Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans are currently being considered to make Britain more resilient to extreme weather.
Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office) (Security) (Jointly with the Cabinet Office)
Enhancing Britain’s resilience to extreme weather events requires coordination and collaboration between different Government departments. The Cabinet Office is the lead government department responsible for severe weather, including severe storms, extreme heat and extreme cold. The Cabinet Office plays a coordinating role, bringing together departments with responsibility for leading the response planning and longer term resilience of the sectors they represent.
Work is underway across government to increase resilience to extreme weather events. From £710 million to fund upgrades to the school estate to the construction of nine new reservoirs across the country. Between April 2024 and March 2026, the government invested £2.65 billion to construct new flood schemes and repair existing defences. Funding for the fire service has also increased by £100 million and water companies have been directed to step-up their work to fix leaks and preserve water.
In July, we announced that we will be delivering a campaign to raise awareness of the simple steps households can take to keep themselves safe during everyday emergencies, like extreme weather. We’ll be announcing more information and beginning the campaign later this year.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether plans are in place to ask the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to develop guidelines and quality standards for vision rehabilitation.
Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
There are no plans to ask the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to develop guidelines and quality standards for vision rehabilitation.
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 30 June 2026 to Question 13055 for further information.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether her Department has considered introducing reforms to the social care system including (a) mandatory registration of private live-in carers, (b) mandatory Enhanced DBS checks for live-in carers, (c) mandatory nationally recognised training for live-in carers and (d) a National Register of live-in carers.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
On 29 July, as set out in the link below, the Prime Minister set out his objectives to reform the social care system, and brought forward the timetable for Baroness Casey’s commission to inform that reform programme:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-sets-out-new-path-to-fix-social-care-together-29-july-2026
This will combine the work originally set out as two separate phases, so that a single set of recommendations will cover both the immediate improvements the system needs now, and the longer-term transformation required to meet demographic change. The commission’s Terms of Reference are deliberately broad to enable Baroness Casey to independently consider how to build a social care system fit for the future, including how to improve national oversight if she sees fit. We will continue to update Parliament on a regular basis.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she is taking steps to amend Section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) so that it complies with the latest court ruling in relation to Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government is carefully considering the implications of the recent Upper Tribunal judgment concerning Section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Section 24 will remain in force while that work is undertaken.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps are being taken to comply with Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights in relation to information surrounding animal experiments.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government is carefully considering the implications of the recent Upper Tribunal judgment concerning Section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Section 24 will remain in force while that work is undertaken.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what consideration she has given to introducing a ban on the sale and use of camera-equipped smart glasses.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government takes the protection of personal data and privacy very seriously, whilst recognising that connected and assistive technologies can deliver significant benefits to users. The UK’s data protection legislation applies to the processing of personal data by organisations, regardless of the technology being used, including connected and AI-enabled devices such as smart glasses.
All organisations that process personal data must comply with the UK's data protection legislation, including requirements to process personal data lawfully, fairly, transparently and securely. The Information Commissioner's Office, the UK's independent data protection regulator, has published guidance for organisations developing and deploying connected products and services, including smart glasses (see https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/online-tracking/guidance-for-consumer-internet-of-things-products-and-services/ ).
There are no current plans to introduce a ban on the sale or use of camera-equipped smart glasses, but the Government will continue to monitor this area closely.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
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.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
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 20th 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.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
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 20th 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.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
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.