Asked by: Susan Murray (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dunbartonshire)
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 ensure that patients who need to follow medically prescribed diets and are experiencing food insecurity receive appropriate support; and whether he will commit to producing national guidance, developed in conjunction with registered dietetic professionals.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department recognises that food insecurity can make it harder for people to follow medically prescribed diets and can worsen the risk of poor nutrition and malnutrition. Registered dietitians already play an important role in supporting affected patients through compassionate assessment of financial and practical barriers, adapting dietary advice to be realistic and affordable, and signposting to wider support such as local welfare assistance, community food provision and food banks where appropriate. The Department has also worked with the Money and Pensions Service and NHS England to support the workforce through resources and e-learning, including tools to help practitioners discuss money worries with patients and signpost them to relevant support. The Department recognises the value of registered dietetic professionals in this area and will continue to work with partners to support practical approaches that help patients follow medically prescribed diets.
Support is available to help reduce costs for patients who are prescribed foods or supplements. Patients may be eligible for exemption from National Health Service prescription charges. Those who do not qualify for an exemption can seek help under the NHS Low Income Scheme.
Asked by: Susan Murray (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to provide additional financial support to low-income women experiencing food insecurity during pregnancy and the postnatal period, beyond existing maternity and low-income support schemes.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
In April 2026, the Department increased the financial support provided by Healthy Start for pregnant women and children under four on very low incomes. The weekly value increased by 10% to £4.65 for pregnant women and children over one and under four years old, and to £9.30 for children under one year old. This uplift will boost the ability to buy fruit and vegetables for those families who need it the most.
The Government also provides financial support to low-income families through the Sure Start Maternity Grant as a one-off grant of £500 to help parents with the costs of a new baby, or babies in the event of a multiple birth, expected, born, adopted, or the subject of a parental or residence order or other similar arrangements.
For this reason, there are no current plans to provide additional financial support.
Asked by: Susan Murray (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has made of the potential impact of the new online medical services portal on people with medical conditions who are digitally excluded; and what alternative support is available to those unable to use online services.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s (DVLA) online services currently adhere to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 and work is underway to bring all services to WCAG 2.2 level AA status to attain full compliance with the most recent accessibility requirements. These are an internationally recognised set of recommendations to ensure services are accessible to everyone, including users with impairments to their, vision, hearing, mobility and/or thinking/understanding.
As part of service development, the DVLA tests services with users who have a wide range of accessibility needs and uses a digital inclusion scale to ensure testing covers of varying skill and confidence levels. Ahead of any new service being launched, a service assessment is also conducted by independent panel members.
While digital services are increasingly available, the DVLA recognises that not all customers can or want to access services online or via a mobile device. Customers can contact the DVLA by telephone, or in writing in these circumstances and paper application facilities continue to be available.
The DVLA also offers a variety of reasonable adjustments to support customers, ranging from simple adjustments such as providing correspondence on coloured paper or in large print, to providing a Video Relay Service for British Sign Language users who want to contact the DVLA via telephone.
Asked by: Susan Murray (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dunbartonshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what timetable she has set for completing, and publishing the outcome of, the assessment of options for targeted reductions to agri-food import tariffs intended to reduce food prices for consumers, announced on 24 March 2026.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The Chancellor announced on 30th April the suspension of tariffs on over £2 billion worth of imports with a detailed list of products covered by this published on 20th May. These will come into effect from June 21st.
On 27th May the government launched a call for input on suspending tariffs on a further 125 food products in order to give businesses and other stakeholders a chance to express their views. This call for input is due to close on 24th June
These tariff suspensions have been targeted to reduce the price of food for consumers, supporting those who need it most, while balancing this against the implications for domestic producers and food security.
Asked by: Susan Murray (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to publish updates on the impact of recent conflict between the United States and Iran on UK food security, including food supply disruption and consumer food prices; and whether he will place any such updates in the Library.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra is monitoring risks posed by conflict in the Middle East to our critical supply chains, including extensive, regular and ongoing industry engagement to prepare for, respond and address issues that cause disruption to food supply chains. The UK Agriculture Market Monitoring Group monitors UK agricultural markets including price, supply, inputs, trade, and recent developments.
Asked by: Susan Murray (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the DVLA plans to further digitalise the renewal process for driving licences for people with medical conditions.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) launched a new online medical services portal on 31 March. This allows the majority of customers to notify and apply online through the DVLA’s driver and vehicles account. In time, this will also allow customers to track their applications in a way they have not been able to previously. Details on how to sign up for an account can be found at www.gov.uk/driver-vehicles-account.
The new digital online medical services portal covers around 1,600 medical conditions. Further enhancements for customers applying for a provisional licence and those renewing at the age of 70 or over will be made later this summer.
Asked by: Susan Murray (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent representations she has made to his Iranian counterpart on the detention of Lindsay and Craig Foreman; when their case was last raised at ministerial level; and what further steps he is taking to help secure their release and ensure regular consular access.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Craig and Lindsay Foreman's welfare remains a priority for Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) ministers and officials. The Foreign Secretary raised the case with Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi on 8 May and we are continuing to support the couple and their family as best we can in the current circumstances, as we also will any other British nationals detained in Iran who request our help. A specialist team from the FCDO is in frequent contact with members of Craig and Lindsay's family, providing regular updates and advice.
Asked by: Susan Murray (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the Saudi Arabian Government on the detention of Ahmed al-Doush; when his case was last raised at ministerial level; and what further steps he is taking to secure his release and ensure regular consular access.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 2 April in response to Question 122993
Asked by: Susan Murray (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to review the Consumer Rights Act 2015 to protect consumers from losing access to paid-for digital content when support for (a) devices and (b) platforms is withdrawn.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The department currently has no plans to review the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA).
Under the CRA, goods or digital content must be of satisfactory quality, fit for a particular purpose and as described by the seller. A trader can upgrade, fix, enhance and improve the features of, or add new features to, digital content so long as it continues to match any description given by the trader. It must also continue to conform with any pre-contract information as to main characteristics, functionality, and compatibility provided by the trader.
Asked by: Susan Murray (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what plans his Department has to publish Great British Energy – Nuclear’s assessment of Scotland’s potential for new nuclear power.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.