Written questions by Bailey.

On what date the Men and Boys Summit will take place.

Awaiting answer.

With reference to the National Cancer Plan 2026, what steps his Department is taking to support the uptake of NHS England and Starlight’s Play Well toolkit.

The Department is committed to improving outcomes and experiences of children and young people with cancer and recognises the importance of supporting and maintaining their right to play in healthcare settings.The NHS England and Starlight Play Well Toolkit, published in June 2025, includes the first national guidelines and standards for commissioning and delivering health play services in England. It aims to improve access to child-friendly care and specialised health play services across paediatric healthcare. Through the National Cancer Plan, the Department will improve the experience of staying in hospital for children and young people with cancer. More tangibly, the Department is committed to ensure uptake of NHS England and Starlight’s Play Well toolkit across regions and integrated care boards. This ensures young cancer patients have access to activities and therapeutic care that support their emotional wellbeing. In addition, NHS England is promoting the toolkit to managers of health play services across a wide range of settings, including community clinics, emergency departments, children’s hospices, and acute paediatric wards. The toolkit provides clear guidance on supporting practical training and mentorship in healthcare settings.

What steps his Department is taking to help prevent homelessness for veterans as part of the (a) National Plan to End Homelessness and (b) Inter-Ministerial Group on homelessness, and how Op FORTITUDE interacts with the National Plan to End Homelessness.

This Government is clear that one veteran rough sleeping is one too many. This Government is fully committed to ensuring that all veterans across the UK have access to the support they need on housing. That is why we have committed an additional £12 million to ensure the continuation of the Reducing Veteran Homelessness programme. This programme, alongside Op FORTITUDE, will deliver three years of support services across the UK for veterans at risk of or experiencing homelessness.In December last year, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government published A National Plan to End Homelessness, the Ministry of Defence contributed to this strategy and will continue to do so through its attendance at the Inter-Ministerial Group on Homelessness and Rough Sleeping. This includes ensuring that all councils are aware of service provision in their area to support veterans at risk of homelessness; and recognises the importance of veteran-specific support such as Op FORTITUDE, putting the service that has already supported over 1,100 veterans on a sustainable footing.

Whether clarified guidance on the legality of UK trade with illegal settlements in Palestine is being considered within the review of the Government’s approach to Responsible Business Conduct.

The UK Government is clear that Israeli settlements in Palestine are illegal under international law. The overseas business risk guidance, available on gov.uk, states there are clear risks to UK operators related to economic and financial activities in the settlements. We discourage such activity and advise that those contemplating any economic or financial involvement in settlements should seek appropriate legal advice. Separately, the review of Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) is focused on the global supply chains of businesses operating in the UK. It is an actor agnostic, neutral and objective appraisal of the UK’s current RBC policy approach and alternative options to enhance the UK’s approach as appropriate.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps she is taking to coordinate action to end a) settler violence and b) settlement expansion in the West Bank with other states that have recognised Palestine as a state.

I refer the Hon Member to the answers I gave on this issue in Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office oral questions on 3 March, and to the joint statement issued by the Foreign Secretary and fourteen of her overseas counterparts on 24 December condemning the approval by the Israeli security cabinet of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/statement-on-israeli-settlement-expansion-in-the-west-bank

For what reason the Independent Legal Advocacy support programme pilot will only provide advice to those over 18; and whether a separate legal advocacy support programme will be created for Service Personnel under 18.

The Independent Legal Advocacy Support pilot will operate for 12 months from Spring 2026. It will provide advice to any complainant aged 18 or over, whether a Service person or a civilian, where the alleged perpetrator is a Service person subject to Service law or a civilian subject to Service discipline, and where the case could fall within the jurisdiction of the Service Justice System. The age threshold reflects the scope of the Service Justice System and the types of cases it is likely to handle. As the pilot is evaluated, we will assess whether there is evidence of a need to widen the scope of the specialist legal advocacy support. If such a need is identified, it will be considered as part of the ongoing evaluation.

Whether he plans to (a) publish for pre-legislative scrutiny and (b) introduce the Defence Readiness Bill in (i) 2026, (ii) 2027, (iii) 2028 and (iv) 2029.

The Ministry of Defence is currently working to develop Defence Readiness measures to ensure the Government has the powers it needs to keep the UK safe in crisis or conflict, as recommended in the Strategic Defence review. The introduction of legislation, and the scrutiny of it, will be conducted when Parliamentary time allows.

Whether any additional evidence published since the UK National Screening Committee’s draft recommendation in November will be considered before a final decision is made on prostate cancer screening.

We have full confidence in the UK National Screening Committee's evidence-based approach, which includes a 12 week public consultation to inform the findings even further. If new peer reviewed published evidence is submitted to the consultation it will be considered before a final decision is made on prostate cancer screening.

What estimate his Department has made of the proportion of men in England who undergo PSA testing outside of a formal screening programme; and whether this was accounted for in the UK National Screening Committee’s modelling of prostate cancer screening.

The Government is taking men’s health seriously and we want to find the best way of reliably screening for prostate cancer. We are guided by the independent scientific advice of the UK National Screening Committee who are consulting on a draft recommendation relating to prostate cancer screening. However, as there is currently no prostate cancer screening programme for men, 100% of men in England who undergo prostate-specific antigen testing do so outside of a formal screening programme.

Communities and Local Government, if his Department will consider implementing a rule of one approach to building safety remediation, whereby each affected building is remediated once to a standard set by the Department and certified by an independent fire engineer appointed by the Department rather than the developer.

The Remediation Acceleration Plan Update, published in July 2025 announced the Government’s intent to embed in law the standards and robust assurance practices used in the Government’s cladding remediation programmes. This will include making it a legal requirement for relevant Fire Risk Appraisals of External Walls (FRAEWs) to follow the British Standards Institute (BSI) methodology for assessing external wall defects (PAS 9980), with approved audits to ensure consistency and quality. This aims to establish a clear, legally enforceable standard – using a consistent framework set by the BSI and already used in government remediation programmes – to define the remediation works required at each building, providing clarity and confidence. This will be achieved as part of the Remediation Bill, to be introduced as soon as parliamentary time allows. The developer remediation contract sets the standard that developers must meet when remediating buildings covered by the contract. Remediation of external defects must be undertaken in line with PAS 9980 and remediation of internal defects must be undertaken in line with relevant industry standards and applicable law. Remedial works must reduce life-critical fire safety defects in the building to a tolerable level, in line with these standards. The developer remediation contract provides the necessary powers for the Government to audit developers’ assessments to assure quality and consistency of assessments.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she has taken to engage with a) members of the Sudan Quad and b) other states on coordinated action to i) prevent atrocities, ii) facilitate aid access and iii) support progress towards peace in Sudan since the visit of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia to the United States of America on 18 November 2025.

I refer the Hon Member to the answers provided by the Foreign Secretary during departmental questions on 2 December, and to the statement she made to the House on 18 November. We will make further updates to the House in due course, and we keep all factors under review in our assessment of the situation in Sudan.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent steps she has taken to coordinate with a) the co-signatories of the Joint Statement Condemning Atrocities and Violations of International Humanitarian law in Sudan, published by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office on 10 November 2025, and b) other states on atrocity prevention in Sudan.

I refer the Hon Member to the answers provided by the Foreign Secretary during departmental questions on 2 December, and to the statement she made to the House on 18 November. We will make further updates to the House in due course, and we keep all factors under review in our assessment of the situation in Sudan.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of weather conditions projected over the next three months in Sudan on a) atrocity risks and b) humanitarian access in that country.

I refer the Hon Member to the answers provided by the Foreign Secretary during departmental questions on 2 December, and to the statement she made to the House on 18 November. We will make further updates to the House in due course, and we keep all factors under review in our assessment of the situation in Sudan.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Commonwealth and Development, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the impact of Israeli economic restrictions on the Palestinian economy and people.

On the Palestinian economy, I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 29 October to Question 81795, and on the issue of illegal settlements, I refer him to the answer given on 3 July to Question 62975.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to help support the economic recovery and development of Palestine.

On the Palestinian economy, I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 29 October to Question 81795, and on the issue of illegal settlements, I refer him to the answer given on 3 July to Question 62975.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she plans to take to help deter extremist settler violence in the West Bank; and whether she has considered (a) targeted sanctions against individuals and organisations implicated in attacks and (b) the use of travel bans and asset freezes against leading figures within the settler movement.

On the Palestinian economy, I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 29 October to Question 81795, and on the issue of illegal settlements, I refer him to the answer given on 3 July to Question 62975.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of flat-rate per-pupil funding for breakfast clubs in mainstream schools on the accessibility of these clubs for pupils with SEND.

Following the success of the 750 early adopters, where we invested £30 million in the 2025/26 financial year, the department is now moving to national rollout, raising the budget to £80 million to fund an additional 2,000 schools joining the programme between April 2026 and March 2027.The department has used the rich learning from the early adopters, existing programmes and costs to determine funding rates for national rollout, and this has been tested and refined with schools. This includes mainstream schools with special educational needs and disabilities pupils.The funding rate for national rollout will take this learning into account and provide schools with the autonomy they need to allocate funding to promote inclusive access and ensure the offer reaches those who need it most.The department will provide further information on the funding for national rollout in the near future, alongside specifics on eligibility, funding, and expectations.

What steps he is taking to help increase access to pubs for guest beers from independent breweries within the (a) review of market access for small breweries and (b) statutory review of the Pubs Code.

The Government recognises that independent breweries are essential to the diversity and character of our pubs. We're currently assessing the beer market to determine whether there are any structural barriers preventing small brewers from accessing pubs.This review specifically references market access for small brewers, and will cover all subcategories of the pub sector, including leased and tenanted pubs. It will not, however, consider the merits of different pub models.  We’re considering the review’s findings and will announce in due course any measures that may need to be taken.The Pubs Code (the Code) applies to large pub-owning businesses with 500 or more tied pubs in England and Wales, covering around 8,000 pubs. Separate to the beer market review, the Government is currently conducting a statutory review into the operation of the Pubs Code and the performance of the Pubs Code Adjudicator. Alongside this statutory review, the Government is also conducting a Post Implementation Review (PIR) which will consider the Pub Code’s impact since it was introduced in 2016.

When his Department plans to respond to the Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee 2025 report; and if he will meet representatives of regional Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees following that response.

As the new Minister for Veterans and People, I am currently reviewing and understanding my portfolio, which includes the Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees. This includes reviewing previous advice also provided to my predecessor. This forms part of a much wider and far-reaching review to streamline and improve the offer to our people, which remains ongoing. A response will be issued in due course.

If her Department will take steps to ensure that banks enable prospective customers to open bank accounts using (a) Digital ID and (b) eVisas.

Ensuring all individuals have access to the appropriate financial services and products they need is a key priority for Government. Financial institutions are required to ask for proof of identity for new customers when they first open an account as laid out in the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 (the Regulations). The Regulations do not stipulate how a firm should verify their customers’ identities. Firms are instead required to apply a risk-based approach to how they comply with the customer due diligence requirements in the Regulations. The Joint Money Laundering Steering Group (JMLSG) guidance makes it clear that firms can use electronic sources to verify a customer’s identity, provided that they have both (i) verified that the customer (and where appropriate, beneficial owner) exists and (ii) satisfied themselves that the applicant seeking the business relationship is, in fact, that customer (or beneficial owner). In September, the government set out plans for a new government-backed Digital ID scheme. This Digital ID will make it easier for people across the UK to use vital government services, but will also streamline verification processes across private sectors too, such as when opening a new bank account. The government will be launching a public consultation later this year to engage industry on the proposals. An eVisa is an online record of a person’s immigration permission in the UK, and any conditions which apply. The Home Office published guidance on the use of eVisas for identity checks, or know your customer (KYC) checks aimed at banks and other financial institutions. Individuals with an eVisa can evidence their identity and immigration status by using the online ‘view and prove your immigration status’ service to provide a time-limited code (‘share code’) to third parties such as landlords, employers and banks. The Home Office has also implemented a comprehensive engagement strategy to smooth the transition to eVisas and to maximise awareness raising across various sectors. This includes collaboration with key stakeholders including migrant organisations and financial services providers. Each firm will have their own policies on identification, and on the circumstances in which other checks should be undertaken. Government does not prescribe those detailed policies but expects them to be proportionate and supports firms’ efforts to be flexible and inclusive when considering relevant documentation.