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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment has been made of trends in the number of items of mail reported as lost by Royal Mail in each year since privatisation.

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)

It is for Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, to monitor Royal Mail’s compliance with its obligations relating to the secure handling of mail and compliance with the Universal Service Obligation. Ofcom requires Royal Mail, to take steps to minimise the potential for postal packets to be subject to loss, theft, damage and/or interference, and to regularly review, and where necessary update, the relevant policies.

Royal Mail is required to provide compensation to customers on a fair and reasonable basis, where applicable. Ofcom publishes annual reports reviewing the complaints and compensation data. These are available at: www.ofcom.org.uk/post/market-performance/monitoring_reports.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of the performance of Royal Mail against its Universal Service Obligation targets during the last five years.

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)

It is for Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, to monitor Royal Mail’s compliance with its obligations relating to the secure handling of mail and compliance with the Universal Service Obligation. Ofcom requires Royal Mail, to take steps to minimise the potential for postal packets to be subject to loss, theft, damage and/or interference, and to regularly review, and where necessary update, the relevant policies.

Royal Mail is required to provide compensation to customers on a fair and reasonable basis, where applicable. Ofcom publishes annual reports reviewing the complaints and compensation data. These are available at: www.ofcom.org.uk/post/market-performance/monitoring_reports.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment has been made of the adequacy of Royal Mail's compensation arrangements for customers whose mail is lost.

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)

It is for Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, to monitor Royal Mail’s compliance with its obligations relating to the secure handling of mail and compliance with the Universal Service Obligation. Ofcom requires Royal Mail, to take steps to minimise the potential for postal packets to be subject to loss, theft, damage and/or interference, and to regularly review, and where necessary update, the relevant policies.

Royal Mail is required to provide compensation to customers on a fair and reasonable basis, where applicable. Ofcom publishes annual reports reviewing the complaints and compensation data. These are available at: www.ofcom.org.uk/post/market-performance/monitoring_reports.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of Royal Mail's compliance with obligations relating to the secure handling of mail.

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)

It is for Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, to monitor Royal Mail’s compliance with its obligations relating to the secure handling of mail and compliance with the Universal Service Obligation. Ofcom requires Royal Mail, to take steps to minimise the potential for postal packets to be subject to loss, theft, damage and/or interference, and to regularly review, and where necessary update, the relevant policies.

Royal Mail is required to provide compensation to customers on a fair and reasonable basis, where applicable. Ofcom publishes annual reports reviewing the complaints and compensation data. These are available at: www.ofcom.org.uk/post/market-performance/monitoring_reports.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to clause 20 of the Immigration and Asylum Bill, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed exceptional circumstances to deportation on the level of incentives for people liable to deportation to establish or maintain family relationships in the UK.

Answered by Alex Norris - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice

We have published an impact assessment of the Immigration and Asylum Bill. Clause 20 clarifies Parliament’s view of how Article 8 ECHR rights should be balanced with the public interest in immigration control and deportations of foreign criminals. Foreign criminals who commit serious crimes in the UK will be removed more swiftly, with the law giving greater weight to public safety and less scope for weak claims to delay deportation.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to Clause 9 of the Immigration and Asylum Bill, what estimate she has made of the proportion of applicants who will have claims determined through the expedited claims process.

Answered by Alex Norris - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice

Clause 9 provides the Home Secretary with powers to set statutory timeframes for appeals and request expedition in certain cases, although the IIAA retains the final decision. The number and categories of cases subject to these statutory timeframes are yet to be determined. Compliance with timeframes will be monitored, with reporting obligations and escalation to the IIAA Chief Executive where delays occur.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the annual cost of establishing and operating the Independent Immigration Appeals Authority.

Answered by Alex Norris - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice

As set out in the published Impact Assessment accompanying the Immigration and Asylum Bill, detailed plans including costs for the new authority are currently being developed. Further information will be shared in due course

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 Tommy's campaign to discuss their Graded Model of Miscarriage Care.

Answered by Preet Kaur Gill

Baroness Merron has met with Tommy’s regarding the Graded Model, and officials meet with the charity regularly. We are carefully assessing the findings of their recent report as part of a broader range of measures under consideration to improve miscarriage care for women and families.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to Clauses 9 and 11 of the Immigration and Asylum Bill, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the expedited claims process when used as a result of a Clause 11 claims notice on applicants receiving earlier grants of leave to remain.

Answered by Alex Norris - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice

These clauses will allow for faster progression of appeals. This will introduce greater efficiency into the system, by encouraging earlier disclosure, while maintaining fairness, independence and ensuring justice is done.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to clause 19 of the Immigration and Asylum Bill, whether a person will be required to demonstrate likely financial independence throughout the entire duration of any leave granted.

Answered by Alex Norris - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice

Clause 19 strengthens the existing financial independence considerations that form part of the public interest test in Article 8 cases.

The provision will require decision makers to assess more rigorously an individual's ability to support and accommodate themselves and any dependants without reliance on State support. This includes consideration of whether that financial independence is sustainable in the foreseeable future.

The Bill sets the overall policy intent for the domestic application of Article 8. The finer details of the implementation of these provisions will be set out in the Immigration Rules and policy guidance.

The assessment of financial independence will continue to be considered alongside all other relevant factors as part of a balanced assessment on the individual facts of each case, and guidance will ensure appropriate consideration is given to circumstances where temporary reliance on support is unavoidable, such as periods of parental leave for example.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to clause 20 of the Immigration and Asylum Bill, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed exceptional circumstances to deportation on the number of foreign criminals that would otherwise be removed from the UK in each of the five years following the entering into force of this measure.

Answered by Alex Norris - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice

We have published an impact assessment of the Immigration and Asylum Bill. We anticipate the measures within clause 20 will result in a reduction in the proportion of Article 8 decisions overturned following an appeal; a strengthened public interest test that operates compatibly with Article 8 ECHR and which places greater weight on the public interest in deportation; and greater consistency in deportation decision making by the courts.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has held with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on online animal cruelty content since the publication of the Animal Sentience Committee’s October 2024 report.

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

Defra officials have engaged with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on online animal welfare content since the publication of the Animal Sentience Committee’s October 2024 report, including discussions on the implementation of animal cruelty measures contained in the Online Safety Act 2023.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether antisemitism on university campuses forms part of her Department’s assessment when developing student visa policy.

Answered by Mike Tapp

The Student visa route is designed to enable genuine international students to study at eligible UK education providers while maintaining the integrity of the immigration system.

When developing student immigration policy, the Home Office considers matters relevant to the effective operation and integrity of the immigration system, alongside the Government’s wider migration objectives.

Licensed Student sponsors must act with integrity as education providers and assess whether prospective students meet the requirements of the route and are likely to comply with the conditions of their permission, including complying with the law. Higher education providers are responsible for meeting their sponsor duties and managing their campuses and student communities. The Government is clear that antisemitism has no place in our society.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to HM Revenue and Customs' press release entitled Government backs high street with acceleration of cheap import reforms and crackdown on dodgy online sellers, published on 23 June 2026, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the reforms on online retailers.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

The consultation on the extension of VAT online marketplace liability rules is only seeking views at this stage. Any future policy decision on reform will be taken in the round and announced at the Budget in the usual way.

The Government has engaged extensively with businesses, including online marketplaces and retailers, throughout the development of the low value import reforms, including through consultation earlier this year. The Government recognises that businesses involved in the sale of low value imports will need to adapt their processes to meet the new customs requirements. The revised implementation timetable strikes a balance between delivering the reforms sooner and allowing businesses sufficient time to prepare.

These reforms are intended to support fair competition by ensuring that goods sold to UK consumers from overseas are subject to comparable customs treatment, regardless of how they are purchased.

The Government has not produced a separate assessment of the impacts of these reforms on imports from online marketplaces in any particular country.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to HM Revenue and Customs' press release entitled Government backs high street with acceleration of cheap import reforms and crackdown on dodgy online sellers, published on 23 June 2026, what estimate she has made of the number of low-value parcels imported into the United Kingdom in each of the last five years.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

The information requested is not available. Low value imports are routinely declared using simplified customs declarations known as the Bulk Import Reduced Data Set (BIRDS). Under these arrangements, a single declaration may cover multiple parcels and is submitted using a reduced data set. As a result, the number of individual parcels is not directly recorded.

However, HMRC analysis of sample data suggests that the number of consignments imported using BIRDS more than tripled between calendar year 2021 and the annual period ending June 2024. These figures should not be interpreted as the number of individual parcels imported.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to HM Revenue and Customs' press release entitled Government backs high street with acceleration of cheap import reforms and crackdown on dodgy online sellers, published on 23 June 2026, what estimate she has made of the amount of customs duty foregone through the low-value import relief in each of the last five years.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

HM Revenue and Customs has developed estimates of the revenue impacts of reforming the customs treatment of low value imports for policy development and forecasting purposes. As set out at Autumn Budget 2025, the Government estimated that reforming the customs treatment of low value imports would raise around £500 million per year once fully implemented. Comparable estimates of customs duty foregone in the last five years is not available.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of proposed data centre developments on local water resources in areas experiencing water stress.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Water companies do not have to supply water to cool data centres. Data centres may be refused a supply connection if there are not sufficient water resources available. Government encourages developers to consider use of non-potable water, to embed water efficiency or water recycling and reuse in their design and contact their proposed water and wastewater supplier early in the planning process to understand and plan for any potential water restrictions.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's press release entitled Foreign Secretary announces support for Gaza with new child medical evacuations and assistance to Palestinians going to top UK universities, published on 24 June 2026, what discussions have taken place with the Department of Health and Social Care on NHS capacity to receive medically evacuated children.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the press release cited in his questions, and the extensive debates, statements and announcements that have taken place on medical evacuations and humanitarian programmes over the last year.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's press release entitled Foreign Secretary announces support for Gaza with new child medical evacuations and assistance to Palestinians going to top UK universities, published on 24 June 2026, what measures will be taken alongside medical evacuations to improve the healthcare outcomes for Palestinian children.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the press release cited in his questions, and the extensive debates, statements and announcements that have taken place on medical evacuations and humanitarian programmes over the last year.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of Palestinians studying at UK universities have subsequently submitted an asylum application.

Answered by Alex Norris - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice

The Home Office publishes data on asylum in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on the number of asylum claims where the latest leave held prior to claim was a study visa, broken down by nationality, is published in table Asy_D01a of the ‘Asylum claims and initial decisions datasets’. The number of student entry clearance visas issued, broken down by nationality, is published in table Vis_D02 of the 'Entry clearance visas datasets'.

Please note that there can be a delay between visa issue and asylum claim so time periods may not be directly comparable. Furthermore, the latest leave held prior to an asylum claim may have expired and/or may not be the visa that was originally used for entry. Therefore, although this data is indicative of volumes, we cannot calculate the proportion of UK university students that go on to claim asylum from published data.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to HM Revenue and Customs' press release entitled Government backs high street with acceleration of cheap import reforms and crackdown on dodgy online sellers, published on 23 June 2026, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the current online marketplace VAT regime in preventing tax avoidance.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

HMRC has estimated that the current online marketplace VAT regime has raised more than £8 billion, and continues to raise an estimated £1.8 billion per year, in combination with the removal of low value consignment relief (see Extending VAT online marketplace liability to combat non-compliance, chapter 3. Introduction).

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to HM Revenue and Customs' press release entitled Government backs high street with acceleration of cheap import reforms and crackdown on dodgy online sellers, published on 23 June 2026, what estimate she has made of the potential impact of the reforms on the volume of low-value imports.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

At Tax Update Day 2026, the Government announced that it would accelerate the removal of the customs duty relief for low value imports and introduce a new set of customs arrangements by October 2028 at the latest.

The Government has assessed the impacts of these reforms as part of policy development. However, due to the limited data that is currently collected on volumes of low value imports, the Government has not produced an estimate of the impact of the reforms on the future volume of low value imports. Under the current simplified customs arrangements for low value imports, declarations are aggregated and do not routinely record individual consignments. Therefore, the Government’s assessment has focused on trade value, customs revenue, and compliance.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to HM Revenue and Customs' press release entitled Government backs high street with acceleration of cheap import reforms and crackdown on dodgy online sellers, published on 23 June 2026, what assessment she has made of whether the implementation date of October 2028 provides sufficient protection for UK retailers.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

At Tax Update Day 2026, the Government announced that it would accelerate the removal of the customs duty relief for low value imports and introduce a new set of customs arrangements by October 2028 at the latest.

The Government has determined that implementing the reforms by October 2028 strikes an appropriate balance between strengthening customs controls and supporting fair competition sooner, while retaining sufficient lead-in time for businesses to adapt their processes and prepare for the new requirements.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to HM Revenue and Customs' press release entitled Government backs high street with acceleration of cheap import reforms and crackdown on dodgy online sellers, published on 23 June 2026, what estimate she has made of the additional customs revenue expected to be generated by accelerating the removal of customs duty relief.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to HM Revenue and Customs' press release entitled Government backs high street with acceleration of cheap import reforms and crackdown on dodgy online sellers, published on 23 June 2026, what discussions she has had with representatives of UK retailers on the implementation date.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

The Government has engaged extensively with businesses, including UK retailers, throughout the development of the low value import reforms, including through the public consultation period. The revised timetable strikes a balance between delivering the benefits of the reforms sooner and allowing businesses sufficient time to prepare for the new arrangements.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to HM Revenue and Customs' press release entitled Government backs high street with acceleration of cheap import reforms and crackdown on dodgy online sellers, published on 23 June 2026, what discussions she has had with international counterparts on tackling tax avoidance by overseas online marketplaces.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

HM Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs engage regularly with international counterparts through bilateral engagement and multilateral forums, to share expertise and discuss approaches to improving compliance and tackling risks associated with online trade.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to HM Revenue and Customs' press release entitled Government backs high street with acceleration of cheap import reforms and crackdown on dodgy online sellers, published on 23 June 2026, what estimate she has made of the reduction in business rates liabilities for (a) pubs, (b) restaurants, (c) hotels and (d) other high street businesses resulting from the reforms.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

On Tax Update Day 2026, the government launched a consultation seeking views on the extension of current rules on VAT online marketplace liability for overseas sellers to additionally capture domestic businesses.

Upon publication the government announced that any revenue raised from this measure will be used to fund improvements to the business rates system for pubs, restaurants, hotels and other businesses on the high street.

As no policy decision has been taken on online marketplace liability reform, it is not possible to estimate any impact on business rates liabilities at this stage.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to HM Revenue and Customs' press release entitled Government backs high street with acceleration of cheap import reforms and crackdown on dodgy online sellers, published on 23 June 2026, what estimate she has made of the number of overseas businesses that currently fail to comply with UK VAT obligations when selling through online marketplaces.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

HMRC does not hold estimates for the number of overseas businesses that currently fail to comply with UK VAT obligations when selling through online marketplaces.

Following reforms in 2021, for most supplies of goods by overseas sellers through online marketplaces, it is the online marketplace that is responsible for accounting for any VAT due rather than the overseas seller. This secures VAT revenue upstream and protects against overseas seller non-compliance.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to HM Revenue and Customs' press release entitled Government backs high street with acceleration of cheap import reforms and crackdown on dodgy online sellers, published on 23 June 2026, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the reforms on consumer prices.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

Tax Update 2026 saw the announcement of a number of measures to simplify, modernise, and increase fairness in the tax and customs system. This included measures to support high streets such as the acceleration of reforms to the customs treatment of low value imports and the consultation on the extension of the VAT online marketplace liability.

The customs treatment of low value imports will support a business environment of fair competition between high street and online retailers, and monitoring and evaluation of the policy will be part of final policy design considerations.

The consultation on the extension of current rules for VAT online marketplace liability is only seeking views at this stage. Any future policy decision on reform will be taken in the round and announced at the Budget in the usual way, including consideration of impacts on consumer prices.

Bringing down inflation and easing the cost of living remains a priority for this Government. Following reforms to the customs treatment of low value imports, UK consumers will still have access to a range of affordable goods –means that a t-shirt from an online retailer will pay the same duties and face equivalent controls as one imported in bulk and sold by a high street retailer.

It is in the national interest that all businesses, regardless of how they sell goods to UK consumers, pay the right tariffs to access our advanced and dynamic market and these steps will ensure that. Inflation assessments indicates that this clampdown would have a negligible impact on headline inflation.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to HM Revenue and Customs' press release entitled Government backs high street with acceleration of cheap import reforms and crackdown on dodgy online sellers, published on 23 June 2026, what metrics will be used to assess the success of the reforms in supporting high street businesses.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

Tax Update 2026 saw the announcement of a number of measures to simplify, modernise, and increase fairness in the tax and customs system. This included measures to support high streets such as the acceleration of reforms to the customs treatment of low value imports and the consultation on the extension of the VAT online marketplace liability.

The customs treatment of low value imports will support a business environment of fair competition between high street and online retailers, and monitoring and evaluation of the policy will be part of final policy design considerations.

The consultation on the extension of current rules for VAT online marketplace liability is only seeking views at this stage. Any future policy decision on reform will be taken in the round and announced at the Budget in the usual way, including consideration of impacts on consumer prices.

Bringing down inflation and easing the cost of living remains a priority for this Government. Following reforms to the customs treatment of low value imports, UK consumers will still have access to a range of affordable goods –means that a t-shirt from an online retailer will pay the same duties and face equivalent controls as one imported in bulk and sold by a high street retailer.

It is in the national interest that all businesses, regardless of how they sell goods to UK consumers, pay the right tariffs to access our advanced and dynamic market and these steps will ensure that. Inflation assessments indicates that this clampdown would have a negligible impact on headline inflation.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to HM Revenue and Customs' press release entitled Government backs high street with acceleration of cheap import reforms and crackdown on dodgy online sellers, published on 23 June 2026, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the reforms on the competitiveness of UK-based online retailers.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

The consultation on the extension of VAT online marketplace liability rules is only seeking views at this stage. Any future policy decision on reform will be taken in the round and announced at the Budget in the usual way.

The Government has engaged extensively with businesses, including online marketplaces and retailers, throughout the development of the low value import reforms, including through consultation earlier this year. The Government recognises that businesses involved in the sale of low value imports will need to adapt their processes to meet the new customs requirements. The revised implementation timetable strikes a balance between delivering the reforms sooner and allowing businesses sufficient time to prepare.

These reforms are intended to support fair competition by ensuring that goods sold to UK consumers from overseas are subject to comparable customs treatment, regardless of how they are purchased.

The Government has not produced a separate assessment of the impacts of these reforms on imports from online marketplaces in any particular country.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to HM Revenue and Customs' press release entitled Government backs high street with acceleration of cheap import reforms and crackdown on dodgy online sellers, published on 23 June 2026, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the reforms on imports from online marketplaces based in China.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

The consultation on the extension of VAT online marketplace liability rules is only seeking views at this stage. Any future policy decision on reform will be taken in the round and announced at the Budget in the usual way.

The Government has engaged extensively with businesses, including online marketplaces and retailers, throughout the development of the low value import reforms, including through consultation earlier this year. The Government recognises that businesses involved in the sale of low value imports will need to adapt their processes to meet the new customs requirements. The revised implementation timetable strikes a balance between delivering the reforms sooner and allowing businesses sufficient time to prepare.

These reforms are intended to support fair competition by ensuring that goods sold to UK consumers from overseas are subject to comparable customs treatment, regardless of how they are purchased.

The Government has not produced a separate assessment of the impacts of these reforms on imports from online marketplaces in any particular country.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the number of permanent jobs created by large-scale data centre developments once operational.

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

Data centres can be significant sources of employment, both during construction and to operate and maintain the data centres once completed. These include highly specialised jobs across IT, engineering, cybersecurity, and support services. Data centres also indirectly support employment in other industries, particularly in tech and AI.

My Department has not made a specific estimate of the number of jobs that will be created due to the substantial potential investment in the UK by data centre developers but is actively monitoring the sector.

TechUK have estimated that by 2035 there could be 40,200 additional jobs directly employed in data centre operational roles and 18,200 additional jobs directly employed in data centre construction roles over the period 2025–35.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the cumulative loss of agricultural land resulting from data centre developments.

Answered by Mary Creagh

The expansion of AI infrastructure is critical to the UK's long-term economic growth, resilience, and global competitiveness. Government is working with industry to improve understanding of the demand for agricultural land.

National planning policy gives clear preference for development sited on brownfield, industrial, contaminated, or previously developed land. Where development of agricultural land is necessary, lower-quality land should be preferred to higher-quality land.

The Land Use Framework included a clear, long-term commitment to maintain overall food production in England while increasing resilience to climate change and protecting best and most versatile land.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the volume of water expected to be required annually by AI-capable data centres.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra is working with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the Environment Agency and water companies to improve understanding of data centre water demand. Defra is building the evidence base on water use, considering its implications through national water resources planning, and supporting efficient, sustainable water use by the sector.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans she has to consult independent content creators before any legislation affecting online recommendation systems is introduced.

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

The Media Green Paper, Watch this Space, sets out how we will ensure Public Service Media content is prominent where audiences are watching TV, including on third party platforms. The Government's preference remains for industry-led, voluntary agreements to achieve increased prominence in a sustainable and robust way that benefits all parties.

The Department has held a series of roundtables with the public service media providers and video sharing platforms to encourage industry led voluntary partnerships ensuring public service media content is made prominent and on fair terms. The Green Paper sets out that prominence should be outcomes-based, giving platforms the flexibility to deliver the objectives in a way that works for their platform, whether through recommendation algorithms or other means.

With regards to freedom of speech, at present social media companies, rather than the public, have the control over what content is made visible to users - we want to ensure that trustworthy news is not crowded out. There is no intention to restrict or censor content.

We are currently consulting on the proposals in the Green Paper, and stakeholder input including from independent content creators, will directly inform the Government’s next steps.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the impact of proposals to require digital platforms to give greater prominence to public service broadcaster content on the visibility of independent content creators.

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

The Media Green Paper, Watch this Space, sets out how we will ensure Public Service Media content is prominent where audiences are watching TV, including on third party platforms. The Government's preference remains for industry-led, voluntary agreements to achieve increased prominence in a sustainable and robust way that benefits all parties.

The Department has held a series of roundtables with the public service media providers and video sharing platforms to encourage industry led voluntary partnerships ensuring public service media content is made prominent and on fair terms. The Green Paper sets out that prominence should be outcomes-based, giving platforms the flexibility to deliver the objectives in a way that works for their platform, whether through recommendation algorithms or other means.

With regards to freedom of speech, at present social media companies, rather than the public, have the control over what content is made visible to users - we want to ensure that trustworthy news is not crowded out. There is no intention to restrict or censor content.

We are currently consulting on the proposals in the Green Paper, and stakeholder input including from independent content creators, will directly inform the Government’s next steps.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of proposed digital media prominence rules on a) freedom of expression and b) media plurality online.

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

The Media Green Paper, Watch this Space, sets out how we will ensure Public Service Media content is prominent where audiences are watching TV, including on third party platforms. The Government's preference remains for industry-led, voluntary agreements to achieve increased prominence in a sustainable and robust way that benefits all parties.

The Department has held a series of roundtables with the public service media providers and video sharing platforms to encourage industry led voluntary partnerships ensuring public service media content is made prominent and on fair terms. The Green Paper sets out that prominence should be outcomes-based, giving platforms the flexibility to deliver the objectives in a way that works for their platform, whether through recommendation algorithms or other means.

With regards to freedom of speech, at present social media companies, rather than the public, have the control over what content is made visible to users - we want to ensure that trustworthy news is not crowded out. There is no intention to restrict or censor content.

We are currently consulting on the proposals in the Green Paper, and stakeholder input including from independent content creators, will directly inform the Government’s next steps.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with video-sharing platforms on the use of recommendation algorithms to promote content from public service broadcasters.

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

The Media Green Paper, Watch this Space, sets out how we will ensure Public Service Media content is prominent where audiences are watching TV, including on third party platforms. The Government's preference remains for industry-led, voluntary agreements to achieve increased prominence in a sustainable and robust way that benefits all parties.

The Department has held a series of roundtables with the public service media providers and video sharing platforms to encourage industry led voluntary partnerships ensuring public service media content is made prominent and on fair terms. The Green Paper sets out that prominence should be outcomes-based, giving platforms the flexibility to deliver the objectives in a way that works for their platform, whether through recommendation algorithms or other means.

With regards to freedom of speech, at present social media companies, rather than the public, have the control over what content is made visible to users - we want to ensure that trustworthy news is not crowded out. There is no intention to restrict or censor content.

We are currently consulting on the proposals in the Green Paper, and stakeholder input including from independent content creators, will directly inform the Government’s next steps.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps is he taking to increase access to specialist dementia nursing support in areas where provision is limited.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Secretary of State for Wales

The provision of dementia health care services, including specialist dementia nursing support, is the responsibility of local integrated care boards (ICBs). NHS England would expect ICBs to commission services based on local population needs, taking account of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.

The Frailty and Dementia Modern Service Framework will seek to reduce unwarranted variation and narrow inequality for those living with dementia and will set national standards for dementia care and redirect National Health Service priorities to provide the best possible care and support.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that GCSE grade requirements are not blocking student progression into post-16 education.

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

The department does not set GCSE grade requirements for progression to post-16 education. Decisions about entry requirements are made by schools and colleges.

We are creating coherent post-16 pathways, with V levels, T Levels and A levels at level 3, and new occupational and further study pathways at level 2.

The further study pathway is aimed at supporting progression to level 3 for those who might not have the prior attainment and study skills necessary for what they want to do.

The 16 to 19 maths and English Condition of Funding requires institutions to continue teaching students who have not yet achieved GCSE grade 4 or above in English and/or maths (or equivalent), helping them to work towards these important qualifications. We have also just consulted on introducing new Level 1 qualifications in English and maths to support progression towards GCSE grade 4.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information his Department holds on the number of property sales in (a) Basildon, (b) Thurrock, and (c) Essex which have not been successful in each of the last five years.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My Department closely monitors industry data relating to property transactions as part of the policymaking process, but it does not collect data on the reasons for residential property transaction failures or the average cost to sellers of such failures.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the average cost to sellers of failed residential property transactions in each of the last five years.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My Department closely monitors industry data relating to property transactions as part of the policymaking process, but it does not collect data on the reasons for residential property transaction failures or the average cost to sellers of such failures.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information his Department holds on the number of residential property transactions that fell through in each of the last five years.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My Department closely monitors industry data relating to property transactions as part of the policymaking process, but it does not collect data on the reasons for residential property transaction failures or the average cost to sellers of such failures.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the competitiveness of the United Kingdom's AI research sector relative to that of the United States and China.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

The UK has a thriving AI research ecosystem, with more than 5,800 AI companies, including global leaders like Isomorphic Labs, Arm and Wayve. These organisations are driving advances in scientific discovery and AI-enabled technologies. Reflecting this, the Global AI Index ranks the UK fourth in the world overall and fourth for AI research.

The AI for Science Strategy builds on UK strengths at the intersection of AI and public sector scientific research. Backed by up to £137 million, it sets out actions across data, compute, people and culture, and AI-driven science.

In June, DSIT and UKRI launched two UK AI Research Labs led by the University of Oxford and University College London, backed by up to £60 million. This gives the UK a strong stake in global efforts to shape the next generation of AI technologies.

International collaboration is a key part of strengthening our AI research sector. We will continue to work closely with bilateral and multilateral partners to expand opportunities for UK researchers and support cutting-edge AI research and innovation.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology's press release entitled UK backs new AI labs to make technology cheaper, more reliable and easier to use, published on 23 June 2026, what assessment he has made of the long-term funding requirements for the two laboratories following the initial investment.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

The UK AI Research Labs are funded and delivered through UKRI, and will be strategically managed in line with standard M&E processes for a grant of its kind. Additionally, the programme funding is ‘stage-gated’, where the initial research grant period covers only the first 18 months. Subsequent funding will be subject to independent assurance of the labs’ long-term funding, demonstration of an effective operating model, and early delivery impact.

Regarding the long-term funding requirements for the lab, there is no doubt that retaining UK leadership in this space will require continued investment. Future funding requirements and sources will depend on the outcomes of the research among other factors.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to her Department's press release entitled UK backs new AI labs to make technology cheaper, more reliable and easier to use, published on 23 June 2026, what metrics will be used to assess the success of the two laboratories.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

The UK AI Research Labs are funded and delivered through UKRI, and will be strategically managed in line with standard M&E processes for a grant of its kind. Additionally, the programme funding is ‘stage-gated’, where the initial research grant period covers only the first 18 months. Subsequent funding will be subject to independent assurance of the labs’ long-term funding, demonstration of an effective operating model, and early delivery impact.

Regarding the long-term funding requirements for the lab, there is no doubt that retaining UK leadership in this space will require continued investment. Future funding requirements and sources will depend on the outcomes of the research among other factors.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the capacity of the surrounding road network to accommodate diverted traffic following an unplanned closure of the Lower Thames Crossing.

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

The Lower Thames Crossing will be operated as an integrated part of the Strategic Road Network (SRN). Incident response plans will be developed with local authorities and emergency services during construction and published before opening. These will cover tunnel systems, roadside technology and traffic management across the wider network, consistent with National Highways’ coordinated SRN approach, including the 2021 CLEAR Keep Traffic Moving incident management plan agreed with emergency services. They will work with key responders to minimise incident impacts through an integrated and coordinated approach across the SRN, which will also apply to the Lower Thames Crossing.

Drivers would be informed of closures through signs and signals across the wider network and through channels such as sat nav, in-car systems, social media, press and radio, supporting informed journey decisions.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with National Highways on whether they will publish diversion routes for major incidents affecting the Lower Thames Crossing before the road opens.

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

The Lower Thames Crossing will be operated as an integrated part of the Strategic Road Network (SRN). Incident response plans will be developed with local authorities and emergency services during construction and published before opening. These will cover tunnel systems, roadside technology and traffic management across the wider network, consistent with National Highways’ coordinated SRN approach, including the 2021 CLEAR Keep Traffic Moving incident management plan agreed with emergency services. They will work with key responders to minimise incident impacts through an integrated and coordinated approach across the SRN, which will also apply to the Lower Thames Crossing.

Drivers would be informed of closures through signs and signals across the wider network and through channels such as sat nav, in-car systems, social media, press and radio, supporting informed journey decisions.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the resilience of the Lower Thames Crossing in the event of a) vehicle breakdowns or b) collisions within the tunnel.

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

The Lower Thames Crossing will be operated as an integrated part of the Strategic Road Network (SRN). Incident response plans will be developed with local authorities and emergency services during construction and published before opening. These will cover tunnel systems, roadside technology and traffic management across the wider network, consistent with National Highways’ coordinated SRN approach, including the 2021 CLEAR Keep Traffic Moving incident management plan agreed with emergency services. They will work with key responders to minimise incident impacts through an integrated and coordinated approach across the SRN, which will also apply to the Lower Thames Crossing.

Drivers would be informed of closures through signs and signals across the wider network and through channels such as sat nav, in-car systems, social media, press and radio, supporting informed journey decisions.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what contingency plans will be in place to manage traffic in the event of closure of the Lower Thames Crossing following its opening.

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

The Lower Thames Crossing will be operated as an integrated part of the Strategic Road Network (SRN). Incident response plans will be developed with local authorities and emergency services during construction and published before opening. These will cover tunnel systems, roadside technology and traffic management across the wider network, consistent with National Highways’ coordinated SRN approach, including the 2021 CLEAR Keep Traffic Moving incident management plan agreed with emergency services. They will work with key responders to minimise incident impacts through an integrated and coordinated approach across the SRN, which will also apply to the Lower Thames Crossing.

Drivers would be informed of closures through signs and signals across the wider network and through channels such as sat nav, in-car systems, social media, press and radio, supporting informed journey decisions.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans she has to publish an operational incident management strategy for the Lower Thames Crossing before it opens to traffic.

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

The Lower Thames Crossing will be operated as an integrated part of the Strategic Road Network (SRN). Incident response plans will be developed with local authorities and emergency services during construction and published before opening. These will cover tunnel systems, roadside technology and traffic management across the wider network, consistent with National Highways’ coordinated SRN approach, including the 2021 CLEAR Keep Traffic Moving incident management plan agreed with emergency services. They will work with key responders to minimise incident impacts through an integrated and coordinated approach across the SRN, which will also apply to the Lower Thames Crossing.

Drivers would be informed of closures through signs and signals across the wider network and through channels such as sat nav, in-car systems, social media, press and radio, supporting informed journey decisions.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology's press release entitled UK backs new AI labs to make technology cheaper, more reliable and easier to use, published on 23 June 2026, whether arrangements will be in place to reimburse taxpayers for the announced investment if the laboratories produce financial returns.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

As with other publicly funded research programmes, Government support for the UK AI Research Labs is intended to deliver value for taxpayers through the talent development, the creation of new businesses and technologies, downstream economic growth, and wider benefits to society. Supporting world-leading research in UK institutions will also help the UK shape the next generation of AI technologies, secure reliable access to advanced systems, and strengthen domestic capability.

The labs’ capacity to ensure fundamental developments can be translated into real-world applications – including commercial opportunities – was a key part of the selection criteria. The selection panel of recognised experts from academia and industry reached their decision on that basis. Both labs have strong links with industry and will continue seeking opportunities for partnerships as they develop.

In line with principles set out in the Modern Industrial Strategy, the labs will be supported by an ecosystem of interventions that ensure the UK reaps the rewards of our leading R&D sector. This could include support from the Sovereign AI Unit – which is backing UK AI companies to start, scale and stay anchored in the UK – as well as UKRI’s AI Priority, Frontier AI, and iCURE programmes, which include support for research translation and commercialisation.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology's press release entitled UK backs new AI labs to make technology cheaper, more reliable and easier to use, published on 23 June 2026, what assessment he has made of the extent to which the laboratories will reduce the United Kingdom's reliance on overseas AI technologies.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

As with other publicly funded research programmes, Government support for the UK AI Research Labs is intended to deliver value for taxpayers through the talent development, the creation of new businesses and technologies, downstream economic growth, and wider benefits to society. Supporting world-leading research in UK institutions will also help the UK shape the next generation of AI technologies, secure reliable access to advanced systems, and strengthen domestic capability.

The labs’ capacity to ensure fundamental developments can be translated into real-world applications – including commercial opportunities – was a key part of the selection criteria. The selection panel of recognised experts from academia and industry reached their decision on that basis. Both labs have strong links with industry and will continue seeking opportunities for partnerships as they develop.

In line with principles set out in the Modern Industrial Strategy, the labs will be supported by an ecosystem of interventions that ensure the UK reaps the rewards of our leading R&D sector. This could include support from the Sovereign AI Unit – which is backing UK AI companies to start, scale and stay anchored in the UK – as well as UKRI’s AI Priority, Frontier AI, and iCURE programmes, which include support for research translation and commercialisation.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology's press release entitled UK backs new AI labs to make technology cheaper, more reliable and easier to use, published on 23 June 2026, what discussions he has had with UK industry regarding collaboration with the new laboratories.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

As with other publicly funded research programmes, Government support for the UK AI Research Labs is intended to deliver value for taxpayers through the talent development, the creation of new businesses and technologies, downstream economic growth, and wider benefits to society. Supporting world-leading research in UK institutions will also help the UK shape the next generation of AI technologies, secure reliable access to advanced systems, and strengthen domestic capability.

The labs’ capacity to ensure fundamental developments can be translated into real-world applications – including commercial opportunities – was a key part of the selection criteria. The selection panel of recognised experts from academia and industry reached their decision on that basis. Both labs have strong links with industry and will continue seeking opportunities for partnerships as they develop.

In line with principles set out in the Modern Industrial Strategy, the labs will be supported by an ecosystem of interventions that ensure the UK reaps the rewards of our leading R&D sector. This could include support from the Sovereign AI Unit – which is backing UK AI companies to start, scale and stay anchored in the UK – as well as UKRI’s AI Priority, Frontier AI, and iCURE programmes, which include support for research translation and commercialisation.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology's press release entitled UK backs new AI labs to make technology cheaper, more reliable and easier to use, published on 23 June 2026, what estimate he has made of the number of businesses expected to benefit from the research undertaken by the laboratories.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

As with other publicly funded research programmes, Government support for the UK AI Research Labs is intended to deliver value for taxpayers through the talent development, the creation of new businesses and technologies, downstream economic growth, and wider benefits to society. Supporting world-leading research in UK institutions will also help the UK shape the next generation of AI technologies, secure reliable access to advanced systems, and strengthen domestic capability.

The labs’ capacity to ensure fundamental developments can be translated into real-world applications – including commercial opportunities – was a key part of the selection criteria. The selection panel of recognised experts from academia and industry reached their decision on that basis. Both labs have strong links with industry and will continue seeking opportunities for partnerships as they develop.

In line with principles set out in the Modern Industrial Strategy, the labs will be supported by an ecosystem of interventions that ensure the UK reaps the rewards of our leading R&D sector. This could include support from the Sovereign AI Unit – which is backing UK AI companies to start, scale and stay anchored in the UK – as well as UKRI’s AI Priority, Frontier AI, and iCURE programmes, which include support for research translation and commercialisation.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology's press release entitled UK backs new AI labs to make technology cheaper, more reliable and easier to use, published on 23 June 2026, what arrangements will be in place to commercialise intellectual property generated by the laboratories.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

As with other publicly funded research programmes, Government support for the UK AI Research Labs is intended to deliver value for taxpayers through the talent development, the creation of new businesses and technologies, downstream economic growth, and wider benefits to society. Supporting world-leading research in UK institutions will also help the UK shape the next generation of AI technologies, secure reliable access to advanced systems, and strengthen domestic capability.

The labs’ capacity to ensure fundamental developments can be translated into real-world applications – including commercial opportunities – was a key part of the selection criteria. The selection panel of recognised experts from academia and industry reached their decision on that basis. Both labs have strong links with industry and will continue seeking opportunities for partnerships as they develop.

In line with principles set out in the Modern Industrial Strategy, the labs will be supported by an ecosystem of interventions that ensure the UK reaps the rewards of our leading R&D sector. This could include support from the Sovereign AI Unit – which is backing UK AI companies to start, scale and stay anchored in the UK – as well as UKRI’s AI Priority, Frontier AI, and iCURE programmes, which include support for research translation and commercialisation.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the median waiting time was from GP referral to confirmed diagnosis for patients diagnosed with sarcoma in the latest period for which data is available.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson

Data is not held on the exact median waiting time to diagnosis for suspected sarcoma from general practice referral. Data is published on the time from referral to diagnosis for suspected sarcoma, by time bands, at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/cancer-waiting-times/monthly-data-and-summaries/

The following table shows the number of suspected sarcoma diagnoses, or cancer being ruled out, sorted by time band, in May 2026 for England:

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 access to long-term support services for people living with rare cancers.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson

Rare and less common cancers are a priority for the Government, and earlier this year the Department published the first National Cancer Plan to include a dedicated chapter on rare cancers. The Department is committed to ensuring that access to support services is available for people living with rare cancers.

Starting in 2026, every person diagnosed with cancer, including rare cancers, will receive a personalised assessment of need and a personal cancer plan. Support will be tailored to individual mental, physical, and social health needs, such as employment and financial support.

The Department and NHS England are also working with rare cancer charities to strengthen support for patients, including connecting patients with specialist charities, peer communities, and expert sources of advice through the planned rollout of the Diagnosis Connect programme.

To ensure commitments for rare cancer patients are actioned, a National Clinical Lead for rare cancers will be appointed with a remit to speak up for all rare cancers, and to provide clinical advice and support for the delivery of the actions in the National Cancer Plan. They will sit on the National Cancer Board which will provide specialist input to address issues within the cancer system and drive real progress, including for long term support services.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many Admiral Nurses are currently employed in England, broken down by Integrated Care Board.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Secretary of State for Wales

No assessment has been made of admiral nurses in England, who are developed and supported by Dementia UK as an independent charitable organisation.

Provision of dementia health services is the responsibility of local integrated care boards (ICBs). NHS England would expect ICBs to commission services, which may include admiral nurses, based on local population needs, taking account of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.

The Frailty and Dementia Modern Service Framework will seek to reduce unwarranted variation and narrow inequality for those living with dementia and will set national standards for dementia care and redirect National Health Service priorities to provide the best possible care and support.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what comparative assessment he has made of access to Admiral Nurses across regions in England.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Secretary of State for Wales

No assessment has been made of admiral nurses in England, who are developed and supported by Dementia UK as an independent charitable organisation.

Provision of dementia health services is the responsibility of local integrated care boards (ICBs). NHS England would expect ICBs to commission services, which may include admiral nurses, based on local population needs, taking account of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.

The Frailty and Dementia Modern Service Framework will seek to reduce unwarranted variation and narrow inequality for those living with dementia and will set national standards for dementia care and redirect National Health Service priorities to provide the best possible care and support.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the provision of Admiral Nurses across England.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Secretary of State for Wales

No assessment has been made of admiral nurses in England, who are developed and supported by Dementia UK as an independent charitable organisation.

Provision of dementia health services is the responsibility of local integrated care boards (ICBs). NHS England would expect ICBs to commission services, which may include admiral nurses, based on local population needs, taking account of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.

The Frailty and Dementia Modern Service Framework will seek to reduce unwarranted variation and narrow inequality for those living with dementia and will set national standards for dementia care and redirect National Health Service priorities to provide the best possible care and support.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's press release entitled Foreign Secretary announces support for Gaza with new child medical evacuations and assistance to Palestinians going to top UK universities, published on 24 June 2026, whether an assessment has been made of the likelihood that scholarship recipients will return to Gaza following completion of their studies.

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

This response has been coordinated by the department in collaboration with the Home Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Criteria for 2026 support are still being finalised and will be published in a policy statement in due course.

In 2025, eligible students secured a range of fully funded scholarships to study at UK universities. Standard departure costs, including flights, accommodation and insurance, were met through a combination of scholarship and university funding.

Additionally, Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding may be used to support transport costs associated with the initial journey from Gaza. The proportion of costs met through ODA funding for the 2026 cohort will depend on the number of students travelling.

No separate estimate of costs has been made. Unit costs for visa applications are published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-fees-transparency-data.

The number of students supported will depend on operational considerations, and is highly dependent on factors outside the UK government’s control. In 2025, the government supported more than 100 fully funded scholarship students to arrive and study in the UK.

Students come to the UK on standard student visas, which allow them to stay for the duration of their course and a short period afterwards. Any further stay in the UK would be subject to the Immigration Rules.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's press release entitled Foreign Secretary announces support for Gaza with new child medical evacuations and assistance to Palestinians going to top UK universities, published on 24 June 2026, what discussions have taken place with UK universities on the long-term immigration status of scholarship recipients following the completion of their courses.

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

This response has been coordinated by the department in collaboration with the Home Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Criteria for 2026 support are still being finalised and will be published in a policy statement in due course.

In 2025, eligible students secured a range of fully funded scholarships to study at UK universities. Standard departure costs, including flights, accommodation and insurance, were met through a combination of scholarship and university funding.

Additionally, Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding may be used to support transport costs associated with the initial journey from Gaza. The proportion of costs met through ODA funding for the 2026 cohort will depend on the number of students travelling.

No separate estimate of costs has been made. Unit costs for visa applications are published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-fees-transparency-data.

The number of students supported will depend on operational considerations, and is highly dependent on factors outside the UK government’s control. In 2025, the government supported more than 100 fully funded scholarship students to arrive and study in the UK.

Students come to the UK on standard student visas, which allow them to stay for the duration of their course and a short period afterwards. Any further stay in the UK would be subject to the Immigration Rules.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's press release entitled Foreign Secretary announces support for Gaza with new child medical evacuations and assistance to Palestinians going to top UK universities, published on 24 June 2026, what criteria were used to determine which scholarship recipients would be eligible for Government assistance to travel to the United Kingdom.

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

This response has been coordinated by the department in collaboration with the Home Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Criteria for 2026 support are still being finalised and will be published in a policy statement in due course.

In 2025, eligible students secured a range of fully funded scholarships to study at UK universities. Standard departure costs, including flights, accommodation and insurance, were met through a combination of scholarship and university funding.

Additionally, Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding may be used to support transport costs associated with the initial journey from Gaza. The proportion of costs met through ODA funding for the 2026 cohort will depend on the number of students travelling.

No separate estimate of costs has been made. Unit costs for visa applications are published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-fees-transparency-data.

The number of students supported will depend on operational considerations, and is highly dependent on factors outside the UK government’s control. In 2025, the government supported more than 100 fully funded scholarship students to arrive and study in the UK.

Students come to the UK on standard student visas, which allow them to stay for the duration of their course and a short period afterwards. Any further stay in the UK would be subject to the Immigration Rules.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's press release entitled Foreign Secretary announces support for Gaza with new child medical evacuations and assistance to Palestinians going to top UK universities, published on 24 June 2026, what estimate has been made of the cost to the public purse of facilitating the relocation of scholarship recipients from Gaza to study at UK universities.

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

This response has been coordinated by the department in collaboration with the Home Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Criteria for 2026 support are still being finalised and will be published in a policy statement in due course.

In 2025, eligible students secured a range of fully funded scholarships to study at UK universities. Standard departure costs, including flights, accommodation and insurance, were met through a combination of scholarship and university funding.

Additionally, Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding may be used to support transport costs associated with the initial journey from Gaza. The proportion of costs met through ODA funding for the 2026 cohort will depend on the number of students travelling.

No separate estimate of costs has been made. Unit costs for visa applications are published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-fees-transparency-data.

The number of students supported will depend on operational considerations, and is highly dependent on factors outside the UK government’s control. In 2025, the government supported more than 100 fully funded scholarship students to arrive and study in the UK.

Students come to the UK on standard student visas, which allow them to stay for the duration of their course and a short period afterwards. Any further stay in the UK would be subject to the Immigration Rules.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's press release entitled Foreign Secretary announces support for Gaza with new child medical evacuations and assistance to Palestinians going to top UK universities, published on 24 June 2026, what proportion of the costs associated with bringing scholarship recipients to the United Kingdom will be met from Official Development Assistance budgets.

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

This response has been coordinated by the department in collaboration with the Home Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Criteria for 2026 support are still being finalised and will be published in a policy statement in due course.

In 2025, eligible students secured a range of fully funded scholarships to study at UK universities. Standard departure costs, including flights, accommodation and insurance, were met through a combination of scholarship and university funding.

Additionally, Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding may be used to support transport costs associated with the initial journey from Gaza. The proportion of costs met through ODA funding for the 2026 cohort will depend on the number of students travelling.

No separate estimate of costs has been made. Unit costs for visa applications are published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-fees-transparency-data.

The number of students supported will depend on operational considerations, and is highly dependent on factors outside the UK government’s control. In 2025, the government supported more than 100 fully funded scholarship students to arrive and study in the UK.

Students come to the UK on standard student visas, which allow them to stay for the duration of their course and a short period afterwards. Any further stay in the UK would be subject to the Immigration Rules.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's press release entitled Foreign Secretary announces support for Gaza with new child medical evacuations and assistance to Palestinians going to top UK universities, published on 24 June 2026, how many students are expected to be supported to travel to the United Kingdom under the arrangements announced.

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

This response has been coordinated by the department in collaboration with the Home Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Criteria for 2026 support are still being finalised and will be published in a policy statement in due course.

In 2025, eligible students secured a range of fully funded scholarships to study at UK universities. Standard departure costs, including flights, accommodation and insurance, were met through a combination of scholarship and university funding.

Additionally, Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding may be used to support transport costs associated with the initial journey from Gaza. The proportion of costs met through ODA funding for the 2026 cohort will depend on the number of students travelling.

No separate estimate of costs has been made. Unit costs for visa applications are published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-fees-transparency-data.

The number of students supported will depend on operational considerations, and is highly dependent on factors outside the UK government’s control. In 2025, the government supported more than 100 fully funded scholarship students to arrive and study in the UK.

Students come to the UK on standard student visas, which allow them to stay for the duration of their course and a short period afterwards. Any further stay in the UK would be subject to the Immigration Rules.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's press release entitled Foreign Secretary announces support for Gaza with new child medical evacuations and assistance to Palestinians going to top UK universities, published on 24 June 2026, what estimate has been made of the cost of security screening and immigration processing for scholarship recipients.

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

This response has been coordinated by the department in collaboration with the Home Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Criteria for 2026 support are still being finalised and will be published in a policy statement in due course.

In 2025, eligible students secured a range of fully funded scholarships to study at UK universities. Standard departure costs, including flights, accommodation and insurance, were met through a combination of scholarship and university funding.

Additionally, Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding may be used to support transport costs associated with the initial journey from Gaza. The proportion of costs met through ODA funding for the 2026 cohort will depend on the number of students travelling.

No separate estimate of costs has been made. Unit costs for visa applications are published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-fees-transparency-data.

The number of students supported will depend on operational considerations, and is highly dependent on factors outside the UK government’s control. In 2025, the government supported more than 100 fully funded scholarship students to arrive and study in the UK.

Students come to the UK on standard student visas, which allow them to stay for the duration of their course and a short period afterwards. Any further stay in the UK would be subject to the Immigration Rules.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's press release entitled Homebuying shake-up to slash delays, cut costs and stop sales falling through, published on 19 June 2026, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the proposed reforms on trends in the level of completed residential property transactions.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the hon. Member to the home buying and selling reform roadmap published on 19 June, which can be found on gov.uk here.

The roadmap was informed by a consultation undertaken between 6 October and 29 December 2025, which can be found on gov.uk here, and extensive engagement with lenders and other property professionals.

The consultation referenced above set out the impact of the proposals in question. Further impact assessment will be carried out as the individual measures in the roadmap are brought forward. The roadmap commits the government to tracking the impact of reforms as they are implemented and we will continue to use industry data to monitor transactions times and numbers of failed transactions.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's press release entitled Homebuying shake-up to slash delays, cut costs and stop sales falling through, published on 19 June 2026, what metrics will be used to assess the success of the reforms.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the hon. Member to the home buying and selling reform roadmap published on 19 June, which can be found on gov.uk here.

The roadmap was informed by a consultation undertaken between 6 October and 29 December 2025, which can be found on gov.uk here, and extensive engagement with lenders and other property professionals.

The consultation referenced above set out the impact of the proposals in question. Further impact assessment will be carried out as the individual measures in the roadmap are brought forward. The roadmap commits the government to tracking the impact of reforms as they are implemented and we will continue to use industry data to monitor transactions times and numbers of failed transactions.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's press release entitled Homebuying shake-up to slash delays, cut costs and stop sales falling through, published on 19 June 2026, what criteria will be used to determine what constitutes a legitimate reason for withdrawing from a residential property transaction after an earlier binding agreement has been entered into.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the hon. Member to the home buying and selling reform roadmap published on 19 June, which can be found on gov.uk here.

The roadmap was informed by a consultation undertaken between 6 October and 29 December 2025, which can be found on gov.uk here, and extensive engagement with lenders and other property professionals.

The consultation referenced above set out the impact of the proposals in question. Further impact assessment will be carried out as the individual measures in the roadmap are brought forward. The roadmap commits the government to tracking the impact of reforms as they are implemented and we will continue to use industry data to monitor transactions times and numbers of failed transactions.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's press release entitled Homebuying shake-up to slash delays, cut costs and stop sales falling through, published on 19 June 2026, what reasons have already been identified when informing this policy for withdrawing from a residential property transcation.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the hon. Member to the home buying and selling reform roadmap published on 19 June, which can be found on gov.uk here.

The roadmap was informed by a consultation undertaken between 6 October and 29 December 2025, which can be found on gov.uk here, and extensive engagement with lenders and other property professionals.

The consultation referenced above set out the impact of the proposals in question. Further impact assessment will be carried out as the individual measures in the roadmap are brought forward. The roadmap commits the government to tracking the impact of reforms as they are implemented and we will continue to use industry data to monitor transactions times and numbers of failed transactions.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's press release entitled Homebuying shake-up to slash delays, cut costs and stop sales falling through, published on 19 June 2026, what discussions he has had with mortgage lenders regarding the proposed earlier binding agreements.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the hon. Member to the home buying and selling reform roadmap published on 19 June, which can be found on gov.uk here.

The roadmap was informed by a consultation undertaken between 6 October and 29 December 2025, which can be found on gov.uk here, and extensive engagement with lenders and other property professionals.

The consultation referenced above set out the impact of the proposals in question. Further impact assessment will be carried out as the individual measures in the roadmap are brought forward. The roadmap commits the government to tracking the impact of reforms as they are implemented and we will continue to use industry data to monitor transactions times and numbers of failed transactions.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to Answer of 7 July 2026 to Question 14208, what guidance her Department has issued on the maximum period for which personal data collected for age assurance purposes should be retained.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

The government takes the threats of cyber-attacks and data breaches very seriously, which is why the ICO has the power to investigate any concerns raised about the misuse or mishandling of data. It can issue enforcement notices and substantial fines where organisations are found to be in breach of their obligations.

Organisations are required under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act to keep personal data secure and process it fairly, lawfully, and transparently. Whilst the law does not set specific time limits on how long personal data can be held, it stipulates that it cannot be kept for longer than needed.

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 potential impact of personal data retained by age-assurance providers on levels of a) cyber attacks and b) data breaches.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

The government takes the threats of cyber-attacks and data breaches very seriously, which is why the ICO has the power to investigate any concerns raised about the misuse or mishandling of data. It can issue enforcement notices and substantial fines where organisations are found to be in breach of their obligations.

Organisations are required under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act to keep personal data secure and process it fairly, lawfully, and transparently. Whilst the law does not set specific time limits on how long personal data can be held, it stipulates that it cannot be kept for longer than needed.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance she has issued to higher education providers on preventing antisemitic harassment on university campuses.

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

The government is clear that antisemitic abuse has no place on campuses. The Office for Students’ E6 condition of registration requires university providers to have policies, reporting procedures, support arrangements and preventative measures in place to address harassment.

The department is working closely with higher education (HE) providers and the Union of Jewish Students (UJS) to strengthen support for Jewish students. The department has funded UJS training for university staff to improve understanding of antisemitism and support effective responses to incidents on campus. In addition, a department funded scholarship programme, delivered by Palace Yard and launching nationally this autumn, will develop HE provider staff expertise in tackling antisemitism.

The department will shortly publish new guidance on managing external speakers and events to support providers in assessing and mitigating Prevent-related risks.

HE providers continue to be encouraged to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition as a practical tool for identifying and addressing antisemitic behaviour.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with regulated online platforms on preventing the spread of social media trends that encourage acts of animal cruelty.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

The Government recognises concerns about online content and trends that encourage or promote acts of animal cruelty.

The Government and Ofcom have identified animal cruelty as one of the priority kinds of illegal harm under the Online Safety Act regulatory regime. Ofcom’s risk profiles and Register of Risks address how such content and trends can spread on regulated services, including through coordinated challenges or user-generated material.

Regulated platforms are required to carry out suitable and sufficient illegal content risk assessments that cover animal cruelty, and to put in place mitigations to reduce the risk of users encountering or being encouraged to commit such offences. Ofcom is actively monitoring compliance in this area.

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 prevalence of social media trends that encourage acts of animal cruelty.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

The Government recognises concerns about online content and trends that encourage or promote acts of animal cruelty.

The Government and Ofcom have identified animal cruelty as one of the priority kinds of illegal harm under the Online Safety Act regulatory regime. Ofcom’s risk profiles and Register of Risks address how such content and trends can spread on regulated services, including through coordinated challenges or user-generated material.

Regulated platforms are required to carry out suitable and sufficient illegal content risk assessments that cover animal cruelty, and to put in place mitigations to reduce the risk of users encountering or being encouraged to commit such offences. Ofcom is actively monitoring compliance in this area.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's press release entitled UK backs Gaza recovery as Foreign Secretary urges renewed push for peace, published on 13 July 2026, what safeguards will be in place to ensure that (a) children, (b) women, (c) disabled people and (d) religious minorities in Gaza receive appropriate levels of support from the £10 million funding.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the press notice cited in his question. Any further information about funding for Palestinian-led early recovery efforts will be shared in the usual way.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's press release entitled UK backs Gaza recovery as Foreign Secretary urges renewed push for peace, published on 13 July 2026, what assessment has been made of the adequacy of the safeguards in place to ensure that the £10 million announced for early recovery efforts will not be diverted to Hamas or affiliated organisations.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the press notice cited in his question. Any further information about funding for Palestinian-led early recovery efforts will be shared in the usual way.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's press release entitled UK backs Gaza recovery as Foreign Secretary urges renewed push for peace, published on 13 July 2026, what estimate has been made of the proportion of the £10 million that will be spent on (a) administration, (b) programme management and (c) direct assistance.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the press notice cited in his question. Any further information about funding for Palestinian-led early recovery efforts will be shared in the usual way.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's press release entitled UK backs Gaza recovery as Foreign Secretary urges renewed push for peace, published on 13 July 2026, what conditions have been attached to the release of the £10 million announced for early recovery activity.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the press notice cited in his question. Any further information about funding for Palestinian-led early recovery efforts will be shared in the usual way.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the number of offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 committed by people under the age of 18 in each of the last five years.

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

The Government has not made an estimate of the number of animal welfare offences committed by individuals under the age of 18. Defra does not hold conviction data for animal welfare offences and is therefore unable to provide the information requested.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK to set end date for imports of Russian diesel and jet fuel via third countries, published on 12 June 2026, what monitoring and enforcement measures will be used to verify that imported diesel and jet fuel are not derived from Russian crude oil after the licence expires.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

HMRC is responsible for enforcing the ban on imports of oil products refined in third countries from Russian-origin crude oil and investigating suspected offences.

HMRC uses a variety of proven methods to detect sanctions breaches, including: risk and intelligence-based checks on goods imported to the UK, auditing businesses involved in the trade of goods subject to sanctions; and collecting actionable intelligence from domestic and international law enforcement partners and the intelligence community.

Importers of diesel and jet fuel may be requested to present evidence of a good's supply chain. In some cases, HMRC officials may require the production of further information relating to the goods.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department provides to local planning authorities on assessing operational noise from data centres.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 70258 on 3 September 2025.

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, included proposals relating to noise pollution in planning policy. We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what proportion of planning applications for large-scale data centres approved since 2020 have been located on greenfield land.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My Department does not hold the information requested.

Although my Department collects and publishes quarterly planning application statistics here, it does not collect separate figures on data centre developments that have been granted planning permission.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of proposed reforms to home buying and selling on homeowners' willingness to put properties up for sale.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The home buying and selling reform roadmap, which can be found on gov.uk here, which sets out an ambitious package of reform for the sector including improving upfront information in listings and through the introduction of sales packs; introducing binding contracts; and professionalising property agents.

The measures included in the roadmap will require the preparation of sales packs prior to listing to ensure prospective buyers have the information they need upfront. This will save buyers money by transferring some costs to sellers. Most residential sellers are also buying another property, and are expected to see a net reduction in costs of around £100 while first-time buyers are expected to save an average of £650 per transaction.

Our analysis shows that sellers may experience an upfront cost increase of around £550 due to new requirements, but we expect this will be balanced by faster, more certain transactions with a lower risk of failure, and a less stressful experience overall. The average failed transaction currently costs sellers around £800.

We have thoroughly tested these measures with the sector and recognise poorly implemented changes could temporarily reduce listings. This is why Implementation will be carefully sequenced, with continued industry engagement to ensure readiness, deliver a smooth transition, and minimise unintended consequences.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether sellers would be required to incur costs associated with property information packs under proposed home buying and selling reforms before securing a prospective purchaser.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The home buying and selling reform roadmap, which can be found on gov.uk here, which sets out an ambitious package of reform for the sector including improving upfront information in listings and through the introduction of sales packs; introducing binding contracts; and professionalising property agents.

The measures included in the roadmap will require the preparation of sales packs prior to listing to ensure prospective buyers have the information they need upfront. This will save buyers money by transferring some costs to sellers. Most residential sellers are also buying another property, and are expected to see a net reduction in costs of around £100 while first-time buyers are expected to save an average of £650 per transaction.

Our analysis shows that sellers may experience an upfront cost increase of around £550 due to new requirements, but we expect this will be balanced by faster, more certain transactions with a lower risk of failure, and a less stressful experience overall. The average failed transaction currently costs sellers around £800.

We have thoroughly tested these measures with the sector and recognise poorly implemented changes could temporarily reduce listings. This is why Implementation will be carefully sequenced, with continued industry engagement to ensure readiness, deliver a smooth transition, and minimise unintended consequences.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the average upfront cost for a seller under the proposed home buying and selling reforms.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The home buying and selling reform roadmap, which can be found on gov.uk here, which sets out an ambitious package of reform for the sector including improving upfront information in listings and through the introduction of sales packs; introducing binding contracts; and professionalising property agents.

The measures included in the roadmap will require the preparation of sales packs prior to listing to ensure prospective buyers have the information they need upfront. This will save buyers money by transferring some costs to sellers. Most residential sellers are also buying another property, and are expected to see a net reduction in costs of around £100 while first-time buyers are expected to save an average of £650 per transaction.

Our analysis shows that sellers may experience an upfront cost increase of around £550 due to new requirements, but we expect this will be balanced by faster, more certain transactions with a lower risk of failure, and a less stressful experience overall. The average failed transaction currently costs sellers around £800.

We have thoroughly tested these measures with the sector and recognise poorly implemented changes could temporarily reduce listings. This is why Implementation will be carefully sequenced, with continued industry engagement to ensure readiness, deliver a smooth transition, and minimise unintended consequences.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of digital property logbooks under home buying and selling reforms on the a) privacy and b) security of homeowners’ data.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The home buying and selling reform roadmap, which can be found on gov.uk here, sets out an ambitious package of reform for the sector including improving upfront information in listings and through the introduction of sales packs, introducing binding contracts. and professionalising property agents.

We recognise the central importance of privacy and security for data held in digital logbooks. In the roadmap, we set out that we will work with the property technology industry and other technology specialists to ensure our plans incorporate robust technology and digital security systems. We will work with representatives and regulatory bodies to set an agreed level of digital security that these products must meet.

The requirement to use digital logbooks in transactions for certain government home ownership schemes will begin in 2027. We will introduce legislation to mandate the use of these products when Parliamentary time allows.

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 establishing the Independent Immigration Appeals Authority on ministerial accountability for immigration decision-making.

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

As set out in the published Impact Assessment accompanying the Immigration and Asylum Bill, detailed plans including costs for the new authority are currently being developed. Further information will be shared in due course.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance she provides to schools on addressing social media trends that encourage cruelty towards animals.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

As part of the updated statutory relationships and health education guidance in primary schools and relationships, sex and health education guidance in secondary schools, pupils are taught about online safety and harms. This includes harmful content and the risks associated with social media trends. Teaching also includes content on the characteristics of social media and the importance of making responsible decisions about appropriate social media content.

Whilst animal welfare is not a compulsory part of the national curriculum, there are opportunities for it to be taught and schools have the autonomy to teach additional topics flexibly, based on local need and that are age appropriate.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the availability of developed land suitable for data centre developments.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My Department has made no such assessment.

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on a new NPPF. That proposed Framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, makes clear that to support business investment and employment, development plans should, at the most appropriate level allocate sites to implement the economic vision and strategy and meet existing and anticipated needs over the plan period, paying particular regard to facilitating development to meet the needs of a modern economy (including sites and premises which are flexible and adaptable) and the specific locational requirements of different sectors.

This includes, where a need exists or is anticipated, making provision for clusters, networks and sites for knowledge and data-driven, creative or high technology industries; and for new, expanded or upgraded facilities and infrastructure to support the growth of these industries (including laboratories, campus facilities, data centres and associated generating capacity, and grid connections).

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many foreign criminals have avoided deportation in each of the last ten years on the basis of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office faces significant and complex challenges when seeking to return those who have no right to be in the UK to their country of origin or lawful place of return. Despite these barriers, we are fully committed to making our communities safer by returning those who break our laws.

Data on the numbers of appeals on the grounds of Article 8 of the ECHR specifically are not published.

Since this Government came to power almost 10,000 FNOs have been returned, an increase of 36%, and we will continue to do everything we can to remove these vile criminals from our streets.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to Part 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Bill, what estimate has been made of the annual amount expected to be recovered through contributions from recipients of asylum support.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Immigration and Asylum Bill introduces the principle that, where a person has received taxpayer-funded asylum support and later becomes financially able to contribute towards those costs, it is right and fair that they should do so.

Contribution levels will be designed to be fair and proportionate. The payment will take the form of a flat-rate charge, with eligible adults paying off an amount above a set threshold. Payments will be linked to receiving settled status in this country. Those who have received support and been removed from the country will not be able to return until their debt is repaid.

The detailed design of the scheme, including repayment thresholds, exemptions, repayment rates, mechanisms for collection and operational delivery, will be set out in secondary legislation. Draft regulations will be shared during the passage of the Immigration and Asylum Bill through Parliament.

As these elements have not yet been finalised, it would be premature to provide an estimate of the administrative cost of the scheme, future revenue, or a specific repayment amount. An estimate will be calculated once the detailed design of the scheme is finalised.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to Part 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Bill, what criteria will be used to determine the level of contribution required from recipients of asylum support.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Immigration and Asylum Bill introduces the principle that, where a person has received taxpayer-funded asylum support and later becomes financially able to contribute towards those costs, it is right and fair that they should do so.

Contribution levels will be designed to be fair and proportionate. The payment will take the form of a flat-rate charge, with eligible adults paying off an amount above a set threshold. Payments will be linked to receiving settled status in this country. Those who have received support and been removed from the country will not be able to return until their debt is repaid.

The detailed design of the scheme, including repayment thresholds, exemptions, repayment rates, mechanisms for collection and operational delivery, will be set out in secondary legislation. Draft regulations will be shared during the passage of the Immigration and Asylum Bill through Parliament.

As these elements have not yet been finalised, it would be premature to provide an estimate of the administrative cost of the scheme, future revenue, or a specific repayment amount. An estimate will be calculated once the detailed design of the scheme is finalised.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to Part 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Bill, what estimate has been made of the administrative cost of recovering contributions from recipients of asylum support.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Immigration and Asylum Bill introduces the principle that, where a person has received taxpayer-funded asylum support and later becomes financially able to contribute towards those costs, it is right and fair that they should do so.

Contribution levels will be designed to be fair and proportionate. The payment will take the form of a flat-rate charge, with eligible adults paying off an amount above a set threshold. Payments will be linked to receiving settled status in this country. Those who have received support and been removed from the country will not be able to return until their debt is repaid.

The detailed design of the scheme, including repayment thresholds, exemptions, repayment rates, mechanisms for collection and operational delivery, will be set out in secondary legislation. Draft regulations will be shared during the passage of the Immigration and Asylum Bill through Parliament.

As these elements have not yet been finalised, it would be premature to provide an estimate of the administrative cost of the scheme, future revenue, or a specific repayment amount. An estimate will be calculated once the detailed design of the scheme is finalised.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to Part 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Bill, whether unpaid asylum support contributions will affect future immigration applications or applications for settlement.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Immigration and Asylum Bill introduces the principle that, where a person has received taxpayer-funded asylum support and later becomes financially able to contribute towards those costs, it is right and fair that they should do so.

Contribution levels will be designed to be fair and proportionate. The payment will take the form of a flat-rate charge, with eligible adults paying off an amount above a set threshold. Payments will be linked to receiving settled status in this country. Those who have received support and been removed from the country will not be able to return until their debt is repaid.

The detailed design of the scheme, including repayment thresholds, exemptions, repayment rates, mechanisms for collection and operational delivery, will be set out in secondary legislation. Draft regulations will be shared during the passage of the Immigration and Asylum Bill through Parliament.

As these elements have not yet been finalised, it would be premature to provide an estimate of the administrative cost of the scheme, future revenue, or a specific repayment amount. An estimate will be calculated once the detailed design of the scheme is finalised.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to clause 20 of the Immigration and Asylum Bill, how many deportation cases each year are expected to be prevented on the grounds that removal would have an unduly harsh impact on a qualifying child.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)

Deportation decisions are taken on a case-by-case basis, and we cannot know in advance what any decision will be. The Bill makes clear that deporting foreign criminals is in the public interest and will be required unless the individual impact is disproportionate to the public interest.

The current system allows the courts to make a decision in the case of “medium offenders” who have been sentenced to less than four years just on the basis of the impact on the criminal or their family. We are changing this so that the courts must also take account of the wider public interest in deportation and in particular the interest in public safety and the prevention of disorder or crime before making a determination as to whether deportation would be a disproportionate interference with Article 8 rights.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what comparative assessment has been made of asylum application growth in the United Kingdom and EU Member States since 2021, and what factors have been identified as contributing to any difference in those trends.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)

The number and demographic profile of people claiming asylum varies across Europe with some nationalities claiming more in certain countries. This may be linked to factors including language, existing diasporas in these countries, the routes taken to reach them, and the likelihood of being granted refugee permission.

Published data on people claiming asylum in the UK compared to the EU+ is available in ‘How does the UK compare with the EU+?’ of ‘How many people claim asylum in the UK?’.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment has been made of the reasons why the number of asylum applications to the United Kingdom has increased at a different rate from applications made in EU Member States since 2021.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)

The number and demographic profile of people claiming asylum varies across Europe with some nationalities claiming more in certain countries. This may be linked to factors including language, existing diasporas in these countries, the routes taken to reach them, and the likelihood of being granted refugee permission.

Published data on people claiming asylum in the UK compared to the EU+ is available in ‘How does the UK compare with the EU+?’ of ‘How many people claim asylum in the UK?’.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether police forces are required to refer incidents of animal cruelty involving people under the age of 18 to a) safeguarding agencies and b) Youth Offending Teams.

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

Police forces are operationally independent from Government. Chief Constables and their officers are responsible for determining what action is appropriate in individual cases, including when information should be shared with relevant safeguarding partners, local authorities or other agencies.

The statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children sets out clear expectation that safeguarding partners must work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Practitioners should be alert to children showing signs of being drawn into anti-social or criminal behaviour and should consider whether a referral to local authority children's social care, or Youth Offending Team, is required.

Sam Neill

Memorial plaque for Ann Widdecombe

Security for at-risk MPs

Celebration of English traditions

Sony's market practices

Tynwald Day 2026

Found: Letter dated 13/07/2026 from Lilian Greenwood MP to James McMurdock MP regarding a correction to figures

Found: Letter dated 13/07/2026 from Lilian Greenwood MP to James McMurdock MP regarding a correction to figures