Munira Wilson Portrait

Munira Wilson

Liberal Democrat - Twickenham

21,457 (40.0%) majority - 2024 General Election

First elected: 12th December 2019

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Education, Children and Families)

(since September 2024)

Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill
15th Jan 2025 - 11th Feb 2025
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Education)
21st Oct 2021 - 18th Sep 2024
Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Bill
8th Feb 2023 - 22nd Feb 2023
Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Bill
14th Dec 2022 - 11th Jan 2023
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Health and Social Care)
6th Jan 2020 - 21st Oct 2021
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Transport)
6th Jan 2020 - 7th Sep 2020


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Munira Wilson has voted in 217 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Munira Wilson Division Votes

Debates during the 2024 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Catherine McKinnell (Labour)
(32 debate interactions)
Stephen Morgan (Labour)
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
(28 debate interactions)
Lindsay Hoyle (Speaker)
(18 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department for Education
(158 debate contributions)
HM Treasury
(27 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Finance Act 2025
(1,631 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Munira Wilson's debates

Twickenham Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Petition Debates Contributed

Prevent independent schools from having to pay VAT on fees and incurring business rates as a result of new legislation.


Latest EDMs signed by Munira Wilson

10th September 2025
Munira Wilson signed this EDM on Friday 12th September 2025

Independence of Healthwatch England

Tabled by: Jess Brown-Fuller (Liberal Democrat - Chichester)
That this House notes with concern proposals in the NHS 10-year health plan to abolish Healthwatch England and the network of 152 local Healthwatch bodies; recognises that Healthwatch England is an independent statutory body that ensures NHS leaders listen to feedback and improve standards of care, is impartial, and enables …
19 signatures
(Most recent: 16 Sep 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 18
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
10th September 2025
Munira Wilson signed this EDM on Thursday 11th September 2025

Dame Annette Brooke

Tabled by: Vikki Slade (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dorset and North Poole)
That this House celebrates the life and achievements of Dame Annette Brooke, Privy Counsellor, former hon. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole, Deputy Leader of Poole Borough Council, Liberal Democrat Group Leader and Mayor of Poole, and expresses deep sadness at her death on 30 August 2025; commends Annette’s …
37 signatures
(Most recent: 16 Sep 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 35
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Conservative: 1
View All Munira Wilson's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Munira Wilson, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


2 Urgent Questions tabled by Munira Wilson

1 Adjournment Debate led by Munira Wilson

Friday 26th July 2024

6 Bills introduced by Munira Wilson


A Bill to require the Secretary of State to lay before Parliament annual reports on progress in reducing miscarriage and stillbirth rates among Black and Asian women.

Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 6th May 2022

A Bill to require the Government to report annually to Parliament on mental health provision for children and young people.

Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 6th May 2022

A Bill to require the Chief Inspector of Drinking Water to issue guidance to water companies on poly and perfluorinated alkyl substances in drinking water; and for connected purposes

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 11th July 2025

A Bill to make provision to require every school to have access to a qualified mental health professional; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Tuesday 9th January 2024
(Read Debate)

A Bill to provide for a statutory definition of kinship care; to make provision about allowances and parental leave for kinship carers who take on responsibility for children whose parents are unable to care for them; to make provision about education in relation to children who are looked after by a kinship carer; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Tuesday 5th July 2022
(Read Debate)

A Bill to establish a right to specialist sexual violence and abuse support services for victims of sexual, violent and domestic abuse; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Tuesday 10th March 2020

19 Bills co-sponsored by Munira Wilson

Neurodivergence (Screening and Teacher Training) Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Adam Dance (LD)

Clean Air (Human Rights) Bill 2023-24
Sponsor - Caroline Lucas (Green)

Children (Parental Imprisonment) Bill 2023-24
Sponsor - Kerry McCarthy (Lab)

Primary care services (report) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Daisy Cooper (LD)

National Minimum Wage Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Paula Barker (Lab)

Free School Meals (Primary Schools) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Zarah Sultana (Ind)

Carers and Care Workers Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Helen Morgan (LD)

Fire and Building Safety (Public Inquiry) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Daisy Cooper (LD)

Schools and Educational Settings (Essential Infrastructure and Opening During Emergencies) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Robert Halfon (Con)

Sewage Discharges Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Tim Farron (LD)

Disposable Barbecues Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Robert Largan (Con)

Breast Screening Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Steve Brine (Con)

School Toilets (Access During Lessons) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Layla Moran (LD)

Remote Participation in House of Commons Proceedings (Motion) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Dawn Butler (Lab)

Supported Housing (Regulation) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Kerry McCarthy (Lab)

Environment (Regulation) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Tim Farron (LD)

International Development (Women’s Sanitary Products) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Wendy Chamberlain (LD)

Immigration (Health and Social Care Staff) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Christine Jardine (LD)

Remote Participation in House of Commons Proceedings Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Dawn Butler (Lab)


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
12th Sep 2025
To ask the Solicitor General, how many estates are listed on the Bona Vacantia list.

The Bona Vacantia unclaimed estates list was temporarily removed from GOV.UK on 7 July 2025. At this time, the number of estates published on the list was 5,770.

The future publication of the list is currently under review.

Estates administered as bona vacantia continue to be published in The Gazette.

Ellie Reeves
Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
11th Sep 2025
To ask the Solicitor General, when the Bona Vacantia list will be made publicly available again on the Government website.

The Bona Vacantia unclaimed estates list was temporarily removed from GOV.UK on 7 July 2025. At this time, the number of estates published on the list was 5,770.

The future publication of the list is currently under review.

Estates administered as bona vacantia continue to be published in The Gazette.

Ellie Reeves
Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
19th May 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans to answer Question 49434 tabled on 30 April 2025 by the hon. Member for Twickenham.

With apologies to the hon. Member, a response has now been issued.

Georgia Gould
Minister of State (Education)
14th May 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the publication entitled Government Property Strategy 2022-2030, published on 29 August 2022, remains his policy.

The Cabinet Office is currently working to update the Government Property Strategy. The existing strategy will remain in place until a new strategy is published.

Georgia Gould
Minister of State (Education)
30th Apr 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which public bodies have processes for disposing of surplus assets below market rate in the community interest; and what form these processes take.

Information on the disposal of surplus assets by public bodies is not held centrally.

Georgia Gould
Minister of State (Education)
30th Apr 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government Property Agency has a process allowing for the disposal of surplus government assets below market rate when a disposal is in the community interest.

Government organisations including the Government Property Agency must follow the provisions for the disposal of surplus government property established in guidance issued by HM Treasury, specifically that disposal decisions should take account of wider social costs and benefits and should form part of any appraisal, and when appropriate it may be justifiable to choose an option that does not generate the highest Exchequer receipt, for example to support a wider government policy objective such as regeneration.


HMT guidance sets out the method for calculating wider social, economic and environmental benefits in policy and project appraisal, and how to treat disposals at less than market value.

Georgia Gould
Minister of State (Education)
3rd Apr 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many claimants were awarded compensation by the Infected Blood Compensation Authority by 31 March 2025.

The Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) publishes updated figures every month.

As of 14 March, IBCA had invited 255 people to start their compensation claim, and 214 of those had started the claim process. 63 offers of compensation had been made, totalling over £73 million, and so far 40 people had accepted their offers with more than £44 million paid in compensation.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
6th Sep 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the Government last held discussions with the European Commission on the potential merits of negotiating a mutual recognition of professional qualifications agreement for the aviation sector.

We have already begun working to reset the UK-EU relationship. The Prime Minister has had positive early calls and meetings, including with Ursula von der Leyen, and key leaders in Member States. The Minister for the Cabinet Office has visited Brussels twice in the first two weeks of the new Government and met with his counterpart, Executive Vice President Maroš Šefčovič.

We want to improve the trading relationship with the EU, including on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications, and we look forward to exploring this further with our European partners.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
6th Sep 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans to commence negotiations on a future reciprocal agreement with the European Commission for professional qualifications.

We have already begun working to reset the UK-EU relationship. The Prime Minister has had positive early calls and meetings, including with Ursula von der Leyen, and key leaders in Member States. The Minister for the Cabinet Office has visited Brussels twice in the first two weeks of the new Government and met with his counterpart, Executive Vice President Maroš Šefčovič.

We want to improve the trading relationship with the EU, including on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications, and we look forward to exploring this further with our European partners.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
7th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the current regulatory framework for the locksmith industry.

The UK’s framework for occupational regulation upholds public protection, while ensuring regulatory burdens on industry are proportionate. Although the locksmithing profession is not subject to statutory regulation, several self-regulating trade associations and accreditation schemes exist within the industry and provide training, conduct criminal record checks, and inspect their members.

The government keeps the occupational regulation regime under review and continues to monitor any concerns raised by the public or the industry, including those related to locksmithing.

7th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to address consumer protection concerns in the locksmith sector.

The UK’s framework for occupational regulation upholds public protection, while ensuring regulatory burdens on industry are proportionate. Although the locksmithing profession is not subject to statutory regulation, several self-regulating trade associations and accreditation schemes exist within the industry and provide training, conduct criminal record checks, and inspect their members.

The Government encourages consumers to use providers that operate under a regulated trusted trader scheme, such as the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA), which has a Police Crime Prevention-approved licensing scheme in place to ensure approved locksmiths are appropriately vetted, inspected and qualified.

16th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with Royal Mail on improving (a) service and (b) delivery.

Ministers and officials have discussions with Royal Mail on a regular basis in its capacity as the universal service provider.

It is for Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, to set and monitor Royal Mail’s service standards and decide how to use its powers to investigate and take enforcement action should Royal Mail fail to achieve its obligations without good justification.

Ofcom is investigating Royal Mail’s performance in the 2024-25 financial year for failing to meet its regulated targets. The government expects that Ofcom will continue to closely monitor Royal Mail’s performance and take action where appropriate.

16th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support access to postal services for small businesses.

The government recognises that small businesses are critical to our communities and essential to our economic success. We are committed to hardwiring the voice of small business into everything we do and collaborating with businesses and workers to kickstart and rebuild our economy.

The universal postal service ensures that SMEs have access to an affordable service, both in the UK and internationally.

Ofcom, as independent regulator for the postal sector, is responsible for securing the provision of a universal postal service. In its 2023-24 Post Monitoring Report, Ofcom found that overall three-quarters (74%) of SMEs were satisfied with the quality of service they receive from Royal Mail, while overall satisfaction with other providers stood at 81%.

8th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to restrict dual-use technology from being exported to Israel.

All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria.

On 2 September we took decisive action, suspending certain licences for exports of items for the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) that might be used in military operations in Gaza – whether such licences covered military or dual-use goods – and we continue to review licence applications on this basis.

Douglas Alexander
Secretary of State for Scotland
6th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of creating an ombudsman for home owner property extensions.

The Government continues to consider ways in which consumers can be supported in accessing redress and regularly reviews how standards of consumer protection within the construction sector could be improved.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 contains measures to improve Alternative Dispute Resolution in consumer markets by raising standards of consistency and quality, and encouraging business take up.

The Government-funded Citizens Advice consumer service offers free advice to consumers on their rights and how to take complaints forward. A list of Alternative Dispute Resolution bodies and their related sector is available on the Chartered Trading Standards Institute website.

6th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has met with the Licence UK Construction Task Force set up by the Federation of Master Builders.

The Government regularly reviews how standards of consumer protection within the construction sector could be improved. This includes discussions with industry stakeholders, such as the Federation of Master Builders, and with Members of Parliament on a licensing scheme to protect consumers.

There are advantages and disadvantages to introducing a licencing scheme in the domestic construction market. The advantages may include higher standards of competence and more effective consumer redress. Whilst the disadvantages may include the cost, complexity and additional administrative burden. Any action that the Government takes on licensing to protect customers and standards needs to be robust, proportionate and evidence based.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Home Office)
6th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the Federation of Master Builders report entitled Licence to build: A pathway to licensing UK construction, published on 2 July 2018.

The Government regularly reviews how standards of consumer protection within the construction sector could be improved. This includes discussions with industry stakeholders, such as the Federation of Master Builders, and with Members of Parliament on a licensing scheme to protect consumers.

There are advantages and disadvantages to introducing a licencing scheme in the domestic construction market. The advantages may include higher standards of competence and more effective consumer redress. Whilst the disadvantages may include the cost, complexity and additional administrative burden. Any action that the Government takes on licensing to protect customers and standards needs to be robust, proportionate and evidence based.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Home Office)
6th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring builders to (a) have relevant qualifications and (b) demonstrate a certain competence level to undertake specific work.

The Building Safety Act requires that all those undertaking work in the built environment must be competent and have the right skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours.

The Government is working with the construction industry to support the development and implementation of competence frameworks for built environment occupations that identify the core skills, qualifications and competence levels needed to undertake work. Engagement with DfE, Skills England and Standard Setting Bodies is a key part of developing the frameworks to align with and improve existing qualification routes to deliver the competence levels required.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Home Office)
10th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing (a) licencing for builders and (b) affordable recourse for people impacted by rogue builders.

This Government is working to ensure we have a high-quality and professional construction industry, which delivers safe work and has consumer protection at the heart of this. Any licencing scheme would need to be robust, proportionate and evidence based.

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 sets out the standards consumers can expect from traders and remedies if these rights are breached. Consumers can seek redress through the Small Claims Court, where they can pursue claims of up to £10,000 against a rogue builder. Citizens Advice provides information on making claims and can refer complaints on to Trading Standards for appropriate enforcement action.

10th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing the use of hydrometallurgical separation in the recycling of electric vehicle batteries to help facilitate the recovery of lithium.

The Government seeks to encourage sustainable critical mineral production and pro-cessing. As electric vehicle batteries reach the end of their economic life, there will be an opportunity and necessity to repair, repurpose, reuse, and recycle them. The chemicals sector will play an important role in recovering valuable materials like lithium, enhancing environmental sustainability, and alleviating pressure on primary supply

To this end, the Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF) aims to support the creation of an internationally competitive electric vehicle supply chain in the UK. It provides support to late-stage R&D and capital investments in strategically important technologies. This in-cludes unlocking strategic investments in battery recycling.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Home Office)
8th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of recycling lithium iron phosphate batteries.

The UK currently has an emerging capacity to recycle lithium-ion batteries, with most EV batteries being dismantled and shipped to Europe.

Recyclus Group, based in Wolverhampton, is the country's first and only industrial-scale recycling facility. It is licenced to turn 22,000 tonnes of spent lithium-ion batteries, taken from a range of sources including electric cars, each year into black mass without using water, and has a low carbon footprint.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Home Office)
3rd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he plans to respond to the correspondence of 2 October 2024 from the hon. Member for Twickenham on the reciprocity of aviation qualifications.

A response was issued on 6 January.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Home Office)
8th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment the Cabinet Committee on the Future of Work has made of the potential merits of improving employment rights for kinship carers.

The Government greatly values kinship carers who come forward to care for children who cannot live with their parents.

The Government has committed in the Plan to Make Work Pay to review the system of parental leave to ensure that it better supports working families.

It is a long established precedent that information about the discussions that have taken place at Cabinet and its committees is not normally made public.

3rd Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will amend the Climate Change Act 2008 to include International Aviation and Shipping in UK carbon budgets.

The sixth carbon budget will include the UK’s share of international aviation and shipping (IAS) emissions for the first time, in line with the previous administration’s announcement in April 2021. The sixth carbon budget has already been set at 965 MtCO2e in the Carbon Budget Order 2021, which reflects that this will include IAS.

Including IAS in the carbon budget from a legal perspective means making regulations under s.30 of the Climate Change Act 2008. This Government intends to legislate for IAS inclusion at the earliest possible opportunity, subject to Parliamentary scheduling.

8th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the Government Office for Science's research entitled What are the technical and policy barriers to increasing EV battery recycling capacity in the UK?, updated on 21 November 2023, what progress he has made in researching (a) water miscible binders, (b) binderless electrodes and (c) methods of recycling polyvinylidene difluoride.

The £610m Faraday Battery Challenge, delivered by Innovate UK, supports mission-led academic research on battery recycling technologies through the Faraday Institution’s (FI’s) ReLiB project. ReLiB researchers at the University of Leicester have recently demonstrated algae-derived water miscible anode blinders that can be fully recovered at the end of the batteries life, and are looking to demonstrate an “all” water-soluble binder system that will simplifying battery recycling by the Summer 2025.

ReLiB researchers at the University of Birmingham have also been collaborating with a leading supplier of polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) binder on the use of “green” solvents for binder recovery from used batteries. They have also recently demonstrated a new process to recover and reuse PVDF binders in new cells.

Michael Shanks
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
11th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to ensure a just transition to a renewable energy based economy.

The Government is actively coordinating its efforts to ensure a just transition, enabling workers to benefit from the economic opportunities arising from our shift to net zero. To support this, it has established the Office for Clean Energy Jobs, which aims to assist workers and communities at risk of economic displacement by focusing on skill development and training in the clean energy and net zero sectors. The Government’s primary goal is to create quality jobs in Britain’s industrial heartlands, ensuring a fair transition for industries based in the North Sea.

Michael Shanks
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
11th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps the Government is taking to secure further International Climate Finance commitments from member states at COP29.

This Government is committed to restoring the UK’s global leadership on climate and nature. We are honouring the existing commitment on our pledge to spend £11.6bn in International Climate Finance between April 2021 and March 2026 including at least £3bn on nature, from which £1.5bn will be dedicated to protecting and restoring forests. In doing so, we can encourage member states at COP29 to follow our example. Public finance will continue to be key, but we cannot act alone. A concerted and sustained global effort to boost finance from all sources is necessary.

4th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the (a) effectiveness and (b) costs of geothermal energy.

We know that to achieve net zero, we must look at how we can accelerate the potential of all low carbon technologies including geothermal. The Government understands that geothermal can play a role in our decarbonisation ambitions particularly as a low carbon source for heat via heat networks. We have commissioned research into the potential costs of geothermal heat in the UK and will use this to understand how the government can support the sector to achieve its potential.

15th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when he plans to respond to the correspondence of 13 March 2025 from the hon. Member for Twickenham, case reference MC2025-00007485.

The Department attaches great importance to providing timely responses to correspondence and is working hard to improve our processes, including through greater digitisation. A response to this letter was regrettably delayed by administrative error, for which the Department sincerely apologises. We issued a full response on 16 May 2025.

7th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when he plans to make a policy announcement on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence, following the consultation on which closed on 25 February 2025.

The Government received over 11,500 responses to the consultation on copyright and AI. It is now carefully considering these responses, and a Government response will be published when this work is complete. Government amendments to the Data (Use and Access) Bill commit the Government to publishing a full report on some of the issues covered in the consultation within 12 months of Royal Assent.

25th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Advanced Research and Invention Agency on geoengineering proposals that aim to block sunlight.

The Secretary of State has regular discussions with ARIA on a range of matters. As set out in ARIA’s Framework Agreement, ARIA has unique operational freedoms, including over its research and project choice and its procedures. This independence allows ARIA to take bold steps to better understand the world we live in, and the Government supports ARIA exploring critical areas like this.

The government is not in favour of using Solar Radiation Modification. ARIA is an independent research body and they are conducting cautious, controlled research aimed at improving understanding of its risks and impacts. The government supports ARIA’s mission to fund transformational research programmes with long-term benefits.

For further detail on ARIA’s ‘Exploring Climate Cooling’ programme specifically, I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I provided on 2 May 2025 to Question UIN 47970.

2nd Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what guidance he plans to issue on whether seeking a suicide partner online is regulated under the Online Safety Act 2023.

DSIT published an impact assessment for the Online Safety Act which contains estimates on the number of firms in scope. DSIT has not made a specific estimate in these areas nor has set specific targets.

The Act will require in-scope services to prevent all users from accessing illegal suicide and self-harm content including illegal eating disorder content, as well as protecting children from legal content which encourages, promotes or provides instruction for suicide, self-injury or eating disorders online.

Ofcom, responsible for the Act’s implementation, will provide guidance or codes of practice relating to the safety duties.

DSIT is developing a framework to evaluate the Act’s implementation and core outcomes.

2nd Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the number of deaths associated with pro-anorexia coaches operating online.

DSIT published an impact assessment for the Online Safety Act which contains estimates on the number of firms in scope. DSIT has not made a specific estimate in these areas nor has set specific targets.

The Act will require in-scope services to prevent all users from accessing illegal suicide and self-harm content including illegal eating disorder content, as well as protecting children from legal content which encourages, promotes or provides instruction for suicide, self-injury or eating disorders online.

Ofcom, responsible for the Act’s implementation, will provide guidance or codes of practice relating to the safety duties.

DSIT is developing a framework to evaluate the Act’s implementation and core outcomes.

2nd Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department has set a target for reduction in the numbers of deaths by suicide associated with suicide forums following full implementation of the Online Safety Act 2023.

DSIT published an impact assessment for the Online Safety Act which contains estimates on the number of firms in scope. DSIT has not made a specific estimate in these areas nor has set specific targets.

The Act will require in-scope services to prevent all users from accessing illegal suicide and self-harm content including illegal eating disorder content, as well as protecting children from legal content which encourages, promotes or provides instruction for suicide, self-injury or eating disorders online.

Ofcom, responsible for the Act’s implementation, will provide guidance or codes of practice relating to the safety duties.

DSIT is developing a framework to evaluate the Act’s implementation and core outcomes.

2nd Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what estimate his Department has made of the number of (a) suicide and (b) eating disorder forums accessible to UK internet users.

DSIT published an impact assessment for the Online Safety Act which contains estimates on the number of firms in scope. DSIT has not made a specific estimate in these areas nor has set specific targets.

The Act will require in-scope services to prevent all users from accessing illegal suicide and self-harm content including illegal eating disorder content, as well as protecting children from legal content which encourages, promotes or provides instruction for suicide, self-injury or eating disorders online.

Ofcom, responsible for the Act’s implementation, will provide guidance or codes of practice relating to the safety duties.

DSIT is developing a framework to evaluate the Act’s implementation and core outcomes.

27th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 12 November 2024 to Question 12521 on Dogs: Animal Experiments, when he plans to publish further details on plans to accelerate the development, validation and uptake of alternatives to animal testing.

The Labour Manifesto includes a commitment to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing”. Our approach has been to support the development and application of approaches that replace, reduce and refine the use of animals in research (the 3Rs).

We recognise that any work to phase out animal testing and accelerate the development, validation and uptake of alternatives to animal testing must be in lock step with partners, and so we are meeting with stakeholders to pursue this work. We will make any announcements on our plans in due course.

26th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether Poland's President will be invited to the 80th VE celebrations.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is leading the Government’s contribution to the VE and VJ Day 80 and is working closely with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to ensure appropriate representation at official events. The guest list for the commemorations has not been finalised.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
30th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 17 January 2025 to Question 22681 on Broadcasting, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact on the protection of children online of including podcasts in the broadcasting code.

Ofcom, the independent regulator, is responsible for drafting and maintaining the Broadcasting Code, which outlines standards for television and radio broadcasting in the United Kingdom. The Government has no plans to make an assessment of the potential impact on the protection of children by including online podcasts in the Broadcasting Code.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
8th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will include podcasts in the broadcasting code.

The Government has no plans to widen the scope of the Broadcasting Code to include all online podcasts.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
11th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what progress the Creator Remuneration Group has made; and what steps her Department plans to take to help ensure creators are fairly remunerated for their work.

The government wants to see remuneration arrangements that create the right conditions for sparking and driving innovation and investment, whilst rewarding creators for their work.

The governments response to the CMS Committee’s report on Creator Remuneration acknowledges the challenges facing creatives. In responding, the government has committed to exploring the case for a Freelance Commissioner and highlights the new provisions in the Employment Rights Bill. The government is also committed to finding the right balance between fostering innovation in artificial intelligence and ensuring protection for creators and investment in the creative industries. We intend to proceed carefully but with a degree of urgency in this area and hope to announce next steps soon.

On music streaming specifically, the government believes all artists and creators should be appropriately remunerated for the use of their works, as this is what allows them to invest their time, effort, and money into creating music. That is why this government is engaging with music stakeholders, including through a working group to pursue industry-led actions on remuneration from music streaming. We will continue to bring industry and creator representatives together to address issues and find solutions.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
29th Aug 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many of the 13,660 children looked after in kinship foster care on 31 March 2024 were subject to (a) a full care order, (b) an interim care order and (c) a voluntary arrangement under Section 20 of the Children Act 1989.

Information on the number of children looked-after in foster placements with relatives or friends by legal status is shown in the table below.

Number of children in England in foster placements with relatives or friends at 31 March 2024 by legal status

Interim care order (C1)

3,430

Full care order (C2)

8,450

Single period of accommodation under section 20 (Children Act 1989) (V2)

1,720

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
  2. An additional 70 children were in foster placements with relatives or friends in other types of placement. These other placements include short term breaks, placement orders granted, police protection orders, emergency protection orders and child assessment orders.
  3. Historical data may differ marginally from data that has been published in previous questions on this theme. This is mainly due to the implementation of minor amendments and corrections sent by some local authorities after the publication date of previous materials.

The latest information on children looked-after in foster placements with relatives or friends under all legal statuses, relating to the year ending 31 March 2024, was published on 14 November 2024 in the annual statistical release ‘Children looked after in England including adoptions’ at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoptions/2024.

29th Aug 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of applying VAT to independent school fees on boys who are neurodiverse.

HM Treasury published a Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) on applying VAT to independent school fees. This is a comprehensive assessment of the VAT policy, including impacts on individuals and families, and equalities impacts. The TIIN is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-on-private-school-fees/applying-vat-to-private-school-fees#who-is-likely-to-be-affected.

Olivia Bailey
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
17th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether any of the funding announced in the Spending Review for reform of the SEND system will be used to cover existing SEND related deficits at local authority level.

At the 2025 Spending Review, the department announced that funding for schools will increase by £4.7 billion per year by 2028/29 compared to the 2025/26 core schools budget, which was published in the Spring Statement 2025.

This additional funding will enable us to transform the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system to make mainstream education more inclusive and improve outcomes for children with SEND.

Details of the government's intended approach to SEND reform, including how we will ensure children get the support they need earlier, will be set out in a Schools White Paper in the autumn.

We do not expect local authorities to use their future high needs funding allocations to pay down their historic deficits.

17th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much of the funding announced in the Spending Review 2025 for reform of the SEND system will be invested in improving early identification of SEND.

At the 2025 Spending Review, the department announced that funding for schools will increase by £4.7 billion per year by 2028/29 compared to the 2025/26 core schools budget, which was published in the Spring Statement 2025.

This additional funding will enable us to transform the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system to make mainstream education more inclusive and improve outcomes for children with SEND.

Details of the government's intended approach to SEND reform, including how we will ensure children get the support they need earlier, will be set out in a Schools White Paper in the autumn.

We do not expect local authorities to use their future high needs funding allocations to pay down their historic deficits.

17th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much of the increase to the core schools budget for 2025-26 and 2026-27 is expected to be spent by schools in covering part of the (a) recent teacher pay rise and (b) National Insurance contribution increase.

The department is providing £1.4 billion to support schools with their increases to employer National Insurance contributions and staff pay awards in the 2025/26 financial year. Following the spring Spending Review, this level of funding will continue, and we announced additional funding that will take core school budgets to £65.9 billion by the 2028/29 financial year. Schools have autonomy over how they use their core funding to best meet their priorities, including any decisions on staffing.

More information on core funding allocations for 2026/27 will be announced in the autumn, as part of the usual national funding formulae process. Costs such as pay for future years are currently uncertain and subject to the outcomes of separate pay processes.

12th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the announced expansion to Free School Meals eligibility will affect eligibility for Free School Transport.

100,000 children will be lifted out of poverty by the end of this Parliament, through the extension of free school meals (FSM) to all households on Universal Credit. Children who meet the new, higher threshold for FSM from September 2026 will not automatically be entitled to ‘extended rights’ home to school travel. The government’s overriding priority is to tackle child hunger.

Children will continue to be eligible for ‘extended rights’ home to school transport if they live in a household with an income below the existing FSM threshold and meet the eligibility criteria relating to the distance between their home and school. Further information about a new mechanism for assessing eligibility for ‘extended rights’ home to school travel will be available shortly.