11 Jun 2026·Department for Science, Innovation and Technology·Answered
AskedInnovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential long-term impact of the funding cuts of £162 million proposed by the Science and Technology Facilities Council on the astronomy and space s
ReplyThe Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has committed a record £58.5 billion investment in R&D over the next 4 years. This includes £38.6 billion allocated to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).The Science and Technology Facilities...
9 Jun 2026·Department for Transport·Answered
AskedWhat assessment she has made of the impact of the 60mph default speed limit on rural roads on safety; and whether she plans to review this default.
ReplyThe Department for Transport keeps speed limit policy under review as part of its wider road safety work. As set out in the Road Safety Strategy published on 7 January 2026, the Department is updating the Setting Local Speed Limits guidance, to support au...
9 Jun 2026·Department for Transport·Answered
AskedWhat information her Department holds on whether women and girls are more likely to experience abuse and harassment while (a) walking and (b) cycling, compared to using public transport.
ReplyThe ‘Personal Safety on Transport’ survey research was published in February this year. The findings are based on a survey of 4,900 adults across Great Britain and show the proportion of public transport users who experienced things that undermine persona...
3 Jun 2026·Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government·Answered
AskedCommunities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of high service charges and low resale prices of inherited retirement flats on people living in those flats.
ReplyI refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 4726 on 8 June 2026.
21 May 2026·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
AskedWhether the Department plans to increase funding opportunities for epilepsy research.
ReplyThe Department delivers research via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Departmental investment in the NIHR facilitates the direct funding of research projects through NIHR programmes, support for researchers to develop and conduc...
21 May 2026·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
AskedWhat assessment the department has made of whether funding for epilepsy research is proportionate to the prevalence of epilepsy.
ReplyThe Department delivers research via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Departmental investment in the NIHR facilitates the direct funding of research projects through NIHR programmes, support for researchers to develop and conduc...
20 May 2026·Ministry of Justice·Answered
AskedWhen he plans to respond to the emails of 19 January and 17 March 2026 on the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, case reference OG894, from the hon. Member for Didcot and Wantage.
ReplyA response to the correspondence was sent on 26 May 2026.The Department apologises for the delay in responding on this occasion and we regret that this fell short of expected standards.
20 May 2026·Department for Education·Answered
AskedWhat steps her Department is taking to ensure that early years education providers are not disadvantaged by restrictions on charging flexibility for funded childcare hours.
ReplyThrough our Best Start in Life strategy, we are focused on reforming the childcare system, delivering on our plan for change. Government funding is intended to deliver 15 or 30 hours a week of funded, high-quality, flexible childcare and the 15 or 30 hour...
20 May 2026·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·Answered
AskedFood and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to help tackle piglet thumping.
ReplyPiglet thumping (a manual percussive blow to the head) it is not a permitted method for stunning or killing piglets due to serious concerns about the welfare consequences. The Department is engaging with the industry to encourage use of alternative humane...
20 May 2026·Department for Transport·Answered
AskedWhat steps her Department is taking to provide adequate bus services to allow people to access early years education.
ReplyThe Government knows how important affordable bus services are in enabling young people to access education, work and vital services. Local authorities are responsible for assessing and meeting the transport needs of their communities, including ensuring ...
20 May 2026·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·Answered
AskedFood and Rural Affairs, whether she is considering further measures to strengthen the enforcement of the ban on illegal piglet thumping beyond The Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (England) Regulatio
ReplyThe Animal Welfare Committee published, in 2021, their advice on humane piglet culling and recommended the use of non-penetrative captive bolts as an alternative to manual blunt force trauma. The regulations on The Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killin...
20 May 2026·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·Answered
AskedFood and Rural Affairs, how many prosecutions have been made for piglet thumping in each of the last five years.
ReplyPiglet thumping (a manual percussive blow to the head) it is not a permitted method for stunning or killing piglets due to serious concerns about the welfare consequences. The Department is engaging with the industry to encourage use of alternative humane...
20 May 2026·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·Answered
AskedFood and Rural Affairs, what information her Department holds on the number of farms involved in piglet thumping.
ReplyPiglet thumping (a manual percussive blow to the head) it is not a permitted method for stunning or killing piglets due to serious concerns about the welfare consequences. The Department is engaging with the industry to encourage use of alternative humane...
20 May 2026·Department for Education·Answered
AskedWhat steps she is taking to encourage (a) retention and (b) recruitment of teachers in early years education settings.
ReplyThe department wants early years careers to be respected, rewarding, and something people are proud to pursue. Our Best Start in Life Strategy sets out how we are strengthening career pathways and championing early years teachers , with a long-term ambiti...
20 May 2026·Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government·Answered
AskedCommunities and Local Government, with reference to the Renters Rights Act 2025, whether he is taking steps to extend the right to request permission to keep a pet to people living in social housing.
ReplyThe government recognises that pets can bring joy and comfort to their owners, as well as supporting their mental and physical wellbeing.On 12 February 2026, Baroness Taylor wrote to all social housing landlords setting out my Department’s position on fai...
20 May 2026·Department for Education·Answered
AskedWhat additional support her Department is providing to teachers in response to the increased number of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities in early years settings.
ReplyThe department recognises the increasing demand for support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in early years settings. We are investing in workforce development through our Best Start in Life strategy and wider SEND refor...
18 May 2026·Home Office·Answered
AskedHow many beagles have been approved for use in scientific research over the a) past five years and b) each year within.
ReplyThe Home Office publishes non-technical summaries for each project licence granted under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. These are published quarterly and include information on the species and the approved number of animals expected to be u...
18 May 2026·Department for Science, Innovation and Technology·Answered
AskedInnovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to support the life sciences sector in Oxfordshire.
ReplyThrough the Government’s Life Sciences Sector Plan, we are on a ten‑year mission to drive growth and build a prevention‑focused NHS. The Plan will make the UK Europe’s leading life sciences economy by 2030 and third globally by 2035, backed by over £2bn o...
18 May 2026·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
AskedWhat steps he is taking to improve timely diagnosis for people living with Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
ReplyThrough the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme, NHS England supports local integrated care boards (ICBs) to help deliver high-quality, timely services, including for people with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The GIRFT programme on gas...
18 May 2026·Department for Science, Innovation and Technology·Answered
AskedInnovation and Technology, what funding is being allocated to alternatives to animal testing, such as the advanced use of human cells.
ReplyUK Research and Innovation (UKRI) invests to support research which can lead to alternatives, such as organ-on-a-chip, cell-based assays, functional genomics and computer modelling. These are categorised as basic research, so calculating funding for New A...