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 impact of the nature restoration fund on (a) peatlands, (b) ancient woodlands and (c) other irreplaceable habitats.

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

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill provides an opportunity to accelerate housebuilding and infrastructure delivery by using development to fund nature recovery. This will create a win-win outcome, benefitting both the economy and nature, where both are currently stalled.

The Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) will offer an alternative way for developers to discharge existing environmental obligations related to protected sites and species, without reducing overall levels of environmental protection. The Bill sets out that the specific environmental obligations which may be in scope of Environmental Delivery Plans in future are only those stemming from the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, or the Protection of Badgers Act 1992.

The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that development resulting in the loss or deterioration of irreplaceable habitats, which includes ancient woodland and ancient and veteran trees, as well as blanket bog and lowland fen (which are peatland habitats), should be refused, unless there are wholly exceptional reasons and a suitable compensation strategy exists. These protections will continue to apply.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to introduce a contactless payment system for commuter rail services in Devon.

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

At this stage there are no plans for such a scheme. However, this Government remains committed to making ticketing simpler and more flexible for passengers and to working with local authorities to support integrated transport plans in their areas. We want to expand ticketing innovations such as Pay As You Go (PAYG) where possible and further details on any wider expansion of PAYG will be announced in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with South Western Railway on extending London Waterloo Services past Exeter St Davids to Newton Abbot.

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

The Department and South-Western Railway (SWR) are in regular discussion regarding its service provision, which aims to balance the needs of both passenger and taxpayer. There have, however, been no recent discussions with SWR regarding extending London Waterloo services via Exeter St Davids to Newton Abbot.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to make an assessment of the (a) adequacy of the requirement for UK-produced phages to be manufactured under good manufacturing practice and (b) potential impact of this requirement on patient access to treatment.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

In the March 2024 response to the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee’s report on bacteriophages, the Government acknowledged the challenges of requiring United Kingdom-produced phages to meet Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, which is essential for clinical use.

To address this, the Government committed to exploring the case for a dedicated GMP facility to support phage innovators, working with key stakeholders, including funders and research organisations, to strengthen the UK’s phage manufacturing capabilities and thereby improve patient access to these therapies.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help support pubs in Devon.

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

Hospitality businesses, including pubs and breweries in Devon, are at the heart of our communities and play a vital role in supporting economic growth across the UK.

The Government is creating a fairer business rate system and reducing alcohol duty on qualifying draught products. This work will be supported by the publication of The Small Business Strategy Command Paper which will be published later this year. Through the Hospitality Sector Council, we are addressing strategic issues for the sector related to high street regeneration, skills, sustainability, and productivity.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to ensure the digital service tax is not repealed.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Digital Services Tax (DST) is an interim tax measure to ensure that digital services providers pay UK tax on digital services that reflects the value they derive from UK users.

The UK remains committed to reaching a global solution on the taxation of the digital economy through Pillar 1 of the G20-OECD Inclusive Framework project. It is UK’s intention to repeal our Digital Services Tax (DST) when this international solution is in place.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to support Ukrainians living in the UK on a long-term residency basis.

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

In response to the invasion, the Government set up three generous schemes – the Ukraine Family Scheme, Home for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme and the Ukraine Extension Scheme – and have provided temporary sanctuary for over 300,000 Ukrainians fleeing the war.

The Homes for Ukraine scheme remains open, uncapped and free of charge for Ukrainians in need of sanctuary to apply to come to the UK.

On the 4 February 2025 the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme opened to applications. This enables Ukrainians and their eligible family members who are already in the UK with Ukraine scheme permission, or Leave outside the Rules in certain circumstances, to apply for a further 18 months' permission in the UK.

The scheme will provide the same rights and entitlements to access work, benefits, healthcare and education as the existing Ukraine schemes.

As part of the application process, individuals will be asked to provide evidence to prove their identity. For documents not in English, applicants must upload a certified English translation. Providing translations up front helps us to progress applications quicker.

The Ukraine schemes are temporary sanctuary visa schemes rather than humanitarian protection schemes and are not routes to settlement. This approach recognises the Ukrainian Government’s desire for the future return of its citizens. It is important that our approach reflects their wishes.

Other visa routes are available for those wishing to settle permanently in the UK, provided they meet the eligibility criteria of those routes.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the identity and nationality documents for the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme applications must be pre-translated.

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

In response to the invasion, the Government set up three generous schemes – the Ukraine Family Scheme, Home for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme and the Ukraine Extension Scheme – and have provided temporary sanctuary for over 300,000 Ukrainians fleeing the war.

The Homes for Ukraine scheme remains open, uncapped and free of charge for Ukrainians in need of sanctuary to apply to come to the UK.

On the 4 February 2025 the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme opened to applications. This enables Ukrainians and their eligible family members who are already in the UK with Ukraine scheme permission, or Leave outside the Rules in certain circumstances, to apply for a further 18 months' permission in the UK.

The scheme will provide the same rights and entitlements to access work, benefits, healthcare and education as the existing Ukraine schemes.

As part of the application process, individuals will be asked to provide evidence to prove their identity. For documents not in English, applicants must upload a certified English translation. Providing translations up front helps us to progress applications quicker.

The Ukraine schemes are temporary sanctuary visa schemes rather than humanitarian protection schemes and are not routes to settlement. This approach recognises the Ukrainian Government’s desire for the future return of its citizens. It is important that our approach reflects their wishes.

Other visa routes are available for those wishing to settle permanently in the UK, provided they meet the eligibility criteria of those routes.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether it is her Department's policy that the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme is a humanitarian protection route.

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

In response to the invasion, the Government set up three generous schemes – the Ukraine Family Scheme, Home for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme and the Ukraine Extension Scheme – and have provided temporary sanctuary for over 300,000 Ukrainians fleeing the war.

The Homes for Ukraine scheme remains open, uncapped and free of charge for Ukrainians in need of sanctuary to apply to come to the UK.

On the 4 February 2025 the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme opened to applications. This enables Ukrainians and their eligible family members who are already in the UK with Ukraine scheme permission, or Leave outside the Rules in certain circumstances, to apply for a further 18 months' permission in the UK.

The scheme will provide the same rights and entitlements to access work, benefits, healthcare and education as the existing Ukraine schemes.

As part of the application process, individuals will be asked to provide evidence to prove their identity. For documents not in English, applicants must upload a certified English translation. Providing translations up front helps us to progress applications quicker.

The Ukraine schemes are temporary sanctuary visa schemes rather than humanitarian protection schemes and are not routes to settlement. This approach recognises the Ukrainian Government’s desire for the future return of its citizens. It is important that our approach reflects their wishes.

Other visa routes are available for those wishing to settle permanently in the UK, provided they meet the eligibility criteria of those routes.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of OBR forecasts on the percentage of GDP spent on social security benefits in the next four years.

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

The OBR forecast for welfare spending as a percentage of GDP is expected to be 10.8% in 2029-30 once Spring Statement 2025 policy measures have been factored in. This compares to 10.9% without the incorporation of policy measures.

These figures exclude spending consequences for the Scottish Block Grant adjustment arising from Spring Statement 2025 policy measures.

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 implementing the Parkinson's UK Parky Charter.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

We acknowledge the challenges that neurology services have been facing, particularly regarding the workforce, delays to treatment and care, and the lack of information and support that some patients have experienced.

However, whilst no assessment has been made on the potential merits of the Parkinson’s UK Parky Charter, I am pleased that there are a number of initiatives supporting service improvement and better care for patients with Parkinson’s disease.

These national initiatives include the RightCare Progressive Neurological Conditions Toolkit, the Getting It Right First Time Programme for Neurology, and the Neurology Transformation Programme, a multi-year, clinically led programme to develop a new model of integrated care for neurology services.

Furthermore, we have delivered an additional two million appointments between July and November 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, seven months ahead of schedule, as a first step in our commitment to ensuring patients can expect to be treated within 18 weeks. These additional appointments have taken place across a number of specialities, including neurology.

This summer, we will publish a refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade and treat patients, including those with Parkinson’s, on time again. We will ensure the National Health Service has the right people, in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the care patients need when they need it.

Approximately 89% of prescription items are currently dispensed free of charge, and there are a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place. People with Parkinson’s who are 60 years old or over are entitled to free prescriptions. For those that have to pay for prescriptions, the cost can be capped by purchasing a pre-payment certificate. Additionally, the NHS Low Income Scheme can provide help with health costs on an income-related basis.

The Government spent £79.06 million on research into Parkinson’s between 2019/20 and 2023/24, with research delivered via UK Research and Innovation and the National Institute for Health and Care Research, and is continuing to invest in Parkinson’s disease research.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether Ukrainians who have (a) jobs, (b) homes and (c) families in the UK will be able to stay once the war has ended.

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

In response to the invasion, the Government set up three generous schemes – the Ukraine Family Scheme, Home for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme and the Ukraine Extension Scheme – and have provided temporary sanctuary for over 300,000 Ukrainians fleeing the war.

The Homes for Ukraine scheme remains open, uncapped and free of charge for Ukrainians in need of sanctuary to apply to come to the UK.

On the 4 February 2025 the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme opened to applications. This enables Ukrainians and their eligible family members who are already in the UK with Ukraine scheme permission, or Leave outside the Rules in certain circumstances, to apply for a further 18 months' permission in the UK.

The scheme will provide the same rights and entitlements to access work, benefits, healthcare and education as the existing Ukraine schemes.

As part of the application process, individuals will be asked to provide evidence to prove their identity. For documents not in English, applicants must upload a certified English translation. Providing translations up front helps us to progress applications quicker.

The Ukraine schemes are temporary sanctuary visa schemes rather than humanitarian protection schemes and are not routes to settlement. This approach recognises the Ukrainian Government’s desire for the future return of its citizens. It is important that our approach reflects their wishes.

Other visa routes are available for those wishing to settle permanently in the UK, provided they meet the eligibility criteria of those routes.

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 reduce dog bites in the UK.

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

Defra continues to work with the police, local authorities and animal welfare groups to explore measures to reduce dog attacks and promote responsible dog ownership across all breeds of dog.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many and what proportion of tests for (a) D1 and (b) B category licenses resulted in a (i) pass and (ii) fail in each of the last five years.

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

The table below shows, for the last five years, the number of:

• category B (car) practical driving tests conducted by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA);

• category D1 (minibus) 3b on road practical driving tests conducted by DVSA and delegated examiners; and

• tests passed and failed, including pass rate.

* - Testing reduced due to Covid-19 pandemic

# - January 2024 to September 2024 is the latest official statistics.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to increase the take up of means-tested benefits amongst households with children in poverty.

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

The Child Poverty Taskforce is progressing urgent work to publish the Child Poverty Strategy, and we are exploring all available levers to drive forward short and long-term actions across government to reduce child poverty.

Our focus is on bringing about an enduring reduction in child poverty in this parliament, thereby reversing the trend that is seeing forecasts of child poverty continuing to increase. More details, including on the time horizon, will be set out in the strategy publication.

We are supporting claimants to identify what support may be available including through providing extensive information on Universal Credit on Gov.uk. Additionally, we show potential customers external benefit calculators where they can identify what they are likely to be eligible for. We also work closely with Citizens Advice who provide Help to Claim support for claimants to make a claim to Universal Credit, including marketing and publicising Help to Claim support.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if her Department will develop a longer term child poverty strategy.

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

The Child Poverty Taskforce is progressing urgent work to publish the Child Poverty Strategy, and we are exploring all available levers to drive forward short and long-term actions across government to reduce child poverty.

Our focus is on bringing about an enduring reduction in child poverty in this parliament, thereby reversing the trend that is seeing forecasts of child poverty continuing to increase. More details, including on the time horizon, will be set out in the strategy publication.

We are supporting claimants to identify what support may be available including through providing extensive information on Universal Credit on Gov.uk. Additionally, we show potential customers external benefit calculators where they can identify what they are likely to be eligible for. We also work closely with Citizens Advice who provide Help to Claim support for claimants to make a claim to Universal Credit, including marketing and publicising Help to Claim support.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many current driving licences that entitle the holder to drive category (a) B and (b) D1 vehicles were issued (a) before and (b) on or after 1 January 1997.

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

The table below shows the number of driving licence holders with entitlement to drive category B (car) and D1 (minibuses with between nine and 16 passenger seats). The table also shows whether the entitlement was gained before or after 1 January 1997. Please note that drivers who passed a category B test before 1 January 1997 were automatically granted D1 entitlement but could not drive D1 vehicles for hire or reward (NFHR). This entitlement has also been included. Drivers with D1 (NFHR) entitlement must meet the higher medical standards required of Group 2 (HGV/Bus) drivers when their driving licence expires, normally at the age of 70.

* This figure also includes drivers who hold category D1 entitlement from passing a category D (Bus) test.

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 bring forward legislative proposals to make importing dogs with cropped ears illegal.

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

The Government recently announced its support for the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, a Private Members’ Bill sponsored by the hon. Member for Winchester. The Bill will give the Government powers to prevent the supply of low-welfare pets to the United Kingdom. We will use these powers to prohibit the bringing into Great Britain of dogs with non-exempted mutilations such as cropped ears.

We are fully supportive of this Bill and would like to see it pass through both Houses as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the oral answer to the hon. Member for Newton Abbot of 27 March 2025, what the evidential basis is for the statement by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport that up to 30% of drivers who take the D1 test fail.

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

The statistic of up to 30% of drivers failing the D1 driving test is quoted in the 2022 Driving Licensing Call for Evidence. It is based on data from April 2016 to September 2021, where tests were conducted by DVSA examiners only.

Driving test, theory test and driving instructor statistics for Great Britain are published on GOV.UK each year by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the report by the Trussell Trust entitled Almost one in five people receiving Universal Credit and disability benefits used a food bank in the last month, published on 7 March 2025, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the finding that 19% of people claiming universal credit and disability benefits report using a food bank.

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

No one should have to turn to a food bank. This is why we are committed to tackling poverty and ending mass dependence on emergency food parcels. We know that good work can significantly reduce the chances of people falling into poverty. As set out in the Get Britain Working White Paper, we will target and tackle economic inactivity and unemployment and provide health and skills support to meet the needs of local communities. Alongside this, our plan to Make Work Pay will help more people stay in work, make work more secure, and improve living standards including by increasing the National Living Wage to £12.21 an hour from April, boosting pay for 3 million workers.

The Government recognises the critical role Universal Credit plays in tackling poverty and making work pay. Change is needed, which is why we are actively reviewing Universal Credit. We will introduce the Fair Repayment Rate in April, reducing the cap on deductions from 25% to 15%. The benefits rate will increase by a further 1.7% from April onwards, in line with inflation.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the article by the Trussell Trust entitled Almost one in five people receiving Universal Credit and disability benefits used a food bank in the last month, published on 7 March 2025.

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

No one should have to turn to a food bank. This is why we are committed to tackling poverty and ending mass dependence on emergency food parcels. We know that good work can significantly reduce the chances of people falling into poverty. As set out in the Get Britain Working White Paper, we will target and tackle economic inactivity and unemployment and provide health and skills support to meet the needs of local communities. Alongside this, our plan to Make Work Pay will help more people stay in work, make work more secure, and improve living standards including by increasing the National Living Wage to £12.21 an hour from April, boosting pay for 3 million workers.

The Government recognises the critical role Universal Credit plays in tackling poverty and making work pay. Change is needed, which is why we are actively reviewing Universal Credit. We will introduce the Fair Repayment Rate in April, reducing the cap on deductions from 25% to 15%. The benefits rate will increase by a further 1.7% from April onwards, in line with inflation.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Social Metrics Commission's report entitled Measuring Poverty 2024, published in October 2024, if she will undertake a review of the finding that 47 per cent of families with at least one disabled child or adult were in poverty compared to 19 per cent of those families without a disabled person in 2022/23.

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

The government's impact assessment regarding Health and Disability Reform is available at Spring Statement 2025 health and disability benefit reforms - Impacts.

As part of our Plan for Change we're introducing the most far-reaching reforms in a generation, with £1 billion a year being invested to give people the best possible chance with tailored support that can be adapted to meet their changing circumstances - including their changing health – while also scrapping the failed Work Capability Assessment in Great Britain.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Social Metrics Commission's report entitled Measuring Poverty 2024, published in October 2024, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for his Department's policies of the finding that 54 per cent of people in poverty lived in a family that included a disabled person in 2022/23.

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

The government's impact assessment regarding Health and Disability Reform is available at Spring Statement 2025 health and disability benefit reforms - Impacts.

As part of our Plan for Change we're introducing the most far-reaching reforms in a generation, with £1 billion a year being invested to give people the best possible chance with tailored support that can be adapted to meet their changing circumstances - including their changing health – while also scrapping the failed Work Capability Assessment in Great Britain.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will take steps to review its policy on the private ownership model of South West Water.

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

The Government has no intention to nationalise water companies, including South West Water. Such a process would significantly stall much needed investment, leaving sewage pollution only to get worse.

Nationalising the water industry would put a huge burden on the public purse and would not fix the root of the problem. Shareholders and debt holders would need to be compensated, which could cost over an estimated £90 billion based on Ofwat’s Regulatory Capital Value (RCV) 2024 figures for companies in England and Wales.

This Government has already shown we will take the necessary action with the introduction of our landmark piece of legislation, the Water (Special Measures) Act, and the Independent Water Commission which will make recommendations to ensure we have a sufficiently robust and stable regulatory framework to attract the investment needed to clean up our waterways, speed up infrastructure delivery and restore public confidence in the sector.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the HM Revenue and Customs' Policy paper entitled Alcohol Duty uprating, published on 30 October 2024, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the 3.4% increase in alcohol duties on the pub sector.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At Autumn Budget the Chancellor announced that she would uprate alcohol duty in line with RPI inflation on 1 February 2025. This decision weighed the impacts on businesses, cost-of-living pressures on people who drink moderately and responsibly, and the public health case for higher duties to tackle increasing alcohol-related deaths, as well as economic inactivity.

However, in recognition of the economic and cultural importance of pubs, and the wider “on trade”, the Chancellor announced a duty cut on qualifying draught products – approximately 60% of the alcoholic drinks sold in pubs. This is reducing alcohol producers’ duty bills by over £85m a year and has cut 1p off the duty on an average strength pint.

A Tax Information and Impact Note was published alongside this Budget announcement. This includes an assessment of the impact on businesses, including alcohol retailers. This is available here: Alcohol Duty uprating - GOV.UK

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 reintroduce the Government's £50 reduction for customers of South West Water.

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

The taxpayer-funded contribution to the water and sewerage bills of South West Water (SWW) household customers ended on 31 March 2025. The rebate was originally introduced in 2013 because SWW customers faced significantly higher water bills than customers in other regions due to the level of investment the company was required to make in the region’s infrastructure to meet environmental and water quality standards.

Over the last decade the difference between water bills in the South West region and others has decreased. Over the next Price Review period (2025-2029) Ofwat’s latest projections are that SWW customers will have similar bills to those in other regions.

The Government is committed to taking action to address water poverty and help vulnerable customers with their water bills. All water companies have measures in place for people who struggle to pay for their water and wastewater services, including measures such as WaterSure, social tariffs, payment breaks and holidays, and debt management support.

We expect all water companies to proactively engage with their customers to ensure they know what support schemes are available and how to use them.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact on local authorities' ability to meet special educational needs because of delays by local authorities in reviewing schools' funding requests for Education, Health and Care Plans.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

Mainstream schools are funded through the formula set by their local authority. The funding formula is decided by each local authority in consultation with its schools and often uses factors such as low prior attainment and free school meals to give an estimate of the number of children with special educational needs (SEN) a school is likely to have. Local authorities are required to delegate funds to a level that enables schools to meet the additional cost of pupils with SEN up to £6,000 per annum.

When a school can demonstrate that the costs of additional support required for a pupil with SEN exceed £6,000, the local authority should allocate additional funding to cover the excess costs. This may follow an education, health and care (EHC) needs assessment and the creation of an EHC plan, though local authorities have discretion to provide top-up funding to pupils without an EHC plan.

If a local authority issues an EHC plan, it is statutorily required to secure the special educational provision specified in the plan. Disagreements over the provision required and the associated costs should not stand in the way of a child or young person’s education.

The department is clear that we expect commissioning local authorities and all types of schools/colleges to work together so that agreement can be reached on the level of top-up funding required to enable suitable provision to be made for individual pupils and students. More information is available in the GOV.UK guidance ‘High needs funding: 2024 to 2025 operational guide’, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/high-needs-funding-arrangements-2024-to-2025/high-needs-funding-2024-to-2025-operational-guide#top-up-funding.

As the statutory responsible body, the local authority is responsible for the final decision about the level of funding required to secure the necessary provision. In determining the funding level, the local authority should have consulted with the school or college and should ensure their decision is evidence-based and reasonable. However, even where provision is specified in an EHC plan, there is no statutory requirement that a local authority must pay top-up funding at a particular rate requested by a school or college.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to extend the application window for the Ukrainian Permission Extension scheme to three months.

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

The 28-day window for applications to be submitted enables effective operational planning across all visa routes and helps to ensure sufficient biometric enrolment capacity across all routes, which ultimately allows us to deliver the most efficient service for customers.

Those who apply before their current permission expires will retain the conditions of their current visa while their application is under consideration, enabling them to continue to exercise their rights to work, study, and live in the UK. As with all aspects of our service delivery, we will keep the operation of this scheme under review.

UPE processing is aligned with other routes which have SLAs of 8 weeks. Currently the team are processing applications around week 2.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of schools being unable to challenge placement decisions made by local authorities on children with special educational needs.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

Where a local authority has issued an education, health and care (EHC) plan for a child or young person, they must consult a school or college before naming it in the plan and the school or college can express concerns about being named.

When responding to a local authority on a consultation about being named in an EHC plan, the school can make representations in relation to its total pupil population and its capacity, where it feels that admitting the pupil might have an impact on the efficient education of other pupils already in the school. This is a matter that the local authority would need to carefully consider in reaching its decision about whether to proceed to name the school. If the local authority goes ahead and names it in the plan, then the school or college is under a statutory duty to admit the child or young person.

A school can make a complaint to my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education if it feels that a local authority has not carried out its statutory duties appropriately, such as where the school suspects the local authority did not follow due processes in reaching a decision to name it on an EHC plan. However, whilst that complaint is being resolved, because the school is named in the EHC plan, it must admit the child with immediate effect.

The department knows that many children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) struggle to find a suitable school placement that is close to their home and meets their needs. This government is committed to addressing this by improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, as well as ensuring special schools cater to those with the most complex needs.

We work with the sector as valued partners to ensure that every child or young person with SEND can access a school placement that meets their needs, including in mainstream where appropriate. In doing so, we want to improve pupil outcomes and experiences and restore parents’ trust.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance her Department has issued to (a) local authorities and (b) schools on (i) annual reviews for EHC plans and (ii) the responsibilities of all parties involved.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

Education, health and care (EHC) plans should be used to monitor children and young people’s progress towards their outcomes and longer term aspirations. Local authorities have a statutory duty to review EHC plans every 12 months as a minimum.

The local authority should provide a list of children and young people who will require a review of their EHC plan that term to all headteachers and principals of schools, colleges and other institutions attended by children or young people with EHC plans, at least two weeks before the start of each term. This will enable professionals to plan attendance at review meetings and/or provide timely advice or information about the child or young person where necessary.

The department has issued guidance on EHC plan reviews in the special educational needs and disabilities Code of Practice which explains the roles and responsibilities of local authorities and schools in the review process, as well as other relevant professionals.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the time spent by schools in requesting assessments for EHC plans on the provision of SEND services.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

Schools are required to identify and address the special educational needs (SEN) of the pupils they support and, in the case of mainstream settings, to use their best endeavours to make sure that a child or young person who has SEN gets the support they need. This includes asking local authorities to carry out an education, health and care (EHC) needs assessment, if necessary.

All schools should apply the ‘graduated approach’ that is outlined in the SEND Code of Practice, which means identifying a child’s needs, planning appropriate support, implementing that support and reviewing it regularly to ensure it continues to meet the identified needs. Through this, schools should develop personalised approaches to supporting the unique needs of individual pupils. If necessary, the local authority can be asked to carry out an EHC needs assessment.

In addition, all mainstream schools and maintained academy schools, including free schools, must have a qualified teacher, or the headteacher, designated as the special educational needs coordinator (SENCO).

SENCOs have day-to-day responsibility for the operation of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) policy and co-ordination of specific provision made to support individual pupils with SEND, including those who have EHC plans.

Schools should ensure that the SENCO has sufficient time and resources to carry out these functions. This should include providing SENCOs with sufficient administrative support and time away from teaching to enable them to fulfil their responsibilities in a similar way to other important strategic roles within a school.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department is taking steps to help protect the (a) brewery, (b) distillery and (c) pub sector from US tariffs.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The UK and US have a strong economic relationship which is fair, balanced and reciprocal. We have £1.2 trillion invested in each other’s economies and over 2.5 million jobs across both countries.

Breweries, distilleries and pubs play a key role in the UK economy.

We will continue to engage closely and productively with the US to press the case for UK business interests. We will keep all options on the table and won’t hesitate to respond in the national interest.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with religious leaders on the Listed Places of Worship Grant scheme.

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

The Government holds a range of meetings with representatives of religious organisations.

DCMS officials have discussed the changes with the Church of England and Catholic Bishops’ Conference. Ministers have also exchanged correspondence and met with representatives from most religious organisations.

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 not funding the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme beyond 2026 on those places of worship.

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

Future Government spending is a matter for the 2026 Spending Review.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will ensure that the Listed Places of Worship Grant scheme continues beyond 2026.

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

I refer the Hon Member to my answer to PQ 29531.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of changes proposed by Great Western Railway on (a) ticket offices and (b) station staffing.

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

Any changes to ticket office opening hours, in relation to regulated stations covered by Schedule 17 of the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement, must be made following the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement conditions and Secretary of State guidance. The Secretary of State has not had any recent discussions with Great Western Railway on changes related to ticket offices at any of its stations.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with Crosscountry trains on increasing capacity on rail routes in Newton Abbot constituency.

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

The Department has funded 12 additional Voyager trains (60 carriages) for the CrossCountry network. Three trains are already in service with the next one due to be brought into service in April. The remaining eight trains are due to enter service with CrossCountry in May. This will increase the Voyager train fleet and enable CrossCountry to provide many more seats on its network including the Edinburgh to Plymouth route.

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 re-opening the railway line between Heathfield and Newton Abbot.

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

There are no current plans to make an assessment of reopening the railway line between Heathfield and Newton Abbot. The Government believes that local authorities are best placed to promote and take forward transport schemes that will most benefit their local areas.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to ensure long-term sustainable funding for youth services.

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

The Government will publish the National Youth Strategy this summer. The detail and scale of the funding commitments included in the strategy will be shaped by engagement with young people and the youth sector and will be dependent on Spending Review decisions.

In 2025/6, DCMS youth funding will include over £85 million of capital funding to create fit-for-purpose spaces in places where it is most needed. This includes the £26 million Better Youth Spaces Fund for youth clubs to buy new equipment and do renovations, and the completion of Youth Investment Fund projects underway. The new Local Youth Transformation pilot will improve capability to improve local youth offers. Further funding allocations for specific youth programmes will be communicated in due course.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of reductions in youth service funding on young people.

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

Local authorities have a statutory duty to secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, sufficient youth services for young people in their area. This is funded through the Local Government Funding Settlement.

We acknowledge the challenges facing the sector and the disparities across the country. That is why this Government has launched the co-production of an ambitious new National Youth Strategy, which will be developed together with young people and the youth sector.

We will also launch the Local Youth Transformation pilot in 2025/26, which will support local authorities to build back capability to improve local youth offers. We also have allocated over £85m of capital funding to create fit-for-purpose spaces in places where it is most needed. Further funding allocations for specific youth programmes will be communicated in due course.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will take steps to ensure that local authorities are carrying out their statutory duty to deliver youth services.

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

Local authorities hold the statutory duty to secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, sufficient provision of educational and recreational leisure-time activities for young people. Local Authorities fund youth services from their Local Government Settlement in line with local need, and this was increased to more than £69 billion in 2025/26 - a 6.8% increase in cash terms compared to 2024/25.

Although there is no legal requirement for local authorities to publish their plans, the guidance encourages local authorities to publish their assessment of local needs for youth services as well as the rationale for their actions and decisions. We will be launching the Local Youth Transformation pilot this year, which will support local authorities to build back capability to improve local youth offers.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make it her policy that the existing level of funding for Education and Health Care Plans will be provided in Newton Abbot constituency in 2025-26.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

I refer the hon. Member for Newton Abbot to the answer of 17 March 2025 to Question 35870.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make it her policy to grant an automatic extension of 18 months to all Ukraine Scheme visas.

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

We recognise the Ukrainian government’s desire for the future return of its citizens to Ukraine. It is important our approach respects these wishes.

This is why the temporary sanctuary Ukraine Visa Schemes do not lead to settlement in the UK. Similarly, time spent in the UK with permission granted under the Ukraine Schemes cannot be relied upon towards the continuous qualifying period for the purposes of a Long Residence application.

There are other routes available for those who wish to settle in the UK permanently, if they meet the requirements.

The Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme, which opened to applications on 4 February 2025, will provide up to an additional 18 months’ permission to stay in the UK for those with existing Ukraine Scheme permission.

UPE is a new grant of permission; it is not an extension of a person's existing permission. An automatic extension of existing permission would mean providing further unnecessary permission, even to a person who has now left the UK and is no longer in need of temporary sanctuary in the UK.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how long visa terms for the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme are.

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

We recognise the Ukrainian government’s desire for the future return of its citizens to Ukraine. It is important our approach respects these wishes.

This is why the temporary sanctuary Ukraine Visa Schemes do not lead to settlement in the UK. Similarly, time spent in the UK with permission granted under the Ukraine Schemes cannot be relied upon towards the continuous qualifying period for the purposes of a Long Residence application.

There are other routes available for those who wish to settle in the UK permanently, if they meet the requirements.

The Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme, which opened to applications on 4 February 2025, will provide up to an additional 18 months’ permission to stay in the UK for those with existing Ukraine Scheme permission.

UPE is a new grant of permission; it is not an extension of a person's existing permission. An automatic extension of existing permission would mean providing further unnecessary permission, even to a person who has now left the UK and is no longer in need of temporary sanctuary in the UK.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will take steps to (a) strengthen and (b) enforce regulations on gambling advertising.

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

There are a range of robust rules in place through the Advertising Codes enforced by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) to ensure that gambling advertising and marketing, wherever it appears, is socially responsible and does not exacerbate harm. The ASA continually reviews the best available evidence to ensure rules are effective and updates protections as required.

As the statutory regulator for gambling in Great Britain, the Gambling Commission is further strengthening protections to improve customer control over the marketing they receive and the tightening rules on the design of incentives such as free bets. However, we recognise that more can be done to improve protections. We have set the gambling industry a clear task to raise standards and this work will be monitored closely.

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 bring forward legislative proposals to ensure all planning decisions do not impact the UK’s climate and nature targets.

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

As set out in Paragraph 7 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development, including the provision of homes, commercial development and supporting infrastructure in a sustainable manner.

The Framework makes clear that the planning system should support the transition to net zero by 2050 and take full account of all climate impacts including overheating, water scarcity, storm and flood risks and coastal change. The need to mitigate and adapt to climate change should also be considered in preparing and assessing planning applications, taking into account the full range of potential climate change impacts.

The Framework also makes clear that planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment. The revised NPPF published on 12 December 2024 included changes designed to enhance and protect the environment. For example, it expects developments to provide net gains for biodiversity, including through incorporating features which support priority or threatened species such as swifts, bats, and hedgehogs.

Biodiversity Net Gain requires development to deliver improvements for nature, while the Nature Restoration Fund proposed in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill would allow development to fund nature recovery in a simpler and more strategic manner, creating a win-win outcome for both the economy and nature.

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 make an assessment of the potential merits of using the Single Transferrable Vote system in English local elections.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 23541 on 22 January 2025.

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 meet the hon. Member for South Cotswolds to discuss legislative proposals on climate and nature.

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

I met with the honourable member for South Cotswolds in January this year.

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 meet with campaigners involved with the Climate and Nature Bill.

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

We regularly meet with campaigners on a wide range of issues, including those who support the Climate and Nature Bill.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make it her policy to grant Ukraine Scheme visa holders the right to settled status after five years.

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

We recognise the Ukrainian government’s desire for the future return of its citizens to Ukraine. It is important our approach respects these wishes.

This is why the temporary sanctuary Ukraine Visa Schemes do not lead to settlement in the UK. Similarly, time spent in the UK with permission granted under the Ukraine Schemes cannot be relied upon towards the continuous qualifying period for the purposes of a Long Residence application.

There are other routes available for those who wish to settle in the UK permanently, if they meet the requirements.

The Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme, which opened to applications on 4 February 2025, will provide up to an additional 18 months’ permission to stay in the UK for those with existing Ukraine Scheme permission.

UPE is a new grant of permission; it is not an extension of a person's existing permission. An automatic extension of existing permission would mean providing further unnecessary permission, even to a person who has now left the UK and is no longer in need of temporary sanctuary in the UK.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what munitions the UK sources (a) directly and (b) via supply chains from the United States.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The UK’s munitions stockpile is maintained through the procurement of new rounds and the refurbishment or upgrading of existing munitions. Many types of in-service munitions are from UK suppliers, and many components of systems procured from overseas are manufactured in the UK.

Munitions procured directly through the United States through Foreign Military Sale include complex weapons such as cruise missiles, anti-armour and anti-air weaponry.

Munitions procured by the Ministry of Defence from the United States via supply chains through other contractual arrangements include Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rounds, an Extended Range variant of GMLRS rounds, a range of small arms ammunition and explosive charges, and the Trident nuclear deterrent.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Oral Statement of 24 February 2025 on Ukraine, Official Report, columns 513 to 515, what diplomatic steps he is taking with his international counterparts to help end the war in Ukraine.

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

We remain in close contact with the United States, our European partners, and Ukraine on how to achieve a just and lasting peace that safeguards Ukraine's security and sovereignty. The UK, alongside France, is leading efforts to build a 'Coalition of the Willing' to defend any peace deal and support Ukraine's future security. The Prime Minister recently hosted over 200 military planners from 30 countries in London and attended the subsequent leaders meeting in Paris on 27 March. The Foreign Secretary took forward these discussions with Weimar+ Foreign Ministers on 31 March, and the Defence Secretary will chair the next meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group on 11 April.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to Question 35453 on USA: Ammunition when he will provide an answer.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I responded to the hon. Member on 4 April 2025.

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 adequacy of the Rural Payment Agency’s ability to handle the change announced to SFIs this week.

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

As the principal sponsor of the RPA, Defra works closely with RPA officials at every level to provide constructive challenge and support on RPA implementation of policy changes. The RPA’s ability to implement policy changes is well understood and comprehensive planning and discussion is undertaken between the RPA and Farming and Countryside Programme to ensure that changes are implemented smoothly, including external communications and customer handling. There is full confidence and understanding of the RPAs ability to handle the recent announcement on the Sustainable Farming Incentive.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of his Department's (a) resources and (b) staff to implement his policies on (i) environment protections and (ii) food security.

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

Phase 1 of the Spending Review concluded in October last year and set Defra's budget for 2025-26. Phase 2 of the Spending Review is underway and will set our departmental budgets until 2028-29 for RDEL and 2029-30 for CDEL.

All departments are being asked to find savings and efficiencies in their budgets in an effort to ensure all public money is focused on the Government’s priorities. For 2025-26 the department has carried out an intensive exercise to ensure resources and staff have been allocated to priorities, including environmental protection and food security.

Once the department has received its spending review settlement, we will finalise allocations for environmental protection and food security from 2026-27 until 2029-30.

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 have discussions with international counterparts on changes to the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (the SPS Agreement) to support (a) zoo animal transfers and (b) commercial farmers; and if he will have discussions with representatives from Shaldon Zoo to discuss the application of the SPS Agreement to the Zoo's work.

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

The World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures sets the overarching international rules on food safety, animal and plant health. It does not contain specifics on the movement of live animals.

For zoo animal transfers and commercial farm animal movements, Defra works with the officials in the importing country to ensure requirements are practical and achievable. Queries on animal movements can be sent to can be sent to imports@apha.gov.uk or exports@apha.gov.uk, as relevant.

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 funding research into the use of Diethyl Ether fuel.

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

The Department has no plans to fund research into the merits of Diethyl Ether fuel.

Renewable transport fuels that deliver significant greenhouse gas emissions savings relative to fossil fuel and meet stringent sustainability criteria are eligible for support under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) scheme. The RTFO has successfully promoted a market for renewable fuels used in road transport since 2008.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he plans to answer Question 39709, tabled on 19 March 2025.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

A response was provided to question 39709 on 3^rd April: Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to increase the take up of means-tested benefits among households with children in poverty.

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

I refer the honourable member to the answer given on 27 March 2025 to question UIN 41344.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps to enable disabled bus pass users to use their passes at peak times.

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

The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age. The ENCTS costs around £700 million annually and any changes to the statutory obligations, such as extending the travel time criteria, would therefore need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability. The government recently conducted a review of the ENCTS, which included considering travel times for disabled passholders and is currently considering next steps.

Currently, local authorities in England have the power to go beyond their statutory obligations under the ENCTS and offer additional discretionary concessions, such as extending the travel time criteria for the ENCTS.

The government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country. Devon County Council has been allocated £11.6 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services for passengers can be used in whichever way they wish. This could include extending the discretionary concessions available in the local area.

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 repeal part 1, Schedule 13 of the Elections Act 2022.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 23541 on 22 January 2025.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will work with Versus Arthritis to increase funding in musculoskeletal research.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department funds health and care research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR funds clinical, public health and social care research and works in partnership with the National Health Service, charities, universities, local government, other research funders, patients, and the public.

The NIHR supports and delivers research across a variety of musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis, which includes osteo, rheumatoid, psoriatic and juvenile arthritis, osteoporosis and joint and back pain. In 2023/24, the NIHR funded £17.3 million in musculoskeletal research.

The NIHR works in collaboration with Versus Arthritis on a joint initiative, the UK Musculoskeletal (MSK) Translational Research Collaboration, aligning investment in MSK translational research, and creating a United Kingdom-wide ambition and focus to drive cutting edge research and improve outcomes for patients.

The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions through its research programmes.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 1 April to 2025 to Question 41338 on Nature Restoration Fund, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of a long term plan to help protect irreplaceable (a) peatlands and (b) ancient woodlands.

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

This Government is committed to protecting our irreplaceable peatlands. That's why we are investing £400 million to protect and restore nature, including our peatlands and trees including ancient woodlands. We have large ambitions to restore hundreds of thousands of hectares of peatlands across the country, and we are working to ensure that we have the most effective mechanisms in place to go further than we have before.

Defra recently conducted and published a review into how ancient woodland and ancient and veteran trees are protected by the National Planning Policy Framework. This revealed that the policy is not being consistently implemented and we are looking at how this can be improved. Defra is also currently revising the Environmental Improvement Plan, which includes actions to protect ancient woodlands.

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 1 April 2025 to Question 41578 on Nurses: Training, if he will take steps to increase the number of nursing positions in Devon.

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

Decisions about the number of nursing positions in Devon are a matter for individual National Health Service trusts. NHS trusts manage their recruitment at a local level to ensure they have the right number of staff in place, with the right skill mix, to deliver safe and effective care.

We will publish a refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade and treat patients on time again.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will work with Versus Arthritis to improve work-related support for people with arthritis.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department will continue to work with Versus Arthritis as we consider how best to address ill-health related economic inactivity, including improving work-related support for people with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions such as arthritis.

The Get Britain Working White Paper set out that the Government is investing £240 million to tackle the root causes behind why people are not working and join up help and support, based on the needs of local people and places.

In terms of the wider provision of work-related support for people with MSK, and as part of the localism agenda, the WorkWell service is piloting low-intensity work and health support. This support is led by local partnerships of health systems, local authorities, and job centres in 15 areas of England. By spring 2026, WorkWell pilots aim to support 56,000 disabled people and people with health conditions, including MSK conditions, to get into work and to get on at work.

The Government is also mobilising eight inactivity trailblazers in England and Wales that will lead the way in delivering a joined-up local work, health and skills offer. Three of these areas will receive a share of £45 million to become Health and Growth Accelerators. The Accelerators will focus on prevention and early intervention to improve population health outcomes and reduce health-related economic inactivity. MSK is one of the key drivers of health-related inactivity and integrated care boards will consider targeted interventions as part of their plans.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will work with Versus Arthritis to (a) bring down waiting times for people with arthritis and (b) support them while waiting for treatment.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

On 6 January 2025, NHS England published the new Elective Reform Plan, which sets out a whole system approach to hitting the 18-week referral to treatment target by the end of this Parliament.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning services that meet the needs of their populations, including for those with arthritis. To support this, the Department of Health and Social Care is delivering the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) Musculoskeletal (MSK) Community Delivery Programme jointly with NHS England and the Department for Work and Pensions. With a £3.5 million funding boost, GIRFT will work with the ICBs to reduce MSK community waiting times.

The Department funds research into MSK conditions, including arthritis, through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Through that route, the Department spent approximately £26.3 million on MSK research in 2023/24, and £79.2 million since 2019/20. In particular, the Leeds Biomedical Research Centre aims to improve treatment for osteoarthritis. The NIHR, in collaboration with Versus Arthritis, also funds a dedicated UK MSK Translational Research Collaboration, aligning investment in MSK translational research and creating a United Kingdom-wide ambition and focus to drive cutting edge research and improve outcomes for patients.

The GIRFT programme in NHS England has had a paediatric rheumatology workstream since April 2024. The team has assembled the largest ever set of data and information about paediatric rheumatology in England and is visiting every department in England to discuss its findings. It will produce its national report with recommendations later this financial year. This will include a focus on supporting young people and their parents as they transition to adult services.

The GIRFT team will be working with the British Society for Rheumatology and rheumatology departments in England to implement the findings and recommendations of the GIRFT paediatric rheumatology national report.

NHS England Specialised Commissioning has a Clinical Reference Group for specialised paediatric rheumatology, which has produced a service specification naming juvenile idiopathic arthritis as one of the conditions that should be managed by a specialist paediatric rheumatology team. The service specification also sets out that specialised paediatric rheumatology teams will provide transitional care to facilitate transfer to, and ongoing care in, adult rheumatology. Specialised paediatric rheumatology services are expected to be commissioned in line with this service specification.

The Department will continue to work with Versus Arthritis as we consider how best to provide National Health Services for people with MSK conditions such as arthritis.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will work with Versus Arthritis to improve (a) care and (b) support for young people with arthritis.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

On 6 January 2025, NHS England published the new Elective Reform Plan, which sets out a whole system approach to hitting the 18-week referral to treatment target by the end of this Parliament.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning services that meet the needs of their populations, including for those with arthritis. To support this, the Department of Health and Social Care is delivering the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) Musculoskeletal (MSK) Community Delivery Programme jointly with NHS England and the Department for Work and Pensions. With a £3.5 million funding boost, GIRFT will work with the ICBs to reduce MSK community waiting times.

The Department funds research into MSK conditions, including arthritis, through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Through that route, the Department spent approximately £26.3 million on MSK research in 2023/24, and £79.2 million since 2019/20. In particular, the Leeds Biomedical Research Centre aims to improve treatment for osteoarthritis. The NIHR, in collaboration with Versus Arthritis, also funds a dedicated UK MSK Translational Research Collaboration, aligning investment in MSK translational research and creating a United Kingdom-wide ambition and focus to drive cutting edge research and improve outcomes for patients.

The GIRFT programme in NHS England has had a paediatric rheumatology workstream since April 2024. The team has assembled the largest ever set of data and information about paediatric rheumatology in England and is visiting every department in England to discuss its findings. It will produce its national report with recommendations later this financial year. This will include a focus on supporting young people and their parents as they transition to adult services.

The GIRFT team will be working with the British Society for Rheumatology and rheumatology departments in England to implement the findings and recommendations of the GIRFT paediatric rheumatology national report.

NHS England Specialised Commissioning has a Clinical Reference Group for specialised paediatric rheumatology, which has produced a service specification naming juvenile idiopathic arthritis as one of the conditions that should be managed by a specialist paediatric rheumatology team. The service specification also sets out that specialised paediatric rheumatology teams will provide transitional care to facilitate transfer to, and ongoing care in, adult rheumatology. Specialised paediatric rheumatology services are expected to be commissioned in line with this service specification.

The Department will continue to work with Versus Arthritis as we consider how best to provide National Health Services for people with MSK conditions such as arthritis.

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's objectives on support for sustainable farming have changed, in the context of the closure of the SFI scheme.

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

We have closed Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) for new applications because the current SFI budget has been successfully allocated, with large-scale uptake of the scheme and 37,000 live SFI agreements delivering towards our environmental targets. This will allow us to align SFI with our work on the Land Use Framework and the 25-year farming roadmap to protect the most productive land and boost food security, whilst delivering for nature.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures in UK relations with Bangladesh.

Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is committed to assisting investigative, prosecuting and judicial authorities in combating international crime. Whilst we cannot comment on any individual asset recovery cases, we have robust illicit finance legislation and instruments which can be used to support asset recovery requests. The UK is providing support to the Interim Government of Bangladesh through the International Anti-Corruption Coordination Centre hosted by the UK's National Crime Agency and the International Centre for Asset Recovery. We will continue to support these recoveries to the extent that we can.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to introduce a magistral phage model to allow UK phages to be produced without requiring GMP licensing.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

In its March 2024 response to the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee’s report on bacteriophages, the Government acknowledged the challenges in manufacturing phage materials in the United Kingdom, including the requirement to meet Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. The principles of GMP are considered necessary to ensure the medicines are of the appropriate quality, safety, and efficacy. The Government committed to considering the case for the development of a UK-based GMP facility to support phage innovators.

In parallel, the Government is engaging with professional regulators and the specialist pharmacy service to clarify how existing regulations address liability for the use of non-GMP produced phages. Unlicensed phages can currently be used in the UK for compassionate cases with appropriate controls. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency will be publishing regulatory considerations for therapeutic use of bacteriophages in the UK in the second quarter of 2025, which will offer guidance on these matters.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make a comparative assessment of the effectiveness of phage therapy regulatory frameworks in (a) Belgium, (b) Canada, (c) France, (d) the US and (e) Australia; whether he plans to adopt similar measures in the UK; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of doing so on patient access.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The United Kingdom’s regulatory framework supports patient access to phage therapy and is in line with many other national regulatory authorities. We continue to keep the regulatory framework for phage therapies under review, aligning where necessary with regulatory frameworks internationally, in order to support continued patient access via phage sharing between countries.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is planning to publish draft guidance on phage product licensing, developed with researchers and industry, to clarify regulatory and manufacturing requirements.

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 simplify the process for clinicians seeking approval to use phage therapy.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

In March 2024, the Government’s response to the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee’s report on bacteriophages highlighted the potential role of phage therapy as one of a range of tools to tackle antimicrobial resistance.

To support clinical use, the Medical and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency plans to publish non-mandatory guidance on the quality, safety, and efficacy data required to license phage products for both proactive and reactive National Health Service use to treat common infections, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence will assess new phage-based treatments alongside other medicines.

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 introducing a phage impact bond that is similar to previous social impact bonds.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Social Impact Bonds (SIBs) are a mechanism to raise investment for a service provider. SIBs are commissioned on a payment-by-results basis, with the payment being proportional to the delivery of a positive social outcome.

As detailed in the Government’s response to the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee’s report on bacteriophages, published 1 March 2024, the Government is focusing on projects that aim to be most beneficial to supporting phage development in the United Kingdom, based on an assessment of context and barriers.

This includes exploring the case for a dedicated Good Manufacturing Practice facility to support phage innovators, working with key stakeholders, including funders and research organisations, to strengthen the UK’s phage manufacturing capabilities and thereby improve patient access to these therapies.

Currently, SIBs have not been identified as a mechanism that would progress development beyond the impact of current projects, but will be considered alongside other options.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of Government policy on visas on long term residency for Ukrainians.

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

We recognise the Ukrainian government’s desire for the future return of its citizens to Ukraine. It is important our approach respects these wishes.

This is why the temporary sanctuary Ukraine Visa Schemes do not lead to settlement in the UK. Similarly, time spent in the UK with permission granted under the Ukraine Schemes cannot be relied upon towards the continuous qualifying period for the purposes of a Long Residence application.

There are other routes available for those who wish to settle in the UK permanently, if they meet the requirements.

We continue to keep the Ukraine schemes under review in line with the ongoing conflict.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the Defence Planning Assumptions before the Defence Spending Review.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Defence Planning Assumptions (DPAs) will be revised following the Strategic Defence Review. We remain committed to transparency and will release a public version of updated DPAs once this detailed work is complete and tested.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what information his Department holds on the number of 16-week old puppies brought into the UK for animal testing purposes in the latest period for which data is available.

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

Defra does not hold the data requested. Imports data drawn down from the import of products, animals, food and feed system (IPAFFS) does not record the age of the animal.

The Home Office assures that, in every research proposal, animals are replaced with non-animal alternatives wherever possible, the number of animals are reduced to the minimum necessary to achieve the result sought, and that, for those animals which must be used, procedures are refined as much as possible to minimise their suffering.

Dogs are a specially protected species under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. The Home Office will only grant a project licence for a programme of work using dogs where the purpose of the programme of work specified in the licence can only be achieved by their use, or where it is not practicable to obtain other suitable animals.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 1 April 2025 to Question 42193 on Digital Technology: Taxation, what recent discussions she has had with her G20 counterparts on the taxation of the digital economy.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors met in February 2025. International taxation was among the topics discussed, including OECD/G20 work on addressing the tax challenges arising from the digitalisation of the economy through ‘Pillar 1 and 2’ reforms to international corporate taxation. South Africa subsequently published a Chair’s summary of these meetings which is indicative of G20 members’ views.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to provide funding to develop small-batch GMP phage manufacturing in the UK.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Government supports the vibrant life sciences sector, which contributes £108 billion to the economy and 300,000 jobs nationwide. A new Life Sciences Sector Plan, part of the upcoming Industrial Strategy, is due to be published in late Spring. This will set out a comprehensive plan of how the Government intends to drive growth in the sector. Domestic manufacturing is of critical importance and to support this part of the sector, the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund will allocate up to £520 million to deliver economic growth and build health resilience. Funding is available UK-wide, with GMP batch phage manufacturing projects being eligible.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to answer Question 38216, tabled on 13 March 2025.

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

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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 support the Climate and Nature Bill.

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

This Government is absolutely committed to tackling the climate and nature crises. We do not believe that more legislation is needed in the areas of climate and nature, where there is already a well-developed legislative framework, especially the Climate Change Act and the Environment Act. In accordance with parliamentary convention, the Government will set out its formal position on this Bill when its Second Reading debate is scheduled to resume.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if the Government will seize the interest that has accrued on Roman Abramovich’s assets associated with the sale of Chelsea Football Club.

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

In a statement announcing the sale of Chelsea Football Club, Roman Abramovich stated the proceeds would be used to establish a foundation for the benefit of all the victims of the war in Ukraine. The Government is determined to see the proceeds reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine as quickly as possible, and we are exploring all options to bring that about.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she is taking steps to ensure police forces conduct due diligence in preventing crimes involving legally held firearms.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Firearms Act 1968 gives responsibility for issuing firearms licences to Chief Officers of Police. Since November 2021, however, Statutory Guidance issued by the Secretary of State requires police forces to make robust checks on the suitability of applicants to hold a license and ensure their subsequent continuous assessment. The application process is supported by the police Authorised Professional Practice (APP) and a national training programme.

We keep firearms licensing controls under constant review to safeguard the public against the misuse of licensed firearms. Firearms licensing fees were increased on 5 February 2025, giving effect to a commitment in the Government’s manifesto. The extra income from fees will help police forces to better resource and train their firearms licensing teams.

There were four firearms-related homicides by licence holders in England and Wales in the year ending March 2024. While other statistics are published which indicate the types of firearms involved in criminal offences, they do not always show whether the firearm used was legally held.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has reviewed statistical evidence on the use of legally held firearms in criminal activities.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Firearms Act 1968 gives responsibility for issuing firearms licences to Chief Officers of Police. Since November 2021, however, Statutory Guidance issued by the Secretary of State requires police forces to make robust checks on the suitability of applicants to hold a license and ensure their subsequent continuous assessment. The application process is supported by the police Authorised Professional Practice (APP) and a national training programme.

We keep firearms licensing controls under constant review to safeguard the public against the misuse of licensed firearms. Firearms licensing fees were increased on 5 February 2025, giving effect to a commitment in the Government’s manifesto. The extra income from fees will help police forces to better resource and train their firearms licensing teams.

There were four firearms-related homicides by licence holders in England and Wales in the year ending March 2024. While other statistics are published which indicate the types of firearms involved in criminal offences, they do not always show whether the firearm used was legally held.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to support the development of phage therapy solutions for low-to-middle-income countries.

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

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not directly supporting the development of phage therapy solutions currently. The FCDO is monitoring research developments, which may prove phage therapy solutions useful for tackling antimicrobial resistance, other anti-infective uses, vaccines and cancer therapies, however this work is at an early stage.

The Prime Minister has set out a clear path to spending 2.5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product on defence spending. Doing so demands the difficult but necessary decision to reduce our Official Development Assistance (ODA) spending from 0.5 per cent to 0.3 per cent of Gross National Income by 2027. Decisions on how the ODA budget will be used in future will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review and resource allocation processes. We will be taking a rigorous approach to ensure all ODA delivers value for money.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what information his Department holds on whether any UK firms with Russian holdings are not in the process of divesting from operations based in Russia.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The Department for Business and Trade does not hold any specific data on UK firms that are not in the process of divesting from operations based in Russia. UK businesses must comply with our sanctions, which form an extensive regime to constrain the Kremlin’s ability to continue the war. It is a decision for individual UK businesses on whether and how to divest from Russia in compliance with UK sanctions.

Frome Town Women Football Club

Congratulating Prime Minister Mark Carney

Three promotion places from the National League

Residence-based voting rights

British companies and the transportation of Russian liquefied natural gas

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

NHS parking charges

Great British Beef Week 2025

UK parliamentarians sanctioned by the Russian Federation

Sanctioning of UK Parliamentarians by Russia

Introduction of the Hillsborough Law and the 36th anniversary

Sentencing Guidelines and pre-sentence reports

National League restructuring

Practical driving tests in the South West

Abduction of Ukrainian children

Interstitial Lung Disease

Work of the Royal British Legion in Stratford-on-Avon

Libraries in state primary schools

Protecting children from data exploitation

Gerry Watkins

Fife Carers Centre

Cupar Scouts King's Scout Award

Dementia strategy for Devon

Flamstead Toad Patrol

75th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights

Rural bus services

Public libraries

Retirement of GPs and national GP strategy

Chalk stream river protection

Stepping Hill Hospital

Small and medium-sized enterprises in defence procurement

Oaklands College success in sport and academia

150th anniversary of Wokingham Town Football Club

Wokingham Borough Council awarded Local Authority of the Year

Robert May’s school and STEM racing competition

Ukrainian Action Team Devon

International Day for Mine Awareness

Israeli Defence Force attacks on humanitarian workers

Festival Medical Services and Ukraine

Ensuring stability for Ukrainian refugees in the UK

Support for the World Health Organization

Scams and fraud

Disability hate crime

Found: Race (Labour; Exeter) Dr Lauren Sullivan (Labour; Gravesham) Adam Thompson (Labour; Erewash) Martin Wrigley

Found: _NC7 Steff Aquarone Claire Young Martin Wrigley Jamie Stone Brian Mathew Alison Bennett Steve Darling

Found: _NC7 Steff Aquarone Claire Young Martin Wrigley Jamie Stone Brian Mathew Alison Bennett Steve Darling

Found: _NC7 Steff Aquarone Claire Young Martin Wrigley Jamie Stone Brian Mathew Alison Bennett Steve Darling

Found: _NC7 Steff Aquarone Claire Young Martin Wrigley Jamie Stone Brian Mathew Alison Bennett Steve Darling

The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee is launching an inquiry into the role of science diplomacy and research and development (R&D) in supporting the UK Government’s growth missions, enhancing the UK’s international influence, and contributing to national security. Science diplomacy encompasses the political support for science in an international context, cross-border research collaborations, science advice for global policymaking, and public engagement activities.