Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Government's decision not to implement the recommendations of the report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman entitled Women’s State Pension age: our findings on injustice and associated issues, published on 21 March 2024, on affected women.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Equality Analysis was published as part of the Government response to Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s Investigation into Women’s State Pension age communications and associated issues, which is available at the following link:

Government response to Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s Investigation into Women’s State Pension age communications and associated issues - GOV.UK

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the increase in university tuition fees on university enrolment.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

An Equality Impact Assessment of changes to tuition fees and student support for the 2025/26 academic year was published on GOV.UK on 20 January when the Higher Education (Fee Limits and Fee Limit Condition) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 were laid before Parliament. These regulations increase maximum tuition fee limits in 2025/26 by 3.1%, based on forecast inflation using the RPI All Items Excl Mortgage Interest (RPIX) inflation index.

The government expects that a 3.1% increase in maximum tuition fees, which will be accompanied by a similar increase in fee loans in 2025/26 for full-time, full-time accelerated and part-time undergraduate courses, will have a broadly neutral impact as the total level of debt for students who qualify for up-front tuition fee loans should remain unchanged in real terms.

The government also considers that the increase in maximum tuition fees will not significantly alter participation decisions for most students as the value of tuition fees will remain unchanged in real terms.

The government plans to lay further regulations in February increasing maximum fee loans for 2025/26 by 3.1%.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment on the potential merits of rolling out Housing First pilots to all combined authorities.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The three Housing First pilot areas secured funding up to March 2025 through the Rough Sleeping Initiative 2022-25. From April 2025, local and combined authorities have the flexibility to choose to continue provision of their Housing First or Housing Led services through the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant allocations.

The Deputy Prime Minister is also leading cross-government work to develop a strategy to deliver the long-term solutions we need to get us back on track to ending all forms of homelessness. Work to develop the strategy also includes working with representatives from across the homelessness and rough sleeping sector, local and combined authorities and wider experts to assess what is working well nationally and locally and where improvements are needed.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure humanitarian aid continues to reach Gaza throughout the ceasefire; and what diplomatic steps he is taking to encourage a two-state solution in Israel and Palestine.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

A ceasefire is just the first step towards a lasting solution to this crisis. Crucially, we need to see a sustained surge of aid into Gaza, and we will work with Israel, the UN and all partners to facilitate that. We have provided £112 million this financial year to the Occupied Palestinian territories, including £41 million for United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The UK is ready to play a leading role with international and regional partners, in securing a permanently better future for the Israeli and Palestinian people, based on tangible progress towards a Palestinian state, with Gaza and the West Bank united under one government. Palestinians must be given a credible route to a Palestinian state, which is the right of the Palestinian people. We will continue working with partners to support a path to long term peace and stability with a two-state solution: a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether artificial intelligence is being used to make decisions on individual caseworks (a) across government departments, (b) in the Home Office and (c) in the Department for Work and Pensions.

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

Individual departments have responsibility for their specific adoption of Artificial Intelligence. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) supports their adoption by providing frameworks, guidance and a community of practice. DSIT is currently implementing the mandatory rollout of the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard (ATRS) which establishes a standardised way for public sector organisations to publish information about how and why they are using algorithmic tools.

Artificial Intelligence is not being used within the Home Office to make caseworking decisions. DWP does not use artificial intelligence to make decisions in relation to fraud and error. All decisions that impact payments involve human intervention.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill on disabled people in receipt of the Personal Independence Payment.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill will help the Government to better identify, prevent and deter public sector fraud and error and enable the better recovery of debt owed to the taxpayer.

Safeguarding vulnerable claimants is always a priority. All the powers included in the Bill include strong safeguards ensuring they are used appropriately and proportionately – including new oversight and reporting mechanisms.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the (a) Pensions Act 1995 and (b) Pensions Act 2011 on women.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

No recent assessments have been made.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support is available for pensioners to assist with pension credit applications.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government wants those eligible for Pension Credit but not currently claiming it to receive the benefits they are entitled to. We know there are low-income pensioners who are not claiming Pension Credit, and we urge those people to apply. We encourage all pensioners who may be eligible for Pension Credit to use the Pension Credit calculator - GOV.UK to check eligibility and to use our online Pension Credit claims process.

Claims for Pension Credit can be made online at: www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim. The service is available to use 24/7, and provides those who may struggle to make their claim alone the flexibility to have a friend or family member to support them when making their claim at a time that is most convenient to them. Pension Credit claims can also be made through the Freephone telephone number 0800 99 1234, and there is an option to complete a paper application form.

DWP Agents and third-party organisations are available to support customers with the application process.

For customers who are unable to complete forms themselves a home visit from a visiting officer can be arranged. For customers who are deaf and use British Sign Language a Video Relay Service (known as VRS) is available and for customers who cannot hear or speak on the phone, can use Relay UK service.

Further information can be found on Gov.uk Pension Credit easy read.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help (a) prevent (i) serious delays and (ii) cancellations and (b) provide adequate alternate travel provisions when weather conditions cause severe disruptions in the North West.

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

The Department requires train operating companies and Network Rail to put in place measures to avoid, where possible, the potential impact of disruption including as a result of weather.

Network Rail owns and is responsible for maintaining railway infrastructure to ensure passenger and freight services operate safely. Officials hold regular discussions with Network Rail and industry to ensure severe weather preparedness plans are in place with clear mitigations to reduce the impacts of weather on punctuality and reliability. Network Rail Routes liaise closely with train operators to ensure comprehensive checklists are in place and to align customer messaging. Extreme Weather Action Telecons (EWATs) are stood up in anticipation of adverse or extreme weather conditions likely to impact upon rail networks, attended by Network Rail, British Transport Police, the Rail Delivery Group, train operators and the Department. EWATs coordinate the response to severe weather, for example by prepositioning people, equipment, assets to at-risk areas and implementing speed restrictions and emergency timetables where appropriate. Where services need to be cancelled, train operators will seek to provide alternative transport where possible, although there may be instances where this is not viable.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the comments made by US President Trump on 4 February 2025 in relation to the future of Gaza.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

As the Foreign Secretary has said, for the people of Gaza - so many of whom have lost lives, homes or loved ones - the last 14 months of conflict have been a living nightmare. Palestinian civilians should be able to return to, and rebuild, their homes and their lives. Our position is clear - we want to see a negotiated two-state solution, with a sovereign Palestinian state, which includes the West Bank and Gaza, alongside a safe and secure Israel. The UK is clear that Palestinian civilians must be permitted to return to their communities and rebuild. There must be no forcible transfer of Gazans from or within Gaza, nor any reduction in the territory of the Gaza Strip. We would oppose any effort to move Palestinians in Gaza to neighbouring Arab states against their will.

We continue to work together with the new US administration to ensure regional security and stability, including ensuring lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians, and we thank the US for the integral role it played in negotiating the ceasefire agreement, alongside Qatar and Egypt. The Prime Minister reiterated this in his call with President Trump on 26 January. Our shared priority must be to work together to ensure the ceasefire is implemented in full, becomes permanent, and supports a pathway to a sustainable peace.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the comments made by President Trump on 4 February 2025 on Palestinians in Gaza.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

As the Foreign Secretary has said, for the people of Gaza - so many of whom have lost lives, homes or loved ones - the last 14 months of conflict have been a living nightmare. Palestinian civilians should be able to return to, and rebuild, their homes and their lives. Our position is clear - we want to see a negotiated two-state solution, with a sovereign Palestinian state, which includes the West Bank and Gaza, alongside a safe and secure Israel. The UK is clear that Palestinian civilians must be permitted to return to their communities and rebuild. There must be no forcible transfer of Gazans from or within Gaza, nor any reduction in the territory of the Gaza Strip. We would oppose any effort to move Palestinians in Gaza to neighbouring Arab states against their will.

We continue to work together with the new US administration to ensure regional security and stability, including ensuring lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians, and we thank the US for the integral role it played in negotiating the ceasefire agreement, alongside Qatar and Egypt. The Prime Minister reiterated this in his call with President Trump on 26 January. Our shared priority must be to work together to ensure the ceasefire is implemented in full, becomes permanent, and supports a pathway to a sustainable peace.

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Found: _NC25 Peter Dowd Paula Barker Richard Burgon Ian Byrne Ellie Chowns Neil Duncan-Jordan Patrick

Found: _NC25 Peter Dowd Paula Barker Richard Burgon Ian Byrne Ellie Chowns Neil Duncan-Jordan Patrick

Found: _NC25 Peter Dowd Paula Barker Richard Burgon Ian Byrne Ellie Chowns Neil Duncan-Jordan Patrick

Found: Kate Osborne Abtisam Mohamed Ellie Chowns Mrs Sharon Hodgson Dr Beccy Cooper Sarah Hall Paula Barker

Found: Gilbert Wera Hobhouse Kim Johnson Sarah Owen Ellie Chowns Mrs Elsie Blundell Fabian Hamilton Paula Barker

Found: Gilbert Wera Hobhouse Kim Johnson Sarah Owen Ellie Chowns Mrs Elsie Blundell Fabian Hamilton Paula Barker

Found: Gilbert Wera Hobhouse Kim Johnson Sarah Owen Ellie Chowns Mrs Elsie Blundell Fabian Hamilton Paula Barker

Found: Kate Osborne Abtisam Mohamed Ellie Chowns Mrs Sharon Hodgson Dr Beccy Cooper Sarah Hall Paula Barker

Found: Kate Osborne Abtisam Mohamed Ellie Chowns Mrs Sharon Hodgson Dr Beccy Cooper Sarah Hall Paula Barker

Found: Kate Osborne Abtisam Mohamed Ellie Chowns Mrs Sharon Hodgson Dr Beccy Cooper Sarah Hall Paula Barker

Found: Gilbert Wera Hobhouse Kim Johnson Sarah Owen Ellie Chowns Mrs Elsie Blundell Fabian Hamilton Paula Barker

Found: Kate Osborne Abtisam Mohamed Ellie Chowns Mrs Sharon Hodgson Dr Beccy Cooper Sarah Hall Paula Barker

Found: Gilbert Wera Hobhouse Kim Johnson Sarah Owen Ellie Chowns Mrs Elsie Blundell Fabian Hamilton Paula Barker

Found: Kate Osborne Abtisam Mohamed Ellie Chowns Mrs Sharon Hodgson Dr Beccy Cooper Sarah Hall Paula Barker

Found: Sabine Wera Hobhouse Kim Johnson Sarah Owen Ellie Chowns Mrs Elsie Blundell Fabian Hamilton Paula Barker

Found: Kate Osborne Abtisam Mohamed Ellie Chowns Mrs Sharon Hodgson Dr Beccy Cooper Sarah Hall Paula Barker

Found: Sabine Wera Hobhouse Kim Johnson Sarah Owen Ellie Chowns Mrs Elsie Blundell Fabian Hamilton Paula Barker

Found: Sabine Wera Hobhouse Kim Johnson Sarah Owen Ellie Chowns Mrs Elsie Blundell Fabian Hamilton Paula Barker

Found: Kate Osborne Abtisam Mohamed Ellie Chowns Mrs Sharon Hodgson Dr Beccy Cooper Sarah Hall Paula Barker