Asked by: Ruth Cadbury (Labour - Brentford and Isleworth)
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 adequacy of internet connectivity in the Borough of Hounslow.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
We understand the Borough of Hounslow to have good internet connectivity.
According to the independent website Thinkbroadband.com, over 98% of premises in the Borough of Hounslow can access superfast broadband speeds (30 Mbps), which is in line with the UK average. Over 93% have access to a gigabit-capable broadband connection (>1000 Mbps), which is above the national average of 88%.
For users accessing the internet on a mobile device, Ofcom reports that 4G is available across almost 100% of the Borough of Hounslow from all four mobile operators, while 5G (standalone and non-standalone) is available outside 97% of premises across the Borough from all four operators.
Asked by: Ruth Cadbury (Labour - Brentford and Isleworth)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking with private companies to increase the coverage of full fibre broadband in the London Borough of Hounslow.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
We have created a competition-friendly environment in areas, such as the London Borough of Hounslow, where deployment is commercially viable. We continue to engage the commercial market to ensure that the regulatory landscape best supports continued delivery of fibre broadband, including working to removing the barriers to deployment. For example, we will consult and then seek to legislate as soon as possible to address the challenges faced in securing connections in blocks of flats.
Asked by: Ruth Cadbury (Labour - Brentford and Isleworth)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to review the NICE guidelines on NHS-funded IVF treatment to allow for exceptions in cases where (a) short-term illness and (b) clinical advice from NHS staff has prevented a person from starting IVF treatment before the age eligibility cut-off.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is an independent body and is responsible for ensuring that its guidelines are up to date in light of changes to the evidence and clinical practice. NICE’s guideline on the management of fertility problems is currently being updated, with draft guidance due to be issued for consultation shortly. NICE guidelines are not intended to cover every health condition, clinical scenario, or treatment. In the absence of NICE guidance, there is an expectation that clinicians and the relevant commissioners make decisions on the most appropriate treatment for the people in their care.
Asked by: Ruth Cadbury (Labour - Brentford and Isleworth)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of police powers to tackle bike thefts.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
As part of this Government’s Plan for Change, our Safer Streets Mission is determined to clamp down on the crime that damages our communities, and affects people’s lives, and tackling theft – including bike theft - is a crucial part of that work.
We are delivering on our commitment to restore and strengthen neighbourhood policing, recruiting 13,000 additional police personnel into neighbourhood roles by the end of the Parliament and ensuring every community has named, contactable officers to turn to on local issues.
As a part of this pledge, the Metropolitan Police Service have been allocated £45,639,456 funding in 2025/26 to bolster their neighbourhood policing teams. Based on their funding allocation, the Metropolitan Police Service’s projected growth over 2025 to 2026 will be 420 police officers (FTE) and 50 Police Community Support Officers (FTE).
The Crime and Policing Bill, introduced to the House of Lords on 19 June 2025, will amend the Theft Act 1968 to give police new powers. Officers will be able to enter and search premises where stolen items – such as GPS-tracked bicycles – are reasonably believed to have been stolen and located, and where it is not reasonably practicable to obtain a court warrant. This will significantly enhance the ability of the police to act swiftly and effectively in recovering stolen property.
Asked by: Ruth Cadbury (Labour - Brentford and Isleworth)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on reducing the level of bike thefts.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Secretary of State for Transport has not had any recent discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on reducing the level of bike thefts but I am aware that cycle theft is a major problem, particularly where expensive cycles are concerned, and that the fear of having a bike stolen can act as a serious deterrent to those who might otherwise want to take up cycling.
Active Travel England is providing funding for local authorities to introduce secure cycle parking. Ultimately, enforcement of cycle theft is an operational matter for the police.
Asked by: Ruth Cadbury (Labour - Brentford and Isleworth)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions he has had with NHS England on screening new born children for Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) has been working with partners to scope an in-service evaluation of newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in real world National Health Services in the United Kingdom.
The research brief that will inform this in-service evaluation has now been published, and the call for applicants is live.
Results from the in-service evaluation, along with a new SMA screening modelling study, will inform any recommendation made by the UK NSC on whether to screen newborn babies for this condition.
Asked by: Ruth Cadbury (Labour - Brentford and Isleworth)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve screening of new born children for Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) has been working with partners to scope an in-service evaluation of newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in real world National Health Services in the United Kingdom.
The research brief that will inform this in-service evaluation has now been published, and the call for applicants is live.
Results from the in-service evaluation, along with a new SMA screening modelling study, will inform any recommendation made by the UK NSC on whether to screen newborn babies for this condition.
Asked by: Ruth Cadbury (Labour - Brentford and Isleworth)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how (a) local authorities and (b) magistrates’ courts can obtain liability orders under the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992.
Answered by Jim McMahon
Where a council tax debt remains outstanding following a final notice, the council may apply to the magistrates court for a liability order confirming this debt. The individual will be issued with a summons to appear before the magistrate’s court. Where the court is satisfied that the amount is payable they will issue a liability order for this debt. Regulations 33 to 36A of the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992, set out the processes councils must follow in obtaining a liability order.
The government is currently consulting on modernising and improving the administration of council tax. As part of this it is seeking views on changes to the process for obtaining a liability order, including the time before a council can seek this and the fees involved.
Asked by: Ruth Cadbury (Labour - Brentford and Isleworth)
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 provide consular support to (a) British citizens and (b) the family members of British citizens in Iran.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We have long advised against all travel to Iran. We have taken the precautionary measure to temporarily withdraw our UK staff from Iran. Our Embassy will continue to operate remotely, and we maintain the ability to message the Iranian system directly. The UK Government will not be able to evacuate or provide face-to-face assistance to British Nationals (BN) in Iran. If BNs intend to depart Iran across a land border and consider it safe, they should check the travel advice of the country they intend to enter before travelling to the border, including visa requirements. BNs requiring assistance can contact the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office 24/7.
Asked by: Ruth Cadbury (Labour - Brentford and Isleworth)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase the number of mammograms available for women over the aged of 50 in West London.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS England is committed to providing equitable access to breast screening services for eligible women aged 50 years old and over across the country, including in West London.
In West London, women aged 50 to 70 years old are invited for breast screening every three years as part of the NHS Breast Screening Programme, to the screening sites at the West of London Breast Screening Service (WOLBSS). There has been a surge in demand recently, following the disruption caused during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To address the increased demand for screening services post-COVID recovery, NHS England is working with the WOLBSS to improve appointment availability. This includes extending clinic hours, offering weekend clinics, investing in workforce recruitment and training, and targeting areas with lower screening uptake.
The information requested on average waiting times is not held centrally for screening mammograms.