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 the availability of health play (a) services and (b) professionals for children.

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

The Government is committed to raising the healthiest generation of children ever, which includes ensuring that children receive the appropriate care and support whenever they need it.

In support of this commitment, NHS England and Starlight, a national charity for children’s play in healthcare, co-published the Play Well Toolkit in June 2025. The toolkit recognises the important role of health play teams and provides important guidance on best practice, enabling these teams to deliver child-friendly care. NHS England is promoting the Play Well toolkit to managers of health play services across a wide range of settings, including community clinics, emergency departments, children’s hospices, and acute paediatric wards.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to require energy suppliers to pay interest on significant customer credit balances held for extended periods.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

In the year to June 2025, Ofgem data shows that there has been a fall by around £500m of credit balances held by suppliers (Domestic Energy Customer Credit Balances, July 2024 to June 2025 | Ofgem)

Customers may challenge increased direct debit payment amounts with their supplier if they disagree with it and ask the supplier to justify how they calculated the new amount. Suppliers must explain clearly how they reached the figure they want to charge and give the meter readings they used. If a customer is not happy with the supplier’s calculation, they can ask the supplier to lower the monthly payments to reflect the energy use more accurately.

Additionally, if a customer is concerned about the size of a credit balance on their energy account, they can ask their supplier to refund it. Suppliers must do this promptly unless there are reasonable grounds not to and the supplier must explain the reasons for not doing so.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with Ofgem on the (a) total value of credit balances currently held by domestic energy suppliers and (b) steps it is taking to ensure that surplus credit is refunded promptly to customers.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

In the year to June 2025, Ofgem data shows that there has been a fall by around £500m of credit balances held by suppliers (Domestic Energy Customer Credit Balances, July 2024 to June 2025 | Ofgem)

Customers may challenge increased direct debit payment amounts with their supplier if they disagree with it and ask the supplier to justify how they calculated the new amount. Suppliers must explain clearly how they reached the figure they want to charge and give the meter readings they used. If a customer is not happy with the supplier’s calculation, they can ask the supplier to lower the monthly payments to reflect the energy use more accurately.

Additionally, if a customer is concerned about the size of a credit balance on their energy account, they can ask their supplier to refund it. Suppliers must do this promptly unless there are reasonable grounds not to and the supplier must explain the reasons for not doing so.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions his Department has had with energy suppliers on the level of their compliance with licence requirements to ensure that direct debit levels reflect customers’ actual energy use and account balances.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

In the year to June 2025, Ofgem data shows that there has been a fall by around £500m of credit balances held by suppliers (Domestic Energy Customer Credit Balances, July 2024 to June 2025 | Ofgem)

Customers may challenge increased direct debit payment amounts with their supplier if they disagree with it and ask the supplier to justify how they calculated the new amount. Suppliers must explain clearly how they reached the figure they want to charge and give the meter readings they used. If a customer is not happy with the supplier’s calculation, they can ask the supplier to lower the monthly payments to reflect the energy use more accurately.

Additionally, if a customer is concerned about the size of a credit balance on their energy account, they can ask their supplier to refund it. Suppliers must do this promptly unless there are reasonable grounds not to and the supplier must explain the reasons for not doing so.

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 reduce waiting times for neurology outpatient appointments; and what plans are in place to ensure timely access to neurological care for all patients.

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

The Government is committed to delivering the National Health Service constitutional standard that 92% of patients to wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to treatment by March 2029. This includes patients waiting for neurology care.

As of August 2025, the neurology waiting list stands at 226,432, a reduction of 4.3% since August 2024. Since coming into office we have delivered 5.2 million additional appointments, including for neurology care, in part by rolling out reforms outlined in the Elective Reform Plan (ERP). These reforms include broadening access to outpatient care, through virtual and group consultations, and minimising missed appointments.

We have also expanded the Advice and Guidance scheme, which helps to ensure that patients get care in the right place and only see a specialist if it’s really necessary, freeing up capacity in secondary care for those who need it, including certain patients with neurology conditions or symptoms. The latest data, which is subject to change, shows this has resulted in 589,336 requests being “diverted” since April 2025, a 4.3% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

The 10-Year Health Plan builds on the ERP with a more sustainable vision for elective care where two-thirds of outpatient care is moved to community settings or delivered remotely, rather than in hospitals. Patients' access to specialists, including neurologists, will be improved by providing this specialist care in the community where possible and increasing digital access to specialists through the NHS app where it’s more convenient for patients. The recently published Medium Term Planning Framework outlines targets for the NHS from 2026/27 to 2028/29 to deliver the 10-Year Health Plan’s ambitions, including giving patients more control over their follow up care to reduce unnecessary appointments and expanding Advice and Guidance, thereby freeing up appointments and reducing long waits, including for neurology care.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that SEND reforms under development (a) take account of the needs of children with (i) coeliac disease and (ii) other medical conditions and (b) ensure that pupils with dietary requirements are supported in school.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The government sets out required minimum standards for school food in the School Food Standards. Headteachers, governors, and their caterers are best placed to make decisions about their school food policies that take into account local circumstances and pupil needs.

Additionally, Section 100 of the Children and Families Act 2014 places a duty on governing bodies of maintained schools, proprietors of academies and management committees of pupil referral units to make arrangements for supporting pupils at their school with medical conditions, which includes coeliac disease and other food-related conditions. Schools must therefore take appropriate action in supporting such pupils to access food provision.

In doing so, schools must have regard to the 'Supporting pupils with medical conditions at school' statutory guidance issued by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education. This guidance can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supporting-pupils-at-school-with-medical-conditions--3.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of current enforcement powers where directors of insolvent companies resume trading through new companies; and what steps he is taking to strengthen consumer protection in such cases.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Both civil and criminal enforcement tools, are used to address corporate abuse, that includes phoenixism. Director disqualification helps to protect the public from individuals who have demonstrated that they are unfit to be involved in the management of a company. The Insolvency Service is working with HMRC and Companies House to tackle abusive phoenixism.

Officials at the Insolvency Service are currently conducting a comprehensive review of the effectiveness of the corporate civil enforcement regime. Any specific proposals to strengthen the public protection provided by the regime will be subject to public consultation in due course.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many company directors have been disqualified following Insolvency Service investigations involving (a) phoenix trading or (b) similar conduct after insolvency in each of the last three years.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Until April 2025, The Insolvency Service only recorded data for phoenix trading where directors were specifically disqualified for that allegation. This was infrequent, as phoenixism is defined very precisely and requires a high burden of proof. In the 3 years to 31 March 2025 no company directors were recorded as being disqualified specifically for phoenix trading. In many cases, tackling misconduct under another allegation is more effective and, in the period 1 April 2025 to 30 September 2025, 10 directors were disqualified where phoenix trading was recorded alongside the main allegation.

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 (a) polio survivors with post-polio syndrome and (b) other polio survivors have equitable access to specialist treatment centres providing (i) physiotherapy, (ii) hydrotherapy, (iii) pain management and (iv) rehabilitation across the country.

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

Although there is currently no cure for post-polio syndrome, a range of treatments and support is available to help manage the symptoms and improve quality of life. Treatment will depend on the severity of a patient’s condition, but care may involve pain-relieving medication, physiotherapy, dietary and exercise advice, and/or counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy. It is for commissioners, providers, and clinicians, supported by relevant clinical practice, to determine the best treatment for people with post-polio syndrome.

Ongoing rehabilitation for polio survivors is commissioned at a local level by integrated care boards (ICBs) as it is unlikely they would require the complex rehabilitation services commissioned by NHS England.

It is the responsibility of ICBs to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including services for people with polio and post-polio syndrome, as they are best placed to make decisions according to local need.

The 10-Year Health Plan commits to a health system that is inclusive and equitable. While polio survivors are not named explicitly, the plan’s shift from hospital to community care is particularly relevant for polio survivors, many of whom require ongoing rehabilitation and support to live independently. The 10-Year Health Plan outlines the expansion of community-based services and neighbourhood health models, which will bring care closer to home and reduce reliance on hospital-based services, and investment in digital tools and assistive technologies, which can enhance independence and access to services for those with mobility challenges.

While the Department has not made a specific assessment of the potential merits of reviewing the regional disparities of access to therapy and rehabilitation services for people living with the long-term effects of polio and post-polio syndrome, addressing healthcare inequity is a core focus of the 10-Year Health Plan, to ensure the National Health Service is there for anyone who needs it whenever they need it, including people with polio and post-polio syndrome.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of reviewing the regional disparities of access to (a) therapy and (b) rehabilitation services for people living with (i) the long-term effects of polio and post-polio syndrome and (ii) the long-term effects of polio.

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

Although there is currently no cure for post-polio syndrome, a range of treatments and support is available to help manage the symptoms and improve quality of life. Treatment will depend on the severity of a patient’s condition, but care may involve pain-relieving medication, physiotherapy, dietary and exercise advice, and/or counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy. It is for commissioners, providers, and clinicians, supported by relevant clinical practice, to determine the best treatment for people with post-polio syndrome.

Ongoing rehabilitation for polio survivors is commissioned at a local level by integrated care boards (ICBs) as it is unlikely they would require the complex rehabilitation services commissioned by NHS England.

It is the responsibility of ICBs to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including services for people with polio and post-polio syndrome, as they are best placed to make decisions according to local need.

The 10-Year Health Plan commits to a health system that is inclusive and equitable. While polio survivors are not named explicitly, the plan’s shift from hospital to community care is particularly relevant for polio survivors, many of whom require ongoing rehabilitation and support to live independently. The 10-Year Health Plan outlines the expansion of community-based services and neighbourhood health models, which will bring care closer to home and reduce reliance on hospital-based services, and investment in digital tools and assistive technologies, which can enhance independence and access to services for those with mobility challenges.

While the Department has not made a specific assessment of the potential merits of reviewing the regional disparities of access to therapy and rehabilitation services for people living with the long-term effects of polio and post-polio syndrome, addressing healthcare inequity is a core focus of the 10-Year Health Plan, to ensure the National Health Service is there for anyone who needs it whenever they need it, including people with polio and post-polio syndrome.

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 that post-polio syndrome is (a) recognised, (b) diagnosed, and (c) treated though (i) access to specialist neuromuscular clinics, (ii) appropriate care pathways and (iii) other means.

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

Although there is currently no cure for post-polio syndrome, a range of treatments and support is available to help manage the symptoms and improve quality of life. Treatment will depend on the severity of a patient’s condition, but care may involve pain-relieving medication, physiotherapy, dietary and exercise advice, and/or counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy. It is for commissioners, providers, and clinicians, supported by relevant clinical practice, to determine the best treatment for people with post-polio syndrome.

Ongoing rehabilitation for polio survivors is commissioned at a local level by integrated care boards (ICBs) as it is unlikely they would require the complex rehabilitation services commissioned by NHS England.

It is the responsibility of ICBs to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including services for people with polio and post-polio syndrome, as they are best placed to make decisions according to local need.

The 10-Year Health Plan commits to a health system that is inclusive and equitable. While polio survivors are not named explicitly, the plan’s shift from hospital to community care is particularly relevant for polio survivors, many of whom require ongoing rehabilitation and support to live independently. The 10-Year Health Plan outlines the expansion of community-based services and neighbourhood health models, which will bring care closer to home and reduce reliance on hospital-based services, and investment in digital tools and assistive technologies, which can enhance independence and access to services for those with mobility challenges.

While the Department has not made a specific assessment of the potential merits of reviewing the regional disparities of access to therapy and rehabilitation services for people living with the long-term effects of polio and post-polio syndrome, addressing healthcare inequity is a core focus of the 10-Year Health Plan, to ensure the National Health Service is there for anyone who needs it whenever they need it, including people with polio and post-polio syndrome.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with NHS England on including postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome training in junior doctor specialty training programmes.

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

No discussions have been held. The curricula for postgraduate training are set by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges for foundation training, and by individual royal colleges and faculties for specialty training. The General Medical Council approves curricula and assessment systems for each training programme. Whilst not all curricula may necessarily highlight a specific condition, they all nevertheless emphasize the skills and approaches a doctor must develop in order to ensure accurate and timely diagnoses and treatment plans for their patients.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what proportion of Companies House identity verifications have used (a) assisted and (b) non-digital routes since 1 April 2025; and what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the accessibility of those routes.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The specific data is not available. Companies House has recruited significant resource and expanded and trained our customer service team to assist users in the identity verification journey. They are also establishing a specialist team to support customers who have very significant issues accessing identity verification. Companies House is also introducing a specific assisted route for people whose passport is from a country that does not issue biometric passports.

Individuals can also use the Post Office or Authorised Company Service Providers who can offer non-digital routes and further assistance.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps Companies House is taking to support (a) micro companies and (b) residents’ management companies with volunteer directors to complete its identity verification before 18 November 2025.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Companies House is continuing to develop alternative options that will offer more support to individuals who are unable to verify their identities through the available routes. Further guidance will be issued. In the meantime, Companies House is ensuring that staff are on hand to help users who require assistance via its helpline and by email. In providing this support Companies House will be mindful of the entities directors represent such as flat management companies, charities and micro companies.

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 tackle ensure that children have access to health play services in (a) children's hospitals and (b) children's wards in district general hospitals.

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

The Department recognises the importance of supporting and maintaining children’s right to play in healthcare settings, because games and active play in all settings build social skills and promote children’s well-being.

To support this, in June 2025 NHS England and Starlight, a national charity for children’s play in healthcare, co-published the Play Well Toolkit. The toolkit provides guidance on best practice, and includes a checklist to support the auditing, monitoring, and evaluation of services. NHS England is promoting the Play Well toolkit to managers of health play services across a wide range of settings, including community clinics, emergency departments, children’s hospices, and acute paediatric wards.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many and what proportion of properties ceded to the Flood Re scheme since 2023 are not classified as at risk of flooding under Environment Agency flood maps; and what steps she is taking to help ensure that Flood Re is only applied to properties at risk of flooding according to Environment Agency flood mapping.

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

The Flood Re scheme is funded by the insurance industry via a compulsory levy which currently stands at £160 million per annum. Insurers chose which properties at flood risk to cede to the scheme. Premiums are set by Flood Re that aims to ensure only policies for properties at higher flood risk are ceded.

Insurers use a range of information when assessing the potential flood risk of a property. This usually includes both previous claims history and future risk of flooding which they will often use Environment Agency (EA) data as well as other more detailed commercially available maps to help them assess the risk. There is no requirement for individual insurance companies to use EA data in setting premiums and/or excesses in household insurance policies that include cover against flooding.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when her Department plans to introduce activity regulations under the Animal (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023; and what her Department's timetable is for the full implementation of that Act.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the reply previously given to the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire, Pippa Heylings on 23 September 2025 PQ UIN 73101.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to ensure that HMRC issues closure notices showing no adjustment to tax returns for users of the Horizon loan scheme.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

As a minister I cannot comment on any individual or identifiable businesses and their tax affairs. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) should always treat taxpayers sensitively and fairly in accordance with the HMRC Charter.

To ensure fairness, HMRC applies the law in accordance with its published Litigation and Settlement Strategy (LSS). This ensures every taxpayer, no matter who they are, pays the tax due under the law.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason HMRC has treated the (a) Palmrock and (b) Horizon loan schemes differently in relation to the application of PAYE credits.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

As a minister I cannot comment on any individual or identifiable businesses and their tax affairs. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) should always treat taxpayers sensitively and fairly in accordance with the HMRC Charter.

To ensure fairness, HMRC applies the law in accordance with its published Litigation and Settlement Strategy (LSS). This ensures every taxpayer, no matter who they are, pays the tax due under the law.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the processing times for disability benefit (a) applications, (b) reviews and (c) mandatory reconsideration requests.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Managing customer journey times for PIP claimants is a priority for the department and we are working constantly to improve our service.

Our aim is to make an award decision, including on an award review decision, as quickly as possible, taking into account the need to review all the available evidence, including that from the claimant, and ensuring that the decision is robust.

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