Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
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 potential impact of the screening policy for prostate cancer on demand on GP appointments; what additional guidance and resources will be provided to GPs to support discussions with men who are not eligible for the programme but who request a PSA test; and whether additional funding will be made available to primary care to support that work.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) industrial energy costs and (b) import competition on the competitiveness of the steel sector; what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on reducing industrial energy costs for steel producers; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the policy of safeguarding tariffs to tackle the challenges facing the industry.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Our Steel Strategy sets out the action we are taking to improve the competitiveness of the sector, including on energy prices and trade.
We have introduced and expanded schemes to reduce the industrial electricity prices of energy-intensive industries, including steel. These are the British Industry Supercharger and the Energy Intensive Industries Compensation Scheme. From April 2027, the Government will also launch the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme, which will include support for some steel companies. My joint portfolio as Minister serving the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero allows me to ensure that the two departments have a joint up approach on these issues.
We are also introducing a new steel trade measure to protect domestic steelmaking, given the sector’s importance to critical national infrastructure and defence and to build more resilience in the supply chain.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
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 effectiveness of current contact tracing arrangements for rare imported infectious diseases in the context of the MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak; how many people have been required to isolate as a result of the incident; what guidance has been issued to local authority Directors of Public Health and hon. Members where constituents are isolating; and whether compensation and financial support is available for individuals unable to work during extended isolation periods.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The United Kingdom’s response to this complex incident is being led by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) working closely with the World Health Organization, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Department of Health and Social Care, the NHS High Consequence Infectious Disease Network, the Home Office, the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government, the Ministry of Defence, the devolved administrations of the UK, and international partners. Collectively, they are doing everything possible to protect the safety and well-being of British nationals, and to provide reassurance to UK citizens.
Contacts have been asked to isolate for the duration of the incubation period, with regular testing and ongoing care provided by UKHSA and National Health Service teams. There are 85 people isolating in the UK and UK overseas territories.
UKHSA has notified local authority directors of public health and individual Members of Parliament where a person had been requested to isolate in their constituency and will continue to do so when people leave to complete their isolation period in their homes.
The Department has agreed to fund additional self-isolation support provided by local authorities to eligible British Nationals from the MV Hondius via regular routes. This includes a one-off payment to individuals facing financial hardship due to loss of income as a result of isolating.
The Government will review lessons learned following the conclusion of the response as the situation remains ongoing and fluid.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her Department's planned timetable is for securing private investment for Euston station; whether discussions have taken place with potential investors; and what contingency plans exist should sufficient private funding not be secured.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department is exploring a public-private partnership (PPP) to support delivery of the HS2 Euston station. It is important that this work is completed thoroughly to support a robust commercial proposition.
We expect the timetable to be consistent with procurement timeframes, typical for this type of PPP model. Our focus over the next two years is to ensure that we are well-placed to run a successful competitive procurement.
It is essential that plans are market-tested before launching the procurement, allowing us to identify and address any concerns. To this end, the Department has conducted a preliminary market engagement earlier this year to raise awareness, and to gather feedback from potential investors and delivery partners, which has shown healthy levels of interest in our proposals.
A PPP will be subject to value for money and sufficient risk transfer. If private finance cannot be secured on acceptable terms, the Department will consider alternative delivery and funding options in discussion with HMT. In any scenario, we will be able to benefit from the preliminary technical work and the discipline it brings, including if we choose to revert to a different commercial procurement model (e.g. public procurement).
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the extent to which the current banking hub assessment process takes account of (a) public transport availability, (b) journey times, (c) geographic barriers, (d) seasonal population changes and (e) the cumulative impact of multiple bank branch closures in neighbouring communities; and whether she plans to make changes to those factors following the independent review of access to banking services.
Answered by Rachel Blake - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The way people across the UK use retail banking services has changed significantly, with many customers now choosing to bank online. In response, banks and building societies have reshaped their branch networks, reflecting changing customer preferences. However, the Government understands the importance of banking services to communities and high streets and is committed to supporting the financial services industry’s roll-out of 350 banking hubs by the end of this Parliament.
Over 275 hubs have been announced so far, and more than 235 are already open. Of these, 70 are temporary hubs. Temporary hubs offer the same services as permanent hubs.
LINK, the operator of the UK’s largest ATM network, is responsible for assessing a community’s access to cash needs and does not consider bank service provision. When asked to carry out a cash access assessment, LINK takes into consideration a wide range of criteria, including those unique to each location, such as the size and vulnerability of the population, existing and remaining cash access facilities and the number of shops. Specifically, LINK takes into consideration population demographics, seasonal population change, public transport times and cost, geographic barriers, and whether it is reasonable for people to travel to nearby facilities.
LINK uses a catchment area of 3 miles in rural locations and 1 mile in urban areas and considers if there is a significant impact on nearby towns. As part of its assessments, LINK will consider the available services in a community, including existing ATM provision, and recommend additional solutions if it is deemed necessary to ensure reasonable access to cash.
Where a hub is recommended by LINK following a planned branch closure, the branch cannot close until a suitable replacement service is in place. The average time to open a hub driven by the closure of the last bank in a town is under 12 months. Where a hub is recommended following a community request, Cash Access UK aims to provide a temporary solution within three months. FCA rules also require that, where additional services are needed, a solution must be put in place within 12 weeks, which may initially be a temporary service ahead of a permanent hub.
The provision of a bank’s services is a commercial decision for the firm, and the Government does not intervene in these decisions. However, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) guidance expects firms to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs and put in place alternatives where reasonable.
In addition to bank branches and banking hubs, the Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance and pay bills at more than 10,500 Post Office branches across the UK. The Government protects the Post Office network by setting minimum access criteria. These include ensuring that 99 per cent of the UK population lives within three miles of a Post Office and 90 per cent of the population within one mile.
The Government is committed to ensuring that people who need in-person banking can continue to access essential services. That is why on 14 May the Government commissioned an independent Review into Access to Banking Services, to assess whether changes in access to in-person banking services are causing consumer detriment, the scale of any detriment, and who it affects. The Review will consider access to in-person banking services for both personal and business customers.
The Call for Evidence has been published on GOV.UK at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/access-to-banking-services-review-call-for-evidence. It will run for 6 weeks and will close on 20 July.
Responses to the Call for Evidence can be submitted online via: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/accesstobankingservices . Those wishing to submit via email, including supplementary evidence, research or data can do so at accesstobankingservices@hmtreasury.gov.uk.
The evidence collected by the Review will inform future decisions on whether further action is needed.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the performance of LINK and Cash Access UK in delivering banking hubs; how many recommended banking hubs are currently operating from temporary premises; what the average time is between a hub being recommended and a permanent facility opening; and what steps her Department is taking to ensure that approved banking hubs are delivered within a reasonable timeframe.
Answered by Rachel Blake - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The way people across the UK use retail banking services has changed significantly, with many customers now choosing to bank online. In response, banks and building societies have reshaped their branch networks, reflecting changing customer preferences. However, the Government understands the importance of banking services to communities and high streets and is committed to supporting the financial services industry’s roll-out of 350 banking hubs by the end of this Parliament.
Over 275 hubs have been announced so far, and more than 235 are already open. Of these, 70 are temporary hubs. Temporary hubs offer the same services as permanent hubs.
LINK, the operator of the UK’s largest ATM network, is responsible for assessing a community’s access to cash needs and does not consider bank service provision. When asked to carry out a cash access assessment, LINK takes into consideration a wide range of criteria, including those unique to each location, such as the size and vulnerability of the population, existing and remaining cash access facilities and the number of shops. Specifically, LINK takes into consideration population demographics, seasonal population change, public transport times and cost, geographic barriers, and whether it is reasonable for people to travel to nearby facilities.
LINK uses a catchment area of 3 miles in rural locations and 1 mile in urban areas and considers if there is a significant impact on nearby towns. As part of its assessments, LINK will consider the available services in a community, including existing ATM provision, and recommend additional solutions if it is deemed necessary to ensure reasonable access to cash.
Where a hub is recommended by LINK following a planned branch closure, the branch cannot close until a suitable replacement service is in place. The average time to open a hub driven by the closure of the last bank in a town is under 12 months. Where a hub is recommended following a community request, Cash Access UK aims to provide a temporary solution within three months. FCA rules also require that, where additional services are needed, a solution must be put in place within 12 weeks, which may initially be a temporary service ahead of a permanent hub.
The provision of a bank’s services is a commercial decision for the firm, and the Government does not intervene in these decisions. However, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) guidance expects firms to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs and put in place alternatives where reasonable.
In addition to bank branches and banking hubs, the Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance and pay bills at more than 10,500 Post Office branches across the UK. The Government protects the Post Office network by setting minimum access criteria. These include ensuring that 99 per cent of the UK population lives within three miles of a Post Office and 90 per cent of the population within one mile.
The Government is committed to ensuring that people who need in-person banking can continue to access essential services. That is why on 14 May the Government commissioned an independent Review into Access to Banking Services, to assess whether changes in access to in-person banking services are causing consumer detriment, the scale of any detriment, and who it affects. The Review will consider access to in-person banking services for both personal and business customers.
The Call for Evidence has been published on GOV.UK at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/access-to-banking-services-review-call-for-evidence. It will run for 6 weeks and will close on 20 July.
Responses to the Call for Evidence can be submitted online via: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/accesstobankingservices . Those wishing to submit via email, including supplementary evidence, research or data can do so at accesstobankingservices@hmtreasury.gov.uk.
The evidence collected by the Review will inform future decisions on whether further action is needed.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Government’s commitment to establish 350 banking hubs will be sufficient to replace access to banking services lost through bank branch closures; how many communities have lost their final bank branch since 2020; and what estimate she has made of the number of communities that currently lack reasonable access to in-person banking services.
Answered by Rachel Blake - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The way people across the UK use retail banking services has changed significantly, with many customers now choosing to bank online. In response, banks and building societies have reshaped their branch networks, reflecting changing customer preferences. However, the Government understands the importance of banking services to communities and high streets and is committed to supporting the financial services industry’s roll-out of 350 banking hubs by the end of this Parliament.
Over 275 hubs have been announced so far, and more than 235 are already open. Of these, 70 are temporary hubs. Temporary hubs offer the same services as permanent hubs.
LINK, the operator of the UK’s largest ATM network, is responsible for assessing a community’s access to cash needs and does not consider bank service provision. When asked to carry out a cash access assessment, LINK takes into consideration a wide range of criteria, including those unique to each location, such as the size and vulnerability of the population, existing and remaining cash access facilities and the number of shops. Specifically, LINK takes into consideration population demographics, seasonal population change, public transport times and cost, geographic barriers, and whether it is reasonable for people to travel to nearby facilities.
LINK uses a catchment area of 3 miles in rural locations and 1 mile in urban areas and considers if there is a significant impact on nearby towns. As part of its assessments, LINK will consider the available services in a community, including existing ATM provision, and recommend additional solutions if it is deemed necessary to ensure reasonable access to cash.
Where a hub is recommended by LINK following a planned branch closure, the branch cannot close until a suitable replacement service is in place. The average time to open a hub driven by the closure of the last bank in a town is under 12 months. Where a hub is recommended following a community request, Cash Access UK aims to provide a temporary solution within three months. FCA rules also require that, where additional services are needed, a solution must be put in place within 12 weeks, which may initially be a temporary service ahead of a permanent hub.
The provision of a bank’s services is a commercial decision for the firm, and the Government does not intervene in these decisions. However, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) guidance expects firms to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs and put in place alternatives where reasonable.
In addition to bank branches and banking hubs, the Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance and pay bills at more than 10,500 Post Office branches across the UK. The Government protects the Post Office network by setting minimum access criteria. These include ensuring that 99 per cent of the UK population lives within three miles of a Post Office and 90 per cent of the population within one mile.
The Government is committed to ensuring that people who need in-person banking can continue to access essential services. That is why on 14 May the Government commissioned an independent Review into Access to Banking Services, to assess whether changes in access to in-person banking services are causing consumer detriment, the scale of any detriment, and who it affects. The Review will consider access to in-person banking services for both personal and business customers.
The Call for Evidence has been published on GOV.UK at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/access-to-banking-services-review-call-for-evidence. It will run for 6 weeks and will close on 20 July.
Responses to the Call for Evidence can be submitted online via: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/accesstobankingservices . Those wishing to submit via email, including supplementary evidence, research or data can do so at accesstobankingservices@hmtreasury.gov.uk.
The evidence collected by the Review will inform future decisions on whether further action is needed.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed reforms to the taxation of foreign branch profits on (a) tax revenues, (b) investment, (c) employment and (d) business activity in the UK oil and gas sector; how many companies are expected to be affected; and if she will publish the analysis commissioned to support her Department's estimate of the potential impact of the those reforms on revenue.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
These reforms will ensure that profit attributable to UK activities is effectively taxed in the UK.
They are expected to raise hundreds of millions of pounds per year - helping to fund a package of economic support for households and businesses – while at the same time maintaining a highly competitive UK tax regime for UK companies operating overseas. This change will not impact the tax treatment of extractive activity in the UK Continental Shelf.
The government will undertake a technical consultation shortly, with draft legislation due to be published in the summer, ahead of final legislation in Finance Bill 2026-27.
A full Tax Information and Impact Note will be published at Budget 2026; along with a full policy costing as part of the fiscal and economic forecast undertaken by The Office for Budget Responsibility.
A policy paper published on 21 May 2026 sets out further detail on this reform.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the decline in job vacancies to the lowest level in five years; which regions and sectors have experienced the largest falls in vacancies over the last 12 months; and whether the Government plans to expand employment support, retraining schemes or apprenticeships in response to the weakening labour market.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The independent Office of National Statistics (ONS) publishes vacancies over time by sector which can be found here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peoplenotinwork/unemployment/datasets/vacanciesbyindustryvacs02
The ONS official statistics shows that the decline in vacancies in the UK is a long-term trend that began in summer 2022 under the previous Government. Every sector of the economy has seen declines in vacancies since summer 2022.
The Department of Work and Pensions is committed to supporting people into employment. We are transforming our Jobcentres into a modern Jobs and Careers Service; where appropriate, Work Coaches identify skills gaps and signpost jobseekers to relevant training and provision, including Skills Bootcamps, apprenticeships, sector‑based work academy programmes (SWAPs), and free courses for jobs, as well as essential English, maths and digital skills.
We are delivering our flagship Youth Guarantee, ensuring support for young people through investing £2.5 billion over the next three years. Further, we are empowering local areas to explore new ways to reduce economic inactivity through youth and inactivity trailblazers. We are also developing tailored support for those with health conditions and disabilities through our Pathways to Work, which is backed by £1 billion a year of new funding by the end of the decade.
This Government is transforming the apprenticeships levy into a new growth and skills levy in England, backed by £1 billion of additional investment, which will support 50,000 more young people into apprenticeships over the next three years. We are also expanding opportunities through new foundation apprenticeships in hospitality and retail, launching a level 2 Administrative Assistant apprenticeship from August 2026, and introducing a £2,000 hiring payment for non-levy paying employers (typically SMEs) that recruit 16-24-year-old apprentices.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, further to his answer on 1 June (HC Deb col 895) on the Health Bill, what safeguards he will put in place to ensure that Clauses 26-29 of Health Bill do not inadvertently (a) put General Ophthalmic Services budgets at risk and (b) lead to a postcode lottery of NHS eye tests.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Health Bill will transfer statutory responsibility for commissioning Primary Ophthalmic Services to integrated care boards (ICBs). Commissioning responsibility for these services has already been delegated by NHS England to ICBs since 2023, and funding is allocated to ICBs each year for this purpose. National Health Service sight testing services will continue to operate within a national regulatory and contractual framework, with contract terms set in regulations and fees set nationally through Directions. The bill will not affect patient eligibility for NHS sights tests.