Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on how many occasions Single Living Accommodation units in each UK local authority area have experienced loss of (a) heating and (b) hot water for over 24 hours in each year since 2018.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Information on the number of occasions Single Living Accommodation (SLA) units in each UK local authority area that have experienced a loss of heating and hot water for over 24 hours in each year since 2018 can only be provided at a disproportionate cost.

Enhancing the standard of accommodation, including SLA is essential to the morale and retention of Service personnel and is a priority within the Defence infrastructure portfolio.

Defence is committed under the Strategic Defence Review to deliver a generational renewal of military accommodation. Delivery of new, modernised SLA is already underway, with further detail on the investment in new and refurbished SLA to be set out in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many complaints regarding (a) gas, (b) electrical and (c) water issues have been recorded in Single Living Accommodation in each UK local authority area in each year since 2018.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Information on how many complaints regarding gas, electrical and water issues have been recorded in Single Living Accommodation (SLA) in each UK local authority area in each year since 2018 is not held centrally and can only be provided at a disproportionate cost.

Enhancing the standard of accommodation, including SLA is essential to the morale and retention of Service personnel and is a priority within the Defence infrastructure portfolio.

Defence is committed under the Strategic Defence Review to deliver a generational renewal of military accommodation. Delivery of new, modernised SLA is already underway, with further detail on the investment in new and refurbished SLA to be set out in due course.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help improve postal delivery times in North Shropshire constituency.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

I have discussed Royal Mail’s performance with the chief executive of Royal Mail and its parent company, and they recognise the need to do more to meet service delivery targets.

In October, Ofcom, the independent regulator of postal services, fined Royal Mail £21 million for failing to meet its quality of service targets and has told Royal Mail it must urgently publish and deliver a credible plan that delivers major and continuous improvement.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 8 December 2025 to Question 97048, how many Single Living Accommodation units in the United Kingdom have recorded Legionella, in each year since 2018.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

It will take my Department a considerable time to compile the requested information across the UK broken down in year and region.

I will write to the hon. Member with a full response and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to respond to Questions 97049 and 97052 on Armed Forces: Housing.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I responded to the hon. Member’s Questions on 15 December 2025.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps to ensure that temporary conditions are properly considered under the Blue Badge application process.

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

Local authorities (LAs), in their capacity as the traffic authority for their area, are already free to consider setting up locally determined temporary parking concessions that could assist the recovery of residents who have recently undergone major surgery or suffered serious illness. The cost and nature of any concession would be for the local authority to decide.

LAs already have powers under Part IV of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to mark out bays for specific purposes, issue local parking permits, and use Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) to reserve spaces for specific purposes.

The primary focus of the Blue Badge on-street parking scheme is to help people who have an enduring and substantial disability that affects their mobility to park closer to their destinations, goods, and services. The Department routinely monitors the scheme to see how it may be improved, to ensure that it continues to serve those who need it most.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the (a) online and (b) written Blue Badge application process.

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

The Department for Transport provides an online application through the Blue Badge Digital Service on GOV.UK and works closely with its supplier to identify any possible improvements to the online application and renewal process as part of its continuous improvement programme.

It is for each individual local authority to decide on the application route and to produce application form(s) for their area. To assist them in deciding whether an applicant meets the eligibility criteria, the DfT has produced a model application form with accompanying guidance notes for applicants on how to complete the form.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to respond to Question 90413 on Maternity Services: Inquiries and Question 95963 on Prostate Cancer: Screening.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 11 December 2025 to Question 90413, as well as to the answer my hon. Friend, the Minister for Public Health and Prevention, gave on 10 December 2025 to Question 95963.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of toilet provision at primary schools in North Shropshire constituency.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Under the School Premises Regulations 2012 or The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014, for maintained schools and academies respectively, each school’s responsible body must ensure that schools are maintained so that pupils’ health, safety and welfare is ensured.

The same regulations require that Responsible Bodies provide suitable toilets for pupils, which means they must consider factors such as the number, age and special requirements of pupils using the toilets.

The full set of the first Condition Data Collection (CDC1) data is presented at school or regional level in the House of Commons library here: https://depositedpapers.parliament.uk/depositedpaper/2285521/details. A summary of the CDC1 data can be accessed in the CDC1 key findings report here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/condition-data-collection-2-cdc2-programme.

CDC1 ran from 2017 and 2019 and includes all government funded schools in England. The successor programme, CDC2, reviews and refreshes CDC1 data. It does not yet cover all schools in scope and is due to complete in 2026.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what data her Department holds on the number of primary schools without indoor toilets.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Under the School Premises Regulations 2012 or The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014, for maintained schools and academies respectively, each school’s responsible body must ensure that schools are maintained so that pupils’ health, safety and welfare is ensured.

The same regulations require that Responsible Bodies provide suitable toilets for pupils, which means they must consider factors such as the number, age and special requirements of pupils using the toilets.

The full set of the first Condition Data Collection (CDC1) data is presented at school or regional level in the House of Commons library here: https://depositedpapers.parliament.uk/depositedpaper/2285521/details. A summary of the CDC1 data can be accessed in the CDC1 key findings report here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/condition-data-collection-2-cdc2-programme.

CDC1 ran from 2017 and 2019 and includes all government funded schools in England. The successor programme, CDC2, reviews and refreshes CDC1 data. It does not yet cover all schools in scope and is due to complete in 2026.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many NHS providers are making use of the Royal Mail barcode for NHS mail.

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

Data on how many National Health Service providers are making use of Royal Mail barcodes for NHS mail is not held centrally by the Department.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to ensure broadband providers have robust governance and independent assurance arrangements in place, including internal audit, to support cyber resilience and protect digital infrastructure.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Government keeps the financial health of the market under close review and Ofcom have powers to request financial information from providers. The Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021, and its associated Regulations and Code of Practice introduced a robust security framework requiring public telecoms providers to identify, reduce, and prepare for security and resilience risks.

We recently held a public consultation on proposed updates to the Telecommunications Security Code of Practice, which provides guidance on how public telecoms providers can meet their statutory requirements to secure their networks and services. These include requirements relating to reviews, governance and board responsibilities. Ofcom monitor and enforce these requirements.

In response to the consultation, the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors raised the matter of independent assurance arrangements. We are now carefully reviewing all feedback to the consultation to ensure that any updates to the Code of Practice are appropriate and proportionate.

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 adequacy of independent assurance arrangements in place by broadband providers, including internal audit, to support the identification, management and mitigation of major risks.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Government keeps the financial health of the market under close review and Ofcom have powers to request financial information from providers. The Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021, and its associated Regulations and Code of Practice introduced a robust security framework requiring public telecoms providers to identify, reduce, and prepare for security and resilience risks.

We recently held a public consultation on proposed updates to the Telecommunications Security Code of Practice, which provides guidance on how public telecoms providers can meet their statutory requirements to secure their networks and services. These include requirements relating to reviews, governance and board responsibilities. Ofcom monitor and enforce these requirements.

In response to the consultation, the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors raised the matter of independent assurance arrangements. We are now carefully reviewing all feedback to the consultation to ensure that any updates to the Code of Practice are appropriate and proportionate.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve (a) awareness and (b) treatment of postural tachycardia syndrome in North Shropshire constituency.

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

In North Shropshire, the planning and commissioning of services for postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) is led by the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care Board (ICB). It is this local ICB’s responsibility to work with clinicians, service users, and patient groups to develop services and care pathways that meet the needs of patients with PoTS.

Many patients with PoTS can be diagnosed and managed effectively within primary care. In complex cases, or where patients do not respond to initial treatment, patients may be referred to specialised cardiology or neurology services. Management of PoTS typically involves lifestyle changes and medications to help control symptoms, and can involve support from a multidisciplinary team.

To improve awareness among healthcare professionals, the Royal College of General Practitioners includes training on PoTS as part of its Syncope Toolkit, an online resource for general practitioners. This provides education, practical guidance, and case studies to help primary care doctors recognise PoTS and manage initial investigations.

Additionally, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence provides a Clinical Knowledge Summary on blackouts and syncope, last updated November 2023, which advises clinicians on best practice in assessing and diagnosing PoTS.

The 10-Year Health Plan aims to transform services and outcomes for people living with complex conditions like PoTS by prioritising integrated, personalised care. The plan focuses on earlier diagnosis and promotes multidisciplinary teams and community-based services to deliver coordinated support closer to home, reducing reliance on hospital care. Digital innovations, including remote monitoring and an enhanced NHS App, will help manage long-term conditions like PoTS more effectively. The plan also commits to 95% of people with complex needs having a personalised care plan by 2027. Personalised care plans will improve support for people with complex needs by ensuring that care is tailored to the individual and coordinated across services.

These measures will help to ensure that patients in North Shropshire, as in the rest of England, will receive timely diagnosis, coordinated specialist care delivered though locally based multidisciplinary teams, and personalised support that addresses their needs.

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 of the impact of not extending Start for Life funding to new Best Start for Life Family Hub areas on the delivery of integrated early-years services by local authorities.

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

Delivering integrated, joined-up health, education, and family support is at the heart of our ambition to raise the healthiest generation of children ever.

Healthy Babies, formerly Start for Life, funding is helping families during the critical 1,001 days, and parents have said that they are more confident in feeding their babies and have better perinatal mental health because of this support. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/start-for-life-services-thematic-review/start-for-life-services-thematic-review

We continue to assess how we can best support early years service integration across the country and remain committed to working with delivery partners locally to achieve this.

Healthy Babies is one element of our broader commitment to supporting babies, children, and families. From April 2026, Best Start Family Hubs will expand to every single local authority, backed by over £500 million, to reach up to half a million more children and families. This funding will help all local authorities to integrate a range of statutory and non-statutory child health and family services.

Best Start Family Hubs will form part of the architecture of the Neighbourhood Health Service. Through the shifts from hospital to community and from treatment to prevention, we will further strengthen the integration of services, helping to ensure that babies and their families can get the support they need, when and where they need it.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will work with the Financial Conduct Authority to issue guidance to insurers on the resolution of Covid-19 Business Interruption claims not resolved when the limitation deadline is reached.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), as the independent regulator for financial services, sets the conduct standards required of insurance firms. This includes rules requiring insurers to handle claims fairly and promptly.

With respect to business interruption claims linked to Covid-19, the Supreme Court published its final judgment in the FCA test case in January 2021. At the time of the judgment, the FCA set out its expectation that insurers should communicate to all impacted policyholders what the judgment meant for their claim and that insurers should move quickly to resolve claims as determined by the judgment, making interim payments wherever possible. It is important to note that the FCA court case did not cover all potential issues with business interruption policies but aimed to provide certainty to as many policyholders as possible.

The FCA, as the independent regulator, has robust powers to take action where firms do not appear to be meeting their expectations and treating their customers fairly.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the March 2026 limitation deadline on unresolved Covid-19 Business Interruption claims.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), as the independent regulator for financial services, sets the conduct standards required of insurance firms. This includes rules requiring insurers to handle claims fairly and promptly.

With respect to business interruption claims linked to Covid-19, the Supreme Court published its final judgment in the FCA test case in January 2021. At the time of the judgment, the FCA set out its expectation that insurers should communicate to all impacted policyholders what the judgment meant for their claim and that insurers should move quickly to resolve claims as determined by the judgment, making interim payments wherever possible. It is important to note that the FCA court case did not cover all potential issues with business interruption policies but aimed to provide certainty to as many policyholders as possible.

The FCA, as the independent regulator, has robust powers to take action where firms do not appear to be meeting their expectations and treating their customers fairly.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to ensure insurers do not use litigation to prevent small business policyholders from making claims.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), as the independent regulator for financial services, sets the conduct standards required of insurance firms. This includes rules requiring insurers to handle claims fairly and promptly.

With respect to business interruption claims linked to Covid-19, the Supreme Court published its final judgment in the FCA test case in January 2021. At the time of the judgment, the FCA set out its expectation that insurers should communicate to all impacted policyholders what the judgment meant for their claim and that insurers should move quickly to resolve claims as determined by the judgment, making interim payments wherever possible. It is important to note that the FCA court case did not cover all potential issues with business interruption policies but aimed to provide certainty to as many policyholders as possible.

The FCA, as the independent regulator, has robust powers to take action where firms do not appear to be meeting their expectations and treating their customers fairly.

Import of illegal meat

Commemorating National Care Leaver’s Month November 2025

Deregistration of international non-governmental organisations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories

Public health campaign on tackling stigma towards suicide

UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons

Brain cancer

Iran protests

Less Survivable Cancers Week

UK arms export licensing and conflict in Sudan

Future of Cambridge Veterinary School

ADHD services

Palestinian children in Israeli military detention

Convention on Cluster Munitions and preventing UK involvement in their production

Missing Evri deliveries

Tribute to Lance Corporal George Thomas Hooley

Nuclear Regulatory Review and habitats regulations

Winter NHS corridor care

Find funding and take action to change this junction into a roundabout or traffic lights in the next 12 months. The crossroads named an accident black spot for several years RIS 3 spending review isn't expected to be reported until late Spring Which is too long a wait after many years of discussions

Found: Helen Morgan has been campaigning for this for over 2 years

Found: Specialist Ms Hilary Kitcher (from April 2005 to September 2005), Information Specialist Dr Helen Morgan

Found: Specialist Ms Hilary Kitcher (from April 2005 to September 2005), Information Specialist Dr Helen Morgan

Found: University Alison Weightman, SURE, Cardiff University Sarah Whitehead, DECIPHer, Cardiff University Helen Morgan

Found: University Sarah Whitehead, DECIPHer, Cardiff University Sinead Brophy, DECIPHer, Swansea University Helen Morgan

Found: University Alison Weightman, SURE, Cardiff University Elizabeth Halstead, Bangor University Helen Morgan

Found: University Alison Weightman, SURE, Cardiff University Elizabeth Halstead, Bangor University Helen Morgan

Found: Specialist Ms Hilary Kitcher (from April 2005 to September 2005), Information Specialist Dr Helen Morgan

Found: author and survey team Catherine Evans HMI Remit author Sarah Morgan HMI Survey team member Helen Morgan