People may lawfully use smart glasses and other wearable recording technologies in public spaces, in line with rights to freedom of expression as set out in Human Rights law. However, we recognise the potential privacy and safeguarding implications of the increasing availability of wearable recording devices. If wearers of the technology use it in harmful ways, such as to cause alarm or distress or for the purpose of sexual gratification, they may be guilty of criminal offences such as harassment, stalking or voyeurism.

If recorded images are uploaded to the internet, online services that process them will be subject to the UK's data protection legislation. For example, organisations may need to respond to requests from members of the public to have their images removed.

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's independent regulator for data protection, has recently published guidance on consumer Internet of Things products and services: Guidance for consumer Internet of Things products and services | ICO. It makes it clear that manufacturers, developers and providers of connected devices have responsibilities to make sure that there is sufficient transparency around how the technology is used. This includes making any recording obvious to users and bystanders through visible indicators or alerts, and warning users of risks of recording children or vulnerable people.

We will continue to monitor this issue.

People may lawfully use smart glasses and other wearable recording technologies in public spaces, in line with rights to freedom of expression as set out in Human Rights law. However, we recognise the potential privacy and safeguarding implications of the increasing availability of wearable recording devices. If wearers of the technology use it in harmful ways, such as to cause alarm or distress or for the purpose of sexual gratification, they may be guilty of criminal offences such as harassment, stalking or voyeurism.

If recorded images are uploaded to the internet, online services that process them will be subject to the UK's data protection legislation. For example, organisations may need to respond to requests from members of the public to have their images removed.

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's independent regulator for data protection, has recently published guidance on consumer Internet of Things products and services: Guidance for consumer Internet of Things products and services | ICO. It makes it clear that manufacturers, developers and providers of connected devices have responsibilities to make sure that there is sufficient transparency around how the technology is used. This includes making any recording obvious to users and bystanders through visible indicators or alerts, and warning users of risks of recording children or vulnerable people.

We will continue to monitor this issue.

It is clear that the heating oil sector is not working as it should for consumers, and we welcome the CMA’s report identifying issues in the sector. We will fight the corner of all those affected by the rise in heating oil prices, including those in rural communities, and we have acted swiftly to get support to these households as quickly as possible.

We are considering the CMA’s recommendations to create a fairer system for households and commit to issuing an official response within 90 days of publication.

We know that users of heating oil have been particularly impacted by the rise in prices due to the Middle East conflict. It is clear that the heating oil sector is not working as it should for consumers and we will fight the corner of all those affected by the rise in heating oil prices.

I note the concerns about price disparity between regions, the price of heating oil is not set by Government and suppliers are subject to UK competition and consumer protection law. Therefore, pricing should be fair, transparent and reflective of genuine market conditions - and we would ensure that any price gouging behaviour is appropriately dealt with. However, it should be noted that the CMA's market study found no widespread evidence of suppliers making excessive material profits.

In Scotland, £4.6 million has been allocated to the Scottish Emergency Oil Heating Scheme, which launched on 1 April 2026. The scheme aims to support vulnerable households with the increased cost of oil or LPG for heating. Households on a means-tested benefit, or those in financial hardship who have additional vulnerabilities, may be able to get support. The scheme is delivered by Advice Direct Scotland. More details can be found at: https://homeheatingadvice.scot/faqs/, or by calling 0800 048 7413.

We are considering the CMA’s recommendations to create a fairer system for households and commit to issuing an official response within 90 days.

Officials in the Department have been engaging with officials in the devolved administrations on the proposals for a Single Patient Record, and its potential to support appropriate cross-border referrals, and appropriate information sharing to inform good decision-making, support healthcare, and minimise risk to patients.

Officials in the Department have been engaging with officials in the devolved administrations on the proposals for a Single Patient Record, and its potential to support appropriate cross-border referrals, and appropriate information sharing to inform good decision-making, support healthcare, and minimise risk to patients.

Post Office has not provided the department with estimates of the average annual financial impact of the June 2026 remuneration changes on individual postmaster incomes. Postmaster remuneration is an operational matter for Post Office. Government is providing funding to Post Office to help deliver its Transformation Plan, including up to £483 million in FY 2026/27 and 2027/28. The savings created by that plan will help put Post Office in a stronger position to increase remuneration for postmasters across the UK. While there is more to do, it is encouraging that postmaster remuneration increased by £92 million since December 2024.

Post Office Ltd operates at arm’s length from Government and is responsible for its own operational matters, including commercial agreements with partners and remuneration for specific services.

Government is, however, providing funding to Post Office to help deliver its Transformation Plan, including up to £483 million in FY 2026/27 and 2027/28. The savings created by that plan will help put Post Office in a stronger position to increase remuneration for postmasters across the UK. While there is more to do, it is encouraging that between December 2024 and April 2026, Post Office increased postmaster remuneration by £92 million.

To ensure service access for rural and other communities, we will continue to monitor Post Office's performance against Government-set network requirements. These requirements mean, for instance, that 99% of the population must live within three miles of a post office.

Post Office Ltd operates at arm’s length from Government and is responsible for its own operational matters, including commercial agreements with partners and remuneration for specific services.

Government is, however, providing funding to Post Office to help deliver its Transformation Plan, including up to £483 million in FY 2026/27 and 2027/28. The savings created by that plan will help put Post Office in a stronger position to increase remuneration for postmasters across the UK. While there is more to do, it is encouraging that between December 2024 and April 2026, Post Office increased postmaster remuneration by £92 million.

To ensure service access for rural and other communities, we will continue to monitor Post Office's performance against Government-set network requirements. These requirements mean, for instance, that 99% of the population must live within three miles of a post office.

The Government is committed to ensuring that people who need in-person banking can continue to access essential services

That is why the Government commissioned an independent Review into Access to Banking Services, to assess whether changes to access to in-person banking services are causing consumer detriment, the scale of any detriment. The Review will consider access to in-person banking services for both personal and business customers.

As part of this, the Review will consider existing forms of in-person banking provision. The Post Office provides banking services through over 10,000 branches via the Banking Framework agreement and, as such, the provision of services by the Post Office on behalf of banks will be considered as part of the Review.

Alongside the Review, the Financial Services and Markets Bill includes a power to allow the Government to take action in future to protect access to banking services, should this be necessary. This power ensures the Government can act swiftly and proportionately, including through future regulation, if the evidence from the Review supports intervention.

The Government is committed to ensuring that people who need in-person banking can continue to access essential services

That is why the Government commissioned an independent Review into Access to Banking Services, to assess whether changes to access to in-person banking services are causing consumer detriment, the scale of any detriment. The Review will consider access to in-person banking services for both personal and business customers.

As part of this, the Review will consider existing forms of in-person banking provision. The Post Office provides banking services through over 10,000 branches via the Banking Framework agreement and, as such, the provision of services by the Post Office on behalf of banks will be considered as part of the Review.

Alongside the Review, the Financial Services and Markets Bill includes a power to allow the Government to take action in future to protect access to banking services, should this be necessary. This power ensures the Government can act swiftly and proportionately, including through future regulation, if the evidence from the Review supports intervention.

The Immigration Rules for Visitors set out that visitors must have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs in relation to their visit without working or accessing public funds. In assessing whether an applicant has sufficient funds, decision makers will consider the individual’s personal circumstances, including any evidence provided. There is also provision in the rules for an applicant’s travel, maintenance, and accommodation to be provided by a third party.

The Visit Caseworker Guidance provides guidance to decision makers when assessing Visitor applications. Additional guidance for applicants is also available in the Supporting Documents guidance, which sets out suggested evidence required for the different types of visits including what types of financial documents applicants can present. These guidance documents are published on gov.uk: Visit caseworker guidance (accessible) - GOV.UK and Visiting the UK: guide to supporting documents - GOV.UK.

The Immigration Rules for Visitors set out that visitors must have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs in relation to their visit without working or accessing public funds. In assessing whether an applicant has sufficient funds, decision makers will consider the individual’s personal circumstances, including any evidence provided. There is also provision in the rules for an applicant’s travel, maintenance, and accommodation to be provided by a third party.

The Visit Caseworker Guidance provides guidance to decision makers when assessing Visitor applications. Additional guidance for applicants is also available in the Supporting Documents guidance, which sets out suggested evidence required for the different types of visits including what types of financial documents applicants can present. These guidance documents are published on gov.uk: Visit caseworker guidance (accessible) - GOV.UK and Visiting the UK: guide to supporting documents - GOV.UK.

The Visit caseworker guidance provides guidance to decision makers when assessing Visitor applications. It sets out that all information provided by the applicant must be assessed - Visit caseworker guidance (accessible) - GOV.UK.

Visitor visa applications are assessed on their individual merits, considering all aspects of the case, against the balance of probabilities to determine if the application meets the requirements of the Visitor Immigration Rules - Immigration Rules - Immigration Rules Appendix V: Visitor - Guidance - GOV.UK.

People may lawfully use smart glasses and other wearable recording technologies in public spaces, in line with rights to freedom of expression as set out in Human Rights law. However, we recognise the potential privacy and safeguarding implications of the increasing availability of wearable recording devices. If wearers of the technology use it in harmful ways, such as to cause alarm or distress or for the purpose of sexual gratification, they may be guilty of criminal offences such as harassment, stalking or voyeurism.

If recorded images are uploaded to the internet, online services that process them will be subject to the UK's data protection legislation. For example,organisations may need to respond to requests from members of the public to have their images removed.

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's independent regulator for data protection, has recently published guidance on consumer Internet of Things products and services: Guidance for consumer Internet of Things products and services | ICO. It makes it clear that manufacturers, developers and providers of connected devices have responsibilities to make sure that there is sufficient transparency around how the technology is used. This includes making any recording obvious to users and bystanders through visible indicators or alerts, and warning users of risks of recording children or vulnerable people.