Tim Roca

The government recognises the invaluable contribution of emergency service workers to the people of the United Kingdom. Those that lose their lives as a result of their duties and their next-of kin are now rightly honoured with the award of the Elizabeth Emblem.

The Government is happy to consider the case for any new medal or award, subject to comprehensive assessment across relevant departments.

Ultimately, advice on new awards sit with the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decoration and Medals, which provides recommendations to His Majesty.

COP29 will be a major moment in the international climate and diplomatic calendar. The UK will be well represented at Ministerial level – exact attendance across Government Departments is still being determined.

From the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, I look forward to attending as Minister for Climate, alongside Ed Miliband MP as Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.

The life sciences sector will play a crucial role in both kickstarting economic growth and building an NHS fit for the future. To support this potential, we will cement this sector’s world-leading status. By ensuring the NHS works hand-in-hand with life sciences, research institutions and medical technology companies, we will drive the development of new treatments and help grow our industries across the UK.

The table below provides per pupil funding units from the 2018/2019 to 2023/2024 financial years. This represents the funding provided for schools in Cheshire East each year in the schools block of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG).

The department cannot provide comparable funding for Cheshire East back to 2010, due to the changes in the funding system since that time. The scope of the per pupil funding before and after 2018/19 are not directly comparable. In particular, in 2018/19 the central services provided by local authorities were split out from the schools block funding, and instead became funded separately through the central school services block from that year onwards.

The figures in the table below are provided on a cash basis. The department also publishes real-terms statistics on schools funding at the national level which does not distinguish by phase. The department uses the GDP deflator to calculate real-terms funding levels. The schools funding statistics for the 2023/24 financial year are available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-funding-statistics. The methodology used to calculate the statistics is available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/methodology/school-funding-statistics-methodology.

These figures do not include funding for growth, premises or additional funding received through supplementary grants.

The Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme is subject to annual review as part of the consultation on the general practice contract with professional and patient representatives. NHS England works closely with the Department to implement any changes identified as part of this process.

While there is no data available for 2010, as of 10 July 2024, there were 20 open dentistry practices in the Macclesfield constituency, six of which stated they were accepting new adult National Health Service patients when availability allows. This data is sourced from the Find a Dentist website, and is matched to constituencies based on the postcode data shown on the website, with further information available at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-dentist

The expert Cass Review, which is one of the most comprehensive reviews of gender identity services for children and young people to date, states that the rationale for early puberty suppressing hormones to treat gender dysphoria is unclear and the effects on cognitive and psychosexual development are unknown. This is why NHS England and the National Institute of Health and Care Research, the research arm of the department, are working together to commission a study into the potential benefits and harms of puberty suppressing hormones as a treatment option for children and young people with gender incongruence. The study team is now in place and are finalising their application for funding which will be assessed by an independent scientific review study ahead of the commencement of wider approvals, including ethics, and set up.

The Foreign Secretary called UNRWA Commissioner General Lazzarini on 19 July to discuss the reinstatement of UK funding. Development Minister Anneliese Dodds also met with Lazzarini following the announcement on 19 July. They discussed how the UK's £21 million of new funding will support UNRWA's lifesaving work in Gaza and the provision of basic services in the region. We also condemned the killing of almost 200 UNRWA workers in the conflict. The Foreign Secretary also spoke with UNRWA Gaza Director Scott Anderson on 15 July during his visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. They discussed the above, and the need for the protection of civilians in Gaza.

The Government recognises the importance of banking to communities and high streets and has committed to work closely with banks to roll out at least 350 banking hubs over the next five years.

147 banking hubs have already been recommended and Cash Access UK, the industry body responsible for banking hub deployment, expects 100 banking hubs to be open before the end of the year. These will provide individuals and businesses up and down the country with critical cash and banking services.

While not the same as a bank branch, alternative options to access everyday banking services can also include telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking, and via one of the UK’s 11,500 Post Office branches.

The Home Office has never centrally collected data on the number of police station closures and has not collected this data previously.

The Armed Forces Commissioner is the first in a series of steps that will be taken by the new Government to improve Service life and renew the contract between the nation and those who serve.

The Armed Forces Commissioner Bill was included in the King’s Speech and will be published in due course.

Offenders who refuse to attend their sentencing hearings deny victims and their families the opportunity to explain how their crimes have impacted their lives. This Government wants victims to have faith that justice will be delivered and to see criminals face the consequences of their actions. That is why we intend to change the law so that courts have the powers to order the most serious offenders to attend their sentencing hearings.