Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of engagement and consultation with blind and partially sighted people in the design and delivery of interventions set out in the Financial Inclusion Strategy.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

In November, I published the Government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy which sets out a range of ambitious measures for government and industry to improve financial inclusion for underserved groups across the UK.

As part of its focus on inclusive design, the Strategy recognises the work taken forward by The Royal National Institute of Blind People and UK Finance to introduce accessibility features for cards, so that those who are blind or partially sighted are better able to distinguish between card types and orientate them when using card readers. UK Finance is developing a Code of Practice for Accessible Cards which will ensure these features are consistent across participating firms.

The Strategy also includes a commitment for industry to work with the third sector to make it easier for individuals without standard identification documents to open a bank account, and the launch of an industry-led inclusive design working group to consider how to make products more accessible. UK Finance is currently open to submissions from consumer representative organisations about the accessibility challenges which this group should seek to address.

The Strategy was developed alongside a Committee of consumer and industry representatives, including engagement with frontline organisations and those with lived experience. The Government is committed to continuing to work collaboratively to ensure the delivery of interventions remains informed by a wide range of expertise and perspectives.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to ensure the representation of blind and partially sighted people on the (a) Identification and Verification Working Group and (b) Inclusive Design Working Group.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

In November, I published the Government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy which sets out a range of ambitious measures for government and industry to improve financial inclusion for underserved groups across the UK.

As part of its focus on inclusive design, the Strategy recognises the work taken forward by The Royal National Institute of Blind People and UK Finance to introduce accessibility features for cards, so that those who are blind or partially sighted are better able to distinguish between card types and orientate them when using card readers. UK Finance is developing a Code of Practice for Accessible Cards which will ensure these features are consistent across participating firms.

The Strategy also includes a commitment for industry to work with the third sector to make it easier for individuals without standard identification documents to open a bank account, and the launch of an industry-led inclusive design working group to consider how to make products more accessible. UK Finance is currently open to submissions from consumer representative organisations about the accessibility challenges which this group should seek to address.

The Strategy was developed alongside a Committee of consumer and industry representatives, including engagement with frontline organisations and those with lived experience. The Government is committed to continuing to work collaboratively to ensure the delivery of interventions remains informed by a wide range of expertise and perspectives.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that financial services provided through banking hubs and the Post Office are accessible and inclusive for blind and partially sighted people.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is committed to ensuring high standards of financial inclusion across the financial services sector, including the accessibility of services for blind and partially sighted customers.

Financial services provided through banking hubs and the Post Office must comply with the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) rules, which require firms to provide a prompt, efficient and fair service to all customers, including those with disabilities. These services are also subject to the Equality Act 2010, which requires service providers to make reasonable adjustments to ensure disabled people can access services on an equal basis.

The FCA’s Consumer Duty further requires firms to act in good faith, avoid foreseeable harm and support customers to pursue their financial objectives, including by ensuring that information and services are accessible.

Industry, including LINK and UK Finance, is working with accessibility charities such as the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to ensure that emerging shared banking services reflect the needs of blind and partially sighted people. This includes considering accessible design and tailored support within banking hubs.

The Government continues to monitor progress closely as part of its wider commitment to inclusive access to financial services.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of increases in Benefit-in-Kind rates for electric vehicles on consumer uptake; and whether her Department has considered the effect on adoption rates if Benefit-in-Kind rates exceed 10%.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government announced new Company Car Tax rates for the years 2028-29 and 2029-30, which increase for both electric vehicles (EVs) and petrol/diesel vehicles, while still maintaining generous incentives to support EV take-up.

The Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) published alongside Budget set out the expected economic, equalities and other impacts, and highlighted that overall the measure was expected to encourage the take-up of zero emission vehicles.

The Government recognises that the Company Car Tax regime and the salary sacrifice exemption for ultra-low and zero emission vehicles continues to play an important role in the EV transition. The Government needs to balance these incentives against responsible management of public finances to ensure we have sufficient revenue to fund essential public services. A company car is a valuable benefit and therefore needs to be taxed appropriately.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of salary sacrifice schemes in supporting the uptake of electric vehicles.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government announced new Company Car Tax rates for the years 2028-29 and 2029-30, which increase for both electric vehicles (EVs) and petrol/diesel vehicles, while still maintaining generous incentives to support EV take-up.

The Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) published alongside Budget set out the expected economic, equalities and other impacts, and highlighted that overall the measure was expected to encourage the take-up of zero emission vehicles.

The Government recognises that the Company Car Tax regime and the salary sacrifice exemption for ultra-low and zero emission vehicles continues to play an important role in the EV transition. The Government needs to balance these incentives against responsible management of public finances to ensure we have sufficient revenue to fund essential public services. A company car is a valuable benefit and therefore needs to be taxed appropriately.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of tax relief claimed under the Enterprise Investment Scheme being withdrawn several years after the investment was made on investor confidence.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Enterprise Investment Scheme provides tax relief where the statutory conditions of that scheme are met. HM Revenue and Customs applies the legislation to the facts of each case, including after an investment has been made.

It is for investors to consider the risks associated with their investment, including a company’s ongoing compliance with the requirements of the scheme.

HMRC publishes guidance and offers an advance assurance service to help companies and investors understand the rules before investing.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support the Iranian diaspora and community cohesion in the UK via her cultural programme.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Government is committed to fostering social cohesion and building stronger, more integrated communities across the UK. Culture is central to this mission, strengthening ties between people and the places they live.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport does not however, generally run programmes specifically targeted only at the Iranian diaspora. Instead, it supports community cohesion and diaspora cultural expression through broader cultural, arts, and heritage programmes that are open to diverse communities across the UK. Iranian organisations, artists, and community groups can access these initiatives alongside other diaspora groups.

For instance, Arts Council England administers the National Lottery Project Grants, an open fund providing over £100 million annually to artists and organisations of all backgrounds.

Similarly, the National Lottery Heritage Fund provides an open funding programme which supports a broad range of projects that connect people and communities to the UK's heritage including those in diaspora in the UK. Their National Lottery Heritage grants can be used to support cultural traditions, exploring the history of different cultures through storytelling, dance, theatre, food or language for example.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what guidance and oversight the Government provides to private postal companies to ensure that agreements with trade unions on pay and conditions are respected; and what steps the Government is taking to support adequate pay and employment standards in the postal sector.

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

Pay and terms and conditions of employment, provided they are lawful, are, in general, a matter for private businesses to agree with their workforce and their representatives.

The Secretary of State met Dave Ward, General Secretary of the CWU, and Daniel Křetínský, the owner of EP Group, on 16 February and again on 19 March 2026 to facilitate continued discussions on these matters.,

The Plan to Make Work Pay will boost fairness in the workplace, ensure equality of treatment and opportunity, and support low-paid workers.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, further to the Written Answer given on 2 March 2026 (UIN 114544), does he plan to review or update this guidance.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department has no current plans to review or update informed consent guidance in protecting National Health Service clinicians from subsequent legal challenge where animal-derived ingredients are used in medicines or treatments without explicit disclosure.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to support the establishment of an international criminal court for crimes against children.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is a strong supporter of the International Criminal Court (ICC) as the primary international institution for investigating and prosecuting those responsible for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community and achieving justice for victims. The ICC has jurisdiction over war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, including when committed against children. It also has jurisdiction over specific crimes against children including the forcible transfer of children and the conscription or enlisting of children as soldiers. It is important that we build on work already being done and continue to support the crucial work of the ICC. The UK is committed to achieving justice for those children who have been subject to international crimes.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she has taken to ensure charities do not endorse or promote hate crimes or terrorism linked to Iran's governing regime.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

As part of the Government’s action plan for social cohesion we have announced that the Charity Commission’s powers to tackle extremist abuse of charities will be extended. This includes automatically disqualifying individuals with a criminal conviction for hate crimes from serving as charity trustees or senior managers, and helping the Charity Commission to disqualify charity trustees who have been excluded from the UK, deprived of British citizenship or are engaged in conduct which promotes violence or hatred. The Charity Commission is not a prosecuting authority, so any allegation or evidence of criminal offences, including terrorism, is referred to the police to investigate.

The Charity Commission has published guidance for charities with links to Iran to be clear that charities must ensure any activity furthers their charity’s purposes and complies with the law and its guidance, or else face regulatory consequences.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the Adoption Support Fund; and what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the fund on (a) adoption breakdown rates and (b) mental health outcomes of children placed in permanent care.

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

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

The department keeps the effectiveness of the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) under continual review. The latest evaluation found strong evidence of positive impact: 83% of parents and guardians reported that ASGSF‑funded support was helpful or very helpful, and there were statistically significant improvements by the end of the intervention. Families also reported an average score of seven out of ten six months after support ended. Outcome measurement tools are now strengthening our ability to assess therapeutic progress and longer-term impacts.

Recognising both the positive benefits of the ASGSF and the need to ensure that support for adopted and permanently placed children is as effective as possible, the department launched a public consultation in February 2026, ‘Adoption support that works for all’. This seeks views on how to deliver a more responsive, evidence‑based system of adoption support, including future arrangements for the ASGSF.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she has taken to ensure UK-based journalists can report on the activities of the Iranian regime without fear of intimidation.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Iran's threats and intimidation toward journalists and their families, both inside Iran and in the UK, are absolutely unacceptable, and we have consistently raised these issues directly with the Iranian government. We were integral to the delivery of the Iran Human Rights Resolution, adopted by the UN General Assembly in November 2025, which called on Iran to halt threats and intimidation against journalists who are critical of the government, and to investigate and prosecute those responsible for reprisals. In the UK, the National Protective Security Authority and Counter Terrorism Policing also continue to provide protective security advice and support to individuals and organisations threatened by the Iranian regime and its criminal proxies.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she has taken to counter disinformation linked to Iran's governing regime.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Iran's threats and intimidation toward journalists and their families, both inside Iran and in the UK, are absolutely unacceptable, and we have consistently raised these issues directly with the Iranian government. We were integral to the delivery of the Iran Human Rights Resolution, adopted by the UN General Assembly in November 2025, which called on Iran to halt threats and intimidation against journalists who are critical of the government, and to investigate and prosecute those responsible for reprisals. In the UK, the National Protective Security Authority and Counter Terrorism Policing also continue to provide protective security advice and support to individuals and organisations threatened by the Iranian regime and its criminal proxies.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Live Nation Entertainment and its subsidiary Ticketmaster controlling a majority share of the UK live music ticketing market on competition and consumer outcomes.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government is committed to ensuring markets work well for consumers and businesses. As the UK’s lead consumer and competition authority, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has a statutory duty to promote competition for the benefit of consumers. It is the role of the CMA to examine potential breaches of competition law, including abuse of a dominant position, and investigate markets if it thinks there are competition or consumer problems. As an independent authority, the CMA has discretion to investigate competition matters which, according to its prioritisation principles, it considers most appropriate.

125th anniversary of the British Standards Institution

Scott Meenagh

Southdale Primary School

40th anniversary of Bathgate rail

Glasgow 850 Interfaith Sponsored Walk

Death of Chuck Norris

Whitburn Brass Band and the Scottish Brass Band Championships

Stand-Out Theatre School

Bonhill Primary School Pupils' charity fundraising

30th anniversary of the Dunblane Primary School tragedy

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to implement the automatic patient contact system for clinical trial participation introduced as part of the Rare Cancers Act 2026 to enable the timely identification and contact of patients diagnosed with less survivable cancers; and what safeguards they will put in place to prevent delays in that contact system that could exclude eligible patients from participation in clinical trials.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department is committed to ensuring that all patients, including those with a rare cancer, have access to cutting-edge clinical trials and innovative, lifesaving treatments.

As set out in our National Cancer Plan, the Government will implement the Rare Cancers Act, including Section 3 of the Act which will involve developing a service to ensure rare cancer patients can be automatically contacted about clinical trials.

The Government is currently scoping the technical requirements for this service and identifying a suitable route for delivery, before a development project is commenced. This will allow data sharing from the National Disease Registration Service to the National Institute for Health and Care Research’s Be Part of Research registry tool. A detailed workplan and continued engagement with the Hon. Member Dr Scott Arthur, the bill sponsor in the House of Commons, will safeguard against delays which could impact the project.

Implementing the provisions of the Rare Cancers Act will make it easier for clinical trials on rare cancers to take place in England.