Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to support people to pay their energy bills.

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

The Government believes that the only way to guarantee our energy security and protect billpayers permanently is to speed up the transition away from fossil fuels and towards homegrown clean energy. The creation of Great British Energy will help us to harness clean energy and have less reliance on volatile international energy markets, and help in our commitment to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030.

In the short-term, we are continuing to deliver the Warm Home Discount which provides an annual £150 rebate off energy bills for eligible low-income households.

I have met with energy suppliers and encouraged them to build on the Voluntary Debt Commitment for this winter, and we are continuing to work with suppliers to ensure consumers are supported this winter.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department plans to take to provide more (a) sustainable and (b) cost-effective energy options for home heating.

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

We are taking steps to address a range of barriers to mass deployment of heat pumps, which include improving consumer awareness, building resilient supply chains, improving affordability and growing our understanding of the potential future requirements for electricity generation and network reinforcement, and how these might be met cost effectively and practicably.

Our Warm Homes Plan will also transform homes across the country by making them cleaner and cheaper to run, from installing new insulation to rolling out solar and heat pumps.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the cost of storage heaters on the elderly population.

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

Whilst dedicated analysis on the cost of storage heaters in homes occupied by the elderly has not been carried out, broader analysis by the Department

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/632038fee90e077dba7762a6/CODE-Final-Report-WHOLE-FINAL-v20.pdf) has shown that high retention storage heaters coupled with a time-of-use tariff can be one of the lowest-cost forms of electric heating, particularly for smaller properties with low heat demand such as small flats. However, their competitiveness diminishes in larger properties such as an average house, where heat pumps become the cheapest low carbon option.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring electric vehicle owners to pay the same energy prices as people with storage heaters.

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

The Government is supportive of electricity suppliers offering tariffs which incentivise consumers, including electric vehicle owners, to consume energy at off peak times, as this benefits all consumers by reducing the need for additional grid capacity.

The Government is working with Ofgem to ensure that tariffs, such as Economy 7 tariffs used by households with storage heaters, are priced fairly. This includes ensuring there is an appropriate price cap for Economy 7 tariffs.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the proportion of the UK's national income spent on education.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The government recognises the importance of education and is committed to transforming the education system so that young people get the opportunity they deserve.

At the Spending Audit in July, DfE received an additional £2.1 billion in 2024-25, including to fully fund the 5.5% teacher pay award, at a national level, as recommended by the independent pay review body. At the Spending Review on 30 October, DfE received a settlement providing total DEL funding of £99.7 billion in 2025-26. This is equivalent to an annual average real-terms growth rate of 3.4% from 2023-24 to 2025-26.

To raise school standards for every child, the core schools budget will increase by an additional £2.3 billion next year, increasing per pupil funding in real terms.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to help restore direct off-peak Paddington services to (a) Hungerford and (b) Kintbury.

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

There are no current plans to increase the number of direct services between Paddington and Hungerford/Kintbury, as this would require additional rolling stock which is currently unfunded.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of long waiting times for an assessment of neurodevelopmental conditions on children.

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

The NHS England national framework and operational guidance for autism assessment services, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) quality standard for autism, set out that diagnostic assessments should happen as soon as possible so that appropriate health, social care, and education interventions, as well as advice and support, can be offered.

The Department is currently considering next steps to improve diagnostic assessments and support for autistic people and for people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

It is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including autism and ADHD services, in line with relevant NICE guidelines. This includes support for children and young people whilst waiting for an assessment.

On 5 April 2023, NHS England published a national framework and operational guidance to help ICBs and the National Health Service to deliver improved outcomes for children, young people, and adults referred to an autism assessment service. The guidance also sets out what support should be available before an assessment and what support should follow a recent diagnosis of autism. In 2024/25, £4.3 million is available nationally to improve services for autistic children and young people, including autism assessment services.

In respect of ADHD, we are supporting a cross-sector taskforce that NHS England has launched for the challenges in ADHD service provision, to help provide a joined-up approach in response to concerns around rising demand

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of adding VAT to schools fees on special schools.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Following scrutiny of the Government’s costing by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility, the Government will confirm its approach to these reforms at the Budget on 30 October and set out its assessment of relevant expected impacts in a Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN).

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 reduce dermatology waiting times.

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

Tackling waiting lists is a key part of our Health Mission. We will deliver an extra 40,000 operations, scans, and appointments, including dermatology appointments, each week, as a first step in our commitment to ensuring that patients can expect to be treated within 18 weeks.

We will be supporting National Health Service trusts to deliver these through innovation, sharing best practice to increase productivity and efficiency, and ensuring the best value is delivered.

The Government is committed to putting patients first. This means making sure that patients across all specialties, including dermatology, are seen on time, and ensuring that people have the best possible experience during their care.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department plans to accelerate the rollout of 5G to rural communities.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Yes, Government wants all of the UK to benefit from 5G and our ambition is for all populated areas, including rural areas, to have higher-quality standalone 5G by 2030. That is why we are working closely with the mobile telephony industry and are committed to ensuring we have the right policy and regulatory framework to support investment and competition in the market. As part of this work, the Government intends to reform the planning system to make it easier to build digital infrastructure. Ofcom reports that basic (non-standalone) 5G is available outside 69% of rural premises across the UK from at least one mobile operator compared to 96% of urban areas.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of waiting times from GP referral to first appointment with dermatology clinic on patients; and what data his Department holds on average such waiting times (a) for NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West ICB and (b) nationally.

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

The Government is committed to putting patients first. This means making sure that patients are seen on time and ensuring that people have the best possible experience during their care, including for dermatology.

Whilst no formal assessment has been made of the potential impact of waiting times from general practice (GP) referral to first appointment with a dermatology clinic on patients, dermatology services are being transformed to make sure that patients are seen on time. NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme is working with National Health Service trusts to deliver rapid clinical transformation, with the aim of reducing the numbers of patients waiting more than 52 weeks. The work brings together clinicians and operational teams to work collectively to transform patient pathways, reduce unnecessary appointments, and improve access and waiting times for patients.

A clinical transformation group for dermatology was established in summer 2023, focusing on sharing and learning from best practice. Topics for collaboration have included innovative clinic models, for instance super clinics, best practice in the use of technology for telemedicine, best practice in reducing Did Not Attends, reducing unnecessary follow ups through Patient Initiated Follow Up, the role of artificial intelligence, how to develop nurses into advanced roles, and factors to help motivate and retain staff.

GIRFT is also planning a programme to support primary care colleagues, offering training for new staff to recognise harmless skin lesions, like moles and warts, with the aim of reducing unnecessary referrals to hospital and freeing up capacity for other patients on the waiting list.

Unpublished management information, as of 29 September 2024, from NHS England gives the average wait time for those waiting for first activity on a dermatology pathway of 15.4 weeks for the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board, compared to 13.9 across the whole of England.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make funding for the National Breastfeeding Helpline's overnight service permanent.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Breastfeeding has significant benefits for both mothers and babies and it’s important that families are supported to meet their infant feeding goals.

The Family Hubs and Start for Life programme has funded the expansion of the National Breastfeeding Helpline, helping families across the country to access virtual breastfeeding support. This includes a pilot of the night-time service from March 2024, ensuring help is available at all times of the day and night, every day of the year.

The night service pilot is currently funded to run until the end of March 2025, and we will independently evaluate the pilot to inform future decisions on funding for this service.

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 new parents receive adequate support.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government has an ambition to achieve the healthiest generation of children ever. A strong child health focus will need to underpin both the Health and Opportunity Missions.

The zero- to five-year-olds element of the Healthy Child Programme is a universal, personalised service, led by health visitors and family nurses, for new parents, and reaches 97% of families. Every family should be offered five visits, including antenatal and new birth contact, alongside targeted support for families who require additional help. £3.6 billion was allocated to local authorities through the Public Health Grant in 2024/25, which is used to fund the delivery of the Healthy Child Programme.

The Family Hubs and Start for Life Programme provides support for babies and their families in the critical 1,001 days from conception to the age of two. It provides approximately £300 million over three years to 75 local authorities in England with high levels of deprivation to create a network of Family Hubs, with Start for Life services at its core. Support for new parents and carers with babies includes: perinatal mental health support and services, to promote positive early relationships; face-to-face and virtual infant feeding services; and increased capacity for the National Breastfeeding Helpline.

The Healthy Start scheme, introduced in 2006, encourages a healthy diet for pregnant women, babies, and young children under four years old from very low-income households.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department plans to take to support NHS services in Newbury, in the context of his Department's review of the New Hospital Programme.

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

The Government recognises that delivering high quality National Health Services requires the right facilities and support systems in the right places. We understand that investment in capital projects, whether through allocations prioritised locally or through national programmes, is important in achieving this.

We inherited a New Hospital Programme which was delayed and the funding for which ran out in March. We are reviewing it to provide people in Newbury and across the country with a realistic and costed timetable for delivery. Newbury is served by the Royal Berkshire Hospital scheme which is in scope of the review. The review is feeding into the Spending Review process where the Government will confirm the outcome.

Managing the local capital budget for its area and reconfiguring services, which includes addressing estates issues, as well as allocating funds according to local priorities, including investment to support healthcare services, are matters for local NHS organisations. Any future national capital programmes to support NHS organisations delivering local and national priorities will also be considered as part of the Spending Review process.

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 with Cabinet colleagues to provide adequate funding for research into blood cancer (a) treatment and (b) care; and what steps he is taking to help tackle delays in blood cancer diagnosis.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department funds research into blood cancer through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). NIHR research expenditure for all cancers was £121.8 million in 2022/23. The NIHR spends more on cancer than any other disease group.

In blood cancer research, the NIHR is funding the £2.6 million PROPEL trial, testing whether a package of enhanced personalised prehabilitation can help people with acute myeloid leukaemia cope better with treatment. The NIHR is also funding a £3 million trial of the drug ibrutinib for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, and a £2.2 million study to evaluate the digital health platform, AscelusTM, for management of blood disorders, including cancers.

The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including all cancers. As with other Government funders of health research, the NIHR does not allocate funding for specific disease areas. Applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality.

We are committed to improving cancer survival rates and hitting all National Health Service cancer waiting time standards within five years, so no patient waits longer than they should. We will also address the challenges in diagnostic waiting times, providing the number of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and other tests that are needed to reduce waits.

We are committed to achieving the Faster Diagnosis Standard, which aims to ensure patients have cancer diagnosed or ruled out within 28 days of referral from a general practice (GP) or screening services. We are expanding direct access to diagnostic scans across all GPs, helping to cut waiting times and speeding up a cancer diagnosis or all-clear for patients.

The NHS is implementing non-specific symptom pathways for patients who present with vague and non-specific symptoms, which do not clearly align to a cancer type. This aims to reduce the delays experienced by some patients, and are expected to be of particular benefit to people presenting with signs and symptoms that could be due to blood cancer.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of taking steps to increase the number of clinical academics dedicated to blood cancer research.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department, through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), is the largest funder of clinical academic training in the United Kingdom, delivering a comprehensive research career pathway for the full range of clinicians. The NIHR welcomes applications for training awards from the clinical and non-clinical academic workforce conducting research into any aspect of human health, including blood cancer. The NIHR continuously reviews the training offer to identify and address gaps across specialism, geography, and profession, in line with the Department’s priorities.

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 implications for his policies of NHS England's review entitled General Practice Premises Policy Review, published on 27 June 2019; and whether his Department plans to ensure that leases for GP practices are assigned to NHS bodies.

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

The GP Premises Policy Review suggested the need to simplify the Premises Costs Directions (PCDs). The PCDs were revised and published on 9 May 2024 and came into force on 10 May 2024. They are available at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/663cd8d2bd01f5ed32793867/nhs_general-medical-services-premises-costs_directions-2024.pdf

Whilst NHS England has delegated the power to hold leases to integrated care boards (ICBs), the GP Contract terms ordinarily require the Contractor to hold the premises liability.

To bring ICBs into these leasing arrangements would require capitalisation under the International Financial Accounting Standard IFRS16 and limited National Health Service capital budgets would have to be diverted to offset this commitment, in addition to the payment of rents against the properties.

ICBs do hold the power to step into such operational leases. A more appropriate way of managing the potential issue is for ICBs to exercise its power to step in to leases only where it is an action of last resort, or by exception, to ensure that vital capital allocations are not adversely affected and continue to be directly invested in primary care estate to provide key improvements and expansion to support patient and service growth.

Given where the liabilities lie within contracts and the power held by ICBs to provide exceptional support, NHS England currently only accepts assignment of general practice leases as an action of last resort or by exception.

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 make an assessment of the potential impact of replacing Ofwat with a clean water authority on sewage dumping.

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

The Government and regulators work together to drive improvements that benefit both customers and the environment and hold water companies to account where necessary through strong enforcement action. We have set clear expectations of the sector, including regulators, and will not hesitate to take further action if we do not see the necessary action.

The measures that will be implemented through the Water (Special Measures) Bill are a down payment on the comprehensive reforms needed to restore our rivers, lakes, and seas to good health, meet the challenges of the future, and drive economic growth.

The Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Welsh government, has launched an Independent Commission into the water sector and its regulation. The latest step in the Government’s programme to transform how our water system works. The Commission will adopt a broad scope. That will include considering the role of the regulators, ensuring they are effective for holding companies accountable, as well as establishing clear outcomes and a long-term vision for the future.

The Commission will report to the Secretary of State for Environment, the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs with recommendations, in Q2 2025. The UK Government and Welsh Government will then respond and consult on proposals, including potential further legislation. The Government does not intend to issue a revised statement until after the outcomes of the independent commission.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help improve the (a) quality and (b) safety of homes.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Building Regulations set standards for the design and construction of new building work covering safety, security, accessibility, water and energy use. They are intended to protect people’s health and welfare and may apply when somebody is putting up a new building, making material changes to a building, extending an existing building or altering building services. The Regulations apply to new building work and are supported by guidance set out in Approved Documents. Recent significant updates to the Building Regulations and fire safety guidance in Approved Document B have included the ban on combustible materials in and on the external walls of new residential buildings higher than 18 metres; setting a threshold for provision of sprinklers in new blocks of flats taller than 11 metres; making provision for wayfinding signage for fire fighters in residential buildings above 11 metres; and providing additional guidance on evacuation alert systems in new residential buildings over 18 metres in height. An 18-metre threshold height for second staircases in new residential buildings has been introduced from March 2024. The Building Safety Act 2022 requires the safety and standard of buildings to be kept under review; Building Regulations can then be updated as needed. This mechanism offers Government a source of evidence if Regulations or guidance need amendment or to reflect advances in building safety knowledge and technologies.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she plans to take to financially support the early years sector to deliver the expanded 30-hour offer.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The new childcare entitlements for eligible working parents of children aged from nine months will increase from 15 hours to 30 hours from September 2025, helping hundreds of thousands of families with the cost of childcare and supporting parents to work.

The Autumn Budget confirmed £1.8 billion in the 2025/26 financial year to support the expansion with a further £15 million of capital funding to expand school-based nurseries. This £1.8 billion will mean the budget for childcare entitlements next year will be over £8 billion, reflecting the additional money needed for the 30 hour expansion and ensuring funding for the entitlements reflect forecasts of average earnings and inflation next year.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to take steps to make the education, health and care plan application process more efficient.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

For too long the education system has not met the needs of all children, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with parents struggling to get their children the support they need and deserve.

This government’s ambition is for all children and young people with SEND, or in alternative provision, to receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. The department is committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, as well as ensuring special schools cater to those with the most complex needs, restoring parents’ trust that their child will get the support they need.

The department wants to drive a consistent and inclusive approach to supporting children and young people with SEND through early identification, effective support, high quality teaching and effective allocation of resources.

Our approach will support families, breaking down the barriers to opportunity for their children.

The department wants to ensure that, where required, education, health and care (EHC) assessments are progressed promptly and, if needed, EHC plans are issued as quickly as possible. We will work with children, young people, parents, local authorities, schools and colleges and their partners to deliver improvements, so that children and young people can access the support they need.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to reform the SEND system.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

For too long the education system has not met the needs of all children, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with parents struggling to get their children the support they need and deserve.

This government’s ambition is for all children and young people with SEND, or in alternative provision, to receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. The department is committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, as well as ensuring special schools cater to those with the most complex needs, restoring parents’ trust that their child will get the support they need.

The department wants to drive a consistent and inclusive approach to supporting children and young people with SEND through early identification, effective support, high quality teaching and effective allocation of resources.

Our approach will support families, breaking down the barriers to opportunity for their children.

The department wants to ensure that, where required, education, health and care (EHC) assessments are progressed promptly and, if needed, EHC plans are issued as quickly as possible. We will work with children, young people, parents, local authorities, schools and colleges and their partners to deliver improvements, so that children and young people can access the support they need.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment has she made of the impact of the level of business rates on high street shops; and what steps she plans to take to support businesses with high business rates.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

High street businesses are contending with changing consumer shopping habits and have faced a series of economic headwinds in recent years, including the pandemic. As set out in its manifesto, the government wants to ensure that the weight of business rates is permanently rebalanced and high street businesses are protected.

The government announced at the Budget an intention to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties from 2026-27.

During the interim period, for 2025-26, RHL properties will receive a 40% relief on business rates bills up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business. The small business multiplier paid by properties with RVs below £51,000 will also be frozen for a further year.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of preventing Job Centres from distributing food vouchers on levels of access to foodbanks.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Under the previous administration, the Government introduced a new food charity signposting slip to replace the one previously used, removing personal data to better comply with our departmental obligations, including our GDPR responsibilities, and to improve our signposting process. The new slip does not change our DWP policy, and our Jobcentres continue to provide customers with guidance to find additional support, including signposting to emergency food support when appropriate.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of trends in the number of closures of grassroots sports facilities on young children.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Every child should have the opportunity to play sports and do regular physical activity. Our mission-led Government puts children and young people at the heart of our priorities. This includes breaking down barriers to opportunity for every child to access high-quality sport and physical activity, especially those who are less likely to be active.

This Government recognises that grassroots facilities are at the heart of communities up and down the country and is acting to support more people to get active wherever they live through the delivery of the £123 million Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme in 2024/25.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance her Department provides to parents on Universal Credit on using the Flexible Support Fund to cover upfront childcare costs.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Flexible Support Fund can be used to pay 100% of the upfront costs of up to one month of childcare. This is designed to ensure that any costs that the Universal Credit customer incurs in relation to childcare when starting work or increasing their hours is not a barrier to taking up this work.

The Government website ‘Childcare Choices’ is a key source of childcare information for parents. It advises that UC customers might be eligible for upfront childcare costs, and to speak to their work coach. We also issue guidance to Jobcentre Plus work coaches on the eligibility and awarding criteria for the Flexible Support Fund and upfront childcare costs.

Customers who have received an upfront childcare award can make a Universal Credit childcare claim for up to 85% of their childcare costs thereafter. The Universal Credit childcare claim is paid to the customer through their UC award, which they can use to pay for the next month's costs, thereby easing UC customers into the UC childcare costs payment cycle.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help support grassroots sports.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, has access to and benefits from quality sport and physical activity opportunities.

The Government provides the majority of funding for grassroots sport through our Arm’s Length Body, Sport England, which invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding each year.

The Government has also committed to continued funding for grassroots facilities, investing £123 million UK-wide via the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme throughout 2024/25, working with our delivery partner the Football Foundation.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that private homes are safe for elderly people.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government provides the Disabled Facilities Grant, a capital grant administered by local authorities that can help pay the cost of adapting eligible disabled and older people’s homes, regardless of tenure, to allow them to live safely and independently. Local authorities have a statutory duty to provide adaptations for people who satisfy a needs assessment, eligibility criteria and a means test. An additional £86 million for the DFG for 2025-26 was announced in the Budget, bringing the total to £711 million.

We are also taking action to improve standards within the private rented sector in England through the Renters’ Rights Bill, including through introducing the Decent Homes Standard to the sector for the first time. We are also applying ‘Awaab’s Law’ to the sector which will set clear legal expectations about the timeframes within which landlords in the private rented sector must make homes safe where they contain serious hazards. All elderly people should be able to live in a safe and decent home and these changes will have a positive impact on improving the health and wellbeing of older tenants.

Humanitarian situation in Sudan

Contribution of animals to the Armed Forces

Occupational Therapy Week 2024

Social care workers and National Insurance

Use of swift bricks

Implications for rural communities of the Autumn Budget 2024

Protecting wild sea birds and sand eels

Children's Grief Awareness Week 2024

Triple negative breast cancer

GWR Sunday timetable

Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief

Work of Fishing 4 Mental Health

Access to banking hubs

Islamophobia Awareness Month 2024

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) medication shortages

Support for community energy initiatives

Cuts to the International Development Budget

Release of Emily Damari

Israeli Knesset decision to ban UNRWA

Outdoor education

Scrutiny of Gulf Cooperation Council trade with Russia

Found: Miller Dr Roz Savage Claire Young Victoria Collins Sarah Dyke Zöe Franklin Mike Martin Mr Lee

Found: Miller Dr Roz Savage Claire Young Victoria Collins Sarah Dyke Zöe Franklin Mike Martin Mr Lee