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 take steps to regulate dog and cat rescue services.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Rescue and rehoming establishments in England must provide for the five basic welfare needs of the animals set out in the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

This Government will introduce the most ambitious plan to improve animal welfare in a generation. The Department has initiated a series of meetings with key animal welfare stakeholders as part of the development of an overarching approach to animal welfare. We will be outlining more detail of plans in due course.

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 changes in the cost of living on disabled people with complex needs.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

We know disabled people face extra costs every day and this has been exacerbated by the increased cost of living. The Disability Unit has worked to understand and assess the full impact of the cost of living on disabled people, across a range of sectors, including energy.

In order to understand more about the areas of extra costs faced by disabled people, DWP is undertaking a new survey of Personal Independence Payment customers.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to ensure care workers are excluded from reductions on work visas.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The Immigration White paper, published on 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues including ending overseas recruitment for social care visas, further details of which will be set out in due course.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help tackle the presence of (a) pesticides and (b) other harmful chemicals in period products.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Most period products are regulated by the General Product Safety Regulations 2005, which requires all products to be safe and for consumers to be provided with information on the potential risks of a product.

Subject to Royal Assent of the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, the Government has committed to consult on this matter to ensure that any changes to the safety provisions of these products are robust and consistent. As part of this, we are considering further research and testing in this area to complement the consultation.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what monitoring her Department undertakes of local authority decisions to transfer control of car parks to private entities; and whether those decisions are subject to central (a) oversight and (b) audit.

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

Local authorities are empowered by law to decide on appropriate parking arrangements, within the legal framework provided by the Traffic Management Act 2004 which requires Local Authorities to ensure local parking policies are proportionate, support town centre prosperity, and ensure traffic moves freely and quickly on their roads and the roads of nearby authorities

The Secretary of State does not monitor or audit these decisions which are best made locally.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if her Department will include guidance issued to local authorities on public consultation when transferring council-owned car parks to private (a) ownership and (b) management within any new code of conduct.

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

The forthcoming Private Parking Code of Practice does not apply to local authorities because civil parking enforcement operates under a different legislative framework. Local authorities have autonomy to decide on appropriate parking arrangements, within the framework provided by the Traffic Management Act 2004 which requires Local Authorities to ensure local parking policies are proportionate, support town centre prosperity, and ensure traffic moves freely and quickly on their roads and the roads of nearby authorities.

The current Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities in England on Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions recommends that enforcement authorities consult locally on their parking policies, including seeking the views of people and businesses with a range of different parking needs.

The Secretary of State does not audit Local Authority compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty. However, members of the public can challenge a Local Authority as to their compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty if they believe a public authority has not complied with its obligations.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of compliance of local authorities with the Public Sector Equality Duty when entering into agreements to transfer public car parks to private operators.

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

The forthcoming Private Parking Code of Practice does not apply to local authorities because civil parking enforcement operates under a different legislative framework. Local authorities have autonomy to decide on appropriate parking arrangements, within the framework provided by the Traffic Management Act 2004 which requires Local Authorities to ensure local parking policies are proportionate, support town centre prosperity, and ensure traffic moves freely and quickly on their roads and the roads of nearby authorities.

The current Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities in England on Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions recommends that enforcement authorities consult locally on their parking policies, including seeking the views of people and businesses with a range of different parking needs.

The Secretary of State does not audit Local Authority compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty. However, members of the public can challenge a Local Authority as to their compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty if they believe a public authority has not complied with its obligations.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has issued recent guidance on equal access provisions when public car parks are (a) privatised and (b) have a change of contract with a private parking company.

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

Both local authorities and private parking operators who provide parking are required under legislation, such as the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and the Equality Act 2010, to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people and to provide them equal opportunities to access services.

Further to this, the single industry code reminds operators of the obligations placed on them by the Equality Act 2010. This is irrespective of contractual changes.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure consistency in accessibility standards for disabled motorists across (a) privately and (b) publicly operated car parks.

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

Both local authorities and private parking operators who provide parking are required under legislation, such as the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and the Equality Act 2010, to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people and to provide them equal opportunities to access services.

Further to this, the single industry code reminds operators of the obligations placed on them by the Equality Act 2010. This is irrespective of contractual changes.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether statutory protections exist to prevent indirect discrimination in parking provision.

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

Both local authorities and private parking operators who provide parking are required under legislation, such as the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and the Equality Act 2010, to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people and to provide them equal opportunities to access services.

Further to this, the single industry code reminds operators of the obligations placed on them by the Equality Act 2010. This is irrespective of contractual changes.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to improve broadband connectivity in rural areas of Newton Abbot constituency.

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

According to the independent website Thinkbroadband.com, over 98% of homes and businesses in the Newton Abbot constituency can access superfast broadband speeds (>=30 Mbps) and over 83% have access to a gigabit-capable broadband connection (>1000 Mbps).

To improve coverage further, Openreach is delivering a Project Gigabit contract across parts of Devon and Somerset. Approximately 1,500 premises in the Newton Abbot constituency are currently in scope of this contract, the majority of which are in rural areas. The contract is targeted at bringing gigabit-capable broadband to homes and businesses that are unlikely to be otherwise reached by suppliers’ commercial rollout.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has had with the UK trade envoy to Israel.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Secretary of State regularly meets with all his Trade Envoys.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 52406 on Pharmacy, what proportion of people do not have access to a pharmacy within two miles in Newton Abbot constituency.

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

The estimated travel distance to a pharmacy referenced in the previous response was based on a published analysis, commissioned by the Department, and available at the following link:

https://postcode-pharmacy-dhsc-nhsgisscw.hub.arcgis.com/

The analysis presents estimates at the national, regional, integrated care board, and parliamentary constituency levels. The estimate that 7.4% of the residents of the Newton Abbot constituency live more than two miles from a pharmacy is similar to the national estimate of 7.2%. This estimate is based on the pharmacies included on the NHS Pharmaceutical list in June 2024, and no pharmacies have closed in the Newton Abbot constituency since then.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of abolishing peak time pricing on rail fares to and from Devon.

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

Peak and off-peak fares are an important tool to manage demand and alleviate crowding on peak time services by encouraging those who can travel off-peak to do so. Any changes to rail policy need to balance affordability for both passengers and taxpayers to ensure everyone gets a fair deal.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the effectiveness of voluntary corporate commitments in preventing deforestation in UK supply chains.

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

We have not made a comprehensive assessment of the contribution of voluntary corporate commitments in the estimated 22% reduction in UK consumption-driven global deforestation between 2017 and 2022.

However, there is some evidence that voluntary commitments are having a positive impact. For instance, in 2022, 86% of palm and palm kernel oil imported to the UK was certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, driven in part by supermarket sustainability pledges.

We recognise the urgency of taking action to ensure that UK consumption of forest risk commodities is not driving deforestation and will set out our approach in due course.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential environmental impact of levels of UK consumption of (a) palm oil, (b) soy, (c) beef and (d) cocoa on global deforestation rates.

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

The Government recognises that agricultural expansion for commodities such as palm oil, soy, beef, and cocoa is a major driver of global deforestation. In 2022, UK consumption of these commodities linked to approximately 16,000hectares of deforestation worldwide, with cattle accounting for approximately 53% of this impact The Government will set out its approach to addressing UK consumption of forest risk commodities in due course.

https://commodityfootprints.earth/#dashboard

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to (a) review and (b) strengthen deforestation-related regulations after their initial implementation under the Environment Act 2021.

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

We recognise the urgency of taking action to ensure that UK consumption of forest risk commodities is not driving deforestation. The Government will set out its approach to addressing UK consumption of forest risk commodities in due course. We are committed to ensuring that any regulatory framework is robust, proportionate and effective in addressing deforestation in UK supply chains.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his planned timetable is for enacting the due diligence regulations of the Environment Act 2021, in the context of UK efforts to tackle deforestation.

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

We recognise the urgency of taking action to ensure that UK consumption of forest risk commodities is not driving deforestation. The Government will set out its approach to addressing UK consumption of forest risk commodities in due course. We are committed to ensuring that any regulatory framework is robust, proportionate and effective in addressing deforestation in UK supply chains.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of setting high-risk thresholds and monitoring requirements to ensure an effective due diligence for forest risk commodities regime.

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

We recognise the urgency of taking action to ensure that UK consumption of forest risk commodities is not driving deforestation. The Government will set out its approach to addressing UK consumption of forest risk commodities in due course. We are committed to ensuring that any regulatory framework is robust, proportionate and effective in addressing deforestation in UK supply chains.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Government plans to bring forward secondary legislation to establish a due diligence regime for forest risk commodities ahead of COP30.

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

We recognise the urgency of taking action to ensure that UK consumption of forest risk commodities is not driving deforestation. The Government will set out its approach to addressing UK consumption of forest risk commodities in due course. We are committed to ensuring that any regulatory framework is robust, proportionate and effective in addressing deforestation in UK supply chains.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Department is taking to implement the due diligence on forest risk commodities provisions in the Environment Act 2021.

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

We recognise the urgency of taking action to ensure that UK consumption of forest risk commodities is not driving deforestation. The Government will set out its approach to addressing UK consumption of forest risk commodities in due course. We are committed to ensuring that any regulatory framework is robust, proportionate and effective in addressing deforestation in UK supply chains.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Information Commissioner’s Office on the data protection implications of offering lower prices in exchange for consumer data.

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

The Secretary of State has not specifically discussed schemes that offer lower prices in exchange for consumer data with the Information Commissioner or his officials.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to review the (a) use of personal data in supermarket loyalty schemes and (b) the potential impact of those schemes on equitable pricing.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

In 2024, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) undertook a review into loyalty pricing in the groceries sector, publishing their findings in November 2024. The CMA found that shoppers who are members of a loyalty scheme can almost always make a genuine saving on the usual price by buying loyalty priced products. This should give shoppers confidence that they are not being treated unfairly.

The CMA analysed around 50,000 grocery products on a loyalty price promotion and found very little evidence of supermarkets inflating their ‘usual’ prices to make loyalty promotions seem like a better deal.

In addition, shoppers without a loyalty scheme membership are generally paying the same price during the loyalty price promotion as they do in the weeks both before and after loyalty price promotions. However, the CMA found several loyalty priced products which were significantly more expensive than the cheapest price available at other supermarkets at that time, so there is value in shopping around.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he is taking steps to prevent consumers who do not opt in to supermarket loyalty schemes from being charged higher prices.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

In 2024, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) undertook a review into loyalty pricing in the groceries sector, publishing their findings in November 2024. The CMA found that shoppers who are members of a loyalty scheme can almost always make a genuine saving on the usual price by buying loyalty priced products. This should give shoppers confidence that they are not being treated unfairly.

The CMA analysed around 50,000 grocery products on a loyalty price promotion and found very little evidence of supermarkets inflating their ‘usual’ prices to make loyalty promotions seem like a better deal.

In addition, shoppers without a loyalty scheme membership are generally paying the same price during the loyalty price promotion as they do in the weeks both before and after loyalty price promotions. However, the CMA found several loyalty priced products which were significantly more expensive than the cheapest price available at other supermarkets at that time, so there is value in shopping around.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of supermarket loyalty schemes on consumer pricing.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

In 2024, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) undertook a review into loyalty pricing in the groceries sector, publishing their findings in November 2024. The CMA found that shoppers who are members of a loyalty scheme can almost always make a genuine saving on the usual price by buying loyalty priced products. This should give shoppers confidence that they are not being treated unfairly.

The CMA analysed around 50,000 grocery products on a loyalty price promotion and found very little evidence of supermarkets inflating their ‘usual’ prices to make loyalty promotions seem like a better deal.

In addition, shoppers without a loyalty scheme membership are generally paying the same price during the loyalty price promotion as they do in the weeks both before and after loyalty price promotions. However, the CMA found several loyalty priced products which were significantly more expensive than the cheapest price available at other supermarkets at that time, so there is value in shopping around.

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 adequacy of the performance of Talkworks NHS Talking Therapy in supporting patients with mental health issues in Devon.

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

Integrated care boards (ICB) are responsible for commissioning services within the National Health Service, including Talking Therapies, to meet the needs of their local populations. ICBs are also responsible for ensuring that service providers adhere to the terms and conditions of their contract, including quality, performance, and the financial aspects.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the English Devolution Bill will include measures to tackle financial disparities between parish and town councils in the same region.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government values the contributions made by town and parish councils to the delivery of local services.

Local authorities may wish to collaborate with town and parish councils to determine how they can most effectively contribute to service delivery under future arrangements. In doing so, they should consider the financial and administrative support required by town and parish councils, as well as the potential impact of new responsibilities on local taxpayers through increases to parish precepts. Central government has no role in funding town and parish councils.

Town and parish councils are independent organisations local authorities should not rely on them as a substitute for their own meaningful community engagement and local area working. Local Government Reorganisation should facilitate better and sustained community engagement, and I welcome the steps areas are taking to consider how to maintain strong community voice.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the forthcoming English Devolution Bill will include provisions to recognise the role of parish and town councils in local service delivery.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government values the contributions made by town and parish councils to the delivery of local services.

Local authorities may wish to collaborate with town and parish councils to determine how they can most effectively contribute to service delivery under future arrangements. In doing so, they should consider the financial and administrative support required by town and parish councils, as well as the potential impact of new responsibilities on local taxpayers through increases to parish precepts. Central government has no role in funding town and parish councils.

Town and parish councils are independent organisations local authorities should not rely on them as a substitute for their own meaningful community engagement and local area working. Local Government Reorganisation should facilitate better and sustained community engagement, and I welcome the steps areas are taking to consider how to maintain strong community voice.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure UK food supply chains do not (a) contribute to the destruction of high-biodiversity forests and (b) undermine international food security.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government is committed to tackling the climate and nature crises. The UK is delivering programmes to improve forest governance, enable sustainable trade and investment and mobilise finance to support forest protection and restoration in developing countries. Since 2011, it is estimated that UK International Climate Finance (ICF) programmes have prevented 750,000 hectares of ecosystem loss (over a million football pitches); supported the sustainable management of 4.2 million hectares of land; and reduced or avoided 105 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. We will continue to work with international partners to support sustainable trade and protect food security.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to include provisions in the English Devolution Bill to standardise ethical conduct and behaviour in (a) parish councils, (b) town councils and (c) other levels of local government.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

In December 2024, the government launched a consultation seeking views on proposed measures to strengthen the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England, including the introduction of the sanction of suspension, to empower local authorities of all types and tiers to deal appropriately with member misconduct where it arises. The government response will be issued in due course. After its release, we will continue to work actively with local government on developing the detailed policies for implementation.

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 considered including new standards in public life clauses in the English Devolution Bill.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

In December 2024, the government launched a consultation seeking views on proposed measures to strengthen the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England, including the introduction of the sanction of suspension, to empower local authorities of all types and tiers to deal appropriately with member misconduct where it arises. The government response will be issued in due course. After its release, we will continue to work actively with local government on developing the detailed policies for implementation.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she plans to take through the English Devolution Bill to involve parish and town councils in restructuring decisions at local government level.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Parish and town councils are not in scope for local government reorganisation and will continue to operate as they do now. As we implement our devolution and local government reorganisation programmes, we will ensure strong community involvement and deliver genuine benefits that can be seen by residents. Local stakeholders will have the opportunity to respond to government consultation on proposals.

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 made an assessment of the potential impact of the establishment of new unitary authorities on levels of (a) effectiveness and (b) autonomy of parish and town councils.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Parish and town councils are not in scope for local government reorganisation and will continue to operate as they do now. As we implement our devolution and local government reorganisation programmes, we will ensure strong community involvement and deliver genuine benefits that can be seen by residents. Local stakeholders will have the opportunity to respond to government consultation on proposals.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps the Government is taking to encourage greater diversity in parish and town council membership.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government is committed to supporting councils at all levels of local government to attract talented members who are representative of the communities they serve. We welcome the work of organisations including the National Association of Local Councils and the Society of Local Council Clerks to encourage greater diversity in parish and town council membership.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether future funding settlements for parish and town councils will account for (a) increasing service delivery responsibilities and (b) variations in local need.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government values the contributions made by town and parish councils to the delivery of local services.

Local authorities may wish to collaborate with town and parish councils to determine how they can most effectively contribute to service delivery under future arrangements. In doing so, they should consider the financial and administrative support required by town and parish councils, as well as the potential impact of new responsibilities on local taxpayers through increases to parish precepts. Central government has no role in funding town and parish councils.

Town and parish councils are independent organisations local authorities should not rely on them as a substitute for their own meaningful community engagement and local area working. Local Government Reorganisation should facilitate better and sustained community engagement, and I welcome the steps areas are taking to consider how to maintain strong community voice.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to introduce new funding streams for (a) parish and (b) town councils.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government values the contributions made by town and parish councils to the delivery of local services.

Local authorities may wish to collaborate with town and parish councils to determine how they can most effectively contribute to service delivery under future arrangements. In doing so, they should consider the financial and administrative support required by town and parish councils, as well as the potential impact of new responsibilities on local taxpayers through increases to parish precepts. Central government has no role in funding town and parish councils.

Town and parish councils are independent organisations local authorities should not rely on them as a substitute for their own meaningful community engagement and local area working. Local Government Reorganisation should facilitate better and sustained community engagement, and I welcome the steps areas are taking to consider how to maintain strong community voice.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 14 February 2025 to Question 29262 on Insulation: Housing, if he will launch an investigation into homes that had spray foam installed under the Green Grant Scheme.

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

The Government recognises that the system of quality assurance and consumer redress that we inherited needs reform. This work is already underway, with the existing system being tightened, but we will set out plans for root and branch reform as part of the Warm Homes Plan.

Under the Green Home Grant Voucher Scheme (GHGVS) the previous Government did not specify which types of insulation should be installed in any particular property, only that the installations should be carried out by TrustMark registered installers in accordance with the relevant standards and consumer protection requirements.

If the installation has met the standards required in the GHGVS, we would not expect it to require removal or prevent a mortgage from being issued given the publication of the inspection protocol that surveyors can use to make a judgement.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will amend section 100 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 to ensure victims of rape and sexual violence do not have their past disclosures used as evidence to drop their case.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

This Government is committed to improving public confidence in the criminal justice system, so that victims feel the system is fair and justice will be done.

The Law Commission is currently concluding its comprehensive review into the use of evidence in sexual offence prosecutions, including the use of evidence relating to victims’ past disclosures. They are reviewing the law, practice, guidance and procedure in sexual offence cases and will make recommendations for reform, so that practitioners throughout the criminal justice system do not unfairly rely on myths and misconceptions when reviewing evidence and making decisions.

We wish to carefully consider the Law Commission’s recommendations on this and on other related measures, to ensure that our approach takes on board their in-depth consideration, and to avoid making piecemeal legislative change.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps to increase the number of full time equivalent examiners at the Newton Abbot Driving Test Centre in the 2025-26 financial year.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

On the 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport announced that the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will take further actions to reduce waiting times for all customers across Great Britain.

Since announcing these measures, DVSA has reintroduced overtime pay incentives for everyone delivering driving tests. The additional testing allowance scheme launched this month (June 2025).

The DVSA’s plan to reduce waiting times as set out in December last year, included recruiting and training 450 driving examiners (DE). As with all test centres in Great Britain, DVSA will assess the recruitment needs at Newton Abbot test centre when it launches any future recruitment campaigns.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to reduce the number of empty and abandoned homes in Devon.

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

The government wants to see more empty homes brought back into use across the country, including in Devon.

Local authorities have strong powers and incentives to tackle empty homes. They have the discretionary powers to charge additional council tax on properties which have been left unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for one or more years. The maximum premium that a council can apply increases, depending on the length of time that the property has been empty for, with a premium of up to 300% on homes left empty for over ten years.

Local authorities can also use powers to take over the management of long-term empty homes to bring them back into use in the private rented sector. Local authorities can apply for an Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO) when a property has been empty for more than two years, subject to the production of evidence that the property has been causing a nuisance to the community and evidence of community support for their proposal. More information can be found on gov.uk here.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to ensure local authorities are able to require standards in excess of legal minimums as conditions for planning approval.

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

Planning conditions attached to the grant of planning permission can be used to require development to meet certain standards.

However, as the National Planning Policy Framework states, such conditions should only be imposed where they are necessary, relevant to planning and to the development to be permitted, enforceable, precise and reasonable in all other respects. They should also not duplicate the role of other regulatory regimes.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 21 May 2025 to Question 52067 on Power Failures, whether the contingency plans include protection from cyber attacks.

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

The Government takes the security of Great Britain’s energy infrastructure extremely seriously and works closely with industry to continually improve and strengthen cyber security resilience. The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill being introduced this summer will further strengthen cyber security standards for all sectors, including energy. Additionally, industry have well-developed cyber security plans to minimise the risk of disruption and to respond to any emerging issue.

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 non-deterministic outputs from AI tools used in (a) diagnostics and (b) treatment planning can be (i) explained and (ii) validated.

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

In the United Kingdom, the majority of artificial intelligence (AI) products being used in health and social care are regulated as medical devices. This means they are subject to stringent safety, performance, and efficacy requirements, primarily set out in the Medical Devices Regulations 2002, with robust monitoring by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulation Agency. These requirements also apply to non-deterministic AI systems that are medical devices used in the National Health Service, such as large language models.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), an arms-length body of the Department, makes recommendations on the safety and cost-effectiveness of products for health and social care services in England. NICE routinely evaluates medical technologies, including innovative AI-enabled technologies, which are assessed in NICE’s Early Value Assessment programme, for those technologies that are most needed and in-demand.

NHS England is also developing guidance for those adopting or considering adopting AI technologies, which is expected to support the safe uptake of these technologies and alleviate concerns that clinicians currently have when buying and using these technologies.

Although many generative AI systems need minimal intervention from users, clinicians still need to review and approve the text which has been produced. AI tools are to be used to support clinicians with their own decision making, rather than to make decisions on the clinicians’ behalf. AI augments, rather than replaces, human expertise.

To ensure that clinicians understand the tools they are working with, we have developed tailored guidance for users and regulators. Through public dialogue, we’ve involved patients and the public in deciding how and why access to health data should be granted for AI research and development. In addition, to bridge the gap between policy and practice we have launched the AI Ambassador Network, which currently has 5,000 members.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department is taking steps to ensure that (a) patients and (b) clinicians are able to (i) understand and (ii) challenge decisions made by non-deterministic AI systems.

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

In the United Kingdom, the majority of artificial intelligence (AI) products being used in health and social care are regulated as medical devices. This means they are subject to stringent safety, performance, and efficacy requirements, primarily set out in the Medical Devices Regulations 2002, with robust monitoring by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulation Agency. These requirements also apply to non-deterministic AI systems that are medical devices used in the National Health Service, such as large language models.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), an arms-length body of the Department, makes recommendations on the safety and cost-effectiveness of products for health and social care services in England. NICE routinely evaluates medical technologies, including innovative AI-enabled technologies, which are assessed in NICE’s Early Value Assessment programme, for those technologies that are most needed and in-demand.

NHS England is also developing guidance for those adopting or considering adopting AI technologies, which is expected to support the safe uptake of these technologies and alleviate concerns that clinicians currently have when buying and using these technologies.

Although many generative AI systems need minimal intervention from users, clinicians still need to review and approve the text which has been produced. AI tools are to be used to support clinicians with their own decision making, rather than to make decisions on the clinicians’ behalf. AI augments, rather than replaces, human expertise.

To ensure that clinicians understand the tools they are working with, we have developed tailored guidance for users and regulators. Through public dialogue, we’ve involved patients and the public in deciding how and why access to health data should be granted for AI research and development. In addition, to bridge the gap between policy and practice we have launched the AI Ambassador Network, which currently has 5,000 members.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to consult (a) businesses, (b) trade unions, (c) investors and (d) civil society organisations on the principle of moving from shareholder primacy to stakeholder primacy.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 requires company directors to have regard in their decision-making to the interests of their employees and to the impact of the company's operations on the community and the environment. All large companies must report annually on how their directors have fulfilled this duty. Section 172 enshrines in statute the "enlightened shareholder value" principle, which recognises that the long-term success of a company depends in part on the ongoing consideration of wider stakeholder interests. This contrasts with the "shareholder maximisation" principle underpinning directors' duties in some other jurisdictions, in which directors owe their duty only to shareholders.

The Government welcomes suggestions on how to ensure companies consider wider stakeholder interests alongside the needs of stakeholders. I look forward to considering the clauses of the Company Directors (Duties) Bill when available.

I would be pleased to meet with the Honourable Member for Newton Abbot to discuss his Private Member's Bill.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if his Department will amend section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 to require company directors to balance the duty to promote the success of the company with duties to (a) employees and (b) the environment.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 requires company directors to have regard in their decision-making to the interests of their employees and to the impact of the company's operations on the community and the environment. All large companies must report annually on how their directors have fulfilled this duty. Section 172 enshrines in statute the "enlightened shareholder value" principle, which recognises that the long-term success of a company depends in part on the ongoing consideration of wider stakeholder interests. This contrasts with the "shareholder maximisation" principle underpinning directors' duties in some other jurisdictions, in which directors owe their duty only to shareholders.

The Government welcomes suggestions on how to ensure companies consider wider stakeholder interests alongside the needs of stakeholders. I look forward to considering the clauses of the Company Directors (Duties) Bill when available.

I would be pleased to meet with the Honourable Member for Newton Abbot to discuss his Private Member's Bill.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will meet with (a) the hon. Member for Newton Abbot and (b) members of the business community to discuss expanding the duties of company directors.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 requires company directors to have regard in their decision-making to the interests of their employees and to the impact of the company's operations on the community and the environment. All large companies must report annually on how their directors have fulfilled this duty. Section 172 enshrines in statute the "enlightened shareholder value" principle, which recognises that the long-term success of a company depends in part on the ongoing consideration of wider stakeholder interests. This contrasts with the "shareholder maximisation" principle underpinning directors' duties in some other jurisdictions, in which directors owe their duty only to shareholders.

The Government welcomes suggestions on how to ensure companies consider wider stakeholder interests alongside the needs of stakeholders. I look forward to considering the clauses of the Company Directors (Duties) Bill when available.

I would be pleased to meet with the Honourable Member for Newton Abbot to discuss his Private Member's Bill.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to support reform in corporate governance from shareholder primacy towards stakeholder primacy.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 requires company directors to have regard in their decision-making to the interests of their employees and to the impact of the company's operations on the community and the environment. All large companies must report annually on how their directors have fulfilled this duty. Section 172 enshrines in statute the "enlightened shareholder value" principle, which recognises that the long-term success of a company depends in part on the ongoing consideration of wider stakeholder interests. This contrasts with the "shareholder maximisation" principle underpinning directors' duties in some other jurisdictions, in which directors owe their duty only to shareholders.

The Government welcomes suggestions on how to ensure companies consider wider stakeholder interests alongside the needs of stakeholders. I look forward to considering the clauses of the Company Directors (Duties) Bill when available.

I would be pleased to meet with the Honourable Member for Newton Abbot to discuss his Private Member's Bill.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will support the (a) passage and (b) principle of the Company Directors (Duties) Bill.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 requires company directors to have regard in their decision-making to the interests of their employees and to the impact of the company's operations on the community and the environment. All large companies must report annually on how their directors have fulfilled this duty. Section 172 enshrines in statute the "enlightened shareholder value" principle, which recognises that the long-term success of a company depends in part on the ongoing consideration of wider stakeholder interests. This contrasts with the "shareholder maximisation" principle underpinning directors' duties in some other jurisdictions, in which directors owe their duty only to shareholders.

The Government welcomes suggestions on how to ensure companies consider wider stakeholder interests alongside the needs of stakeholders. I look forward to considering the clauses of the Company Directors (Duties) Bill when available.

I would be pleased to meet with the Honourable Member for Newton Abbot to discuss his Private Member's Bill.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the his US counterpart on UK citizens with a green card data.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign Secretary has not had any recent discussions with Secretary of State Marco Rubio about green card data, or UK citizens with green cards.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to create delineated funding mechanisms for different tiers of local government in the proposed English Devolution Bill.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government has no plans to create further delineated funding mechanisms for different tiers of local government in the proposed English Devolution Bill.

The English Devolution White Paper set out that where a Strategic Authority takes on powers which are currently funded outside the Local Government Finance Settlement or the Integrated Settlements, such as Mayoral Capacity Funding, MHCLG will work with the relevant department or organisation to explore funding this through one of these routes.

Further detail on the interactions between Local Authority and Mayoral Strategic Authority funding will be set out in the upcoming consultation on Local Authority funding reform.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to provide funding for the Teign estuary project through the Local Transport Grant.

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

At the Spending Review (SR), the government announced £2.3 billion across the SR period for the Local Transport Grant (LTG). Allocations have been published, and Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority have been allocated £40.9m. This is in addition to £4.7m the authority was allocated in 2025/26 through the Integrated Transport Block.

This funding is for maintaining and improving local transport infrastructure, delivering transport schemes that will boost growth. Local leaders can choose how to spend it, including on supporting new housing developments, improving public transport, and making streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists. Funding guidance will be issued later this year to support local areas in deciding how to best utilise their LTG allocations.

In addition, Active Travel England recently announced capital funding allocations for 2025/26 to local authorities through the Consolidated Active Travel Fund. Devon County Council’s allocation is £2.3m, and this can be used to support the delivery of high quality walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure as well as capability building measures and behaviour changes activities.

It is for Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority to decide how they wish to spend their LTG and Consolidated Active Travel Fund allocations, including on the Teign Estuary Project, alongside other priority projects in their Local Transport Plan.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2025 to Question 21418 on South West Main Line: Dawlish, what criteria she used for the decision not to include funding for phase 5 of the South West Rail Resilience Programme at Dawlish in the Spending Review 2025.

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

Following the Chancellors’s statement on 11 June we are now working to confirm our wider portfolio of rail enhancements, which will be published as part of the government’s commitment to set out its overall infrastructure pipeline.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2025 on Question 21418 on South West Mainline: Dawlish, whether she plans to provide funding for phase 5 of the Dawlish south west rail resilience fund.

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

Following the Chancellors’s statement on 11 June we are now working to confirm our wider portfolio of rail enhancements, which will be published as part of the government’s commitment to set out its overall infrastructure pipeline.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 14 February 2025 to Question 29262 on Insulation: Housing, if he will offer support for homes with faulty spray foam installed.

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

There is no government financial assistance available to have insulation removed. Any measures fitted under government schemes must be fitted to the highest standards with issues promptly and properly rectified. In any instance where insulation is installed improperly under a government-backed scheme, consumers are entitled to remediation by their installer or, failing that, the insurance-backed guarantee at no cost to the consumer.

Installations of any insulation under current Government schemes must be installed in accordance with the PAS 2030 and PAS 2035 standards. The TrustMark website contains further guidance on how consumers can complain if things go wrong and the dispute resolution process: https://www.trustmark.org.uk/homeowners/if-things-go-wrong.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 14 February 2025 to Question 29262 on Insulation: Housing, if he will publish data on the number of homes using the warm homes grant to date.

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

The Department publishes Household Energy Efficiency Statistics. The detailed annual reports provide breakdowns of measures installed under various government support schemes. These date back to 2015 and are available at GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/household-energy-efficiency-national-statistics).

Warm Homes: Local Grant and Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund schemes began in April 2025. Statistics on the delivery of these schemes will be published in due course.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 14 February 2025 to Question 29262 on Insulation: Housing, if he will take legislative steps to ensure access to mortgage facilities for people purchasing homes with spray foam insulation.

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

The insulation, lending, and surveying communities published protocols in March 2023 to support surveyors to assess spray foam, provide reassurance to lenders, and inform consumers. We understand from lenders that in general they follow the advice of surveyors and that most no longer have blanket policies.

The government cannot comment on the decisions made by individual lenders. However, the presence of spray foam should not automatically prevent lending, and decisions should be made on a case-by-case basis following a survey. Whilst one lender may be unable to offer a mortgage to a customer, this does not prevent them from being offered credit elsewhere.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what information his Department holds on the change in population of the 17-19 year old age group in Newton Abbot Constituency in the last five years.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 11th June is attached.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of changes to corporate governance law on economic output.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Non-financial reporting information is a vital part of the UK’s corporate governance framework. The Government has committed to review non-financial reporting in order to reduce burdens on business and has already made legislative changes that will save companies £240 million per year.

This work is ongoing and the Government will publish a further consultation later this year.

The Department supported the Financial Reporting Council in revising the UK Stewardship Code. The new Code reduces reporting burdens and early estimates suggest that signatories to the Code may be able to reduce reporting volume by 20-30% while maintaining reporting quality.

Better Business Day campaign and the Company Directors (Duties) Bill

Disconnection of stolen phones

Harmful chemicals in period products

Shared Lives Carers

Malmesbury FC Girls and Women’s Teams and Rhianon Stidever

Hannah Beaton-Hawryluk MBE

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Silverburn Festival in Leven

Contribution of technical colleges

International Women in Engineering Day

Gurkha pensions

Visas and access to education for Ukrainian refugee children

Inverness ranked top Scottish city for outdoor enthusiasts

Impact of proposed immigration changes on migrants living in the UK

Bank charges for micro-charities

Press ownership by foreign states

Residential estate management companies

The Three Chimneys restaurant fundraising for Scottish Ambulance Service

Myeloma Awareness Week 2025

David Maxwell Fyfe

Clean air awareness campaign

20th anniversary of DAY1

Babbacombe Corinthian Sailing Club

Role of relationship education in preventing violence against women and girls

Local authority funding

Prostate cancer screening and men's health support

UK trade with illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories

Methanol poisoning, UK traveller safety and education in schools

Scottish Government restrictions on NHS medical aid to Ukraine

Democracy in Hong Kong

Bath Rugby

Farmers, growers and the supermarket supply chain

High street gambling reform

New blood cancer drug

UK-US Trade Deal and animal welfare and farming

Wild Waters Festival

Support for farmers

UK Government recognition of the state of Palestine

Madleen Freedom Flotilla Ship

Role of B Corporations in promoting sustainable business in rural communities

Diabetes Week 2025

Men’s Health Week 2025 (No. 2)

Found: present: Chi Onwurah (Chair); Dr Allison Gardner; Kit Malthouse; Steve Race; Dr Lauren Sullivan; Martin Wrigley

Found: present: Chi Onwurah (Chair); Dr Allison Gardner; Kit Malthouse; Steve Race; Dr Lauren Sullivan; Martin Wrigley

Found: Freeman; Dr Allison Gardner; Kit Malthouse; Steve Race; Dr Lauren Sullivan; Adam Thompson; Martin Wrigley

Found: Freeman; Dr Allison Gardner; Kit Malthouse; Steve Race; Dr Lauren Sullivan; Adam Thompson; Martin Wrigley

Found: NC43 Mike Martin Dame Karen Bradley Ms Stella Creasy Lisa Smart Siân Berry Munira Wilson Martin Wrigley

Found: Stella Creasy Lisa Smart Siân Berry Munira Wilson REPORT STAGE Wednesday 18 June 2025 50 Martin Wrigley

Found: MacCleary Peter Prinsley Caroline Voaden Liz Jarvis Sarah Olney Vikki Slade Ian Roome Martin Wrigley

Found: MacCleary Peter Prinsley Caroline Voaden Liz Jarvis Sarah Olney Vikki Slade Ian Roome Martin Wrigley

Found: MacCleary Peter Prinsley Caroline Voaden Liz Jarvis Sarah Olney Vikki Slade Ian Roome Martin Wrigley

Found: MacCleary Peter Prinsley Caroline Voaden Liz Jarvis Sarah Olney Vikki Slade Ian Roome Martin Wrigley

Found: MacCleary Peter Prinsley Caroline Voaden Liz Jarvis Sarah Olney Vikki Slade Ian Roome Martin Wrigley