Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of Breast Cancer UK's new report 'EDCs: Hiding In Plain Sight'; and what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of banning endocrine disrupting chemicals.

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

Regulatory action can and has been taken to address the risks from endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The concern for EDCs, which have been linked to numerous human health and wildlife impacts, is a complex scientific issue. Our approach to risk assessment and management makes use of the best available evidence to maintain high standards of protection. We commission research and engage with the scientific community, experts within our regulatory bodies and NGOs to build understanding of EDCs.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what consultation has been conducted with colleges and providers on her Department's proposals to withdraw funding for Access to Higher Education diplomas.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Access to higher education (HE) diplomas remain an important pathway to support adults to go into HE.

These qualifications are designed for those over 19 years old. We are not removing funding for students aged 19 or over, who remain funded through Advanced Learner Loans (ALLs). Students who take out an ALL for an Access to HE diploma will have the outstanding balance written off if they complete an eligible HE course, such as an undergraduate degree.

Following the completion of our post-16 pathways qualification reforms, students aged 16 to 19 will have a clear choice between A Levels, V Levels and T Levels at level 3. The department is working in close partnership with the sector to support the development and implementation of the reforms and will continue to engage widely with providers, representative bodies and employers to share learning, respond to feedback and refine delivery over time.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, for what reason she proposes to withdraw funding for Access to HE Diplomas; and what assessment has been made of the potential impact on levels of participation in further education.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Access to HE Diplomas remain an important pathway to support adults to go into higher education. That is why we are retaining funding for students aged 19+ through Advanced Learner Loans (ALLs). Students who take out an ALL for an Access to HE Diploma will have the outstanding balance written off if they complete an eligible higher education course, such as an undergraduate degree.

Following the completion of our post-16 pathways qualification reforms, students after 16 will have a clear choice between A Levels, V Levels and T Levels at level 3. The equalities impact assessment published alongside the government response to the Post-16 Level 3 and below pathways consultation sets out our analysis of impacts for students aged 16 to 19 with protected characteristics, and anticipates positive impacts for students from clearer choices and progression routes.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will review the impact of exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals on public health; and what steps his Department plans to take to mitigate associated risks of exposure.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The UK Health Security Agency keeps the evidence on potential health impacts of environmental pollution, including endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), under review. The Government also works with international partners, including the World Health Organization and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, to ensure approaches reflect current scientific understanding.

The risks to human health and the environment from individual chemicals are assessed and regulated at a national level by the relevant authorities, including the Health and Safety Executive, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Food Standards Agency and the Environment Agency.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs states that regulatory action can and has been taken to address the risks from EDCs. The concern for EDCs, which have been linked to numerous human health and wildlife impacts, is a complex scientific issue. The approach to risk assessment and management makes use of the best available evidence to maintain high standards of protection. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs commissions research and engage with the scientific community, experts within the regulatory bodies and non-governmental organisations to build understanding of EDCs.

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 improve access to eyecare services across England.

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

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning primary and secondary eye care services to meet local needs, including considering how any identified inequalities in access to services should be addressed.

As set out in our 10-Year Health Plan, we are committed to shifting more care from hospitals into the community to improve patient outcomes. Many ICBs are already commissioning enhanced eye care services from high street optical practices. This sits alongside the National Health Service’s sight testing service which is widely available across the country.

The Getting It Right First Time glaucoma best practice guidance, published in May 2026, will support more glaucoma patients receiving their follow up care on time. Our plans to invest £20 million to support digital referrals and access to the national care record service and develop single points of access between primary and secondary care will also support quicker access for patients to appropriate care.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with devolved administrations on cross border portability of adult social care assessments for Armed Forces families.

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

Whilst no specific discussions have been held between Ministers in the Department and the devolved administrations on cross border portability of social care assessments for Armed Forces families, under the Care Act 2014, local authorities in England are responsible for assessing individuals’ care and support needs and, where eligible, for meeting those needs. The Government is working to modernise the way care assessments are carried out across England, helping people get the support they need faster and more easily.

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 support single-screen and community-run cinemas to remain financially sustainable, modernise their facilities and deliver accessible film experiences to local audiences.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Independent cinemas serve as essential cultural cornerstones for local communities, providing invaluable access to the arts while driving economic vitality on our high streets. Independent cinemas can apply for a number of funding schemes. For example, through the British Film Institute, cinemas can access support for audience-facing projects through the BFI National Lottery Audience Projects Fund. They can also join the BFI Film Audience Network and apply for funding to support projects that bring audiences together. Cinemas may also be eligible for funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, or for schemes such as the Heritage Revival Fund, delivered by the Architectural Heritage Fund to help communities across England to rescue and repurpose neglected heritage buildings. Cinemas will also benefit from permanently lower business rates multipliers we have introduced for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure venues to support financial sustainability.

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 eyecare services are protected in forthcoming legislation.

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

The Health Bill will transfer statutory responsibility for commissioning primary ophthalmic services to integrated care boards (ICBs). Commissioning responsibility for these services has already been delegated by NHS England to ICBs since 2023, and funding is allocated to ICBs each year for this purpose. National Health Service sight testing services will continue to operate within a national regulatory and contractual framework, with contract terms set in regulations and fees set nationally through Directions. The bill will not affect patient eligibility for NHS sights tests.