Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the number of ARAP eligible Afghans currently staying in British High Commission supported hotels in Islamabad.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Currently, there are approximately 30 ARAP eligible Afghans under the care of the British High Commission in Islamabad. 13 ARAP eligible Afghans under the care of the British High Commission have been deported to Afghanistan.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy-eligible Afghans living in British High Commission-supported hotels in Islamabad have been deported to Afghanistan.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Currently, there are approximately 30 ARAP eligible Afghans under the care of the British High Commission in Islamabad. 13 ARAP eligible Afghans under the care of the British High Commission have been deported to Afghanistan.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what progress he has made on (a) publishing the work programme of the Digital Inclusion Action Committee and (b) examining the digital exclusion of elderly people within the committee.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Digital Inclusion Action Committee is an external advisory body that will work closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. It is made up of national and local experts to tackle digital exclusion. Its role is to scrutinise, steer and help determine the work of the government in reducing digital exclusion in every part of the UK. One of its aims will be to identify systemic barriers to digital inclusion and propose actionable solutions, particularly for underserved groups such as older people.
The terms of reference for the Digital Inclusion Action Committee were published earlier in 2025 and full membership was announced in August 2025. The members are scheduled to meet again this autumn.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to ensure the availability of reliable broadband in rural areas to support access to essential services.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Through Project Gigabit, we are delivering future-proofed, gigabit-capable connections nationwide, to UK premises that are not included in suppliers' commercial plans, including to premises in rural areas.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of waiting times in distribution connections reform.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Distribution-level projects can face significant connection delays, particularly if they could impact on the transmission network. The reformed transmission connections process, currently being implemented, should accelerate connections for many viable distribution-level projects. Furthermore, Ofgem has recently raised the threshold for distribution projects in England and Wales requiring a Transmission Impact Assessment from 1MW to 5MW, which should accelerate connections for connections below the new threshold.[1] More widely, Ofgem is reviewing the connections regulatory incentives and obligations applied to National Energy System Operator and network companies. This aims to reduce connection times where possible and improve customer service.[2]
The equivalent thresholds for Scotland are under ongoing review by the Scottish network companies.
[2] Connections end-to-end review of the regulatory framework | Ofgem
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 22 July to Question 67982 on Social Rented Housing: Repairs and Maintenance, what the actual value is of financial guarantees issued to date by the National Wealth Fund to support social housing retrofit loans provided by (a) NatWest Group, (b) Barclays UK Corporate Bank, (c) Lloyds Banking Group and (d) The Housing Finance Corporation.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The National Wealth Fund have agreed to guarantee up to £1.3 billion of loans provided by NatWest, Barclays, Lloyds and The Housing Finance Corporation to upgrade social housing. To date, Barclays have signed one deal worth £50 million, and Lloyds Banking Group has signed two deals worth £160 million in total.Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of digital exclusion on the quality of life for older people.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Those who cannot use digital technologies are likely to pay more for certain transactions, have worse health outcomes, and find it more difficult to manage their finance. That’s why tackling digital exclusion, which disproportionately impacts certain demographics including older people, is a priority for Government.
In February we published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan, which outlines the first five actions we are taking over the next year on digital inclusion.
One of these actions was to launch the £9.5mn Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund to support and expand local community initiatives to get people online. All funded projects will support at least one of the focus demographic groups, including older people.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to ensure that face-to-face banking services remain accessible to (a) older people and (b) those who lack digital confidence.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets across the UK, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 230 hubs have been announced so far, and over 180 are already open.
Whilst the Government meets with LINK to discuss a variety of matters, any decisions on changes to LINK’s independent assessment criteria are a matter for LINK and the financial services sector.
The treatment of customers by UK banks is governed by the the Financial Conduct Authority, which requires firms to provide a prompt, efficient, and fair service to all of their customers. This includes special considerations for vulnerable customers. In addition, like all service providers, banks and building societies are bound under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments, where necessary, in the way they deliver their services.
Alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking, and via the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to assist (a) older people and (b) people who are not digitally confident in accessing online banking services.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets across the UK, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 230 hubs have been announced so far, and over 180 are already open.
Whilst the Government meets with LINK to discuss a variety of matters, any decisions on changes to LINK’s independent assessment criteria are a matter for LINK and the financial services sector.
The treatment of customers by UK banks is governed by the the Financial Conduct Authority, which requires firms to provide a prompt, efficient, and fair service to all of their customers. This includes special considerations for vulnerable customers. In addition, like all service providers, banks and building societies are bound under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments, where necessary, in the way they deliver their services.
Alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking, and via the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with LINK on the potential for widening the criteria for establishing additional banking hubs across the UK.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets across the UK, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 230 hubs have been announced so far, and over 180 are already open.
Whilst the Government meets with LINK to discuss a variety of matters, any decisions on changes to LINK’s independent assessment criteria are a matter for LINK and the financial services sector.
The treatment of customers by UK banks is governed by the the Financial Conduct Authority, which requires firms to provide a prompt, efficient, and fair service to all of their customers. This includes special considerations for vulnerable customers. In addition, like all service providers, banks and building societies are bound under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments, where necessary, in the way they deliver their services.
Alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking, and via the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK.