Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman entitled Women’s State Pension age: our findings on injustice and associated issues, published on 21 March 2024, whether compensation proposals will form part of a future fiscal event.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

I was the first Minister in 8 years to meet the WASPI campaign group and listen to their concerns.

We need time to review and consider the Ombudsman’s report along with the evidence provided during the investigation.

Once this work has been undertaken, the Government will be in a position to outline its approach.

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 tackle shortages of molybdenum-technetium generators.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department has been working hard with industry to help resolve the shortages of radioisotopes, which are affecting the United Kingdom and other countries around the world. The affected radioisotopes are mainly used for diagnosing cancers, including prostate and breast cancer, and are also used for the imaging of organ function in scans, including for the heart. Supply of the affected molybdenum-technetium generators has improved significantly during week of 11 November.

The Department has worked in close partnership with National Health Service specialists from across the UK, suppliers, the British Nuclear Medicine Society, the UK Radiopharmacy Group, and the devolved administrations, including Scotland, to ensure that critical patients are prioritised, and that the limited supply is shared equitably between hospitals and trusts across the UK.

The Department issued a National Patient Safety alert which provided comprehensive management advice for NHS clinicians across the UK on how to manage and prioritise patients affected by these shortages. The guidance covers actions for health boards in the devolved nations, including on the coordination of mutual aid arrangements and escalation routes where issues are identified.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what support the Government provides to (a) individuals and (b) businesses impacted by rogue operators in the building industry.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 sets out the standards consumers can expect when a trader supplies goods and services, including building work, and remedies if these rights are breached. Consumers can seek redress through local authority trading standards or the Small Claims Court.

Ensuring that we have a high-quality and professional construction industry is the best way to protect commercial clients. The Building Safety Act 2022 has introduced competence requirements for both individuals and businesses working in the built environment.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to paragraph 2.40 of the Autumn Budget 2024, HC 295, published on 30 October 2024, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing additional support to (a) GP practices, (b) pharmacies and (c) dental services.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

We have taken necessary decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances at the Autumn Budget, which has enabled the Spending Review settlement of a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department from 2023/24 outturn to 2025/26. The employer National Insurance rise will be implemented April 2025, and the Department will set out further details on the allocation of funding for next year in due course.

Primary care providers, including general practice (GP), dentistry, pharmacy, and eye care, are valued independent contractors who provide nearly £20 billion worth of National Health Services. Every year we consult with each sector both about what services they provide, and the money providers are entitled to in return under their contract. As in previous years, this issue will be dealt with as part of that process.

We will shortly begin discussions on the annual GP Contract and on the funding arrangements for community pharmacy in 2025/26. I am unable to say more until these have been concluded.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made a comparative assessment of the potential impact of the proposed increase in employers National Insurance contributions on (a) small and medium businesses and (b) large businesses.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

A Tax Information and Impact Note that covers the employer NICs changes was published by HMRC on 13 November

The government has protected the smallest businesses from the impact of the increase to employers’ National Insurance by increasing the Employment Allowance from £5,000 to £10,500, which means that 865,000 employers will pay no employer NICs at all next year.

More than half of employers see no change or gain overall from this package and eligible employers will be able to employ up to four full-time workers on the National Living Wage and pay no employer NICs.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans she has to provide students with support in place of the Erasmus+ programme.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The Turing Scheme is the UK government’s global programme to provide grants for students to do study and work placements anywhere in the world, including in the EU. Students can develop new skills, gain international experience and boost their employability. Since its introduction following the UK’s departure from the Erasmus+ programme, the Turing Scheme has provided funding to support more than 160,000 international placements. In addition to travel and living costs, for students from disadvantaged backgrounds the Turing Scheme covers items that students may need to be able to travel, including vaccinations, visa applications, passports and insurance costs.

For the 2024/25 academic year, over £105 million has been allocated to send more than 43,000 students from across the UK on study and work placements around the world.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of allowing asylum seekers to undertake paid work.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

At present, asylum seekers who have had their claim outstanding for 12 months or more, through no fault of their own, can apply for permission to work. Those permitted to work are restricted to jobs on the Immigration Salary List. This list is based on expert advice from the independent Migration Advisory Committee.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the Fire Brigades Union on the fire engine donated to Gaza.

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

The UK continues to call on Israel to increase humanitarian and commercial access into the Occupied Palestinian Territories by ensuring all aid crossings are fully operational, including the port of Ashdod. The Foreign Secretary recently spoke to Israeli Officials and raised the urgent need for a rapid increase in aid for those most in need. FCDO officials have raised the matter of this donation directly with the Israeli authorities and are working with colleagues in the Scottish Government to resolve the matter.

Bowel Cancer UK report into NHS services

Fuel Poverty Awareness Day

UN Special Rapporteur's report on atrocity crimes in Iran

Puppy smuggling bill

Children's Grief Awareness Week 2024

Islamophobia Awareness Month 2024

Frozen pensions for UK citizens overseas

Emergency care

Bus fare cap

Bus fare cap hike

Social care workers and National Insurance

Rural Crime Action Week 2024

Found: Chair); Maureen Burke; Harriet Cross; Lillian Jones; Douglas McAllister; Mr Angus MacDonald; Susan Murray

Found: Chair); Maureen Burke; Harriet Cross; Lillian Jones; Douglas McAllister; Mr Angus MacDonald; Susan Murray

Found: Burke; Harriet Cross; Stephen Flynn; Lillian Jones; Douglas McAllister; Mr Angus Macdonald; Susan Murray

Found: Chambers supported by Dr Neil Hudson , Vikki Slade , James MacCleary , Max Wilkinson , Susan Murray

Found: Dr Danny Chambers supported by Dr Neil Hudson, Vikki Slade, James MacCleary, Max Wilkinson, Susan Murray

Submit Evidence (by 5 Jan 2025)

This inquiry will examine the framework for fiscal devolution in Scotland. The Committee will evaluate the effectiveness of the Barnett formula and the fiscal framework in calculating the amount of money available for providing devolved services in Scotland. As part of this, the Committee will examine the interaction between UK Government fiscal events and in-year budgetary changes, and the impact they can have on the funding of Scotland's public services.

Submit Evidence (by 12 Jan 2025)

The Committee will be investigating the transition to net zero in Scotland’s energy sector, and how the UK Government can support a transition that maximises opportunities for jobs and economic growth. As part of this, the Committee will examine how GB Energy and other interventions can most effectively back the development of clean energy.