Julie Minns

The Taskforce recognises families' access to essentials, including hygiene essentials, as a fundamental aspect of child poverty. Addressing acute poverty, including access to essentials, is a core focus of the work to develop through the child poverty strategy. This is set out in more detail in the 23 October publication ‘Tackling Child Poverty: Developing our Strategy’.

The Government recognises the harm caused by rogue and fraudulent traders to consumers and legitimate businesses.

The Department has not made a formal assessment of the impact that a trader licensing scheme would have on rogue and fraudulent traders. This government is committed to protecting consumers from rogue traders. Consumer legislation already sets out standards consumers should expect when a trader supplies goods and services, as well as remedies if these rights are breached.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 further strengthens consumer law enforcement. For example, enforcers such as the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) can apply to the courts to impose penalties when dealing with consumer law breaches.

Furthermore, the Act allows the CMA to impose monetary penalties of up to 10% of turnover for substantive breaches of consumer law without having to go through the courts.

The Government recognises the harm caused by rogue and fraudulent traders to consumers and legitimate businesses.

The Department has not made a formal assessment of the impact that a trader licensing scheme would have on rogue and fraudulent traders. This government is committed to protecting consumers from rogue traders. Consumer legislation already sets out standards consumers should expect when a trader supplies goods and services, as well as remedies if these rights are breached.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 further strengthens consumer law enforcement. For example, enforcers such as the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) can apply to the courts to impose penalties when dealing with consumer law breaches.

Furthermore, the Act allows the CMA to impose monetary penalties of up to 10% of turnover for substantive breaches of consumer law without having to go through the courts.

The UK Government takes an actor-agnostic approach to supply chain resilience, focusing on the characteristics and behaviours of technologies and suppliers rather than their country of origin. This ensures that our regulatory frameworks remain objective, proportionate, and resilient to evolving threats.

Ministers receive technical advice from National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) on a wide range of cyber threats, including on IoT products. Their assessment is that a compromised cellular internet of things module would not, by itself, enable an end-to-end attack. From a cyber security perspective, risk is managed through the broader set of controls supporting monitoring, resilience and recovery across the system. Advice on managing the security of cellular internet of things modules technology is provided to industry and government by the NCSC.

Consumer connected devices fall within scope of the Product Security and Telecommunications Act 2022 and must comply with the requirements of that Act and its underlying Regulations. This includes consumer devices that use cellular internet of things modules and the use of internet-connected vaping devices.

Consumer connected devices, by their nature as consumer goods, would not typically pose a national security threat. Our assessment is that a compromised cellular internet of things module would not, by itself, enable an end-to-end attack. From a cyber security perspective, risk is managed through the broader set of controls supporting monitoring, resilience and recovery across the system. Advice on managing the security of cellular internet of things modules technology is provided to industry and government by the National Cyber Security Centre.

Based on Ofcom’s Connected Nations reporting for gigabit coverage in the constituency of Carlisle, as of January 2026, 91% of premises had access to gigabit-capable broadband, which is a significant increase from 69% in January 2024 and is above the UK gigabit coverage average of 88%. This has been assisted by Project Gigabit. Across Carlisle, over 4,750 premises have already received a gigabit-capable connection, with an additional 1,770 still expected to be given coverage, via the Project Gigabit contract covering Cumbria which is being delivered by Fibrus.

Through a combination of commercial market and government subsidised delivery, government is ensuring 99% of UK premises will have access to gigabit-capable broadband by 2032. In support of this, Building Digital UK (BDUK) is currently refreshing its delivery plans for the remaining premises not included in Project Gigabit or any commercial plans.

BDUK has asked all suppliers to confirm their interest in any further projects through the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, though delivery through this route is likely to be limited and BDUK expects most remaining coverage will be provided through Project Gigabit contracts.

Based on Ofcom’s Connected Nations reporting for gigabit coverage in the constituency of Carlisle, as of January 2026, 91% of premises had access to gigabit-capable broadband, which is a significant increase from 69% in January 2024 and is above the UK gigabit coverage average of 88%. This has been assisted by Project Gigabit. Across Carlisle, over 4,750 premises have already received a gigabit-capable connection, with an additional 1,770 still expected to be given coverage, via the Project Gigabit contract covering Cumbria which is being delivered by Fibrus.

Through a combination of commercial market and government subsidised delivery, government is ensuring 99% of UK premises will have access to gigabit-capable broadband by 2032. In support of this, Building Digital UK (BDUK) is currently refreshing its delivery plans for the remaining premises not included in Project Gigabit or any commercial plans.

BDUK has asked all suppliers to confirm their interest in any further projects through the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, though delivery through this route is likely to be limited and BDUK expects most remaining coverage will be provided through Project Gigabit contracts.

Reliable access to mobile services is essential. We recognise the impact that power cuts and storms can have on services, especially in rural areas – Storm Goretti is a recent example of this. Ofcom is analysing power backup requirements to ensure adequate resilience during outages. The Government is fostering collaboration between the electricity and telecommunications sectors to minimise disruption when power cuts occur, aiming to mitigate the impact and ensure any interruptions to mobile services are brief and affect as few people as possible.

On April 1 2026, we announced that Best Start Family Hubs in newly funded areas are open to families, as the government delivers on its pledge to ensure there is a hub in every local authority and building towards our ambition of having have 1,000 hubs and 2,000 network sites across England by the end of 2028.

The new guidance, published 30 March, set out how we will expect local authorities to deliver on Best Start Family Hubs, backed by over £900 million.

Hubs are there to create connections - between health visitors, early years providers, social care, employment services, the voluntary sector - so that families experience support as something joined-up and intuitive. Our guidance states that local authorities should work with families, communities and partners to join up services, to innovate in how they deliver them, to work in partnership. Local authorities are now developing clear plans to set out how they will deliver in practice.

We are going further to help them meet this challenge. Test, Learn and Grow Accelerators are now underway in Manchester and Northumberland, bringing together Hubs, schools and early years settings to ensure families can access the right support earlier, and in one place. By sharing this learning, we will help shape the future of Best Start services nationally to embed the path to change, working in partnership, locally and nationally, to deliver.

This is the most significant expansion of joined-up health, education and family support since Sure Start, and it will be felt in every constituency in the country, giving every child the best start in life.

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to thrive and succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.

Most pupils with special educational needs (SEN), including most with an education, health and care plan, already attend mainstream state-funded schools, and the department is committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in these settings so that children with SEN can achieve with their peers, as well as ensuring special schools cater to those with the most complex needs.

The department is providing £1 billion more for high needs budgets in 2025/26, bringing total high needs revenue funding to over £12 billion. This funding will help local authorities and schools with the increasing costs of supporting children and young people with complex SEND. We have also published local authority allocations for £740 million of high needs capital funding for 2025/26 to invest in places for children and young people with SEND or who require alternative provision.

The department recognises that special schools, including independent schools, play a critical role in the SEND system, providing expertise and particularly supporting pupils with low incidence or complex needs. We also want more children and young people to receive the support they need to achieve and thrive in their local mainstream school, alongside their friends and peers.

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to thrive and succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.

Most pupils with special educational needs (SEN), including most with an education, health and care plan, already attend mainstream state-funded schools, and the department is committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in these settings so that children with SEN can achieve with their peers, as well as ensuring special schools cater to those with the most complex needs.

The department is providing £1 billion more for high needs budgets in 2025/26, bringing total high needs revenue funding to over £12 billion. This funding will help local authorities and schools with the increasing costs of supporting children and young people with complex SEND. We have also published local authority allocations for £740 million of high needs capital funding for 2025/26 to invest in places for children and young people with SEND or who require alternative provision.

The department recognises that special schools, including independent schools, play a critical role in the SEND system, providing expertise and particularly supporting pupils with low incidence or complex needs. We also want more children and young people to receive the support they need to achieve and thrive in their local mainstream school, alongside their friends and peers.

I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Carlisle to the answer of 29 March 2025 to Question 36216.

I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Carlisle to the answer of 29 March 2025 to Question 36216.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the Rt. Hon. Member for Aldridge-Brownhills, Wendy Morton, on 11 July 2025, PQ UIN 65784.

The Rural Payments Agency can confirm that no payments were made to properties under the Farming Recovery payments in Carlisle and North Cumbria constituency in each of the last five years.

The Department has not made a specific assessment of the levels of claims to The Motor Insurers’ Bureau from victims of collisions caused by e-bikes that do not comply with legal limits on power and speed.

The Department is working with the Motor Insurer’s Bureau to understand the impact of illegal e-bikes on car drivers’ insurance premiums.

The government wants everyone to have access to public transport and is committed to improving services so they are more inclusive and enable disabled people to travel safely, confidently and with dignity.

On October 1^st, the first phase of Public Service Vehicle Accessible Information Regulations came into force, meaning that local services will provide audible and visible information on stops, destination and diversions by 2026. The government has set out an action plan for improving the bus network, based on giving local leaders the tools they need to ensure bus services reflect the needs of the communities they serve.

As announced in the King’s Speech, the government will also introduce a new Buses Bill later in this parliamentary session which will help bring to an end the postcode lottery of bus services by giving local leaders the freedom to take decisions to deliver their local transport priorities and ensure networks meet the needs of the communities who rely on them. As part of this legislation we will be looking at what measures could address accessibility barriers to support disabled passengers to use bus services.

The Department is fully aware of the concerns raised by some groups, particularly visually impaired people, over the use of floating bus stops and is working with Active Travel England on ways to address these concerns. It is a complex issue and we are carefully considering a wide range of options in developing next steps.

The Hierarchy of Road Users is a well-established concept which ensures that those road users who can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat they may pose to other road users. It is for local authorities to ensure any infrastructure they place is developed with this in mind.

The Department engages regularly with a wide range of stakeholders. The Disabled Persons’ Transport Advisory Committee provides advice on disability transport issues in their role as a statutory advisory body, including advice on buses and local transport.

The Department is fully aware of the concerns raised by some groups, particularly visually impaired people, over the use of floating bus stops and is working with Active Travel England on ways to address these concerns. It is a complex issue and we are carefully considering a wide range of options in developing next steps.

The Hierarchy of Road Users is a well-established concept which ensures that those road users who can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat they may pose to other road users. It is for local authorities to ensure any infrastructure they place is developed with this in mind.

The Department engages regularly with a wide range of stakeholders. The Disabled Persons’ Transport Advisory Committee provides advice on disability transport issues in their role as a statutory advisory body, including advice on buses and local transport.

The Department has published comprehensive guidance, last updated in August 2022, to help local authorities make informed decisions about how new and existing roads can be adopted by highway authorities so that they become maintainable at public expense, pursuant to the 1980 Highways Act (as amended). The guidance should also be of interest to planning authorities, local highway authorities, developers, people living in private streets, and people planning to purchase property.

Once adopted, a road remains publicly maintainable by the highway authority, so it is right that roads are constructed by the developer to an appropriate standard. The biggest potential barrier is roads that have not been completed to the appropriate standard required by the highway authority for adoption.

It is important that developers submit details that are in accordance with both the approved highway layout (from the planning application) and technical specifications in relation to the construction of the roads. Until that time all the required maintenance and safety issues are the responsibility of the developer or owner.

Tackling poverty in all forms, from reducing mass dependence on emergency food parcels to ensuring people can afford essentials like hygiene products, is a priority for this government.

We know that good work can significantly reduce the chances of people falling into poverty, but too many people are being denied the security and dignity that comes with being in good work. The Get Britain Working White Paper, published on 26 November, sets out how we will reform employment support, backed by a £240 million investment to target, and tackle the root causes of unemployment and inactivity, and better join up health skills and employment support based on the needs of local communities.

This vital work comes alongside the announcements made at the Autumn budget which delivers an increase to the National Living Wage of 6.7% to £12.21 for eligible workers aged 21 and over, and a rise in the 18-20 National Minimum Wage of 16.3% to £10.00 per hour. This is a record increase and is the first step in the government’s plan to create a single adult rate for eligible workers.

We also announced that we are introducing a Fair Repayment Rate for deductions made from a UC award, allowing customers to prioritise their most severe third-party debts and retain more of their benefit award to budget for essentials. Reducing the cap to 15% will benefit 1.2 million households by £420pa on average.

These steps come alongside the £1 billion, including Barnett impact, that will be invested to extend the Household Support Fund (HSF) in England by a full year until 31 March 2026, and to maintain Discretionary Housing Payments in England and Wales. The Household Support Fund can be used, in England, to provide support with food, energy, water and wider essentials including hygiene products.

Tackling poverty in all forms, from reducing mass dependence on emergency food parcels to ensuring people can afford essentials like hygiene products, is a priority for this government.

We know that good work can significantly reduce the chances of people falling into poverty, but too many people are being denied the security and dignity that comes with being in good work. The Get Britain Working White Paper, published on 26 November, sets out how we will reform employment support, backed by a £240 million investment to target, and tackle the root causes of unemployment and inactivity, and better join up health skills and employment support based on the needs of local communities.

This vital work comes alongside the announcements made at the Autumn budget which delivers an increase to the National Living Wage of 6.7% to £12.21 for eligible workers aged 21 and over, and a rise in the 18-20 National Minimum Wage of 16.3% to £10.00 per hour. This is a record increase and is the first step in the government’s plan to create a single adult rate for eligible workers.

We also announced that we are introducing a Fair Repayment Rate for deductions made from a UC award, allowing customers to prioritise their most severe third-party debts and retain more of their benefit award to budget for essentials. Reducing the cap to 15% will benefit 1.2 million households by £420pa on average.

These steps come alongside the £1 billion, including Barnett impact, that will be invested to extend the Household Support Fund (HSF) in England by a full year until 31 March 2026, and to maintain Discretionary Housing Payments in England and Wales. The Household Support Fund can be used, in England, to provide support with food, energy, water and wider essentials including hygiene products.

The Government is committed to reducing avoidable emergency admissions for people with neurological conditions by improving earlier diagnosis, strengthening community-based care, and ensuring better coordination between services.

NHS England is encouraging systems to adopt personalised care and support planning, including anticipatory care approaches for people at higher risk of admission. This can involve the use of care plans, rapid access to community teams, and closer monitoring to ensure issues such as infections are identified and treated promptly, reducing the need for hospital admission. National programmes such as Getting It Right First Time and NHS RightCare support systems to identify unwarranted variation and adopt best practice in managing long-term conditions, including for neurological conditions.

NHS England’s service specification for specialised adult neurology services sets out clear expectations for proactive, coordinated care to reduce the risk of avoidable complications. It emphasises early identification of clinical risks, personalised care planning, and timely access to multidisciplinary support, including specialist nurses, therapists, and community services. By promoting regular monitoring, effective management of common complications like swallowing, mobility, and bladder function, and close coordination between primary, community, and specialist care, the specification supports early intervention and continuity of care. This approach helps to minimise preventable deterioration, reduce unplanned hospital admissions, and improve outcomes and quality of life for people.

Proposals for new modern service frameworks (MSFs) will be assessed by the National Quality Board against a clear set of criteria, including: the strength of the case for change; the presence of relative consensus around a genuinely ambitious, long term outcome goal; the existence of a strong cross system partnership coalition; and the potential for digital by default models of care and service transformation. This is essential in ensuring that MSFs have a high impact and remain credible, and that development capacity is focused where the approach can add the greatest value. The process for assessing applications for future MSFs is currently being developed.

The Government is committed to reducing avoidable emergency admissions for people with neurological conditions by improving earlier diagnosis, strengthening community-based care, and ensuring better coordination between services.

NHS England is encouraging systems to adopt personalised care and support planning, including anticipatory care approaches for people at higher risk of admission. This can involve the use of care plans, rapid access to community teams, and closer monitoring to ensure issues such as infections are identified and treated promptly, reducing the need for hospital admission. National programmes such as Getting It Right First Time and NHS RightCare support systems to identify unwarranted variation and adopt best practice in managing long-term conditions, including for neurological conditions.

NHS England’s service specification for specialised adult neurology services sets out clear expectations for proactive, coordinated care to reduce the risk of avoidable complications. It emphasises early identification of clinical risks, personalised care planning, and timely access to multidisciplinary support, including specialist nurses, therapists, and community services. By promoting regular monitoring, effective management of common complications like swallowing, mobility, and bladder function, and close coordination between primary, community, and specialist care, the specification supports early intervention and continuity of care. This approach helps to minimise preventable deterioration, reduce unplanned hospital admissions, and improve outcomes and quality of life for people.

Proposals for new modern service frameworks (MSFs) will be assessed by the National Quality Board against a clear set of criteria, including: the strength of the case for change; the presence of relative consensus around a genuinely ambitious, long term outcome goal; the existence of a strong cross system partnership coalition; and the potential for digital by default models of care and service transformation. This is essential in ensuring that MSFs have a high impact and remain credible, and that development capacity is focused where the approach can add the greatest value. The process for assessing applications for future MSFs is currently being developed.

The Department is aware of the increasing role of technology in vapes. That is why the Tobacco and Vapes Act includes broad powers to regulate the technological features of vapes and associated software. In October 2025, we launched a call for evidence to inform potential policy proposals for future vape regulations, including in relation to the role of technology in vapes.

The Government, working with the devolved administrations where appropriate, is committed to consulting on how we will make use of new powers. We have already consulted on measures relating to introducing vape-free places and are planning to consult on introducing restrictions on vaping and nicotine product packaging, vape appearance, and changing where and how vapes are displayed in shops soon. These measures will help to reduce the appeal of vapes to young people whilst still enabling them to be accessed and used by adult smokers seeking to quit.

The Department has not made a formal assessment of the policy implications following this clinical trial. The adoption of new treatments into the National Health Service in England is generally the result of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance and commissioner decisions.

The recommended treatment plan for muscle-invasive bladder cancer depends on how far the cancer has spread. All hospitals use multidisciplinary teams to treat bladder cancer. These are teams of specialists that work together to make decisions about the best way to proceed with treatment.

NHS England does not hold this information centrally. However, NHS England is fully committed to modernising the breast screening programme and removing barriers to accessing screening.

The UK acknowledges acts of genocide were committed by Da'esh against Yazidis. The UK played a leading role in establishing the UN Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da'esh/ISIL (UNITAD). UNITAD has collated and processed considerable evidence of Da'esh atrocities since 2017. It has contributed to addressing the legacy of Da'esh in Iraq, by generating high-quality evidence which has supported trials in third countries, and building capacity within the Iraqi judicial system. The UK will continue working with Iraq and international partners to ensure that Da'esh are held accountable for the crimes they have committed following UNITAD's closure.

At Autumn Budget 2025, the Government announced that it will consult in early 2026 on introducing a new, simpler ISA product for first time buyers. The new ISA product will be offered in place of the Lifetime ISA.

The consultation will consider how existing Lifetime ISA holders should be treated, including any potential transitional arrangements or transfer options.

It will remain possible to open a Lifetime ISA until the new product becomes available and for account holders to continue to save into their Lifetime ISA in line with the existing rules indefinitely.

Pubs and breweries make an enormous contribution to our economy and society, and this is recognised in the tax system.

The current alcohol duty system supports pubs and breweries through Draught Relief, which ensures eligible products served on draught pay less duty. The duty system also supports small producers by providing a tapered duty discount on products below 8.5% alcohol by volume (ABV).

Supporting our high streets is a vital part of our economic growth mission and the Government is committed to working in partnership with businesses and local communities to deliver this.

The Government is closely monitoring the impact of the recent reforms and rates that took effect on 1 August 2023. As with all taxes, the Government keeps the alcohol duty system under review during its Budget process.

Pubs and breweries make an enormous contribution to our economy and society, and this is recognised in the tax system.

The current alcohol duty system supports pubs and breweries through Draught Relief, which ensures eligible products served on draught pay less duty. The duty system also supports small producers by providing a tapered duty discount on products below 8.5% alcohol by volume (ABV).

Supporting our high streets is a vital part of our economic growth mission and the Government is committed to working in partnership with businesses and local communities to deliver this.

The Government is closely monitoring the impact of the recent reforms and rates that took effect on 1 August 2023. As with all taxes, the Government keeps the alcohol duty system under review during its Budget process.

Pubs and breweries make an enormous contribution to our economy and society, and this is recognised in the tax system.

The current alcohol duty system supports pubs and breweries through Draught Relief, which ensures eligible products served on draught pay less duty. The duty system also supports small producers by providing a tapered duty discount on products below 8.5% alcohol by volume (ABV).

Supporting our high streets is a vital part of our economic growth mission and the Government is committed to working in partnership with businesses and local communities to deliver this.

The Government is closely monitoring the impact of the recent reforms and rates that took effect on 1 August 2023. As with all taxes, the Government keeps the alcohol duty system under review during its Budget process.

The ‘Men and Boys Explanatory Note’ explains how the Strategy considers and addresses the needs of men and boys in detail. It underlines how the strategy speaks to men and boys, by addressing the key issues that the male victims’ sector has raised with us as priorities for change. All victims, including men and boys, are considered and integrated into our response throughout the Strategy and our metrics to halve these crimes.

The National Centre for VAWG and Public Protection will play a central role in delivering the VAWG Strategy, providing national coordination to ensure police commitments are implemented consistently across all forces and strengthening the police response to these crimes for all victims, including men and boys.

The VAWG Strategy is a 10-year, adaptive plan, designed to evolve in response to changing contexts. It is underpinned by a 3-year Action Plan and we will provide regular updates on progress as we deliver on our commitments.