Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to prevent baby food being marketed to parents as healthy despite containing high levels of sugar.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon Member to the Department's publication on Commercial Baby Food and Drink, published on 22 August 2025, available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/commercial-baby-food-and-drink-voluntary-industry-guidelines/commercial-baby-food-and-drink-voluntary-industry-guidelines#category-definitions

I also refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 21 November 2025 in response to Question 90446.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the capability of the Royal Navy at responding to Russian incursions in British waters.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question 10682.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-06-17/10682

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 removal of the triple lock on pensioners in relative poverty in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Pension policy is a transferred (devolved) matter in Northern Ireland and is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive. The Department for Communities (DfC) is responsible for policy and delivery.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to ensure that young people understand the legal consequences of creating and sharing AI generated sexual images; and what measures he is putting in place to ensure that sentencing guidelines are sufficient to deter young people from engaging in this behaviour.

Answered by Jake Richards - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

This Government recognises that harmful sexual behaviour by children requires early, decisive and preventative action. That is why we introduced revised statutory Relationships, Sex and Health Education guidance requiring all secondary pupils to be taught about the law relating to online image and information sharing, including AI generated sexual imagery and deepfakes. This involves young people understanding the potentially serious consequences of acquiring or generating indecent or sexual images of someone under 18, including the potential for criminal charges and severe penalties, including imprisonment.

The Sentencing Code sets out the statutory framework for sentencing, whilst the independent Sentencing Council produces and evaluates sentencing guidelines as per its statutory duty. The Government’s position is that courts must have access to interventions that are robust and effective. That is why, as set out in the Youth Justice White Paper published in May 2026, we intend to strengthen the availability of more intensive sentences, giving youth courts greater access to impose rigorous interventions that tackle offending behaviour and reduce reoffending.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help reduce the number of police officers on long term sick leave.

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

Supporting the mental and physical health of our police officers is a priority for this Government. Through the Police Covenant we are delivering meaningful changes that will support all who work in policing.

We continue to fund the National Police Wellbeing Service, which provides evidence-based guidance, advice, tools and resources to support forces and individual officers. This includes the Workforce Prioritisation Guidance, which helps chief officers decide on how best to support their officers and staff.

The Chief Medical Officer for Policing has created a consensus on Occupational Health standards, driving further work to improve occupational health provision across policing.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what steps he is taking to reduce levels of rogue tradespeople operating.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The Government is committed to acting against rogue tradespeople. We recently supported the Furniture and Home Improvement Ombudsman’s new Approved Code for the home improvement sector, which will require participating businesses to meet robust consumer protection standards.

Work is ongoing with Trader Recommendation Platforms to improve consumer outcomes, including through stronger approaches to onboarding, verification, monitoring and complaints.

The Government is also developing long-term reforms to strengthen the consumer protection landscape, enabling local Trading Standards teams to make better use of their powers to support local communities.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions did he have with relevant stakeholders regarding the introduction of a tourist tax prior to the decision to introduce such taxes.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

At Budget 2025, the Government announced an intention to empower local leaders to introduce a visitor levy and published a consultation so that the public, businesses, and local government could shape the design. On 10 September, the Government published a response to the consultation which provides more detail on the policy design, drawing on feedback from the accommodation sector, local government, and members of the public.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to help reduce levels of NHS negligence in relation to injuries to babies, in the context of levels of NHS payouts last year.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce is currently considering a wide range of evidence and proposals to inform its development of the Maternity and Neonatal Action Plan, with a particular focus on how to avoid preventable injuries to mothers and babies, informed by the recommendations that the Baroness Amos investigation, the Donna Ockenden reviews, and Lady Justice Thirlwall’s inquiry have already made in this area.

Alongside this, we are implementing a programme to reduce avoidable brain injury in childbirth by improving care in two high-risk areas: recognising and responding to foetal deterioration during labour; and managing impacted foetal head during caesarean section.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to support Poland and Lithuania in preparations for a potential Russian attack and help NATO protect the West.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

The UK stands ready to defend every inch of Allied territory, with NATO remaining the cornerstone of the UK's defence and security. This is reflected in our commitment to reach NATO's defence spending target of 3.5% of GDP by 2035. Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty makes clear that an armed attack against one NATO Ally is considered an attack against the entire NATO Alliance.

As the third-largest cash spender on defence in NATO, the UK contributes significantly towards the security of NATO's eastern flank, which includes Poland and Lithuania. This is demonstrated through rotational air policing, troop deployments, and joint exercises, including maritime surveillance in the Baltic region. NATO is a defensive alliance and does not seek confrontation with Russia, but Russia should understand that any attack on a NATO ally would be a grave miscalculation.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to work with the USA to reduce Russian threat in both our home territories.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

As our closest defence and security partner, we engage and collaborate with the US regularly on a range of issues. We know Russia is conducting a campaign of hybrid attacks and sabotage across Europe. The UK does not seek confrontation with Russia, but we will continue to deter and contest activity that threatens Euro-Atlantic security.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to ensure an increased gradual tapering, as household income increases, of the non-repayable maintenance grant, to help support students from families marginally above an income threshold.

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

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

The new maintenance grants are a targeted measure designed to provide additional support to eligible students from the lowest-income households without increasing their debt. They will be introduced for new and continuing students studying subjects aligned with the Industrial Strategy and skills needs from the 2028/29 academic year.

Like other means-tested elements of the student finance system, eligibility criteria are required to ensure support is targeted effectively. Students with household incomes at or below the minimum means-testing threshold of £25,000 will receive the highest level of support, with grant entitlement tapering as household income increases towards the upper threshold at £30,000. Students with household incomes above this level will not be eligible for a maintenance grant.

Students at all levels of household income will continue to benefit from the government's commitment to increase maintenance loans every year in line with forecast inflation.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of a pilot reduction in VAT for the hospitality sector In Northern Ireland on local businesses and growth in tourism.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption that operates on a UK-wide basis, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services including hospitality services. The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, and does not routinely comment on proposals.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to P.Q. v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (2026), what assessment he has made of whether the current system for determining reasonable expenses in surrogacy arrangements provides sufficient safeguards against surrogacy becoming commercialised, in the context of the absence of a statutory limit on payments to surrogates.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

No such assessments have been made, but on the wider issues raised, the Government continues to support surrogacy as a part of assisted conception options, to help people who have difficulty starting their own family. The Department has published guidance on the care of surrogates and intended parents in surrogate births, available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/having-a-child-through-surrogacy/care-in-surrogacy-guidance-for-the-care-of-surrogates-and-intended-parents-in-surrogate-births-in-england-and-wales

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of increased financial payments in surrogacy arrangements on the rights and welfare of children born through those arrangements.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

No such assessments have been made, but on the wider issues raised, the Government continues to support surrogacy as a part of assisted conception options, to help people who have difficulty starting their own family. The Department has published guidance on the care of surrogates and intended parents in surrogate births, available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/having-a-child-through-surrogacy/care-in-surrogacy-guidance-for-the-care-of-surrogates-and-intended-parents-in-surrogate-births-in-england-and-wales

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she plans to take to ensure that women are not coerced and unduly pressured into becoming surrogates.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

No such assessments have been made, but on the wider issues raised, the Government continues to support surrogacy as a part of assisted conception options, to help people who have difficulty starting their own family. The Department has published guidance on the care of surrogates and intended parents in surrogate births, available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/having-a-child-through-surrogacy/care-in-surrogacy-guidance-for-the-care-of-surrogates-and-intended-parents-in-surrogate-births-in-england-and-wales

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 proposed surrogacy reforms on the commercialisation of surrogacy.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

No such assessments have been made, but on the wider issues raised, the Government continues to support surrogacy as a part of assisted conception options, to help people who have difficulty starting their own family. The Department has published guidance on the care of surrogates and intended parents in surrogate births, available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/having-a-child-through-surrogacy/care-in-surrogacy-guidance-for-the-care-of-surrogates-and-intended-parents-in-surrogate-births-in-england-and-wales

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the potential risk that women experiencing financial hardship could be disproportionately represented among women acting as surrogates under the proposed reforms.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

No such assessments have been made, but on the wider issues raised, the Government continues to support surrogacy as a part of assisted conception options, to help people who have difficulty starting their own family. The Department has published guidance on the care of surrogates and intended parents in surrogate births, available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/having-a-child-through-surrogacy/care-in-surrogacy-guidance-for-the-care-of-surrogates-and-intended-parents-in-surrogate-births-in-england-and-wales

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 proposed changes to legal parenthood in surrogacy arrangements on the level of disputes between surrogates and intended parents.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

No such assessments have been made, but on the wider issues raised, the Government continues to support surrogacy as a part of assisted conception options, to help people who have difficulty starting their own family. The Department has published guidance on the care of surrogates and intended parents in surrogate births, available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/having-a-child-through-surrogacy/care-in-surrogacy-guidance-for-the-care-of-surrogates-and-intended-parents-in-surrogate-births-in-england-and-wales

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she has had discussions with the Competition and Markets Authority on the role of the Office for the Internal Market in monitoring any regulatory divergence arising from proposed European Union food supplement legislation.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 8 September in response to Question 20033.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department holds information on the long-term welfare outcomes of children born through surrogacy.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

No such assessments have been made, but on the wider issues raised, the Government continues to support surrogacy as a part of assisted conception options, to help people who have difficulty starting their own family. The Department has published guidance on the care of surrogates and intended parents in surrogate births, available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/having-a-child-through-surrogacy/care-in-surrogacy-guidance-for-the-care-of-surrogates-and-intended-parents-in-surrogate-births-in-england-and-wales

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to help reduce fuel costs for working families, including consideration of a targeted reduction on fuel duty in Northern Ireland.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

The Government has taken action to support households and businesses with their fuel costs in response to the conflict in the Middle East. In May, the Government announced there will be no rise in fuel duty this year; the temporary 5p per litre cut, which was introduced in 2022, will be extended until the end of the year. In total, the decisions taken since the 2024 general election to freeze fuel duty will save motorists 11p per litre or £120 per year for the average car, compared to plans inherited from the previous parliament.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to reduce the risks of lithium battery fires occurring and to educate the public on the dangers.

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

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of levels of legal protection for badgers on farmers.

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

Levels of legal protection for badgers are considered within the Government's wider approach, such as managing bovine TB and supporting farmers. That approach is informed by the latest available scientific evidence and is, in the case of bovine TB, reflected in the co-designed bovine TB strategy for England, published in June 2026.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to improve awareness among teachers, parents and healthcare professionals about the way in which autism presents differently in girls so that they (a) are identified earlier and (b) have adequate access to support.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

We recognise that autism can present differently in girls and that masking may make symptoms less apparent in some individuals, leading to delayed identification or diagnosis.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline on autism diagnosis for under 19s sets out that clinicians should pay attention to the under-diagnosis of girls when assessing for suspected autism. Integrated care boards and health professionals should have due regard to NICE guidelines.

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 consider supporting the adjusting and increasing of financial assistance available to the agriculture sector in the context of of extreme heat and prolonged dry weather on Northern Ireland's farmers.

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

Farming is devolved so this is a matter for the Northern Ireland Government.

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Attorney General, what steps she has taken to promote pro bono work within the legal community.

Answered by Andy Slaughter - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)

Pro bono work makes a valuable contribution to access to justice and public confidence in the legal system.

2026 marks the 25th anniversary of Pro Bono Week, celebrating the thousands of lawyers and law students who help people access justice through pro bono legal support.

As Chair of the Attorney General's Pro Bono Committee, I am proud to champion and recognise those efforts across the legal profession - through the Pro Bono Recognition List, the Student Recognition List and the important work of the Pro Bono Committee.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps are being taken to provide emergency services personnel with timely mental health support.

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

Regarding National Health Service staff, including ambulance workers, I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 30 October 2025 in response to Question 84574.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking to address the capacity of wastewater infrastructure in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Sarah Owen - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Northern Ireland Office)

Whilst public services are a devolved matter for the Northern Ireland Executive, the Government has provided a record financial settlement, in addition to significant funding for public services through the £235m Transformation fund.

As part of the Transformation funding, £15m has been invested in the Department of Infrastructure’s Urban Drainage project which is testing sustainable drainage systems to mitigate flood risk and alleviate pressure on wastewater capacity in Northern Ireland. This project is currently on track to deliver its intended milestones and I look forward to meeting with the Infrastructure Minister to discuss its progress.

The Government will continue to work collaboratively with the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure the sustainable delivery of public services in Northern Ireland.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many parental order applications in each of the last 10 years involved payments to a surrogate which exceeded what the court considered to be reasonable expenses, and in how many such cases the additional payments were authorised retrospectively.

Answered by Jake Richards - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on skills levels in Northern Ireland, particularly in the engineering, construction and trades based sectors.

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

Skills policy is devolved and the Northern Ireland Executive is responsible for matters of skills needs in Northern Ireland, including in engineering, construction and trades-based sectors.

The department maintains constructive relationships with the devolved governments through regular ministerial and official-level engagement, providing opportunities to discuss shared challenges and exchange learning and evidence across the UK.

Officials in the Department for Work and Pensions also maintain relationships with officials from The Northern Ireland Department of the Economy to discuss skills matters.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to replace the Barnett formula with a needs-based funding floor.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

There are no plans to replace the Barnett formula. It has stood the test of time because it is simple, efficient and provides a clear and certain outcome. The outcome is that spending per head in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is higher than the UK average, meaning the Northern Ireland Executive are funded above their independently assessed level of need

I regularly engage with my devolved government counterparts on devolved government funding arrangements, including the Barnett formula.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps are being taken to improve access to affordable childcare.

Answered by Paul Waugh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Education is a devolved matter and the response outlines the information for England only.

Through our Best Start in Life Strategy, we are ensuring that families across the country can access affordable high-quality early education.

In 2026/27, we are expecting to provide over £9.5 billion for the early years entitlements, as we have successfully rolled-out the expansion of government-funded childcare for working parents. Eligible working parents of children aged 9 months and above can now access 30 hours a week (over 38 weeks a year) from the term following their child turning 9 months to when they start school. Families using their full entitlement can save an average of £8,000 per eligible child per year.

Tax-Free Childcare remains available for working parents of children aged 0 to 11, or up to 17 for eligible disabled children. This can save parents up to £2,000 per year, or up to £4,000 for eligible children with disabilities, and has the same income criteria as 30 hours of government-funded childcare.

In addition to childcare entitlements, the Universal Credit childcare offer supports claimants with the costs of qualifying childcare, regardless of how many hours they work.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps are being taken in response to the threat from Russia, in the content of trends in levels of defence funding.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

The Defence Investment Plan, published earlier this year is the next step in delivering the vision set out in the Strategic Defence Review to place defence on a stronger, more sustainable footing, backed by nearly £300 billion of investment over the next four years. This includes an additional £15 billion spending power, much of which will be used to invest in new areas of capability.

The Prime Minister and the Chancellor are both fully committed to funding our nation's defence, including meeting our NATO commitment of 3.5% by 2035 and setting out an earlier 3% commitment at the next spending review.

We are investing in the capabilities needed to meet both current and future threats, including more than £3 billion in space capabilities, £2.5 billion in cyber capabilities, and £400 million to protect critical undersea infrastructure.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that more soldiers are trained in drone warfare.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

The Army is expanding drone warfare training through the Land Warfare Centre’s new Near Surface Warfare Wing. The Royal School of Artillery can now train 200 small Uncrewed Aircraft System operators annually, with further training delivered across the Field Army. Lessons from recent conflicts are also being incorporated into Army doctrine and training, enabling soldiers to operate drones effectively and respond to drone threats.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of President Trump's offer to sell weapons to China.

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

President Xi Jinping's visit to the US and discussions with President Trump are a matter for the US and China. It would not be for the UK to comment on US-China engagement. The US is, and will continue to be, the UK's closest security and defence partner.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to the Government of Vietnam on the imprisonment and harassment of independent Hoa Hao and Khmer Krom Buddhists; and what steps he is taking to support freedom of religion or belief for Buddhist communities operating outside state-approved religious organisations.

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

The UK regularly raises freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) with the Vietnamese authorities, including through the UK Special Envoy for FoRB. Vietnam is a focus country under the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's FoRB Strategy, launched in July 2025. More broadly, we continue to highlight FoRB violations and abuses on the international stage, through our position at the UN and as an active member of the Article 18 Alliance, ensuring joint international action on FoRB. We will raise FoRB and wider human rights issues at the UK-Vietnam Strategic Dialogue, and during the FoRB envoy's visit to Vietnam, in November.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on supporting the operation of specialist SEN provision classes for schools across Northern Ireland.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Education is a devolved matter and England and Northern Ireland have different systems for supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Officials in the department engage regularly with counterparts in the Northern Ireland Executive through established networks, including the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education. Recent discussions have focused on comparing approaches to special educational needs provision attached to mainstream schools and improving access to the specialist workforce in mainstream schools.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will ensure access to apprenticeships and help provide good employment options for young men.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Apprenticeships and employment support are both fully transferred to the Northern Ireland Executive, with funding devolved in the usual way. This response therefore provides information on apprenticeships in England only, and on Youth Guarantee measures across England, Scotland, and Wales.

This Government will not leave an entire generation of young people behind. The government is investing an additional £2.5 billion by 2029 into the Youth Guarantee and the Growth and Skills Levy, supporting almost one million young people and creating up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn.

This includes an expanded network of Youth Hubs, earlier intensive support in Jobcentres through a new Youth Guarantee Gateway, additional work experience and training opportunities, a £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant and a fully funded six-month job for long-term unemployed 18–24-year-olds.

We are also expanding apprenticeship opportunities for young people, including by fully funding apprenticeships for eligible young people aged under 25 and introducing a £2,000 hiring payment for non-levy paying employers (who are typically SMEs) that recruit apprentices aged under 25 from October. We have also introduced foundation apprenticeships to provide entry level opportunities in sectors, such as construction, hospitality and retail.

Alongside this, the Government is investing £240 million to pilot enhanced apprenticeship brokerage services across all 14 Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSAs). The programme will help more young people aged 16-24, particularly those who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), to access apprenticeship opportunities while supporting employers to recruit local talent.

The government also facilitates and funds the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network (AAN) which comprises 3,000 employers and apprentices who volunteer to promote the benefits of apprenticeships, including in schools and colleges.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, for what reason the Official Development Assistance budget to Pakistan was £133 million in 2024/25; and what impact ODA funding in Pakistan had in the three prior years to that.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The £133 million allocation for 2024-25 reflected the UK's development priorities. Final Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Official Development Assistance (ODA) expenditure was £100.6 million following in-year budget adjustments. Over wider programme periods, up to March 2025, UK assistance has helped more than 5 million children access education, provided humanitarian assistance to over 12 million people, and reached over 35 million people through campaigns addressing child marriage and gender-based violence. UK-backed governance reforms also helped unlock over £1.9 billion in Pakistani public finance.

Our current development partnership with Pakistan focuses on systemic change across growth, climate, human capital and security, combining technical assistance with diplomacy and wider UK partnerships. UK bilateral aid is delivered through NGOs, UN agencies, development partners and private-sector organisations rather than directly to the Government of Pakistan.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to improve young peoples’ understanding of political processes, ability to identify false or misleading information and capacity to make informed choices.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government is committed to encouraging broader and more inclusive participation in our democracy, particularly among young people. Through the £2.5 million Democratic Engagement Fund, we are supporting politically neutral, place-based projects that help people understand, engage with and participate in democracy, while building evidence of what works to increase democratic participation.

Democratic engagement helps young people develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to understand democratic processes.

Furthermore, enabling young people to vote from the age of 16 will create transformative links between education and democracy. We are working closely with the Department for Education on reforms to the curriculum and assessment system, including strengthening democracy education and complementary media literacy skills.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to help reduce the potential impact of increased inflation and interest rates.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Bank of England has the responsibility for controlling inflation through monetary policy. The Government fully supports them as they take action to return inflation sustainably to 2%. Maintaining stable public finances and reducing borrowing over time will help to ease pressure on prices

The Government is also taking decisions to give families breathing space in the here and now, including the £150 removed from bills at the last Budget. In March, the Government announced a £50 million support package for families struggling with high heating oil costs as a result of the conflict – with £17 million dedicated to consumers in Northern Ireland specifically.

To help motorists, earlier this year the Government extended the temporary 5p cut on fuel duty until the end of the year.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking to reduce the time take to process postmortems for children who have died in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Sarah Owen - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Northern Ireland Office)

It is deeply distressing that grieving families are facing delays to postmortems. Post mortems in Northern Ireland are a devolved matter and the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive, and I encourage the Honourable Member to raise his question with the Minister for Health in the Northern Ireland Executive.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she will take to improve awareness among teachers and parents of about how autism presents differently in girls, so that they are identified earlier, can better understand themselves and can access appropriate support.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

We recognise concerns that some children and young people, including some girls and young women, may not always have their needs identified as early as they should. We know that some children and young people can mask or compensate for their difficulties, or their needs may present differently, and it is important that practitioners have the knowledge and confidence to recognise and respond to those needs appropriately, regardless of a child's sex or background.

That is why we are strengthening the evidence base for identification and developing National Inclusion Standards to help education settings recognise and respond to barriers to learning, including where needs may be less visible or present differently across contexts. Support should be based on a child or young person's needs, not solely on whether they have received a diagnosis. We are also considering with the findings of the independent review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism.

By establishing clearer national expectations and strengthening workforce knowledge and confidence, we aim to reduce inconsistency in identification and support across the country and improve consistency for all children and young people.

High School Leckhampton Modeshift STARS Excellent School Travel Plan accreditation

Abolition of the slave trade

Service charge transparency and protection of essential services for leaseholders

Usdaw's Respect for Shopworkers Week

Fundraising of Andy Smyth

Alan Hay’s contribution to Groomsport Remembrance Parade

Joanne Dorrian and families of missing persons

Military Homes Standard for Single Living Accommodation

Remembrance Day 2026

NHS dentistry access in Stratford-on-Avon

Police Service of Northern Ireland’s 25th anniversary

Module 3 of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry

Centenary of Cleland Memorial Pipe Band in Bangor, County Down

Côr Ieuenctid Môn wins first prize in the Youth Choir Competition at the National Choir Festival in Derry

One Health Day

Macbeth by Kraken Theatre Group

Philippa Biddlecombe named Somerset’s Councillor of the Year

Appointment of Russian diplomat to lead United Nations' mine-action work

Sir Patrick Stewart

Contribution and retirement of Rev Leslie Edge

Celebrating Scotland’s links with Malawi

Microplastic filters for washing machines

Diamond Jubilee of St Helen's RC Church

Delivery of Budget 2026 through property tax systems

Reading spaces in Best Start Family Hubs

Frances Park

Epsom Symphony Orchestra 75th anniversary

Castle Cary in Bloom at the South West in Bloom Awards 2026

70 years of Cumbernauld and new production at Cumbernauld Theatre

Gillingham Town Council Gold Award from the National Association of Local Councils' Award Scheme

Surrey devolution agreement and the Budget

Sheila Fleet Jewellery wins two major store design awards

Basingstoke Hospital rebuild

Somerset Prostate Support Association and rural access to PSA testing

Kirkwall named runner-up in Scotland's Town of the Year

Shetland Relay for Life raises over £110,000

Brian Smith and the Kirkwall post office

J. & S. Hay of Orkney named Scotland’s contractor of the year

Dunlop Primary School 150th anniversary

Gregor Corse wins Pride of Britain Award

Sue Beer of Shetland Citizens Advice Bureau

Rural fuel duty relief

Drumchapel United youth player’s 26-mile fundraising challenge

Recognising those who responded to Storms Austen and Boelo

Harry Kane and the Ballon d’Or 2026

Phil Simms' contribution to Henley Standard

Somerset Sumo Club in Glastonbury

Harry Kane wins the 2026 Ballon d'Or

Harry Kane's Ballon d'Or

Longman’s Whey-Cream Butter wins Silver at the 2026 Great British Food Awards

Royal National Mòd Glasgow

Glastonbury Abbey Yard and St Dunstan’s House at the Royal Town Planning Institute Awards for Planning Excellence 2026

Ninetieth anniversary of Ferry Fair

Funding for Olivia’s Steps Foundation

National Lottery funding for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People

Kathryn Fullerton reaches £100,000 fundraising milestone

Shetland triathletes at World Championships

Beenie-Ann Wood awarded 2026 Vevoe Trophy

Shetland artist Yolanda Bruce work displayed in London exhibition

Emma Burgess awarded Farmers Weekly Agricultural Student of the Year

Sophie Eunson cancer care packages

Anne Jago

Andy Anderson fundraising challenge

The Resurgam Trust Best Social Enterprise of the Year at the Social Enterprise NI Awards

Ending the criminalisation and stigmatisation of victims of sexual exploitation

Celebrating 62 Years of Dedicated Service by Father Patrick Gerald Fitzpatrick

Publication of the final report of the Right to Food UK Commission

Jen Roberts and raising awareness of water pollution

Suffolk Chamber of Commerce named UK Chamber of the Year 2026

Highlands and Islands Thistle Awards and Shetland businesses

Independent cinemas

Application of Extended Producer Responsibility

Max Langland Top 8 of Drywite Young Fish Frier category

Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026

Supporting small businesses and the high street

Needle and syringe programmes

Cleaners on Merseyrail

Fuel duty and the cost of living

BBC Scotland channel closure

Cleaning and catering workers on Transpennine Express

Home-Start West Berkshire’s long-serving volunteers

Industrial action at The Lancet

Opening of the eco-roundhouse at St Brigid’s Chapel and Field, Glastonbury

Abbeyfield School’s success in the International Youth Rocketry Challenge

50 years of Queens Cross Housing Association

The Enchanted Forest's 25th anniversary

BBC Scotland TV's reductions to services

Opening of the Castlemilk Community Shop

Vaping and smoking among young people

Celebrating Black History Month

10th anniversary of the Co-op Local Community Fund

Temporary accommodation subsidy freeze

60th anniversary of University of Bath receiving its Royal Charter

BBC Northern Ireland’s Give My Head Peace and The Blame Game

Neurodivergent educators

Gold Sustainable Food Places Award for North Lancashire

Newbury awards at Thames and Chiltern in Bloom 2026

Children Seen and Heard

Drumcree policing and the Provisional IRA

National Fish and Chip Awards and Taylors Fish and Chips

Love From Jamie launches Jamie's Journey 2026

St Patrick's Primary School and UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools Silver Award

National Special Olympics Summer Games

Lake View Pond, Pagham

Annual Battle of Britain Parade in Newcastle-under-Lyme

Craigies Farm named UK’s best farm shop

Student finance

Crab and Lobster Fish Shack’s national recognition

Fuse Games and Star Wars: Galactic Racer

George Miller's bronze medal at the British and European Ploughing Championships

Stronsay Heritage Audio Project

David Askew's award for snipe carving

Young Hero Award for Harrison’s classmates at Montacute’s All Saints Church School

Support for local pubs and social clubs

The Crab and Lobster Fish Shack

Proposed redundancies at Smurfit Westrock in Lurgan

Patina nominated for Scotland’s Best Croissant Competition 2026

Cable Street 90th anniversary

Livelihoods of civil servants

Seafarers and the Employment Rights Act 2025

Work of Sands and Baby Loss Awareness Week

ClubSport Stirling

Post-16 education

Defibrillators in police vehicles

Planned job losses at Greggs plc

Love Newcastle-under-Lyme Business Awards 2026

Human rights in Bahrain

10th anniversary of The Venue Community Centre, Stanley

Retaining the Triple Lock on pensions

Jammu and Kashmir Accession Day

Lesley Councill's service to Priorswood Community

Devizes Town Crier, winner of National Town Crier Championship

British Wool Month and Baavet, Porthmadog

Orkney and Shetland girls’ participation in sport

First child born on North Ronaldsay in more than 30 years

Donna Cuthbertson and the BBC Scotland Make A Difference Awards

Orkney Nature Festival Photography Competition

300th anniversary of First Antrim Presbyterian Church

Taxation of bank windfall profits

Humanitarian situation in Russian-occupied Oleshky

90th anniversary of Vent-Axia in Crawley

Challenge Poverty Week 2026

Baby Loss Awareness Week and the work of Held In Our Hearts

20 years of LINKES

50 years of St Lucy’s Roman Catholic Church, Cumbernauld

Cancer treatment in rural areas

International panel on inequality and the UK's 2027 G20 presidency

Afghan Musicians and Film Collaboration

ivvi Notes

Charter for Community Rights

Contribution of parish and town councils to local democracy

40th Anniversary of Lothian Regional Transport plc

Nexus Games Torquay

Jack Ellerby

Barrow Raiders and the 2026 Rugby Football League club grading

Stephanie Gardiner

People's Emergency Briefing screening in Edinburgh South West

Dam Mire Wood Project

Glasgow Wood 20th anniversary

Robert Macklin nominated for Glasgow Times Sporting Champion of the Year

Hospitality VAT reduction and the VAT Is The Problem campaign

Commemorating victims of the Arandora Star tragedy of 1940

Baby Loss Awareness Week (No. 2)

Eco Skills Learning Centre

University of St Andrews named top university

Contribution of CLASP in Wokingham

Tackling stigma

Karl Thompson and the Sandals Foundation Island Challenge

10th Anniversary of The Welcoming's Friendship Programme

Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling

Health All Round

Catriona Macdonald doctorate from Newcastle University

Shetland hospitality businesses at Highlands and Islands Thistle Awards

Lauri Siegel at the World Championships

Shetland apprentices and BBC Scotland

Shetland Wool Week 2026

Max Langlands and the National Fish and Chip Awards

Wrexham's Bid for City of Culture 2029

Diana Perry and the Ectodermal Dysplasia Society

Cool Planet Technologies carbon capture plant

100th Birthday of Christina McGrath of Holywood

Radio Brockley 60th anniversary

Frome Carnival

King Alfred Pilgrimage route extension

Ukrainian Day of Defenders

Higher Education In Scotland

Macmillan Coffee Mornings in Chesterfield

30 years of Maggie’s in Glasgow

Local authority reimbursement for costs associated to families with no recourse to public funds

Harley Russell and Noah Reed fundraising for Berkshire Women's Aid

Glasgow Warriors' Fundraising for Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity

Data on children awaiting specialist SEND placements

Turnbull High School work with Refuweegee

Sir George Dowty

Fortune Works' shortlisting in the Nature of Scotland Awards

Fundraising at Morrisons, Goose Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme

150th anniversary of Stourbridge Football Club

Carol-Ann Innes, Girlguiding and the Second Faifley Brownies

Fur Belongs to Animals campaign

Friends of the Pentland Hills

Primary 7 at Dalry Primary School

The Northumberland Arms

Dan Hughes Heart Screening Event

20 Years of Guildford Shakespeare Company

Commemorating the passing of British-Nepali climber Nirmal "Nims" Purja MBE

European Tram Driver Championship

80th anniversary of the Ulster Regiment of the Church Lads’ and Church Girls’ Brigade

Support for off-grid homes

GSCE attainment gap and dyslexia

Scotmid Co-operative Support for DEC Venezuela Earthquake Appeal

19th International Day of Democracy

90th anniversary of the Jarrow Crusade

55th anniversary of Drumcree Women’s Institute

Administration of PAPYRUS

River Lavant