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.

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

Sunday Times Rich List

Palantir and the NHS

VAT for UK hospitality

Trophy hunting imports

US sanctions on Cuba

Draft Code of Practice on Services, public functions and associations

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

Martin O'Neill and Celtic Football Club, SPFL Champions 2025-26

Hillsborough Law

Reform of monetary limits on charity lotteries