Written questions by Rosindell.

What steps her Department is taking to help ensure that applications to the Financial Conduct Authority for licences to operate in the UK by (a) crypto and (b) digital asset businesses are processed in a timely manner.

The Government launched an anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing regime for cryptoassets in January 2020. This means UK cryptoasset exchange providers and custodian wallet providers are now in scope of the UK’s Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Regulations (MLRs) and must register with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).Applications for registration are considered on a case-by-case basis. The length of time taken is a matter for the FCA and depends on the individual circumstances of the firm. To date, 51 cryptoasset firms have been registered with the FCA under the MLRs and there are 48 firms with current registration.

What recent steps the Financial Conduct Authority has taken to register (a) crypto and (b) digital asset businesses.

The Government launched an anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing regime for cryptoassets in January 2020. This means UK cryptoasset exchange providers and custodian wallet providers are now in scope of the UK’s Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Regulations (MLRs) and must register with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).Applications for registration are considered on a case-by-case basis. The length of time taken is a matter for the FCA and depends on the individual circumstances of the firm. To date, 51 cryptoasset firms have been registered with the FCA under the MLRs and there are 48 firms with current registration.

Whether she is taking steps to help ensure that (a) UK crypto and digital asset businesses and (b) businesses and sectors associated with the digital asset industry are able to open UK bank accounts.

The Government recognises that access to banking services is critical for operating a business, and is a matter of concern for certain sectors in particular such as the digital asset industry.The Government continues to engage with the banking sector and affected industries to better understand the existing and emerging issues in this area.The Government also welcomes the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) work to date on the factors leading banks to reject or close bank accounts. Where the FCA has found areas where firms need to improve customer outcomes, the Government expects firms to consider the FCA’s findings and act accordingly.With regard to account closures, the Government expects businesses to be treated fairly, and has brought forward legislation to enhance relevant protections in cases where consumers and businesses have their bank account terminated by their provider.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that regulation of the (a) crypto and (b) digital asset sector helps to (i) protect consumers and (ii) foster innovation in the sector.

On 29 April, HM Treasury published draft legislation for the future financial services regulatory regime for cryptoassets. The Government intends to bring forward final legislation before the end of the year.The Government’s approach seeks to strike the right balance between protecting consumers and giving firms regulatory certainty, while ensuring the sector has the space and flexibility to innovate.

What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies on (a) crypto and (b) digital asset regulation of policies on those matters in overseas jurisdictions.

On 29 April, HM Treasury published draft legislation for the future financial services regulatory regime for cryptoassets. The Government intends to bring forward final legislation before the end of the year.In developing the regime, the Government has sought to strike the right balance between attracting business to the UK while facilitating the UK’s access to global markets (and vice versa).The UK – through representation from HM Treasury, the Bank of England and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) – has played an active role in the Financial Stability Board’s (FSB) workstreams on cryptoassets and will continue to engage with the FSB’s future cryptoasset workstreams.The Government remains committed to working closely with international partners, and through global fora, on our response to developments in the cryptoasset sector as they emerge.

Whether she plans to bring forward regulations to ensure that crypto and digital asset businesses can open a UK bank account.

The Government recognises that access to banking services is critical for operating a business, and is a matter of concern for certain sectors in particular such as the digital asset industry.The Government continues to engage with the banking sector and affected industries to better understand the existing and emerging issues in this area.The Government also welcomes the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) work to date on the factors leading banks to reject or close bank accounts. Where the FCA has found areas where firms need to improve customer outcomes, the Government expects firms to consider the FCA’s findings and act accordingly.With regard to account closures, the Government expects businesses to be treated fairly, and has brought forward legislation to enhance relevant protections in cases where consumers and businesses have their bank account terminated by their provider.

What steps she is taking to ensure continual engagement with the crypto and digital asset industry.

HM Treasury engages regularly with a range of stakeholders in the crypto and digital asset sectors, and the progress Government has made on developing a financial services regulatory regime for cryptoassets has been made possible by this constructive, ongoing engagement with industry.

What steps he has taken to work with the Northern Ireland Assembly to improve the built infrastructure of Northern Ireland.

Responsibility for infrastructure policy is devolved to Northern Ireland’s Department for Infrastructure. The UK Government is working closely with the devolved governments to ensure that the UK’s nations and regions have the infrastructure they need to boost economic growth and serve their communities. The Northern Ireland Executive received £18.2 billion from the UK Government for 2025-26 - the largest financial settlement in real terms in the history of devolution. Whilst it is for the Executive to decide how it utilises this funding, I welcome the Executive’s commitment to producing a long term strategic infrastructure plan and I look forward to its publication.

What steps he has taken to work with relevant authorities to raise awareness of the risk of sun exposure to ocular health.

The National Health Service website provides advice on how to protect your eyes in the sun. It recommends avoiding looking directly at the sun, as this can cause permanent eye damage, and advises people to wear sunglasses with the appropriate ultraviolet protection. Further information can be found on the NHS page on sun and sunscreen safety, at the following link:https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/Sun exposure can increase the risk of eye cancer. The Department is currently seeking views and ideas to inform the development of the National Cancer Plan for England, to meet the health mission goal to reduce the lives lost to the biggest killers. The consultation materials are available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/shaping-the-national-cancer-plan/shaping-the-national-cancer-plan

Media and Sport, what steps she has taken to celebrate the feast day of Saint David in 2025.

I refer the Hon member to my answer to PQ 38000 answered on the 26th March. In addition to the regular annual celebrations of St George’s Day, this year St George’s Day marked the 250th anniversary of the birth of Joseph Mallord William Turner, which has been celebrated in many museums and galleries up and down the country.

What steps she has taken to work with the Northern Ireland Assembly to improve public transportation in Northern Ireland.

Transport is largely devolved in Northern Ireland, but the UK Government has supported Northern Ireland with funding for the Northern Ireland EV Charging Network, upgrades at Belfast International Airport, and extensions to the Comber–Newtownards and Newtownards–Bangor Greenways. Since 2017, the Department and the Northern Ireland Executive have jointly funded a Public Service Obligation (PSO) between City of Derry Airport and London. We recently agreed to continue supporting the PSO until March 2027. During a visit to Belfast for the British-Irish Council earlier this month, I also met Liz Kimmins, the Executive's Infrastructure Minister, where we discussed active travel and progress in the transition to electric vehicles.

Media and Sport, what steps she has taken to celebrate the feast day of Saint Andrew in 2025.

I refer the Hon member to my answer to PQ 38000 answered on the 26th March. In addition to the regular annual celebrations of St George’s Day, this year St George’s Day marked the 250th anniversary of the birth of Joseph Mallord William Turner, which has been celebrated in many museums and galleries up and down the country.

Media and Sport, what steps she has taken to celebrate the feast day of Saint Patrick in 2025.

I refer the Hon member to my answer to PQ 38000 answered on the 26th March. In addition to the regular annual celebrations of St George’s Day, this year St George’s Day marked the 250th anniversary of the birth of Joseph Mallord William Turner, which has been celebrated in many museums and galleries up and down the country.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with the London Borough of Havering on supporting highstreets to provide a broad range of (a) shops, (b) amenities and (c) services.

The Government wishes to promote thriving, mixed use high streets across the country, and through the Plan for Change, is fostering the conditions for economic growth upon which the health of high streets depends. Local leaders also have a vital role in supporting high streets and my department engages with local authorities and other partners regularly. The Mayor of London and London councils have published a growth plan to boost jobs and prosperity. Boroughs like Havering are obliged to promote the health of town centres through the planning system, and the Government has introduced new High Street Rental Auction powers enabling all councils to tackle persistent vacancy on high streets. More widely, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) like the London Riverside BID and Romford Town Centre BID in Havering can also play a role in attracting investment and improving trade.

What steps he has taken to work with relevant authorities to improve the ocular health of adults with visual impairments in England.

We recognise the importance of supporting people with sight loss to maintain or improve their visual function so they can live independently in the community. It is important that individuals with visual impairments continue to have regular sight tests to monitor any further changes to their vision.Free National Health Service sight tests are available for many individuals, including children, who are registered as sight-impaired or severely sight-impaired, or who have been diagnosed with glaucoma. Further information on sight test eligibility can be found at the following link:https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/opticians/free-nhs-eye-tests-and-optical-vouchers/Low vision services can also be provided to help individuals with sight loss to live independently, and can include access to low vision aids such as magnifiers. Low vision services can be provided within the hospital eye service or in the community.The Department supports the publication by the Royal National Institute of Blind People of an eye care support pathway, which aims to improve the support available at every stage of an individual’s sight loss journey, including helping them to understand their condition.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to ban the sale of electronic training devices for dogs.

The Government will introduce the most ambitious programme for animal welfare in a generation and will bring forward plans in due course. Ministers will be considering available evidence around the use of hand-controlled e-collars and their effects on the welfare of animals.

What steps he has taken to work with relevant authorities to improve the ocular health of children in England.

All babies should receive a routine eye screening within 72 hours of birth as part of the newborn physical examination and again at around six weeks of age. Parents and carers are also encouraged to raise any concerns about their child’s health during the health and development reviews carried out with the health visitor.The UK National Screening Committee also recommends vision screening in school for children aged four to five years to look for reduced vision in one or both eyes.In addition, all children aged under 16, and under 19 in full time education are eligible for a free NHS eye test, available at opticians. Integrated Care Boards are also in the process of rolling out free NHS sight tests in special educational settings for children and young people with learning disabilities and/or autism across England.

What plans he has to help increase public (a) awareness and (b) understanding of sickle cell disorder and the impact on that disorder on (i) individuals and (ii) families.

Working under the UK Rare Diseases Framework, the Government is committed to improving the lives of those living with rare diseases, such as sickle cell disorder.To improve awareness of sickle cell disorder, NHS England has carried out a range of activities including developing and launching a national Can You Tell its Sickle Cell campaign in 2022 including a hand-held patient card that could be used in a sickle cell crisis. It has also produced and published a series of four podcasts, featuring three sickle cell patients, placed partnered editorials in Black media to promote awareness of the condition and the potential impact on people’s daily lives, and piloted a successful free monthly e-learning sickle cell series for patients in London. This course will soon be available both nationally and globally.NHS England has designed a prescription savings campaign to raise awareness of two available money-saving schemes among those living with conditions such as sickle cell, and in deprivation.

What steps he has taken to work with relevant authorities to improve the ocular health of children with visual impairments in England.

We recognise the importance of supporting people with sight loss to maintain or improve their visual function so they can live independently in the community. It is important that individuals with visual impairments continue to have regular sight tests to monitor any further changes to their vision.Free National Health Service sight tests are available for many individuals, including children, who are registered as sight-impaired or severely sight-impaired, or who have been diagnosed with glaucoma. Further information on sight test eligibility can be found at the following link:https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/opticians/free-nhs-eye-tests-and-optical-vouchers/Low vision services can also be provided to help individuals with sight loss to live independently, and can include access to low vision aids such as magnifiers. Low vision services can be provided within the hospital eye service or in the community.The Department supports the publication by the Royal National Institute of Blind People of an eye care support pathway, which aims to improve the support available at every stage of an individual’s sight loss journey, including helping them to understand their condition.

What steps he is taking to support people suffering from drug addiction in Romford constituency.

The Government is committed to ensuring that anyone with a drug or alcohol problem can access the help and support they need, and we recognise the need for evidenced-based, high-quality treatment.Local authorities are responsible for assessing local need for alcohol and drug prevention and treatment in their area, and for commissioning services to meet these needs. In addition to the Public Health Grant, in 2025/26 the Department is providing a total of £310 million in additional targeted grants to improve drug and alcohol services and recovery support, which includes housing and employment. Havering Borough Council, of which Romford is a part, will receive £400,302 from this additional grant funding in 2025/26. Further details are available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/drug-and-alcohol-treatment-and-recovery-funding-2025-to-2026/drug-and-alcohol-treatment-and-recovery-funding-allocations-2025-to-2026Alongside the funding allocations, the Department also has a range of existing and forthcoming best practice resources and guidance that supports those working in the sector to tailor drug and alcohol treatment services to meet local needs, to improve treatment outcomes. For example, the commissioning quality standard provides guidance to local authorities on how to ensure they have a shared understanding of local need, including the experiences of diverse populations. The commissioning quality standard can be found at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/commissioning-quality-standard-alcohol-and-drug-servicesLater this year the Department will also be publishing the United Kingdom’s clinical guidelines on alcohol treatment. The aim of the guidelines is to improve and support good practice to achieve better outcomes for people with alcohol problems.