Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when Down Syndrome guidance will be published.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided to the hon. Member for Warrington South on 14 July 2026 to Question 16199.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with the Charity Commission on Iran-linked charities operating in the UK.

Answered by Vicky Foxcroft - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Charity Commission takes very seriously concerns about the alleged misuse of charities in the UK to promote the interests of foreign states. The Government’s Social Cohesion Action Plan, published in March, set out our plans to strengthen the Charity Commission’s powers to tackle extremist abuse of charities. We are working with the Charity Commission to develop the necessary legislation.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department prepared for potential legal challenges to the Down Syndrome Guidance upon the passing of the Down Syndrome Act.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Under the Down Syndrome Act 2022, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, is required to publish and give guidance to relevant authorities in health, social care, education, and housing services on what they should be doing to meet the needs of people with Down syndrome.   The Department considered potential legal challenges throughout the development of the Down Syndrome Bill and the guidance under the Down Syndrome Act 2022.

The Government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity and improving outcomes for disabled people, including those with Down syndrome. The consultation on the Down Syndrome Act draft guidance closed on 30 March 2026, and the Government is carefully considering the responses received to inform the final guidance.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether there will be ministerial attendance at the 2026 UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP 17) in Yerevan, Armenia.

Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Discussions to finalise UK representation at CBD COP17 are ongoing. However, Defra Secretary of State Eagle and Minister Riddell-Carpenter currently expect to attend the COP.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK delegation’s attendance at the UN Convention to Combat Desertification COP17 in Ulaanbaatar in August 2026, what plans his Department has to have discussions with Mongolian counterparts regarding ongoing allegations of corruption in Mongolia.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK and Mongolia share a deep commitment to democracy and democratic values. These principles anchor our partnership. Earlier this year my predecessor as Minister for the Indo Pacific visited Mongolia and reaffirmed the importance of such values, including rule of law, for all areas of UK-Mongolia co-operation. The UK also regularly engages Mongolia on how to make the trade and investment environment more attractive to business, including through increased transparency, clear rules and strong safeguards. The UK delegation at COP 17 on Desertification reinforced these messages with Mongolia counterparts at the end of August.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans his Department has to ensure British Overseas Territories are the recipients of any increase in international development spending.

Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme allocations for the next three years are set out in Annex A of the FCDO's Annual Report & Accounts 2025-26, including fully protected spend for the Overseas Territories. We will continue to ensure that our spending is focused where it can have the greatest impact, support the most vulnerable, and advance our modern development approach.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether decisions on future aid spending will take into account a recipient country’s score on the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index including with reference to (a) Turkey; (b) ii. Azerbaijan; and (c) Mongolia.

Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office's (FCDO) Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme allocations for the next three years are set out in Annex A of the FCDO's Annual Report & Accounts 2025-26. They are prioritised for humanitarian, global health and climate and nature, underpinned by economic development. We are prioritising support for fragile and conflict affected countries to reach those in greatest need and reduce the harm caused by violence and atrocities. ODA is focused where it can have the greatest impact, supporting the most vulnerable and advancing our modern development approach.

The FCDO applies a robust framework of due diligence, risk assessment, delivery chain mapping, monitoring and assurance to help safeguard programme funds. We require partners to maintain appropriate controls to prevent, detect and report fraud, bribery and corruption, and we investigate allegations and take action where concerns are identified.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether future decisions on international development spending will take into account individual countries’ scores on independent corruption indices.

Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office's (FCDO) Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme allocations for the next three years are set out in Annex A of the FCDO's Annual Report & Accounts 2025-26. They are prioritised for humanitarian, global health and climate and nature, underpinned by economic development. We are prioritising support for fragile and conflict affected countries to reach those in greatest need and reduce the harm caused by violence and atrocities. ODA is focused where it can have the greatest impact, supporting the most vulnerable and advancing our modern development approach.

The FCDO applies a robust framework of due diligence, risk assessment, delivery chain mapping, monitoring and assurance to help safeguard programme funds. We require partners to maintain appropriate controls to prevent, detect and report fraud, bribery and corruption, and we investigate allegations and take action where concerns are identified.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether any evidence reviews, research studies, behavioural analyses and international evaluations were disregarded while developing the proposals contained in the consultation entitled Tobacco and vapes: packaging, appearance and display.

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

I refer the Hon. Members to the Government's consultations, and accompanying consultation stage impact assessments, on smoke-free, heated tobacco-free, and vape-free places, and on the packaging, device appearance, and display of tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products. The Government will carefully consider the responses before taking decisions on future regulations.

I refer the Hon. Members to the Tobacco and Vapes Bill House of Lords debate on 24 February 2026 in relation to filters. Evidence is still developing and there are no current plans to consult on plain packaging and promotions restrictions. No assessment has been taken on filters being used to circumvent the current flavours ban.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what evidence her Department has considered on the role of product differentiation, branding and consumer information in supporting switching from combustible tobacco products to vaping products among adult smokers.

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

I refer the Hon. Members to the Government's consultations, and accompanying consultation stage impact assessments, on smoke-free, heated tobacco-free, and vape-free places, and on the packaging, device appearance, and display of tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products. The Government will carefully consider the responses before taking decisions on future regulations.

I refer the Hon. Members to the Tobacco and Vapes Bill House of Lords debate on 24 February 2026 in relation to filters. Evidence is still developing and there are no current plans to consult on plain packaging and promotions restrictions. No assessment has been taken on filters being used to circumvent the current flavours ban.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the Department's most recent assessment is of the cost of tackling the condition defects at Berwick Academy; and if she will publish that assessment.

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

The School Rebuilding Programme (SRP) carries out major rebuilding and refurbishment projects at schools and sixth form college buildings across England. Schools and sixth-form colleges in the worst condition are prioritised in areas where places are needed now and in the future.

The department may include cases where severe and urgent need for rebuilding is identified outside the main prioritisation rounds. This was the case for Churchill Community College. Decisions on individual schools are taken on their own merits and do not determine the outcome for other schools.

Berwick Academy has been nominated for the current round of the SRP and will be considered alongside other eligible schools as part of the national prioritisation process. The department has been clear that that the route for funding investment in rebuilding is through the SRP and the school will need to be assessed through that process. We have no plans to provide separate rebuilding funding outside of that process. Decisions on the additional 250 schools due to join the SRP are expected by early 2027.

The department is aware of concerns regarding the condition of Berwick Academy's buildings. While the department does not hold a recent assessment of the full cost of addressing all condition issues at the school, information provided locally has informed discussions regarding its future capital needs and its nomination to the SRP.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will consider the potential merits of providing part-funding to Northumberland County Council for the rebuilding of Berwick Academy, following the Council's commitment of £37 million of local funding to deliver the project.

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

The School Rebuilding Programme (SRP) carries out major rebuilding and refurbishment projects at schools and sixth form college buildings across England. Schools and sixth-form colleges in the worst condition are prioritised in areas where places are needed now and in the future.

The department may include cases where severe and urgent need for rebuilding is identified outside the main prioritisation rounds. This was the case for Churchill Community College. Decisions on individual schools are taken on their own merits and do not determine the outcome for other schools.

Berwick Academy has been nominated for the current round of the SRP and will be considered alongside other eligible schools as part of the national prioritisation process. The department has been clear that that the route for funding investment in rebuilding is through the SRP and the school will need to be assessed through that process. We have no plans to provide separate rebuilding funding outside of that process. Decisions on the additional 250 schools due to join the SRP are expected by early 2027.

The department is aware of concerns regarding the condition of Berwick Academy's buildings. While the department does not hold a recent assessment of the full cost of addressing all condition issues at the school, information provided locally has informed discussions regarding its future capital needs and its nomination to the SRP.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what criteria her Department used to prioritise the rebuilding of Churchill Community College in North Tyneside through the School Rebuilding Programme; and if she will take steps to prioritise Berwick Academy.

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

The School Rebuilding Programme (SRP) carries out major rebuilding and refurbishment projects at schools and sixth form college buildings across England. Schools and sixth-form colleges in the worst condition are prioritised in areas where places are needed now and in the future.

The department may include cases where severe and urgent need for rebuilding is identified outside the main prioritisation rounds. This was the case for Churchill Community College. Decisions on individual schools are taken on their own merits and do not determine the outcome for other schools.

Berwick Academy has been nominated for the current round of the SRP and will be considered alongside other eligible schools as part of the national prioritisation process. The department has been clear that that the route for funding investment in rebuilding is through the SRP and the school will need to be assessed through that process. We have no plans to provide separate rebuilding funding outside of that process. Decisions on the additional 250 schools due to join the SRP are expected by early 2027.

The department is aware of concerns regarding the condition of Berwick Academy's buildings. While the department does not hold a recent assessment of the full cost of addressing all condition issues at the school, information provided locally has informed discussions regarding its future capital needs and its nomination to the SRP.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made an assessment of the number of employers holding Skilled Worker sponsor licences that have subsequently been linked to cases in which sponsored workers were recognised as victims of modern slavery.

Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

We do not publish data on the number of individuals across individual Immigration routes who have been recognised as victims of modern slavery.

An established process exists whereby UKVI are notified of such individuals and promptly review and respond to all concerns identified which includes investigating the Sponsor Licence Holder and applying the maximum sanctions available to us in these cases. Our current safeguarding and harm reduction processes often result in compliance action being resolved against the Sponsor Licence Holder prior to conclusive grounds decisions being made.

Senior Courts of England and Wales

Lord Lieutenancy of Surrey transition

Nigel Bevan and Berkshire Scouts

Found: Maureen Burke Dave Doogan Lillian Jones Mr Angus MacDonald Douglas McAllister Susan Murray Jack Rankin

Found: Bathgate and Linlithgow) The following Members were members of the Committee during the inquiry: Jack Rankin

Found: of the Committee during the inquiry: Stephen Flynn (Scottish National Party; Aberdeen South), Jack Rankin

Found: Select Committee Changes or Nominations Resolved, Jack Rankin to be discharged and Douglas Lumsden