Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to ensure full mobile phone signal in (a) Upper Dicker and (b) other rural areas in Lewes constituency.

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

In Ofcom’s Connected Nations Spring Update, published on 8 May 2025, it is reported that 4G is available across 93% of rural areas in the Lewes constituency from all four mobile network operators (MNOs), while 5G is available outside 74% of rural premises in the constituency from at least one operator.

Our ambition is for all populated areas, including rural areas, to have access to higher quality standalone 5G by 2030. Government continues to work closely with the MNOs, ensuring that we have the right policy and regulatory framework in place to support investment into mobile networks and competition in the market. This includes removing barriers to deployment where they exist.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what criteria his Department uses to determine which conditions should receive a modern service framework; and whether respiratory health meets these criteria.

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

Everyone in the National Health Service is responsible for delivering high-quality care. As announced in the 10-Year Health Plan, as well as an overall quality strategy, the National Quality Board will oversee the development of a new series of service frameworks to accelerate progress in conditions where there is potential for rapid and significant improvements in the quality of care and productivity.

Early priorities will include cardiovascular disease, severe mental illness, and the first ever service framework for frailty and dementia. The Government will consider other long-term conditions with significant health and economic impacts for future waves of modern service frameworks.

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 the Police Pension Scheme 1987 regulations on the (a) financial security and (b) wellbeing of (i) widows and (ii) widowers of former police officers.

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

The government recognises the vital contribution that police officers make in keeping our communities safe. We remain committed to supporting the wellbeing of all members of the policing family, including the families of those who have served.

The 1987 Police Pension Scheme provides a pension for the widow, widower or civil partner of a police officer who dies in service or after retirement. From 1 April 2015, the 1987 police pension scheme was amended to allow widows, widowers and civil partners of police officers who have died as a result of an injury on duty to receive their survivor benefits for life regardless of remarriage, civil partnership or cohabitation.

The 1987 police pension scheme is now a closed scheme, superseded by the 2015 scheme, and there are no plans to make further changes to the benefits accrued under it.

Through the Police Covenant, we are working to ensure that both serving and former officers, as well as their families, are treated fairly and receive the support they need. This includes recognising the lasting impact that service can have on wellbeing, particularly for those who have lost a loved one in the line of duty.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential duplication of (a) regulatory and (b) inspection activity in adult social care between the (i) Care Quality Commission and (ii) local authority adult social care services.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

There is no direct duplication between how the Care Quality Commission (CQC) assesses individual registered providers and how local authorities oversee providers within their areas. Both bodies are involved in evaluating quality and safety, but they do so under different legislative frameworks and for distinct purposes.

The CQC’s remit is to assess registered providers against the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. The CQC monitors, inspects, and regulates services to make sure they meet fundamental standards of quality and safety. Local authorities are responsible for ensuring registered adult social care providers deliver care that meets people’s needs and the duties as set out in the Care Act 2014. Their oversight thus tends to focus on quality, safeguarding, and contract compliance. The CQC works with local authorities to share information and intelligence and are working on ways to strengthen these links.

Similarly, there is no direct duplication between how the CQC assesses individual registered providers and how the CQC assesses local authorities. CQC provider regulation assesses against the Health and Social Care Act 2008, whereas local authority assessments assess against the Care Act 2014. Both pieces of legislation require different methodology, however they can be used to inform each other.

The commission into adult social care is independent of the Government, and Baroness Casey has the autonomy to define her own engagement plans, including with ministers, based on what she believes is most appropriate for the commission’s work.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with the Casey Commission on the potential duplication of (a)regulatory and (b) inspection activity in adult social care.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

There is no direct duplication between how the Care Quality Commission (CQC) assesses individual registered providers and how local authorities oversee providers within their areas. Both bodies are involved in evaluating quality and safety, but they do so under different legislative frameworks and for distinct purposes.

The CQC’s remit is to assess registered providers against the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. The CQC monitors, inspects, and regulates services to make sure they meet fundamental standards of quality and safety. Local authorities are responsible for ensuring registered adult social care providers deliver care that meets people’s needs and the duties as set out in the Care Act 2014. Their oversight thus tends to focus on quality, safeguarding, and contract compliance. The CQC works with local authorities to share information and intelligence and are working on ways to strengthen these links.

Similarly, there is no direct duplication between how the CQC assesses individual registered providers and how the CQC assesses local authorities. CQC provider regulation assesses against the Health and Social Care Act 2008, whereas local authority assessments assess against the Care Act 2014. Both pieces of legislation require different methodology, however they can be used to inform each other.

The commission into adult social care is independent of the Government, and Baroness Casey has the autonomy to define her own engagement plans, including with ministers, based on what she believes is most appropriate for the commission’s work.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps is his Department taking to support people (a) injured or (b) bereaved by AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccinations, including those with vaccine-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis.

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

In the very rare event where someone may have suffered a severe adverse reaction to a vaccine, care and treatment will be best managed by local National Health Service specialist services, augmented as appropriate by national specialist advice. Individuals will be treated and managed through existing healthcare services, with treatment dependent on the individual’s clinical needs.

Individuals can also apply to the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS) which provides a one-off, tax-free payment of £120,000 to claimants who have been found, on the balance of probabilities, to have been severely disabled as a result of vaccinations against certain diseases listed in the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979.

Outside of the VDPS, other Government support remains available for those with a disability or long-term health condition, including Statutory Sick Pay, Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Attendance Allowance, and Personal Independence Payments. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/disability

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure an adequate number of working guide dogs.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The UK government recognises the invaluable role guide dogs play in enhancing the independence and quality of life for individuals with visual and hearing loss.

Assistance dogs are not funded or provided by the government. Direct provision of guide dogs is primarily handled by charitable organisations. Organisations like Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK), an umbrella coalition for well established dog training organisations, offer information and advice on how to apply for an assistance dog.

We are aware of issues around shortages of assistance dogs since the pandemic and there has been dialogue with assistance dogs' charities. Guide Dogs UK have assured us that they are on course to return to pre-pandemic supply levels soon and are working hard to reduce waiting times.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to help reduce waiting times for people waiting to be matched with a guide dog.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The UK government recognises the invaluable role guide dogs play in enhancing the independence and quality of life for individuals with visual and hearing loss.

Assistance dogs are not funded or provided by the government. Direct provision of guide dogs is primarily handled by charitable organisations. Organisations like Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK), an umbrella coalition for well established dog training organisations, offer information and advice on how to apply for an assistance dog.

We are aware of issues around shortages of assistance dogs since the pandemic and there has been dialogue with assistance dogs' charities. Guide Dogs UK have assured us that they are on course to return to pre-pandemic supply levels soon and are working hard to reduce waiting times.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department is taking steps to support (a) Shadi Khoury and (b) other Palestinian (i) children and (ii) young people.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given on 13 October to Question 76963.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she plans to publish the Schools White Paper.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

This government is determined to deliver reform that stands the test of time and rebuilds the confidence of families, which is why we’re launching a further period of listening and engagement – testing our proposals with parents, teachers and experts in every region of the country, so that lived experience and partnership are at the heart of our solutions.

We know that families are crying out for change, and that is exactly why it is critical we get this right. We will set out the full Schools White Paper in the new year, building on the work we’ve already done to create a system that’s rooted in inclusion, where children receive high-quality support early on and can thrive at their local school.

Cumulative disruption proposals and the right to protest

President Trump’s 20-point peace plan

Local Housing Allowance

Release of Alaa Abd El-Fattah and the plight of British nationals arbitrarily detained abroad

Loan Charge and settlement terms offered to large companies and individuals

Bus fare cap

Conduct of Samir Zitouni and Stephen Crean on the 18.25 Doncaster to Kings Cross train on 1 November 2025

Final delivery plan on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)

Ukrainian Permission Extension Scheme

Government proposals for mandatory digital ID

Farmers, growers and the supermarket supply chain

Penguins at Sea Life London Aquarium

Improving equestrian road safety awareness

Conduct of the hon. Member for Runcorn and Helsby

No description available