Written questions by Moran.

What assessment he has made on the potential merits of statutory regulation of therapy titles.

Titles can only be protected for statutorily regulated professions. Some regulated professions include the term ‘therapist’ and as such have protected title status, for example Art therapist, Dental therapist, and Occupational therapist. Therapists in general are not a statutorily regulated profession in the United Kingdom. The Government has not made an assessment on the merits of protecting all therapy titles.The Government is clear that the professions protected in law must be the right ones and that the level of regulatory oversight must be proportionate to the risks to the public.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has drafted a response to the ICJ opinion of 22 October 2025 entitled Obligations of Israel in relation to the Presence and Activities of the United Nations, Other International Organizations and Third States in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The purpose of the Advisory Opinion is to inform the work of the UN General Assembly, and as such there is no requirement for the UK to draft a response. Since this Government came to office, we have been very clear that Israel has an obligation under International Humanitarian Law to ensure the provision of aid in Gaza and that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has a critical role in delivering the humanitarian response. This was reflected in our oral statement to the Court on 1 May. The Court's Advisory Opinion confirms that view. As the Foreign Secretary said on 2 December, we continue to urge the opening of all crossings and unrestricted access for humanitarian aid.

What steps his Department is taking to introduce screening for asymptomatic heart conditions in young people in sports settings.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 27 October 2025 to Question 78454.

Communities and Local Government, what the planned timetable is for transferring tenants currently on shorthold tenancies to periodic assured tenancies.

The government intends to set out detailed implementation plans for the Renters’ Rights Act in the near future.

What steps his Department is taking to help raise awareness among young people of the risks of sudden cardiac death in (a) grassroots sports clubs and (b) higher education settings.

To reduce the risks of sudden cardiac death, NHS England has a published a national service specification for Inherited Cardiac Conditions that covers patients who often present as young adults with previously undiagnosed cardiac disease or as families requiring follow up due to a death from this cause. This describes the service model and guidance that should be followed to support the diagnosis and treatment of patients or family members. It also includes the requirement for specialised Inherited Cardiac Conditions services to investigate suspected cases.

Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to ensure social media companies protect consumers from illegal content advertising weight loss jabs.

The Online Safety Act gives online platforms duties to tackle illegal content and activity on their services. This includes content advertising illegal sales of drugs. Ofcom is the regulator for this regime, and it sets out steps that providers can take to comply with their duties. Ofcom has strong powers to enforce against platforms that fail to fulfil their duties to protect users from illegal content.The government is clear that people should only purchase medicines and medical products through legitimate, regulated channels. Anyone with weight or health concerns should consult their GP or a qualified healthcare professional who can provide safe, appropriate treatment options.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make it her policy to negotiate an agreement with the EU for a reciprocal key scheme to allow access to disabled toilets in Europe.

The Euro key scheme gives access to accessible toilets in 16 countries in the EU and European Economic Area. We have initiated discussions with the organisation of persons with disabilities based in Germany that sells and provides keys for the scheme to understand the situation and identify the barriers that need to be addressed.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with international counterparts on post-ceasefire governance in Gaza.

The Prime Minister attended the Peace Summit in Egypt on 13 October where he pledged a £20m aid package to deliver essential water, sanitation and hygiene services to 10,000s of Palestinians across Gaza. The Foreign Secretary spoke to Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar on 18 October following the announcement of a ceasefire deal. The Foreign Secretary welcomed the release of hostages and urged the need for immediate humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. I co-hosted with the Egyptian government and Palestinian Authority on 13-15 October which was the first conference to look at how we can leverage sustainable private finance to support Gaza’s reconstruction.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of phasing out of the use of farrowing crates for pigs.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 2 April 2025 to the hon. Member for Birmingham Northfield, PQ UIN 41698.

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help ensure that people without access to digital payment options (a) can to pay for goods and services in their local communities in cash and (b) are supported to get online when they need to.

While the ongoing trend in payments in the UK has been away from cash and towards card and digital payment methods, the Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those in vulnerable groups, and is committed to protecting access to cash for individuals and businesses. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) assumed regulatory responsibility for access to cash in September 2024. Its rules ensure cash continues to be a viable method of payment for the millions of people who depend on it by providing reasonable access to cash withdrawal and deposit facilities for personal accounts. There is no legal requirement for businesses to accept specific forms of payment, and the Government has no plans to mandate cash acceptance. It is for each business to decide on the forms of payment it chooses to accept, based on a variety of factors, including cost and customer preferences. However, the FCA’s access to cash regime will ensure that businesses have reasonable access to cash deposit facilities, which supports their ability to accept cash. More widely, the Government has committed to publish a National Financial Inclusion Strategy later this year to tackle a range of barriers individuals face in accessing the financial products they need, including a focus on access to banking and digital inclusion.

With reference to the House of Lords Select Committee on Financial Exclusion's report entitled Tackling financial exclusion: A country that works for everyone?, published on 25 March 2017, Session 2016-17, HL Paper 132, what progress she has made on implementing the (a) recommendations on (i) older and (ii) vulnerable consumers and (b) other recommendations.

The Government has committed to publish a National Financial Inclusion Strategy later this year to tackle a range of barriers individuals and households face in accessing the financial products and services they need. The strategy will consider what more Government and industry can do to address key issues, including a focus on: (i) digital inclusion and access to banking; (ii) savings; (iii) insurance; (iv) affordable credit; (v) problem debt; and (vi) financial education and capability. Across these areas, the themes of accessibility, mental health, and economic abuse have also been considered in recognition of the particular challenges individuals can face in relation to these issues. More widely, the Government works closely with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the independent regulator of the UK’s financial services sector, to ensure customers get the right support with their financial products and services. The FCA’s Vulnerability Guidance requires firms to consider the needs of vulnerable customers appropriately.

What steps he is taking to gather additional data on the (a) effectiveness and (b) safety of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus vaccination in people that are over 80.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) undertakes monitoring and evaluation of immunisation programmes, including the effectiveness of vaccines. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) monitors vaccine safety. The UKHSA and the MHRA are in regular contact with manufacturers over new and emerging data from their products.Evidence of effectiveness and safety in relevant age groups in the United States of America, which implemented older adult vaccination a season ahead of the United Kingdom, was used to inform the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s (JCVIs) considerations on extending the UK programme to adults aged 80 years old and older. The JCVI’s meeting minutes and statement of 16 July 2025 advising an extension to the UK respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) programme are available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/joint-committee-on-vaccination-and-immunisationThe JCVI keeps the RSV programme under regular review. Evidence on the safety and effectiveness of RSV vaccines in all age groups in all countries where data has been made available is used to inform JCVI advice.

Whether he has had recent discussions with his European allies on the potential merits of jointly developing (a) aircraft and (b) other defence platforms as an alternative to reliance on US procurement.

The Secretary of State has had recent discussions with both US and European Allies regarding joint development and procurement of defence capabilities. The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) sets out our need for a NATO First approach and enhanced cooperation. To this end, the Secretary of State’s recent discussions with the US, the UK’s most important bilateral alliance, have explored how the UK can maximise its industrial and technological collaboration to strengthen collective security and prosperity beyond already unprecedented UK-US industrial and nuclear cooperation. To the same end, the Secretary of State’s recent discussions with European Allies, including through the E5 format, consisting of the UK, France, Germany, Poland and Italy, represent a strong collaboration within the Alliance to develop a collective industrial base and deliver NATO critical warfighting capabilities. These capabilities include Complex Weapons with France, Land systems with Germany, and the Global Combat Air Programme which includes Italy.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of settlement visa restrictions on Hong Kongers ability to travel.

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. All will be welcome to participate. We will provide details of how the scheme will work after that consultation.

With reference to her speech at the Labour Party Conference of 29 September 2025, whether her proposed changes to the conditions in which indefinite leave to remain is granted will apply to (a) all applicants or (b) new applicants only.

We will be consulting on the new settlement rules later this year. Following that, we will provide details of how this initiative will work, including on any transitional arrangements for people already in the UK.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that employers support those living with migraine.

We recognise that migraines are a serious neurological condition that can have a significant impact on people’s ability to work and live well. Employers are crucial in enhancing employment opportunities and supporting disabled people and those with health conditions, such as migraines, to thrive in the workforce. All employers have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ in the workplace where a disabled person would otherwise be put at a substantial disadvantage compared with their colleagues. The Equality and Human Rights Commission is responsible for enforcing the Equality Act and providing guidance on reasonable adjustments. There are a range of existing initiatives that already provide support. The Disability Confident Scheme encourages employers to create disability inclusive workplaces and to support disabled people to get work and get on in work. The scheme provides resources such as the Disability Confident Manager’s Guide, which includes guidance on flexible working and workplace adjustments. The Government also offers tailored guidance to employers on supporting disabled people and people with health conditions in the workplace, through its Support with Employee Health and Disability service. This includes guidance on disclosures and having conversations about health and disabilities, plus guidance on legal obligations and making reasonable adjustments. The WorkWell pilot which is live in 15 areas across England accepts referrals from employers and provides low intensity holistic work and health support for disabled people and those with health-related barriers to employment. In our Get Britain Working White Paper, published November 2024, we committed support for employers to recruit, retain and develop staff. As part of that, the Secretaries of State for Work and Pensions and Business and Trade have asked Sir Charlie Mayfield to lead ‘Keep Britain Working’, an independent review to consider how best to support and enable employers to recruit and retain more people with health conditions and disabilities, promote healthy workplaces, and support more people to stay in or return to work from periods of sickness absence. Sir Charlie Mayfield will deliver a final report with recommendations later in the Autumn.

What steps his Department is taking to introduce screening for asymptomatic heart conditions in young people in sports settings.

In the United Kingdom, national screening programmes are introduced based on the recommendations of the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), an independent scientific advisory committee which advises ministers and the National Health Service in all four countries on all aspects of population and targeted screening and which supports implementation.The UK NSC last reviewed screening for sudden cardiac death (SCD) in people under the age of 39 years old in 2019 and concluded that population screening should not be offered. Further information is available at the following link:https://view-health-screening-recommendations.service.gov.uk/sudden-cardiac-death/The UK NSC is currently examining the evidence for SCD screening and will open a public consultation to seek comments from members of the public and stakeholders on this in due course.

What steps his Department is taking to help raise awareness among young people of the risks of sudden cardiac death in (a) grass roots sports clubs and (b) higher education settings.

To reduce the risks of sudden cardiac death, NHS England has published a national service specification for inherited cardiac conditions that covers patients who often present as young adults with previously undiagnosed cardiac disease or families requiring follow-up due to a death from this cause. This describes the service model and guidance that should be followed to support diagnosis and treatment of patients or family members. It also includes the requirement for specialised inherited cardiac conditions services to investigate suspected cases.

Communities and Local Government, what his planned timetable is for repealing the Vagrancy Act 1824.

It is unacceptable that the antiquated Vagrancy Act 1824 remains on our statute book. The legislation does nothing to target the root causes of homelessness. That is why we are committed to repealing this punitive legislation. We will commence the repeal once replacement measures in the Crime and Policing Bill come into force next year.

Whether she has had discussions with the Chief Executive of the Electoral Commission on the potential merits of increasing democratic education in schools.

Teaching about democracy and elections already forms a central part of the national curriculum for citizenship at key stages 3 and 4 and can be taught as a non-statutory topic in primary schools. The government will consider the citizenship curriculum in the context of the Curriculum and Assessment Review, and we see potential for lowering the voting age to help boost young people's engagement with the subject. We will also work with the Electoral Commission, the devolved governments and civil society to consider what additional measures can support schools, colleges, and youth groups to roll out practical voter and civic education.