Written questions by Chowns.

Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to (a) improve rural digital inclusion and (b) to address the specific needs of older people.

Awaiting answer.

Pursuant to WPQ UIN 129429 answered on 28 April 2026, whether he has had recent discussions with Ofgem on the adequacy of the non-financial support offered by energy companies to people living with brain injuries, including conditions such as aphasia, and registered on the Priority Services Register, to make provision for the communication challenges experienced by people with aphasia and to adopt aphasia friendly communication channels.

Awaiting answer.

How he plans to ensure that the Armed Forces Covenant is interpreted and delivered consistently by public bodies.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the New Zealand Government's proposed prohibition on findings of tort liability for greenhouse gas emissions on the UK-New Zealand Fre

Awaiting answer.

What steps she is taking to ensure that children in school are not exposed to excessively high temperatures during periods of hot weather.

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government what progress has been made in increasing local audit market supply since his department published its paper on 'Local audit reform: A strategy for overhauling the local audit sys

Since publication of the local audit strategy, Public Sector Audit Appointments has secured two-year contract extensions with firms. This has helped to stabilise local audit market supply while the Government implements wider reforms to strengthen market ...

If he will take steps to help ensure that an existing claimant with a new or worsening health condition can request a review of their capability for work and have it reassessed with the same priority gi

We prioritise initial assessments for new benefit customers to ensure that people receive the correct entitlement and employment related support as early as possible. Reassessments are carried out when there is capacity in the system to do them. We have n...

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has plans to (a) engage companies in action to reduce litter, including in relation to non-biodegradable packaging dropped as litter, and (b) engage the general public in a

Defra issued ‘Reducing litter caused by ‘food on the go’: A voluntary code of practice for local partnerships’, which is aimed at businesses. It provides a framework to help businesses and other relevant organisations to reduce the litter that comes from ...

What discussions her Department has had with (a) local authorities, (b) technology providers, and (c) other Government departments about the potential merits of using AI-enabled cameras on (i) bin lorries and (

The Department for Transport has opened the market for road condition monitoring technology to encourage innovation and efficiency in highway maintenance. A new data standard published in September 2024, allows local highway authorities to use a wider ran...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK Statement for the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations published 20 October 2025, when her department will publis

The Government remains committed to the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Work on the UK's National Baseline Assessment is ongoing, and it will be published in the normal way in due course.

What action she is taking to increase the number of candidates accepted into Initial Teacher Training for Secondary Religious Education for this cycle.

Initial teacher training (ITT) bursaries are offered to incentivise more applications to ITT courses. As such, we review bursaries annually to take account of recruitment to date, forecast economic conditions, and assess teacher need in each subject. The ...

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the removal of the Religious Education Initial Teacher Training bursary for 2026/2027 on teacher supply.

Initial teacher training (ITT) bursaries are offered to incentivise more applications to ITT courses. As such, we review bursaries annually to take account of recruitment to date, forecast economic conditions, and assess teacher need in each subject. The ...

What consideration she has given to reinstating the Religious Education Initial Teacher Training bursary for 2026/2027 and future years.

Initial teacher training (ITT) bursaries are offered to incentivise more applications to ITT courses. As such, we review bursaries annually to take account of recruitment to date, forecast economic conditions, and assess teacher need in each subject. The ...

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of the adaptation measures identified in the Met Office's May 2026 report entitled Climate Impact

The Defra-funded Food, Farming & Natural Environment Climate Service developed evidence on adaptation options which improve resilience of the agri-food sector, including cost and ease of implementation. The National Adaptation Programme sets out the a...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the risks faced by women from religious minority communities in Afghanistan.

Further to the answer provided in the House of Lords on 9 June in response to Question HL416, which I have included below for ease:"Afghanistan is a focus country for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's strategy on freedom of religion ...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what role the UK is playing at the UN Human Rights Council in relation to women’s rights and Freedom of Religion or Belief in Afghanistan.

Further to the answer provided in the House of Lords on 9 June in response to Question HL416, which I have included below for ease:"Afghanistan is a focus country for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's strategy on freedom of religion ...

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the findings and recommendations relating to the home buying and selling process set out in the letter of the Housing, Communities and

The Committee’s recommendations closely align with our proposals to improve the home buying and selling system. We note the Committee’s request for a response to its findings and recommendations ahead of the House rising for summer recess on 17 July 2026 ...

With reference to the Road Safety Strategy, what steps she has taken to implement the Perceptual Rider Information for Maximising Expertise and Enjoyment pilot trials in new regions.

The Department for Transport has supported all local authorities that have asked for help with Perceptual Rider Information for Maximising Expertise and Enjoyment (PRIME) trials. The Department remains open to further involvement and will continue to cons...

With reference to the Road Safety Strategy, what steps she is making to update guidance on (a) local speed limits and (b) speed camera use.

My Department is planning to hold an initial workshop later this month, which will serve as an opportunity to begin shaping the direction of the programme. During this session, DfT officials will engage with a range of stakeholders and representatives fro...

With reference to the Road Safety Strategy, what recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of the proposed rural roads categories.

The Road Safety Strategy sets out the Government’s intention to explore whether the proposed rural road categories are appropriate at a local level and to assess their potential for wider national application. The Department’s forthcoming work on rural ro...