Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to reduce data gaps and time-lags in information sharing between universities and UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI); and what assessment she has made of the impact of those delays on the ability of higher education institutions to monitor compliance and intervene in a timely manner ahead of the implementation of Business Case Analysis (BCA) changes.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Home Office works closely with higher education institutions to support compliance with the Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA), which is an annual assessment of sponsor performance. Sponsors have been responsible for monitoring their own in-year performance against the BCA metrics since its introduction in April 2015, when it replaced the “Highly Trusted Sponsor” status.

Two of the three metrics that form the BCA are based on data sponsors report directly to the Home Office and can therefore use to monitor compliance and identify where recruitment practices may need to improve. The Home Office continues to explore opportunities to enhance GDPR-compliant data-sharing with sponsors, and in 2025 introduced new mechanisms relating to refusal data.

The Home Office continues to explore further opportunities to strengthen data sharing in line with data protection principles and support sponsor compliance.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Temporary Work - Charity Worker visa route in supporting the UK’s voluntary sector.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Government recognises that the Charity Worker route supports the UK’s voluntary sector by enabling individuals to come to the UK to do voluntary, unpaid work for up to a maximum of 12 months. The work must not be filling a permanent position, including on a temporary basis. No formal assessment of the route has been undertaken.

Charities can use other immigration routes if they wish to employ someone in a paid role or permanent position.

Furthermore, a Visitor may undertake volunteering, provided it lasts no more than 30 days in total and is for a charity that is registered with either the Charity Commission for England and Wales; the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland; or the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how the forthcoming cancer manuals will address existing variation in access to ovarian cancer treatment for patients across England.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Reducing inequity and variation in cancer care, including for ovarian cancer, is a priority for the Government. The National Cancer Plan, published in February 2026, sets out how we will reduce unwarranted variation in access to cancer treatments to drive up standards across England and tackle health inequalities head on.

The Department and NHS England will establish clear quality standards for cancer delivery through cancer manuals, published by tumour type, with regional partnerships of health leaders and clinicians utilising data to drive improvements where services are falling short. Quality standards will incorporate clinical-effectiveness, safety, and experience of care, in line with the definition of quality set out in the 10-Year Health Plan. The manuals will provide a consistent framework against which clinicians, trust boards, and commissioners can assess the quality of their service.

Over time, cancer manuals will be transformed into a continuous learning platform, informed by real-time feedback from patients and artificial intelligence supported learning. Publication will begin in 2027.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, how she plans to support women's groups who wish to remain trans inclusive in the context of the updated EHRC Code of Practice.

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

We received an updated draft Code of Practice from the EHRC on 13 April. We cannot comment on the contents of the draft Code, however, we intend to lay it in May.

We have always been clear that associations should set their policies in line with the law.

If associations are uncertain as to how to apply the Equality Act 2010, they should obtain specialist legal advice.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to support the taxi and private hire sectors during the introduction of automated passenger services; and what (a) fiscal and (b) training support will be made available to drivers displaced by autonomous vehicle technology.

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

The Government has established a commercial piloting route for Automated Passenger Services. This will enable government, deployers and local authorities to learn from initial deployments, including considering potential impacts on jobs.

The initial roll-out of automated services is likely to be small-scale and the Government will continue to engage with unions and other interested parties to ensure any transition is managed responsibly, including understanding new skills and employment opportunities associated with their deployment.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will hold discussions with Historic Environment Scotland on access to Edinburgh Castle for Royal Regiment of Scotland veterans.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Edinburgh Castle remains an active military garrison and houses the headquarters of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. As such, free access is available for serving members of the Armed Forces holding a valid MOD90 card.

Veterans of the Royal Regiment of Scotland are entitled to free access to the regimental museum, which may be arranged by contacting the curator.

Veterans can access the site through standard concession pricing and entry is free for anyone wishing to visit the Scottish National War Memorial to pay their respects. Requests for ‘memorial access only’ must be made in advance.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure local authorities in England fulfil statutory duties to assess young people at risk of homelessness; and what assessment he has made of trends in the level of regional variations in assessment rates.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 128549 on 23 April 2026.

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Found: Representations from Members The following Members made oral representations: Dr Scott Arthur, Laurence

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Ruth Cadbury (Chair); Steff Aquarone; Dr Scott Arthur; Mrs Elsie

Found: STOCKBURY, SITTINGBOURNE, ME9 7RT OK1059100 R JOHN HANBY & PARTNERS Partner(s): JOHN HANBY, SCOTT ARTHUR