Written questions by Blackman.

Whether people living with migraine will be considered in the delivery of policies to support people with long-term conditions to remain in or return to work.

The Government recognises the substantial economic and NHS burden of migraine, which costs the economy roughly £8.8 billion to £12 billion annually, driven heavily by lost productivity. Three million workdays are lost annually due to migraine and there are approximately 16,500 emergency admissions a year, costing the NHS £11.5 million. We know that good work is good for health, so we want everyone to get work and get on in work, whoever they are and wherever they live. In our Pathways to Work Green Paper we set out our Pathways to Work offer, backed by £1 billion a year of new funding by the end of the decade. Disabled people and people with health conditions are a diverse group so access to the right work and health support, in the right place, at the right time, is key. The Government is committed to supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, including people living with migraine, 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 those that join up employment and health systems. Existing measures include support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres and Access to Work grants. Through Pathways to Work we are building towards a guaranteed offer of personalised work, health and skills support for all disabled people and people with health conditions on out of work benefits, building on and bringing together initiatives such as Connect to Work, WorkWell and Employment Advisers in Talking Therapies. In November 2025, Sir Charlie Mayfield published his Keep Britain Working Review, setting out recommendations to support employers to create healthier and more inclusive workplaces and radically reshape the way Government works with employers to improve outcomes. Following publication, we have started running a Vanguard phase, through which we are partnering with volunteer employers and regions to test how we can better support good health in work. The 10 Year Health Plan, published in July, builds on existing work to better integrate health with employment support and incentivise greater cross-system collaboration, recognising good work is good for health. The Plan states our intention to break down barriers to opportunity by delivering the holistic support that people need to access and thrive in employment by ensuring a better health service for everyone, regardless of condition or service area. It outlines how the neighbourhood health service will join up support from across the work, health and skills systems to help address the multiple complex challenges that often stop people finding and staying in work.

What assessment he has made of whether migraine is a serious neurological long-term condition.

The Government recognises that migraine is a serious and often debilitating neurological condition, with a wide range of symptoms that go far beyond a headache. Migraine attacks can be a whole-body experience that can make it difficult to function normally.The Royal College of General Practitioners has developed two e-learning modules on migraine and cluster headaches, which aim to raise awareness amongst primary care clinicians about the different types of migraine and their associated symptoms, and how to differentiate.The Getting It Right First Time programme for Neurology published a National Speciality Report, which makes several recommendations in relation to improving recognition and diagnosis of migraine by general practitioners. Additionally, the RightCare Headache and Migraine Toolkit sets out key priorities for improving care for patients with migraine, which includes correct identification and diagnosis of headache disorders.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guideline, Headaches in over 12s: diagnosis and management, sets out best practice for healthcare professionals in the care, treatment, and support of people who suffer from headaches, including migraine. It aims to improve the recognition and management of headaches and migraine.

What steps he is taking to reduce regional variation in access to migraine care and treatment.

We recognise the substantial economic and National Health Service burden of migraine, alongside the personal impacts. We know that there are an estimated 16,500 emergency admissions per year for migraine that could be avoided, costing the NHS £11.5 million.At the national level, there are a number of initiatives supporting service improvement and better care for patients with migraine such as the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) Programme for Neurology, the RightCare Headache and Migraine Toolkit, and the Neurology Transformation Programme.The Neurology Transformation Programme is strengthening integrated headache pathways, supporting integrated care boards to deliver consistent, timely migraine care closer to home. The RightCare Headache and Migraine Toolkit also gives systems a clear blueprint for earlier diagnosis, better long‑term management, and reducing unwarranted variation.The GIRFT Programme is also working to standardise care, promote better use of preventive treatments, and reduce reliance on accident and emergency for migraine crises by empowering general practices to manage headache disorders effectively.

Whether the forthcoming Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework will set expectations for Integrated Care Boards to commission specialist lipid services.

To tackle unwarranted variation and support consistent, high-quality care across the cardiovascular disease pathway, and to support the Government’s ambition to reduce premature deaths from heart disease and stroke by 25% within a decade, the Government will publish a new cardiovascular disease Modern Service Framework (CVD MSF) this spring.In developing the CVD MSF, we are reviewing evidence and engaging stakeholders on a range of pathway areas, including lipid management. The framework will support integrated care boards by identifying the best-evidenced interventions and setting clear implementation standards. This approach will help ensure greater consistency in the detection, treatment, and management of cardiovascular disease.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has contingency plans for supporting British citizens' foreign national relatives in UAE subject to travel bans in the event that British citizens are repatriated from that country.

We consider all requests for consular assistance on a case-by-case basis. British nationals abroad should continue to monitor our Travel Advice for the latest information on the support available to them, in a crisis scenario or otherwise. Immigration matters, including exit controls, are the responsibility of individual states.

What plans he has to introduce additional accountability measures for Integrated Care Boards on delivery of NHS Health Checks and cardiovascular prevention outcomes.

The NHS Health Check, a core component of England’s cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention programme, has been commissioned by local authorities in England since 2013, and engaged over 1.4 million people last year. Local authorities are responsible for commissioning the NHS Health Check, including setting accountability measures for integrated care boards regarding delivery of the programme.To accelerate progress on the Government’s ambition to reduce premature mortality from heart disease and stroke by 25% in the next ten years, we will publish a new Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework (CVD MSF) this spring.The CVD MSF will support consistent, high quality, and equitable activity across the CVD pathway by identifying and setting standards for the best evidenced interventions. As part of this, Department officials are working closely with NHS England and stakeholders and are assessing accountability measures.

What steps his Department is taking to improve the recognition, diagnosis and management of migraine in primary care.

The Government recognises that migraine is a serious and often debilitating neurological condition, with a wide range of symptoms that go far beyond a headache. Migraine attacks can be a whole-body experience that can make it difficult to function normally.The Royal College of General Practitioners has developed two e-learning modules on migraine and cluster headaches, which aim to raise awareness amongst primary care clinicians about the different types of migraine and their associated symptoms, and how to differentiate.The Getting It Right First Time programme for Neurology published a National Speciality Report, which makes several recommendations in relation to improving recognition and diagnosis of migraine by general practitioners. Additionally, the RightCare Headache and Migraine Toolkit sets out key priorities for improving care for patients with migraine, which includes correct identification and diagnosis of headache disorders.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guideline, Headaches in over 12s: diagnosis and management, sets out best practice for healthcare professionals in the care, treatment, and support of people who suffer from headaches, including migraine. It aims to improve the recognition and management of headaches and migraine.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of migraine on the level of demand for NHS services, including repeat GP appointments, referrals and hospital admissions.

We recognise the substantial economic and National Health Service burden of migraine, alongside the personal impacts. We know that there are an estimated 16,500 emergency admissions per year for migraine that could be avoided, costing the NHS £11.5 million.At the national level, there are a number of initiatives supporting service improvement and better care for patients with migraine such as the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) Programme for Neurology, the RightCare Headache and Migraine Toolkit, and the Neurology Transformation Programme.The Neurology Transformation Programme is strengthening integrated headache pathways, supporting integrated care boards to deliver consistent, timely migraine care closer to home. The RightCare Headache and Migraine Toolkit also gives systems a clear blueprint for earlier diagnosis, better long‑term management, and reducing unwarranted variation.The GIRFT Programme is also working to standardise care, promote better use of preventive treatments, and reduce reliance on accident and emergency for migraine crises by empowering general practices to manage headache disorders effectively.

Between 1 January 2021-31 December 2025, under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, how many 'service' licences were granted for multiple generic projects.

To obtain this information would exceed the disproportionate cost threshold.The Home Office will only grant licences where it is satisfied that the statutory requirements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 have been met, including that the work is scientifically justified and that there is no suitable nonanimal alternative.The Home Office publishes annual statistics on scientific procedures on living animals in Great Britain, which include information on the number of procedures carried out, the species used, and the purposes for which procedures are undertaken.The Home Office also publishes non-technical summaries of all licenced programme of work, setting out their objectives, predicted harms, expected benefits, and the number and types of animals to be used.In addition, the Animals in Science Regulation Unit publishes an annual report setting out the total number of project licences granted each year.The annual report and annual statistics for 2025 are due for publication later this year. Non-technical summaries are published on a quarterly basis.The annual reports are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/animals-in-science-regulation-unit-annual-reportsThe non-technical summaries are available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/non-technical-summaries-of-projects-granted-under-aspa The annual statistics are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/scientific-procedures-on-living-animals-great-britain-2024

How many service licences were granted for multiple generic projects that used (a) dogs and (b) non-human primates under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2025.

To obtain this information would exceed the disproportionate cost threshold.The Home Office will only grant licences where it is satisfied that the statutory requirements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 have been met, including that the work is scientifically justified and that there is no suitable nonanimal alternative.The Home Office publishes annual statistics on scientific procedures on living animals in Great Britain, which include information on the number of procedures carried out, the species used, and the purposes for which procedures are undertaken.The Home Office also publishes non-technical summaries of all licenced programme of work, setting out their objectives, predicted harms, expected benefits, and the number and types of animals to be used.In addition, the Animals in Science Regulation Unit publishes an annual report setting out the total number of project licences granted each year.The annual report and annual statistics for 2025 are due for publication later this year. Non-technical summaries are published on a quarterly basis.The annual reports are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/animals-in-science-regulation-unit-annual-reportsThe non-technical summaries are available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/non-technical-summaries-of-projects-granted-under-aspa The annual statistics are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/scientific-procedures-on-living-animals-great-britain-2024

What plans he has to ensure the 4.9 million smokers in Great Britain have equitable access to smoking cessation advice, support and tools to start their quit journey.

Alongside our Tobacco and Vapes Bill, we remain committed to supporting current smokers to quit.The Government has invested an additional £70 million in both 2024/25 and 2025/26 to support local authority-led Stop Smoking Services in England to help people quit. We are already seeing the impact this has made, with the first year of additional funding for 2024/25 having resulted in a 23% increase in the number of people supported to quit compared to the previous year.From April 2026, we will ring-fence all funding for smoking cessation services within the Public Health Grant, meaning at least £153 million, increasing to £155 million in 2028/29, will be protected for these services. The additional funding will ensure there is a comprehensive offer across local authorities in England, with funding weighted toward local authorities with the highest smoking rates. The Better Health Website is also available and contains comprehensive cessation advice to support individuals to find the right approach for them.In addition, the 10-Year Health Plan for England restated our commitment to integrate opt-out smoking cessation interventions into routine care within all hospitals. As of quarter three of 2025/26, 99% of eligible maternity services and 92% of eligible in-patient services had an opt-out tobacco dependence treatment offer.As health is a devolved matter, local stop smoking support in Scotland and Wales is the responsibility of the devolved administrations.

Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to work with industry to develop a roadmap for ending the routine culling of male chicks, as laid out in the Animal Welfare Strategy.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 21 January 2026 to the hon. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole, PQ UIN 105878.

What steps he is taking to strengthen educational partnerships between UK universities and Indian institutions.

I am delighted that many Indian students come to study in UK institutions and have done so for decades, enhancing our educational, diplomatic, political and business relationships, which is why India is one of the priority countries in our International Education Strategy 2026. Amongst other things, DBT’s International Education team has organised four education trade missions to India since 2020. One of the outcomes of this activity has been the signing of the UK-India MoU on the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications (MRQs) in 2022, which is seeing a step change in UK-India university partnerships. As part of the International Education Strategy, we engage with the alumni network, led by the British Council, as a further means to promote trade and investment opportunities.

Food and Rural Affairs whether she will commit to developing a roadmap for the transition to in-ovo sexing in the UK egg industry.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 4 March 2026 to the hon. Member for York Central, PQ UIN 116174.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to support its strategic partner Azerbaijan and the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia after the recent drone attacks launched from Iranian territory against Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

I spoke with Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister, Jeyhun Bayramov, on 9 March, expressing the UK's full solidarity with Azerbaijan in the face of the unacceptable Iranian drone strikes on Nakhchivan Airport and nearby sites. The UK condemns such attacks for threatening Azerbaijan's security and undermining regional stability. I also strongly welcomed the positive momentum towards a comprehensive peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and made clear that the UK fully supports the ongoing efforts by both sides to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region.

Food and Rural Affairs whether a consultation on ending the routine culling of male chicks through in-ovo sexing is under consideration.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 4 March 2026 to the hon. Member for York Central, PQ UIN 116174.

Food and Rural Affairs whether she plans to publish a formal consultation on how a transition to in-ovo sexing would be implemented.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 4 March 2026 to the hon. Member for York Central, PQ UIN 116174.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade what steps he is taking to engage UK-based Indian alumni networks in promoting British trade and investment opportunities.

I am delighted that many Indian students come to study in UK institutions and have done so for decades, enhancing our educational, diplomatic, political and business relationships, which is why India is one of the priority countries in our International Education Strategy 2026. Amongst other things, DBT’s International Education team has organised four education trade missions to India since 2020. One of the outcomes of this activity has been the signing of the UK-India MoU on the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications (MRQs) in 2022, which is seeing a step change in UK-India university partnerships. As part of the International Education Strategy, we engage with the alumni network, led by the British Council, as a further means to promote trade and investment opportunities.

What assessment he has made of the role international students play in strengthening UK–India trade relations.

I am delighted that many Indian students come to study in UK institutions and have done so for decades, enhancing our educational, diplomatic, political and business relationships, which is why India is one of the priority countries in our International Education Strategy 2026. Amongst other things, DBT’s International Education team has organised four education trade missions to India since 2020. One of the outcomes of this activity has been the signing of the UK-India MoU on the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications (MRQs) in 2022, which is seeing a step change in UK-India university partnerships. As part of the International Education Strategy, we engage with the alumni network, led by the British Council, as a further means to promote trade and investment opportunities.

Innovation and Technology what assessment she has made of the contribution of international postgraduate researchers to the UK’s scientific output.

The UK is committed to attracting international postgraduate research (PGR) students as part of our ambition to attract the best research talent across the research pipeline. International PGRs make significant contributions to the UK’s research strength and scientific output. In 2024/25, 42% of the UK’s 120,000 postgraduate research students were non‑UK; 58% in Engineering and Technology; and 79% in research‑intensive universities, where scientific output is highest (HESA). International PGRs contribute to the over two hundred thousand research articles from the UK each year, placing the UK globally in first position on Field Weighted Citation Impact among comparator countries since 2007 (GOV.UK).