Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the programme of engagements was for President Isaac Herzog during his visit to the UK in September 2025.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

President Herzog came to the UK on a private visit, but his programme included meeting the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary on Wednesday 10 September.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many road collisions took place between vehicles and horses in 2024; and what proportion of these were a result of a vehicle passing too closely or quickly.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

There were 56 reported personal injury collisions, on public roads (including footways), involving at least one ridden horse and another vehicle in Great Britain 2024.

In 15 cases, a police officer attended the scene of the collision and recorded at least one contributory factor or road safety factor. In 12 of these 15 collisions (80%), a factor related to speed or passing too closely to another road user was assigned to a vehicle other than the ridden horse that was involved in the collision.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which equestrian organisations her Department has consulted in developing its approach to equestrian road safety.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

When carrying out the review of The Highway Code to improve road safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders, the Department for Transport worked closely with an expert stakeholder group from the outset representing different users of the road including the British Horse Society.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what potential providers in the private sector her Department has had discussions with on the GOV.UK Wallet policy.

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

Since the announcement of the GOV.UK Wallet in January, DSIT has met with providers of digital identity services on multiple occasions. This included events on 14th May and 29th July, the first of which was attended by over 60 representatives from the sector and follow up meetings with individual companies who requested it to discuss technical elements of the GOV.UK Wallet development.

The GOV.UK Wallet is being designed, built and run in-house whilst ​​maintaining​​ a key role for the private sector​, which will provide the data flow between the information in the GOV.UK Wallet, and the organisation (such as a retailer) who needs to check information about the user. Any additional specialist external services may be needed to support delivery and will be subject to the usual competitive processes.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what estimate she has made of the number of people who are considered digitally excluded in (a) the South West and (b) the UK.

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

We know that digital exclusion is a complex issue and the evidence base is significant but fragmented. Ofcom data from 2025 reports that 5% of households in the UK do not have access to the internet and that, in the South West of England, 7% of the population do not use the internet. That is why we launched the Digital Inclusion Action Plan in February of this year, which sets out the first five actions we are taking to boost digital inclusion in every corner of the UK, including the South West of England.

One of these actions was to develop robust headline indicators to monitor progress and inform future digital inclusion interventions. We will evaluate the outcomes of these actions as our understanding of best practice evolves.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his polices of regional variances in GP surgery expansion approvals under the integrated care board-led funding mechanism.

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

Primary care funding is formulated within NHS England allocations, which account for elements of population growth and other factors such as weighted need. The allocations process uses a statistical formula to make geographic distribution fair and objective, so that it more clearly reflects local healthcare need and helps to reduce health inequalities. Integrated care boards prioritise how the funding is used, based on local factors and determinants.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to protect access to (a) preventive and (b) community health services in (i) Teignmouth, (ii) Dawlish and (iii) other areas affected by planned reductions in funding in NHS Devon.

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

The National Health Service in Devon is committed to working with partners and stakeholders to develop sustainable services that promote prevention and community-based care, within its financial allocation. NHS Devon remains firmly committed to delivering services that are not only high-quality and person-centred, but also financially sustainable.

NHS Devon’s five-year Health and Care Strategy will be published shortly, which sets out clear priorities to improve prevention and early intervention, integrate services more effectively, and support people to manage their own health and wellbeing. Central to this transformation is the adoption of a new three-tier model of delivery – Neighbourhoods, Place, and Specialist Settings – designed to integrate care around local populations and reduce reliance on acute services.

NHS Devon is also in the process of developing plans with partners across the NHS, social care and voluntary, community and social enterprise sector to create a new approach for the delivery of Integrated Neighbourhood Teams locally, as set out in the 10-Year Health Plan.

Question to the Leader of the House:

To ask the Leader of the House, if he will have discussions with his Cabinet colleagues on the response times to written questions from the hon. Member for Newton Abbot.

Answered by Alan Campbell - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons

Parliament has a right to hold Ministers to account. I have written to all members of Cabinet to remind Ministers of their responsibilities to provide full and timely responses to Members' PQs.

I encourage hon. Members to raise any specific issues they may have with myself and my office.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when her Department plans to respond to the correspondence of 5 August 2025 from the hon. Member for Newton Abbot, case reference MW09483.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Minister of State for Border Security and Asylum responded on 17 September 2025.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the planned (a) budgetary reductions and (b) structural reorganisation in NHS Devon on (i) waiting times for surgery and (ii) emergency care.

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

No formal assessment has been made on the potential impact of the planned budgetary reductions and structural reorganisation in NHS Devon on waiting times for surgery and emergency care.

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement of the abolition of NHS England, we are clear on the need for a smaller centre, as well as scaling back integrated care board (ICB) running costs and NHS provider corporate cost reductions in order to reduce waste and bureaucracy.

We have recently announced the Spending Review settlement which provides an additional £29 billion of annual day-to-day spending in real terms by 2028/29, compared to 2023/24. Ahead of asking the National Health Service to commence a multi-year planning round, we are now carefully reviewing how the settlement is prioritised, including making provision for redundancy costs.

The 10-Year Health Plan sets out that ICBs must focus on their role as strategic commissioners, ensuring the best possible value in securing local services that improve population health and reduce inequalities.

Each ICB is therefore responsible for considering local needs to meet the expectations set out in planning guidance.

As of August 2025, 62.1% of pathways in NHS Devon ICB were completed within 18 weeks. This has improved by 3.4 percentage points since August 2024.

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 5 June 2025 to Question 52410 on Sewers, if she will set out the current (a) legal and (b) regulatory framework governing the (i) adoption, (ii) maintenance and (iii) enforcement of sustainable drainage schemes.

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

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) requires all development to utilise Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) where they could have drainage impacts. These systems should be appropriate to the nature and scale of the proposed development. See paragraphs 181 and 182 of the NPPF.

The current legal and regulatory framework associated with SuDS adoption, maintenance and enforcement is via conditions attached to planning permissions. We intend to consult on National Planning Policy related to decision making later this year, including policies on flood risk and SuDS. The government also recognises the importance of long-term maintenance of SuDS.

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 5 June 2025 to Question 52410 on Sewers, if she will set out the current obligations for housing developers are in respect of the installation of sustainable drainage schemes.

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

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) requires all development to utilise Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) where they could have drainage impacts. These systems should be appropriate to the nature and scale of the proposed development. See paragraphs 181 and 182 of the NPPF.

The current legal and regulatory framework associated with SuDS adoption, maintenance and enforcement is via conditions attached to planning permissions. We intend to consult on National Planning Policy related to decision making later this year, including policies on flood risk and SuDS. The government also recognises the importance of long-term maintenance of SuDS.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department plans to take to (a) increase capacity and (b) reduce inequalities in accessing respiratory diagnosis.

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

The Government is committed to increasing the capacity of respiratory services and is improving access to these services through new community diagnostic centres (CDCs).

All standard and large CDCs are required to offer diagnostic respiratory tests, such as spirometry and full lung function tests, as part of their core testing offer.

The 2025/26 capital guidance confirmed that £1.65 billion of capital funding is being allocated to support National Health Service performance across secondary and emergency care across 2025/26 more broadly. This includes funding to enable the completion of 2024/25 CDC schemes, as well as to expand existing and build new CDCs.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether modelling of the number of clinicians needed to meet patient needs will help inform the proposed 10-year Workforce Plan.

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

We will publish a 10-Year Workforce Plan to create a workforce ready to deliver a transformed service. The 10-Year Workforce Plan will ensure the National Health Service has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients, when they need it. It will draw on a range of modelling and evidence to set out the best estimate of the workforce that is needed to deliver the 10-Year Health Plan.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that (a) integrated care boards and (b) trusts provide a (i) locally enhanced service and (ii) similar arrangement to support the establishment of respiratory diagnostic hubs.

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

Neighbourhood level respiratory diagnostic hubs support our vision of delivering more diagnostics and care outside of hospitals and in communities. Respiratory diagnostic hubs have been piloted and developed in many parts of England, and this learning will be informing the development of more neighbourhood health services.

Community diagnostic centres (CDCs) are also supporting this vision, as 170 CDCs are now operational across England. All standard model CDCs are required to offer a range of diagnostic tests that support the diagnosis of respiratory conditions, including spirometry and lung function tests.

CDCs offer local populations a wide range of diagnostic tests, including respiratory diagnostic services, closer to home and with greater choice on where and how they are undertaken, reducing the need for hospital visits and speeding up diagnosis, whilst also reducing pressure on hospitals.

We are continuing to invest in expanding diagnostic capacity in the National Health Service, including through increasing CDC capacity. As set out in the Elective reform Plan, we plan to build up to five more CDCs in 2025/26, alongside increasing the operating hours of existing sites so that more offer services 12 hours a day, seven days a week.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) play a vital role in commissioning and shaping diagnostic services to meet the needs of their local populations. Addressing the earlier diagnosis and treatment of their populations with respiratory conditions is a significant priority for ICBs.

ICBs are responsible for commissioning Local Enhanced Services, including respiratory diagnostics, which are not agreed nationally and can vary in scope and funding to fit local needs.

Activity and waiting times for the main respiratory tests are not included in the National Diagnostic Activity and Waiting Times Collection. However, NHS England’s National Diagnostic Programme undertakes an annual snap-shop data collection in respiratory diagnostics to understand levels of activity and waiting times for a range of respiratory tests within trusts across England.

NHS England’s Respiratory Programme, in collaboration with national stakeholders, has also developed a standardised spirometry data capture template. This tool is designed to support ICBs in consistently recording and reporting spirometry activity, enabling improved oversight, service planning, and equitable access to respiratory diagnostics.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that (a) integrated care boards and (b) trusts (i) collect and (ii) publish data on the provision of respiratory diagnostics.

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

Neighbourhood level respiratory diagnostic hubs support our vision of delivering more diagnostics and care outside of hospitals and in communities. Respiratory diagnostic hubs have been piloted and developed in many parts of England, and this learning will be informing the development of more neighbourhood health services.

Community diagnostic centres (CDCs) are also supporting this vision, as 170 CDCs are now operational across England. All standard model CDCs are required to offer a range of diagnostic tests that support the diagnosis of respiratory conditions, including spirometry and lung function tests.

CDCs offer local populations a wide range of diagnostic tests, including respiratory diagnostic services, closer to home and with greater choice on where and how they are undertaken, reducing the need for hospital visits and speeding up diagnosis, whilst also reducing pressure on hospitals.

We are continuing to invest in expanding diagnostic capacity in the National Health Service, including through increasing CDC capacity. As set out in the Elective reform Plan, we plan to build up to five more CDCs in 2025/26, alongside increasing the operating hours of existing sites so that more offer services 12 hours a day, seven days a week.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) play a vital role in commissioning and shaping diagnostic services to meet the needs of their local populations. Addressing the earlier diagnosis and treatment of their populations with respiratory conditions is a significant priority for ICBs.

ICBs are responsible for commissioning Local Enhanced Services, including respiratory diagnostics, which are not agreed nationally and can vary in scope and funding to fit local needs.

Activity and waiting times for the main respiratory tests are not included in the National Diagnostic Activity and Waiting Times Collection. However, NHS England’s National Diagnostic Programme undertakes an annual snap-shop data collection in respiratory diagnostics to understand levels of activity and waiting times for a range of respiratory tests within trusts across England.

NHS England’s Respiratory Programme, in collaboration with national stakeholders, has also developed a standardised spirometry data capture template. This tool is designed to support ICBs in consistently recording and reporting spirometry activity, enabling improved oversight, service planning, and equitable access to respiratory diagnostics.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of creating neighbourhood level respiratory diagnostic hubs.

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

Neighbourhood level respiratory diagnostic hubs support our vision of delivering more diagnostics and care outside of hospitals and in communities. Respiratory diagnostic hubs have been piloted and developed in many parts of England, and this learning will be informing the development of more neighbourhood health services.

Community diagnostic centres (CDCs) are also supporting this vision, as 170 CDCs are now operational across England. All standard model CDCs are required to offer a range of diagnostic tests that support the diagnosis of respiratory conditions, including spirometry and lung function tests.

CDCs offer local populations a wide range of diagnostic tests, including respiratory diagnostic services, closer to home and with greater choice on where and how they are undertaken, reducing the need for hospital visits and speeding up diagnosis, whilst also reducing pressure on hospitals.

We are continuing to invest in expanding diagnostic capacity in the National Health Service, including through increasing CDC capacity. As set out in the Elective reform Plan, we plan to build up to five more CDCs in 2025/26, alongside increasing the operating hours of existing sites so that more offer services 12 hours a day, seven days a week.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) play a vital role in commissioning and shaping diagnostic services to meet the needs of their local populations. Addressing the earlier diagnosis and treatment of their populations with respiratory conditions is a significant priority for ICBs.

ICBs are responsible for commissioning Local Enhanced Services, including respiratory diagnostics, which are not agreed nationally and can vary in scope and funding to fit local needs.

Activity and waiting times for the main respiratory tests are not included in the National Diagnostic Activity and Waiting Times Collection. However, NHS England’s National Diagnostic Programme undertakes an annual snap-shop data collection in respiratory diagnostics to understand levels of activity and waiting times for a range of respiratory tests within trusts across England.

NHS England’s Respiratory Programme, in collaboration with national stakeholders, has also developed a standardised spirometry data capture template. This tool is designed to support ICBs in consistently recording and reporting spirometry activity, enabling improved oversight, service planning, and equitable access to respiratory diagnostics.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to monitor the potential impact of the restructuring of integrated care boards in Devon on the health of (a) vulnerable groups disproportionately affected by health inequalities and (b) people living in (i) Teignmouth, (ii) Dawlish and (iii) coastal towns.

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

To deliver the required reduction in running costs in 2025/26, a number of integrated care boards (ICBs) will cluster together to share leadership and functions so resources can be directed to frontline services. ICBs have a crucial role as strategic commissioners of local healthcare services and remain responsible for ensuring the provision of services to meet the needs of the populations they serve, including those from small and coastal towns.

While clustering ICBs will work together through shared leadership and combined teams, they will remain separate legal entities. NHS England shared a ‘Model ICB blueprint’ with ICBs in May 2025 to help them form their plans. This makes clear that ICBs are expected to maintain clear, accountable leadership with effective governance during the transition and beyond.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure (a) transparency and (b) public accountability during the implementation of the new integrated care board cluster for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

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

To deliver the required reduction in running costs in 2025/26, a number of integrated care boards (ICBs) will cluster together to share leadership and functions so resources can be directed to frontline services. ICBs have a crucial role as strategic commissioners of local healthcare services and remain responsible for ensuring the provision of services to meet the needs of the populations they serve, including those from small and coastal towns.

While clustering ICBs will work together through shared leadership and combined teams, they will remain separate legal entities. NHS England shared a ‘Model ICB blueprint’ with ICBs in May 2025 to help them form their plans. This makes clear that ICBs are expected to maintain clear, accountable leadership with effective governance during the transition and beyond.

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 5 June 2025 to Question 52410 on Sewers, when she plans to commence Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.

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

This Government is strongly committed to requiring standardised SuDS in new developments.

We believe that these outcomes can be achieved through either improving the current planning led approach using powers now available or commencing Schedule 3 to the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the Libraries for Primaries campaign.

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

The department welcomes the work of the Libraries for Primaries campaign and others, who work to support children’s reading. On 29 September, my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, committed over £10 million in funding to guarantee a library for every primary school by the end of this parliament. Funding for this scheme will come from £132.5 million of dormant assets unlocked to support young people to access opportunities. The government will set out further details of the scheme in due course.

To support all young people to develop a love of reading, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, has announced that 2026 will be the National Year of Reading. The campaign will address the steep decline in reading enjoyment amongst children, young people and adults and aims to engage new audiences in reading and change the national reading culture, both during the year and beyond.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department is taking steps to monitor the population of Cirl Buntings in (a) Devon and (b) Cornwall.

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

There is currently no active monitoring carried out by, or funded by, Defra. However, current agri-environment schemes provide funding for farmers to provide suitable habitat to support Cirl Bunting.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 25 July 2025 to Question 68534 on Members: Correspondence, when she plans to reply to the enquiry with case reference MW07790.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to my answer to written question 75770. I apologise for the delay.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the average time taken to approve Special Use Airspace applications for Beyond Visual Line of Sight uncrewed air system operations under Civil Air Publication 1616 in the latest period for which data is available.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The CAA assesses Special Use Airspace applications, including those for BVLOS operations, under the CAP1616 process to ensure safety, proportionality, and fairness for all airspace users.

The CAA is currently consulting on reforms to CAP1616, including a more proportionate approach to BVLOS airspace, to improve clarity, efficiency, and transparency while maintaining safety.

Application timescales vary depending on complexity and completeness, with straightforward cases often completed within weeks to a few months

The CAA continues to support safe, innovative BVLOS operations in line with the UK’s Airspace Modernisation Strategy.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with the Civil Aviation Authority on the effectiveness of its processes in relation to Special Use Airspace applications to use uncrewed air systems for NHS medical logistics.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

My officials continue to work closely with the Civil Aviation Authority to improve the airspace change process. My department is undertaking a full review of the regulatory framework for airspace change, with the aim of streamlining and improving the airspace change process for uncrewed air systems operations and trials. My department will consult on these changes later this year

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to ensure that (a) couples and (b) families are able to use the same email when signing up for the NHS app.

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

Instead of sharing an email, the NHS App supports proxy access through linked profiles, enabling parents or carers to manage health services for children or dependents through properly configured access. The registered email address and multi-factor authentication is used for security-sensitive activities, such as resetting an NHS login password or recovering an account, so should be kept private, ensuring an individual’s data is protected and secured in compliance with the requirements of Article 5.1(f), the ‘integrity and confidentiality’ principle, of the UK General Data Protection Regulation.

Using and sharing the same email address for multiple users may increase the risk of exposing sensitive health information inadvertently to others, limit controls to protect individuals against coercive behaviour, and increase the risk of cyberattacks including brute force attacks and fraudulent access.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to reduce the impact of chronic respiratory conditions on the NHS in winter 2025-26.

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

NHS England, working with the Department, the UK Health Security Agency and other partners, is taking action to reduce the impact of respiratory conditions on the National Health Service this winter. This includes robust, consistent infection prevention and control measures, and the campaign to encourage eligible people to get their winter vaccinations.

Further details of the actions being taken to reduce demand on acute services during winter are available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/urgent-and-emergency-care-plan-2025-26/

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on sovereign AI capability through public sector procurement contracts since 10 September 2025.

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

Ministers and officials regularly meet with their counterparts in other departments to discuss important matters, such as sovereign AI capability and procurement policy

The Digital Commercial Centre of Excellence, established earlier this year following the publication by DSIT of ‘A blueprint for modern digital government’, plays an important role in shaping best practice in relation to technology procurement policy.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 17 September 2025 to Question 76118 on Digital Technology: Older People, what recent steps her Department has taken to help tackle the impact of digital exclusion on elderly people.

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

Tackling digital exclusion, which disproportionately impacts certain demographics including older people, is a priority for Government.

That is why we published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan which outlines the first five actions we are taking over the next year on digital inclusion. One of these actions was to launch the £9.5mn Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund to support and expand local community initiatives to get people online, which we did in August. All funded projects will support at least one of the focus demographic groups, which includes older people. Applications will be notified of the outcome in late October, as outlined in the key dates section of the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund - GOV.UK.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of including equestrian safety in driving theory tests on reducing accidents.

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

There has been no assessment made of the potential impact of including equestrian safety in driving theory tests on reducing accidents. This would be difficult due to many confounding factors regarding accidents.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards (DVSA) driver theory test already contains questions relating to equestrian safety, and has done for many years.

DVSA has recognised the need to promote the recognition of hazards by drivers when sharing the road with horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles. These are well represented within the hazard perception part of the test, a CGI video test which requires candidates to identify developing hazards on the road in good time.

Both the multiple choice and hazard perception parts of the theory test are continually being updated and added to, with one of the focuses being on vulnerable road users such as horse riders.

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 23 September 2025 to Question 75766 on Bottom Trawling: Teignmouth, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of banning bottom trawling in the remaining 60% of the south Devon coast.

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

The Devon and Severn Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority is responsible for assessing the impacts of fishing in its district, taking an evidence-based approach to the introduction of any restrictions, including a ban on bottom trawling, in consultation with stakeholders.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of trends in the number of sanitary and phytosanitary transfers between the UK and EU since 2020 on the economy.

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

The Government is required to conduct an impact assessment when new or changing policies, strategies, services or projects are proposed that could have a significant impact on the economy, business, voluntary organisations, or the environment. Defra implemented changes to cross-border sanitary and phytosanitary processes in 2024 when it implemented its Border Target Operating Model (BTOM). The impact assessment was published https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukia/2024/115/pdfs/ukia_20240115_en.pdf) and contains an estimated cost to business. As a major programme the BTOM will also be subject to formal evaluation, which assesses the value and impact of the work post delivery through a structured process of analysis. The evaluation process is expected to run over the next few years.

It should also be noted that the UK trade team of ONS also publish a variety of different statistics that quantify trade between the UK and EU over time (Published data - Office for National Statistics).

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 prevalence of gambling advertising that is not obviously identifiable as advertising.

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

The Government is clear that wherever gambling advertising appears, it must be socially responsible. We have set the gambling industry a clear task to further raise standards to ensure that gambling advertising is appropriate, responsible, and does not exacerbate harm.

There are a number of robust measures in place to regulate advertising, designed to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm. All gambling operators who advertise in the UK must comply with advertising codes, which are enforced by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) independently of the Government. These codes apply to all advertising, including content marketing, but does not apply to editorial content, which is not deemed to be selling a product or service. The Government monitors the best available evidence from a wide range of sources to aid our assessment of the impact of gambling advertising at a national level.

Additionally, advertising code changes implemented from 1 September 2025 have increased the ASA’s scope, enabling the ASA to also regulate advertising by overseas gambling operators using online ads to target UK consumers.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what definition of digital inclusion her Department uses for monitoring progress against the Digital Inclusion Action Plan.

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

We know that digital exclusion is a complex issue and the evidence base is significant but fragmented. Ofcom data from 2025 reports that 5% of households in the UK do not have access to the internet and that, in the South West of England, 7% of the population do not use the internet. That is why we launched the Digital Inclusion Action Plan in February of this year, which sets out the first five actions we are taking to boost digital inclusion in every corner of the UK, including the South West of England.

One of these actions was to develop robust headline indicators to monitor progress and inform future digital inclusion interventions. We will evaluate the outcomes of these actions as our understanding of best practice evolves.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when she plans to provide funding for all state primary schools to have a library.

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

As funding for this initiative will come from the Dormant Assets Scheme over which the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has responsibility, your question has been transferred to my Department.

This government fully recognises the transformational power of reading and believes that every child should have access to a library space, along with high-quality reading materials and supportive environments that nurture their learning and development.

It is for individual schools to decide how best to provide and maintain a library service for their pupils, including whether to employ a qualified librarian.

Through the Dormant Assets Scheme, we have committed to every child having access to a library space in every primary school in England by the end of this Parliament to help foster a culture of reading for pleasure amongst disadvantaged children and young people in the spaces and places that matter to them. The government will work with The National Lottery Community Fund to co-design the programme and will announce further details in due course.

Funding for this programme will come from the £132.5 million that was allocated to increasing disadvantaged young people’s access to enrichment opportunities in the arts, culture, sports and wider youth services, aimed at improving wellbeing and employability.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when her Department plans to respond to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Newton Abbot of 9 September 2025 with case reference MW10038.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I apologise for the delay in responding to the hon. Member's correspondence. The Minister for International Development issued a response to the hon. Member on 16 October.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to support (a) South Western Railway and (b) Network Rail in improving the West of England mainline to prevent soil moisture deficits impacting rail journeys on that route.

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

The Department is in regular discussion with South Western Railway and Network Rail on the monitoring of conditions on the West of England Line to ensure services are restored as soon as it is safe to do so. Once soil moisture levels improve and the ground begins to rehydrate and settle, engineers will carry out lasting repairs to stabilise the embankments and restore track levels, allowing the normal timetable to return.

Network Rail have plans for regional weather resilience and climate change adaptation, with £2.8 billion set aside at a national level in Control Period 7. We will work closely with Network Rail Wessex to ensure appropriate action is taken on the West of England line to minimise the risk of soil moisture deficit in future.

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 impact of recent trends in running costs for NHS Devon on (a) the provision of public health services and (b) health outcomes in the region.

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

Public health responsibilities sit primarily with local authorities and national public health programmes, such as screening, are commissioned by NHS England rather than the integrated care boards (ICBs). Therefore, the running costs within the NHS Devon ICB do not directly affect the provision of public health services.

There are ongoing discussions nationally about the potential future delegation of some public health and screening functions to ICBs, but no decisions have yet been made.

NHS Devon’s new Health and Care Strategy set out a system-wide approach to improving health outcomes and reducing inequalities through prevention, early intervention, and community-based care. This will support better long-term population health across Devon, regardless of ICB running cost trends. The ICB’s meeting papers and minutes discussing the strategy is available at the following link:

https://swpboard.nhs.uk/board-meetings/board-meeting-papers-and-minutes/

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will publish an impact assessment for the NHS Devon Integrated Care Board’s proposed 2025–26 financial plan that includes information on the services that may be (a) restructured and (b) reduced to meet targets.

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

NHS Devon’s 2025/26 financial plan is being developed in line with national planning guidance and forms part of the wider five-year Medium Term Financial Plan. The plan is focused on achieving financial sustainability while improving health outcomes and reducing inequalities.

All proposals for service change will be supported by equality and quality impact assessments and appropriate engagement with local stakeholders. NHS Devon is committed to maintaining safe and sustainable services by shifting care closer to home and reducing reliance on acute settings.

Efficiency improvements across the Devon system total approximately £255 million in 2025/26. These measures are designed to improve productivity and value for money, not to reduce essential services.

A summary of the Health and Care Strategy and financial plan will be shared with Members of Parliament and stakeholders, and a briefing for Members of Parliament for Devon will be arranged following publication.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will take steps to fund the access to work programme for the rest of this parliament.

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

We are pleased to confirm continued funding for the Access to Work Scheme, which helps disabled people and those with health conditions to stay and remain in the workplace. Funding has been secured to continue the scheme for the entire Spending Review period. Following the close of the Pathways to Work Green Paper consultation at the end of June, we are considering all responses to the consultation and will set out our plans in due course. We will be reviewing all aspects of the Scheme now that the consultation has closed. We are continuing to work closely with stakeholders, and in particular disabled people and their representatives, on all aspects of our proposals.

In addition to the consultation itself, we also established ‘collaboration committees’ that brought groups, including disabled people and other experts, to inform the design of the support we offer.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to help protect (a) safeguarding, (b) continuing healthcare and (c) support for people with special educational needs and disabilities during the transition to the new integrated care board cluster in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

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

To support integrated care boards (ICBs) as they reduce their running costs, which includes moving to new clusters in some areas, NHS England has been working with stakeholders on further detail. NHS England has shared best practice documents in relation to NHS Continuing Healthcare, support for people with special educational needs and disabilities, and safeguarding. These documents are clear on ICBs’ statutory requirements and set out that the focus in the near term will be on spreading best practice in the delivery of these functions, ensuring the function is delivered as efficiently and effectively as possible by all ICBs.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of allowing carers to retain their national insurance contribution credits during temporary absences of the person they are a carer for.

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

Carers in receipt of Carers Allowance (CA) are awarded class 1 National Insurance credits. If there is a break in care that lasts up to 12 weeks, carers in receipt of CA are awarded class 3 National Insurance credits. These credits protect their State Pension and help with access to certain working age benefits.

Carers in receipt of the Universal Credit Carer Element or Carer’s Credit receive class 3 National Insurance credits, including during a break in care, which protects their State Pension in later life.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will take steps to ensure that carers continue to receive national insurance contribution credits during temporary leaves of absence for the person they are a carer for.

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

Carers in receipt of Carers Allowance (CA) are awarded class 1 National Insurance credits. If there is a break in care that lasts up to 12 weeks, carers in receipt of CA are awarded class 3 National Insurance credits. These credits protect their State Pension and help with access to certain working age benefits.

Carers in receipt of the Universal Credit Carer Element or Carer’s Credit receive class 3 National Insurance credits, including during a break in care, which protects their State Pension in later life.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she plans to implement a centralised issuance with decentralised data architecture model for a national digital identity system.

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

The Government will launch a public consultation on the new digital ID credential by the end of the year, seeking views on the design, build and delivery of the system.

We will work closely with expert stakeholders, including the Information Commissioner’s Office and the National Cyber Security Centre, to make the programme as effective and secure as possible. Our approach will involve a federated data model, to ensure privacy and security.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the current Integrated Care Board (ICB)-led funding model in supporting the expansion of GP surgeries in areas with rapidly growing populations.

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

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for assessing the requirement for the physical expansion of general practice premises to manage additional patient registrations. ICBs will also undertake assessments of housing plans and develop strategic plans to manage new populations and registered patients. Under this assessment, applications may be made via the planning authority to secure capital funding to mitigate the impact of new residents and patient registrations.

Discussions about developer contributions should take place as early as possible in the planning process. Developer contributions are negotiated and agreed between planning authorities and developers on a case-by-case basis, prior to planning permission being granted. Further detail is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/planning-obligations

The Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England are continuing to work with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to assess and improve the developer contribution process, to ensure health is appropriately considered and supported.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when her Department plans to respond to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Newton Abbot of 19 August 2025 with case reference MW09759.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Minister for Policing and Crime has replied on 15 October.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 8 July 2025 to Question 63915 on Digital Technology: Proof of Identity, what discussions the government has had with private sector bodies regarding digital ID venders.

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

The Government will start a public consultation on the new digital ID by the end of the year and has naturally begun engaging with key stakeholders, including charities, trade unions, trade bodies and associations, businesses and local government leaders already. We will continue to engage through the consultation period and beyond to support product delivery.

We expect it to be designed, built and run by in-house Government teams, not outsourced to external suppliers. In the event any specialist external services or expertise are procured to support the delivery of new digital ID, this will be subject to all the usual competitive processes to ensure transparency, and value for the taxpayer.

The Government is also keen to learn from other countries that implemented successful digital ID programmes. The Rt Hon Pat McFadden travelled to Estonia in August to understand more about the Estonian digital ID system.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to introduce regulations under the Animal (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023 on the domestic (a) sale and (b) advertising of low welfare animal activities taking place abroad.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the reply previously given to the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire, Pippa Heylings on 23 September 2025, PQ UIN 73101.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take steps to increase the number of local authorities providing Ministers with results from risk assessments of private water supplies.

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

Local authorities have a regulatory duty to provide the Secretary of State (in practice, the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI)), with a summary of the results from the risk assessment no longer than 12 months after the day on which it was carried out. Local authorities are regularly reminded of their duties, and where they may not be being complied with, in DWI’s annual report on the quality of private water supplies in England. We would expect local authorities to comply with their statutory duties.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what information her Department holds on the number of recommendations for improvements to private water supplies have been issued as a result of risk assessments in the last year.

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

231 notices were served in England. 114 were received by central Government.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what information her Department holds on the number of private water supplies registered in Newton Abbot constituency.

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

In 2024, Teignbridge reported 598 private water supplies on their register. In the Newton Abbot area specifically, one private water supply is registered.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has issued guidance to integrated care boards on protecting frontline public health services.

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

NHS England has issued guidance to integrated care boards (ICBs) on their public health functions, for instance the guidance Delivering a quality public health function in integrated care boards, which is available at the following link:

Delivering-a-quality-public-health-function-in-integrated-care-boards-October-2022.pdf.

More recently, NHS England issued a Model Integrated Care Board Blueprint in May 2025, suggesting the functions needed for ICBs to fulfil their roles as strategic commissioners. This included ICBs providing system leadership for population health.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to require private water supplies to be registered with a local authority who can (a) test them and (b) risk assess them.

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

Local authorities need only risk assess and monitor private water supplies that they are aware of that are large, shared, or where the water supply is used as part of a commercial or public activity. Supplies to single domestic dwellings need only be risk assessed and monitored if the owner or occupier of the dwelling requests it, and they may monitor at their discretion.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what guidance her Department has issued to local authorities on private water supply risk assessments to ensure consistency.

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

The Drinking Water Inspectorate publishes and maintains a suite of risk assessment tools on its website. These tools are designed to meet the risk assessment requirements of the Private Water Supplies (England) Regulations 2016 (as amended). It is not mandatory to use the tools.

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 adding mandatory software updates to the MOT process for electric cars.

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

The MOT plays a vital role in keeping people safe on our roads. That is why the Department for Transport published a call for evidence in 2023 which sought views on how to keep it up to date. The monitoring of software updates for both electric and ICE vehicles is something that was raised in responses and is under consideration. Any proposals will, however, need to answer how to identify the software version on the vehicle and what the latest available version is.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether NHS England has included requirements for sovereign AI capability in contracts awarded under the Federated Data Platform.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

A mandatory requirement across all awarded contracts under the NHS Federated Data Platform is that any processing of data, whether involving artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities or not, must adhere to strict UK data governance regulations. This explicitly includes a data residency requirement, stipulating that all data must be stored and processed within the United Kingdom. This ensures all data remains subject to UK law and regulatory oversight.

The use of any foundational models is restricted exclusively to models that are hosted within the UK and all with UK endpoints. This policy ensures that the core AI processing, in addition to the data itself, remains within the nation's jurisdiction, thereby ensuring a sovereign AI capability by design.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that trustees of academy trusts receive the (a) training and (b) support they need to provide effective oversight.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The Academy Trust Handbook states that trust boards should identify the skills and experience required to hold the executive to account. This includes financial knowledge. Trust boards are responsible for encouraging trustees’ professional development and should allocate funds for this purpose. This includes providing an induction and development programme for new trustees and ensuring specific safeguarding and Prevent duty training is completed. If trustees persistently fail to attend training, breaching their board’s code of conduct, it may be necessary to consider their position.

The Academy Trust Governance Guide provides practical support for trustees, including signposting to external sources of training and support organisations, such as National Governance Association and Confederation of School Trusts.

The department collaborated with governance sector stakeholders to produce the Effective Governance Resource, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/effective-governance-resources. Published last month, it aims to support strong and effective governance in schools and academy trusts, and recruitment of governors and trustees.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with supermarkets on the potential impact of online-only discounts on older people without smartphones.

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

Ministers and officials in the department regularly engage with retailers on a wide range of issues affecting consumers, including affordability and access to food.

The Government expects retailers to consider the needs of all customers, including older people and those who may find it difficult to access online services. Supermarkets are responsible for their own pricing and promotional strategies, but we know that many offer a range of in-store and online discounts to ensure fair access.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to improve transparency in the (a) governance, (b) financial decision-making and (c) scrutiny of leadership in academy trusts.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

High and rising standards are at the heart of this government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and ensure every child has the best life chances. Accountability is non-negotiable. This is why the government has committed to bring multi-academy trusts into the inspection system, to make the system fairer and more transparent, and enable direct intervention when schools and trusts are not performing to the required standards.

The primary responsibility for the financial oversight of academy trusts rests with the trustees themselves, supported by the financial management and governance requirements set by the department in academy trusts’ Funding Agreements, the Academy Trust Handbook, the Academies Accounts Direction and the department’s Financial Support and Oversight Guidance for Academy Trusts. The department expects academy trustees to deliver strong governance, monitor the financial health of their trust or school and ensure it remains a going concern.

All academy trusts must publish an annual report and accounts (their financial statements), which are audited by a registered statutory auditor. As part of their annual reports and accounts, academy trusts must also publish details of their objectives, achievements, and future plans, including what they have done to promote value for money in support of these projects. The department publishes data on academy finances on GOV.UK, as part of the Academies Sector Annual Report and Accounts and as part of the Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool.

Where non-compliance or governance concerns are identified, the department will intervene in a way that is proportionate to the risk and preserves education provision. This can include issuing a trust with a Notice to Improve (NtI). Less than 1% of academy trusts are subject to an active NtI. In cases of financial or financial governance failure, NtIs issued to academy trusts and Investigation Reports are published on GOV.UK.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance her Department issues to academy trusts on executive pay.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The primary responsibility for the financial oversight of academy trusts, including setting executive pay, rests with the trustees themselves. Academy trusts are delivering a high standard of financial management and governance. The latest published data shows that, in the 2022/23 academic year, 97.7% of trusts had a cumulative surplus or a zero balance, with an aggregate surplus of £4.6 billion. In terms of pay trends, the latest published workforce data shows that the mean average salary for headteachers in the sector was:

• £78,240 in a maintained primary school.
• £78,289 in an academy primary school.
• £111,796 in a maintained secondary school.
• £108,654 in an academy secondary school.

The data can be read in full here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england/2024.

The department engages with trusts on levels of executive pay where there is insufficient demonstration of value for money, where there is no direct link to improving pupil outcomes, or if the trust is in financial difficulty.

The department sets out its expectations on pay for academies and academy trusts in the academy trust handbook, which can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/academy-trust-handbook/academy-trust-handbook-2025-effective-from-1-september-2025. Executive pay must be justifiable and should reflect the individual responsibility alongside local retention and recruitment needs.

The handbook requires that:

• An academy trust’s board of trustees ensures its decisions follow a robust, evidence-based process when setting levels of executive pay, including salary and any other benefits.
• Academy trusts’ decisions on pay must be a reasonable and defensible reflection of the individual’s role and responsibilities.
• No individual can be involved in deciding their remuneration.

Academy trusts must be transparent on pay and publish the number of employees whose benefits exceed £100,000 on their websites in £10,000 bandings. Where employees are also trustees, this information must be disclosed in £5,000 bandings.

To further support academy trusts, the department has also published ‘setting executive salaries’ guidance on GOV.UK which outlines the key contextual factors that trusts should be considering when setting or reviewing executive salaries, and can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/setting-executive-salaries-guidance-for-academy-trusts/setting-executive-salaries-guidance-for-academy-trusts.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of not giving the COVID vaccine to NHS patients under 75 who are clinically vulnerable.

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

The Government’s policy on the groups eligible for vaccination programmes is based on the advice of the independent expert body, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

The JCVI carefully considered the latest evidence on the risk of illness and serious disease in specific groups, as well as cost-effectiveness analysis, to provide the Government with advice on the COVID-19 autumn 2025 vaccination programme. The evidence indicates that whilst the risk from COVID-19 is now much lower for most people, adults aged 75 years old and over, residents in care homes for older adults, and those who are immunosuppressed are those at highest risk of serious COVID-19 disease.

A more targeted vaccination programme, aimed at individuals with a higher risk of developing serious disease, was advised for autumn 2025.

The latest UK Health Security Agency data in the national flu and COVID-19 surveillance report supports this change in eligibility, showing that there is a strong association between age and COVID-19 hospitalisation rates. These reports can be accessed on the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/weekly-national-flu-reports#2025-to-2026-season

As part of its role, the JCVI reviews vaccination programmes as new data becomes available, and this includes if strong evidence should emerge indicating a change in the groups affected. Accordingly, the Government will consider any additional advice from the JCVI in due course.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of executive pay in academy trusts where schools (a) are in financial deficit and (b) have made frontline staff redundancies.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The primary responsibility for the financial oversight of academy trusts, including setting executive pay, rests with the trustees themselves. Academy trusts are delivering a high standard of financial management and governance. The latest published data shows that, in the 2022/23 academic year, 97.7% of trusts had a cumulative surplus or a zero balance, with an aggregate surplus of £4.6 billion. In terms of pay trends, the latest published workforce data shows that the mean average salary for headteachers in the sector was:

• £78,240 in a maintained primary school.
• £78,289 in an academy primary school.
• £111,796 in a maintained secondary school.
• £108,654 in an academy secondary school.

The data can be read in full here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england/2024.

The department engages with trusts on levels of executive pay where there is insufficient demonstration of value for money, where there is no direct link to improving pupil outcomes, or if the trust is in financial difficulty.

The department sets out its expectations on pay for academies and academy trusts in the academy trust handbook, which can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/academy-trust-handbook/academy-trust-handbook-2025-effective-from-1-september-2025. Executive pay must be justifiable and should reflect the individual responsibility alongside local retention and recruitment needs.

The handbook requires that:

• An academy trust’s board of trustees ensures its decisions follow a robust, evidence-based process when setting levels of executive pay, including salary and any other benefits.
• Academy trusts’ decisions on pay must be a reasonable and defensible reflection of the individual’s role and responsibilities.
• No individual can be involved in deciding their remuneration.

Academy trusts must be transparent on pay and publish the number of employees whose benefits exceed £100,000 on their websites in £10,000 bandings. Where employees are also trustees, this information must be disclosed in £5,000 bandings.

To further support academy trusts, the department has also published ‘setting executive salaries’ guidance on GOV.UK which outlines the key contextual factors that trusts should be considering when setting or reviewing executive salaries, and can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/setting-executive-salaries-guidance-for-academy-trusts/setting-executive-salaries-guidance-for-academy-trusts.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has a process for (a) reviewing and (b) approving executive pay rises in multi-academy trusts.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The primary responsibility for the financial oversight of academy trusts, including setting executive pay, rests with the trustees themselves. Academy trusts are delivering a high standard of financial management and governance. The latest published data shows that, in the 2022/23 academic year, 97.7% of trusts had a cumulative surplus or a zero balance, with an aggregate surplus of £4.6 billion. In terms of pay trends, the latest published workforce data shows that the mean average salary for headteachers in the sector was:

• £78,240 in a maintained primary school.
• £78,289 in an academy primary school.
• £111,796 in a maintained secondary school.
• £108,654 in an academy secondary school.

The data can be read in full here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england/2024.

The department engages with trusts on levels of executive pay where there is insufficient demonstration of value for money, where there is no direct link to improving pupil outcomes, or if the trust is in financial difficulty.

The department sets out its expectations on pay for academies and academy trusts in the academy trust handbook, which can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/academy-trust-handbook/academy-trust-handbook-2025-effective-from-1-september-2025. Executive pay must be justifiable and should reflect the individual responsibility alongside local retention and recruitment needs.

The handbook requires that:

• An academy trust’s board of trustees ensures its decisions follow a robust, evidence-based process when setting levels of executive pay, including salary and any other benefits.
• Academy trusts’ decisions on pay must be a reasonable and defensible reflection of the individual’s role and responsibilities.
• No individual can be involved in deciding their remuneration.

Academy trusts must be transparent on pay and publish the number of employees whose benefits exceed £100,000 on their websites in £10,000 bandings. Where employees are also trustees, this information must be disclosed in £5,000 bandings.

To further support academy trusts, the department has also published ‘setting executive salaries’ guidance on GOV.UK which outlines the key contextual factors that trusts should be considering when setting or reviewing executive salaries, and can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/setting-executive-salaries-guidance-for-academy-trusts/setting-executive-salaries-guidance-for-academy-trusts.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help improve the diagnosis rate for myeloma cancer in Devon.

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

We remain committed to diagnosing all cancer types earlier, including myeloma. To tackle late diagnoses, the National Health Service is implementing non-specific symptom (NSS) pathways for patients who present with symptoms such as weight loss and fatigue, which do not clearly align to a tumour type. Blood cancers are one of the most common cancer types diagnosed through these pathways. There are currently 115 NSS services operating in England, including in Devon, ensuring more patients benefit from quicker access to the right investigations.

We will support the NHS to increase capacity to meet the demand for diagnostic services through investment in new magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scanners. The Government is investing an extra £26 billion in the NHS and is opening up community diagnostic centres (CDCs) at evening and weekends, to help diagnose cancer earlier.

We are now delivering additional checks, tests, and scans at 170 CDCs. There are three CDCs located within the NHS Devon Integrated Care Board, all of which deliver services 12 hours a day, seven days a week.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure accountability in (a) financial management and (b) strategic leadership in academy trusts.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

High and rising standards are at the heart of this government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and ensure every child has the best life chances. Accountability is non-negotiable. This is why the government has committed to bring multi-academy trusts into the inspection system, to make the system fairer and more transparent, and enable direct intervention when schools and trusts are not performing to the required standards.

The primary responsibility for the financial oversight of academy trusts rests with the trustees themselves, supported by the financial management and governance requirements set by the department in academy trusts’ Funding Agreements, the Academy Trust Handbook, the Academies Accounts Direction and the department’s Financial Support and Oversight Guidance for Academy Trusts. The department expects academy trustees to deliver strong governance, monitor the financial health of their trust or school and ensure it remains a going concern.

All academy trusts must publish an annual report and accounts (their financial statements), which are audited by a registered statutory auditor. As part of their annual reports and accounts, academy trusts must also publish details of their objectives, achievements, and future plans, including what they have done to promote value for money in support of these projects. The department publishes data on academy finances on GOV.UK, as part of the Academies Sector Annual Report and Accounts and as part of the Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool.

Where non-compliance or governance concerns are identified, the department will intervene in a way that is proportionate to the risk and preserves education provision. This can include issuing a trust with a Notice to Improve (NtI). Less than 1% of academy trusts are subject to an active NtI. In cases of financial or financial governance failure, NtIs issued to academy trusts and Investigation Reports are published on GOV.UK.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will bring forward legislative proposals mandating that second hand electric vehicles are sold with (a) conformity and (b) battery health check certificates.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government currently has no plans to mandate that second hand vehicles are sold with certificates of conformity or battery health certificates. Manufacturers are currently required to issue a certificate of conformity with each new vehicle. A vehicle owner may request a duplicate of the certificate from the manufacturer for up to 10 years after the date of manufacture. The Government will introduce a new digital system to give members of the public direct access to information about their vehicle. Most vehicles manufactured on or after 5 July 2026 will be enrolled in the new system, and paper certificates of conformity will be phased out.

The UK Government has worked with international partners at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe to develop a Global Technical Regulation on EV batteries (GTR No.22). This regulation requires electric vehicles have easily accessible, accurate, and comparable information on the battery’s state of health. The Government is currently analysing options for the implementation of GTR No.22 regulations in the UK.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department has had discussions with (a) Apple, (b) Google and (c) other technology companies on delivering digital identity schemes.

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

The Government will start a public consultation on the new digital ID by the end of the year and has naturally begun engaging with key stakeholders, including charities, trade unions, trade bodies and associations, businesses and local government leaders already. We will continue to engage through the consultation period and beyond to support product delivery.

We expect it to be designed, built and run by in-house Government teams, not outsourced to external suppliers. In the event any specialist external services or expertise are procured to support the delivery of new digital ID, this will be subject to all the usual competitive processes to ensure transparency, and value for the taxpayer.

The Government is also keen to learn from other countries that implemented successful digital ID programmes. The Rt Hon Pat McFadden travelled to Estonia in August to understand more about the Estonian digital ID system.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, which organisations her Department has met with as part of the development of digital identity proposals.

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

The Government will start a public consultation on the new digital ID by the end of the year and has naturally begun engaging with key stakeholders, including charities, trade unions, trade bodies and associations, businesses and local government leaders already. We will continue to engage through the consultation period and beyond to support product delivery.

We expect it to be designed, built and run by in-house Government teams, not outsourced to external suppliers. In the event any specialist external services or expertise are procured to support the delivery of new digital ID, this will be subject to all the usual competitive processes to ensure transparency, and value for the taxpayer.

The Government is also keen to learn from other countries that implemented successful digital ID programmes. The Rt Hon Pat McFadden travelled to Estonia in August to understand more about the Estonian digital ID system.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Civil Air Publication 1616 airspace change processes on his Department's ability to (a) test and (b) develop uncrewed air systems.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Airspace within the UK Flight Information Regions is neither specifically military nor civilian. The Joint Air Navigation Services Council is responsible for the management of airspace and Air Traffic Service provision with a Joint and Integrated Approach between the Department for Transport and the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

The practical policy guidance to enact an airspace change is published in CAP1616. The MOD, through the Defence Airspace and Air Traffic Management (DAATM) organisation, is invited to comment on any relevant Airspace Change Proposal. DAATM is a stakeholder in the public consultation launched by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on 25 September 2025 on ways to modernise and streamline the CAP1616 airspace change process and will comment on behalf of the MOD in time for the 18 December 2025 deadline.

The update of CAP 1616 seeks to streamline the processes for modernisation of airspace requirements and the integration of new and innovative types of airspace users. Airspace requirements for military uncrewed air systems testing and development also fall under CAP1616.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to enforce the ban on piglet thumping.

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

Any allegations of poor animal welfare are investigated by the Animal and Plant Health Agency, and where there are non-compliances with the regulations, appropriate action is taken. The local authority, as an appropriate enforcement agency, may initiate prosecution action for animal welfare offences where there is sufficient evidence.

Due to serious concerns about the welfare consequences of a manual percussive blow to the head, it is not a permitted method for killing piglets. In 2022, animal welfare regulations were amended to permit the use of a non-penetrative captive bolt device as a killing method for neonate piglets, kids and lambs, within certain parameters. This has provided a method of killing on farm for these species that is practical and humane.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Prime Minister plans to attend COP30 in Brazil.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The Prime Minister plans to attend COP30.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support schools that have had to (a) reduce subjects, (b) rely on non-specialist teaching staff and (c) remove extracurricular opportunities due to funding shortfalls.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

School funding is increasing by £3.7 billion in the 2025/26 financial year, and a further £4.2 billion by 2028/29, reaching £69.5 billion. This will provide an above real terms per pupil increase on the core schools budget and help transform the special educational needs and disabilities system.

The department is seeing positive signs for recruitment and retention. The secondary and special school workforce has grown by 2,346 full-time equivalent between the 2023/24 and 2024/25 academic years, where workforce growth is most needed. We are offering bursaries worth up to £29,000 and scholarships worth up to £31,000, tax-free, to encourage more talented people into key subjects such as mathematics, physics, chemistry and computing.

The department knows reprioritising schools’ budgets and ensuring best value can be challenging, but it is in line with asks to the rest of the public sector. We also know it is a joint responsibility of the government and the entire school system. We will tackle systemic issues that drive costs, establishing a new programme later this year to help schools and groups free up resources to invest in what matters most, teaching, learning, and support for pupils.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to help support academies with multimillion-pound deficits.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The department supports all academy trusts to have the capability to manage their resources effectively by providing high quality advice, tools, support and development to help schools protect against financial difficulty and enable excellent school resource management. Tools and guidance can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/schools-financial-health-and-efficiency.

Where academy trusts are experiencing financial difficulty, the department’s focus will be on prioritising support for the most serious cases, considering the financial, educational and governance aspects of the trust. The department may also commission a School Resource Management Adviser (SRMA) to support the trust. SRMAs are practising sector experts, such as school business professionals that work collaboratively with schools and trusts to provide independent, expert and tailored advice to schools and trusts on how to make best use of their resources to deliver the best possible educational outcomes for their pupils.

Where an academy trust is reporting a cumulative deficit, it may require additional financial support as part of their recovery plan. If approved, financial support will be repayable to the department within an agreed timeframe. Non-repayable funding will only be considered where there is no other reasonable means to protect pupils’ interests.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will establish a national luggage return scheme for passengers who lose luggage on board a Great British Railways service.

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

Great British Railways will bring the track, train and rail estate together under one organisation. This will enable it to adapt and create a system to better suit passenger needs more effectively. We are working closely with industry on opportunities to optimise the approach to standards across the rail sector.

Fossil fuel company profits

Decarbonising refrigerated transport

Local government and social care

Second homes in the Lake District

Protections for animals and people

Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) Bill

Taxi accessibility for disabled people

Ukrainian Permission Extension Scheme

Government proposals for mandatory digital ID

Conduct of the hon. Member for Runcorn and Helsby

Warm Homes Plan

Eligibility variations in access to IVF

Contribution of legal immigrants

Detainment of Dr Hussam Abu Safiya

Right to object to data being used in online direct marketing

Farmgate milk price reduction

National inquiry into child sexual exploitation

Council elections in areas pursuing devolution reform

40th anniversary of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

10th anniversary of Harrogate Junior Parkrun

Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund and its work in Wiltshire

South Downs National Park

Elon Musk at the Unite the Kingdom rally

Renewable energy and coal

Global Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day 2025

Political donations

Dentists in Hazel Grove constituency

Dr Anjana Khatwa

Dyslexia Awareness Week

Fly camping in the Lake District

Harrogate Hospital & Community Charity

Thames Water in Wiltshire

30th Anniversary of the Torbay National Coastwatch Institution

Air Ambulance employees and the Ambulance Service (Emergency Duties) Long Service and Good Conduct Medal

Fruit and Vegetable Aid Scheme

Protect our hospices

Lift Barton Hill Academy pupil leaders

Access to school and college transport for disabled young people

25th anniversary of the UN Women, Peace and Security agenda

Protection of the Climate Change Act

Calne Fair Trade

Insect decline and pesticide reduction

Celebrating Organic September

CLN2 Batten disease

Speeding in rural areas

Found: Dame Chi Onwurah (Chair); Emily Darlington; Kit Malthouse; Dr Lauren Sullivan; Adam Thompson; Martin Wrigley

Found: Dame Chi Onwurah (Chair); Emily Darlington; Kit Malthouse; Dr Lauren Sullivan; Adam Thompson; Martin Wrigley

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

Found: Martin Wrigley: Voter authenticity certificate, which you can get.

Found: Martin Wrigley: Voter authenticity certificate, which you can get.

Found: Q39 Martin Wrigley: Thank you very much, Chair.