Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information her Department holds on the cost to the public purse of funds spent by local authorities on public persuasion on local government reorganisation.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government’s invitation to councils is clear on the importance of local engagement in the development of proposals. It is for councils to decide how to do this, including what resource is used, and the department does not hold information on this. Local authorities must have regard to the Recommended Code of Practice on Local Authority Publicity in coming to decisions on communications addressed to the public.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason he plans to reduce the allocation of NHS funding for mental health services in 2025-26.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

We are determined to transform NHS mental health services, with a shift to prevention and earlier intervention. Spending on mental health support will increase relative to 2024/25 and is forecast to amount to £15.6 billion in 2025/26. That is an increase of £688 million in cash terms.

All integrated care boards are expected to meet the Mental Health Investment Standard (MHIS) in 2025/26 by increasing their investment in mental health services in line with their overall increase in funding for the year.

Mental health’s share of total National Health Service spend has fallen slightly by 0.07% in 2025/26 as a result of increased investment in other areas, for example in bringing down waiting lists for elective operations and additional investment in general practice. While elective and GP investment is not included in mental health funding, mental wellbeing is a biopsychosocial phenomenon and this funding is also likely to impact positively on mental health outcomes.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to support overseas carers unable to take up alternative employment as their employer’s sponsorship licence has been suspended and not yet revoked.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

Whilst a Sponsor is suspended, there is no impact on a worker’s ability to continue to remain in their employment. We do not predetermine an outcome related to their licence at this stage.

However, the Home Office have confirmed they will support these workers in the same way as those whose licence is revoked, via the relevant Regional Partnerships, should the workers seek that support.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of permanently linking local housing allowance rates to the bottom 30th percentile of local private rents to help ensure (a) affordable housing support and (b) a reduction in levels of child poverty.

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

My department is working closely with MHCLG as they develop the Long-Term Housing Strategy and through the Inter-Ministerial Group on Homelessness and Rough Sleeping.

The review of Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates considers a range of factors, including impact of the rental market and decisions on LHA will be taken in the context of achieving the Government’s priorities and goals within this challenging fiscal environment.

LHA was increased to the 30^th percentile of local market rents in April 2024 costing an additional £1.2 bn in 2024/25 and £7bn over 5 years. LHA is not intended to cover all rents in all areas.

Any future decisions on LHA policy will include consideration of market rents and impacts of LHA rates, including on poverty.

For those who need further support, Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are available from local authorities. DHPs can be paid to those entitled to Housing Benefit or Universal Credit who face a shortfall in meeting their housing costs.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the suspension of new applications for refugee family reunion on children seeking to reunite with family members.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The suspension of the refugee family reunion route is temporary while the Government undertakes a full review and reform of the current family rules to ensure we have a fair and properly balanced system. In the meantime, those with protection status can use other family routes to sponsor a partner and child to come to the UK. Information relating these changes are published on gov.uk at Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 1298, 4 September 2025 - GOV.UK.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if her Department will publish an impact assessment on suspending new applications under the refugee family reunion route.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The suspension of the refugee family reunion route is temporary while the Government undertakes a full review and reform of the current family rules to ensure we have a fair and properly balanced system. In the meantime, those with protection status can use other family routes to sponsor a partner and child to come to the UK. Information relating these changes are published on gov.uk at Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 1298, 4 September 2025 - GOV.UK.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 73379 on Armed Forces: Vehicles, if his Department will centrally record data on the length of time that military assets are not (a) deployed and (b) operational.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Yes. The British Army uses an application called JAMES (Joint Asset Management and Engineering Solutions) to centrally track and manage all equipment.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when did his Department last raise concerns with his Pakistani counterpart about former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his supporters.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

While judicial matters are for Pakistan's courts, the UK has consistently emphasised to its counterparts in Pakistan the need for due process, fair trials, and humane treatment for all, including Mr Imran Khan.

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 encourage Pakistan to respect (a) democracy, (b) human rights and (c) the rule of law.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Promoting human rights, democracy and the rule of law is a core part of the UK's diplomatic engagement in Pakistan, and we regularly engage Pakistan on these issues at the highest levels. The former Foreign Secretary raised human rights, democracy and the rule of law in meetings with Pakistan's Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister when he visited Pakistan in May. I raised these issues with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister last month and with the Interior Minister on 31 March. The UK Government consistently urges Pakistani authorities to act in line with their international obligations and respect fundamental freedoms and human rights. Through UK Official Development Assistance (ODA), we are supporting progress on human rights in Pakistan through dialogue, technical assistance, and targeted programming. We will continue to urge the government of Pakistan to guarantee the rights of all people, in accordance with international standards.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the planned local government reorganisation in Surrey on the implementation of the Connect to Work programme in that county.

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

DWP has agreed a delivery plan and grant funding agreement with Surrey County Council to provide specialist Connect to Work employment support to up to 2500 disabled people, those with health conditions, and people with complex barriers until March 2030.

The planned local government reorganisation in Surrey is not expected to impact on the delivery of Connect to Work. Should there need to be a change to the Lead Authority (Accountable Body) for the Connect to Work programme in Surrey, DWP will work with the affected authorities to determine the best transition that maintains successful delivery of the programme.

Found: _NC1 Mr Lee Dillon Gideon Amos Vikki Slade Manuela Perteghella Mr Will Forster Clive Jones Sarah Dyke