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Parents, teachers and young people across North Dorset welcomed the Secretary of State’s announcement last month, as do I. This is clearly a fast-moving area of communication. Will the Secretary of State assure the House that this will be an iterative and evolutionary process, with Government deploying the resources so that we are well placed to meet new challenges and our young people are safe and protected?
Parents, teachers and young people across North Dorset welcomed the Secretary of State’s announcement last month, as do I. This is clearly a fast-moving area of communication. Will the Secretary of State assure the House that this will be an iterative and evolutionary process, with Government deploying the resources so that we are well placed to meet new challenges and our young people are safe and protected?
As always, the hon. Gentleman makes an important point, which is that this is not a “one and done”, as I said in my statement last week. It cannot be, because technology is changing so fast. I have looked seriously at the fact that the Online Safety Act 2023 took eight years from initial idea to implementation, and that is not good enough. We have taken powers in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 to address features and functions, which I think will help, but I am sure there is much more we can do. I have said that this is not a one and done, and I will always be willing to look at further measures.
I welcome the Foreign Secretary’s use of the term “settler terrorism”. She is absolutely right; the phrase “settler violence” does not do justice to what is happening. She will be aware that settler terrorism is often enabled and encouraged, or at best a blind eye is turned, by both the Israeli police and the IDF. She will know the damage perpetrated by that terrorist activity. If Israel wishes to remain the villa in the jungle it has always wished to be, can she at least remind her Israeli Government counterparts of the importance of the rule of law and the separation of the duties of the IDF and the police when it comes to protecting the citizens of both Israel and Palestine?
I welcome the Foreign Secretary’s use of the term “settler terrorism”. She is absolutely right; the phrase “settler violence” does not do justice to what is happening. She will be aware that settler terrorism is often enabled and encouraged, or at best a blind eye is turned, by both the Israeli police and the IDF. She will know the damage perpetrated by that terrorist activity. If Israel wishes to remain the villa in the jungle it has always wished to be, can she at least remind her Israeli Government counterparts of the importance of the rule of law and the separation of the duties of the IDF and the police when it comes to protecting the citizens of both Israel and Palestine?
We continually raise these issues with the Israeli Government, because we cannot have what we have seen: property damage, intimidation, farmers’ olive trees burnt down, families’ water disconnected and mobs rampaging. That is why we have introduced the scale of the breadth of sanctions, including on organisations such as the Farms Association which have been supporting them. It is also why we need to challenge any culture of impunity. There has to be accountability for what are, effectively, criminal acts.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress he has made on revising and updating regulations governing the operation of pharmacies by pharmacy businesses in the context of Jhoots pharmacy.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress he has made on revising and updating regulations governing the operation of pharmacies by pharmacy businesses in the context of Jhoots pharmacy.
The Department is reviewing the regulations governing pharmaceutical services in England in light of the issues that arose when a large number of Jhoots pharmacies went into administration.
As part of this work, the Department has engaged with NHS England, the General Pharmaceutical Council, and sector representatives to consider whether the current oversight and enforcement arrangements are sufficient, and whether changes are needed to enable more timely action where concerns arise.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps are being taken to improve public awareness of arthritis symptoms to help reduce delays in the seeking of medical advice.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps are being taken to improve public awareness of arthritis symptoms to help reduce delays in the seeking of medical advice.
The Government recognises the importance of improving public awareness of arthritis and its symptoms to support early diagnosis and timely access to care. On its NHS.UK website, NHS England provides extensive, publicly accessible information regarding the symptoms and management of arthritis. This includes information about general symptoms alongside specific manifestations for different types of the condition, and when to seek medical advice.
Charities and patient organisations also play a key role in role in raising awareness, and the NHS.UK website includes information and links to charities, helplines, and patient groups across its various arthritis informational pages to help people access further advice and support.
Violence against women and girls is often focused on what women and girls can do to keep themselves safe, but the Minister will know that the pernicious attitude of toxic masculinity has a huge impact on teenage boys, young women and girls. What can the Government do, preferably cross-party, to send a better message to young men and boys about how to deal with young women in school and elsewhere, in order to preserve safety and dignity?
Violence against women and girls is often focused on what women and girls can do to keep themselves safe, but the Minister will know that the pernicious attitude of toxic masculinity has a huge impact on teenage boys, young women and girls. What can the Government do, preferably cross-party, to send a better message to young men and boys about how to deal with young women in school and elsewhere, in order to preserve safety and dignity?
I welcome that really important question from the hon. Gentleman, and he is right to address this issue. A core part of our violence against women and girls strategy is tackling the online proliferation of harmful narratives that are being pushed on our young men and boys. Last week, the Deputy Prime Minister and I hosted a roundtable across Government, with the Secretary of State for Education present, to look at how best we can support our men and boys in a positive way to provide them with opportunities going forward, so that they are not being pushed the message that they are to blame and are toxic. I want to be very clear that “toxic masculinity” does not mean that all men are toxic—that is a really important point to make.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he plans to take to help support pre-pensioners with long-term health conditions in the context of increases to the State Pension age.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he plans to take to help support pre-pensioners with long-term health conditions in the context of increases to the State Pension age.
People with long-term health conditions will continue to be supported by the benefit system, including Personal Independence Payments (PIP), up to and beyond reaching State Pension age, and Universal Credit for those unable to work before reaching retirement.
We recognise the wealth of skills and experience that older workers bring both to the workplace and the economy, as well as the role of good work in supporting health and wellbeing. We asked Sir Charlie Mayfield to lead the Keep Britain Working Review to examine how employers can better support disabled people and those with health conditions; the final report was published on 5 November 2025. We are now in the Vanguard Phase to test new employer-led approaches to support individuals to stay in work. To support people who are nearing State Pension age and who have long-term health conditions, we are joining up health and employment support services. This includes through Employment Advisors in NHS Talking Therapies, Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care, Pathways to Work, and WorkWell. Support is also available through Access to Work grants.
We have additional dedicated support for workers aged 50 and over within jobcentres. This includes 50PLUS Champions, the Midlife MOT, and local Employer and Partnership Teams, offering tailored guidance and connecting people with health, skills, financial support and employers. As part of our plans to create a new Jobs and Careers Service, we are considering the best way to support customers aged 50 and over, and customers with health conditions, so that they can access support to find good, meaningful work, and help them progress in work or increase their earnings.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to support people living with arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions to (a) return to and (b) enter into work.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to support people living with arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions to (a) return to and (b) enter into work.
Just under 18 million people in England were estimated to be affected by musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions in 2023 and improving their health and work outcomes will help deliver this government's mission to kickstart economic growth.
MSK problems were one of the leading causes of sickness absence in the UK in 2024. Early detection and prevention, including increasing access to employment advice, can support people with MSK conditions getting into and remaining in work.
The Government is committed to supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, including arthritis and MSK conditions, with their employment journey. We therefore have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work, including support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres and Access to Work grants, as well Connect to Work and WorkWell.
The Keep Britain Working review, published in November 2025, examined how employers can support healthier and more inclusive workplaces. Sir Charlie Mayfield was appointed to work in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions, Department for Business and Trade and Department for Health and Social Care to oversee the implementation of his recommendations. Over 100 employers and ten regions are working with us through employer-led vanguard sprints, reshaping how health and disability are managed at work.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how and when the Government is proposing to respond to the CMA report on vets.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how and when the Government is proposing to respond to the CMA report on vets.
The final report for the CMA’s market investigation is due in Spring 2026. Defra aims to respond to this within 90 days of its release.
Will the Minister, in listening mode, listen to Welsh sheep farmers who are desperately concerned about being able to access Australian and New Zealand sheep shearers this year, as this is now an animal welfare issue? What conversations has she had with her right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to ensure that those Commonwealth citizens can come in—they never overstay, and are here only for the shearing season—and ensure that sheep farming in Wales, and across the United Kingdom, can be supported and continue to flourish?
Will the Minister, in listening mode, listen to Welsh sheep farmers who are desperately concerned about being able to access Australian and New Zealand sheep shearers this year, as this is now an animal welfare issue? What conversations has she had with her right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to ensure that those Commonwealth citizens can come in—they never overstay, and are here only for the shearing season—and ensure that sheep farming in Wales, and across the United Kingdom, can be supported and continue to flourish?
The hon. Gentleman is making an important point. I am regularly out listening to farmers and speaking to farming unions, and I am proud that this Government are making the important trade deals that will make a big difference to farmers and businesses across our rural communities. That is possible only because this Labour Government have achieved economic stability, and have repaired our reputation on the world stage after, I am afraid, the Conservative party made a mess of it. I will continue to take his points back to colleagues across Government, and to have those negotiations and discussions with them.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when his Department plans to respond to the report from the Park Home owners JUSTICE campaign about the rationale for 10% commission rate.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when his Department plans to respond to the report from the Park Home owners JUSTICE campaign about the rationale for 10% commission rate.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 97962 on 15 December 2025.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has calculated the costs to park home owners that have been spent on commission during the 12 months since the Park Home Owners JUSTICE report was submitted to Government.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has calculated the costs to park home owners that have been spent on commission during the 12 months since the Park Home Owners JUSTICE report was submitted to Government.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 97962 on 15 December 2025.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what engagement with Park Home owners his Department has had during the past 12 months.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what engagement with Park Home owners his Department has had during the past 12 months.
Officials from my Department have had six meetings with four residents’ associations representing park home owners over the past 12 months to deepen the Department’s understanding of their rights and obligations and how the former are enforced.
I attended the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Park Homes meeting on 10 February 2025 to hear the sector’s views on a range of subjects, including the payment of a commission upon the sale of a park home.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the net cost of benefit of (a) removing the VAT exemption on places of worship repairs and (b) increasing the Listed Places of Worship Grant scheme.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the net cost of benefit of (a) removing the VAT exemption on places of worship repairs and (b) increasing the Listed Places of Worship Grant scheme.
The Department conducted an evaluation of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme. The evaluation included an extensive survey of current and past scheme users and is published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evaluation-of-the-listed-places-of-worship-scheme-final-report. The evaluation did not estimate the net cost of benefit of (a) removing the VAT exemption on places of worship repairs and (b) increasing the Listed Places of Worship Grant scheme. Our evaluation showed that while it had many benefits, 80% of respondents said that they would still have carried out the work without the rebate. As we look towards a new fiscal period and the evolving needs of our community, it is essential that government support is deployed to the areas where it can have the greatest impact and where it is needed most. Over the next four years, the Places of Worship Renewal Fund will invest £92 million capital funding into listed places of worship and is designed to ensure that taxpayer funding is targeted more effectively toward the preservation of our heritage assets.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate he has made of the number of places of worship liable for VAT on repairs in comparison to the number who will receive a grant to cover this additional cost from the listed Places of Worship fund.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate he has made of the number of places of worship liable for VAT on repairs in comparison to the number who will receive a grant to cover this additional cost from the listed Places of Worship fund.
The Listed Places of Worship Scheme was run on a first come first served basis. The new Places of Worship Scheme will instead target funding at areas of the most need, and Places of Worship will go through a proportionate application process. We are currently designing the criteria with experts from the sector, and have not made an estimate of numbers eligible, which will partly depend on the size of grants applied for. The fund will deliver £92 million over 4 years.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much of the increase in funding for places of worship is expected to be used to cover VAT costs.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much of the increase in funding for places of worship is expected to be used to cover VAT costs.
The Places of Worship Renewal Fund is a capital fund, meaning it will award grants for projects to cover capital works, rather than just the VAT element. Further details on the Places of Worship Renewal Fund specific criteria, application process and funding allocation will be announced in due course.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate he has has made of the levels of repairs to churches which will not proceed as a result of VAT changes.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate he has has made of the levels of repairs to churches which will not proceed as a result of VAT changes.
The Department conducted an evaluation of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme. The evaluation included an extensive survey of current and past scheme users and is published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evaluation-of-the-listed-places-of-worship-scheme-final-report. 80% of respondents said that they would still have carried out the work without the rebate, Of these, 15% would have carried out works in the same way, 34% would have carried out works but delayed, 15% would have carried out works but been more economical, and 16% would have delayed and been more economical.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what resource has been allocated to administer the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme in financial year (a) 2025-26 and (b) 2026-27.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what resource has been allocated to administer the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme in financial year (a) 2025-26 and (b) 2026-27.
UKVI are currently assessing Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme (UPE) visas within the published processing times. Information on visa processing times can be found at Visa processing times: applications inside the UK - GOV.UK
Average processing times do not form part of any current transparency data for Ukraine Extension Permission applications and are not published.
A range of processing data including case outcomes on Ukraine visa applications, can be found at: Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK and Migration transparency data - GOV.UK
Resourcing arrangements are flexible across all visa routes, with decision-makers deployed to different areas at different times of the year. This enables UKVI to meet peaks in demand and operate efficiently throughout the operational year.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average time taken is to determine a visa extension under the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average time taken is to determine a visa extension under the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme.
UKVI are currently assessing Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme (UPE) visas within the published processing times. Information on visa processing times can be found at Visa processing times: applications inside the UK - GOV.UK
Average processing times do not form part of any current transparency data for Ukraine Extension Permission applications and are not published.
A range of processing data including case outcomes on Ukraine visa applications, can be found at: Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK and Migration transparency data - GOV.UK
Resourcing arrangements are flexible across all visa routes, with decision-makers deployed to different areas at different times of the year. This enables UKVI to meet peaks in demand and operate efficiently throughout the operational year.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of visa applications under the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme are determined within eight weeks in the latest period for which data is available.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of visa applications under the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme are determined within eight weeks in the latest period for which data is available.
UKVI are currently assessing Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme (UPE) visas within the published processing times. Information on visa processing times can be found at Visa processing times: applications inside the UK - GOV.UK
Average processing times do not form part of any current transparency data for Ukraine Extension Permission applications and are not published.
A range of processing data including case outcomes on Ukraine visa applications, can be found at: Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK and Migration transparency data - GOV.UK
Resourcing arrangements are flexible across all visa routes, with decision-makers deployed to different areas at different times of the year. This enables UKVI to meet peaks in demand and operate efficiently throughout the operational year.