Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of target-driven GP contracts on the quality of care and doctor-patient relationships.

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

The GP Contract sees practices receive funding through a range of income streams.

The Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) is an optional pay-for-performance scheme that makes up approximately 10% of overall practice income. The indicators and thresholds included in the QOF are developed in accordance with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines, underpinned by a robust evidence base. Thresholds are designed to be attainable, while encouraging and incentivising practices to provide the best possible care. Thresholds are aspirational rather than a contractual obligation.

As part of our recently published Medium-Term Planning Framework, we have introduced a new and ambitious target to ensure all urgent appointments are provided on the same day, so that patients requiring urgent care are prioritised. The Department continues to engage with general practitioners broadly to ensure the targets are achievable, reflect the needs of the populations they serve, and to understand barriers to meeting this target.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the levels of mental health issues among (a) parents and (b) young fathers during family court proceedings.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

We recognise the impact that family court proceedings can have on parents, particularly victims of domestic abuse, and are committed to long-term reform of the family court to better support users.

The family court has a range of powers to support and protect victims, including prohibiting in-person cross examination of survivors by alleged abusers and automatically providing special measures, such as the ability to provide evidence behind a screen.

We have redesigned the information and guidance for separating families on GOV.UK, making it more user-friendly through extensive user-tested changes. We are also testing a triage tool which will support users to access information specific to their personal circumstances, alongside signposting to relevant support and advice services.

Legal aid is available for parents in certain public and private family law matters subject to the relevant means and merits tests. Beyond legal aid, over £6 million will be provided in 2025–26 to 60 organisations, including Citizens Advice, Law Centres and AdviceNow, to expand free legal information and early support. The Help with Fees scheme ensures that court fees do not prevent parents accessing proceedings.

The Government has not carried out a specific assessment of the levels of mental health issues among parents and young fathers during family court proceedings. However, the Government is aware of the impact involvement in family court proceedings can have on the mental health of both the parents and children involved. and encourages those affected to seek appropriate support from local NHS and voluntary services.

In addition, the charity Support Through Court offers practical, procedural and emotional support to all parents facing court without legal representation. It operates across England and Wales and also offers a national helpline.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment has she made of the accessibility and quality of support for both parents during family court proceedings.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

We recognise the impact that family court proceedings can have on parents, particularly victims of domestic abuse, and are committed to long-term reform of the family court to better support users.

The family court has a range of powers to support and protect victims, including prohibiting in-person cross examination of survivors by alleged abusers and automatically providing special measures, such as the ability to provide evidence behind a screen.

We have redesigned the information and guidance for separating families on GOV.UK, making it more user-friendly through extensive user-tested changes. We are also testing a triage tool which will support users to access information specific to their personal circumstances, alongside signposting to relevant support and advice services.

Legal aid is available for parents in certain public and private family law matters subject to the relevant means and merits tests. Beyond legal aid, over £6 million will be provided in 2025–26 to 60 organisations, including Citizens Advice, Law Centres and AdviceNow, to expand free legal information and early support. The Help with Fees scheme ensures that court fees do not prevent parents accessing proceedings.

The Government has not carried out a specific assessment of the levels of mental health issues among parents and young fathers during family court proceedings. However, the Government is aware of the impact involvement in family court proceedings can have on the mental health of both the parents and children involved. and encourages those affected to seek appropriate support from local NHS and voluntary services.

In addition, the charity Support Through Court offers practical, procedural and emotional support to all parents facing court without legal representation. It operates across England and Wales and also offers a national helpline.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps to extend the qualifying criteria for Blue Badges to ensure that people with (a) Parkinson's and (b) other fluctuating conditions are eligible.

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

This Government fully recognises the importance of ensuring that the Blue Badge scheme supports those who have their mobility impacted by substantial and enduring disabilities and other health conditions. The current eligibility criteria are focused on the impact on an applicant’s mobility, rather than based on specific disabilities or conditions, and can be found on GOV.UK.

Whilst Parkinson’s and other fluctuation conditions are not automatically eligible for a Blue Badge, applicants may still be eligible for a badge based on the evidence provided. Any decisions on an applicant’s eligibility are ultimately for the responsible local authority.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has considered the potential merits of conducting a review into the law of causation in clinical negligence, with a focus on increasing support and protection for families with late family members who were misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all.

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

As announced in the 10 Year Health Plan for England, David Lock KC is providing expert policy advice on the rising legal costs of clinical negligence and how we can improve patients’ experience of claims. David Lock KC has not been specifically asked to conduct a review into the law of causation in clinical negligence as part of his work, but he is able to consider all aspects of the way clinical negligence law operates as part of his review.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment they have made of variations in access to Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) across Integrated Care Boards; and what steps they are taking to ensure consistency in prescribing for eligible patients.

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

Tirzepatide, brand name Mounjaro, is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for the treatment of both type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are legally required to fund NICE-recommended medicines, including obesity treatments, within three months of final approval. NICE granted a phased rollout of tirzepatide for obesity to manage National Health Service resources and establish new care pathways. ICBs have been legally required to fund tirzepatide for obesity so that prescribers can offer the treatment to eligible patients in specialist weight management services since March 2025 and in primary care from 23 June 2025. NHS England is providing support for ICBs, including providing:

- additional funding to support the delivery of services within primary care and the cost of obesity medicines in line with interim commissioning guidance; and

- a centrally funded wraparound care service ‘Healthier You: Behavioural Support for Obesity Prescribing’ for primary care to refer patients to.

We do not hold information on whether each ICB provides access to specific medicines in its locality. ICBs are responsible for ensuring they meet their legal duties, including making funding for NICE-recommended medicines available.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he will have discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of extending the Civility Saves Lives initiative to other public-facing services, including Jobcentre Plus and local authority housing departments.

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

The Civility Saves Lives initiative highlights the importance of behaviours in the workplace and the impact that rudeness can have on performance, wellbeing, and patient safety. It is a movement created by healthcare professionals, rather than a national initiative developed and rolled out by the Department or NHS England.

There are currently no plans to discuss the initiative with colleagues in other Government departments.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what procedures are in place to ensure that savings thresholds in relation to care costs are communicated to the public at both local and national level.

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

The Department undertakes an annual review of the capital limits and the social care allowances within the adult social care charging system.

The capital limits determine eligibility for means-tested local authority support with care costs, and the social care allowance rates set the statutory minimum income that individuals must retain after charging.

To communicate the rates for the upcoming financial year, 2026/27, the Department will publish a Local Authority Circular on the GOV.UK website, in early 2026. Local authorities should reflect these updates in their publicly available charging policies, ensuring consistent communication at both a local and national level.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps are being taken to help ensure that international medical students and trainees working in UK health services are protected from racial discrimination and workplace hostility.

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

Any form of racism or discrimination is unacceptable and has no place in our National Health Service.

The NHS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Improvement Plan, published in 2023, recognises that we benefit from the skills, expertise, and commitment of internationally recruited healthcare professionals and highlights the important role that NHS organisations have to play in making staff feel welcomed and valued at the start of their career. NHS organisations are expected to review their data by protected characteristics on bullying, harassment, discrimination, and violence and make plans to improve staff experience year on year.

Additionally, as set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will introduce a new set of staff standards for modern employment which will include tackling racism and reducing violence against staff. The standards will be underpinned by the NHS Oversight Framework and the Care Quality Commission assessment framework.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that applicants whose visa cases take longer than service standards are provided with timely updates.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

UKVI are currently processing applications on the overwhelming majority of its visa routes within their published customer service standards. Visa processing times are published on the UKVI website at Visa processing times: Visa processing times: applications inside the UK - GOV.UK

It may take longer to process an application if:

• the information in the application is not accurate or needs more consideration
• further evidence needs to be provided, for example evidence of funds
• supporting documents need to be verified
• an interview is required
• we need more information on personal circumstances (for example if there is a criminal conviction)

Customers are informed if their application will take longer to process.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether guidance is issued to local authorities on exercising discretion in parking enforcement cases involving unpaid carers attending emergency or time-critical caring responsibilities.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Municipal parking provision and enforcement is the responsibility of local authorities, and it is for them to determine what is best for their own area. Many councils offer parking concessions or schemes for carers, such as a personal carers parking permit. Those interested in local parking concessions can check their local councils’ website for further details of any local schemes.

Furthermore, the Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities in England on Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions allows local authorities a discretionary power to cancel a Penalty Charge Notice at any point throughout the process. It can do this even when an undoubted contravention has occurred if the authority deems it to be appropriate in the circumstances of the case. Currently, there are no plans to amend this guidance.

Unpaid carers are entitled to a range of benefits and financial support, including the new statutory right to 5 days of unpaid leave per year for caring introduced in April 2024. The government continually keeps under review ways to provide additional support to unpaid carers.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the plans to encourage councils to introduce exemptions or enhanced discretion for registered carers facing civil enforcement penalties while undertaking caring duties.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Municipal parking provision and enforcement is the responsibility of local authorities, and it is for them to determine what is best for their own area. Many councils offer parking concessions or schemes for carers, such as a personal carers parking permit. Those interested in local parking concessions can check their local councils’ website for further details of any local schemes.

Furthermore, the Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities in England on Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions allows local authorities a discretionary power to cancel a Penalty Charge Notice at any point throughout the process. It can do this even when an undoubted contravention has occurred if the authority deems it to be appropriate in the circumstances of the case. Currently, there are no plans to amend this guidance.

Unpaid carers are entitled to a range of benefits and financial support, including the new statutory right to 5 days of unpaid leave per year for caring introduced in April 2024. The government continually keeps under review ways to provide additional support to unpaid carers.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department plans to take to ensure that refugees who cannot return to their home country are not left without a viable long-term immigration route as a result of changes to settlement policy.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

This Government has never operated a policy of automatic settlement for refugees granted limited permission to remain. We will carefully manage the transition into the new system, with the details remaining subject to ongoing policy development.

All settlement applications will continue to be carefully considered on their individual merits and this includes assessing whether there have been significant changes in country conditions or personal circumstances, which means that an individual no longer needs our protection.

We will not remove anyone to their own or any other country where they have a well-founded fear or persecution or are at risk of serious harm.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether transitional arrangements will be introduced for refugees approaching the five-year residency point for Indefinite Leave to Remain, in the context of the Government’s proposed changes to settlement pathways.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

This Government has never operated a policy of automatic settlement for refugees granted limited permission to remain. We will carefully manage the transition into the new system, with the details remaining subject to ongoing policy development.

All settlement applications will continue to be carefully considered on their individual merits and this includes assessing whether there have been significant changes in country conditions or personal circumstances, which means that an individual no longer needs our protection.

We will not remove anyone to their own or any other country where they have a well-founded fear or persecution or are at risk of serious harm.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department operates any concession or discretionary process for partner visa holders whose entry to the UK was delayed due to government-mandated COVID-19 travel restrictions and red-list hotel quarantine.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the department considered the impact on people qualifying for settlement and, as a result, concessions were put in place, including where discretion will be exercised regarding the qualifying period for settlement. These are set out in the Family Life guidance: Family life and exceptional circumstances: caseworker guidance - GOV.UK

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has assessed the impact of COVID-19 border restrictions on the ability of spouse visa holders to meet the five-year qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the department considered the impact on people qualifying for settlement and, as a result, concessions were put in place, including where discretion will be exercised regarding the qualifying period for settlement. These are set out in the Family Life guidance: Family life and exceptional circumstances: caseworker guidance - GOV.UK

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of removing the BTEC Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care on students who do not meet the entry requirements for A Levels or T Levels.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

In October, the department published a consultation which detailed our plans to introduce V Levels, which will offer a vocational alternative to A levels and T Levels. We have proposed a range of subjects for delivery through V Levels, including Health and Care Services.

For students looking for a career in health, we would expect students to take the Health T Level. Young people with a range of prior attainment are accessing T Levels. The GCSE grade split for students receiving T Level results is very similar to those receiving results for Applied General Qualifications.

To ensure students can continue to access high quality qualifications in social care, we introduced a large Technical Occupation Qualification in Social Care (1080 GLH), which will be available for first teach from 1 August 2026. We are also exploring whether a T Level in Social Care could be viable in future.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what evidence her Department used to determine that the BTEC Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care should no longer be funded; and whether she will publish that analysis.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

In October, the department published a consultation which detailed our plans to introduce V Levels, which will offer a vocational alternative to A levels and T Levels. We have proposed a range of subjects for delivery through V Levels, including Health and Care Services.

For students looking for a career in health, we would expect students to take the Health T Level. Young people with a range of prior attainment are accessing T Levels. The GCSE grade split for students receiving T Level results is very similar to those receiving results for Applied General Qualifications.

To ensure students can continue to access high quality qualifications in social care, we introduced a large Technical Occupation Qualification in Social Care (1080 GLH), which will be available for first teach from 1 August 2026. We are also exploring whether a T Level in Social Care could be viable in future.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of defunding the BTEC Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care on the future health and social care workforce pipeline.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

In October, the department published a consultation which detailed our plans to introduce V Levels, which will offer a vocational alternative to A levels and T Levels. We have proposed a range of subjects for delivery through V Levels, including Health and Care Services.

For students looking for a career in health, we would expect students to take the Health T Level. Young people with a range of prior attainment are accessing T Levels. The GCSE grade split for students receiving T Level results is very similar to those receiving results for Applied General Qualifications.

To ensure students can continue to access high quality qualifications in social care, we introduced a large Technical Occupation Qualification in Social Care (1080 GLH), which will be available for first teach from 1 August 2026. We are also exploring whether a T Level in Social Care could be viable in future.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps are being taken to reduce reliance on digital consultations and ensure equitable access to in-person appointments, particularly for those with mental health conditions or language barriers.

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

National Health Service organisations must ensure that all patients have equitable access to care, and that decisions or policies do not unfairly disadvantage people or lead to an increase in inequalities. All NHS organisations are legally obliged to not discriminate against patients or staff.

This means that a non-digital solution should be available for those patients who cannot or do not wish to engage digitally, including those with mental health conditions or language barriers. These non-digital routes must be available for all services provided by NHS organisations.

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 equitable regional access to NICE-recommended digital cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia, including Sleepio.

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

It is for local integrated care boards to decide whether treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy or digital solutions such as Sleepio should be offered to their local populations as a treatment for insomnia.

NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression offer low-intensity therapy which may include interventions around sleep hygiene. Individuals who are experiencing symptoms of anxiety and/or depression can be referred by their general practitioner, or can self-refer, to NHS Talking Therapies. People can also access helpful resources on sleep problems on the Every Mind Matters website at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-health-issues/sleep/

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the new V Levels will have equivalent entry requirements to A Levels, and what steps her Department will take to ensure students who do not meet those requirements are not excluded from Level 3 study.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

We have set out plans to reform qualification pathways at level 3 and level 2. At level 3, this includes a third, vocational pathway, V Levels. V Levels will blend applied learning with practical assessment, and their content will be linked to occupational standards set by Skills England. It is intended that students can study English and maths alongside V Levels where appropriate.

We set out plans to introduce two new pathways at level 2, the Further Study pathway and Occupational pathway. The Further Study pathway is designed to help students to progress to level 3 study where they cannot access it straight away, for example if they do not have the prior attainment that they need to study what they wish to.

The department does not set entry requirements for post-16 study, these decisions are made by individual providers. Young people with a range of prior attainment are accessing T Levels, the GCSE grade split for students receiving T Level results is very similar to those receiving results for Applied General Qualifications.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what provision is being made for students achieving predominantly grade 4s at GCSE who are unable to access A Level or T Level courses.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

We have set out plans to reform qualification pathways at level 3 and level 2. At level 3, this includes a third, vocational pathway, V Levels. V Levels will blend applied learning with practical assessment, and their content will be linked to occupational standards set by Skills England. It is intended that students can study English and maths alongside V Levels where appropriate.

We set out plans to introduce two new pathways at level 2, the Further Study pathway and Occupational pathway. The Further Study pathway is designed to help students to progress to level 3 study where they cannot access it straight away, for example if they do not have the prior attainment that they need to study what they wish to.

The department does not set entry requirements for post-16 study, these decisions are made by individual providers. Young people with a range of prior attainment are accessing T Levels, the GCSE grade split for students receiving T Level results is very similar to those receiving results for Applied General Qualifications.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much funding her Department plans to provide to help improve IT skills in the next 12 months.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology will spend up to £42m across the 2026/27 financial year and £187 million over the next four years delivering the TechFirst programme. As announced by the Prime Minister in June 2025, TechFirst is designed to strengthen the UK’s domestic tech talent pipeline by improving the IT and digital skills of children in secondary schools, as well as undergraduate, masters, and PhD students. The TechFirst programme also includes a grant fund to help skilled individuals into work.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will extend funding for BTEC Extended Diplomas until the full rollout of V Levels to prevent a gap in post-16 qualification options.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department is currently consulting with the sector on the introduction of V Levels, including transitional arrangements to achieve the qualifications landscape set out in the Post-16 Skills White Paper. We will confirm the expected implementation timetable in due course.

The first V Level subjects are planned for teaching in 2027, with further batches of qualifications planned between then and by the 2030/31 academic year.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will publish a timetable for the introduction of V Levels and the overlap period with existing qualifications, including BTECs, to allow schools and colleges to plan effectively.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department is currently consulting with the sector on the introduction of V Levels, including transitional arrangements to achieve the qualifications landscape set out in the Post-16 Skills White Paper. We will confirm the expected implementation timetable in due course.

The first V Level subjects are planned for teaching in 2027, with further batches of qualifications planned between then and by the 2030/31 academic year.

Public health campaign on tackling stigma towards suicide

Less Survivable Cancers Week

President Trump’s 20-point peace plan

Deregistration of international non-governmental organisations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories

UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons

Iran protests

UK arms export licensing and conflict in Sudan

Nuclear Regulatory Review and habitats regulations