Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when she expects statutory deadlines for the completion of McCloud remedy work in respect of the NHS Pension Scheme to be in place; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of further delays in establishing those deadlines on affected members.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the Written Statement HCWS307 made on 2 September, which is available at the following link:

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2026-09-02/hcws307

The comprehensive audit of the NHS Pension Scheme’s administration is ongoing. Until it reports, it would be premature to give a view on when new statutory deadlines will be set or to assess the impact on members of further delays to the delivery of the McCloud remedy. The Department is working closely with the NHS Business Services Authority (NHS BSA) to ensure that it has the right resources to administer the NHS Pension Scheme including the delivery of McCloud. I will continue to keep the House updated on progress.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what additional resources have been allocated to the NHS Business Service Authority to deliver the McCloud remedy since publication of the independent review.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the Written Statement HCWS307 made on 2 September, which is available at the following link:

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2026-09-02/hcws307

The comprehensive audit of the NHS Pension Scheme’s administration is ongoing. Until it reports, it would be premature to give a view on when new statutory deadlines will be set or to assess the impact on members of further delays to the delivery of the McCloud remedy. The Department is working closely with the NHS Business Services Authority (NHS BSA) to ensure that it has the right resources to administer the NHS Pension Scheme including the delivery of McCloud. I will continue to keep the House updated on progress.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to prioritise access to specialist treatment for patients with rare cancers, such as lymphoma, in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon Member to the respective answers provided on 18 September and 21 September in response to Questions 27027 and 27283.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the adequacy of the current regulatory framework for protecting vulnerable customers in the telecommunications sector from inappropriate upselling and mis-selling of telecommunications services.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

Government wants to ensure that all telecoms consumers feel empowered and confident that they are getting a fair deal.

Ofcom requires all providers to comply with standards of transparency and fair treatment of customers and have policies in place to identify and support vulnerable consumers. Ofcom have also produced a best practice vulnerability guide, including expectations that providers offer a range of communication channels for customers to raise concerns or queries and that they implement specialist teams to support vulnerable customers. The Telecoms Consumer Charter, published February 2026, further commits providers to strengthen transparency measures to ensure that customers know exactly what they are paying for and why.

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 support mid-career and experienced unemployed professionals to transition into roles that match their existing skills, qualifications, and experience level.

Answered by Andrew Western - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

This Government is committed to delivering an employment support system that is personalised to individual needs. Jobseekers, including those with professional experience, can seek tailored and flexible support through Jobcentre Plus. Work Coaches offer personalised advice to help individuals secure roles that reflect their skills, qualifications and prior experience, alongside targeted job‑search support.

Where appropriate, Work Coaches also identify any skills gaps and signpost jobseekers to relevant training and provision, ensuring they are well‑placed to access suitable employment and progress in their careers.

Where those mid-career and experienced unemployed professional are aged 50 and over and in receipt of benefits, jobcentres provide additional dedicated support, including 50PLUS Champions, Additional Work Coach Time, a Midlife MOT as well as a digital Midlife MOT available to all.

From 1^st October careers advice in England is being delivered through careers advisers within DWP for adults (and those who are under 18 and eligible). Careers Advice will continue to support anyone who is looking for work, who wants to get on in work, or who wants to change their career or retrain, regardless of whether they are claiming benefits. Careers information and advice is available via the ‘Get careers information and advice’ website www.nationalcareers.service.gov.uk. Qualified careers advisers also provide in-depth guidance to customers who face greater barriers to working or learning, including adults who have been unemployed or economically inactive for more than 12 months and those aged 50 and over who are unemployed or at demonstrable risk of unemployment.

As part of our development of the new Jobs and Careers Service, we are reforming employment support to make it more inclusive and better tailored to individual needs, including mid-career and experienced workers. As part of the service, we have launched new digital tools, known as ‘Work Hub’, which are available to all. Work Hub provides access to an online AI work assistant, a CV builder and new job search tool to support individuals transition into suitable roles.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to address the additional vulnerabilities of women and girls from religion or belief minority communities who face rights violations for both their faith or belief and their gender overseas.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK remains committed to championing freedom of religion or belief for all. No one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. The UK recognises that women and girls from religious or belief minority communities can suffer disproportionally because of both their gender and faith. That is why we continue to ensure our human rights policy work considers the multiple ways in which human rights interact. For example, the importance of addressing specific issues experienced by women and girls from religious or belief minority communities.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to prioritise covering UK promotion of Freedom of religion or belief in any upcoming Human Rights and Democracy report.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The next report on human rights will cover the period since the current Government came to office, including our work on Freedom of Religion or Belief.

Remembrance Day 2026

One Health Day

Appointment of Russian diplomat to lead United Nations' mine-action work

Microplastic filters for washing machines

Delivery of Budget 2026 through property tax systems

Rural fuel duty relief

Harry Kane's Ballon d'Or

Harry Kane wins the 2026 Ballon d'Or

Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026

Application of Extended Producer Responsibility

World Menopause Day 2026