Asked by: Lewis Cocking (Conservative - Broxbourne)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what her Department's planned timetable is for publishing a response to the Law Commission’s 2023 report on surrogacy.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 1 July in response to Question 11944.
Asked by: Lewis Cocking (Conservative - Broxbourne)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether customers with telecare equipment are only permitted to use BT landline services.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
Customers with telecare equipment are not required to use BT landline services only and can use any communications provider.
In November 2024 and March 2026, the industry agreed safeguards with Government to protect consumers, in particular vulnerable people and telecare users, during the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) migration to modern digital networks. The Government regularly engages with the providers to monitor the PSTN migration.
Asked by: Lewis Cocking (Conservative - Broxbourne)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has plans to establish a Mayor for Hertfordshire.
Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Our ambition is to ensure that every area in England has, or is in the process of establishing, a Strategic Authority by the end of 2027, with Strategic Authorities in place everywhere by the end of 2028. We are continuing to engage with local leaders, including in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, to understand their ambition and how it aligns with the development of the next stage of devolution.
Asked by: Lewis Cocking (Conservative - Broxbourne)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the press release entitled Funding for businesses who give youngsters a chance as Government ramps up youth jobs drive, of 29 June 2026, what assessment he made of the effectiveness of expanded Jobcentre support before making it available at every Jobcentre.
Answered by Andrew Western - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Youth Guarantee aims to increase opportunities for 16-24-year-olds to make them work-ready and equipped to thrive. Success will be measured by improvement in employment outcomes, reduction in economic inactivity, and an increase in participation in education and training.
Evidence for the effectiveness of expanded Jobcentre support is primarily derived from the DWP Youth Offer Process Evaluation, which was published in October 2024. It found generally positive outcomes, with most participants reporting tailored and useful support; findings have since informed improvements to delivery, mental health referrals, and efforts to address local service gaps and barriers. We will monitor these outcomes nationally for all Youth Guarantee participants. This will build on already commissioned evaluation of eight Youth Guarantee Trailblazers and a planned full process evaluation of the Jobs Guarantee, the first phase of which is now underway. Evaluation plans for the Youth Jobs Grant and the Youth Hub expansion are also being developed.
The new Jobcentre support is based on these findings and offers young people on Universal Credit and looking for work tailored employment support and a structured path into a job, apprenticeship, work experience, SWAP, learning or training from their first appointment in the Jobcentre.
Asked by: Lewis Cocking (Conservative - Broxbourne)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when his Department plans to respond to the consultation on Strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 109581 on 3 February 2026.
Asked by: Lewis Cocking (Conservative - Broxbourne)
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 impact of unregulated overseas treatments for glioblastoma on UK based patients traveling abroad to obtain such treatment.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson
The Government recognises that there are currently limited treatment options available for people who have been diagnosed with cancerous brain tumours, such as glioblastoma, and the significant impact that this rare cancer can have on the outcomes and experiences of care.
The Department has recently updated guidance that advises anyone considering a procedure abroad to carefully research treatment, including treatment for glioblastoma, the qualifications of their clinician, and the regulations that apply in any specific country.
In February 2026, the Department published the National Cancer Plan for England which sets out how patients with rare cancers, including glioblastoma, will benefit from a move to specialist multi-disciplinary teams which cover multiple healthcare providers. This will allow them to benefit from the input of specialist centres and access to the best evidence-based care. To accelerate breakthroughs, the Government will explore innovative procurement methods, such as advance market commitments, to stimulate the development of new diagnostic tests, targeted therapies, and more effective treatments for rare cancers, such as brain tumours.
Additionally, in January 2026, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) announced increased investment of over £25 million in the NIHR Brain Tumour Research Consortium. The world-leading consortium aims to transform outcomes for adults and children and their families who are living with brain tumours, ultimately reducing lives lost to cancer. In addition to speeding up diagnosis and treatment, the work being undertaken by the consortium aims to ensure that patients have access to the latest treatments and technology and to clinical trials. This will make a significant contribution to bringing the United Kingdom’s cancer survival rates back up to the standards of the best in the world.
Asked by: Lewis Cocking (Conservative - Broxbourne)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what comparative assessment he has made of international best practice in glioblastoma treatment and treatments and outcomes in England.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson
The Government recognises that there are currently limited treatment options available for people who have been diagnosed with cancerous brain tumours, such as glioblastoma, and the significant impact that this rare cancer can have on the outcomes and experiences of care.
The Department has recently updated guidance that advises anyone considering a procedure abroad to carefully research treatment, including treatment for glioblastoma, the qualifications of their clinician, and the regulations that apply in any specific country.
In February 2026, the Department published the National Cancer Plan for England which sets out how patients with rare cancers, including glioblastoma, will benefit from a move to specialist multi-disciplinary teams which cover multiple healthcare providers. This will allow them to benefit from the input of specialist centres and access to the best evidence-based care. To accelerate breakthroughs, the Government will explore innovative procurement methods, such as advance market commitments, to stimulate the development of new diagnostic tests, targeted therapies, and more effective treatments for rare cancers, such as brain tumours.
Additionally, in January 2026, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) announced increased investment of over £25 million in the NIHR Brain Tumour Research Consortium. The world-leading consortium aims to transform outcomes for adults and children and their families who are living with brain tumours, ultimately reducing lives lost to cancer. In addition to speeding up diagnosis and treatment, the work being undertaken by the consortium aims to ensure that patients have access to the latest treatments and technology and to clinical trials. This will make a significant contribution to bringing the United Kingdom’s cancer survival rates back up to the standards of the best in the world.
Asked by: Lewis Cocking (Conservative - Broxbourne)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the press release entitled Cardiff's biggest ever jobs fair sees thousands of young people connect with local employers, of 15 May 2026, whether his Department has plans to hold jobs fairs in other parts of the United Kingdom.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
With over one million young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), the Government is committed to ensuring every young person can earn or learn through the Youth Guarantee. Backed by £2.5 billion over the next three years, the Youth Guarantee will reach nearly one million young people and create up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn.
The Cardiff Youth Guarantee Jobs Fair, hosted on 15 May 2026, forms part of a series of Youth Guarantee Jobs and Careers Fairs the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is organising, in partnership with Mayoral Strategic Authorities and local areas, across Great Britain in 2026.
The Youth Guarantee Jobs and Careers Fairs aim to support young people, particularly those who are NEET or at risk of becoming NEET, to explore opportunities across different sectors, access advice and training, and engage directly with employers.
The Cardiff Jobs and Careers Fair was attended by around 2000 people, 29 employers, and 18 partners, including support services and colleges. So far in 2026, the DWP has also delivered fairs in Blackpool, Glasgow and London.
Further Youth Guarantee Jobs and Careers Fairs are planned in Brighton, Leeds, Bristol, Birmingham, Nottingham and Norfolk.
Asked by: Lewis Cocking (Conservative - Broxbourne)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an estimate of the number of towns that have been left without a bank but are not eligible for a banking hub.
Answered by Rachel Blake
The way people across the UK use retail banking services has changed significantly, with many customers now choosing to bank online. In response, banks and building societies have reshaped their branch networks, reflecting changing customer preferences.
However, the Government understands the importance of banking services to communities and high streets and is committed to supporting the financial services industry’s roll-out of 350 banking hubs by the end of this Parliament. Banking hubs are a voluntary service which were developed by the financial services sector in the context of legislation to protect access to cash under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023.
Over 275 hubs have been announced so far, and more than 235 are already open. The Government continues to engage with industry on ways to improve the consistency and level of services provided through banking hubs.
The Government recognises that some communities have experienced the loss of their last local bank branch and the importance of ensuring continued access to banking services.
On 14 May the Government commissioned an independent Review into Access to Banking Services to assess whether changes in access to in-person banking services are causing consumer detriment, the scale of any detriment, and who it affects.
The evidence collected by the Review will inform future decisions on whether further action is needed. Alongside the Review, the Financial Services and Markets Bill includes a power to allow the Government to take action in future to protect access to banking services, should this be necessary. This power ensures the Government can act swiftly and proportionately, including through future regulation, if the evidence from the Review supports intervention.
Asked by: Lewis Cocking (Conservative - Broxbourne)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to support the rollout of 350 banking hubs by the end of this Parliament.
Answered by Rachel Blake
The way people across the UK use retail banking services has changed significantly, with many customers now choosing to bank online. In response, banks and building societies have reshaped their branch networks, reflecting changing customer preferences.
However, the Government understands the importance of banking services to communities and high streets and is committed to supporting the financial services industry’s roll-out of 350 banking hubs by the end of this Parliament. Banking hubs are a voluntary service which were developed by the financial services sector in the context of legislation to protect access to cash under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023.
Over 275 hubs have been announced so far, and more than 235 are already open. The Government continues to engage with industry on ways to improve the consistency and level of services provided through banking hubs.
The Government recognises that some communities have experienced the loss of their last local bank branch and the importance of ensuring continued access to banking services.
On 14 May the Government commissioned an independent Review into Access to Banking Services to assess whether changes in access to in-person banking services are causing consumer detriment, the scale of any detriment, and who it affects.
The evidence collected by the Review will inform future decisions on whether further action is needed. Alongside the Review, the Financial Services and Markets Bill includes a power to allow the Government to take action in future to protect access to banking services, should this be necessary. This power ensures the Government can act swiftly and proportionately, including through future regulation, if the evidence from the Review supports intervention.