Written questions by Taylor.

Whether he plans to bring the gas purchased for community heat networks under the energy price cap set by Ofgem.

Heat network operators typically buy their energy through commercial contracts. As the energy price cap has been designed for domestic electricity and gas customers, it could not be applied to the price of energy purchased on the wholesale market. DESNZ and Ofgem continue to monitor the heat network sector and to consider actions that could improve price deals available to heat network operators.

Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a target to replace animal experiments in medical research by 2035.

I refer the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam to the answer of 9th June 2025 to Question 55940.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support access to medical care for Palestinians.

The healthcare situation in Gaza is critical. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly all hospitals in Gaza have been partly damaged or destroyed. We have made both private and public representations calling for the protection of healthcare facilities and medical professionals. On 25 August, the former Foreign Secretary expressed his horror at the strike on Nasser hospital and called for civilians and healthcare professionals to be protected. On 22 August, the former Foreign Secretary also urged Israel to allow desperately needed medical supplies into Gaza.With our £19 million of support, UK-Med has treated over 600,000 patient consultations in their field hospitals and emergency departments. We have also boosted regional healthcare capacity by providing £3 million for WHO Egypt to treat medically evacuated civilians from Gaza who are receiving care in Egypt.On 1 September, the former Foreign Secretary announced an additional £15 million of aid and medical care for Gaza and the region.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take steps to prevent JCB equipment being used by the Israeli Government in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The UK Government has a clear position that Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are illegal under international law. We have guidance on gov.uk that states there are clear risks related to economic and financial activities in the settlements, and we do not encourage or offer support to such activity. UK citizens and businesses should be aware of the potential reputational implications of involvement in economic and financial activities in settlements, as well as possible abuses of the rights of individuals that such activity may entail. Those contemplating any economic or financial involvement in settlements should seek appropriate legal advice.The Government also supports voluntary due diligence approaches taken by UK businesses to identify and prevent human rights abuses, in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to help ensure the safe use of artificial intelligence.

Artificial intelligence is the defining opportunity of our generation, and the Government is taking action to harness its economic benefits for UK citizens. As set out in the AI Opportunities Action Plan, we believe most AI systems should be regulated at the point of use, with our expert regulators best placed to do so. Departments are working proactively with regulators to provide clear strategic direction and support them on their AI capability needs. Through well-designed and implemented regulation, we can fuel fast, wide and safe development and adoption of AI.

If she will (a) increase the accessibility of the deferral of biometric data applications and (b) expedite the process for visa applicants in Gaza.

Where an applicant considers they cannot travel to a Visa Application Centre (VAC) to enrol their biometrics, they can contact us to explain their circumstances. We have published guidance that sets out the policy, “Unable to travel to a Visa Application Centre to enrol biometrics (overseas applications)”: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/biometric-information/unable-to-travel-to-a-visa-application-centre-to-enrol-biometrics-overseas-applications-accessibleThese applicants can request either a predetermination of their visa application to enable them to decide whether to undertake a journey to a VAC, or to be excused from the requirement to attend a VAC to enrol their biometrics.Predetermination and excusal requests, including by applicants in Gaza, are considered on a case-by-case basis. Each individual case may contain individual factors which make it compelling or compassionate and warrant it being expedited by UK Visas and Immigration staff and is carefully considered under its own merits.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department plans to participate in humanitarian aid airdrops to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic. In late July, the Prime Minister announced plans for the UK to work with Jordan to get aid into Gaza. Since then, UK aid has been dropped into Gaza by the Royal Jordanian Air Force. Whilst airdrops will help to alleviate some of the suffering, land routes serve as the only viable and sustainable means of providing aid into Gaza. Israel must urgently lift restrictions and facilitate a surge of aid into Gaza to prevent further hunger and malnutrition related deaths. It must ensure that the UN and its partners including non-governmental organisations are able to work safely and effectively.

Innovation and Technology, what research she is funding into the development of (a) organ-on-a-chip and (b) computer modelling to phase out animal testing.

The Government is committed to the development of non-animal alternatives and will publish a strategy to support their development, validation and adoption.UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has a diverse portfolio of investments that supports research which can lead to alternatives, such as organ-on-a-chip, cell-based assays, functional genomics and computer modelling. UKRI also invests £10 million annually in the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs). The Government also co-funds seven Centres of Excellence for Regulatory Science and Innovation (CERSI), two focusing on AI which will support alternative method development.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to the Israeli government on the closure of the Polyclinic in Deir al‑Balah, Gaza.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the former Foreign Secretary on 1 September, and the joint statement on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza made alongside 31 overseas partners on 12 August (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/joint-statement-on-the-humanitarian-situation-in-gaza).

Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to bring forward secondary legislation to enact the Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023.

We continue to engage with stakeholders including the tourism industry and animal welfare groups to explore both legislative and non-legislative options to stop the advertising of low-welfare animal activities abroad.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of including a target of at least 80 hours of enrichment activities in the enrichment framework.

I refer the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam to the answer of 2 July 2025 to Question 62871.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to stop promotion by UK-based companies of overseas venues that use abusive practices against animals for entertainment.

Defra is continuing to engage with stakeholders including the tourism industry and animal welfare groups to explore both legislative and non-legislative options to stop the advertising and offering of sale in England and Northern Ireland, of low-welfare animal activities abroad.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of levels of Metropolitan Police Service (a) staffing numbers and (b) 24/7 front desk services on the safety of Londoners.

The Home Office regularly meets with the Mayor of London and the Metropolitan Police Commissioner to discuss policing issues facing the capital.This year (2025/26), the Metropolitan Police Service will receive a total of up to £3.8 billion of funding, as set out in the police funding settlement. This is a £262.1 million increase when compared with the 2024-25 settlement, equating to a 7.4% cash increase and 4.9% real terms increase. There will also be a £65 million increase to the National and International Capital City grant to reflect the challenges faced in London.Forces are operationally independent, and it is for the Metropolitan Police Commissioner to make local operational decisions on how best to deploy officers and staff to secure public safety. However, the Government is committed to restoring neighbourhood policing to local communities through the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee. In 2025/26 the Metropolitan Police Service was allocated £45,639,456 and has set out a delivery plan to grow neighbourhood policing this year by 420 (FTE) police officers and 50 (FTE) Police Community Support Officers.

What discussions she has had with the Mayor of London on staffing levels at the Metropolitan Police Service.

The Home Office regularly meets with the Mayor of London and the Metropolitan Police Commissioner to discuss policing issues facing the capital.This year (2025/26), the Metropolitan Police Service will receive a total of up to £3.8 billion of funding, as set out in the police funding settlement. This is a £262.1 million increase when compared with the 2024-25 settlement, equating to a 7.4% cash increase and 4.9% real terms increase. There will also be a £65 million increase to the National and International Capital City grant to reflect the challenges faced in London.Forces are operationally independent, and it is for the Metropolitan Police Commissioner to make local operational decisions on how best to deploy officers and staff to secure public safety. However, the Government is committed to restoring neighbourhood policing to local communities through the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee. In 2025/26 the Metropolitan Police Service was allocated £45,639,456 and has set out a delivery plan to grow neighbourhood policing this year by 420 (FTE) police officers and 50 (FTE) Police Community Support Officers.

Whether she plans to introduce stricter penalties for dangerous driving.

Safety on our roads is an absolute priority for this Government. That is why the Department for Transport is committed to delivering a new Road Safety Strategy – the first in over a decade. They will set out next steps on this in due course.Provisions in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 increased the maximum penalty from 14 years’ imprisonment to life imprisonment for the offences of causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs, and causing death by dangerous driving. These measures came into force on 28 June 2022 and apply to offences committed on or after that date.The Sentencing Council has reflected these changes in the sentencing guidelines and the starting point for cases falling into the highest level of seriousness is now 12 years’ imprisonment – a significant increase from the previous 8 years’ starting point. The sentence range for the most serious instances is now 8 to 18 years’ imprisonment.Independent judges decide sentences. However, we are committed to making sure the courts have the sentencing powers to ensure punishments fit the severity of the crime.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that dogs are removed from unfit owners.

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is an offence to cause any animal unnecessary suffering or to fail to provide for its welfare. Anyone who is cruel to an animal, or does not provide for its welfare, may be banned from owning animals. They may also face an unlimited fine, be sent to prison, or both. Local authorities and the police have powers under the 2006 Act to investigate allegations of cruelty, poor welfare, or neglect of animals. Where necessary, they may also take possession of animals to protect them from harm.

What steps she is taking to encourage cyclists to undertake Bikeability training.

In February, the Department and Active Travel England (ATE) announced £30 million to provide Bikeability cycle training to children. The Bikeability Trust operates a number of outreach programmes to encourage more people to access cycle training, including Cycle to School Week and Get Cycling in Schools. Outside of the Bikeability schools programme, local authorities can use revenue funding awarded by ATE to support cycle training delivery for children and adults.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to add meadows to the list of irreplaceable habitats in England.

Irreplaceable habitat includes some of England’s most ecologically valuable habitats. The list of irreplaceable habitats in the biodiversity net gain regulations reflects the non-exhaustive list of examples of irreplaceable habitat in the National Planning Policy Framework. Given the breadth of habitats which could be considered irreplaceable, the Government plans in due course to review the definition of irreplaceable habitats to ensure it is robust and comprehensive to support decision makers.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of caring responsibilities on levels of social isolation among unpaid carers.

The Government has launched an independent commission into adult social care as part of our critical first steps towards delivering a National Care Service. The commission will start a national conversation about what care and support working age adults, older people, and their families expect from adult social care, including exploring the needs of unpaid carers who provide vital care and support.Local authorities have duties to support unpaid carers and are required to deliver sustainable, high-quality care and support services.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to ensure social housing providers have the resources to keep residents (a) safe and (b) comfortable during extreme heat events.

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 2 July 2025 (HCWS771).