Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has undertaken into the functionality of free mainstream spelling and grammar software for students with specific learning difficulties and other disabilities compared with specialist assistive technology funded through Disabled Students' Allowance.

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

The department has conducted a detailed review of the spelling and grammar functionality available in computer operating systems, free software products and paid-for software products. This review concluded that free-to-access products provide similar spelling and grammar support functionality to those available in paid-for products for the types of support that are in scope of Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA).

As a result, from March 2025, the department removed funding for non-specialist spelling and grammar products through DSA other than in exceptional circumstances, as outlined at: https://www.practitioners.slc.co.uk/media/2070/ssin-spelling-and-grammar-software.pdf.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what consideration has been given to imposing additional tariffs on Chinese car imports.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government is continuing to monitor the impact of imports on the UK automotive sector. Where there is sufficient evidence of harm caused by unfair trading practices, industries may apply to the independent Trade Remedies Authority (TRA), which conducts trade remedy investigations. Where appropriate, the TRA may recommend measures to protect UK industries. The Government uses trade remedies transparently, in line with domestic legislation and World Trade Organization rules.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing a trial that would allow those with an older person's bus pass to travel before 9.30am on weekdays at a reduced cost of £1.

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

The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) currently provides free off-peak bus travel to eligible older and disabled people and costs around £795 million annually in reimbursement costs to operators. Any change to the statutory concession would therefore need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability. The Government has recently announced that, from April 2027, holders of a disabled person’s bus pass will be able to travel free of charge at all hours.

Local authorities in England already have powers to provide discretionary concessions in addition to the statutory ENCTS entitlement, including offering travel before 9.30am at a reduced fare or free of charge. Any such additional concessions are determined and funded locally, taking account of local needs and priorities.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what consideration has been given to banning disposable BBQs from use in public spaces.

Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Retailers have already been informed that disposable barbecues must be removed from sale immediately. The temporary measure will remain under review but will stay in place while the heightened wildfire risk continues.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what consideration he has given to introducing six weeks of statutory paternity leave, paid at 90% of earnings, with provision for self-employed parents.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The arrival of a child is a transformative time in a family’s life, and it is important that parents can take time away from work in the months following childbirth. We know that more can be done to support working families, which is why we launched the Parental Leave and Pay Review last year. All current parental leave and pay entitlements, including Paternity Leave and Pay, are in scope of the Review.

The Review is exploring how the system can better support working families, reflect the realities of modern work and childcare, balance the needs of parents, employers and the Exchequer. It is also looking at whether the support available meets the needs of other working families who do not qualify for existing entitlements — including the self-employed. The Review will conclude in early 2027 with a set of findings, and Government will outline next steps for implementing any reforms.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what consideration has been given to (a) capping or (b) abolishing airport dropping -off charges.

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

The setting of vehicle drop-off charges is a commercial matter for individual airport operators to decide and justify to their customers.

We are clear that airports must ensure that information about parking options and charges that apply is easily accessible to passengers and that parking and drop-off arrangements support the safe and efficient operation of the airport.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether consideration has been given to the potential merits of imposing new regulations for a minimum juice content of 50% in all cider and perry products.

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

This Government currently has no plans to change the rules governing minimum juice content in cider and perry. The current minimum juice content requirements provide flexibility for producers, support product variety and innovation, and maintain consumer choice.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HM Treasury has ever commissioned or received any analysis of the net fiscal effect of applying a reduced rate of VAT to gyms and fitness businesses, taking into account potential reductions in NHS expenditure and other public costs associated with physical inactivity.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

Addressing physical inactivity and getting people moving more is important for improving people’s health, reducing demand on the National Health Service, and supporting economic growth.

The leisure and fitness sector play an important role in supporting the Government’s sickness to prevention shift through providing affordable and accessible opportunities for people to increase their activity levels.

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. VAT is the UK’s second largest tax, forecast to raise £180 billion in 2025/26.

Tax breaks reduce the revenue available for vital public services and must represent value for money for the taxpayer. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.

One of the key considerations when assessing a new VAT relief is whether the cost saving is likely to be passed on to consumers. Evidence suggests that businesses often only partially pass on any savings from lower VAT rates.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will ban imports of lamb meat from territories which allow routine castration and tail docking of lambs.

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

The Government shares the public’s high regard for the UK’s environmental protections, food standards and animal welfare.

As set out in the UK’s Trade Strategy, the Government will not lower food standards and will uphold high animal welfare standards. While production methods vary in line with different climates, diseases, and other contextual reasons, this Government will always consider whether overseas goods benefit from an unfair advantage and any impact on UK producers. Where necessary, the Government will use the full range of powers at government’s disposal, including permanent quotas, exclusions and safeguards.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what consideration his Department has given to (a) reforming and (b) abolishing stamp duty.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is an important source of Government revenue, raising around £14 billion each year. The structure of SDLT ensures that those buying the most expensive properties contribute the most.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what consideration has been given to increasing the earnings limit for those in receipt of the carer's allowance.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)

The Government has taken steps to improve Carer’s Allowance (CA), including basing the weekly earnings limit on a calculation of 16 hours work at the level of the National Living Wage. The increase in April 2025 was the largest in the earnings limit since CA was introduced in 1976 and the highest percentage increase since 2001. This £500 million investment is expected to enable over 60,000 additional people to receive CA between 2025/26 and 2029/30. The current earnings limit is £204 a week net earnings, including allowable deductions. The earnings limit for 2027/28 will be set out later this year.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing a DVLA registration scheme for (a) e-bikes and (b) e-scooters.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Private e-scooters are illegal to use on public roads, but the Government has committed to legislative reform when parliamentary time allows, to create safe and legal routes. We will consider registration for e-scooters as part of that, and we will be consulting on e-scooter regulations over the next year.

There are no plans to require a registration system for cyclists. This would be complex and expensive to design and administer. E-bikes that do not meet the definition of an Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle already require registration to be used lawfully on the road. Enforcement is a matter for the police.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what plans he has to review the inclusion of (a) animal welfare and (b) environmental conservation provisions within the UK-Faroe Islands Free Trade Agreement.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

There are currently no plans to review the UK-Faroe Islands FTA to add further provisions. However, the Government acknowledges that these are important issues, which UK officials raise with the Faroes at every opportunity, including at the latest Joint Committee in June 2026.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the RAF A400M fleet can be used as Fire Fighting Tankers.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

Responsibility for responding to wildfires in the UK rests with the relevant civil authorities and emergency services, with military support potentially available where requested through established Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (MACA) arrangements on a case-by-case basis. This includes consideration of a clear need for military assistance, whether the requirement is beyond the capability or capacity of the civil authority, and whether support can be provided without unacceptably prejudicing Defence's primary tasks, operational commitments, and readiness.

The Ministry of Defence does not currently hold a requirement to provide a dedicated domestic aerial firefighting capability (including a fixed-wing aerial firefighting capability). However, Defence retains limited aerial firefighting capabilities to support standing tasks overseas. As part of this, Defence maintains a helicopter-based aerial firefighting capability in Cyprus for the specific purpose of meeting our obligations to the Sovereign Base Areas and wider communities during periods of heightened wildfire risk.

The Ministry of Defence has not conducted a specific impact assessment on the absence of a dedicated military aerial firefighting capability, nor a specific assessment of the economic impact arising from that absence.

The Department is aware of the Airbus A400M aerial firefighting system currently under development and testing by the manufacturer. Consequently, the Department has no plans to adapt the RAF A400M Atlas fleet for aerial firefighting purposes, or to procure dedicated water-bombing helicopters or water-bombing equipment for the military helicopter fleet.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take steps to affiliate one of the Royal Navy's AUKUS submarines to Poole.

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

I welcome the constituency interest and thank his constituents for their continued support of HMS Cattistock, the ship currently affiliated to Poole. The proposal will be considered through the Royal Navy’s regular affiliation planning process. The Royal Navy seeks, over time, to affiliate ships with communities across the country, with affiliations made at borough, town, city or county level.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of alternative funding models for rolling stock procurement under GBR such as those highlighted in ASLEF's Own Our Trains campaign which could result in publicly owned trains.

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

The Government is considering its long-term approach to rolling stock procurement and financing as part of wider rail reform and the establishment of Great British Railways (GBR).

This includes the development of a long-term Rolling Stock and Infrastructure Strategy, which will take a whole-system approach to future rolling stock needs, procurement and financing. The Strategy will set out the Government's long-term approach to ensuring rolling stock and supporting infrastructure deliver a reliable, efficient and sustainable railway for passengers while securing value for money for taxpayers. The Strategy will be published later this year.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Undercover Policing Inquiry will be brought to an end before it has heard from all eligible participants.

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

The Home Office established the Undercover Policing Inquiry in 2015 to inquire into and report on undercover police operations conducted by English and Welsh police forces in England and Wales since 1968. The Inquiry’s investigations continue and hearings for Tranche 3 are ongoing. This tranche covers the activities of the Special Demonstration Squad during the years 1967 to 2007. Further details on the progress of the Inquiry can be found at: https://www.ucpi.org.uk/.

On 16 July 2026, the Government launched a public consultation on the future of the Undercover Policing Inquiry. Responses can be submitted up to 23:59 on Sunday 20^th September, and further information about the consultation can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/future-of-the-undercover-policing-inquiry/consultation-on-the-future-of-the-undercover-policing-inquiry.

The purpose of the consultation is to gather views on the future of the Inquiry from those affected including core participants, stakeholders and the wider public. No decisions have been taken about the future of the Inquiry.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will provide an update as to the current status of the Undercover Policing Inquiry.

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

The Home Office established the Undercover Policing Inquiry in 2015 to inquire into and report on undercover police operations conducted by English and Welsh police forces in England and Wales since 1968. The Inquiry’s investigations continue and hearings for Tranche 3 are ongoing. This tranche covers the activities of the Special Demonstration Squad during the years 1967 to 2007. Further details on the progress of the Inquiry can be found at: https://www.ucpi.org.uk/.

On 16 July 2026, the Government launched a public consultation on the future of the Undercover Policing Inquiry. Responses can be submitted up to 23:59 on Sunday 20^th September, and further information about the consultation can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/future-of-the-undercover-policing-inquiry/consultation-on-the-future-of-the-undercover-policing-inquiry.

The purpose of the consultation is to gather views on the future of the Inquiry from those affected including core participants, stakeholders and the wider public. No decisions have been taken about the future of the Inquiry.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what support is available to MedTech SMEs to assist them with developing their exports.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department has integrated its support for businesses in a single, accessible place – the Business Growth Service – to help firms, including those in the MedTech sector, start, scale and succeed. From tailored market advice to free Business Academy training and our on-the-ground network around the world, we are making it easier for businesses to navigate global markets and seize opportunities.

UK Export Finance, the UK’s export credit agency, can also support businesses of all sizes across the UK. In January, UKEF announced the SME Exporter Fund which will give SMEs the confidence they need to invest, grow and expand into global markets.

Royal National Lifeboat Institution

Review of Personal Independence Payment

Undercover Policing Inquiry

Birmingham Four

Passenger safety, security and accessibility on East West Rail

Support for retired service animals

Independent Office for Police Conduct findings on Norman Bettison

Deported Chinese seafarers

Baby Loss Awareness Week

150th anniversary of the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876

National Suicide Memorial Day for Health and Care Workers

Support for hospices

Proposed Scottish Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame

50th Anniversary of the Grunwick Strike

Radiotherapy road map to improved cancer treatment plan

60th anniversary of Star Trek broadcast

Industrial action at V&A Museum

Found: institution of the monarchy and the principle of responsible stewardship of public money”. 58 Neil Duncan-Jordan