Asked by: Tonia Antoniazzi (Labour - Gower)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the safety of talc used in medical products.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is the Government agency responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices work and are acceptably safe.
Additives in medicines, termed excipients, are required to comply with the standards laid down in pharmacopeial monographs and can only be included in medicinal products at levels that are considered to be safe.
The MHRA is aware of general concerns in relation to the presence of asbestos in talcum powder, however, pharmaceutical grade talc has strict controls on the presence of asbestos. The British Pharmacopeia monograph for Purified Talc states that “Talc derived from deposits that are known to contain associated asbestos is not suitable for pharmaceutical use”. Furthermore, testing is required to confirm the absence of asbestos.
Asked by: Tonia Antoniazzi (Labour - Gower)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the safety of talc in medicines.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is the Government agency responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices work and are acceptably safe.
Additives in medicines, termed excipients, are required to comply with the standards laid down in pharmacopeial monographs and can only be included in medicinal products at levels that are considered to be safe.
The MHRA is aware of general concerns in relation to the presence of asbestos in talcum powder, however, pharmaceutical grade talc has strict controls on the presence of asbestos. The British Pharmacopeia monograph for Purified Talc states that “Talc derived from deposits that are known to contain associated asbestos is not suitable for pharmaceutical use”. Furthermore, testing is required to confirm the absence of asbestos.
Asked by: Tonia Antoniazzi (Labour - Gower)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on enabling (a) hauliers and (b) coach operators in Wales to access the National Wealth Fund for investment in zero-emission vehicles and refuelling infrastructure.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The National Wealth Fund is committed to ensuring the benefits of its investments are felt in all four nations of the UK. It is actively engaging with stakeholders in Wales, including with the Welsh Government and Wales Office, to identify opportunities for investment.
As set out in the Chancellor’s Statement of Strategic Priorities to the National Wealth Fund in March 2025, clean energy and transport are priority sectors, this includes supporting the transition to zero-emission vehicles and associated refuelling infrastructure.
The National Wealth Fund will continue to explore investible propositions that satisfy its investment principles.
Asked by: Tonia Antoniazzi (Labour - Gower)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of an increase in fuel duty on the competitiveness of (a) haulage and (b) coach operators based in Wales.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government announced continued support for people and businesses by extending the temporary 5p fuel duty cut and cancelling the planned increase in line with inflation for 2025/26. The temporary 5p cut is scheduled to expire in March 2026. The Government considers the impact of fuel duty on households and businesses across the country, with decisions on rates made at fiscal events.
Asked by: Tonia Antoniazzi (Labour - Gower)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the Taliban's decision to shut down the internet in at least 11 provinces in Afghanistan.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Taliban's decision to shut down internet services from 29 September to 1 October was deeply concerning. It risked crippling Afghanistan's economy, causing significant issues with the delivery of vital UK aid, and cutting off vulnerable communities. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) officials continue to assess the impact that any future connectivity restrictions in-country would have on UK interests, including on our resettlement and relocations work and our ability to deliver life-saving aid.
The UK Government is committed to using its prominent position in multilateral forums to hold the Taliban to account for their repressive policies. Last month, the UK hosted a meeting of G7+ Special Representatives for Afghanistan: this provided an important opportunity for the UK to discuss vital issues of shared concern with key partners and highlight publicly our deep concern about the Taliban's continued denial of the Afghan people's most basic human rights.
Asked by: Tonia Antoniazzi (Labour - Gower)
Question to the HM Treasury:
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of levels of taxation on the hospitality sector.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Businesses in our retail, hospitality and leisure sectors are foundational to our economy and our high streets, and we are supporting them to succeed.
From 2026-27, we will introduce a permanently lower business rates multiplier for retail, hospitality and leisure properties with rateable values under £500,000.
We have increased the Employment Allowance to £10,500, pledged to cut business admin costs by 25% during this parliament, and introduced tougher retail crime measures, including a new offence for assaulting retail workers and ending immunity for shop theft under £200.
Asked by: Tonia Antoniazzi (Labour - Gower)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Supreme Court ruling in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025 on Northern Ireland.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Equal opportunities and anti-discrimination law remain devolved matters in Northern Ireland, and the Equality Act 2010 does not apply in Northern Ireland (save in some very limited areas).
We expect those affected by the Supreme Court judgment in the ‘For Women Scotland’ case to comply with this ruling, together with any other relevant legislation and guidance. As they always have, courts across the UK should continue to give full and proper regard to the jurisprudence from higher courts.
As equalities is transferred, whether the Executive chooses to implement policies or legislation to respond to the judgment remains a matter for the Executive.
Asked by: Tonia Antoniazzi (Labour - Gower)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with the Lawn Tennis Association on the provision of funding for (a) tennis and (b) padel facilities.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government is determined to ensure that everyone has access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities. That is why we have committed at least £400 million to transform facilities across the whole of the nation following the Spending Review.
We will now work closely with sporting bodies - including the Lawn Tennis Association - and local leaders to establish what each community needs and then set out further plans.
The Government provides the majority of support for grassroots sport through Sport England - which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding. Sport England provides long term investment to the LTA, which receives up to £10.2 million for 5 years from 2022 to invest in tennis and padel initiatives that will benefit as many people as possible.
Asked by: Tonia Antoniazzi (Labour - Gower)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 27 March 2025 to Question 40390 on Data, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender Independent Review, whether his Department plans to implement the recommendations of the Sullivan Review of Data, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender, published on 19 March 2025.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government has now published the independent review of the data, statistics, and research on sex and gender commissioned by the previous administration.
The Sullivan Review sets out a number of recommendations in relation to the collection of data on sex and gender identity, many of which are already being addressed.
We have been clear that we must deliver safe and holistic care for both adults and children when it comes to gender, and that means accurately recording biological sex, not just for research and insight, but also for patient safety.
Asked by: Tonia Antoniazzi (Labour - Gower)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he plans to take to help tackle chronic oil pollution in UK seas.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The UK has a comprehensive environmental regulatory regime for the offshore oil and gas sector which is administered by the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED). The regime ensures that provisions are in place to minimise and, if required, respond to oil pollution. Non-compliance with regulations and permits is investigated by OPRED and if required enforcement action can be taken. OPRED continues to work with industry to improve their performance and further reduce the potential for oil pollution.