Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress his Department has made on the in-service evaluation of newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA); and what progress his Department has made on offering SMA screening to all babies.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon. Member to the announcement made on the evaluation of newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy by the Department on 16 July, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/every-baby-in-england-to-get-life-saving-genetic-test-from-birth

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of airport drop-off charges on passengers, particularly older people and disabled people; what information her Department holds on the accessibility of payment arrangements for those charges; and whether she has any plans to regulate airport drop-off charges or introduce measures to improve accessibility for passengers who are unable or find it difficult to use online payment systems.

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

The Government has committed to undertake a review into the impact of airport drop off charges on users, within 12 months of Royal Assent of the Civil Aviation Bill. Whilst the detailed scope of the review will be developed in due course, it could include consideration of issues such as affordability, accessibility, travel behaviour and the experiences of different groups of passengers.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made with Cabinet colleagues of the level of the contribution of the UK Exclusive Economic Zone in Europe on (a) economic growth, (b) energy security, (c) food security and (d) coastal security.

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

Government recognises the significant contribution of the UK Exclusive Economic Zone to economic growth, energy security, food security and coastal resilience, supporting key sectors including fisheries, offshore renewables and other marine industries.

The natural capital accounts define the extent of the UK marine area using the UK's Exclusive Economic Zone boundary and estimate that the annual measurable value of natural capital services provided by the UK Marine and coastal margins habitats was approximately £43 billion in 2022, with an estimated asset value of £272 billion.

Further information on the value of marine and coastal margin ecosystem services relating to a) economic value, b) oil, gas and renewable energy provisioning, c) fish provisioning and d) health and tourism recreation can be found in Table 3 of the Marine and coastal margins natural capital accounts, UK: 2025 (ONS)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the impact of Skilled Worker visa salary thresholds on the recruitment of NHS Band 5 Biomedical Scientists; and whether she plans to review the application of those salary thresholds to NHS Band 5 Biomedical Scientist posts.

Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

I refer the honourable member to the answer given on 2 September to the question from the honourable member for Warwick and Leamington (UIN: 21335).

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with (a) the Department of Health and Social Care and (b) the Institute of Biomedical Science on the classification of Biomedical Scientists under SOC 2113 for Skilled Worker visa purposes.

Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

I refer the honourable member to the answer given on 2 September to the question from the honourable member for Warwick and Leamington (UIN: 21335).

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what requirements have been placed on local and combined authorities receiving funding through the Warm Homes: Local Grant to demonstrate how delivery of the scheme contributes to the Government's objectives to reduce child poverty and improve health outcomes.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The primary objective of the Warm Homes: Local Grant is to tackle fuel poverty in England- cutting energy bills for low-income households and areas of high economic deprivation through funding the installation of energy performance upgrades and low carbon heating. Through these upgrades the scheme will also help to ensure homes are healthy living environments, thermally comfortable, efficient and well-adapted to climate change- as well as drive carbon abatement that will support delivery of the UK’s Net Zero target and carbon budgets.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what information her Department collects to assess the contribution of the Warm Homes Local Grant to the objectives of the Fuel Poverty Strategy for England.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The primary objective of the Warm Homes: Local Grant is to tackle fuel poverty in England- cutting energy bills for low-income households and areas of high economic deprivation through funding the installation of energy performance upgrades and low carbon heating. Through these upgrades the scheme will also help to ensure homes are healthy living environments, thermally comfortable, efficient and well-adapted to climate change- as well as drive carbon abatement that will support delivery of the UK’s Net Zero target and carbon budgets.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether requirements have been placed on local and combined authorities receiving funding through the Warm Homes Local Grant to demonstrate how delivery of the scheme contributes to the objectives of the Fuel Poverty Strategy for England.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The primary objective of the Warm Homes: Local Grant is to tackle fuel poverty in England- cutting energy bills for low-income households and areas of high economic deprivation through funding the installation of energy performance upgrades and low carbon heating.

Through these upgrades the scheme will also help to ensure homes are healthy living environments, thermally comfortable, efficient and well-adapted to climate change- as well as drive carbon abatement that will support delivery of the UK’s Net Zero target and carbon budgets.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress her Department has made on agreeing a definition of community energy.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government recognises the important role that community energy can play in supporting local participation in the clean energy transition. For the purposes of the Local Power Plan, a Community Energy Group was defined as a local organisation that works to benefit its community through energy projects.

The Government has engaged with a range of stakeholders to work towards a definition of community energy. Further detail on this will be announced in due course.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how her Department defines community energy.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government recognises the important role that community energy can play in supporting local participation in the clean energy transition. For the purposes of the Local Power Plan, a Community Energy Group was defined as a local organisation that works to benefit its community through energy projects.

The Government has engaged with a range of stakeholders to work towards a definition of community energy. Further detail on this will be announced in due course.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of recent changes to visa rules on recruitment of international students by UK universities.

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

The government has been clear that we welcome international students who meet the requirements to study in the UK. We value the contribution that international students make to our society, economy and to the UK’s global reputation. We have some of the best universities in the world and we want the best minds to aspire to complete their education here.

The Immigration White Paper sets out a balanced approach to reducing net migration while maintaining the UK’s global competitiveness. Universities that sponsor international students also have an important role in protecting the integrity of the immigration system by ensuring it is not being exploited or abused.

The government recognises that changes to visa rules may affect international student recruitment. Officials continue to monitor emerging recruitment trends and engage regularly with the Home Office and the higher education sector.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what information her Department collects to assess the impact of the Warm Homes: Local Grant on child poverty and health outcomes.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The primary objective of the Warm Homes: Local Grant is to tackle fuel poverty in England- cutting energy bills for low-income households and areas of high economic deprivation through funding the installation of energy performance upgrades and low carbon heating. Through these upgrades the scheme will also help to ensure homes are healthy living environments, thermally comfortable, efficient and well-adapted to climate change- as well as drive carbon abatement that will support delivery of the UK’s Net Zero target and carbon budgets.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the impact of Skilled Worker visa salary thresholds on the recruitment of Band 5 Biomedical Scientists in NHS pathology and laboratory services.

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

Biomedical scientists play an important role in National Health Service pathology and laboratory services. The Migration Advisory Committee considered the requirements for biomedical scientists in its review of Skilled Worker salary requirements, and the Government is carefully considering its recommendations.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve journey times, reliability and connectivity on cross-country rail routes between major regional centres.

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

Rail services that cross the country and connect major regional centres are provided by a number of operators which are being progressively brought into public ownership. With Great British Railways ending years of fragmentation, there will be greater opportunities to collaborate between operators, and between track and train, to improve journey times, reliability and connectivity to the benefit of passengers.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans his Department has to monitor the impact of the Renters' Rights reforms on tribunal workloads and processing times.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The Ministry of Justice continues to ensure that the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) has the capacity to manage its workload following commencement of the Renters’ Rights Act on 1 May 2026.

Part of this work has included ensuring that suitable arrangements are in place for monitoring data on workloads and processing times. Data for residential property cases, including receipts, disposals, and open caseload, is published within Tribunals Statistics Quarterly on gov.uk here: Tribunals statistics - GOV.UK.

The Government has also recently announced that HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC’s) Valuation Office will become responsible for decisions on challenges to rent increases in England. This provides the strongest foundation for a dedicated rent determination service that is quick, efficient and able to manage future demand. The Ministry of Justice continues to work with partners across government to develop this future service and prepare for implementation.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the financial sustainability of local theatre, opera and performing arts organisations in the context of rising production and venue costs; and what steps the Government is taking to support such organisations, including those providing arts education opportunities for children and young people.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government strongly welcomes Baroness Hodge’s Independent Review of Arts Council England (ACE) and has agreed a roadmap for implementation with ACE.

We are working closely with ACE to implement the Review’s recommendations. Already, ACE has published a strategic framework to replace Let’s Create and published revised guidance for the National Portfolio Investment Programme in September.

On Recommendation 3.1 regarding Theatre Tax Relief, the Government recognises the value of cultural tax reliefs to the sector. DCMS will be providing evidence to HM Treasury to support consideration of these proposals. Any changes to tax policy are made by the Chancellor at fiscal events, in the context of the wider public finances.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate his Department has made of the number of additional taxpayers expected to be brought into the higher rate of income tax as a result of the continued freeze in income tax thresholds; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of fiscal drag on household disposable income.

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

At Budget 2025, the Government published estimates of the impact of maintaining income tax thresholds, including the number of additional taxpayers expected to be brought into the higher rate of Income Tax, in the accompanying Tax Information and Impact Note, available here:

Income Tax: Maintaining the Personal Allowance and the basic rate limit for Income Tax, and equivalent National Insurance contributions thresholds until 5 April 2031 - GOV.UK

The Government also regularly publishes analysis of the impact of tax, welfare and public service spending policies on households across the income distribution. The most recent analysis was published alongside Budget 2025, which includes the impact of the Budget 2025 decision to maintain personal income tax thresholds.

Impact_on_households.pdf

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the withdrawal of the Personal Allowance for individuals with incomes between £100,000 and £125,140 on incentives to increase earnings, take on additional responsibilities or work additional hours.

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

Withdrawal of the Personal Allowance affects those with income over £100,000 a year. This occurs gradually, with £1 of allowance lost for every £2 of income above the income limit of £100,000. This reduction continues until the Personal Allowance is completely withdrawn for those with incomes above £125,140.

The Government recognises that taxpayers earning between £100,000 and £125,140 face a higher marginal tax rate due to the tapering of the tax-free Personal Allowance.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential financial impact of the interaction between the tax and welfare systems on couples with dependent children who marry or begin cohabiting.

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

The Office for National Statistics publishes statistics on the effects of taxes and benefits on household income, including for households with children, in Table 12b of this publication: Effects of taxes and benefits on household income - Office for National Statistics

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential implications for its policies of the recommendations contained in the Woodhill Commitments, developed by the Woodhill Families Group following deaths in custody at HMP Woodhill; and whether he plans to implement those recommendations across the prison estate.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The safety of prisoners and staff is our top priority, both at HMP Woodhill and across all our prisons, and we are grateful to the Woodhill Families Group for their commitment to prison safety and support of bereaved families. Many of the proposals in the Woodhill Commitments are reflected in national policy and operational guidance, while others align closely with ongoing work to strengthen prison safety processes and family engagement.

Every death in custody is a tragedy and we continue to learn from deaths in custody, the recommendations from coroners, the Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody and those with lived experience, to identify opportunities for further improvement. The Department is compiling a formal response to the Woodhill Commitments in the coming weeks.

Microplastic filters for washing machines

Delivery of Budget 2026 through property tax systems