Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the number of families in Scotland eligible for Tax-Free Childcare and not receiving it.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The eligible population for Tax-free Childcare (TFC) is estimated at the UK level and no estimate has been made by UK nation.

The numbers of families in receipt of TFC in Scotland on a monthly and annual basis are available in the publication linked below (Tables 6 and 8).

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/tax-free-childcare-quarterly-statistics

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to support veterans in Scotland into employment after leaving the armed forces.

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

This government is fully committed to ensuring veterans and their families have access to the employment support they need in Scotland and across the United Kingdom. The Veterans’ Strategy recognises veterans as one of the country’s great strategic assets. A key commitment of the strategy is to ensure that the unique skills, experience and personal values of veterans are appreciated, understood and that they are provided with opportunities to contribute to our national security, our economy and our communities.

A range of programmes are in place to support those leaving service in finding fulfilling and sustainable careers which make full use of their unique skills and experience. The Career Transition Partnership is the initial point of employment provision for those transitioning into civilian life, with assistance available for up to two years before and two years after leaving service. CTP provides holistic transition support to help Service leavers prepare for civilian life and employment.

For veterans who are more than two years post-service, as well as their families, additional support is provided through Op ASCEND. This initiative, which provides tailored employment support into sustainable civilian careers has already engaged with over 600 employers and 5,000 veterans and family members.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of parcel delivery surcharges on (a) consumers and (b) small businesses in rural parts of Hamilton and Clyde Valley constituency.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

Royal Mail is required under the Universal Service Obligation to provide parcel services up to 20kg at an affordable, uniform price across the UK. Outside this service, delivery charges are commercial decisions for retailers and parcel operators, which may reflect contractual terms and higher transportation costs in some rural areas. Retailers must clearly disclose delivery charges and geographical restrictions before purchase, enabling consumers and small businesses to make informed choices.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate she has made of the potential financial impact of sending patient communications through the NHS App rather than by post on the NHS.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

On the costs of developing the App, I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 December 2023 in response to Question 5345.

On the benefits resulting from use of the App, I refer the Hon Member to the GOV.UK website press release from April 2025, which sets out a range of estimated cost savings and other efficiencies across different healthcare settings, and which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-nhs-app-expansion-cuts-waiting-times

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the estimated total cost was of developing the NHS App.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

On the costs of developing the App, I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 December 2023 in response to Question 5345.

On the benefits resulting from use of the App, I refer the Hon Member to the GOV.UK website press release from April 2025, which sets out a range of estimated cost savings and other efficiencies across different healthcare settings, and which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-nhs-app-expansion-cuts-waiting-times

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he plans to take to provide Jobcentre Plus services in Hamilton and Clyde Valley constituency in future.

Answered by Andrew Western - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Jobcentre Services in Hamilton and Clyde Valley are provided from Hamilton and Lanark Jobcentre Plus.

Through Jobcentre Plus, Work Coaches offer personalised advice to help individuals secure roles which reflect their skills, qualifications and prior experience, alongside targeted job-search support. In addition, we signpost to services delivered in partnership with South Lanarkshire Council, colleges, employers, and Scottish Government’s ‘No One Left Behind’ approach through Local Employability Partnerships. Those aged 16 to 24 also benefit from specialist Youth Work Coaches, employment programmes, and the Government's Youth Guarantee, which supports young people to access education, training, apprenticeships, and work.

In addition, we are currently exploring outreach opportunities within Hamilton, including within family hubs, alongside South Lanarkshire Council.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of late payments on small businesses in Hamilton and Clyde Valley constituency.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

No specific assessment has been made of the potential impact of late payments on SME across Hamiliton and Clyde Valley.

Late payments cost the UK economy £11bn per year and cause the closure of the equivalent of 38 UK businesses every day.

The Commercial Payments Bill is the most significant legislation tackling late payments in over 25 years. It expands the powers of the Small Business Commissioner, mandates statutory interest on late payments at 8% above the Bank of England base rate and introduces maximum payment terms for larger businesses; giving the UK the strongest legal framework on late payments in the G7.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability of Post Office services in Hamilton and Clyde Valley constituency, including in Lanark, Larkhall and Lesmahagow.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The Government recognises the essential role that post offices play in communities across the country. While decisions about individual branches within constituencies are operational matters for Post Office Limited, Government has committed to maintaining a minimum network of 11,500 branches and retaining all six geographical access criteria. These include the requirement that 99% of the UK population live within three miles of a Post Office outlet. The criteria is not currently measured on a constituency basis.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the resilience of electricity distribution networks serving rural parts of Hamilton and Clyde Valley constituency.

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

Great Britain has one of the most reliable energy systems in the world, and maintaining a resilient electricity system is a key priority for Government.

We recognise, however, the particular challenges faced by rural communities, which can experience more frequent power disruption. This is why Government works closely with Distribution Network Operators, including SP Energy Networks who serve Hamilton and Clyde Valley, to improve resilience of energy infrastructure and ensure an effective response to disruptive incidents.

Ofgem also regulates Distribution Network Operators through a price control process. This includes incentives to reduce the frequency and duration of power interruptions, no matter the cause, and to invest in and maintain infrastructure to guarantee minimum standards of service.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of pensioners in Hamilton and Clyde Valley constituency who received an increased pension as a result of the State Pension uprating in April 2026.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Please find information on the number of State Pension recipients in the Hamilton and Clyde Valley constituency at DWP Stat-Xplore.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of waiting times for Pension Credit claims made by residents in Hamilton and Clyde Valley constituency.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to improve mobile coverage in the rural parts of Hamilton and Clyde Valley covered by the Shared Rural Network.

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

The Shared Rural Network is a joint programme between the UK Government and the mobile network operators to improve coverage in rural areas. According to the latest information published by Ofcom, outdoor 4G coverage in Hamilton and Clyde Valley, from all four operators currently stands at 87% and coverage from at least one mobile network operator is 99%. Given these existing coverage levels, there will not be any further coverage improvements from the Shared Rural Network in this constituency.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate she has made of the number of (a) households and (b) businesses in Hamilton and Clyde Valley constituency that will receive gigabit-capable broadband through Project Gigabit.

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

Project Gigabit is the government’s programme to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to UK premises that are not included in suppliers' commercial plans, including business premises.

According to Ofcom's Connected Nations Spring 2026 report, 89% of premises in the Hamilton and Clyde Valley constituency already have access to a gigabit-capable broadband connection, which is above the national average of 88%.

To increase this further, approximately 460 premises in the constituency are in scope of a Project Gigabit contract being delivered by Openreach. Building Digital UK (BDUK) and the Scottish Government are working together on plans to add further premises into this contract in support of the government’s targeting of reaching 99% UK gigabit coverage by 2032.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with UNESCO on support for World Heritage Sites in Scotland, including New Lanark.

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

As ‘State Party’ to the World Heritage Convention, DCMS is proud to represent all 35 UK World Heritage Sites when engaging with UNESCO, including New Lanark. UNESCO does not routinely provide direct financial or operational support to inscribed sites, which remains the responsibility of national and local managing authorities.

Support for UK World Heritage Sites is provided by a number of organisations, with the Scottish Government and Historic Environment Scotland taking a leading role for Scottish sites. Other organisations such as NatureScot, the National Trust for Scotland and the UK National Commission for UNESCO play an active role and also support Scotland’s ‘UNESCO Trail’, the world’s first national trail to connect different UNESCO designations.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what support is available to small businesses in Hamilton and Clyde Valley constituency seeking to export goods or services.

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 Department has integrated its support for businesses, including export support, in a single, accessible place – the Business Growth Service (BGS). Through tailored market advice to free Business Academy training and our on-the-ground network around the world, we are making it easier for businesses in Hamilton and Clyde Valley to navigate global markets and seize opportunities.

Businesses can access a range of support offers, including access to finance through UK Export Finance, bespoke advice from the Export Support Service and practical leadership insights through Help to Grow: Management.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress she has made in enabling the approval of medicines developed without animal testing.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has responsibility for decisions on approval of medicines. In March 2026, the MHRA published a statement outlining its approach which included that, from January 2027, where a medicine has been developed without animal testing, the MHRA will review data generated by a developer to determine in advance of a formal application, if it agrees. Plans to implement this are well-advanced. The MHRA’s statement is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mhra-approach-to-medicines-using-non-animal-methods

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to improve access to free debt advice for people in Scotland.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is committed to ensuring that people in financial difficulty can access free, impartial debt advice. It provides funding for debt advice across the UK, with devolved governments leading delivery in their nations to reflect local needs.

Through the Financial Inclusion Strategy, published in November 2025, the Government increased funding for free debt advice across all four nations. In Scotland, over £10 million was allocated for debt advice in 2025-26. The Scottish Government distributes this funding to a range of national and community-based providers. Further information on its allocations is available on the Scottish Government’s website.

The Government is also providing additional support for people struggling with energy debt. The Consumer Energy Debt Advice service is now operating in England and Wales and is funded through the energy advice levy. As the levy applies across Great Britain, a proportion of the funding has been allocated to Scotland and provided to Citizens Advice Scotland, StepChange and Advice Direct Scotland to increase capacity for energy debt advice through their existing services.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of section 8 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 on the ability of police forces to tackle the antisocial use of e-bikes.

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

Section 8 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 strengthens the ability of the police to tackle anti-social use of vehicles, including e-bikes, by removing the requirement to issue a warning before a vehicle can be seized. It came into force at the end of June. This provision enables the police to take swifter action to tackle anti-social behaviour involving e-bikes where the threshold has been met.

The Home Office continues to work closely with the National Police Chiefs’ Council to monitor and assess the impact of the new measure.