Written questions by Gordon.

What clear and consistent rules she intends to include in the dedicated legal framework for facial recognition technology to ensure the rights of the public are protected at all times; and when that f

Awaiting answer.

What steps he is taking with national research funders to ensure that funding programmes include measures to (a) address regional disparities and (b) improve access to funding in (i) Yorkshire and

Awaiting answer.

Whether the Government plans to establish a mandatory single quality scheme for the low carbon home upgrades market.

Awaiting answer.

What consideration he has given to establishing a regional clinical cancer fellowship scheme led by the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

Through the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR), the Department invests in building research expertise and capacity, specialist facilities, and support services to support research across all aspects of human health, including cancer.Sin...

What the timeline is for his Department bringing forward proposals on remediation and support for homeowners adversely affected by incorrectly installed spray foam insulation.

I have held extensive discussions with the spray foam industry to support homeowners affected by sales difficulties or rogue removal companies. Independent guidance has been published by the Property Care Association, and the Government will continue enga...

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of a single Ombudsman for the retrofit and low carbon home improvements market, to provide homeownersan accessible and independent ro

We are currently consulting on proposals to strengthen consumer protections for home upgrades delivered through government schemes. This includes proposals for a single complaints and case-management function to oversee remediation processes and outcomes,...

How many Armed Forces chapels are (a) registered and (b) eligible to be registered for same-sex marriages under the Marriage of Same Sex Couples (Use of Armed Forces’ Chapels) Regulations 2014 by (i) Royal Navy,

The Single Services have identified that the main barrier to same-sex couples marrying in Armed Forces chapels is the length of the process required to register such chapels for same-sex marriage. We have streamlined the process as much as possible, but i...

How many same-sex marriages have taken place under the Marriage of Same Sex Couples (Use of Armed Forces’ Chapels) Regulations 2014 by year and by (a) Royal Navy, (b) Army and (c) Royal Air Force chapels.

The Single Services have identified that the main barrier to same-sex couples marrying in Armed Forces chapels is the length of the process required to register such chapels for same-sex marriage. We have streamlined the process as much as possible, but i...

What assessment his Department has made of barriers to same-sex couples marrying in Armed Forces chapels; and whether his Department has investigated whether service personnel wishing to enter into same-sex marri

The Single Services have identified that the main barrier to same-sex couples marrying in Armed Forces chapels is the length of the process required to register such chapels for same-sex marriage. We have streamlined the process as much as possible, but i...

How many applications for the use of Armed Forces chapels for same-sex marriages under the Marriage of Same Sex Couples (Use of Armed Forces’ Chapels) Regulations 2014 have been refused following objections by th

The Single Services have identified that the main barrier to same-sex couples marrying in Armed Forces chapels is the length of the process required to register such chapels for same-sex marriage. We have streamlined the process as much as possible, but i...

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of VAT on the affordability of respite day care services; and what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the reasons for the difference in VAT treatment betw

Supplies of welfare services, including the provision of respite and residential care for people with permanent disabilities and dementia, are exempt from VAT if they are supplied by eligible bodies, such as public bodies or charities.Some respite care ma...

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that respite day care services for adults with (a) dementia and (b) disabilities are affordable.

The Government recognises the important role that respite day care can play in supporting adults with dementia, disabled adults, and unpaid carers.Where local authorities decide to charge for the provision of care and support, including respite day care s...

What recent assessment he has made of the average time taken by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority to (a) reach initial decisions and (b) review decisions; and what steps he is taking to (i) reduce dela

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 (the 2012 Scheme) does not set a time limit for applications to be decided.Most applications are decided within 12 months. Each case must be considered on its own facts. In most cases, CICA requires informati...

What guidance is provided to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority on the proportionality of evidence requests made to applicants; and what steps he is taking to ensure that requests for historic financial

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice. Its decisions are made independently from the Secretary of State for Justice. The amount of compensation CICA can award and the rules which apply are se...

Media and Sport, what assessment she had made of the potential impact of time taken to complete works required to protect the setting of heritage assets on tourism growth and local economies, with particular refe

The Government recognises the vital role that heritage assets play in driving tourism growth and supporting local economies. Across the country, and throughout historic towns like Knaresborough, our cultural and historical landmarks are powerful catalysts...

What steps he is taking to reduce the time taken by his Department to prevent company directors from voluntarily striking off non-trading companies due to unresolved Bounce Back Loan cases; and what co

The Department for Business and Trade, Companies House, and the Cabinet Office have a clear and joined up approach to raising and withdrawing objections to voluntary dissolution. To ensure businesses are able to close without incurring additional administ...

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of considering improvements in quality of care for people with long term chronic conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease as part of the national quality strategy.

Improving the quality of care for people living with long-term chronic conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, is a key priority for the National Health Service. Rather than being incorporated into the National Quality Strategy, which will set out overarching principles and priorities for improving quality, the NHS is working to improve outcomes and experience for people with long-term conditions through clinically-led improvement activity, data-driven benchmarking, and partnership with professional and patient groups. This work complements the National Quality Strategy’s goal of supporting sustainable quality improvement across the health and care system and reducing health inequalities.

What consideration his Department has given to the integration of recommendations from the Getting It Right First Time programme for gastroenterology into the national quality strategy.

We recognise the value of clinically‑led improvement programmes such as Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) in identifying and addressing unwarranted variation in care, including in gastroenterology. Rather than being incorporated into the National Quality Strategy, which will set out overarching principles and priorities for improving quality, GIRFT recommendations are developed through detailed clinical engagement, analysis of national data, and close working with professional bodies, providers, and systems. Specialty‑specific recommendations from programmes such as GIRFT are used to inform delivery at national, regional, and local levels, rather than being incorporated as prescriptive elements of the strategy itself.

Whether his Department plans to introduce regulations to ensure that non-loyalty scheme prices for essential groceries are transparent.

Requirements on price transparency are set out in consumer protection law, including the Price Marking Order and the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act which prohibits "drip pricing", requiring traders including supermarkets to provide consumers, upfront, with clear prices including all mandatory charges.The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) keeps supermarket pricing practices under review and undertook work on price marking and promotions in the grocery sector in 2024. The Government has no current plans to introduce further regulations but continues to monitor how existing rules operate and supports the CMA in taking action where non‑compliance is identified.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of data privacy regulations governing supermarket loyalty schemes.

All organisations in the UK that process personal data, including supermarkets operating loyalty schemes, must comply with the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018. This legislation requires personal data to be processed lawfully, fairly and transparently, and secured by appropriate technical and organisational measures. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the UK’s independent regulator for data protection and is responsible for monitoring and enforcing this legislation. We recently strengthened their powers in the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 to help them investigate suspected breaches of the legislation.