Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of Personal Independence Payment assessments in addressing the fluctuating and energy-limiting nature of Myalgic encephalomyelitis.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a medically recognised condition associated with a range of disabling effects which depend upon the severity of the condition.
All Health Professionals (HPs) receive comprehensive training in disability analysis, including how to assess the impacts of medical conditions on claimant’s day-to-day activities, as well as awareness training in a range of conditions, symptoms and disabilities. HPs have access to a wide range of Core Training and Guidance Material (CTGM). These resources offer detailed clinical and functional information, including the potential risks and limitations of a range of conditions, such as ME/CFS, to support HPs in delivering informed assessments. All core training and guidance materials are quality assured to ensure their accuracy from both a clinical and policy perspective.
In addition, the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) criteria consider an individual’s ability over a 12-month period, ensuring that fluctuations are considered. It is essential for the assessment to accurately reflect the impact of variations in an individual's level of impairment, this is important for all health conditions, not only those which more typically fluctuate. For each activity, if a descriptor applies on more than 50 per cent of the days in the 12-month period, that descriptor should be chosen. In general, HPs should record function over an average year for conditions that fluctuate over months, per week for conditions that fluctuate by the day, and by the day for conditions that vary over a day.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of schools’ mobile phone policies in preventing disruption in learning.
Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
Mobile phones have no place in schools.
Research from the Children’s Commissioner, published in April 2025, shows that the overwhelming majority of schools, 99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools, already have policies in place that limit or restrict the use of mobile phones during the school day.
The department’s recently strengthened guidance on mobile phones in schools is clear that all schools should be mobile phone-free by default. Pupils should not have access to their devices during lessons, break times, lunch times, or between lessons.
The guidance will be implemented through behaviour management in schools, and by setting out clear expectations for teachers and school staff. Our attendance and behaviour hub lead schools will support other schools to implement and enforce a mobile phone policy where needed.
From April, Ofsted will also check school mobile phone policy on every inspection, with schools expected to be mobile phone-free by default. Ofsted will examine both schools' mobile phone policies and how effectively they are implemented when judging behaviour during inspections.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how she is ensuring that UK-supported humanitarian programmes provide timely and effective support to survivors of gender-based violence.
Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
As part of the Foreign Secretary's focus on preventing violence against women and girls, we continue to prioritise support to survivors of gender-based violence in humanitarian settings. From April 2023 to March 2024, 3.21 million people were reached with gender-based violence prevention or response services through bilateral Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office support. More information can be found on GOV.UK at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68af15d3969253904d1558dd/FCDO_gender_based_violence_results_factsheet_2023_to_2024.pdf.
Another recent example is the UK's effort to step up support and improving frontline services for survivors of sexual violence in Sudan. In February 2026, the Foreign Secretary announced a new £20 million multi-year programme to support survivors of rape and sexual violence in Sudan.