Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the effectiveness of the Licensing Act 2003.

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

The Government regularly engages with a wide range of stakeholders to keep the Licensing Act 2003 under review and is confident that it continues to provide a clear and effective legislative framework for regulating licensable activities.

The Government published a new National Licensing Policy Framework in November to provide further guidance to applicants and local licensing authorities on striking the right balance between providing safeguards to prevent nuisance, crime and disorder while promoting growth and recognising the contribution licensed premises make to our hospitality sector and to thriving night-time economies.

We continue to work closely with licensing practitioners to ensure the regime remains fit for purpose and responds to emerging challenges. Using the powers already in place within the regime we will shortly be legislating for national licensing hours extensions to allow fans to celebrate England and Scotland team successes at the men’s football World Cup this summer.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of trends in the level of breeding and ownership of brachycephalic animals.

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

Dog breeders licensed under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations are prohibited from breeding dogs if it can be reasonably expected that on the basis of their genotype, phenotype or health, this would lead to welfare problems for the mother or the puppies.

In the Animal Welfare Strategy, the Government committed to launch a consultation on dog breeding reform to improve health and welfare, and also to improve understanding of the size, scale and current management practices related to cat breeding, and consider any further steps which may improve welfare practices in the cat breeding sector.

The strategy was developed following engagement with key stakeholders and consideration of sector evidence, such as the Animal Welfare Committee’s reports on canine and feline breeding practices.

Defra works with a range of sector organisations who are raising public awareness of the health risks associated with brachycephalic animals. This includes via tools such as the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare’s Innate Health Assessment, Royal Kennel Club’s Respiratory Function Grading scheme assessment for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome and the Canine and Feline Sector Group Code of Practice for Dog Breeding. Many organisations have public facing campaigns to promote awareness such as Cats Protection, and the UK Brachycephalic Working Groups ‘stop and think’ campaign to prioritise health when purchasing dogs.

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 trends in the level of Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome in dogs in the UK.

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

Dog breeders licensed under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations are prohibited from breeding dogs if it can be reasonably expected that on the basis of their genotype, phenotype or health, this would lead to welfare problems for the mother or the puppies.

In the Animal Welfare Strategy, the Government committed to launch a consultation on dog breeding reform to improve health and welfare, and also to improve understanding of the size, scale and current management practices related to cat breeding, and consider any further steps which may improve welfare practices in the cat breeding sector.

The strategy was developed following engagement with key stakeholders and consideration of sector evidence, such as the Animal Welfare Committee’s reports on canine and feline breeding practices.

Defra works with a range of sector organisations who are raising public awareness of the health risks associated with brachycephalic animals. This includes via tools such as the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare’s Innate Health Assessment, Royal Kennel Club’s Respiratory Function Grading scheme assessment for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome and the Canine and Feline Sector Group Code of Practice for Dog Breeding. Many organisations have public facing campaigns to promote awareness such as Cats Protection, and the UK Brachycephalic Working Groups ‘stop and think’ campaign to prioritise health when purchasing dogs.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to raise public awareness of the health risks associated with brachycephalic animals.

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

Dog breeders licensed under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations are prohibited from breeding dogs if it can be reasonably expected that on the basis of their genotype, phenotype or health, this would lead to welfare problems for the mother or the puppies.

In the Animal Welfare Strategy, the Government committed to launch a consultation on dog breeding reform to improve health and welfare, and also to improve understanding of the size, scale and current management practices related to cat breeding, and consider any further steps which may improve welfare practices in the cat breeding sector.

The strategy was developed following engagement with key stakeholders and consideration of sector evidence, such as the Animal Welfare Committee’s reports on canine and feline breeding practices.

Defra works with a range of sector organisations who are raising public awareness of the health risks associated with brachycephalic animals. This includes via tools such as the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare’s Innate Health Assessment, Royal Kennel Club’s Respiratory Function Grading scheme assessment for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome and the Canine and Feline Sector Group Code of Practice for Dog Breeding. Many organisations have public facing campaigns to promote awareness such as Cats Protection, and the UK Brachycephalic Working Groups ‘stop and think’ campaign to prioritise health when purchasing dogs.

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 a) secure alternative treatments for people at risk of adrenal crisis following the discontinuation of hydrocortisone sodium phosphate solution and b) help ensure that people with adrenal insufficiency have timely access to appropriate emergency steroid treatment.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for Isle of Wight West on 22 April 2026 to Question 126862.

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 cardiac screening for young people.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government recognises how worrying heart health can be for the families of young people. That is why the National Health Service already offers cardiac tests for young people who present with symptoms that could indicate a cardiac issue.

However, testing young people without symptoms would be classed as a screening programme. It is vital that screening policy is based on robust scientific evidence, as screening can also cause harm.

In considering whether any screening programme should be introduced, the Government is guided by the independent scientific advice of the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC). The UK NSC makes its recommendations based on internationally recognised criteria and a rigorous evidence review and consultation process. Where the committee is confident that offering screening provides more good than harm, they recommend a screening programme.

The UK NSC last reviewed screening for the conditions associated with sudden cardiac death in people under the age of 39 years old in 2019. The conclusion of that review was that population screening should not be offered, as research showed that current tests are not accurate enough to use on young people with no symptoms.

Current evidence suggests that introducing population-level screening for sudden cardiac death would cause harm by misdiagnosing some people, which could lead to some people being prescribed medication that they don’t need or undergoing medical procedures that they don’t need, such as having an implantable defibrillator fitted. It could lead to people living in fear of sudden cardiac death when they’re not at risk, and potentially making life-changing decisions, such as giving up exercise, which could have a negative long-term impact on their health.

The UK NSC is due to open a public consultation to seek comments from members of the public and stakeholders on screening for the conditions associated with sudden cardiac death later this spring, and we would encourage those with an interest to contribute.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Government’s response to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s report of 21 March 2024 on public confidence in the Ombudsman process.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

We have taken the PHSO’s report seriously and given the findings the close examination that they deserved. We have set out the detailed reasons for our decision in our new response, on the 29 January, which has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has identified any crop protection products currently approved in Great Britain but not in the European Union that may be affected by regulatory alignment.

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

The UK-EU SPS agreement is under negotiation and pesticides regulations are in scope. The Common Understanding sets out that the United Kingdom, acting in respect of Great Britain, will dynamically align with all the relevant European Union rules. My Department’s analysis of divergence between the UK and EU regulatory decisions is ongoing. This has greatly benefited from evidence and insight from business, which is informing the approach to negotiations and implementation.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to include reference to freedom of religion or belief, including the experiences of women who convert to minority religions, in future Human Rights and Democracy reports.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answers provided on 23 April to Questions 128246-47.

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 ensure that brand‑specific prescribing is matched by adequate supply and distribution arrangements.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed

Decisions about what medicines to prescribe, including whether to prescribe by brand name or generically, are clinical decisions made following discussion with a patient.

Where a prescriber specifies a particular brand or supplier because it is clinically necessary, for example due to side effects or allergies, pharmacies are required to dispense that specific product.

Medicine supply chains are complex, global, and highly regulated and there are a number of reasons why supply can be disrupted, many of which are not specific to the United Kingdom and outside of Government control, including manufacturing difficulties, access to raw materials, sudden demand spikes, or distribution issues and regulatory issues. There are approximately 14,000 licensed medicines and the overwhelming majority are in good supply.

While we can’t always prevent supply issues from occurring, we have a range of well-established processes and tools to manage them when they arise and mitigate risks to patients. These include close and regular engagement with suppliers, use of alternative strengths or forms of a medicine to allow patients to remain on the same product, expediting regulatory procedures, sourcing unlicensed imports from abroad, adding products to the restricted exports and hoarding list, use of Serious Shortage Protocols, and issuing National Health Service communications to provide management advice and information on the issue to healthcare professionals including pharmacists, so they can advise and support their patients.

The Department monitors and manages medicine supply at a national level so that stocks remain available to meet regional and local demand.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to address the potential impact of brand‑specific prescribing on the availability of medication at pharmacies.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed

Decisions about what medicines to prescribe, including whether to prescribe by brand name or generically, are clinical decisions made following discussion with a patient.

Where a prescriber specifies a particular brand or supplier because it is clinically necessary, for example due to side effects or allergies, pharmacies are required to dispense that specific product.

Medicine supply chains are complex, global, and highly regulated and there are a number of reasons why supply can be disrupted, many of which are not specific to the United Kingdom and outside of Government control, including manufacturing difficulties, access to raw materials, sudden demand spikes, or distribution issues and regulatory issues. There are approximately 14,000 licensed medicines and the overwhelming majority are in good supply.

While we can’t always prevent supply issues from occurring, we have a range of well-established processes and tools to manage them when they arise and mitigate risks to patients. These include close and regular engagement with suppliers, use of alternative strengths or forms of a medicine to allow patients to remain on the same product, expediting regulatory procedures, sourcing unlicensed imports from abroad, adding products to the restricted exports and hoarding list, use of Serious Shortage Protocols, and issuing National Health Service communications to provide management advice and information on the issue to healthcare professionals including pharmacists, so they can advise and support their patients.

The Department monitors and manages medicine supply at a national level so that stocks remain available to meet regional and local demand.

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 NICE's severity modifier on access to drugs for secondary breast cancer patients.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given on 3 March 2026 to Question 114336.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will require online vendors to clearly display which courier service they are using.

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

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 prohibits unfair commercial practices, including misleading actions and omissions of material information, that are likely to impact the average consumer’s transactional decision.

Beyond this, how vendors display information is a commercial decision. Consumers are encouraged to provide feedback and suggestions to businesses directly. This encourages businesses to adapt and fairly compete based on demand.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the findings of the European Committee of Social Rights on the UK’s compliance with the European Social Charter in relation to prison officers.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department plans to review the prohibition on prison officers taking industrial action.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

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 level of support available to children with situational mutism in Chichester constituency.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to SEND reforms, what provisions will be made for home-educated children with SEND and children with Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA).

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to SEND reforms, what assessment she has made of the potential administrative burden on teachers under the new system.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take legislative steps to ensure that all new washing machines are fitted with a 50-micron microfibre filter by 2030.

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

The Government recognises growing concerns around microplastics, including microfibre release from textiles, and is committed to building a strong evidence base to inform effective interventions to protect human health and the environment. It is supporting research and engagement with stakeholders, including on the potential role of technologies such as microfibre filters.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take legislative steps to ensure that storm overflows cause no environmental harm in protected landscapes by 2035.

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

Water companies must take action to address storm overflow spills. Between 2025 and 2030, over £10bn, a historic amount, is being invested in improving nearly 2,500 storm overflows across England, targeted at those affecting the most sensitive sites for ecological and human health.

To deliver on the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan, we are expecting £60bn of investment to be delivered across England by 2050, which should ensure that no storm overflow is permitted to operate outside of unusually heavy rainfall or to cause any adverse ecological harm.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he will establish a central fund to enable local authorities and the Environment Agency to use their permissive powers to protect legacy coastal landfill sites.

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

The Government recognises the complexity and challenges posed by legacy coastal landfill sites (also known as historic coastal landfill sites), particularly in the context of coastal erosion and climate change. It commissioned a project to consolidate research and better understand the scale of risks posed by these sites in England. The findings of the national assessment into erosion and flooding risks at these sites will enable the Government to make informed considerations about potential methodologies that local responsible authorities and partners can use to prioritise action. The final report from this will be published shortly.

There are no plans to establish a dedicated central fund to support the use of permissive powers for legacy coastal landfill protection. Local authorities receive revenue funding for local flood and coastal erosion risk management through the Local Government Finance Settlement. The Local Government Finance Settlement for 2026-27 makes available £83.5 billion. This rises to £90.5 billion in 2028/29. Most of local government funding is not ring-fenced, reflecting the principle that local authorities are best placed to determine how to address service pressures in their areas.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of NHS pathways for patients with Long Covid, in particular the extent to which current service structures allow for an overall or holistic clinical view of the condition.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The commissioning of services for Long Covid is the responsibility of integrated care boards, which should be in line with NHS England’s commissioning guidance for post-COVID services, which sets out a blueprint for best practice in supporting people with Long Covid, and is designed to be adapted to local needs. The commissioning guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/national-commissioning-guidance-for-post-covid-services/

As of 1 April 2024, there were over 90 adult post-COVID services across England, along with an additional 10 children and young people’s hubs. In addition to the support provided in primary care, published data from April 2024 shows over 100,000 people have been seen by a specialist post-COVID service, with a further 350,000 follow up appointments taking place.

Additionally, the template service specification for mild and moderate myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), which is currently being developed in conjunction with NHS England, is set to include Long COVID. The template aims to improve pathways through care for patients with Long COVID, ME/CFS, and other related conditions.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will ban discharge from all vessels in UK territorial waters.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government regulates discharges from vessels in UK waters and takes action domestically and internationally to reduce environmental impacts from shipping, including at the International Maritime Organization.

The UK has agreed with international partners, through the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (the OSPAR Convention), to phase out discharges from exhaust gas cleaning systems (commonly known as “scrubbers”) in ports and inland waters, in response to evidence of potential impacts on the marine environment.

The UK is contributing to analytical work to assess the impacts of extending these restrictions to territorial seas and to consider how any such measures could be implemented effectively in UK waters.

Touring artists mobility arrangements

Palestinian children in Israeli military detention

65th anniversary of the Princess Theatre

Mutual recognition of professional qualifications

Reducing trade and mobility barriers between the UK and EU

England men's football team

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance

Cardiac risk in the young

National Fish and Chip Day

Social Care and Community Integrated Care’s Unfair to Care Report 2026

National Fish and Chip Day 2026

World Cider Day

GP access

NHS dentistry

Access to GP appointments

NHS funding for mental health services

Youth unemployment in Wales

Wimborne Rugby Club 75th anniversary

Closure of Thatcham Broadway Post Office

Climate Change Committee’s Fourth Independent Assessment of UK Climate Risk

Abolition of Healthwatch

Draft Code of Practice on Services, public functions and associations

VAT for UK hospitality

Torbay and District Deaf Society

Government response to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman report on communication of changes to women’s state pension age

Improvements to and funding for Hertfordshire’s SEND service

Devon Day 2026

Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Medical Training and students

Scott Hastings (No. 2)

NHS maternity services

AI content labelling

Emergency Medicine Day 2026

Chelsea flower show

Protecting children from data exploitation

Towards a ceasefire and political resolution in Sudan

Official Development Assistance

A&E corridor care

Palantir and the NHS

Future of Cumbria Constabulary

Enhertu for metastatic breast cancer patients

Anstruther Fish Bar and The Wee Chippy

Civil Service pensions

Support for the Red Arrows

UK-EU Youth Mobility Scheme

Carers Week 2026

Protest rights

Seven-year anniversary of the mixed-aged couples’ rule

Scott Hastings

US sanctions on Cuba

Fundraising by Albie Lavallee for the National Autistic Society

UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures agreement

Safety of British nationals following the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla

St Albans Interfaith League and support for inter-faith initiatives

Free-to-air coverage of European finals

Nature Friendly Farming Week

Local government and social care

Rough sleeping, homelessness prevention and long-term housing support

President Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement

Climate Change Act 2008

Warm Homes Plan

Nuclear Regulatory Review and habitats regulations

Renewable energy and coal

Energy prices for households and businesses

Mobile connectivity in rural areas

Access to banking services

State of our Beaches report 2025

Retirement leasehold service charges and exit fees

Acquired Brain Injury Week 2026

Online abuse and exploitation of Ukrainian refugees

Visas and access to education for Ukrainian refugee children

Stability for Ukrainian refugees in the UK

Protection and restoration of ancient woodland

UNESCO World Heritage status for chalk streams in England

UK-US Trade Deal and animal welfare and farming

Fracking moratorium and onshore fossil fuel exploration

Climate Change Committee's seventh Carbon Budget

UK hauliers and border friction

National Emergency Briefing

Wild sea birds and sand eels

Abbey School's The Green Wave initiative

Afghan women and girls

90th anniversary of the Spitfire

Responsible use of pesticides in pet flea and tick treatments

Local Housing Allowance

Melbury Lodge mental health care model

Reform of monetary limits on charity lotteries

Proportional representation for general elections

Zero carbon homes

Gambling harms

Speech and Language Therapy for Autistic Children

Implications for rural communities of the Autumn Budget 2024

Support for farmers

Fruit and vegetable aid scheme

Water bills

Water sector reform

Leasehold reform

Heating oil prices

Housing

Farmgate milk price reduction

Food Bill

A UK-EU customs union to help tackle the cost-of-living crisis

Cost of red diesel

EU Entry/Exit System and border delays for British travellers

Introduction of reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief

Meta and YouTube and legal liability for addictive design and online harms

120 years of the Language Assistant Programme and international cultural exchange

UK arms sales to Israel

Digital sovereignty and sovereign public procurement strategy

Two-state solution in Israel and Palestine

Rebuilding UK defence ties with Europe

Proportional Representation for UK Elections

Reaching 3% of GDP on defence by 2030

Issuing defence bonds to help restore Britain’s military

Mental Health Awareness Week

Social media for under-16s

Holding Iran’s regime to account and proscribing the IRGC

Upland farmers and common land

Funding for rural Britain

Outdoor learning specialist apprenticeships

Care for people with depression and bipolar disorder

Supporting Ukraine and seizing Russia’s frozen assets

Approval for China’s new embassy

Redress for people impacted by surgical mesh, sodium valproate and Primodos

Protections for Hong Kongers

Closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan

Palestinian children in Israeli military detention

Protection and restoration of ancient woodland

Royal Mail delivery standards

Court transcript costs

Found: Tuesday 19 November 2024 Members present Bob Blackman, in the Chair Jess Brown-Fuller Mary Glindon