of lipreading provision in supporting people with hearing loss to communicate effectively, maintain independence and participate in everyday life. The Department has not made a separate assessment of the merits of classifying lipreading courses as health and wellbeing courses rather than leisure activities. However, under existing ASF arrangements, lipreading provision can already be funded as Tailored Learning, including where it is intended to improve an individual's health and wellbeing.

As of August 2026, approximately 76% of the ASF is devolved to 20 Strategic Authorities, which are responsible for determining how adult skills funding is used locally beyond national statutory entitlements, including decisions on whether to fund lipreading provision. In non-devolved areas, the Department funds ASF provision directly and providers have flexibility to determine their local offer in line with learner and community needs.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with delivery platforms on ensuring riders use only safe and road-legal e-bikes.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Ministers have previously written to food delivery platforms on this matter, and those letters are available in the Library of the House.

In addition, the Department has commissioned research on the road behaviours of food delivery riders, the level of illegal e-bike usage and the extent to which the business practices of food delivery platforms may influence this. The Department’s researchers are currently in contact with food delivery platforms to inform this work, which is expected to conclude by March 2027, and we will publish the findings from it.

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)

I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to her on 17 July 2026 to Questions 17642 and 17643 which remain extant.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to recover Government funding lost during the VIP contract lane during the Covid Pandemic.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the final report of the Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner, which examined these matters in detail and was published by HM Treasury on 9 December 2025, and which is available at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/693807447a605b2d61cd8f55/E03505750_HMT_CP_1462_Web_Accessible.pdf

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many armed forces pensions remain unclaimed.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

There are 17,018 Unclaimed Armed Forces Pensions for the financial year 2025-26.

This information is already in the public domain and can be found on page 70 of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme Annual accounts report here:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a58b74f2cbe5d1c179a6653/Armed_Forces_Pension_Scheme_annual_accounts_2025_to_2026.pdf

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)

I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to her on 17 July 2026 to Questions 17642 and 17643 which remain extant.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to support the police in identifying, seizing and prosecuting the use of non-compliant e-bikes on public roads.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department’s advice for consumers is clear that e-bikes that do not comply with the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983 are classed as motor vehicles and must be registered, taxed and insured to be legally used on the roads.

The police have existing powers to seize these e-bikes, where they have not been properly registered as motor vehicles, under Section 165A of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

In addition, the Crime and Policing Act 2026 strengthened police powers so that they will no longer be required to provide a warning before seizing any vehicle where it is used anti-socially. This includes faster and more powerful e-bikes that have been properly registered as motor vehicles.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of supporting the E-Bike Positive campaign.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government welcomes the E-Bike Positive campaign and the Department’s advice for consumers on purchasing electrically assisted pedal cycles has been updated to refer to it.

Epsom Common Local Nature Reserve awarded 20th consecutive Green Flag Award

Love Me Love My Mind 20th anniversary

Josh Kerr's mile world record

Support for retired service animals

UK firefighters attending the Terry Farrell Patriot Memorial Stair Climb

Royal National Lifeboat Institution (No. 2)

Celebrating the great British postie

Battle of Britain Day 2026

Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) rescue operations

Contribution of women to the Bayeux Tapestry

Lord Lieutenancy of Surrey transition

World Suicide Prevention Day 2026

Support for hospices

Publication of Legal Advice on Local Government Reorganisation

Devon maternity services

Cosmetic specifications for fresh produce and national food security

Essential energy guarantee

Funding of Jodrell Bank Observatory

Official Development Assistance

Found: Select Committee Changes or Nominations Resolved, Edward Morello to be discharged and Helen Maguire

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 the Animal Welfare Strategy, published in December 2025, what legislative vehicle she plans to use for any ban on the carbon dioxide gas stunning of pigs; and when she plans to bring that legislation forward.

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.

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 the Animal Welfare Strategy, published in December 2025, when any ban on the use of carbon dioxide gas stunning of pigs will take effect, including any proposed transition period for the industry.

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.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of using carbon dioxide (CO₂) to stun pigs before slaughter on animal welfare; and whether she plans to phase out the use of CO₂ stunning.

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.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what is the timeline of phasing out the use of carbon dioxide gas as a method of 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.

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 the Animal Welfare Strategy, published in December 2025, when the consultation on banning the use of carbon dioxide gas stunning of pigs will open; and how long it will be open for.

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.

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 the Animal Welfare Strategy, published in December 2025, when she plans to publish a response to the consultation on banning the use of carbon dioxide gas stunning of 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.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she will publish the consultation on banning the use of carbon dioxide gas stunning of pigs promised in the animal welfare strategy.

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.