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We have had a good debate about the overnight stay levy and short lets, but on Warwick Way in my constituency I have seen real harm to communities because of unregulated short lets. Does the Minister agree that for the tourism industry to be a real success, hotels cannot be undermined by short lets, and that getting the registration scheme in place and the Treasury to investigate where there might be breaches of HMRC rules are important steps forward in ensuring that?
We have had a good debate about the overnight stay levy and short lets, but on Warwick Way in my constituency I have seen real harm to communities because of unregulated short lets. Does the Minister agree that for the tourism industry to be a real success, hotels cannot be undermined by short lets, and that getting the registration scheme in place and the Treasury to investigate where there might be breaches of HMRC rules are important steps forward in ensuring that?
I am grateful to my hon. Friend, who has been a strong champion on this issue. It was a delight to visit her constituency earlier this year to talk and to see at first hand the problem that it creates. As the Secretary of State has outlined, this Government are committed to that register, and we know the difference it will make to communities such as my hon. Friend’s and those up and down the country.
Second reading. Agreed to on question. Bill committed to a Committee of the Whole House.
Second reading. Agreed to on question. Bill committed to a Committee of the Whole House.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress she has made on implementing the new pet passports scheme.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress she has made on implementing the new pet passports scheme.
As announced at the UK-EU Leaders' Summit on 19 May 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Area, which will mean taking pets on holiday into the EU will be easier and cheaper. Instead of getting an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) each time they travel, pet owners will be able to get a multiuse pet passport valid for travel to the EU. Until an agreement with the EU is reached, owners will still need an AHC for their dog, cat or ferret(s) if they are travelling from GB (England, Wales and Scotland) to an EU country.
Discussions on the SPS agreement are progressing and this Government has committed, with the EU, to conclude negotiations before the next UK-EU Summit. Whilst these negotiations are ongoing, Defra is unable to provide detailed updates on the talks.
Motion to consider. Agreed to on question.
Motion to consider. Agreed to on question.
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.
The Cities of London and Westminster has more jobs in it than people—certainly many more than there are young people. For too long, though, some of the young people in the very centre of London have not had the chances they should. I welcome the Government’s youth guarantee. Will the Secretary of State tell me how it will work with institutions such as Westminster city council, the Corporation of London, Zacchaeus 2000 and the Abbey Centre to really deliver on that promise?
The Cities of London and Westminster has more jobs in it than people—certainly many more than there are young people. For too long, though, some of the young people in the very centre of London have not had the chances they should. I welcome the Government’s youth guarantee. Will the Secretary of State tell me how it will work with institutions such as Westminster city council, the Corporation of London, Zacchaeus 2000 and the Abbey Centre to really deliver on that promise?
My hon. Friend is right that we need everyone—not just central Government—to be involved. I would like local authorities, businesses—all of us—to see the youth opportunity challenge as a national endeavour worthy of all our support. I am happy to work with her local authority to try to make it as successful as possible.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what consideration her Department has made of the potential merits of increasing the number of modern foreign languages offered at GCSE level.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what consideration her Department has made of the potential merits of increasing the number of modern foreign languages offered at GCSE level.
Decisions about which languages to offer at GCSE in England are taken by four independent awarding organisations: AQA, OCR, Pearson Edexcel and WJEC. These organisations have the freedom to create GCSEs based on subject content set by the department.
I wish you a very happy St George’s day, Mr Speaker. The Cities of London and Westminster hold many celebrations for St George’s day.
We heard significant movement earlier today regarding energy. What economic assessment has been made beyond food and drink, the youth experience scheme, Erasmus and the emissions trading system to make sure that, at the forthcoming summit, we deliver on our commitments?
I wish you a very happy St George’s day, Mr Speaker. The Cities of London and Westminster hold many celebrations for St George’s day.
We heard significant movement earlier today regarding energy. What economic assessment has been made beyond food and drink, the youth experience scheme, Erasmus and the emissions trading system to make sure that, at the forthcoming summit, we deliver on our commitments?
My hon. Friend can be assured that we will continue to drive forward to deliver on our commitment. The electricity trading negotiations are absolutely vital, not only for energy security but to bear down on household bills.
What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to increase trade with the EU.
What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to increase trade with the EU.
We are taking forward negotiations with the EU to drive investment, jobs and growth for the UK pragmatically. On ideological grounds, the Conservatives and Reform would undo it all, and Green party foreign policy—let us be frank—is a dangerous fantasy.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.
Last week the UK attended the third international conference on the situation in Sudan, with Germany, France, the US, the African Union and the European Union. The Foreign Office reports that 30 million people require humanitarian assistance and that an estimated 130 humanitarian workers have been killed. What did the conference and summit say about humanitarian corridors, which could give us some confidence that there can be humanitarian assistance going forward?
Last week the UK attended the third international conference on the situation in Sudan, with Germany, France, the US, the African Union and the European Union. The Foreign Office reports that 30 million people require humanitarian assistance and that an estimated 130 humanitarian workers have been killed. What did the conference and summit say about humanitarian corridors, which could give us some confidence that there can be humanitarian assistance going forward?
I am glad that my hon. Friend raises this issue. In Berlin last week with my German, French, US, EU and African Union co-hosts, we called for an urgent ceasefire, a humanitarian truce and humanitarian access. It is deeply distressing that this conflict is continuing. Participants also pledged over £1 billion to support the humanitarian response, which includes £146 million of UK humanitarian funding this year for Sudan and an increase in the support given to local aid groups. However, it is desperately urgent that we get a ceasefire, because it is the worst humanitarian crisis of the 21st century.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment (a) his Department and (b) UK Health Security Agency has made of the risks of exposure to high ambient temperatures during pregnancy including (i) stillbirth, (ii) preterm birth and (iii) maternal health complications.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment (a) his Department and (b) UK Health Security Agency has made of the risks of exposure to high ambient temperatures during pregnancy including (i) stillbirth, (ii) preterm birth and (iii) maternal health complications.
The Department and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recognise that there are risks to pregnant women caused by exposure to extreme high temperatures which are set out in the Adverse Weather and Health Plan Equity Review and Impact Assessment 2024. This includes an assessment on stillbirth, pre-term birth, and maternal health complications.
UKHSA provides a weather-health alerting system for England, which alerts the public, including specific vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, and public sector organisations to prepare for impacts of adverse weather, including high temperatures. Risks to health are communicated via heat-health alerts.
There are no plans at this time to update National Health Service antenatal and maternity guidance or to publish specific guidance for healthcare professionals and the public regarding this topic.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to work with UKHSA to issue specific guidance for (a) health professionals and (b) the public regarding the health risks to pregnant people during periods of extreme heat.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to work with UKHSA to issue specific guidance for (a) health professionals and (b) the public regarding the health risks to pregnant people during periods of extreme heat.
The Department and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recognise that there are risks to pregnant women caused by exposure to extreme high temperatures which are set out in the Adverse Weather and Health Plan Equity Review and Impact Assessment 2024. This includes an assessment on stillbirth, pre-term birth, and maternal health complications.
UKHSA provides a weather-health alerting system for England, which alerts the public, including specific vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, and public sector organisations to prepare for impacts of adverse weather, including high temperatures. Risks to health are communicated via heat-health alerts.
There are no plans at this time to update National Health Service antenatal and maternity guidance or to publish specific guidance for healthcare professionals and the public regarding this topic.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to update NHS antenatal and maternity guidance on the risks of extreme heat exposure for pregnant people and unborn children.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to update NHS antenatal and maternity guidance on the risks of extreme heat exposure for pregnant people and unborn children.
The Department and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recognise that there are risks to pregnant women caused by exposure to extreme high temperatures which are set out in the Adverse Weather and Health Plan Equity Review and Impact Assessment 2024. This includes an assessment on stillbirth, pre-term birth, and maternal health complications.
UKHSA provides a weather-health alerting system for England, which alerts the public, including specific vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, and public sector organisations to prepare for impacts of adverse weather, including high temperatures. Risks to health are communicated via heat-health alerts.
There are no plans at this time to update National Health Service antenatal and maternity guidance or to publish specific guidance for healthcare professionals and the public regarding this topic.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what conversations she has had with representatives from the Metropolitan Police about the Vashi diamonds case.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what conversations she has had with representatives from the Metropolitan Police about the Vashi diamonds case.
The Home Office does not have any record of the Home Secretary having any conversations with representatives from the Metropolitan Police about the Vashi diamonds case. Operational decisions on case investigations are matters for operationally independent police forces. It would be inappropriate for the Home Office to intervene or direct police forces on whether individual cases should or should not be investigated.
This Government is committed to tackling fraud and we have published a new Fraud Strategy which sets out a comprehensive plan to stop fraud at its source, protect the public, and deliver justice for victims. Over the next three years, we will invest £250 million to strengthen our fight against fraud.
I thank the Minister for his work on this issue. I am working to make sure that the managing agent Freshwater will meet me to talk about its service charges. Does he agree that it is important that managing agents meet representatives in order to tackle these high levels, and to ensure that they are prepared for this Government’s reforms? I also have a real concern about the impact of high service charges on the long-term sustainability of the leasehold model for people who are choosing to retire into leasehold properties.
I thank the Minister for his work on this issue. I am working to make sure that the managing agent Freshwater will meet me to talk about its service charges. Does he agree that it is important that managing agents meet representatives in order to tackle these high levels, and to ensure that they are prepared for this Government’s reforms? I also have a real concern about the impact of high service charges on the long-term sustainability of the leasehold model for people who are choosing to retire into leasehold properties.
I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. High and rising service charges are putting unprecedented financial pressure on leaseholders. They are also causing more and more issues with mortgages and remortgaging processes. On her point about managing agents: yes, managing agents absolutely should meet with residents who have concerns, either collectively or individually.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department plans to respond formally to the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion on Israel's occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territories, published in July 2024.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department plans to respond formally to the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion on Israel's occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territories, published in July 2024.
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided for question 83315 on 29 October 2025.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment his Department has made of the performance and reliability of heat networks operating in residential developments in England; and what steps he is taking to ensure consistent service standards for consumers.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment his Department has made of the performance and reliability of heat networks operating in residential developments in England; and what steps he is taking to ensure consistent service standards for consumers.
We are aware that some existing heat networks are not delivering to the standard they should be. We have and will continue to take steps to protect consumers: We have already taken action by introducing Ofgem as the market regulator who have the powers to tackle poor service standards. In the first year of regulation, they will be collecting performance data and consulting on Guaranteed Standards of Performance.
Heat network consumers who suffer a service outage can also seek redress through the Energy Ombudsman.
DESNZ is also consulting on mandatory technical standards for heat networks, that include proposals to ensure new and existing heat networks are designed, built, and operated to a standard, that will deliver good outcomes for consumers.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department holds data on the frequency and duration of outages affecting heat network customers.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department holds data on the frequency and duration of outages affecting heat network customers.
Historically, heat network performance, including outage duration and frequency has been unregulated in Great Britain, and as such the Department does not hold this data.
As the newly appointed market regulator for heat networks, Ofgem now have powers to collect performance data, and they will be consulting on introducing Guaranteed Standards of Performance.
The Heat Trust operate a voluntary scheme for heat networks, and participating heat networks are required to submit data to demonstrate their compliance with the scheme’s service standards.
The most recent report is available on their website.