Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a national prostate cancer screening programme.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), which advises ministers on all screening matters, commissioned an evidence review modelling the clinical effectiveness and cost of several approaches to prostate cancer screening. This included different potential ways of screening the whole population and targeted screening aimed at groups of people identified as being at higher-than-average risk, such as black men or men with a family history of cancer.

The modelling and evidence review are now complete, and the reports are being considered by the UK NSC and experts. Subject to no further revisions being required, the UK NSC plans to start a three-month public consultation towards the end of 2025. After this, the UK NSC will make a recommendation about screening for prostate cancer. Ministers will then be asked to consider whether to accept the recommendation.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps he has taken to help reduce the average diagnosis time for endometriosis.

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

It is unacceptable that women can wait too long for an endometriosis diagnosis and this government is committed to improving the diagnosis, treatment and ongoing care for gynaecological conditions including endometriosis.

Tackling waiting lists is a key part of our Health Mission. We have now exceeded our pledge to deliver an extra two million operations, scans, and appointments, having now delivered 4.9 million more appointments.

In November 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence updated its guideline on the diagnosis and management of endometriosis to make firmer recommendations on referral and investigations, which will help women receive a diagnosis and effective treatment faster. This includes updated recommendations that for women with symptoms of endometriosis, initial pharmacological treatment should take place in primary care, and that this can take place in parallel with additional investigations and referral to secondary care if needed. The guideline is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng73

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps he has taken to ensure adequate availability of mental health support services for (a) children and (b) young adults.

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

We are investing an extra £688 million this year to transform mental health services by hiring more staff, delivering more early interventions, and getting waiting lists down.

We have confirmed that we will fulfil our commitment to recruit an additional 8,500 staff across child and young people and adult mental health services by the end of the Parliament, and 6,700 of these extra workers have been recruited since July 2024.

We also want to intervene much earlier to support better outcomes for children and young people. That is why the 10-Year Health Plan sets out how we will work with schools and colleges to better identify and meet children's and young people’s mental health needs by expanding mental health support teams in schools and colleges to cover 100% of pupils by 2029/30 and by embedding mental health support in the new Young Futures hubs, to ensure there is no 'wrong front door' for young people seeking help.

Additionally, we are continuing to provide top-up funding of £7 million to 24 existing early support hubs, to expand their services and to take part in an ongoing evaluation of these services in 2025/26. This funding will enable the supported hubs to deliver at least 10,000 additional mental health and wellbeing interventions, so that more children and young people are supported.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much his Department has spent on (a) providing maternity care and (b) settling legal cases of medical negligence related to maternity care in each of the last four years.

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

The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on the number of recorded offences related to the illegal use of an e-scooter in a public place in the past 5 years.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office collects information on the number of notifiable offences recorded by the police in England and Wales.

The Home Office does not hold information on whether an offence was related to the use of e-scooters.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has been made of the potential impact of commercial greyhound racing on animal welfare.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The welfare of greyhounds in England is protected by the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The Act allows action to be taken where there is evidence of cruelty to an animal or a failure to provide for that animal’s welfare needs. This includes where greyhounds are raced or kept at trainers’ kennels. Specific welfare standards at all greyhound racing tracks in England are also required by the Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010, including having a vet present while dogs are running (with all greyhounds inspected by the vet before being allowed to run).

In addition to these statutory protections, the sport’s main regulatory body, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), enforces welfare standards at GBGB affiliated tracks, as well as at GBGB licensed trainers’ kennels. Independent, external oversight of GBGB’s regulatory work at tracks and trainers’ kennels is provided by the UK’s National Accreditation Body, the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).

The GBGB has also undertaken a number of welfare reforms, including publishing a long term, national welfare strategy – ‘A Good Life for Every Greyhound’. The Government is monitoring GBGB’s progress in delivering the strategy and should further measures be required the Government will consider options which are targeted, effective, and proportionate.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps his Department is taking to reduce treatment waiting times for people with prostate cancer in the South East.

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

The Government understands that more needs to be done to improve outcomes for all patients with prostate cancer, including in the South East.

NHS England has introduced a best-practice timed pathway for prostate cancer so that those suspected of prostate cancer receive a multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging scan first, which ensures that only those men most at risk of having cancer undergo an invasive biopsy. The AI in Health and Care Award has also been established, which aims to accelerate the testing and development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. £113 million has already been allocated to support 86 AI technologies, and three of these projects specifically relate to prostate cancer, one of which is the Paige prostate cancer detection tool, developed by the University of Oxford.

The Department will publish a National Cancer Plan which will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients across England, including the South East, speed up diagnosis and treatment, and ensure that patients have access to the latest treatments and technology.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent steps her Department has taken to support (a) local authorities and (b) police forces to tackle anti-social behaviour (i) in town centres and (ii) on high streets.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

This Government wants town centres to be vibrant, welcoming places where businesses thrive and people feel safe and come to shop, socialise and live.

The Safer Streets Summer Initiative commenced on 30 June and runs until the end of September. It is tackling crime and anti-social behaviour in town centres, including city centres, through enhanced police visibility and meaningful consequences.

Police and Crime Commissioners are leading on targeted action to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) that blights our town centres and high streets. The work is being delivered in partnership with councils, schools, health services, business, transport providers and community groups all playing a role over the summer. Under the initiative, partners will use targeted enforcement, visible policing and place-based interventions to reduce retail and street crime and ASB in over 500 town centres and high streets, across England and Wales, including Slough.

£200m has been made available to forces in 2025/26 to kickstart the delivery of 13,000 more neighbourhood officers across England and Wales by the end of this Parliament - of which up to 3,000 will be in place by March 2026. In particular, Thames Valley Police has been awarded £6,093,042 as part of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.

In addition to this, £66.3 million in Hotspot Action (HAF) funding has been made available for 2025/26 to all 43 territorial police forces across England and Wales. The Fund will increase visible uniformed patrols (delivered by police and local authority wardens) in Town Centres and areas (hotspots) most impacted by knife crime, serious violence and ASB. This includes allocating £1,690,460 to Thames Valley Police.

In support, all police officers are receiving national guidance, a policy toolkit and access to hyper-local ASB crime mapping analysis, which overlays crime concentration data against hotspot responses and points of interest such as town centres. It aims to support analysis, identification of priority town centres, planning, and delivery.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions she has had with the Financial Conduct Authority on the adequacy of the regulation of peer-to-peer banking.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Treasury Ministers and officials meet with their counterparts at the Financial Conduct Authority often, as part of their regular engagement on various topics. This includes peer-to-peer lending, which the FCA is responsible for regulating.

Peer-to-peer investments are a higher risk investment where customers put their own capital at stake, without recourse to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

The FCA has investigative and enforcement powers and has commenced investigations into particular peer-to-peer collapses, certain of which are ongoing. This is also an area in which the Financial Regulators Complaints Commissioner has taken an interest and that work is ongoing.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of compliance with international tax standards by the Overseas Territories.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The inhabited Overseas Territories are largely self-governing jurisdictions with democratically elected governments, and are responsible for fiscal matters.

All Overseas Territories with financial centres have committed to upholding international tax standards, including those on tax transparency and exchange of information, and Base Erosion and Profit Shifting.

Compliance with international standards is assessed through a system of peer reviews and monitoring within the G20/OECD Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting and the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes.

The UK also works bilaterally with the Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories on issues of mutual concern. For example, on 27 May 2025, the UK and Isle of Man issued a joint statement, agreeing to explore ways to further enhance information flows, joint working and other ways in which tangible benefits for both jurisdictions can be achieved, noting our shared objective of combatting tax avoidance and evasion.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the levels of educational support available to autistic children in mainstream schools.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The Neurodivergence Task and Finish Group brought together experts to provide advice and recommendations to the department on how to best meet the needs of neurodivergent children and young people within mainstream education settings.

To support schools, the department is also strengthening the evidence base of what works to improve inclusive practice in mainstream settings and has commissioned evidence reviews, including one on autism, from Newcastle University and University College London. The What Works in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) research programme is researching tools that schools can use to identify the needs of neurodivergent children.

The Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools programme provides health and education specialist support to upskill mainstream primary schools to better meet the needs of neurodivergent children, including pupils with autism. The programme is being evaluated, and the learning is informing future policy development around how schools support neurodivergent children.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent steps she has taken to prevent sanctioned individuals from using trusts to conceal their (a) identities and (b) assets.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government is committed to preventing sanctioned individuals from misusing trusts to conceal their identities and assets. To this end, we have strengthened the transparency of the beneficial ownership of trusts through our various registers, including our world-leading People with Significant Control (PSC) register, our Trust Registration Service (TRS), and the Register of Overseas Entities (ROE). As of 1 September 2025, any individual can apply to Companies House for disclosure of trust information held on the ROE.

The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) continues to enhance its implementation and enforcement capabilities. OFSI has opened a record number of investigations this year, reflecting a commitment to robust financial sanctions enforcement. In 2025 OFSI also published a series of reports assessing sectoral threats and vulnerabilities relating to financial sanctions, including a Legal Services Threat Assessment, to help industry implement sanctions where trusts are being misused.

In response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, the UK has imposed robust sanctions designed to disrupt funding streams to the Russian regime and prevent those supporting it from benefiting from UK services. Under the UK’s trust services sanctions, trust services must not be provided to or for the benefit of designated persons. Since 16 December 2022, it is also prohibited to provide new trust services to or for the benefit of persons connected with Russia.

For the Legal Services Threat Assessment Report, click here: OFSI_Legal_Services_Threat_Assessment.pdf

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent steps she has taken to improve passenger railway services in (a) Slough and (b) the South East.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Secretary of State is committed to improving rail services by working together with train operators, Network Rail, and where appropriate, Transport for London, to continue to improve reliability and punctuality in the South East. Slough already benefits from contactless ticketing, which we have announced will be further expanded to 49 more stations across the South East later this year.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent steps his Department has taken to raise public awareness of the availability of government grants for the installation of solar panels on homes.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Although domestic rooftop solar remains a key priority for the Government, there are currently no grants on offer to support the installation of solar panels specifically.

However, alongside the £13.2bn we are investing in the Warm Homes Plan, officials will work with the finance sector on the role Government may play in scaling up and mobilising low-cost lending to support households with the up-front costs of energy efficiency and clean energy upgrades.

Additionally, our Solar Roadmap carries several actions for government and industry to facilitate the provision of financial solutions for suitable customers. We will monitor and support delivery of these actions through the Solar Council co-chaired with industry.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what information his Department holds on the number of rooftop solar panels in use in (a) Slough and (b) Berkshire.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government does not have data for the number of rooftop solar panels in total by parliamentary constituency; however, we do hold figures for domestic solar installations across parliamentary constituencies, and these are available online.

Our latest figures show that Slough has a solar PV capacity of 4.4MW across 1,312 domestic installations.

Across the nine parliamentary constituencies in Berkshire, there is 73.6MW of solar capacity over 19,218 domestic installations. Wokingham leads the charge with 11.9MW over 2,790 installations.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress his Department has made on increasing (a) solar and (b) rooftop solar capacity.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Accelerating solar deployment is a key part of the Government’s clean energy mission. As set out in the recently published Solar Roadmap, solar capacity will need to rise to 45-47GW by 2030.

Since the Government took office, UK solar capacity has increased from 17.8GW (July 2024) to 19.1GW (July 2025).

The Government does not hold precise figures for rooftop solar deployment. However, UK solar capacity from installations smaller than 50kW has risen from 6.3GW (July 2024) to 7.2GW (July 2025).

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the use of snares on animal welfare.

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

Defra recognises many people in this country have concerns about the use of snares.

Free-running snares are currently legal in England and are regulated by law. They must be checked at least once a day and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 prohibits the setting of any type of snare in places where they are likely to catch certain non-target animals. Anyone using snares also has a responsibility under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to ensure their activities do not cause wild animals or pets any unnecessary suffering.

This Government was elected on a mandate to introduce the most ambitious plans to improve animal welfare in a generation and this included a commitment to bring an end to the use of snare traps in England. Defra is considering the most effective way to deliver this commitment and will be setting out next steps in due course.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of statutory paternity leave entitlements for self-employed parents.

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

Self-employed parents are not currently eligible for statutory paternity leave or pay. On 1 July the Government launched the Parental Leave and Pay Review. The Review will consider all existing and upcoming parental leave entitlements, including whether support available meets the needs of self-employed parents.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance her Department issues to police forces to ensure that they use their public order powers at protests in compliance with human rights legislation.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Guidance on the use of public order powers is jointly produced by the College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

The College of Policing publishes the Public Order Public Safety Authorised Professional Practice, while the Protest Operational Advice Document is issued collaboratively by both organisations.

These documents provide comprehensive operational guidance and include robust, detailed consideration of human rights legislation, ensuring that policing practices align with legal obligations and uphold fundamental rights.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps his Department has taken to prevent the importation of low-welfare animal products.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government shares the public’s high regard for the UK’s environmental protections, food standards and animal welfare. We will promote robust standards nationally and internationally.

All agri-food products must comply with our import requirements in order to be placed on the UK market. This includes ensuring imported meat products have been slaughtered to animal welfare standards equivalent to our domestic standards.

As set out in the UK’s Trade Strategy, the Government will not lower food standards and will uphold high animal welfare standards. We recognise concerns about methods of production, such as sow stalls and battery cages, which are not permitted in the UK. While methods vary in line with different climates, diseases, and other contextual reasons, we will always consider whether overseas produce has an unfair advantage and any impact that may have. Where necessary, we will be prepared to use the full range of powers at our disposal to protect our most sensitive sectors including permanent quotas, exclusions, and safeguards.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment he has made of the affordability of (a) private and (b) social housing in Slough.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

According to 2024 Office for National Statistics (ONS) data, private renters in Slough spent on average 27.9% of their income on rent. This compares to 29.6% in the South East as a whole and 36.3% in England.

The ONS does not publish data on social housing affordability at a local authority level. However, according to the latest English Housing survey results from 2023/24 social renters spent on average 26.4% of their incomes on rent.

Found: (Labour; Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North) Sarah Champion (Labour; Rotherham) Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

Found: the Defence Committee in Session 2024−25 Tuesday 29 October 2024 Members present Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

Found: the meeting Members present: Matt Western (The Chair); Dame Karen Bradley; Liam Byrne; Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

Found: the meeting Members present: Matt Western (The Chair); Dame Karen Bradley; Liam Byrne; Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi