Lillian Jones

The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues.

The UK and the EU share the common commitment to tackling deforestation in supply chains. We recognise the need to take action to ensure that UK consumption of forest risk commodities is not driving deforestation, and we will set out our approach to addressing this in due course.

Improving the performance of our railways, including by delivering the biggest overhaul of the railway sector in a generation, is a top priority for this Government.

I have been clear with operators and with Network Rail that I will not tolerate poor performance while we rewire the system to work in the interest of passengers.

Ministers continue to meet with Managing Directors of Train Operating Companies and their Network Rail counterparts to assess their performance, and we will not hesitate to demand immediate action to raise standards.

At Spending Review 2025, the Department for Transport received a real-terms capital funding increase of £1.7 billion between 2023-24 and 2029-30 to support economic growth through transport infrastructure.

The Scottish Government received an uplift in its Barnett funding from the increased investment by the UK government.

As transport is a devolved policy area, it is for the Scottish Government to determine its own transport funding and how that will deliver economic growth in Scotland.

The Government recognises that credit, when provided responsibly, can be crucial for people facing unexpected expenses or managing their cash flow. That is why it is committed to expanding access to affordable credit, so that everyone has the opportunity to access products and services which support their financial wellbeing and goals.

HM Treasury regularly engages with the banking and mutuals sector — which includes building societies — to discuss a range of policy matters, including provision of affordable credit. It has sought to understand the current barriers faced by the mutuals sector and to identify further opportunities for growth, acknowledging the sector’s valuable role in providing affordable credit.

In addition to continuing to engage with the banking and mutuals sector, HM Treasury will assess the provision of affordable credit more broadly as part of the financial inclusion strategy work announced last year.

The UK is a world leader in military rehabilitation and provides a comprehensive tiered rehabilitation service for Armed Forces personnel extending from the more minor to the most severe injuries.

The medical entry standards for Armed Forces applicants were updated in August 2024 following an intensive period of review of undertaken by clinical experts, Defence personnel and the recruiting agencies.