Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions he has held with Cabinet Colleagues regarding funding for financial redress to people affected by sodium valproate.

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

The Government is carefully considering the valuable work done by the Patient Safety Commissioner and the resulting Hughes Report, which sets out options for redress for those harmed by sodium valproate and pelvic mesh.

The Government recently responded to a statutory request by the Patient Safety Commissioner in which she requested information on Government advice, meetings, and progress regarding the Hughes Report and patient redress since October 2023. This response can be found on the Patient Safety Commissioner’s website. The Government’s response makes clear that work to consider the Hughes Report recommendations has been ongoing and includes cross-Government engagement.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to have discussions with families impacted by sodium valproate on the design of a compensation scheme.

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

The Government is carefully considering the valuable work done by the Patient Safety Commissioner and the resulting Hughes Report. The report sets out options for redress for those harmed by sodium valproate and pelvic mesh and makes recommendations. Whilst no decision on providing a redress scheme has been made, the Government will make sure patient voices are a part of this work.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate her Department has made of the proportion of BNO visa holders with (a) B1 and (b) B2 level English-language qualifications.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Home Office has not made an estimate of the proportion of British National (Overseas) visa holders who hold English‑language qualifications at CEFR levels B1 or B2. No data is collected or published that disaggregates BNO visa holders by specific levels of English‑language attainment.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the ability of small businesses such as bakeries, cafés and hairdressers to manage changes in business rates alongside other cost pressures.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since the pandemic, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties as they recover from the pandemic.

To respond to those who are seeing large increases, the Government has already acted to limit increases in bills, announcing a support package worth £4.3 billion package at the Budget.

The Government is also introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

The Government is also supporting businesses to grow. At Budget, the Government announced the extension of Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR) so that businesses opening second premises can retain their SBRR for three years, tripling the current allowance.

The Call for Evidence, published at Budget, focused on how reform of the business rates system can be used to incentivise and secure more investment by Britain’s businesses.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on the potential impact of business rates changes on the ability of small businesses to grow and invest.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since the pandemic, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties as they recover from the pandemic.

To respond to those who are seeing large increases, the Government has already acted to limit increases in bills, announcing a support package worth £4.3 billion package at the Budget.

The Government is also introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

The Government is also supporting businesses to grow. At Budget, the Government announced the extension of Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR) so that businesses opening second premises can retain their SBRR for three years, tripling the current allowance.

The Call for Evidence, published at Budget, focused on how reform of the business rates system can be used to incentivise and secure more investment by Britain’s businesses.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed changes to business rates on the level of employment in small hospitality, retail and leisure businesses.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since the pandemic, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties as they recover from the pandemic.

To respond to those who are seeing large increases, the Government has already acted to limit increases in bills, announcing a support package worth £4.3 billion package at the Budget.

The Government is also introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

The Government is also supporting businesses to grow. At Budget, the Government announced the extension of Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR) so that businesses opening second premises can retain their SBRR for three years, tripling the current allowance.

The Call for Evidence, published at Budget, focused on how reform of the business rates system can be used to incentivise and secure more investment by Britain’s businesses.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to business rates from April 2026 on small businesses outside the pub sector.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since the pandemic, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties as they recover from the pandemic.

To respond to those who are seeing large increases, the Government has already acted to limit increases in bills, announcing a support package worth £4.3 billion package at the Budget.

The Government is also introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

The Government is also supporting businesses to grow. At Budget, the Government announced the extension of Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR) so that businesses opening second premises can retain their SBRR for three years, tripling the current allowance.

The Call for Evidence, published at Budget, focused on how reform of the business rates system can be used to incentivise and secure more investment by Britain’s businesses.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential cumulative impact of (a) the proposed business rates revaluation in April 2026, (b) the removal of the 40 per cent relief for the retail, hospitality and leisure sector and (c) changes to the business rates calculation formula on small businesses during 2026 to 2029.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since the pandemic, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties as they recover from the pandemic.

To respond to those who are seeing large increases, the Government has already acted to limit increases in bills, announcing a support package worth £4.3 billion package at the Budget.

The Government is also introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

The Government is also supporting businesses to grow. At Budget, the Government announced the extension of Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR) so that businesses opening second premises can retain their SBRR for three years, tripling the current allowance.

The Call for Evidence, published at Budget, focused on how reform of the business rates system can be used to incentivise and secure more investment by Britain’s businesses.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what modelling her Department has undertaken on the potential impact of proposed business rates changes on the level of small business closures and employment levels.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since the pandemic, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties as they recover from the pandemic.

To respond to those who are seeing large increases, the Government has already acted to limit increases in bills, announcing a support package worth £4.3 billion package at the Budget.

The Government is also introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

The Government is also supporting businesses to grow. At Budget, the Government announced the extension of Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR) so that businesses opening second premises can retain their SBRR for three years, tripling the current allowance.

The Call for Evidence, published at Budget, focused on how reform of the business rates system can be used to incentivise and secure more investment by Britain’s businesses.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of business rates changes on the ability of small businesses to expand, invest and recruit staff.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since the pandemic, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties as they recover from the pandemic.

To respond to those who are seeing large increases, the Government has already acted to limit increases in bills, announcing a support package worth £4.3 billion package at the Budget.

The Government is also introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

The Government is also supporting businesses to grow. At Budget, the Government announced the extension of Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR) so that businesses opening second premises can retain their SBRR for three years, tripling the current allowance.

The Call for Evidence, published at Budget, focused on how reform of the business rates system can be used to incentivise and secure more investment by Britain’s businesses.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to ensure that business rates policy supports the long-term viability of high streets.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base.

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties.

To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years, including to protect ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. Government support also means that most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.

The Government is also introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

More broadly, later this year, the Government will bring forward a new High Streets Strategy to reinvigorate our communities. The Government will work with businesses and representative bodies to pull this Strategy together.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the average percentage change in business rates liabilities for small businesses such as bakeries, cafés, hotels and dry cleaners between 2026 and 2029.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base.

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties.

To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years, including to protect ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. Government support also means that most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.

The Government is also introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

More broadly, later this year, the Government will bring forward a new High Streets Strategy to reinvigorate our communities. The Government will work with businesses and representative bodies to pull this Strategy together.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has considered the potential merits of applying full business rates relief already provided for within the business rates system across eligible sectors.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base.

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties.

To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years, including to protect ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. Government support also means that most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.

The Government is also introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

More broadly, later this year, the Government will bring forward a new High Streets Strategy to reinvigorate our communities. The Government will work with businesses and representative bodies to pull this Strategy together.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made with Cabinet colleagues of the alignment between business rates policy and the Government’s objectives for high street regeneration.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base.

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties.

To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years, including to protect ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. Government support also means that most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.

The Government is also introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

More broadly, later this year, the Government will bring forward a new High Streets Strategy to reinvigorate our communities. The Government will work with businesses and representative bodies to pull this Strategy together.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of employers using ordinary unfair dismissals ahead of the extension of unfair dismissal rights on 1 January 2027.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government does not collect data on the level of ordinary unfair dismissals made by employers. The Government does publish data on the number of unfair dismissal claims awarded compensation at Employment Tribunal:

• 2020/21: 421
• 2021/22: 633
• 2022/23: 787
• 2023/24: 646

Tribunals statistics quarterly: April to June 2024 - GOV.UK

Note that from September 2022, the Employment Tribunal has moved to a new case management system (Reform ECM). Cases in the new system are not included in these statistics.

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 (a) monitor and (b) discourage potential increases in the number of ordinary unfair dismissals ahead of planned changes to dismissal rights on 1 January 2027.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government will undertake proportionate monitoring and evaluation of reforms implemented through the Employment Rights Act. To determine whether the policy has met its objectives, we will be monitoring its impacts and will undertake a proportionate review of this policy within 5 years following the policy taking effect.

The Government will work to raise awareness among businesses and employers so that they can modify their dismissal practices before implementation. We will also be working closely with delivery partners such as Acas to ensure that employer guidance and support is adequately updated ahead of January 2027.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has assessed the potential merits of applying the proposed 15% business rates relief for pubs to the hospitality, retail and leisure sectors.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Other RHL properties will continue to benefit from the wider £4.3 billion support package announced at Budget. This support package means most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.

The Government is also introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible RHL properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

More broadly, later this year, the Government will bring forward a new High Streets Strategy to reinvigorate our communities. The Government will work with businesses and representative bodies to pull this Strategy together.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has the made of the potential impact of limiting extended business rates support to pubs on other hospitality, retail and leisure businesses.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Other RHL properties will continue to benefit from the wider £4.3 billion support package announced at Budget. This support package means most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.

The Government is also introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible RHL properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

More broadly, later this year, the Government will bring forward a new High Streets Strategy to reinvigorate our communities. The Government will work with businesses and representative bodies to pull this Strategy together.

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 interim payments to people affected by sodium valproate.

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

The Government is carefully considering the valuable work done by the Patient Safety Commissioner and the resulting Hughes Report, which sets out options for redress for those harmed by sodium valproate and pelvic mesh. This is a complex issue, and the Government's priority is to ensure that any response is fair, balanced and sensitive to those affected. The Department is carefully considering the recommendations within the Hughes Report, including providing interim payments, in collaboration with relevant departments, and we aim to provide an update in due course.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the difference is between the proposed Public-Private Partnership model for Neighbourhood Health Centres and the Private Finance Initiative.

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

Public Private Partnership (PPP) is the umbrella term for various public-private partnerships. Private Finance Initiative is a specific, strict form of PPP.

We are developing a new PPP model for neighbourhood health centres (NHCs) which is being led by the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA), and supported by the Department. NISTA and the Department will continue to work with the market to further develop the new PPP model for NHCs with further engagement later this year. The new model will build on lessons from the past, including the National Audit Office’s 2025 report on private finance and other models currently in use. To ensure they are managed transparently and are fiscally sustainable, any NHC PPP projects will be budgeted for as if they are on balance sheet.

We are not bringing back PFI for the new PPP model for NHCs.

Steve Cram CBE

Future of Hamworthy Fire Station

Payment of employment tribunal awards

King's Guard's ceremonial bearskin caps

Government response to Israel’s West Bank annexation plan

Found: East) (Chair) Jonathan Davies (Labour; Mid Derbyshire) Mr Lee Dillon (Liberal Democrat; Newbury) Mary Glindon

Found: 35 (94.3%) Mr Lee Dillon (Liberal Democrat, Newbury) (added 13 Nov 2025) 8 of 11 (72.7%) Mary Glindon

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Bob Blackman (Chair); Jonathan Davies; Mr Lee Dillon; Mary Glindon

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Bob Blackman (Chair); Jonathan Davies; Mary Glindon; Will Stone;

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Nick Smith (Chair); Bambos Charalambous; Alberto Costa; Mary Glindon

Found: South Tyneside North East Kate Osborne Tyneview Primary NE6 3QP Newcastle upon Tyne North East Mary Glindon

Found: South Tyneside North East Kate Osborne Tyneview Primary NE6 3QP Newcastle upon Tyne North East Mary Glindon