Written questions by Kirkham.

What steps he is taking to improve the MHRA's yellow card system.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is committed to continually strengthening the Yellow Card scheme to support patient safety. The MHRA regularly promotes awareness through public health campaigns, conferences, established networks, and new educational resources available on the Yellow Card website. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/medicines-and-healthcare-products-regulatory-agencyThe MHRA is expanding and improving digital reporting routes. Every National Health Service webpage relating to a medicine or vaccine now links to the Yellow Card scheme, and the MHRA is working with NHS colleagues to enhance integration with the NHS App to increase visibility and reporting by the public. Yellow Card reporting is now embedded in almost all general practice clinical IT systems, enabling healthcare professionals to submit reports directly on behalf of patients.Over recent years, the MHRA has delivered a major upgrade programme to modernise the Yellow Card scheme’s technology and infrastructure. This includes improving the quality and timeliness of submitted information, making it easier to report, adding conditional questions to reduce follow up, and support real time signal detection of safety issues.The Yellow Card app has also been modernised to mirror the website, broaden reporting options, including defective and counterfeit medicines, and improve access to safety data. Multi‑factor authentication has been introduced to enhance account security and enable future integration with NHS login. The app has also been upgraded to a progressive web application, providing a seamless and engaging user experience across devices.Together, these improvements increase public awareness, make reporting easier, and enhance the MHRA’s ability to identify and assess emerging safety concerns across healthcare products.

What steps he is taking to help ensure that all surgeons, including private surgeons, record the implants they have done in the Breast Implant Registry.

The Outcomes and Registries Directions 2024 require that all healthcare providers of National Health Service funded care contribute data to the Breast and Cosmetic Implant Register. Therefore, compliance from both NHS and private clinicians, in relation to NHS funded care, is mandatory. Furthermore, work is ongoing within NHS England to ensure that all NHS and independent sector providers contribute data to the Medical Devices Outcomes Registry, following the recommendations of the Cumberlege Inquiry, with further information available at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/outcomes-and-registries-programme/

Whether small to medium-sized commercial work and fishing vessels could be incorporated in the RTFO framework, allowing carbon credits to be applied to each litre of fuel and reducing the cost per litre of HVO.

Last year the Government published the Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy, setting out the pathway to zero emissions by 2050. This will be delivered through five key policies, including fuel regulation and emissions trading. Alongside this we published a Call for Evidence on decarbonising smaller vessels, and we will publish a summary of responses to this later this year.

How many households who are no longer subject to the two-child benefit cap will still be subject to the overall benefit cap.

The requested information is published as part of the Universal Credit (removal of the two child limit) Bill. It is available in Table 7 of the Regulatory impact assessment template (2023 reforms) Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill publications - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament

For what reason Access to Work decisions are not subject to appeal.

Although discretionary grant payments do not come with a right of appeal, Access to Work customers who disagree with their award can have their award decision reconsidered by a different case manager to ensure fairness and consistency within the scheme.

If she will amend Gift Aid regulations to ensure refund rights required under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 do not invalidate eligibility.

HMRC has updated its Gift Aid guidance (para 3.13.4) (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/charities-detailed-guidance-notes/chapter-3-gift-aid) to confirm that charities’ eligibility for Gift Aid will not be affected by the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. Refund rights for membership schemes and contracts acquired through the operation of consumer law will not make charities ineligible to claim Gift Aid.The government will keep all related guidance and regulations under review.

What plans the Department has to promote the National Year of Reading in a) early years settings, b) primary schools, c) secondary schools, d) further education and e) higher education.

I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Truro and Falmouth to the answer of 23 February to Question ​​112757​.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a specific exemption and tailored regime for charities under the subscription provisions in the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.

This government recognises the significant public value delivered by the UK’s charitable sector. We have consulted on the implementation of the subscriptions regime in the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. The consultation received over 70 responses, including 15 from charitable organisations. The government is reflecting on their responses and engaging closely with the sector to understand the impacts on both consumers and these bodies. We will provide guidance to support implementation of regulations ahead of commencement.

When he plans to publish guidance to charities on the implementation of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.

This government recognises the significant public value delivered by the UK’s charitable sector. We have consulted on the implementation of the subscriptions regime in the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. The consultation received over 70 responses, including 15 from charitable organisations. The government is reflecting on their responses and engaging closely with the sector to understand the impacts on both consumers and these bodies. We will provide guidance to support implementation of regulations ahead of commencement.

What assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the adequacy of financial support for new parents who are (a) self-employed and (b) limited company directors.

The Government launched the Parental Leave and Pay Review in July 2025, as part of the Plan to Make Work Pay. The Review is exploring how the system can better support working families, including those where parents are self-employed, and reflect the realities of modern work. It provides a much-needed opportunity to consider our overall approach to parental leave and pay, with all current and upcoming entitlements in scope.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has assessed the potential merits of amending the user risk mitigation advice for spot-on pet treatments to include all sources of the potential impact of short and long term exposure in households where pets are treated routinely, including on children.

Veterinary Medicinal Products (VMPs) undergo a product-specific user risk assessment that considers all those that may come into contact with the medicine, including adults and children. This assessment considers the identified hazards of the medicine, the likely exposure to adults and children when VMPs are used as recommended and concludes on the likely risks to humans. The identified risks are mitigated using appropriate packaging and user safety warnings on the product information supplied with the medicines. Once authorised for marketing, pharmacovigilance reporting provides further data from use of these medicines in real-world situations, and these data are used to consider any changes required to reduce identified risks, such as updating the user safety warnings. If a concern with the current mitigations is identified, then the advice can be updated.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has assessed the potential merits of asking the VMD to reduce the unrestricted use of spot-on pet treatments by re-classifying them from general sales to POM-V.

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is responsible for setting legal distribution categories for veterinary medicines and must balance animal health and welfare, public health, environmental protection and access to treatment. Many flea and tick products containing fipronil and imidacloprid are currently classified as AVM‑GSL, allowing supply without professional advice. In light of environmental evidence, the VMD is undertaking an evidence‑based review of the distribution categories for these products. This includes considering whether requiring professional advice at the point of sale, through a minimum classification of NFA‑VPS, could help reduce environmental risk while maintaining access for pet owners. Further details on this review will be available in early 2026. Any future regulatory decisions will follow a transparent, consultative process and will be based on robust scientific evidence, with animal welfare remaining paramount.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will provide an estimate of the proportion of UK-funded aid to Gaza that has been held up at the Israeli border and prevented from entering Gaza.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains catastrophic, and the UK is doing all we can to alleviate suffering. All allocations under our Humanitarian Programme are publicly available on Development Tracker. While much UK‑funded aid has entered Gaza, many urgently needed supplies remain stuck at the border due to Israeli restrictions. The UK will continue to press for the entry of all consignments of UK‑funded aid that have been delayed by restrictions and closed routes, so that assistance reaches those who need it most.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when she last spoke to her Israeli counterpart regarding the decision to restrict the operations of international non-governmental organisations in Gaza and the West Bank.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement I made on 5 January, and to the joint statement issued by the Foreign Secretary and several of her counterparts on 30 December 2025, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/jointstatementon-the-gaza-humanitarian-response.

Food and Rural Affairs, what progress the VMD has made with its roadmap to help address the presence of chemicals from pet flea and tick treatments in UK waterways.

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) leads the cross‑government Pharmaceuticals in the Environment (PiE) Group and is taking forward a programme of work to address the presence of chemicals from pet flea and tick treatments in UK waterways. In response to detections of fipronil and imidacloprid above toxicity thresholds for aquatic invertebrates, the VMD published a roadmap setting out planned actions. Progress includes holding the first PiE stakeholder workshop in Summer 2025, commissioning research on pet owner behaviours and exposure modelling, and working with environment agencies to improve monitoring data consistency. The VMD is also undertaking an evidence‑based review of the legal distribution categories for products containing these substances and contributing to international work to consider updates to environmental risk assessment approaches.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking with international partners to support the reconstruction of Gaza.

I refer the Hon Member to the second half of the answer provided on 26 January in response to Question HL13572 which, for ease of reference, is copied below:The UK is providing £81 million for humanitarian and early recovery support for Palestine this financial year. Last month, supplies of UK-funded tents entered Gaza, providing urgent shelter for 12,000 vulnerable civilians, and we will continue to push for the entry of further UK-funded aid, including tents and shelter kits, which have so far been unable to reach those in need. On 30 December 2025, the Foreign Secretary issued a joint statement alongside a number of international partners calling on the Government of Israel to remove restrictions hindering the delivery of essential humanitarian aid.The UK is supporting the US-led plan for Gaza's post-conflict stability, as well as exploring the mobilisation of private-sector finance to support Palestinian-led reconstruction of Gaza. We have also deployed UK civilian and military experts to support the Civil-Military Coordination Centre that aims to coordinate reconstruction efforts in Gaza. In addition, the UK has announced £4 million of funding for the United Nations Mine Action Service to help clear rubble, protect civilians and aid workers, and enable the safe delivery of aid. In total, the UK is providing £116 million for Palestine this financial year for humanitarian aid, support for Palestinian economic development, and strengthening Palestinian Authority governance and reform.

Communities and Local Government, what plans his Department has to provide local authorities with standards to help support the construction of flood resilient social homes.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 81948 on 21 October 2025.

What steps she has taken to prevent parents from avoiding paying VAT on private school fees by paying several years' fees in advance.

All fees paid since the tax changes were announced on 29 July 2024, in relation to terms after 1 January 2025, are subject to VAT. HMRC is scrutinising the detail of any pre-payment schemes and stands ready to challenge the validity of these schemes.

Whether the proposed pay‑per‑mile tax on electric vehicles will take into account rural drivers.

As announced at Budget 2025, the Government is introducing Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED) from April 2028, a new mileage charge for electric and plug-in hybrid cars, recognising that electric vehicles (EVs) contribute to congestion and wear and tear on the roads but pay no equivalent to fuel duty. The Treasury has considered the impact of eVED on rural drivers; as with fuel duty, those who use the roads more will generally pay more in eVED. Although those living in rural areas tend to drive more than those living in urban areas, they are also more likely to have a dedicated home charger for their EV, which allows access to the lowest charging costs. The eVED consultation provides further detail on how eVED will work and seeks views on its implementation. The consultation is available at GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-the-introduction-of-electric-vehicle-excise-duty-eved.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that contracts for Trinity House multi-function vessels are awarded to UK shipyards.

Trinity House is the contracting authority for this contract. It is following the requirements of the Procurement Act 2023 which include a fair, open and transparent competition allowing all eligible suppliers to compete on an equal basis. This competition is the perfect opportunity for UK yards to demonstrate their strengths, skills and competitiveness on an international stage. Regardless of which supplier is ultimately awarded the contract, this programme will also generate significant value for the UK through ongoing maintenance, support services and sub-contracting opportunities. We are continuing to support the growth of the UK shipbuilding industry through the excellent work of the National Shipbuilding Office.