Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of irrecoverable VAT on Further Education colleges’ ability to invest in teaching facilities, specialist equipment and skills provision.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Further Education (FE) funding is vital to ensure people are being trained in the skills they need to thrive in the modern labour market. The 2025 Spending Review provided an additional £1.2 billion per year by 2028-29 for skills and £1.7 billion of capital funding to help colleges maintain the condition of their estate. In addition, the Government is providing £375 million of capital investment to support the FE system to accommodate increasing student numbers.

For their non-business activity, FE colleges are unable to reclaim VAT incurred. We operate several VAT refund schemes for schools and academies which are designed variously to ensure that VAT is not a burden on local taxation, and that academies are not disincentivised to leave LA control. FE colleges do not meet the criteria for either scheme.

In relation to business activity, FE colleges enjoy an exemption from VAT which means that they do not have to charge VAT to students but cannot recover it either.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the contribution of regional brewers on local economies and tourism.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is committed to ensuring that the beer and pub sector remains diverse, competitive and rooted in local communities, supporting investment and growth across towns and villages. The manufacture of alcoholic beverages supports jobs across the country with over 75% of employees working outside of London and the South East in 2024.

Small Producer Relief (SPR) supports SMEs and new entrants by permitting smaller producers who make 4,500 hectolitres or fewer of alcohol per year to pay reduced duty rates on all products below 8.5% ABV. At Budget 2025, the government increased the cash discount provided to small producers, maintaining the relative value of SPR compared to the main duty rates.

In addition, the Government has conducted a review of the beer market to determine whether there are any structural barriers preventing small breweries from accessing pubs, the findings from which are currently being reviewed. We will be announcing the outcome of the review in due course.

More broadly, we are keen to ensure that Britain’s coastline – including the Suffolk coast – remain an attraction to domestic and international visitors. The Government has set an ambitious goal to grow annual inbound tourism to 50 million visitors by 2030. To help achieve this, we have established a new Visitor Economy Advisory Council, which is currently helping to co-create a Visitor Economy Growth Strategy. The Strategy endeavours to share the benefits of tourism across every nation and region, including coastal and seaside areas.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the VAT treatment of Further Education colleges on learners from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Further Education (FE) funding is vital to ensure people are being trained in the skills they need to thrive in the modern labour market. The 2025 Spending Review provided an additional £1.2 billion per year by 2028-29 for skills and £1.7 billion of capital funding to help colleges maintain the condition of their estate. In addition, the Government is providing £375 million of capital investment to support the FE system to accommodate increasing student numbers.

For their non-business activity, FE colleges are unable to reclaim VAT incurred. We operate several VAT refund schemes for schools and academies which are designed variously to ensure that VAT is not a burden on local taxation, and that academies are not disincentivised to leave LA control. FE colleges do not meet the criteria for either scheme.

In relation to business activity, FE colleges enjoy an exemption from VAT which means that they do not have to charge VAT to students but cannot recover it either.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has considered extending Section 33 VAT refunds to Further Education colleges.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Further Education (FE) funding is vital to ensure people are being trained in the skills they need to thrive in the modern labour market. The 2025 Spending Review provided an additional £1.2 billion per year by 2028-29 for skills and £1.7 billion of capital funding to help colleges maintain the condition of their estate. In addition, the Government is providing £375 million of capital investment to support the FE system to accommodate increasing student numbers.

For their non-business activity, FE colleges are unable to reclaim VAT incurred. We operate several VAT refund schemes for schools and academies which are designed variously to ensure that VAT is not a burden on local taxation, and that academies are not disincentivised to leave LA control. FE colleges do not meet the criteria for either scheme.

In relation to business activity, FE colleges enjoy an exemption from VAT which means that they do not have to charge VAT to students but cannot recover it either.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of Business Rates policy on employment in hospitality-dependent areas.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government has announced a £4.3 billion business rates support package to protect ratepayers from large overnight increases in bills.

In addition, the Government is introducing permanently lower tax rates for eligible RHL properties. These are worth almost £1 billion per year, and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

On top of this, pubs and live music venues will also benefit from 15% off their new business rates bills, ahead of their bills being frozen in real terms for a further two years.

As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases next year, including 23% seeing their bills go down. Government support also means that most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure landlord and property rules to hold directors owners accountable.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Building owners are responsible for managing and addressing fire and structural safety risks in their buildings. They are required to apply for a Building Assessment Certificate (BAC), which includes an assessment by the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) of whether they understand and are managing their building safety risks to an acceptable standard.

Where a BAC is rejected by the BSR, the building owner will be notified by the Regulator of the issues they need to fix, and the deadline they must fix them by. The BSR can also take further enforcement action for non-compliance. The building owner is often the principal accountable person. Where the principal accountable person is not meeting their duties, residents should raise a complaint to them directly. If the resident is not satisfied with the outcome of the complaint, they can contact the Building Safety Regulator.

One of the significant challenges local regulators (local authorities and fire and rescue authorities) can face in relation to building safety, is identifying who is practically responsible for each building. While determining the legal owner is usually straightforward, the identity of the parent company, which makes decisions and benefits financially, is often hidden behind layers of corporate ownership. This obfuscation makes it difficult to pinpoint where the real decision-making power lies.

To address this issue, the government is proposing legislation that will provide regulators with the powers to compel the disclosure of full ownership structures. This measure aims to enhance transparency and ensure that enforcement bodies can hold the appropriate parties accountable. This legislation will be brought forward in the Remediation Bill, when parliamentary time allows.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the number of children injured in road traffic incidents within 500 metres of a school in each of the last five years.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The information requested is not available.

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 causes of dementia diagnosis rates on trends in the level of such diagnosis rates in rural constituencies; and what support is provided to improve access to diagnosis in those areas.

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

We remain committed to recovering the dementia diagnosis rate to the national ambition of 66.7%. To support recovery of the dementia diagnosis rates and implementation of the Dementia Care Pathway, we have developed a memory service dashboard for management information purposes. The aim is to support commissioners and providers with appropriate data and enable targeted support where needed.

To reduce variation in diagnosis rates, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities’ Dementia Intelligence Network has developed a tool for local systems, which includes an assessment of population characteristics such as rurality and socio-economic deprivation. This enables systems to investigate local variation in diagnosis and take informed action to enhance their diagnosis rates. The tool has been released and is available via the NHS Futures Collaboration platform.

We will deliver the first ever Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia to deliver rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity. This will be informed by phase one of the independent commission into adult social care. The commission is underway and phase one will report this year.

The Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia will seek to reduce unwarranted variation and narrow inequality for those living with dementia. It will set national standards for dementia care and redirect NHS 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 steps his Department is taking to help ensure that NHS (a) policies and (b) guidance support unpaid family carers providing care in the home.

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

The Government recognises the vital role unpaid carers play in supporting those they care for and the National Health Service has clear duties to involve carers in care and discharge planning.

NHS England has issued guidance on identifying and supporting carers, including through primary care, and general practices are encouraged to record carers on patient records and signpost them to appropriate support. Integrated care systems are responsible for ensuring local services work together effectively to support unpaid carers.

The 10-Year Health Plan commits to enabling unpaid carers to have proxy access to medical records, test results and online prescriptions for the person they care for, with their consent, from 2026/27.

Under the Care Act 2014, carers are entitled to an assessment of their needs and support where eligible. Work is underway to implement the strengthened duties in the Health and Care Act 2022, including requirements on integrated care boards to involve carers in commissioning decisions and on involving unpaid carers in hospital discharge, aligned with the new CQC assessment approach.

The Government has also made funding available to local authorities, including through the Better Care Fund, to support carers’ services and promote joined-up working between health and social care.

We will continue to work with NHS England, local authorities and partners to ensure unpaid carers are recognised, valued and supported.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will publish a dementia strategy within the current Parliament.

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

We will deliver the first ever Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia to deliver rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity. This will be informed by phase one of the independent commission into adult social care. The commission is underway and phase one will report this year.

The Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia will seek to reduce unwarranted variation and narrow inequality for those living with dementia, as it 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 role he intends for public awareness campaign to play in improving early dementia diagnosis.

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

We will deliver the first ever Modern Service framework for Frailty and Dementia to deliver rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity. This will be informed by phase one of the independent commission into adult social care. The commission is underway and phase one will report this year.

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

In developing the Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia, we are engaging with a wide group of partners to understand what should be included to ensure the best outcomes for people living with dementia.

As part of this exercise, we will consider what interventions, such as public awareness campaigns, should be supported to improve early diagnosis for those with dementia.

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 dementia training for adult social care and primary care staff, particularly in relation to recognising early symptoms.

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

We want all relevant staff to have received appropriate training to provide high quality care to people with dementia, whether in primary or social care. The required training needs are set out in the Dementia training Standards Framework, which is available at the following link:

https://www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/info-hub/dementia-2015-updated-2018/

The framework was commissioned and funded by the Department and developed in collaboration with the sector. It sets out the essential knowledge and skills and expected learning outcomes applicable across the health and care spectrum.

There are a variety of resources available on the NHS England E-learning for Health platform, including a programme on dementia care, designed to enhance the training and education of the health and social care workforce.

The Department launched the Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme in September 2024, providing funding for eligible care staff to undertake courses and qualifications, including the new Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate. The scheme is backed by up to £12 million this financial year.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that advances from dementia research programmes are adopted into frontline clinical practice.

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

Through partnerships with patients, researchers, funders, and charities we continue to play a significant role in global efforts against the disease. The United Kingdom has established a rich ecosystem for dementia research. The Government is investing in dementia research across all areas, from causes, diagnosis and prevention, to treatment, care, and support, including for carers.

In developing the Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia, we are engaging with a wide group of partners to understand what should be included to ensure the best outcomes for people living with dementia. As part of this exercise, we will consider what advancements, if validated for clinical use, interventions, metrics and targets should be supported to improve care for those with dementia.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and NHS England are working to plan for the adoption of any new, licensed and NICE-recommended treatments. NICE is a world-renowned health technology assessment body, and the Government is confident in its methods and processes for ensuring that any new medicines that are recommended for use on the National Health Service provide the most health benefit at a cost-effective price to the taxpayer.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help address regional disparities in dementia diagnosis rates, including in rural and coastal areas like Suffolk Coastal.

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

To reduce variation in diagnosis rates, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities’ Dementia Intelligence Network has developed a tool for local systems, which includes an assessment of population characteristics such as rurality and socio-economic deprivation. This enables systems to investigate local variation in diagnosis and take informed action to enhance their diagnosis rates. The tool has been released and is available via the NHS Futures Collaboration platform.

We will also deliver the first ever Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia to deliver rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity. This will be informed by phase one of the independent commission into adult social care. The commission is underway and phase one will report this year.

The Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia will seek to reduce unwarranted variation and narrow inequality for those living with dementia. It 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 his Department has made of the potential impact of unpaid family carers on levels of demand for NHS services.

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

The Government recognises the significant contribution unpaid family carers make to supporting individuals to remain independent and well at home.

The Department continues to consider the impact of unpaid carers on levels of demand for National Health Service services as part of its broader assessment of health and social care system pressures. The contribution that unpaid family carers make in providing care can help to prevent avoidable hospital admissions and reduce pressure on NHS services.

Work is underway to support the strengthened duties and responsibilities of the NHS towards carers, set out in the Health & Care Act 2022 (in Section 46 around Integrated Care Boards involving carers in commissioning decisions and in section 91 around involvement of unpaid carers in hospital discharge), in a way that aligns with the new Care Quality Commission assessment approach.

We continue to work with NHS England and local authorities to ensure carers are identified, supported and involved in care planning to promote sustainable care arrangements and manage demand across the system.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when Section 25 of the Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act 2008 will commence; whether the commencement of Section 25 will coincide with the coming into force of the relevant provisions of the Child Support (Enforcement) Act 2023 enabling the Child Maintenance Service to create Administrative Liability Orders; and what steps he is taking to ensure the timely implementation of these enforcement powers.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Work is ongoing to implement Administrative Liability Orders.

Section 25 of the Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act 2008 will be commenced as part of the wider package of measures required to implement ALOs. We intend for its commencement to align with the relevant provisions of the Child Support (Enforcement) Act 2023, which will enable the Child Maintenance Service to create Administrative Liability Orders.

While Child Maintenance is reserved, enforcement of CM arrears in Scotland requires using the Scottish judicial system, which is devolved.

We are working closely with HMCTS and the Scottish Government to ensure enforcement action resulting from ALOs operates effectively across the UK, and plan to introduce regulations to parliament to implement the measures across England, Scotland and Wales, as soon as possible.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to expose criminal fronts by working with enforcement bodies.

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

The new High Streets Illegality Taskforce is currently being established and will bring together departments and agencies to develop an intelligence led understanding of organised crime on our high streets, and a strategic long-term policy response to money laundering and associated criminality on UK high streets.

As well, Companies House works with a wide range of partners across Law Enforcement and Government to identify and disrupt economic crime. Where criminality is suspected, information and intelligence are shared with relevant partners.

The capability and capacity of Companies House’s Intelligence Hub has continued to grow, with increased use of the new data sharing powers to disseminate relevant intelligence to key partners, including the National Crime Agency, HMRC, the Insolvency Service and policing in the UK.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has carried out an impact assessment for rules on family visits between the UK and EU member states.

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

Impact Assessments are published within the Explanatory Memoranda of Statements of Changes to the Immigration Rules on gov.uk: www.gov.uk/government/collections/immigration-rules-statement-of-changes

No recent changes have been made to the Immigration Rules for EU nationals coming to the UK to visit family via the Standard Visitor route.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance Border Force officers have been issued on handling cases where children arrive at UK ports of entry without British passports but may be entitled to British citizenship by descent.

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

We have been clear on the requirement for dual British citizens, including children and families, to travel with a valid British passport or Certificate of Entitlement. This requirement applies equally to all British citizens. We recognise the enforcement of ETAs by carriers is a significant change, and so we have provided additional temporary guidance to carriers on possible alternative documentation and have put in place around the clock support for carriers to prepare for these changes. In line with current practice, on arrival at the UK border, Border Force will still assess a person’s eligibility to enter the UK and conduct additional checks if required. This may include assessing an applicant’s claims to hold the right of abode in the UK against existing guidance.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the requirement for dual nationals to enter the UK on a British passport on children and families.

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

We have been clear on the requirement for dual British citizens, including children and families, to travel with a valid British passport or Certificate of Entitlement. This requirement applies equally to all British citizens. We recognise the enforcement of ETAs by carriers is a significant change, and so we have provided additional temporary guidance to carriers on possible alternative documentation and have put in place around the clock support for carriers to prepare for these changes. In line with current practice, on arrival at the UK border, Border Force will still assess a person’s eligibility to enter the UK and conduct additional checks if required. This may include assessing an applicant’s claims to hold the right of abode in the UK against existing guidance.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department has taken to ensure timely and accessible communication of changes to travel and entry requirements for dual nationals, including communication aimed at families with children and non-English speakers.

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

The Home Office has embedded clear messaging for dual nationals across the ETA communications campaign, and published comprehensive guidance on GOV.UK setting out clearly what dual citizens need to do.  We have published an ETA guide for dual nationals on gov.uk, including at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/electronic-travel-authorisation-eta-guide-for-dual-citizens . There is also guidance on GOV.UK to help people determine whether they or their family members qualify for British citizenship at: https://www.gov.uk/check-british-citizenship.

We have provided explicit written and spoken guidance to people who naturalise or register as British citizens, including through their application and at citizenship ceremonies, and since the start of the year we have also emailed people who have registered or naturalised in the last 10 years where we hold useable contact details, to alert them to the changing requirements.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that information on rules for dual nationals and the Electronic Travel Authorisation system is clearly signposted on relevant government webpages.

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

The Home Office has embedded clear messaging for dual nationals across the ETA communications campaign, and published comprehensive guidance on GOV.UK setting out clearly what dual citizens need to do.  We have published an ETA guide for dual nationals on gov.uk, including at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/electronic-travel-authorisation-eta-guide-for-dual-citizens . There is also guidance on GOV.UK to help people determine whether they or their family members qualify for British citizenship at: https://www.gov.uk/check-british-citizenship.

We have provided explicit written and spoken guidance to people who naturalise or register as British citizens, including through their application and at citizenship ceremonies, and since the start of the year we have also emailed people who have registered or naturalised in the last 10 years where we hold useable contact details, to alert them to the changing requirements.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what support the Government is providing to independent brewers and local supply chains linked to the pub sector.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government recognises the vital contribution that breweries and local supply chains make to pubs and remains committed to supporting a sector that is diverse, competitive, and rooted in local communities.

Small Producer Relief (SPR) supports smaller producers by allowing those producing up to 4,500 hectolitres of pure alcohol per year to pay reduced duty on products below 8.5% ABV. At Budget 2025, the Government increased the cash discount for small producers, maintaining the value of SPR relative to main duty rates.

The Government works closely with industry and across departments to monitor risks to food and drink supply chain resilience, supported by regular engagement to prepare for and respond to potential disruptions

Additionally, we have reviewed the beer market to assess whether structural barriers are preventing small breweries from accessing pubs. The findings are being considered, and I will announce the outcome in due course.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what targeted support is available to rural pubs that face higher operating costs and limited footfall compared with urban businesses.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government recognises the significant role rural pubs play in driving economic growth, employment and community cohesion across the UK. That is why we are offering targeted support for the sector.

Following the Budget, we recently announced an additional 15% reduction in the business rates bill for pubs, alongside the permanent reduction in the business rates multiplier for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties.

We recognise that pubs are at the beating heart of communities, providing not just a place to socialise but essential services and local jobs. That's why we're investing £440,000 with Pub is The Hub to help rural pubs diversify, aiming to support rural communities, create new jobs and services.

We have announced a new Hospitality Support Fund, with £10 million of funding over three years. This fund will aim to help over 1000 pubs to diversify their business models, improve efficiency and productivity in the sector; and support people who are furthest from the labour market to move into jobs in hospitality.

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 potential implications for his policies of the role of pubs as community hubs in rural areas.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government recognises the vital role of pubs in rural areas, supporting local economies, providing spaces for people to come together, and offering essential services for local people.

Through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, we will introduce a new community right to buy to empower local people to bring valued assets such as pubs into community ownership and protect them for the benefit of the wider community. Our £5.8 billion Pride in Place programme will support investment in valued local assets. The selection methodology for the programme targets need across all communities, including rural areas.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of allowing unpaid family carers to receive Covid-19 booster vaccinations alongside the person they care for where a home vaccination visit is already taking place.

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

The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The primary aim of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme remains the prevention of serious illness, resulting in hospitalisations and deaths, arising from COVID-19.

The JCVI advised in its autumn 2024 advice that, in the current era of high population immunity to COVID-19 and with all cases due to Omicron sub-lineages of COVID-19, currently available COVID-19 vaccines provide limited protection against transmission and mild or asymptomatic disease. The JCVI therefore advised that the focus of the programme should be on offering vaccination where it directly protects an individual at higher risk. In line with this advice, unpaid carers as well as household contacts of the immunosuppressed ceased to be offered COVID-19 vaccination from autumn 2024.

In line with the advice the JCVI gave for 2025 and spring 2026, a COVID-19 vaccination will be offered this spring to the following groups:

• adults aged 75 years old and over;
• residents in care homes for older adults; and
• individuals aged six months old and over who are immunosuppressed.

The JCVI keeps all vaccination programmes under review.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance his Department has issued on whether frontline staff are able to provide covid-19 vaccinations to unpaid carers who are present during home vaccination visits.

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

The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The primary aim of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme remains the prevention of serious illness, resulting in hospitalisations and deaths, arising from COVID-19.

The JCVI advised in its autumn 2024 advice that, in the current era of high population immunity to COVID-19 and with all cases due to Omicron sub-lineages of COVID-19, currently available COVID-19 vaccines provide limited protection against transmission and mild or asymptomatic disease. The JCVI therefore advised that the focus of the programme should be on offering vaccination where it directly protects an individual at higher risk. In line with this advice, unpaid carers as well as household contacts of the immunosuppressed ceased to be offered COVID-19 vaccination from autumn 2024.

In line with the advice the JCVI gave for 2025 and spring 2026, a COVID-19 vaccination will be offered this spring to the following groups:

• adults aged 75 years old and over;
• residents in care homes for older adults; and
• individuals aged six months old and over who are immunosuppressed.

The JCVI keeps all vaccination programmes under review.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of heating oil costs on older and vulnerable people living in rural, off-grid homes; and what steps he is taking to ensure that energy support schemes protect people with long-term health conditions who are unable to maintain warmth during winter.

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

The measures taken in the Autumn Budget reduce the cost of electricity and therefore benefit all households with a domestic electricity meter, including those not on the gas grid. In addition, on 30 January, we announced the continuation of the Warm Home Discount scheme until 2030/31, providing around 6 million eligible households with the £150 rebate on their energy bills each winter.

The Department keeps heating oil prices and market conditions under review and produces official statistics on petroleum and crude oil prices, including prices of gas oil and standard grade burning oil on a monthly basis which can be found here.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to review the designated bathing waters framework.

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

A review of the Bathing Waters Regulations (2013) was undertaken in 2024-25. Following a consultation on potential reforms to the regulations from November-December 2024, the Bathing Water (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2025 came into force on 21 November 2025. Defra will continue to keep the implementation of the regulations under review.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the current status is of work to develop or introduce a recreational water status in England.

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

In our response to the consultation on amending the Bathing Water 2013 Regulations at the end of 2024, the Government noted the support for expanding the definition of a bather to include other recreational water users. Work has begun on an evidence review to consider the environmental and public health implications of any change.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to close illicit (a) mini‑marts, (b) barbers, (c) vape shops and (d) other similar outlets.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The Government is committed to working with partners to tackle high street illegality from businesses such as mini marts, barbers, vape shops and similar outlets.

Building on recent operational activity (Operation MACHINIZE), led by the National Crime Agency in conjunction with National Police Chief’s Council, in the 2025 Autumn Budget, the Government allocated £10 million per year for three years to tackle high street illegality. This funding includes the creation of the High Streets Illegality Taskforce, enhancements to Trading Standards capabilities and support for at least 45 additional law enforcement officers.

Hosted by the Home Office, the cross-government Taskforce is now operational and is working to develop a strategic long-term policy response to money laundering and associated illegality on UK high streets, including other forms of economic crime, tax evasion, and illegal working, tackling the systemic vulnerabilities that criminals exploit.

More broadly, following the completion of Economic Crime Plan 2 in March 2026, we expect to publish a new Economic Crime Plan in 2026. Developed jointly with HMT and in partnership with the private sector, the Plan will set a clear direction for strengthening the UK’s approach to tackling money laundering and boosting asset recovery.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress her Department is making on the cross‑government taskforce to tackle organised crime and money laundering on high streets.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The Government is committed to working with partners to tackle high street illegality from businesses such as mini marts, barbers, vape shops and similar outlets.

Building on recent operational activity (Operation MACHINIZE), led by the National Crime Agency in conjunction with National Police Chief’s Council, in the 2025 Autumn Budget, the Government allocated £10 million per year for three years to tackle high street illegality. This funding includes the creation of the High Streets Illegality Taskforce, enhancements to Trading Standards capabilities and support for at least 45 additional law enforcement officers.

Hosted by the Home Office, the cross-government Taskforce is now operational and is working to develop a strategic long-term policy response to money laundering and associated illegality on UK high streets, including other forms of economic crime, tax evasion, and illegal working, tackling the systemic vulnerabilities that criminals exploit.

More broadly, following the completion of Economic Crime Plan 2 in March 2026, we expect to publish a new Economic Crime Plan in 2026. Developed jointly with HMT and in partnership with the private sector, the Plan will set a clear direction for strengthening the UK’s approach to tackling money laundering and boosting asset recovery.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to tackle high‑street money laundering.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The Government is committed to working with partners to tackle high street illegality from businesses such as mini marts, barbers, vape shops and similar outlets.

Building on recent operational activity (Operation MACHINIZE), led by the National Crime Agency in conjunction with National Police Chief’s Council, in the 2025 Autumn Budget, the Government allocated £10 million per year for three years to tackle high street illegality. This funding includes the creation of the High Streets Illegality Taskforce, enhancements to Trading Standards capabilities and support for at least 45 additional law enforcement officers.

Hosted by the Home Office, the cross-government Taskforce is now operational and is working to develop a strategic long-term policy response to money laundering and associated illegality on UK high streets, including other forms of economic crime, tax evasion, and illegal working, tackling the systemic vulnerabilities that criminals exploit.

More broadly, following the completion of Economic Crime Plan 2 in March 2026, we expect to publish a new Economic Crime Plan in 2026. Developed jointly with HMT and in partnership with the private sector, the Plan will set a clear direction for strengthening the UK’s approach to tackling money laundering and boosting asset recovery.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of pensioners living in rural, off-grid homes who are ineligible for Pension Credit but are in fuel poverty due to reliance on heating oil; and whether he plans to (a) review eligibility thresholds and (b) introduce targeted support for such households.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Pension Credit provides direct financial support to pensioner households on the lowest incomes, ensuring that they receive a guaranteed minimum level of income – the Standard Minimum Guarantee (SMG). The Standard Minimum Guarantee is subject to the Secretary of State’s annual statutory review of State Pension and benefit rates, and it will increase this year by 4.8% from April.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress her Department has made on creating a public reporting line for illicit high‑street businesses.

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

The High Streets Illegality Taskforce is working to develop a strategic long-term policy response to money laundering and associated illegality on UK high streets, including other forms of economic crime, tax evasion, and illegal working, tackling the systemic vulnerabilities that criminals exploit. As part of this work, the Taskforce will consider mechanisms to support effective information flows.

The public can report concerns about illicit high street businesses to the police or anonymously to Crimestoppers UK on 0800 555 111.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she is considering piloting a recreational water status.

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

In our response to the consultation on amending the Bathing Water 2013 Regulations at the end of 2024, the Government noted the support for expanding the definition of a bather to include other recreational water users. Work has begun on an evidence review to consider the environmental and public health implications of any change.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to accelerate the development and adoption of non-animal methods for sepsis research.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 1 December 2025 to Question UIN 94115.

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 adequacy of the funding to deliver the Replacing Animals in Science strategy; and whether funding for delivery bodies will be provided on a ring-fenced, multi-year basis.

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

The Government has announced £75m of funding to accelerate alternatives and innovation, with new capabilities being developed across the UK. This funding will help bring forward advanced testing methods that can save lives and support a faster, science‑led route to regulation. £60 million of this is ring‑fenced, multi‑year funding secured through the 2025 Spending Review to provide long‑term stability for strategic programmes. The Department remains fully committed to delivering the actions set out in the Replacing Animals in Science strategy through the funding secured in the Review.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what governance arrangements are in place to oversee delivery of the Replacing Animals in Science strategy; how progress on the strategy will be monitored across Government; and what steps he will take to ensure sustained ministerial leadership throughout this Parliament.

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

The Department is working closely with colleagues across Government to strengthen the coordination, development, validation and uptake of non‑animal methods. The Replacing Animals in Science strategy commits to establish governance structures to oversee progress and delivery of the strategies actions, including a set of key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess and monitor the delivery of the strategy. The first cross‑departmental ministerial meeting on the delivery of the strategy is scheduled to take place next month and will provide a formal mechanism to drive progress and ensure alignment across policy areas.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to ensure effective collaboration with (a) regulators, (b) industry, (c) academia and (d) civil society organisations in the delivery of the Replacing Animals in Science strategy.

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

The Labour Manifesto commits to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing. The strategy was developed with regulators, industry, academia and civil society and this engagement will continue during implementation of the strategy. Regulators will be represented within new governance structures as part of the implementation process, and we will work closely with experts across these sectors to ensure the strategy remains science‑led, up to date and focused on driving the development, validation and uptake of advanced non‑animal methods.

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 merits of including specific, time-bound targets and milestones for the replacement of animal experiments with non-animal methods.

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

Transparent targets and milestones and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the delivery of the Replacing Animals in Science Strategy will be published later in 2026. It is not yet possible to replace all animal use due to the complexity of biological systems and regulatory requirements for their use. Any work to phase out animal testing must be science-led, in lock step with partners, so we will not be setting arbitrary timelines for overall reduction, but we will publish timelines for specific actions.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what metrics will be used to measure progress in reducing the number of animals used in scientific research; and how often this data will be published.

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

Transparent targets and milestones and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the delivery of the Replacing Animals in Science Strategy will be published later in 2026. It is not yet possible to replace all animal use due to the complexity of biological systems and regulatory requirements for their use. Any work to phase out animal testing must be science-led, in lock step with partners, so we will not be setting arbitrary timelines for overall reduction, but we will publish timelines for specific actions.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to equalise the VAT treatment of Further Education colleges and school sixth forms.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Further Education (FE) funding is vital to ensure people are being trained in the skills they need to thrive in the modern labour market. The 2025 Spending Review provided an additional £1.2 billion per year by 2028-29 for skills and £1.7 billion of capital funding to help colleges maintain the condition of their estate. In addition, the Government is providing £375 million of capital investment to support the FE system to accommodate increasing student numbers.

For their non-business activity, FE colleges are unable to reclaim VAT incurred. We operate VAT refund schemes for schools and academies which are designed variously to ensure that VAT is not a burden on local taxation, and that academies are not disincentivised to leave LA control. FE colleges do not meet the criteria for either scheme.

In relation to business activity, FE colleges enjoy an exemption from VAT which means that they do not have to charge VAT to students but cannot recover it either.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what funding is available to local authorities to deliver road safety measures around schools, including crossings, speed management and parking enforcement in 2026-27 in (a) England, (b) the East of England, (c) Suffolk and (d) Suffolk Coastal constituency.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The Government provides a range of funding streams and national guidance to support local authorities in improving road safety around schools, including measures such as pedestrian crossings, traffic‑calming, speed management and School Streets schemes.

We have confirmed £7.3 billion of capital funding for local highway maintenance across England between 2026–27 and 2029–30, allocated to local authorities to maintain and improve their road networks. This includes the road infrastructure around schools.

The Consolidated Active Travel Fund (CATF) may be used to deliver safety improvements around schools as part of wider walking and cycling programmes. In the latest CATF allocation round, Suffolk County Council received £2,784,685, which can be used for schemes in any part of the county, including within the Suffolk Coastal constituency.

Local authorities are responsible for identifying risks around schools and selecting appropriate interventions, drawing on national guidance. This includes:

• Setting Local Speed Limits, which advises on implementing permanent or time‑limited 20 mph limits outside schools and is being updated as part of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy.

• Chapter 6 of the Traffic Signs Manual, which provides guidance on the design and use of pedestrian crossings.

• Local Transport Note 1/07, which sets out advice on traffic‑calming measures.

• Guidance from the Department for Transport and Active Travel England on establishing and managing School Streets schemes, which restrict vehicle access near schools at peak times.

It is for local authorities to determine what measures are appropriate in individual cases as they have the local knowledge and it is right that they focus on the areas of highest risk, which may be where tragic collisions have occurred - but there is nothing to stop them implementing road safety measures elsewhere. The Government expects local authorities to work with local schools, parents, and communities to address concerns about road safety in their local area.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to ensure local authorities publish the outcome of school gate road safety assessments and the measures implemented at each school where risk is identified.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The Government provides a range of funding streams and national guidance to support local authorities in improving road safety around schools, including measures such as pedestrian crossings, traffic‑calming, speed management and School Streets schemes.

We have confirmed £7.3 billion of capital funding for local highway maintenance across England between 2026–27 and 2029–30, allocated to local authorities to maintain and improve their road networks. This includes the road infrastructure around schools.

The Consolidated Active Travel Fund (CATF) may be used to deliver safety improvements around schools as part of wider walking and cycling programmes. In the latest CATF allocation round, Suffolk County Council received £2,784,685, which can be used for schemes in any part of the county, including within the Suffolk Coastal constituency.

Local authorities are responsible for identifying risks around schools and selecting appropriate interventions, drawing on national guidance. This includes:

• Setting Local Speed Limits, which advises on implementing permanent or time‑limited 20 mph limits outside schools and is being updated as part of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy.

• Chapter 6 of the Traffic Signs Manual, which provides guidance on the design and use of pedestrian crossings.

• Local Transport Note 1/07, which sets out advice on traffic‑calming measures.

• Guidance from the Department for Transport and Active Travel England on establishing and managing School Streets schemes, which restrict vehicle access near schools at peak times.

It is for local authorities to determine what measures are appropriate in individual cases as they have the local knowledge and it is right that they focus on the areas of highest risk, which may be where tragic collisions have occurred - but there is nothing to stop them implementing road safety measures elsewhere. The Government expects local authorities to work with local schools, parents, and communities to address concerns about road safety in their local area.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance her Department provides to local authorities on responding to road safety risks around schools, including time-limited 20 mph restrictions, crossings and school streets.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The Government provides a range of funding streams and national guidance to support local authorities in improving road safety around schools, including measures such as pedestrian crossings, traffic‑calming, speed management and School Streets schemes.

We have confirmed £7.3 billion of capital funding for local highway maintenance across England between 2026–27 and 2029–30, allocated to local authorities to maintain and improve their road networks. This includes the road infrastructure around schools.

The Consolidated Active Travel Fund (CATF) may be used to deliver safety improvements around schools as part of wider walking and cycling programmes. In the latest CATF allocation round, Suffolk County Council received £2,784,685, which can be used for schemes in any part of the county, including within the Suffolk Coastal constituency.

Local authorities are responsible for identifying risks around schools and selecting appropriate interventions, drawing on national guidance. This includes:

• Setting Local Speed Limits, which advises on implementing permanent or time‑limited 20 mph limits outside schools and is being updated as part of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy.

• Chapter 6 of the Traffic Signs Manual, which provides guidance on the design and use of pedestrian crossings.

• Local Transport Note 1/07, which sets out advice on traffic‑calming measures.

• Guidance from the Department for Transport and Active Travel England on establishing and managing School Streets schemes, which restrict vehicle access near schools at peak times.

It is for local authorities to determine what measures are appropriate in individual cases as they have the local knowledge and it is right that they focus on the areas of highest risk, which may be where tragic collisions have occurred - but there is nothing to stop them implementing road safety measures elsewhere. The Government expects local authorities to work with local schools, parents, and communities to address concerns about road safety in their local area.

Found: Juliet Campbell MP • Charlie Dewhirst MP • Sarah Dyke MP • Terry Jermy MP • Josh Newbury MP • Jenny Riddell-Carpenter

The UK Government has set numerous goals related to habitat restoration under the Environmental Improvement Plan, much of which of hoped to be achieved through the Government’s Environmental Land Management Schemes. The Government has also set several ambitious targets through its housebuilding programme and plans for net zero energy generation.