Asked by: Lord Robertson of Port Ellen (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, whether they plan to accelerate the Strategic Partnership Agreement with Kosovo in light of the election of a new President of Kosovo and the effect of that on the stability of Kosovo's institutions.
Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK congratulates Kosovo's new President, Justina Shiroka Pula, on her election. We welcome progress towards greater political stability in Kosovo and encourage political leaders to work constructively to strengthen institutions and deliver effective governance. This will help advance Kosovo's Euro-Atlantic aspirations and create conditions for long-term economic growth.
The UK and Kosovo are close partners, with strong cooperation across defence, security, migration, serious organised crime and growing economic ties. We continue to engage closely with Kosovo on opportunities to deepen this cooperation and stand ready to explore further partnership across areas of shared interest.
Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the competitiveness of the United Kingdom as a destination for investment in artificial intelligence start-up companies.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The UK is one of the best destinations globally for investment in artificial intelligence start-up companies. In 2024 the UK’s AI sector generated £24 billion pounds worth of revenue while at the same time employing around 86,000 people. According to the Stanford AI Index, in 2025 the UK produced the second most AI startups globally, while also attracting the third highest levels of AI private investment. In April we also launched our Sovereign AI Fund, backed by up to £500 million, which will provide targeted Government support for high-potential UK start-ups and scaleups in areas of strategic national interest.
Asked by: Roz Savage (Liberal Democrat - South Cotswolds)
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 ensure that unpaid carers, particularly those living in rural communities, receive timely access to NHS treatment.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government’s Unpaid Carers Action Plan, published in July, sets out the action we are taking to improve access to National Health Service and other support for unpaid carers, including the ‘MyCarer’ section within the NHS App. The needs of unpaid carers will also be at the heart of our reforms to social care, on which the independent commission chaired by Baroness Casey will make recommendations when it publishes its final report next year.
Asked by: Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance NHS England has issued to integrated care boards on providing (a) counselling, (b) psychological therapies and (c) other mental health support to people on the national waiting list for adult gender services.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 16 July in response to Question 14396.
Asked by: Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plan NHS England has for reducing waiting times for a first appointment at adult gender services; and if she will publish that plan.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 16 July in response to Question 14396.
Asked by: Navendu Mishra (Labour - Stockport)
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 ensure NHS Trusts maintain access to Parkinson’s Specialist Nurse services.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 29 April to Question 129604.
Asked by: Catherine West (Labour - Hornsey and Friern Barnet)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to ensure adequate numbers of jobs for Midwifery graduates.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 5 September in response to Question 72922.
Asked by: Nesil Caliskan (Labour - Barking)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when she will appoint the Unpaid Carers Champion.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
On 30 September 2026, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, announced plans to appoint a Champion for Unpaid Carers. Work to establish the role is underway and further information will be announced in due course.
Asked by: Tom Gordon (Liberal Democrat - Harrogate and Knaresborough)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department takes to make sure Universal Credit helpline advice on capital disregards for compensation awards is accurate; and whether he will waive overpayments where a claimant relied on incorrect advice from his Department.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)
The Department supports Universal Credit helpline staff through operational guidance, learning products and regular policy updates to help ensure advice is accurate and consistent. Staff have access to guidance covering the treatment of capital, including compensation payments and capital disregard provisions where the relevant conditions are met.
Universal Credit overpayments are recoverable, including those arising from official error. The Department has an obligation to protect public funds and to ensure that, wherever possible, overpayment and penalty debt is recovered. Overpayment recovery is subject to various legislative limitations and safeguards.
It is DWP policy to recover all debt where it is reasonable and cost effective to do so. Debts should be recovered as quickly and cost effectively as possible without causing undue financial hardship to debtors. Any difficulties in repaying debt should be discussed directly with the Department, where individual circumstances can be.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK - Romford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to reduce instances of abuse of vulnerable patients.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
As part of Baroness Casey’s work on reform of the social care system, her commission has been considering the best way to provide safeguards against the abuse of vulnerable patients. In response to its initial recommendations in March, we have set up a new National Adult Safeguarding Board. The board will work to strengthen national accountability for safeguarding and will also look at how data can be used to inform action at a local and national level. Further information about the board’s work is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/national-adult-safeguarding-board