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 reduce the number of women leaving the workforce due to menopause-related health issues.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The government is committed to tackling the challenges women face in the labour market at every stage of life, and with the right menopause workplace support, we can help unlock the full talent and creativity of women across the country.

As part of the Employment Rights Act 2025, the government committed to supporting women experiencing menopause in the workplace by encouraging employers with 250 or more employees to produce an action plan, from April 2026, covering the steps they are taking to support employees experiencing the menopause.

As part of the plan to Make Work Pay, the government also committed to publishing guidance, including for small employers, on measures relating to uniform and temperature, flexible working and recording menopause-related leave and absence. This is available on the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) website.

On 1 April 2026, Mariella Frostrup was appointed as the government’s Women’s Employment Ambassador, building on her work over the past 18 months as Menopause Employment Ambassador, where she raised awareness and strengthened employer understanding of menopause in the workplace.

In this expanded role, she is championing women’s health across the life course, ensuring menopause remains a key priority, and working with employers to improve workplace support, raise awareness of key health issues and highlight women’s economic contribution.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what plans she has to (a) monitor and (b) assess the effectiveness of voluntary Menopause Action Plans before they become mandatory in 2027.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Introducing action plans on a voluntary basis is an initial step to provide employers with an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the process before they become mandatory in 2027.

Officials will be monitoring the implementation during the voluntary year and ensuring insights are reflected in the guidance and process for employers, as well as the draft regulations. We will work closely with businesses to monitor and review whether these are the right actions and ensure that they continue to reflect emerging evidence on actions that are effective.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many caseworkers working on Child Maintenance are available across (a) the UK and (b) the devolved nations in the last five years.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

The Department is committed to delivering an effective Child Maintenance Service and ensures resourcing is regularly reviewed and deployed efficiently to meet customer needs.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when she plans to introduce the National Wealth Fund Bill.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The National Wealth Fund already has the remit it needs to invest in a wide range of projects, businesses, and assets to drive growth across the UK.

HMG has provided NWF with a total capitalisation of £27.8bn and has invested £5.8bn since its launch in 2024.

The NWF’s recently published strategic plan will support 200,000 jobs and unlock over £100 billion of investment into the UK, without requiring new legislation.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when she plans to respond to the correspondence in relation to Digital ID of 6 February, 12 March and 13 April with reference numbers SL03345/dw and MC2025-00011528.

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

The Department apologies for the delay in responding on this occasion, which falls below the standards we strive for. I provided a full response on 19^th May.

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 to help ensure Scottish families and businesses, including those in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East, are included in reforms to improve ultrafast broadband access proposed in the UK Government’s latest consultation.

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

The consultation on legislative proposals to address broadband rollout in leasehold flats was published on 15th December and closed on 16th February 2026. The proposals are based on leasehold law and are applicable in England and Wales. Whilst the proposals in the consultation do not extend to Scotland, we continue to engage with the Devolved Nations on issues relating to the deployment of digital infrastructure, including deployments to blocks of flats.

It was confirmed in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 that the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill would include provisions to create a new right for leaseholders in flats to request improvements, such as gigabit-capable broadband. We are currently analysing responses to the consultation and are working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on the final policy proposals. We will provide an update on the outcome in due course.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department has, in collaboration with its counterpart in the Scottish Government, made an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to allow broadband providers to access communal areas in multi-dwelling units to upgrade flats and apartments across Scotland.

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

The consultation on legislative proposals to address broadband rollout in leasehold flats was published on 15th December and closed on 16th February 2026. The proposals are based on leasehold law and are applicable in England and Wales. Whilst the proposals in the consultation do not extend to Scotland, we continue to engage with the Devolved Nations on issues relating to the deployment of digital infrastructure, including deployments to blocks of flats.

It was confirmed in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 that the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill would include provisions to create a new right for leaseholders in flats to request improvements, such as gigabit-capable broadband. We are currently analysing responses to the consultation and are working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on the final policy proposals. We will provide an update on the outcome in due course.

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 whether those living in in leasehold flats and apartments in Scotland will be able to benefit from the improved access to ultrafast broadband proposed in her Department’s recent consultation.

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

The consultation on legislative proposals to address broadband rollout in leasehold flats was published on 15th December and closed on 16th February 2026. The proposals are based on leasehold law and are applicable in England and Wales. Whilst the proposals in the consultation do not extend to Scotland, we continue to engage with the Devolved Nations on issues relating to the deployment of digital infrastructure, including deployments to blocks of flats.

It was confirmed in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 that the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill would include provisions to create a new right for leaseholders in flats to request improvements, such as gigabit-capable broadband. We are currently analysing responses to the consultation and are working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on the final policy proposals. We will provide an update on the outcome in due course.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what legislative options her Department is considering to improve broadband builders’ access to upgrade rental flats and apartments.

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

The consultation on legislative proposals to address broadband rollout in leasehold flats was published on 15th December and closed on 16th February 2026. The proposals are based on leasehold law and are applicable in England and Wales. Whilst the proposals in the consultation do not extend to Scotland, we continue to engage with the Devolved Nations on issues relating to the deployment of digital infrastructure, including deployments to blocks of flats.

It was confirmed in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 that the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill would include provisions to create a new right for leaseholders in flats to request improvements, such as gigabit-capable broadband. We are currently analysing responses to the consultation and are working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on the final policy proposals. We will provide an update on the outcome in due course.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with the Scottish Government on whether the R100 programme is on track; and when full connectivity is expected to be achieved in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East.

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

The UK Government has maintained regular engagement with the Scottish Government regarding the delivery of its Reaching 100% (R100) programme and continues to work closely with Scottish counterparts to monitor progress and support delivery.

The R100 programme is scheduled to complete delivery by 2028. The Scottish Government is responsible for management of the contract including the timescales for delivery in particular locations, including in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she plans to take measures alongside the Scotland Office and his counterparts in the Scottish Government to ensure the R100 programme is carried out in full and on time.

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

The UK Government has maintained regular engagement with the Scottish Government regarding the delivery of its Reaching 100% (R100) programme and continues to work closely with Scottish counterparts to monitor progress and support delivery.

The R100 programme is scheduled to complete delivery by 2028. The Scottish Government is responsible for management of the contract including the timescales for delivery in particular locations, including in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential economic impact of rolling out ultrafast full fibre broadband across Scotland.

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

Project Gigabit is supporting connectivity improvements across Scotland through contracted delivery. Openreach has been awarded a £157 million contract, and a further £131 million of contracts have been signed since the beginning of 2025, together covering over 70,000 additional Scottish premises. These contracts form part of the UK wide Project Gigabit programme, which is estimated to generate over £14 billion in economic benefits across the UK. The government does not publish disaggregated data on economic impact of Project Gigabit in Devolved Administrations.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Prime Minister has made an assessment of the potential merits of appointing Jonathan Ashworth to a head of mission role or the House of Lords.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

It would not be appropriate to comment on the hypothetical appointment of individuals.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, when she plans to respond to correspondence from the hon. Member for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East passed to his office on 2 February 2026 with reference numbers SL05232 and PO2026/03476.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that deforestation measures do not (a) exclude smallholder farmers from supply chains and (b) increase compliance costs for those farmers.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government recognises the urgency of taking action to ensure that UK consumption of forest risk commodities is not driving deforestation. We will set out our approach to addressing UK consumption of forest risk commodities as soon as possible.

We understand the importance of ensuring that measures do not disadvantage smallholder farmers and will continue to work with international partners to support sustainable production and inclusive supply chains.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what safeguards will apply to protect smallholder farmers’ ownership and control of geolocation data collected for compliance with the Forest Risk Commodities regime.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government recognises the urgency of taking action to ensure that UK consumption of forest risk commodities is not driving deforestation. We will set out our approach to addressing UK consumption of forest risk commodities as soon as possible.

We understand the importance of ensuring that measures do not disadvantage smallholder farmers and will continue to work with international partners to support sustainable production and inclusive supply chains.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the Miscarriage Patient Charter, including Tommy’s Graded Model of Miscarriage Care, which is being implemented in Scotland.

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

Miscarriage can have a devastating impact on women and their families, and we are determined that they receive the support they need.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has not made a formal assessment of the Miscarriage Patient Charter. However, we will consider the available evidence as part of our broader work on miscarriage care, including the Tommy’s report on the Graded Model of Miscarriage Care, and the implementation of the Graded Model in Scotland.

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 potential implications for her policies of the roadmap towards phasing out animal testing published by the European Commission.

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

The Government is aware of the European Commission’s roadmap on phasing out animal testing and is considering its potential implications as part of our broader international engagement on alternative methods. We continue to monitor developments in the EU and other jurisdictions, recognising the importance of international collaboration in supporting the development, validation and acceptance of alternatives. Our Replacing Animals in Science strategy sets out a UK‑led, science‑based approach to reducing reliance on animal use. We will continue to engage with international partners to support progress, and further detail on international activity will be set out in the strategy delivery update to be published later in 2026.

50 years of Landward on BBC Scotland

Scotland’s Tartan Army

Toxicity testing on animals

Amendment of the Law Motions for Finance Bills

BBC jobs and public service broadcasting

Coastguard remuneration

Indefinite Leave to Remain changes

Infected Blood Inquiry compensation

HPV vaccine

Scotland’s future 10 years after Brexit

National Emergency Briefing

Government response to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman report on communication of changes to women’s state pension age

US sanctions on Cuba

Trophy hunting imports

VAT for UK hospitality

Palantir and the NHS

Sunday Times Rich List

Draft Code of Practice on Services, public functions and associations

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Amendment) Regulations 2026

Found: WRP0026 - Written Parliamentary Questions Seamus Logan Written Evidence