Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to address the 15% of people who are dying in poverty in Mid Fife and Glenrothes every year.

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

A Scottish person at end of life can make a fast-tracked claim to the following reserved benefits (if they are eligible): Universal Credit (UC) and New Style Employment Support Allowance (NS ESA).

Disability Benefits are devolved in Scotland and policy responsibility sits with the Scottish Government.

The UK Government is committed to providing a financial safety net for those who need it. Support is available through the welfare system to those who are unable to work, are on a low income or have additional costs as a consequence of a long-term health condition or disability but are not eligible for pensioner benefits because of their age

For those nearing the end of their life, the UK Government’s priority is to provide people with financial support quickly and compassionately. The main way this is applied is through the Special Rules for End of Life (SREL) which enable Scottish people who are nearing the end of their lives to get faster, easier access to UC and NS ESA. The Universal Credit Act 2025, also ensures that all SREL claimants will receive the higher LCWRA rate, no matter when they make their claim.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to address the 25.9% of working age people who are dying in poverty in Fife every year.

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

A Scottish person at end of life can make a fast-tracked claim to the following reserved benefits (if they are eligible): Universal Credit (UC) and New Style Employment Support Allowance (NS ESA).

Disability Benefits are devolved in Scotland and policy responsibility sits with the Scottish Government.

The UK Government is committed to providing a financial safety net for those who need it. Support is available through the welfare system to those who are unable to work, are on a low income or have additional costs as a consequence of a long-term health condition or disability but are not eligible for pensioner benefits because of their age

For those nearing the end of their life, the UK Government’s priority is to provide people with financial support quickly and compassionately. The main way this is applied is through the Special Rules for End of Life (SREL) which enable Scottish people who are nearing the end of their lives to get faster, easier access to UC and NS ESA. The Universal Credit Act 2025, also ensures that all SREL claimants will receive the higher LCWRA rate, no matter when they make their claim.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has made an assessment of financial insecurity of people at the end of life.

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

The UK Government is committed to providing a financial safety net for those who need it. Support is available through the welfare system to those who are unable to work, are on a low income or have additional costs as a consequence of a long-term health condition or disability but are not eligible for pensioner benefits because of their age.

For those nearing the end of their life, the UK Government’s priority is to provide financial support quickly and compassionately. The main way this is applied is through the Special Rules for End of Life (SREL) which enables people who are nearing the end of their lives to get faster, easier access to Universal Credit (UC) and New Style Employment and Support Allowance. The Universal Credit Act 2025, also ensures that all SREL claimants will receive the higher UC Health rate, no matter when they make their claim.

Disability Benefits are devolved in Scotland and policy responsibility sits with the Scottish Government.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what progress his Department has made in implementing the Industrial Strategy.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The whole of government is focused on delivering the Industrial Strategy to make the UK the best country to invest and grow. We are making progress, including:

· Opening our consultation for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme to reduce electricity costs for IS-8 and foundational sectors.

· Agreeing a landmark UK-US pharmaceuticals deal, safeguarding medicines access and driving vital investment for UK patients and businesses.

· Supporting Industrial Strategy Zones, including the Forth Green Freeport, where advanced manufacturing and clean energy industries will thrive.

St Mirren Football Club

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Simon Hoare (Chair); Richard Baker; Sam Carling; Lauren Edwards;

Found: Q50 Richard Baker: Good morning, Baroness Deech.

The report from the Infected Blood Inquiry includes recommendations for Parliament on two key areas: how to respond to calls for public inquiries and how to scrutinise the implementation of recommendations resulting from future inquiries.