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 merits of increasing the carer element of Universal Credit for unpaid carers, in the context of recent trends in the cost of living.

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

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions is required by law to undertake an annual review of benefits and State Pensions. The outcome of the Secretary of State’s review will be announced in the usual way.

No assessment has been made of the merit of increasing the carer element of Universal Credit outside of the annual review.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support unpaid carers in paid work.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We are committed to ensuring carers are supported to balance work and caring responsibilities.

We know flexible working can be particularly valuable for carers, and the Employment Rights Bill will make flexible working available to all workers except where it is genuinely not feasible.

Employees have a right to five days of unpaid carers leave. We are reviewing implementation of this measure, and exploring ways to improve support for carers.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department is taking steps to help support the transition from animal testing to new approach methodologies.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Government is committed to supporting the uptake and development of alternative methods to the use of animals in science. The Labour Manifesto includes a commitment to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing”, which is a long-term goal.

We recognise that any work to phase out animal testing and support the transition to new approach methodologies must be science-led and in lock step with partners.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle (a) delays experienced by community groups for applications for community group bank accounts and (b) fee-less community bank accounts being closed and replaced with fee-paying business accounts.

Answered by Tulip Siddiq - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The provision of banking services is a commercial decision taken by the banking sector.

In response to feedback from community account holders about difficulties in securing and maintaining suitable current accounts, UK Finance launched a website in July 2024, including guidance and a free Account Finder tool, to help voluntary sector organisations locate an appropriate account for their needs.

The site provides voluntary sector organisations tailored guidance to understand the structure of the organisation concerned, decide on their banking needs, and help ensure they have what they need to open and maintain their account. In developing these resources, UK Finance worked with charitable organisations, members, and regulators, with the aim of improving how community accounts are opened and run.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will have discussions with the banking sector on (a) delays in applications for community group bank accounts and (b) reports of community bank accounts being replaced with business accounts.

Answered by Tulip Siddiq - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The provision of banking services is a commercial decision taken by the banking sector.

In response to feedback from community account holders about difficulties in securing and maintaining suitable current accounts, UK Finance launched a website in July 2024, including guidance and a free Account Finder tool, to help voluntary sector organisations locate an appropriate account for their needs.

The site provides voluntary sector organisations tailored guidance to understand the structure of the organisation concerned, decide on their banking needs, and help ensure they have what they need to open and maintain their account. In developing these resources, UK Finance worked with charitable organisations, members, and regulators, with the aim of improving how community accounts are opened and run.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Prime Minister raised Myanmar with President Xi Jinping of China during their meeting on 18 November.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Prime Minister raised a range of domestic and foreign issues in his meeting with President Xi at the G20 on 18 November. A read-out of this meeting is available on the GOV.UK website.

Found: My colleague Yasmin Qureshi, one of the chairs of APPG on hormone pregnancy tests, who is supporting

Found: My colleague Yasmin Qureshi, one of the chairs of APPG on hormone pregnancy tests, who is supporting