The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) outline specific duties on employers to protect workers from harmful substances, such as foams and flame retardants, which may be contained in soft furnishings such as mattresses and sofas. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides practical advice and guidance on the basics of COSHH, completing COSHH assessments and links to industry specific information and guidance to prevent and control workplace exposure to harmful substances at Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) - HSE.

Guidance which covers both the initial manufacture and any secondary processing of finished fabrics (such as upholstery) can be found here: https://www.hse.gov.uk/textiles/fabric-finishes.htm.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recognised the risks to textile workers who routinely handle finished fabrics, including those treated with fire-resistant finishes. HSE has produced a specific guidance page on its website which covers both the initial manufacture and any secondary processing of finished fabrics (such as upholstery). The guidance page can be found here: https://www.hse.gov.uk/textiles/fabric-finishes.htm.

The Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme, with the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) at its heart, is driving investment in a broad range of highly sought-after engineering and manufacturing skills, to keep the UK at the forefront of aerospace innovation. Digital first and data-driven, this includes skills such as model-based systems engineering, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and digital engineering.

The Office for Budget Responsibility produces its forecasts independently and is responsible for the assumptions underpinning them.

The Government is committed to increasing the UK's long-term growth potential.

The Government’s strategy to boost growth and improve productivity has been guided by three principles: restoring economic stability, increasing investment, and reforming the economy to remove barriers to growth.

We have made significant progress, including through implementing the Planning and Infrastructure Act and are backing businesses by delivering the modern Industrial Strategy. We have also introduced reforms to unlock private sector investment, including through legislative changes to the pensions system, and to strengthen the UK's skills base, such as by introducing the Growth and Skills Levy.

Last year, RTI-based productivity growth was 2.2 per cent, the fastest calendar year rate outside the pandemic in more than a decade. Whole economy investment has risen to 5.6% above its level at the start of this Parliament.

In the 2026 Mais Lecture, the Chancellor set out how the Government is going even further on this agenda with three big choices: empowering regional growth, embracing AI & innovation, and establishing a closer relationship with the EU.

For financial year 2025-26, publicly available information shows the government spent £78 million of its £80 million budget.

The government is committed to ensuring every young person is equipped with the skills, knowledge and experiences needed to progress into skilled employment.

We are improving careers guidance through the updated Gatsby Benchmarks, career hubs, careers leader training and greater employer engagement.

We are reforming the post-16 qualifications landscape so that technical and academic qualifications better support progression into skilled employment and meet employers' needs. We are also supporting 50,000 more young people into apprenticeships, including through expanded foundation apprenticeships, a £2,000 hiring payment for non-levy employers, and full funding for non-levy employers recruiting 16 to 24-year-old apprentices.

Alongside this, we are working towards delivering our manifesto commitment to guarantee two weeks' worth of work experience for every secondary pupil and continue to promote apprenticeships, T Levels and other technical routes. Through the Construction Skills Programme and Industry Placement programme, learners can gain valuable workplace experience and progress into skilled employment.

The government’s proposals for settlement reform were set out in the Command Paper ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’ (CP1448) and were the subject of a public consultation between 20 November 2025 and 12 February 2026.

We received over 200,000 responses from the public and organisations and are now considering all responses received.  This will help inform the development of the final earned settlement model.

Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly.  This will also include both economic and equality impact assessments.

The information requested is not available from published statistics and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

Our Immigration White Paper, published last year, set out how we are reducing reliance on international workers and encouraging investment in the domestic workforce. In July 2025, we raised the Skilled Worker threshold to graduate-level occupations, meaning more than 100 occupations are no longer eligible, including restaurant managers and chefs.

I refer the Hon Member to Question 13301 answered on 30 June 2026 and to Question 15854 answered on 13 July 2026.

As my Honourable Friend will be well aware, earlier this year we unlocked £25 million of seed capital for the Forth Green Freeport to create tens of thousands of jobs in clean energy and manufacturing.

Already we are seeing the benefits in Edinburgh. The Port of Leith has transformed itself into an offshore wind hub, currently servicing the massive InchCape development. There is the potential for further investment by the wind turbine manufacturer Vestas, which could create up to 500 new jobs at the port.

Skills policy is devolved to the Scottish Government and it is up to them to ensure that the young people of Edinburgh are equipped to take advantage of these opportunities.

What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to promote skills development in the defence industry in Fife.

I pay tribute to my hon. Friend, who is a tireless advocate for the people of Fife and, indeed, for its outstanding college. Our officials are in discussions with both the colleges sector and the Scottish Government, and hope that they will match the £10 million of funding that this Government have committed so that we can get on with building those skilled defence workforce jobs in the future. If only we had a Scottish Government who were investing in defence skills rather than dithering on defence! The responsibility and the opportunities of this time are huge.

Given the threats that our country faces, in March the Secretary of State announced welcome funding for two defence technical excellence colleges, one to be in the east of Scotland. Fife college at Kirkcaldy, in particular, stands ready to absorb new funding and rapidly scale up provision to plug the gap in entry-level skills for the defence industry in Scotland. Can the Secretary of State update us on progress towards getting a Fife-based DTEC off the ground?

As part of the £50 million Scotland defence growth deal, we have confirmed £5 million for the Arrol Gibb Innovation Campus at Rosyth, helping to develop the advanced manufacturing skills needed to support the Type 31 frigate programme and future development opportunities arising from the new defence investment plan. This builds on an earlier £340 million investment in the Rosyth dockyard.

The department is taking a number of steps to support the training and upskilling of staff involved in Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments, while ensuring that all clinical training materials are of the highest quality, evidence-based, and free from bias.

Since September 2024, following the commencement of the Health Assessment Advisory Service (HAAS) contracts, the DWP Clinical Team has taken ownership of all clinical core training and guidance materials (CTGM). These materials are now developed and assured independently of charities and other stakeholder organisations to ensure consistency, impartiality and alignment with best clinical practice. The CTGM is aligned with national guidance, including that produced by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which draws on the best available evidence and incorporates input from clinical experts, people with lived experience, carers and the public.

Senior clinicians from charities and stakeholder groups are invited to contribute to a monthly education programme delivered to DWP-employed clinicians. All contributions are subject to prior review to ensure they are evidence-based, clinically focused and free from bias.

In addition, the department facilitates ongoing engagement through quarterly stakeholder information sessions. These provide an opportunity for charities and other organisations to raise questions, offer feedback, and highlight concerns regarding clinical training materials. Feedback can also be submitted in advance of these sessions for discussion.

Through this approach, the department ensures that training remains robust, evidence-based and informed by wider expertise, while maintaining appropriate independence and clinical integrity in the development of guidance for PIP assessments.

On 9 September 2024, DWP assumed responsibility for the Core Training and Guidance Materials (CTGM) used within the Health Assessment Advisory Service (HAAS), provided by DWP to the HAAS assessment suppliers. Following the transfer of responsibilities to DWP, all training and guidance materials are currently being comprehensively reviewed and updated. A newly established team is leading this work, ensuring that all materials are aligned with national best practice standards. To support this, independent clinical experts are being engaged to provide external quality assurance, helping to ensure the accuracy, relevance, and consistency of the content. Once the review and update is complete, external organisations, including charities representing people with specific health conditions such as Parkinson’s, will be invited to comment.