Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure that the Access to Work Scheme supports people with multiple sclerosis in employment.

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

The support that a customer will receive from Access to Work is dependent upon their needs and circumstances at the time they make an application. Case managers will use the current guidance to ensure Access to Work principles are considered when making a decision on support. All assessments are done on an individual basis with all conditions, including Multiple Sclerosis where applicable, considered as part of an individual’s application.

We continue to engage disabled people’s organisations and individuals with lived experience, drawing on their insights alongside the National Audit Office’s recommendations as we take forward improvements to the scheme.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of the UK’s readiness for war.

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

As set out in the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, we are increasing national warfighting readiness to deter threats to UK and our interests. This includes transforming the Armed Forces to ensure they are more lethal, reversing the 14 years of hollowing out and underfunding this government found when it came into office.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the ability of rural communities to contact emergency services in the event of a prolonged power cut following BT’s move from copper landlines to digital voice services.

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

The Government is committed to ensuring that any risks from the industry-led migration of the copper based Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) are mitigated for everyone across the UK, including rural communities. In 2024/25, there were over 2,600 major incidents on the PSTN, each affecting 500 or more customers.

In November 2024, the Government secured additional safeguards from the telecoms industry. These include the provision of free battery back-ups for vulnerable and landline dependent customers to ensure access to emergency services for at least one hour in a power outage. Many communication providers have gone further, providing battery back-ups with 4-7 hours of battery life.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the administration of the Tier 2 NHS Pension Scheme, particularly in relation to retirement dates and the clarity of communications regarding retirement information.

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

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) administers the NHS Pension Scheme in accordance with the scheme regulations and publishes clear guidance to support members applying for ill-health retirement, including Tier 2 benefits. The guidance sets out the eligibility criteria, the two‑tier structure of ill‑health benefits, and the steps members must follow. This guidance is available on the NHSBSAs website at the following link:

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/member-hub/applying-ill-health-pension-benefits.

The NHSBSA publishes detailed information on normal pension ages, the definition of permanent incapacity, and the enhancements associated with Tier 2 benefits, helping members understand how retirement dates and entitlements are determined. Processing turnaround times are also published and regularly updated so that members and employers are kept informed throughout the process. The processing times are available from the following link:

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/current-processing-times-nhs-pensions.

The NHSBSA keeps this material under regular review to ensure it remains clear and accessible and works closely with employers to support accurate and timely communication with scheme members.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate her Department has made of the costs of expanding the rural fuel duty relief scheme to cover all of Tiverton and Minehead constituency.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Rural Fuel Duty Relief Scheme has provided a 5p reduction to motorists buying fuel in certain areas since its introduction in 2012. The areas included in the scheme demonstrate certain characteristics such as: pump prices much higher than the UK average; remoteness leading to high fuel transport costs from refinery to filling station, and; relatively low sales meaning that retailers cannot benefit from bulk discounts.

There are no plans to amend the list of eligible locations.

Online abuse and exploitation of Ukrainian refugees

Funding for rural Britain

Found: Cotswolds) (Chair) Mr Clive Betts (Labour; Sheffield South East) Anna Dixon (Labour; Shipley) Rachel Gilmour

Found: Q28 Rachel Gilmour: You used the word “extraordinary”.

Found: Cotswolds) (Chair) Mr Clive Betts (Labour; Sheffield South East) Anna Dixon (Labour; Shipley) Rachel Gilmour

Found: Rachel Gilmour MP highlighted the need “to embed a truly comprehensive climate resilience strategy across

Found:

Found: medical technology, research and digital innovation in women's healthcare Dr Zubir Ahmed 15/12/2025 Rachel Gilmour