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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has considered the potential merits of targeting the £400 million grassroots sports fund on swimming pools.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring public access to leisure facilities, including swimming pools, which are vital spaces for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy, and which play an important role within communities across the country.

The ongoing responsibility of providing access to public leisure facilities lies at local authority level, with funding levels set as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement. The Government encourages local authorities to make investments which offer the right opportunities and facilities for the communities they serve, investing in sport and physical activity with a place-based approach, to meet the needs of individual communities.

In June, we committed another £400 million to transform facilities across the whole of the UK over the next four years, supporting the Government's Plan for Change. We will ensure that this funding promotes health, wellbeing and community cohesion and helps to remove the barriers to physical activity for under-represented groups. We are working closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what communities need, before setting out further plans on how future funding will be allocated across the UK.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has considered introducing additional measures to support first-time buyers.

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

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 60807 on 30 June 2025.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help make the process of moving geological samples between the UK and the EU (a) faster and (b) easier.

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

There are no plans at present to amend the regulatory regime.

The British Geological Survey (BGS) is an active member of European GeoSurveys (EGS). The EGS constitution is based on facilitating geological survey collaboration to support development and implementation of EU policy.

As such, BGS is part of a major project with multiple EU geological survey partners to prepare foundational research, knowledge, and data frameworks for a possible Geological Service for Europe. Making available harmonised and accessible transnational geological data is a key element of a future geological service for Europe.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what support is available for first-time buyers in Cornwall.

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

The affordability challenges facing prospective first-time buyers mean that too many people are now locked out of homeownership. This government is determined to change that, ensuring that young families and hardworking renters can buy a home of their own.

Boosting the supply of homes of all tenures must be at the heart of any strategy to improve housing affordability which is why the government’s Plan for Change includes a hugely ambitious milestone of building 1.5 million safe and decent homes in England in this Parliament.

In addition, a number of initiatives are in place to support people into home ownership, including through the shared ownership scheme - which will continue to be delivered through the new Social and Affordable Homes Programme - and the Lifetime ISA. The government has also introduced a new, permanent Mortgage Guarantee Scheme, available to support and sustain availability of low deposit mortgage products for prospective buyers. First-time buyers in Cornwall may also benefit from home ownership initiatives offered at the local level.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has considered the potential merits of allowing Palestinians to (a) apply for visas online and (b) provide biometrics after arrival in the UK.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Government is keeping all existing visa pathways under review in response to events in Gaza. Palestinians who wish to settle in the UK can do so via the existing routes available. More information on all routes available for a person to apply to work, study or settle/join family in the UK can be found on the GOV.UK website: Visas and immigration - GOV.UK.

People requiring a visa will need to make an online visa application and submit their biometrics (digital photograph and fingerprint) at a Visa Application Centre (VAC), prior to travel to the UK.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress she has made on supporting Palestinians with UK job offers to leave Gaza.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Government is keeping all existing visa pathways under review in response to events in Gaza. Palestinians who wish to settle in the UK can do so via the existing routes available. More information on all routes available for a person to apply to work, study or settle/join family in the UK can be found on the GOV.UK website: Visas and immigration - GOV.UK.

People requiring a visa will need to make an online visa application and submit their biometrics (digital photograph and fingerprint) at a Visa Application Centre (VAC), prior to travel to the UK.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help support landlords to ensure their properties comply with the Decent Homes Standard.

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

It is imperative that homes are decent, safe and warm. The current Decent Homes Standard (DHS) plays a key role in setting a minimum quality standard that all social homes should meet.

The primary source of funding to support landlords in meeting the DHS and to manage the repair and maintenance of existing social homes is rental income. This amounted to £24.5bn in 2023/24.

From April 2026, social housing rents will be permitted to increase by CPI+1% annually as part of a new 10-year rent settlement announced at the Spending Review. In addition, we completed a focused consultation on how we will implement social rent convergence, ahead of a final decision to be announced at Autumn Budget.

Social housing landlords are required to deliver the outcomes of the regulatory consumer standards, which includes the DHS, set by the independent Regulator of Social Housing (RSH). The RSH proactively seeks assurances that registered providers are meeting the outcomes of the consumer standards through routine inspections of large landlords (those with more than 1,000 homes).

The government is extending the DHS to apply to the private rented sector for the first time through the Renters’ Rights Bill. Alongside its introduction to the private rented sector, the government recently consulted on a modernised DHS for private and social rent homes. The consultation closed on 12 September 2025. My Department is now considering the responses to that consultation, and we will set out our response in due course focused on ensuring that the new DHS is proportionate and deliverable.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish a timeline for the delivery of new vessels under the Fleet Solid Support contract with Navantia.

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

Successful delivery of the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ship programme, which is currently in the design phase, remains a priority. The acquisition of Harland & Wolff (H&W) by Navantia UK (NUK), following the administration of H&W, has provided greater certainty to the delivery of the FSS programme and protects the UK’s shipbuilding capability, and the supply chain that supports this, now and over the long-term.

The design work is progressing well and production of the first FSS ship is expected to begin later in 2025, with all three vessels bolstering the Royal Fleet Auxiliary over the coming decade.

Whilst we have agreed with NUK the minimum changes to the contract necessary, the impact on the approved cost and in-service dates is still being assessed and will be mitigated as far as possible. On completion of this work, it will be subject to re-approval by the relevant authorities, with updates provided through official channels at the appropriate time. We are unable to comment any further on the details of the contract due to commercial sensitivities.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of marine licensing on (a) conservation and (b) nature restoration.

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

The marine licensing regime plays a key role in the protection and conservation of the marine environment. All individual licence applications are assessed in line with Marine Plans and relevant nature legislation. Marine licensing aims to facilitate the sustainable use of the marine environment so that activities can be permitted whilst minimising any environmental impacts. Specific assessments may be required as part of a licence decision, depending on the activity and location, such as a Habitats Regulations Assessment or Environmental Impact Assessment, to determine whether a plan or proposal could have impacts on the marine environment, including on protected sites and species, and how such impacts will be managed.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many seafarer (a) apprentices and (b) cadets have been trained by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in each year since 2010.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

Cadetship and apprenticeship opportunities available within the RFA are designed to provide individuals with a comprehensive pathway to a fulfilling and meaningful career at sea. These programmes cater to a wide range of academic backgrounds and offer individuals the chance to develop the skills and qualifications necessary to thrive in a unique maritime environment.

In 2025, and in partnership with the Maritime Trade Unions, the Royal Navy successfully made a broad pay and non-pay financial award across the RFA workforce to recruit, retain and sustain an engaged and inclusive workforce.

The table below shows the numbers of apprentices and cadets trained by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary since 2014. Figures from prior to May 2014 are not readily available and have been excluded from the analysis.

Notes

1. 2014 and 2025 are partial years. 2014 consists of data available from 1 May 2014 to 31 December 2014. 2025 consists of data available from 1 January 2025 to 30 June 2025.

2. This analysis defines Cadets and Apprentices who achieve promotion as having completed training.

3. This analysis excludes any untrained personnel who joined through other entry routes and were not designated as an Apprentice or Cadet.

4. Figures of 5 or fewer and the corresponding Total are represented by '[c]', in line with disclosure control policy.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she has taken to prevent (a) insolvent and (b) financially restricted organisations in the Aircraft Engineering Industry continuing to issue Certificates of Release to Service outside of effective regulatory compliance.

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

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is responsible for the oversight of Approved Maintenance Organisations which are governed by the Part 145 regulatory framework. Part 145 approval is granted to organisations that demonstrate compliance with requirements including personnel qualifications, facilities, equipment, maintenance procedures, and quality control systems. If a Part 145 approved maintenance organisation enters insolvency or a period of financial difficulties, the CAA may decide to increase the frequency and level of oversight, including unannounced audits, to ensure that it remains complaint with the requirements of Part 145. If the CAA are notified of a senior management change or change in the financial situation of an approved maintenance organisation, the CAA asks the approved maintenance organisation to demonstrate that there is sufficient funding for the intended maintenance activities carried out under its approval. In cases where it is established that an organisation is no longer able to fulfil the requirement of the regulations, its Part-145 maintenance approval will be suspended.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of marine licensing on marine nature targets.

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

Marine licensing is an important enabler for meeting marine nature targets, including our Environment Improvement Plan targets to ensure that 70% of designated features in MPAs are in favourable condition by 2042 and the remainder in recovering condition, as well as protecting 30% of UK waters by 2030. The marine licensing regime supports the delivery of these targets through assessing the impacts of licensable activities on the environment before determining if a licence will be granted, along with determining how any impacts can be managed and mitigated where activities go ahead.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Chapter 7.2 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what discussions he is having with the Secretary of State for Transport on the rates for (a) training and (b) employment for UK resident civilian seafarers in the shipping industry.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Government has endorsed the vision of the Strategic Defence Review and accepted all 62 of its recommendations, including those mentioned in Chapter 7.2. Implementation is underway as a priority and will be executed through a whole of UK Defence effort.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will consider the introduction of mandatory autism awareness training for staff working in (a) HM Courts and Tribunals Service, (b) the police and (c) other areas of the criminal justice system.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

The Ministry of Justice recognises the importance of training and delegates responsibility for determining specific training needs to individual operational bodies. While autism awareness training is not currently mandatory, agencies across the justice system have the discretion to introduce such training based on operational requirements.

For example, His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) provides access to a Diversity and Inclusion Learning Hub for all staff, as well as a Neurodiversity Line Managers’ Handbook to support understanding of neurodiverse conditions.

Any proposal to introduce mandatory autism awareness training within the Ministry of Justice would be subject to its Mandatory Learning Governance Process, which ensures consistent and robust decision-making through engagement with subject matter experts.

The Home Office is the Department with oversight of policing in England and Wales and is best placed to provide detailed information regarding autism training within police forces.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when the legal aid portal will reopen.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

We expect that services will be restored from early September, as part of a phased return. This is subject to testing, security and legal criteria being met.

The Legal Aid Agency (LAA) has written to representative bodies and providers to update them that the Portal will be replaced by a new, secure single sign-in tool for LAA online services (SiLAS). This has been subject to testing by a small pilot group throughout August.

The expected phased restoration is as follows:

• In mid-September, Crime systems (Crime Apply, and Submit a Crime Form) will be available for access.
• From mid to late September, Civil systems (Civil Apply, and the Client and Cost Management System (CCMS)) will be available for access.
• Services relating to functionality previously provided by the Controlled Work Administration (CWA) system are expected to return from October.

The LAA continues to engage with representative bodies to help shape the steps to service restoration in a way which supports legal aid providers most effectively. Regular updates are being provided to providers and further information will be published on GOV.UK closer to the go live date. In the meantime, the LAA continues to publish information and updates about SiLAS on its FAQ page: Legal Aid Agency cyber security incident: frequently asked questions - GOV.UK.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the level of compensation for service personnel who develop lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases as a result of exposure to asbestos to the same level as for those who develop mesothelioma.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

Service personnel who develop lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases are able to claim compensation under the War Pension Scheme or the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme which are subject to annual uplifts. The Department is currently reviewing the mesothelioma lump sum payment to ensure it remains fair and appropriate for those affected.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the level of compensation available to service personnel who develop mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

Service personnel who develop lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases are able to claim compensation under the War Pension Scheme or the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme which are subject to annual uplifts. The Department is currently reviewing the mesothelioma lump sum payment to ensure it remains fair and appropriate for those affected.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has make of the potential impact of the requirement for letting agents to carry out money laundering checks on landlords and tenants on the number of rental properties available.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The impact of compliance with the Money Laundering Regulations (MLRs) for letting agents was assessed as part of the Impact Assessment for the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Regulations 2019, which brought certain letting agents into scope of the MLRs. This is available here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/1511/impacts

The Government keeps the MLRs under review in order to ensure the requirements remain effective and proportionate for all regulated sectors, including letting agents.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to help ensure school bus travel is (a) affordable and (b) accessible in rural areas.

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

The Government knows how important affordable and reliable bus services are in enabling people to get to education, particularly in rural areas. On 1 January, we introduced a £3 cap on single bus fares in England outside London to help passengers continue to access cheaper bus services and better opportunities. At the Spending Review we announced the cap would be extended until March 2027.

At present, the majority of bus services operate on a commercial basis by private operators, and any decisions regarding the level at which fares are set outside the scope of the £3 bus fare cap are commercial decisions for operators. Bus operators can choose to offer discounted fares for young people, and in the year ending March 2025, youth discounts were offered by at least one commercial bus operator in 73 out of 85 local authority areas in England outside London.

As part of the Autumn 2024 Budget, the Government allocated £955 million to support and improve bus services in 2025/26. This includes £712 million for local authorities, this can be used to expand services and improve reliability, which are currently massive obstacles for too many people. Cornwall Council has been allocated £10.6 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to deliver better bus services can be used in whichever way they wish to improve services for passengers, which could include introducing new fares initiatives to reduce the cost of bus travel for young people.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he plans to take to support landlords to meet the deadline for all rental properties to have an EPC C minimum rating by 2030.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government recognises that most landlords strive to provide decent homes, which is why we are proposing stronger standards for the entire sector, to make sure they are not undercut by those providing substandard properties. Around half of properties already meet the current standard of EPC C.

Support is currently available to private landlords to improve their properties through a range of schemes, including the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which offers £7,500 off the cost of a heat pump, as well as the Warm Homes: Local Grant which launched this year. We are also exploring the role the finance sector may play in scaling up and mobilising low-cost lending.

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 potential impact of the transfer of the functions of Healthwatch England to the Patient Experience Directorate of his Department on Healthwatch Cornwall.

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

The abolition of Healthwatch England and the transfer of its functions and the changes to Local Healthwatch will require primary legislation. Timing of this is subject to the will of Parliament and take place when parliamentary time allows.

A full Impact Assessment would be produced and published on the Government website when legislation is introduced in Parliament. No assessment has been made at this time.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will consider increasing the £450,000 cap for buying a first property with a Lifetime ISA in line with property price inflation.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Data from the latest UK House Price Index shows that while the average price paid by first-time buyers has increased, it is still below the Lifetime ISA property price cap in all regions of the UK except for London, where the average price paid is affected by boroughs with very high property values.

Having a single property cap across the UK simplifies the Lifetime ISA for savers and account providers. However, as with all aspects of the tax system, the Government keeps ISA policy under review.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he will consider including those veterans who were exposed to asbestos pre-1987 whilst on active service and who later contract lung cancer in the 2016 lump sum compensation scheme payable currently only to those who contract mesothelioma.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The lump sum provision under the War Pensions Scheme applies only to veterans suffering from diffuse mesothelioma. Diffuse mesothelioma has a unique causal link to asbestos exposure, and the inexorable nature of the disease coupled with the lack of effective treatment leads to poor life expectancy.

Service personnel who develop lung cancer or asbestos-related diseases including before 1987 may be eligible to claim compensation under the War Pension Scheme or the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme provided there is a causal link to Service.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to restore the Agricultural Workers’ Board.

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

We currently have no plans to restore the Agricultural Wages Board.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on what evidential basis reducing the number of (a) Dartmoor ponies and (b) other livestock will effectively control overgrazing on Dartmoor.

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

All prospective Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme offers have been assessed for their potential impact against a range of environmental and cultural services, including carbon sequestration and biodiversity indicators. These have included qualitative assessments, drawing upon expert opinion and evidence reviews, as well as quantitative assessments, drawing upon published datasets.

Through the new Countryside Stewardship Hier Tier offer we will be providing payment for grazing with both cattle and ponies and making both cattle and ponies eligible under the native breeds at risk supplement. We are thereby removing the competition between the two as recommended in the Dartmoor review. We have also made it clear within the new offer that ponies are exempt from stock removal requirements, in recognition that removal of ponies from moorland is neither feasible nor desirable in most circumstances.

We cannot, exclude either cattle or ponies from stocking density calculations. All livestock contribute to the overall grazing pressure exerted on moorland. On some moorland habitats (such as peatland), it is necessary to graze with low stocking densities to support habitat restoration and maintenance. If any livestock are excluded from the stocking density calculation, then over grazing would result. This would prevent us achieving desired improvements in habitat condition.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether new Sustainable Farming Incentives will take into account the potential impacts of grazing moorland on controlling monocultures.

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

The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) pays farmers and land managers to carry out actions that support the sustainable production of food and boost farm productivity and resilience, while protecting and enhancing the environment. Upland farmers play a key role in delivering sustainable food production and our environmental targets.

We will provide further details about the reformed SFI offer later this year.

Found: Helena Dollimore (Labour; Hastings and Rye) Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat; Glastonbury and Somerton) Jayne Kirkham

Found: present: Alistair Carmichael (Chair); Sarah Bool; Charlie Dewhirst; Helena Dollimore; Sarah Dyke; Jayne Kirkham

Found: present: Alistair Carmichael (Chair); Sarah Bool; Charlie Dewhirst; Helena Dollimore; Sarah Dyke; Jayne Kirkham

Found: present: Alistair Carmichael (Chair); Sarah Bool; Charlie Dewhirst; Helena Dollimore; Sarah Dyke; Jayne Kirkham

Found: Helena Dollimore (Labour; Hastings and Rye) Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat; Glastonbury and Somerton) Jayne Kirkham

Found: Maya Ellis Ms Polly Billington 53 REPORT STAGE Wednesday 10 September 2025 Oliver Ryan Jess Asato Jayne Kirkham

Found: _NC45 Mrs Elsie Blundell Maya Ellis Ms Polly Billington Oliver Ryan Jess Asato Jayne Kirkham Gareth SnellBecky

Found: Not called_NC45 Mrs Elsie Blundell Maya Ellis Ms Polly Billington Oliver Ryan Jess Asato Jayne Kirkham

Found: Becky Gittins John McDonnell Andy MacNae Paul Waugh Yasmin Qureshi Graham Stringer Anna Sabine Jayne Kirkham

Found: Becky Gittins John McDonnell Andy MacNae Paul Waugh Yasmin Qureshi Graham Stringer Anna Sabine Jayne Kirkham

No description available