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 help protect people with dog allergies.

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

The Government is committed to improving care for people with allergies, and ensuring they receive high-quality care and support, and access to the latest treatments.

The Expert Advisory Group on Allergy (EAGA), co-chaired by the Department and the National Allergy Strategy Group, meets regularly to bring together stakeholders across the Government, the National Health Service, voluntary organisations, professional bodies, and patient representative groups, to consider how allergy care and support could be improved. The purpose of the EAGA is to inform policy making, and to identify priorities in relation to the holistic care of people with allergies. The EAGA last met on 2 September 2026.

The National Allergy Strategy Group published its National Allergy Strategy earlier this year in March. The Government will thoroughly review all of the recommendations included in the National Allergy Strategy and will carefully consider the feasibility and viability of implementing each of the recommendations aimed at the Government.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help reduce the cost of transport for disabled people.

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

From 1 April 2027, people who hold a disabled bus pass will be able to travel on buses for free in England, no matter the time of day. Currently, disabled bus passes are only valid for travel between 9.30am to 11pm during weekdays, unless local authorities choose to fund an extension.

We’re removing these time restrictions across the whole of England, so that disabled bus pass holders can travel for free whenever they need, where they live, improving access to jobs, education, training, and other opportunities. This brings England into line with equivalent arrangements in Scotland and Wales.

We have also expanded eligibility for the Disabled Persons Railcard in March 2026, making it available to a wider range of disabled people. The Railcard provides a one-third discount on most rail fares and costs just £20 a year, compared with £35 for most other railcards. Eligibility will expand further this month to include additional disabilities and conditions, helping make rail travel more affordable for more disabled people.