Written questions by Sobel.

What steps she is taking to ensure that rail operators provide sufficient staffing and passenger management during major route disruptions.

The Department expects train operators and Network Rail to have plans in place to support passengers during major disruption, including appropriate staffing.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of passenger notification procedures for planned engineering works that result in disruption to rail services.

Standard practice is for journey planner websites like National Rail Enquiries and train operating company websites to start showing alternative travel information 12 weeks in advance. Network Rail is responsible for coordinating and validating timetables for the national rail network and works with all the train operating companies to ensure passengers are adequately informed of planned engineering works.

What steps his Department is taking to improve outcomes for patients with (a) strokes and (b) transient ischaemic attacks in Leeds Central and Headingley constituency.

Stroke care for the Leeds Central and Headingley constituencies is provided by the Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust (LTHT). To improve outcomes for patients with strokes and transient ischaemic attacks, LTHT provides 24/7 stroke specialist nurse cover for emergency admissions. LTHT has increased the mechanical thrombectomy service to seven days a week between 8:00am and 3:00pm as of 1 November 2025. By this time next year, the trust expects to have this service running 24/7. LTHT is also working with the Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust to implement an early supported discharge team within stroke services. From January to March 2026, both trusts will be appointing a joint workforce of therapists and community colleagues to ensure patients receive timely access to care.

If he has considered the potential merits of establishing a database of licensed weight loss injection providers that is easily accessible to the public.

All GLP-1 medicines, which are licensed injections for weight loss, are prescription only medicines, which means they can only be prescribed by a healthcare professional.GLP-1 medicines can be purchased privately. A consultation with a healthcare professional must happen before the prescription can be issued, so that the prescriber can carry out proper checks and make sure the patient is aware of the benefits and risks of taking the medicine.GLP-1 medicines should not be bought from unregulated sellers such as beauty salons or via social media, or from anywhere without a prior consultation with a healthcare professional.To guarantee receipt of a genuine GLP-1 medicine, it must be acquired from a legitimate pharmacy, including those trading online, with a prescription issued by a healthcare professional.Patients can check if the pharmacy, online or otherwise, is legitimate. For pharmacies based in Great Britain, patients can check on the General Pharmaceutical Council’s (GPhC) website whether it is properly registered, which is available at the following link:https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/registersFor pharmacies based in Northern Ireland, patients can refer to the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland’s (PSNI) website, which is available at the following link:https://registers.psni.org.uk/For further information about use of online pharmacies, patients can also refer to the GPhC’s guide on how to keep safe when getting medicines or treatment online, which is available at the following link:https://assets.pharmacyregulation.org/files/2024-11/how-to-keep-safe-when-getting-medicines-or-treatment-online.pdfThe GPhC and the PSNI could also be contacted for more information on their actions on helping patients to obtain these medicines safely.Patients can also visit the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) #FakeMeds website for tools and resources to help purchase medicines or medical devices safely online, with further information available at the following link:https://fakemeds.campaign.gov.uk/To promote safe access to GLP-1 medicines and increase public awareness of these resources, the MHRA has published guidance for the public highlighting important information such as how to obtain them safely and key risks to be aware of. Further information on the MHRA’s guidance is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/glp-1-medicines-for-weight-loss-and-diabetes-what-you-need-to-know/glp-1-medicines-for-weight-loss-and-diabetes-what-you-need-to-know#summary-what-do-those-taking-or-planning-to-take-these-medicines-need-to-rememberPatients can also check the credentials of the healthcare professional prescribing the medicine via the relevant United Kingdom professional regulator, such as the:- General Medical Council for doctors;- the Nursing and Midwifery Council for nurse independent prescribers;- the GPhC for pharmacists in Great Britain;- the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland; and- the respective regulatory bodies for other non-medical prescribers.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing details to the public on how to report suspected unlicenced vendors providing weight loss injections.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), acting on behalf of my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, is responsible for the regulation of medicines intended for human use in the United Kingdom. This includes applying the legal controls on the retail sale, supply, and advertising of medicines, which are set out in the Human Medicines Regulations 2012.Sourcing weight loss medicines from unregulated suppliers significantly increases the risk of receiving a product which is either falsified or not authorised for human use. Products purchased in this way will not meet the MHRA’s strict standards for quality, safety, and efficacy and can therefore pose significant risks.Protecting the public from the dangers of falsified and unregulated medicines is one of the MHRA’s highest priorities.Between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025, the MHRA and its partners seized approximately 17 million doses of illegally traded medicines with a street value of more than £37 million. The MHRA is constantly working to develop new and innovative ways to combat the trade in illegal medicines. These measures include:- introduction of the Yellow Card scheme, which enables healthcare professionals and patients to report suspected fake medicines and adverse drug reactions, with referrals being assessed and acted upon as appropriate. Further information is available at the following link: https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/;- implementation of a web-based reporting scheme allowing users to report suspicious online sellers to the MHRA;- rollout of an online service which will allow users to check if a website has been deemed ‘Not Recommended’ by the MHRA;- publication of a #Fakemeds campaign which explains how to access medicines through safe and legitimate online sources, with further information available at the following link: https://fakemeds.campaign.gov.uk/; and- public guidance on how to safely access and use GLP-1 medications, available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/glp-1-medicines-for-weight-loss-and-diabetes-what-you-need-to-know/glp-1-medicines-for-weight-loss-and-diabetes-what-you-need-to-know.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the United Nation Secretary-General’s report to the Security Council entitled Situation concerning Western Sahara, published on 30 September 2025, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of that report; and if she will raise this matter at the Security Council.

The UK Government consistently urges all states to uphold international law, and we continue to encourage constructive engagement with the political process led by the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General Mr Staffan de Mistura in support of finding a just, lasting, and mutually agreed resolution to the Western Sahara dispute. The UK shares a bilateral Human Rights Dialogue with Morocco, the third session of which is due to take place in London by the end of the year and will cover a range of topics.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of supporting the call for the renewal of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara mandate.

The UK has consistently voted for UN Security Council Resolutions that renew the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara, including the latest Resolution adopted by the UN Security Council on 30 October 2025.

Whether multi-year revenue funding for children's hospices will go to (a) regional and (b) local ICBs.

We are providing £26 million in revenue funding to support children and young people’s hospices for 2025/26. This is a continuation of the funding which until recently was known as the Children’s Hospice Grant.I am pleased to confirm the continuation of this vital funding for the next three financial years, from 2026/27 to 2028/29 inclusive. This funding will see approximately £26 million, adjusted for inflation, allocated to children and young people’s hospices in England each year, via their local integrated care boards on behalf of NHS England, as happened in 2024/25 and 2025/26. This amounts to approximately £80 million over the next three years.This approach is in line with National Health Service devolution and promotes a more consistent national approach, supporting commissioners in prioritising the palliative care and end of life care needs of their local population.

What steps his Department is taking to support (a) women wishing to become pregnant and (b) all people diagnosed with Fanconi Anaemia.

The Government is committed to improving the lives of those living with rare diseases, including Fanconi Anaemia. Where possible, the National Health Service offers reproductive options for carrier couples wishing to have a baby, including prenatal counselling prior to conception, testing in early pregnancy, and preimplantation genetic testing. The UK Rare Diseases Framework also sets out four priorities collaboratively developed with the rare disease community, which include: getting a final diagnosis faster; increasing awareness of rare diseases among healthcare professionals; better coordination of care; and improving access to specialist care, treatments, and drugs. We published the annual England action plan in February 2025, where we report on the steps we have taken to advance these priorities. The Government will be working with the devolved administrations this year to review what comes next, following the expiry of the UK Rare Diseases Framework in 2026, to support all those diagnosed with a rare diseases, including Fanconi Anaemia.

What steps his Department is taking to support research for a cure for Fanconi Anaemia.

The Department funds research on health and social care through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care including Fanconi Anaemia.These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality. Topics for new research can be proposed to the NIHR via the following link:https://www.nihr.ac.uk/get-involved/suggest-a-research-topicThe NIHR also works closely with other Government funders, including UK Research and Innovation, which is funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and which includes the Medical Research Council, to fund research into a range of conditions, including Fanconi Anaemia.

What steps his Department is taking to improve access to treatments to manage Fanconi Anaemia.

Working under the UK Rare Diseases Framework, the Government is committed to improving the lives of those living with rare diseases, such as Fanconi Anaemia. The UK Rare Diseases Framework sets out four priorities collaboratively developed with the rare disease community. The fourth priority of the framework is improved access to specialist care, treatment, and drugs. Action under this priority has included reviewing the medicines access pathways, namely the Early Access to Medicines Scheme, the Innovative Licensing Pathway, and the Innovative Medicines Fund, for their suitability for rare disease therapies and reforming clinical trial regulations. Information on Fanconi Anaemia is included on the NHS England GeNotes page, supporting healthcare professionals with easy access to information on the diagnosis and treatment of this condition.

Food and Rural Affairs, when she plans to publish the cross-Government nature strategy.

Defra will set out its timeline for publishing the Cross Government Nature Strategy (GCNS) in due course.

What steps his Department is taking to encourage (a) allergen awareness and (b) cross-contamination training for staff in (i) hospitality and (ii) food service businesses.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) regularly runs campaigns to raise awareness of allergens for both consumers and businesses.In March 2025, the FSA published new best practice guidance to help food businesses provide clearer written allergen information for those in hospitality, such as restaurants. This is available at the following link:https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/allergen-information-for-non-prepacked-foods-best-practice-summaryIt is recommended that this is supported by a conversation with the consumer. Additional guidance includes the ‘Safer Food Better Business’ guide, along with the FSA’s ‘Food allergen labelling and information requirements technical guidance’.The FSA is dedicated to improving the provision of information for people with allergies and working with food businesses to increase allergen training in the sector. Free training is provided on the FSA website for local authorities and food businesses, including those working in hospitality and food service. The training covers all aspects of allergen management, including mitigating and communicating the risk of allergen cross-contamination.Under food safety regulations, businesses are expected to ensure their staff are competent in managing allergens. The FSA training has proved to be very popular, with 915,238 users since the launch of the platform in September 2020, and the FSA is currently working to improve the offering.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the progress made on (a) preventing and (b) treating all types of brain tumours.

The Government recognises that too little is currently known about how to prevent, diagnose and manage brain tumours, and they remain one of the hardest cancers to treat and a challenging area for research.As with many other cancers, there is currently no guaranteed way to prevent a brain tumour, as the causes of most are unknown and not directly related to lifestyle or environmental factors. However, the risk of a brain tumour can be reduced by avoiding or limiting exposure to unnecessary radiation and carcinogens like smoking. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a diet rich in antioxidants, getting adequate sleep and exercising regularly supports overall health and may help reduce some cancer risks.The Department of Health and Social Care recognises that there are currently limited treatment options available for people who have been diagnosed with brain tumours. The forthcoming National Cancer Plan, which will complement the 10-Year Health Plan, will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for all cancer patients including those with rarer and less common cancers such as brain tumours. The Department ran a Call for Evidence to inform the development of the National Cancer Plan, including a question on priorities for cancer research. Over 11,000 responses were received, and although no assessment was separately taken on the prevention and treatment of brain tumours, all of the responses have been analysed to prioritise recommendations in the Plan.Additionally, in September 2024, the National Institute for Health Research announced a new package of support to stimulate high quality brain tumour research applications, as part of the Government’s commitment to developing new lifesaving and life-improving research, supporting those diagnosed and living with brain tumours.A new national Brain Tumour Research Consortium was established in December 2024 to bring together researchers from a range of different disciplines and institutions with the aim of driving scientific advancements in how to prevent, detect, manage and treat cancers in adults and children.In addition to speeding up diagnosis and treatment, the work being undertaken by the Consortium aims to ensure that patients have access to the latest treatments and technology and to clinical trials. This will make a significant contribution to bringing the UK’s cancer survival rates back up to the standards of the best in the world.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the draft guidance by the Equality and Human Rights Commission entitled Code of practice for services, public functions and associations, published on 20 May 2025, on (a) operational readiness and (b) combat effectiveness (i) of all service personnel and (ii) of service personnel who are trans.

Defence welcomes the Supreme Court's ruling and the clarity that it brings. The independent Equality and Human Rights Commission is now developing its updated statutory Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations and we will liaise with them through our engagement with the Office for Equalities and Opportunity as they progress this work. The application of the Supreme Court ruling in some settings is complex and that is why it is important we await the Code of Practice before applying the Equality Act on a day-to-day basis.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the EHRC draft code of practice for services, public functions and associations on LGBTQIA+ tourism to the UK.

The Government is committed to ensuring the UK remains one of the safest and most welcoming destinations in the world for all visitors, including for LGBTQIA+ tourists. Inclusivity is a key part of what we offer tourists and contributes to our global appeal.The Department has not conducted a specific assessment of the potential impact of the draft code on tourism. However, DCMS, through VisitBritain and VisitEngland, continues to support tourism businesses in this area. A new e-learning course to help the industry welcome LGBTQIA+ customers was recently launched and is being promoted through Local Visitor Economy Partnerships to their networks.To provide clarity for the sector, interim EHRC guidance relating to the recent Supreme Court ruling has also been added to the ‘Pink Book’, VisitEngland’s guide to accommodation and attraction legislation. Furthermore, VisitEngland will review its Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Toolkit for businesses and LGBTQIA+ course once the EHRC’s updated guidance is finalised.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) the proposed requirement that trans people be excluded from (i) services and (ii) facilities that are designated single sex and (b) other proposals in the recent EHRC Draft Code of Practice to the Equality Act on the (A) financial and (B) operational readiness impacts of (1) his Department and (2) the armed forces.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 15 July 2025 to Question 65333 to the hon. Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham (Dr Caroline Johnson).

With reference to her Department's White Paper entitled Restoring Control over the Immigration System, published on 12 May 2025, whether her Department has undertaken an (a) equality and (b) impact assessment on the potential impact of its proposed changes to the qualifying period for settlement on (i) British Nationals (Overseas) visa holders and (ii) their family members.

The Government is committed to supporting members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK and those who may come here in future.We will be consulting on the earned settlement scheme later this year and further details of the proposed scheme will be provided at that time. An assessment of equality and other impacts will be developed alongside any finalised policy.We regularly engage with representatives of the Hong Kong diaspora in the UK on issues related to the BN(O) visa and will continue to do so.

What steps she is taking to help support migrants into work.

The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration and asylum system under regular review, and recently published a White Paper setting out the Government’s plans for reform in a wide range of areas, including employment opportunities for refugees, illegal working by asylum seekers, and exploitation and abuse of migrant workers.

Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to introduce mandatory requirements for AI developers to disclose information about their systems.

Artificial intelligence is the defining opportunity of our generation, and the Government is taking action to harness its economic benefits for UK citizens. As set out in the AI Opportunities Action Plan, we believe most AI systems should be regulated at the point of use, with our expert regulators best placed to do so. Departments are working proactively with regulators to provide clear strategic direction and support them on their AI capability needs. Through well-designed and implemented regulation, we can fuel fast, wide and safe development and adoption of AI.