Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions have taken place with other key players to ensure that the Modern Service Framework for Palliative and End of Life Care will be effective.

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

We will publish an interim update on the Modern Service Framework (MSF) for Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care shortly. The final MSF will be published this autumn.

The MSF will provide a clinically-led, evidence-based framework to support sustained improvement in patient and carer outcomes, including reducing both inequality and unwarranted variation. Areas of action will be identified for those commissioning and delivering services, with associated performance and outcome metrics to support system accountability. The MSF will seek to embed palliative care and end-of-life care within a strategic commissioning model that is centred on population need.

We have been engaging with a range of stakeholders, from approximately 70 organisations, to inform the MSF’s development, including the Ambitions Partnership. We are also undertaking engagement with integrated care systems through National Health Service regional teams. We have also been working closely with teams leading on the other MSFs, to ensure that they align with each other.

Following the publication of the interim update, Department and NHS England officials will continue to engage closely with stakeholders on the development of the final MSF.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what next steps will be taken following the publication of the interim statement on the Modern Service Framework for Palliative and End of Life Care.

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

We will publish an interim update on the Modern Service Framework (MSF) for Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care shortly. The final MSF will be published this autumn.

The MSF will provide a clinically-led, evidence-based framework to support sustained improvement in patient and carer outcomes, including reducing both inequality and unwarranted variation. Areas of action will be identified for those commissioning and delivering services, with associated performance and outcome metrics to support system accountability. The MSF will seek to embed palliative care and end-of-life care within a strategic commissioning model that is centred on population need.

We have been engaging with a range of stakeholders, from approximately 70 organisations, to inform the MSF’s development, including the Ambitions Partnership. We are also undertaking engagement with integrated care systems through National Health Service regional teams. We have also been working closely with teams leading on the other MSFs, to ensure that they align with each other.

Following the publication of the interim update, Department and NHS England officials will continue to engage closely with stakeholders on the development of the final MSF.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans his Department has to help improve housing affordability in the private rented sector.

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

In addition to the steps the government is taking to increase the supply of homes of all tenures, our Renters’ Rights Act has empowered private rented sector tenants to challenge unreasonable rent increases, outlawed rental bidding and ended the practice of landlords demanding large amounts of rent in advance from tenants looking to secure a tenancy.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans his Department has to support and increase the building of social homes by local authorities and housing associations.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statements made on 2 July 2025 (HCWS771) and 28 January 2026 (HCWS1283) and the Social and Affordable Homes Programme 2026-2036 policy statement published on 7 November, which can be found on gov.uk here.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of restricting or banning lawful demonstrations on community relations and levels of antisemitism; and what steps she is taking to distinguish between antisemitic conduct and legitimate political protest.

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

Antisemitism has absolutely no place in our society, which is why this Government is taking strong action to tackle it in all its forms, wherever it happens.

This Government is committed to protecting the right to peaceful protest, while ensuring public order legislation balances freedom of expression with protecting the public from serious disruption or harm. Under the Public Order Act 1986 the police have powers to place conditions on protests, and it is for individual forces to determine the most appropriate approach based on the specific context. Under section 13 of the Public Order Act 1986, if a chief officer of police assesses that conditions alone will not be sufficient to prevent serious public disorder, they can seek the Home Secretary's consent to ban a march. However, the request must come from a chief officer and the Home Secretary cannot initiate a ban. There is no power to ban static assemblies.

The new Crime and Policing Act 2026 introduces measures such as Cumulative Disruption and Places of Worship provisions, designed to strengthen police powers to address intimidation and harm directed at communities, including the Jewish community, while safeguarding the right to peaceful protest. The police have our full support to take appropriate action when protests cross the line from peaceful demonstration to serious disruption.

Lord Macdonald of River Glaven is undertaking a review that will address whether the existing legislation is effective and proportionate, whether it adequately protects communities from intimidation and hate, and whether it strikes a fair and sustainable balance between the right to freedom of expression and peaceful protest, and the need to prevent disorder and keep communities safe. The review is underway and will report its findings to the Home Secretary by the end of May 2026.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Ninth Report of the Environmental Audit Committee of Session 2024-26 on Addressing the risks from Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), HC 852, published on 23 April 2026, what steps she is planning to take to help phase out the use of PFAS in everyday products.

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

Steps to better understand the sources of these chemicals, tackle how they move around in the environment, and act to reduce public and environmental exposure were set out on 3 February 2026 in the UK’s first-ever PFAS Plan. PFAS Plan: building a safer future together - GOV.UK

This includes actions on food contact materials, school uniforms and other consumer products.

We are closely following the specific measures adopted by France and Denmark which will usefully inform the development of the actions we take forward from the plan.

Our long-term vision is to work in partnership, taking a science-based and proportionate approach, to reduce and minimise the impacts of harmful PFAS on public health and the environment, including through the transition to safer alternatives.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a written constitution for the UK.

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

The UK’s uncodified constitution has evolved over time and is made up of conventions, statutes, judicial decisions, principles and practices. It is the Government’s view that one of the strengths of our constitution is its flexibility and ability to evolve in response to changing circumstances. The Government therefore has no plans to introduce a codified constitution.

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 introducing Enhanced DBS checks for people applying for certain categories of drone operation, particularly commercial or higher-risk use.

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

The Department for Transport keeps the regulatory framework governing the use of uncrewed aircraft under regular review to ensure it remains proportionate, effective and fit for purpose, including in residential and sensitive areas.

Following a review of the UK’s drone regulatory framework, new drones weighing 250g or more are required, from 1 January 2026, to be equipped with direct remote identification before being placed on the market. From 2028, remote identification will be mandatory for all drones over 250g and all drones with cameras over 100g.

On 5 May, the Government announced an investment of £20.5m in a world-leading Hybrid Remote ID system to meet future security and airspace needs and improve traceability and accountability of drone operations. This will allow authorised authorities to identify and track drones and their operators in both real time and historic records to tackle illegal and unsafe drone use. We are also introducing enhanced identity verification by linking drone registration records to verified real‑world identities.

The police powers introduced by the Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft (ATMUA) Act 2021 alongside the CAA’s Registration and Education service, combined with the Hybrid Remote ID and identity verification ensure that all drone use receives the same high degree of oversight to ensure safety and acceptable use.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will consider introducing additional safeguards for drone use in residential and sensitive areas such as schools.

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

The Department for Transport keeps the regulatory framework governing the use of uncrewed aircraft under regular review to ensure it remains proportionate, effective and fit for purpose, including in residential and sensitive areas.

Following a review of the UK’s drone regulatory framework, new drones weighing 250g or more are required, from 1 January 2026, to be equipped with direct remote identification before being placed on the market. From 2028, remote identification will be mandatory for all drones over 250g and all drones with cameras over 100g.

On 5 May, the Government announced an investment of £20.5m in a world-leading Hybrid Remote ID system to meet future security and airspace needs and improve traceability and accountability of drone operations. This will allow authorised authorities to identify and track drones and their operators in both real time and historic records to tackle illegal and unsafe drone use. We are also introducing enhanced identity verification by linking drone registration records to verified real‑world identities.

The police powers introduced by the Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft (ATMUA) Act 2021 alongside the CAA’s Registration and Education service, combined with the Hybrid Remote ID and identity verification ensure that all drone use receives the same high degree of oversight to ensure safety and acceptable use.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how she will ensure that regulatory frameworks keep pace with advancing drone technology and its potential for misuse.

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

The Department for Transport keeps the regulatory framework governing the use of uncrewed aircraft under regular review to ensure it remains proportionate, effective and fit for purpose, including in residential and sensitive areas.

Following a review of the UK’s drone regulatory framework, new drones weighing 250g or more are required, from 1 January 2026, to be equipped with direct remote identification before being placed on the market. From 2028, remote identification will be mandatory for all drones over 250g and all drones with cameras over 100g.

On 5 May, the Government announced an investment of £20.5m in a world-leading Hybrid Remote ID system to meet future security and airspace needs and improve traceability and accountability of drone operations. This will allow authorised authorities to identify and track drones and their operators in both real time and historic records to tackle illegal and unsafe drone use. We are also introducing enhanced identity verification by linking drone registration records to verified real‑world identities.

The police powers introduced by the Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft (ATMUA) Act 2021 alongside the CAA’s Registration and Education service, combined with the Hybrid Remote ID and identity verification ensure that all drone use receives the same high degree of oversight to ensure safety and acceptable use.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to review drone licensing laws.

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

The Department for Transport keeps the regulatory framework governing the use and licensing of drones under regular review to ensure it remains proportionate, effective and fit for purpose.

In 2023, the Department commissioned the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to review and streamline the regulatory framework for drones carried over from our membership of the European Union. The aim of that review was to simplify legislation and unlock the benefits of drones for the UK, while maintaining safety and security. The CAA ran a consultation, which received 3499 responses and concluded in 2025.

The Government is taking forward a number of actions informed by the outcome of this review, including updates to the regulatory framework through the Unmanned Aircraft (Amendment) Regulations 2025. These introduce new additional requirements for the registration of drones with cameras, and the introduction of geo-awareness and remote identification to improve safety, security and accountability.

On 5 May, the Government announced an investment of £20.5m in a world-leading Hybrid Remote ID system to meet future security and airspace needs and improve traceability and accountability of drone operations. This will allow authorised authorities to identify and track drones and their operators in real time and access historic records to tackle illegal and unsafe drone use. We are also introducing enhanced identity verification by linking drone registration records to verified real-world identities. We are also investing more than £26m this year to drive smarter regulation and make it easier for drones to be used in everyday public services and bring economic growth to the UK.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether financial support has been considered for charitable run air ambulances in light of rising aviation fuel costs.

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

The Operational Response Centre has been working closely with Air Ambulances UK from a resilience of fuel supply perspective, as part of routine, cross-Government emergency planning. There are no current plans to provide further funding to the sector which operates through a successful charitable model.

The Government supports the longstanding and successful independent air ambulance charities model, which enables close partnership working with local National Health Service trusts to provide medical guidance, supplies, and training. A charitable model is also a more feasible way to fund the high capital and revenue costs associated with helicopter emergency medical services.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what comparative assessment her Department has made of the level of public funding allocated to (a) animal-based research and (b) non-animal New Approach Methodologies in each of the last five years.

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

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) invests to support research which can lead to alternatives, such as organ-on-a-chip, cell-based assays, functional genomics and computer modelling. These are categorised as basic research, so calculating funding for New Approach Methodologies specifically is not possible. The Government has announced £75m of funding to accelerate alternatives and innovation, with new capabilities being developed across the UK. UKRI also invests in the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs).

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the economic impact of licensed greyhound racing.

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

Greyhound racing makes an important contribution to British cultural life and the department’s priority is ensuring the continued growth of the sport.

According to the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, greyhound racing contributes approximately £166 million to Britain’s annual GDP and £52 million to the Exchequer.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with the FBU on introducing national standards across fire and rescue services.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

MHCLG ministers and officials have engaged with the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) as part of fire and rescue reform work, including on the future approach to national standards.

In England, national professional standards are currently developed and maintained by the Fire Standards Board (FSB), which has published 19 non‑statutory standards covering topics relating to operational management, leadership and ethics.

The Government is taking forward work to establish a College of Fire and Rescue, as recommended by the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. We published a consultation on the scope and design of the College of Fire and Rescue on 20 May 2026 . As part of this consultation, we are seeking views on what an effective national standards function could look like, building on the FSB’s work.

The FBU is a crucial stakeholder and a member of the Ministerial Advisory Group on Fire and Rescue Reform (MAGFRR), which the Government established in December 2024 as part of its commitment to work formally with all stakeholders across the fire and rescue sector to inform policy.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of maintaining Local Housing Allowance at its 2024/25 level in the current financial year on levels of homelessness among Universal Credit claimants.

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

At Autumn Budget 2025, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions reviewed LHA and decided to maintain rates at current levels for 2026/27. Rent levels across Great Britian were considered alongside other factors, including wider benefit priorities, support currently available and the challenging fiscal context.

The causes of homelessness are multi-faceted and often complex. They interact dynamically, making it difficult to isolate the relative importance of individual factors. DWP continues to work closely with MHCLG on interactions with homelessness, and MHCLG published the National Plan to End Homelessness in December.

The new multi-year Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) gives councils more stable funding to support households in financial difficulty and to prevent crises before they occur. Renters facing a shortfall can apply for a CRF Housing Payment in England.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he has considered Introducing a statutory requirement for automatic no-contact orders to be imposed at the point of sentencing upon conviction for relevant sexual offences.

Answered by Catherine Atkinson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

The Government’s Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, published in December, focuses on relentlessly pursuing perpetrators, disrupting their behaviour and preventing reoffending, alongside supporting victims.

The police and courts already have robust powers to manage risk posed by sexual offenders. Almost all such offenders are subject to notification requirements (the Sex Offender Register). Breach is a criminal offence punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment, and individuals are managed under Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements. The police can also apply for civil orders to manage risk.

The court can impose various protective orders on conviction or acquittal. Sexual Harm Prevention Orders can be applied to those convicted or cautioned for sexual or violent offences, and Sexual Risk Orders to individuals who pose a risk, even without a conviction. These orders can impose tailored restrictions, such as no-contact conditions or limits on internet use. Sentencing in individual cases is a matter for the courts and the judiciary, considering the full circumstances of the case.

In addition, when offenders are first released from prison, they are subject to licence conditions under the supervision of the Probation Service. The licence conditions can be tailored to manage specific risks, such as prohibitions on contact with children, entering certain areas, or forming new relationships without disclosure. A breach of licence conditions can result in immediate recall to prison.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of providing free school milk to the end of reception year for all children.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The Department of Health and Social Care-led Nursery Milk Scheme (NMS) allows early years childcare settings registered with OFSTED to reclaim the cost of providing 189ml (one-third of a pint) of milk to children in their care who are under the age of five and who attend the childcare setting for at least two hours per day.

While the NMS entitlement ends once pupils reach the age of five, there are other provisions in place. The School Food Standards require lower fat or lactose reduced milk to be available to children who want it during school hours. As part of our proposals for updated School Food Standards, this daily requirement is retained, with semi‑skimmed milk, skimmed milk or lactose free milk continuing to be available for drinking at least once a day during school hours.

There is also separate legislation which allows pupils who are eligible under the current free school meal criteria, to continue to receive free milk at school after the age of five years old.

The government is expanding eligibility to free school meals meaning that more children are able to access milk when it is offered as part of their free meals. For these reasons, there are no current plans to extend NMS eligibility to the end of reception year.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans she has for permitted development rights for cross pavement electric vehicle charging to be introduced in England.

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

The Government understands planning is key to the rollout of EV charging infrastructure and is working to ensure the system supports installations.

As announced in April, we will introduce permitted development rights to expand EV charging provision, allowing for cross-pavement charging solutions and associated charging points.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans his Department has to help increase the number of empty properties used to deliver social rent homes.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 104908 on 19 January 2026 and UIN 87324 on 10 November 2025.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department plans to introduce a dedicated funding stream for the development, validation and uptake of non-animal New Approach Methodologies.

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

The Government has announced £75m of funding to accelerate alternatives and innovation, with new capabilities being developed across the UK. This funding will help bring forward advanced testing methods that can save lives and support a faster, science‑led route to regulation. £60 million of this is ring‑fenced, multi‑year funding secured through the 2025 Spending Review to provide long‑term stability for strategic programmes. The Department remains fully committed to delivering the actions set out in the Replacing Animals in Science strategy through the funding secured in the Review.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of accelerating the validation and uptake of non-animal New Approach Methodologies on the life sciences sector.

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

Building on the UK’s strengths as home to world leading research and pharmaceutical businesses, the Replacing Animals in Science Strategy will support the UK to capitalise on the global non-animal technologies market, and on the scientific and economic advantages of more human-relevant methods for product development and testing in support of the UK’s non-animal technologies market estimated to be worth over £2bn.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what is the extent of government financial support for the MBR Acres facility.

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

The Department of Science, Innovation and Technology has not provided any direct financial support to the MBR Acres facility.

Five-year indefinite leave to remain pathway for Skilled Worker visa holders

NARPO Love or Money Campaign

Retirement of Tracy Thirlwall

Communications blackout and human rights in Azad Jammu and Kashmir

Public health campaign on the dangers of swimming in open water

Sunday Times Rich List

The arrest and detention of Ehsan Ali by Pakistan authorities

Government response to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman report on communication of changes to women’s state pension age

Government response to Israel’s actions in the West Bank and Gaza

AI content labelling

Liushenyu mining disaster and workers’ safety

75th anniversary of the Easington Pit Disaster

Trade union support for Durham Pride

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Amendment) Regulations 2026

12th International Day of Yoga on 21 June 2026

Mabel Hempton Award for Bravery and HMP Frankland staff

VAT for UK hospitality

Ban on industrial action by prison officers

Prison education insourcing

Further education

Higher Education pensions

Draft Code of Practice on Services, public functions and associations

Protest rights

Steel import tariffs and further education colleges

Retirement leasehold service charges and exit fees

84th anniversary of the sinking of the SS Tilawa

Special educational needs and disabilities provision

Interception of Global Sumud Flotilla vessels in international waters

Inquiry into Labour Together

Job cuts planned at the BBC

Trophy hunting imports

Israel death penalty

Trans+ History Week

Seven-year anniversary of the mixed-aged couples’ rule

State of our Beaches report 2025

Bermuda and oil industry tax

Protection and restoration of ancient woodland

Hydrotherapy pools and access to rehabilitation services

Improving banking services for charities

New build homebuyer protection

UK-France one-in, one-out migration pilot

US sanctions on Cuba

UK digital sovereignty strategy

Statutory rights for trade union future-proofing jobs representatives

Nature restoration and flood risk

Payment of employment tribunal awards

The Iran conflict, the US naval blockade and price inflation

Mental Health Awareness Week 2026

78 years of the Palestinian Nakba

National Emergency Briefing