Written questions by Lockhart.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the increase in the number of children entering the UK who have been born through surrogacy in countries where commercial surrogacy operates on the UK's not-for-profit surrogacy framework.

The Department has not made an assessment of the potential impact of the increase in the number of children entering the United Kingdom who have been born through surrogacy in countries where commercial surrogacy operates, on the UK's not-for-profit surrogacy framework.The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office have published advice for those considering surrogacy overseas, which is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/surrogacy-overseas/surrogacy-overseasThis clearly sets out the possible risks and the processes for returning to the UK with a child born through an international surrogacy arrangement.The Department Health and Social Care does not hold any information on trends in the number of children born via surrogacy abroad, in particular in Kazakhstan and Nigeria.

How many patients have reported adverse outcomes following rectopexy mesh procedures in the last ten years; and whether his Department has considered those cases in determining eligibility for mesh-related redress schemes.

Up to and including the 16 March 2026, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has received a total of 3,303 adverse incident reports. Please note that this search was conducted across all relevant brands, models, and manufacturers associated with the Global Medical Device Nomenclature CT codes listed above and the data is not linked to specific procedures. As such, the data provided will include reports concerning mesh used in a range of different surgical applications, not limited to rectopexy. It is important to note that this data does not directly correlate to the number of United Kingdom procedures undertaken in the UK.Adverse incident reports are not a direct measure of the number of individual patients affected, as the same incident, or user, may be reported multiple times and duplicates cannot always be reliably linked, and figures may also include cases drawn from published literature and may change slightly as further details are received. Reports may describe recognised complications, and their inclusion does not establish causation or fault with any particular device, so the data should not be interpreted as a summary of known or proven adverse reactions.The Government is carefully considering the work by the Patient Safety Commissioner and her report, which set out options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh. The abovementioned data will form part of the Department’s considerations regarding a redress scheme.

What information his Department holds on trends in the number of children born via surrogacy abroad, in particular in (a) Kazakhstan and (b) Nigeria.

The Department has not made an assessment of the potential impact of the increase in the number of children entering the United Kingdom who have been born through surrogacy in countries where commercial surrogacy operates, on the UK's not-for-profit surrogacy framework.The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office have published advice for those considering surrogacy overseas, which is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/surrogacy-overseas/surrogacy-overseasThis clearly sets out the possible risks and the processes for returning to the UK with a child born through an international surrogacy arrangement.The Department Health and Social Care does not hold any information on trends in the number of children born via surrogacy abroad, in particular in Kazakhstan and Nigeria.

Whether he has had discussions with whistleblowers from the former Tavistock Gender Identity Development Service regarding the PATHWAYS Puberty Blocker Trial.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has met with a variety of stakeholders to discuss gender services, including former staff at the Tavistock Gender Identity Development Service. Baroness Cass also met with former Gender Identity Development Service staff, including whistleblowers, while developing her Independent Review of Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People.The review rightly received cross-party support, as the most definitive assessment of children’s gender services and gender identity to date. It also recommended a clinical trial to gather the evidence required.Given that there are live legal proceedings, we are unable to comment on the PATHWAYS trial.

What steps he is taking to implement a data linkage study of the Gender Identity Development Services.

The Government and National Health Service are committed to implementing the recommendations of the Cass Review in full. This includes carrying out the data linkage study. Since taking over responsibility for delivery of the data linkage study, NHS England has taken time to undertake due diligence work on the data sources critical to the study, and to work with organisations to refine the planned approach to data sharing. In common with usual research practice, the data linkage study protocol will be made available in the public domain once independent research and ethical approvals have been appropriately secured, at which point the analytical work can begin.

What steps he is taking to support detransitioners.

We are working with NHS England to implement the recommendations from the Cass Review to ensure everyone gets the high-quality care they need. This includes setting up a clinical pathway and provision for people considering detransition. Following engagement with those with lived experience, on 30 October 2025, NHS England published a call for evidence on a clinical pathway for adults who have previously undergone a gender transition and who wish to detransition, to bring together professional opinion. The call for evidence closed on 28 December 2025. NHS England is considering all relevant feedback that was submitted. It will collate views, evidence, and insights into a summary evidence report. NHS England will use this evidence, together with other intelligence and further engagement, to begin to define a clinical pathway which will be tested through further stakeholder engagement and public consultation later this year.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his polices on the care of gender distressed children of the US judgment in the case of Fox Varian.

No assessment has been made. Surgical interventions for gender dysphoria are not performed on patients under 18 years old on the National Health Service. In line with NHS England’s national service specification, surgical interventions on the NHS are only available to adult patients who have a clinical diagnosis of gender dysphoria from a specialist adult gender clinic, and who meet strict clinical criteria. The Government and NHS England have made a clear commitment to implement all the recommendations in the Cass Review’s final report. NHS England’s ambitious action plan sets out how it will continue to transform and improve services, helping to tackle waiting lists while ensuring safe and holistic care.

Whether evidence or representations from stakeholders in Northern Ireland have been considered by the Motor Insurance Taskforce; and what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the Northern Ireland insurance market, including differences in (a) pricing, (b) claims costs and (c) legal frameworks.

The work of the motor insurance taskforce focused on issues and concerns associated with the cost of insurance premiums and claims that are shared across the UK.The taskforce heard representations that some of the unique features of the motor insurance market in Northern Ireland have led to increasing costs there. Some of those, such as road safety and costs associated with taking claims through the judicial system, are devolved matters for the Northern Ireland Executive to consider. The government will continue to work constructively with the Executive on relevant areas of policy.The taskforce met for the first time on 16 October 2024 and subsequently met on 28 April 2025 and 21 July 2025, which was the final meeting of the taskforce. Taskforce members were the Home Office, Ministry of Justice, Department for Education, Department for Business and Trade, Financial Conduct Authority and the Competition and Markets Authority as well as the Department for Transport and HM Treasury, who were the co-chairs.We do not plan to publish the minutes or summaries of meetings as they cover the formulation and development of ‘live’ government policy and to do so would hinder future policy development as it could inhibit a free exchange of views.

How many times the Motor Insurance Taskforce met since its establishment; on what dates those meetings took place; which organisations and departments were represented; and whether she plans to publish minutes or summaries from those meetings.

The work of the motor insurance taskforce focused on issues and concerns associated with the cost of insurance premiums and claims that are shared across the UK.The taskforce heard representations that some of the unique features of the motor insurance market in Northern Ireland have led to increasing costs there. Some of those, such as road safety and costs associated with taking claims through the judicial system, are devolved matters for the Northern Ireland Executive to consider. The government will continue to work constructively with the Executive on relevant areas of policy.The taskforce met for the first time on 16 October 2024 and subsequently met on 28 April 2025 and 21 July 2025, which was the final meeting of the taskforce. Taskforce members were the Home Office, Ministry of Justice, Department for Education, Department for Business and Trade, Financial Conduct Authority and the Competition and Markets Authority as well as the Department for Transport and HM Treasury, who were the co-chairs.We do not plan to publish the minutes or summaries of meetings as they cover the formulation and development of ‘live’ government policy and to do so would hinder future policy development as it could inhibit a free exchange of views.

What targeted measures are being considered to improve (a) affordability and (b) access to car insurance for young people, particularly those in rural or poorly served public transport areas.

The motor insurance taskforce focused on driving down the cost of claims, with a view to stabilising and ultimately, reducing the premiums that drivers of all ages pay. The cross-government taskforce’s final report highlights the wider range of areas in which government is taking action; including taking steps to address vehicle theft and the cost of repairs. The government will continue to deliver against the actions set out in this report.Motor insurers are responsible for setting the terms and conditions of the policies that they offer, and it is for them to decide the level of risk that they take in issuing any policy to a given applicant. Motor insurers use a wide range of criteria to assess the potential risk a driver poses, and this includes the age of the applicant, the type of vehicle being insured, the postal area where the applicant lives and the driving experience of the applicant.The setting of premiums is a commercial decision for individual insurers based on their underwriting experience. The government does not intervene or seek to control the market.We have not made a specific assessment on younger drivers, however the latest industry data shows that the average cost of motor insurance premiums has decreased, following the peaks seen between 2022 and 2024, government remains alert to developments in the cost of premiums and claims costs. The government will continue to engage closely with sector stakeholders as we deliver the actions set out in the taskforce report.

What assessment the Motor Insurance Taskforce has made of the potential impact of increases in the cost of car insurance premiums on young drivers.

The motor insurance taskforce focused on driving down the cost of claims, with a view to stabilising and ultimately, reducing the premiums that drivers of all ages pay. The cross-government taskforce’s final report highlights the wider range of areas in which government is taking action; including taking steps to address vehicle theft and the cost of repairs. The government will continue to deliver against the actions set out in this report.Motor insurers are responsible for setting the terms and conditions of the policies that they offer, and it is for them to decide the level of risk that they take in issuing any policy to a given applicant. Motor insurers use a wide range of criteria to assess the potential risk a driver poses, and this includes the age of the applicant, the type of vehicle being insured, the postal area where the applicant lives and the driving experience of the applicant.The setting of premiums is a commercial decision for individual insurers based on their underwriting experience. The government does not intervene or seek to control the market.We have not made a specific assessment on younger drivers, however the latest industry data shows that the average cost of motor insurance premiums has decreased, following the peaks seen between 2022 and 2024, government remains alert to developments in the cost of premiums and claims costs. The government will continue to engage closely with sector stakeholders as we deliver the actions set out in the taskforce report.

If he will have discussions with the Office for National Statistics on revising its back baseline to reflect pre-2020 trends.

Analysts from the Department of Health and Social Care are having regular discussions with colleagues at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) regarding planned improvements to the methodology used to estimate excess deaths, as outlined in an ONS blog post from April 2025, which is available at the following link: https://blog.ons.gov.uk/2025/04/04/excess-deaths-our-continued-work-towards-a-better-understanding

If he will make it his policy to require abortion providers to provide clear guidance regarding the legality of procuring a termination on the basis of sex.

There is no policy requirement for abortion providers to provide guidance regarding the legality of procuring a termination on the basis of sex, as all abortion providers must comply with the legal requirements set out in the Abortion Act 1967. The Department’s guidance is clear that sex is not itself a lawful ground for termination of pregnancy in England and Wales under the Abortion Act 1967 and it is illegal for a practitioner to carry out an abortion for that reason alone.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of research by Velez et al entitled New-Onset Mental Illness Among Gestational Carriers, published on 25 July 2025.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority’s (HFEA) Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee reviews the published evidence of health outcomes for those having fertility treatment, including surrogates. The last 10 years of evidence were reviewed in June 2025, and further information on the findings of this review can be found at the following link:https://www.hfea.gov.uk/about-us/our-authority-committees-and-panels/scientific-and-clinical-advances-advisory-committee-scaac/#hidden-text-3c9ac9c7-54e1-4578-abb2-b49a73b68140-2The study had not been published at the time of the review and will be included in the next review by the HFEA.

What assessment his Department has made of the trends in the level of excess mortality above pre-2020 trends in the 50- to 64-year-old age group.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon lady’s Parliamentary Question of 5th February is attached.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to (a) make representations to the Iranian authorities on lifting the internet blackout and (b) assist Iranian citizens to stay connected via alternative channels.

We continue to urge Iran to immediately restore access to the internet and communications. Iran must respect its citizens' fundamental rights and freedom.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of research from King’s College London, Anglia Ruskin University and the University of Leeds entitled Comparing the Outcomes of In-Vitro Fertilization in Same-Sex Female Couples Using Their Partner's Egg Versus Their Own Egg: A Systematic Review, published on 19 August 2025.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority’s (HFEA) Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee reviews the published evidence of health outcomes for those having fertility treatment. The last 10 years of evidence were reviewed in June 2025, and further information on the findings of this review can be found at the following link:https://www.hfea.gov.uk/about-us/our-authority-committees-and-panels/scientific-and-clinical-advances-advisory-committee-scaac/#hidden-text-3c9ac9c7-54e1-4578-abb2-b49a73b68140-2HFEA changed the information on its website relating to the risks of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) because of this review, including risks associated with reciprocal IVF. Further information can be found at the following link:https://www.hfea.gov.uk/treatments/explore-all-treatments/risks-of-fertility-treatment/The study had not been published at the time of the review and will be included in the next review by HFEA.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure modelled increases in expected deaths are not used to retroactively redefine excess mortality as normal.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon lady’s Parliamentary Question of 5th February is attached.

Whether she has had discussions with the Charity Commission on the potential use of religious charities by networks aligned with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Ministers and officials regularly meet with the Charity Commission to discuss a range of issues relating to the regulation of charities.The Charity Commission is alive to the risks of state threats to the charity sector and works with other agencies to protect the sector from the risks of being exploited. The Charity Commission has consistently been clear that it will respond robustly where there proves to have been wrongdoing.We work closely with a range of partners to tackle malign state-backed influence in our society. Where there is clear evidence that Iranian-linked or aligned organisations are undertaking unacceptable activity, the Government will respond accordingly.We continue to take strong action and hold the Iranian regime to account. This includes placing Iran – including the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) – on the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme to bolster our oversight of Iran’s influence activities. The UK has already also imposed more than 550 sanctions on Iranian individuals and organisations. This includes the IRGC in its entirety. Most recently, this month we sanctioned prolific IRGC members for their role in recent brutality against protestors.

What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her polices of reports that religious centres in the UK are being used to (a) promote and (b) support the activities of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Ministers and officials regularly meet with the Charity Commission to discuss a range of issues relating to the regulation of charities.The Charity Commission is alive to the risks of state threats to the charity sector and works with other agencies to protect the sector from the risks of being exploited. The Charity Commission has consistently been clear that it will respond robustly where there proves to have been wrongdoing.We work closely with a range of partners to tackle malign state-backed influence in our society. Where there is clear evidence that Iranian-linked or aligned organisations are undertaking unacceptable activity, the Government will respond accordingly.We continue to take strong action and hold the Iranian regime to account. This includes placing Iran – including the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) – on the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme to bolster our oversight of Iran’s influence activities. The UK has already also imposed more than 550 sanctions on Iranian individuals and organisations. This includes the IRGC in its entirety. Most recently, this month we sanctioned prolific IRGC members for their role in recent brutality against protestors.