Written questions by Wrigley.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed changes to PIP eligibility on LGBTQ+ people.

As I made clear in my statement to the House, Hansard, 1 July, col 219, any changes to PIP eligibility will come after a comprehensive review of the benefit, which I am leading, and which will be co-produced with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, clinicians, experts, MPs and other stakeholders, so a wide range of views and voices are heard. This review aims to ensure that the PIP assessment is fair and fit for the future. The review is expected to conclude in autumn 2026.

Innovation and Technology, if he has had recent discussions with the Information Commissioner’s Office on the potential risks of using foreign-owned companies to manage cloud-based data systems in the public sector.

The Secretary of State has not specifically discussed foreign-owned cloud-based data systems with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). The ICO has discussed the compliance of cloud system rules on international transfers with government officials. The ICO will produce and update guidance during the implementation of the Data (Use and Access) Act, including around the use of processors and sub-processors which may be relevant to cloud based systems.

Innovation and Technology, if he will allocate funding to research on the (a) reliability and (b) auditability of non-deterministic models of AI used in national security issues.

AI offers the most powerful lever we have for national renewal; it underpins the Government’s plan to drive economic growth, transform public services, and boost living standards for working people across the country.During the recent Spending Review, the Government showed its commitment to delivering the AI Opportunities Action Plan (AIOAP), with the Chancellor confirming over £2 billion to implement the Plan, and up to £750m for a new Edinburgh supercomputer, which will support our understanding of this emerging technology.More widely, the government is investing record levels of investment in R&D, growing to £22.6 billion per year by 2029/30. Through UKRI, we are supporting science and innovation across the UK to better deliver on the government’s priorities, including national security.

What discussions she has had with Crosscountry trains on the performance of its services.

The Rail Minister met with the interim CrossCountry Managing Directors on 8 August 2024 and 28 March 2025 and the new Managing Director on 25 June 2025. It has been made clear that CrossCountry need to deliver material improvements to their train services and for passengers. The operator is required to submit plans setting out how they will reduce the number of cancellations for which it is responsible.

What information her Department holds on the proportion of Crosscountry rail services that were overcrowded in each of the last 12 months.

The Department receives regular information on how busy CrossCountry train services are, but not in the format requested. However, since the May timetable change, average loadings across the CrossCountry network have been broadly similar to those seen in 2019 and 2024.The Department has funded 12 additional Voyager trains (60 carriages) for the CrossCountry network. The last of these entered service from May enabling the operator to offer thousands more seats each day.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of ending cross-country train contracts early.

Officials monitor all operators against the train service performance benchmarks in their contracts. CrossCountry performance in 2024 was not good enough so enforcement action was taken. Cancellations have reduced since January 2025 but remain high, particularly at weekends. The operator knows it has much work to do to reduce cancellations and improve services. If CrossCountry does not meet performance obligations, the Department will not hesitate to take appropriate action in line with their contract.

If he will take steps bring forward regulations to ban period products which include pesticide residues.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13th June 2025 to question 57485 (Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament).

If he will bring forward legislative proposals to introduce a legal requirement for manufacturers to list (a) the components and (b) any trace toxic chemicals in period products.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13th June 2025 to question 57485 (Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament).

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing testing for period products to ensure they are free from toxic chemical residues.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13th June 2025 to question 57485 (Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament).

What steps she is taking to tackle period poverty through schools in Newton Abbot constituency.

​Nobody should have to miss out on education because of their period, which is why the department provides free period products to girls and women in their place of study through the Period Products Scheme. The scheme aims to remove periods as a barrier to accessing education and addresses pupils being unable to afford period products. Since the scheme began in 2020, 82% of eligible organisations in Devon have placed at least one order.The scheme offers a broad range of products for organisations to choose from, including certified organic and chemical-free tampons and pads, as well as reusable options such as period pants. The Lil-Lets organic range, available on the scheme, meets recognised certification standards and is free from harmful chemicals.

If she will take steps to ensure that free period products provided in schools are (a) certified organic single use disposables and (b) additive-free.

​Nobody should have to miss out on education because of their period, which is why the department provides free period products to girls and women in their place of study through the Period Products Scheme. The scheme aims to remove periods as a barrier to accessing education and addresses pupils being unable to afford period products. Since the scheme began in 2020, 82% of eligible organisations in Devon have placed at least one order.The scheme offers a broad range of products for organisations to choose from, including certified organic and chemical-free tampons and pads, as well as reusable options such as period pants. The Lil-Lets organic range, available on the scheme, meets recognised certification standards and is free from harmful chemicals.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2025 to Question 59834 on South West Main Line: Dawlish, if she will set out a timescale for when a decision on whether Stage Five of the rail resilience programme for Dawlish will receive funding will be reached.

We are currently working to determine which rail enhancement projects will be taken forward following the conclusion of the Spending Review on 11 June. More information will be made public shortly.

Whether she plans to provide funding for the final phase of the South West Rail Resilience Programme.

Following the Chancellor’s Spending Review statement on 11 June we are now working to confirm our portfolio of rail enhancements, which will be announced shortly.

Communities and Local Government, what what steps she is taking to help ensure consistency in standards of (a) ethics, (b) training and (c) reporting in (i) parish, (ii) town and (iii) district councils.

The government’s December 2024 consultation set out the government’s views on the adequacy of the current local government standards regime. The consultation also set out what sanctions are currently available and that government considers that, in key aspects, the current system is ineffectual, inconsistently applied, and lacking in adequate powers to effectively sanction members found in serious breach of their codes of conduct.This consultation sought views on proposed measures to strengthen the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England, including the introduction of the sanction of suspension, to empower local authorities of all types and tiers to deal appropriately member misconduct where it arises. The government response will be issued in due course. The government does not collect data on local authority complaints.

What steps she is taking to support disabled veterans in Devon.

Disabled people, including disabled veterans, can access a wide range of support in Devon. Information on what support is available to them can be found on Gov.UK including these specific areas: Veterans UK - GOV.UK and Disabled people - GOV.UK.

Communities and Local Government, what statutory powers are available to local standards committees to investigate and sanction councillors for breaches of the Nolan Principles.

The government’s December 2024 consultation set out the government’s views on the adequacy of the current local government standards regime. The consultation also set out what sanctions are currently available and that government considers that, in key aspects, the current system is ineffectual, inconsistently applied, and lacking in adequate powers to effectively sanction members found in serious breach of their codes of conduct.This consultation sought views on proposed measures to strengthen the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England, including the introduction of the sanction of suspension, to empower local authorities of all types and tiers to deal appropriately member misconduct where it arises. The government response will be issued in due course. The government does not collect data on local authority complaints.

What steps she is taking to help tackle stigma among disabled veterans claiming PIP.

The benefits system exists to support people at critical points in their lives and for a range of reasons. There should be no stigma attached to claiming a benefit you're entitled to, and people should claim social security benefits as and when their circumstances dictate.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2025 to Question 58701 on USA: British Nationals Abroad, if he will make representations to his US counterpart on the potential merits of protecting the green card data of British citizens in line with GDPR standards, in the context of the work of the US Department of Government Efficiency.

The Foreign Secretary regularly discusses a range of bilateral issues with his US counterpart, and officials are regularly in touch with US authorities on consular and immigration issues which may affect British Nationals living in the US. Data collected by the US Government as part of their own processes is subject to US law, which is a sovereign matter for the US.

Communities and Local Government, how many complaints were referred to local standards committees in the last year; and what proportion of those complaints led to sanctions.

The government’s December 2024 consultation set out the government’s views on the adequacy of the current local government standards regime. The consultation also set out what sanctions are currently available and that government considers that, in key aspects, the current system is ineffectual, inconsistently applied, and lacking in adequate powers to effectively sanction members found in serious breach of their codes of conduct.This consultation sought views on proposed measures to strengthen the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England, including the introduction of the sanction of suspension, to empower local authorities of all types and tiers to deal appropriately member misconduct where it arises. The government response will be issued in due course. The government does not collect data on local authority complaints.

How many children from Gaza have been granted visas to the UK for medical treatment since the scheme began.

The requested information is not currently available from published statistics, and could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.The UK has supported an initiative by Project Pure Hope to bring a small number of children from Gaza to the UK for privately funded specialist care. On 1 May, the Minister for the Middle East announced that two children have arrived in the UK to begin treatment. The Government also announced a £7.5m package of support to bolster vital medical care in Gaza and the region, which includes additional funding for UK-Med, WHO Egypt and the OCHA OPTs Humanitarian Fund.