Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Planning Inspectorate's recruitment of inspectors.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government is committed to the efficient handling of planning casework, including ensuring that there is sufficient resourcing in the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) to support such activity.

In 2025/26, funding increased for PINS’s Resource Delivery budget (to £97.9 million) and their Capital Budget (to £15 million).

PINS’s Strategic Plan commits to eliminating all casework backlogs by 2027.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to increase the level of funding for the Planning Inspectorate.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government is committed to the efficient handling of planning casework, including ensuring that there is sufficient resourcing in the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) to support such activity.

In 2025/26, funding increased for PINS’s Resource Delivery budget (to £97.9 million) and their Capital Budget (to £15 million).

PINS’s Strategic Plan commits to eliminating all casework backlogs by 2027.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to tackle the Planning Inspectorate’s backlog of cases awaiting a site visit.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government is committed to the efficient handling of planning casework, including ensuring that there is sufficient resourcing in the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) to support such activity.

In 2025/26, funding increased for PINS’s Resource Delivery budget (to £97.9 million) and their Capital Budget (to £15 million).

PINS’s Strategic Plan commits to eliminating all casework backlogs by 2027.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps is she taking to improve marine conservation efforts.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government is committed to strengthening marine conservation both at home and overseas.

The UK’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) commits the UK, in line with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, to effectively conserving and managing at least 30% of our seas by 2030. In England, we have a comprehensive network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) covering 40% of our waters, and we are focusing on making sure they are effectively managed. We are delivering the UK Marine Strategy to restore marine ecosystems and support the recovery of habitats and species.

Internationally, the UK plays a leading role in marine conservation efforts by working with international partners to address marine pollution, protect vulnerable ecosystems, and promote sustainable ocean governance, delivering commitments under the Kunming‑Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. We are completely committed to ratifying the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement, and we are a contracting party to the Oslo and Paris Convention for the Protection of the North East Atlantic (OSPAR).

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the ongoing impact of large scale industrial bottom trawling on the small-scale inshore fishing fleet.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

No assessment has been made of these impacts. However, the activities of all vessels fishing in our waters, including large scale industrial vessels, are monitored by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO). If it is considered that the activities of one sector are harming another, such as the small-scale inshore fleet, Defra can restrict those activities by using licence conditions and byelaws to introduce management measures.

Last year, the MMO also consulted on prohibiting the use of bottom towed gear in 41 of England’s Marine Protected Areas for conservation purposes. Work on this issue is ongoing.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Polish counterpart on their membership of the Joint Expeditionary Force.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Poland is a vital UK ally and a NATO member, playing a central role in the defence of NATO's eastern flank and security in the Baltic region. Poland is also a crucial partner in supporting Ukraine, including through military, humanitarian and logistical assistance. Poland is not currently seeking membership of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), but has contributed to JEF exercises through the JEF Plus mechanism.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the rates of teacher retention amongst early years educators.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The turnover rate for all early years educators in private group-based and school-based providers is 16% and 7% respectively. A breakdown by qualification level is unavailable.

To boost recruitment and retention of early years teachers (EYTs) and meet the long-term ambition of having an EYT in every setting, the department will introduce EYT financial incentives worth a maximum of £4,500 per annum to support those working in the most disadvantaged communities. We expect the financial incentives to be available from autumn 2026 and will publish more detail in due course.

We are aiming to more than double the number of funded places on early years initial teacher training courses by 2028 and have introduced a new degree apprenticeship route to help more people become EYTs so that every child, no matter where they live, can benefit from high-quality early education.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to improve environmental education in schools.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The current national curriculum includes topics relating to ecosystems, soil health, and climate adaptation within the context of UK food security, and they can also be studied at GCSE and A level.

Work is now underway to deliver a new curriculum and assessment system that is ambitious for every child, rich in knowledge and strong on skills. Programmes of study for each curriculum subject will be refreshed in line with the Curriculum and Assessment Review’s recommendations, and we are working towards a revised national curriculum being published in spring 2027, for first teaching in 2028.

There will be opportunity to provide views on the new curriculum content when the department conducts a public consultation on the draft programmes of study in summer 2026.

The department already has a range of vocational qualifications that provide training in green skills including apprenticeships, T levels, Skills Bootcamps and higher technical qualifications.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to ensure adequate funding for medical review of licenses for elderly drivers.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) aims to process all applications as quickly as possible. In the interests of road safety, the DVLA must be satisfied that the required medical standards are met before a licence is issued.

Applications that require medical investigations, regardless of the age of the applicant, can take longer to process - as the DVLA is often reliant on receiving information from third parties, including medical professionals, before a licence can be issued.

The DVLA has seen a sustained increase in both the volume and complexity of driving licence applications from people with one or more medical conditions, including those aged 70 and over. This reflects an ageing population keen to maintain independence and mobility. Unfortunately, this has led to longer waiting times for some customers. In 2024/25, the DVLA made more than 830,000 medical licensing decisions with forecasts showing that more than 925,000 medical applications and notifications will be received in 2025/26.

To meet this growing customer demand and improve the customer experience, the DVLA is enhancing its digital services, including the introduction of a new casework system and a new medical services portal. Alongside this the DVLA is recruiting additional staff to support customers.

Applicants renewing an existing licence may be able to continue driving while their application is being processed, providing they can meet specific criteria. More information on this can be found at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1180997/inf1886-can-i-drive-while-my-application-is-with-dvla.pdf

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether there is a backlog of medical reviews of licenses for elderly drivers.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) aims to process all applications as quickly as possible. In the interests of road safety, the DVLA must be satisfied that the required medical standards are met before a licence is issued.

Applications that require medical investigations, regardless of the age of the applicant, can take longer to process - as the DVLA is often reliant on receiving information from third parties, including medical professionals, before a licence can be issued.

The DVLA has seen a sustained increase in both the volume and complexity of driving licence applications from people with one or more medical conditions, including those aged 70 and over. This reflects an ageing population keen to maintain independence and mobility. Unfortunately, this has led to longer waiting times for some customers. In 2024/25, the DVLA made more than 830,000 medical licensing decisions with forecasts showing that more than 925,000 medical applications and notifications will be received in 2025/26.

To meet this growing customer demand and improve the customer experience, the DVLA is enhancing its digital services, including the introduction of a new casework system and a new medical services portal. Alongside this the DVLA is recruiting additional staff to support customers.

Applicants renewing an existing licence may be able to continue driving while their application is being processed, providing they can meet specific criteria. More information on this can be found at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1180997/inf1886-can-i-drive-while-my-application-is-with-dvla.pdf

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of installing renewable energy sources at MoD Ashchurch on i) energy cost savings and ii) carbon reduction.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Vehicle Storage and Support Programme (VSSP) at MOD Ashchurch is delivering modern, sustainable storage solutions for the Army’s Stored Fleets. The project, on track for completion in March 2027, includes the installation of a photovoltaic (PV) array to support the energy needs of new Controlled Humidity Environment (CHE) units. These units will reduce vehicle degradation and maintenance requirements, delivering long-term cost savings and improved operational readiness.

While the CHE units will increase electricity usage, the PV array—anticipated to produce 1,542,499 kWh annually—will meet 60% of this additional demand. This will reduce reliance on external electricity, enhance energy resilience, and avoid 427,735 kg of CO2 emissions per year.

Furthermore, all new buildings that are part of the VSSP will incorporate energy-efficient systems, including heat recovery, air source heat pumps, and advanced lighting, reducing fossil fuel use and cutting carbon emissions by a third. These measures will ensure that the increased energy usage is offset by significant cost savings, improved efficiency, and a reduced carbon footprint, supporting the Department’s sustainability objectives.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the annual electricity consumption at MoD Ashchurch was, provided as Half-Hourly electricity data, for the most recent 12-month period.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not hold information on the annual electricity consumption at MOD Ashchurch, provided as Half-Hourly electricity data, for the most recent 12-month period.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of levels of consistency in the (a) classification and (b) processing of safeguarding allegations in national institutions on the adequacy of levels of safeguarding.

Answered by Jess Phillips - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

This Government is committed to strengthening safeguarding practices across all institutions and ensuring children are kept safe from a range of harms. This requires a cross-government and cross-sector effort, and we are taking forward an ambitious range of measures to improve safeguarding and child protection.

Through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, we are strengthening multi-agency safeguarding arrangements and improving information sharing between statutory partners. We are also taking forward work to safeguard and protect children from harm in out-of-school settings. The Department for Education last year launched a Call for Evidence to gather views on potential approaches to strengthen safeguarding in these settings, including on potential regulation.

The new Child Protection Authority will also improve national oversight and leadership of child protection across the country. A consultation on proposals is currently underway. Delivering on other recommendations of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, we have also put in place stronger disclosure and barring checks for adults working with children and introducing a mandatory duty to report child sexual abuse.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment her Department has made of mental health and wellbeing amongst teachers.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Supporting the wellbeing of our expert education workforce is critical to this government’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity for children and young people.

​​The department tracks teacher wellbeing through the longitudinal study, the Working Lives of Teachers and Leaders. ​Wave 4 shows improved wellbeing across all Office for National Statistics (ONS)-validated personal wellbeing measures in 2025. Average life satisfaction, happiness, and feelings of life being worthwhile all increased while average anxiety decreased.

​Another means by which we commission research is by including ONS-validated personal wellbeing questions in the School and College Voice Survey to capture seasonal differences. ​The latest data shows that all wellbeing measures remain broadly in line with the same period last year.

The ‘Every Child Achieving and Thriving’ white paper announced £1 million of additional funding each year to provide up to 2,500 leaders with access to a safe and confidential space to develop new strategies to manage their resilience and capacity.

The Education Staff Wellbeing Charter sets out commitments from the department, Ofsted, schools and colleges to promote staff wellbeing. Over 4,300 schools and colleges have signed up.

We are tackling the wider pressures on teachers and leaders. The Child Poverty Strategy, the introduction of our strategy for ‘Giving every child the best start in life’, reform to children’s social care, and the expansion of access to specialist mental health professionals will enhance teachers’ day-to-day experience and strengthen their ability to deliver.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support the mental health of teachers.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The department takes the wellbeing and mental health of teachers very seriously.

We have worked with the sector to develop the Education Staff Wellbeing Charter which sets out commitments from the department, Ofsted, schools and colleges to protect and promote staff wellbeing. The charter can be used to inform a whole school or college approach to wellbeing. Over 4,300 schools and colleges have signed up.

The department has funded a mental health lead resource hub to support mental health leads which is available here: https://www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/whole-school-or-college-resources/. This includes resources to support staff development and wellbeing. The department also signposts to a range of mental health resources, including Education Support’s free 24-hour helpline.

From 2027, we will be investing £1 million additional funding each year to provide up to 2,500 leaders annually with support to develop new strategies to manage their mental health, resilience and capacity. This builds on our current £1.5 million investment for professional supervision for school and college leaders, delivered by Education Support. Over 1,400 leaders have benefitted since April 2024.

We are tackling the wider pressures on teachers and leaders. The Child Poverty Strategy, the introduction of our strategy for ‘Giving every child the best start in life’, reform to children’s social care, and the expansion of access to specialist mental health professionals will enhance teachers’ day-to-day experience and strengthen their ability to deliver.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support leadership development pathways for teachers.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

High quality professional development is important for teachers at all stages of their careers, ensuring they receive appropriate support and can continually improve their practice. The department offers five leadership National Professional Qualifications (NPQs), which help boost teachers’ and leaders’ knowledge and confidence as they progress into senior leadership roles, alongside five specialist NPQs for those who want to broaden their existing knowledge, expertise, and skills in specialist areas of leadership practice outside traditional leadership roles.

We are currently reviewing the NPQ suite to ensure courses remain up to date with best practice and evidence, support clear progression between leadership levels, and draw on insights from programmes such as the School Trust CEO programme

We will deliver a targeted package of interventions for Excellence in Leadership that update standards, strengthen professional development and support wellbeing. This includes additional investment in an early headship coaching, a new mentoring framework, and piloting a targeted place-based headteacher retention incentive. Together, these interventions reflect the government’s commitment to supporting high-quality leadership across the system.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the rates of teacher retention amongst secondary school educators.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The department has published detailed plans on how we will recruit and retain more teachers in our 6,500 additional teachers delivery plan, which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/every-child-achieving-and-thriving. Better retention of teachers and leaders keeps the skills and expertise they have developed in classrooms, underpinning high quality education for every child.

We will promote best practice in workload and wellbeing management, including flexible working opportunities, and tackle the external pressures where schools are filling the gaps.

The department also recognises the important role which pay, and financial reward play in attracting and retaining teachers. We are offering targeted retention incentives worth up to £6,000 after tax for the subjects and areas with greatest need, and we have implemented above inflation pay increases over the last two pay rounds where we accepted the School Teachers' Review Body recommendation of a nearly 10% award for school teachers and leaders

The last workforce census (June 2025) reported one of the lowest leaver rates since 2010, with 1,700 fewer teachers leaving the state-funded sector. More teachers are also returning to state schools than at any point in the last ten years. The latest data showed 17,274 teachers returned to the classroom.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the rates of teacher retention amongst primary school educators.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The department has published detailed plans on how we will recruit and retain more teachers in our 6,500 additional teachers delivery plan, which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/every-child-achieving-and-thriving. Better retention of teachers and leaders keeps the skills and expertise they have developed in classrooms, underpinning high quality education for every child.

We will promote best practice in workload and wellbeing management, including flexible working opportunities, and tackle the external pressures where schools are filling the gaps.

The department also recognises the important role which pay, and financial reward play in attracting and retaining teachers. We are offering targeted retention incentives worth up to £6,000 after tax for the subjects and areas with greatest need, and we have implemented above inflation pay increases over the last two pay rounds where we accepted the School Teachers' Review Body recommendation of a nearly 10% award for school teachers and leaders

The last workforce census (June 2025) reported one of the lowest leaver rates since 2010, with 1,700 fewer teachers leaving the state-funded sector. More teachers are also returning to state schools than at any point in the last ten years. The latest data showed 17,274 teachers returned to the classroom.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to produce a Teacher Retention Strategy.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The department has published detailed plans on how we will recruit and retain more teachers in our 6,500 additional teachers delivery plan, which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/every-child-achieving-and-thriving. Better retention of teachers and leaders keeps the skills and expertise they have developed in classrooms, underpinning high quality education for every child.

We will promote best practice in workload and wellbeing management, including flexible working opportunities, and tackle the external pressures where schools are filling the gaps.

The department also recognises the important role which pay, and financial reward play in attracting and retaining teachers. We are offering targeted retention incentives worth up to £6,000 after tax for the subjects and areas with greatest need, and we have implemented above inflation pay increases over the last two pay rounds where we accepted the School Teachers' Review Body recommendation of a nearly 10% award for school teachers and leaders

The last workforce census (June 2025) reported one of the lowest leaver rates since 2010, with 1,700 fewer teachers leaving the state-funded sector. More teachers are also returning to state schools than at any point in the last ten years. The latest data showed 17,274 teachers returned to the classroom.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will have discussions with Cocos Island National Park Rangers on the repurposing of discarded fishing equipment into anti-drone nets for Ukraine.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

This would not be a matter for the UK Government, but I thank the Hon Member for his commitment to the Ukrainian cause, and he may wish to consider writing to the Costa Rican and Ukrainian ambassadors so they can jointly consider his suggestion.

Question

To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what criteria are used to assess whether safeguarding arrangements in the Church of England are adequate.

Answered by Marsha De Cordova

In response to the recommendations made in the IICSA Enquiry, an independent audit programme delivered by INEQE was commissioned across all dioceses, cathedrals & the National Safeguarding Team. INEQE use the National Safeguarding Standards to measure progress. The standards are available here: https://www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding/national-safeguarding-standards

To date, INEQE have reviewed the National Safeguarding Team and 22 dioceses, including their cathedrals. 17 of the reports have been published, and the remaining reports will be published soon. The reports can be found here: https://www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding/reviews-and-reports/independent-safeguarding-audit-programme

INEQE is ensuring that all relevant parts of the Church of England are reviewed, including the Diocese in Europe, and the Crown Dependencies of the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

The INEQE audit of dioceses is scheduled to run until early 2028 and INEQE also produces Annual Reports that highlight themes of good practice and areas for improvement.

Question

To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what assessment she has made of the potential challenges for Clergy Disciplinary Measure processes involving senior Archbishops to be held within existing episcopal structures.

Answered by Marsha De Cordova

I refer the Hon Member for Tewkesbury to the previous answer UIN 108534

Additionally, the current Clergy Discipline Measure was approved by Parliament in 2003 and came into operation in 2006. The legislation requires allegations of misconduct against a bishop to be laid before the relevant archbishop and allegations of misconduct against an archbishop to be laid before the other archbishop. The General Synod has recently passed a new Clergy Conduct Measure, which, if approved by Parliament, will replace the Clergy Discipline Measure in 2027. Under the Clergy Conduct Measure, allegations against an archbishop are to be laid before an independent judge.

Question

To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, whether current Church safeguarding guidance on engagement with parishes during live criminal investigations is consistent with national safeguarding and policing best practice.

Answered by Marsha De Cordova

Internal church safeguarding processes run in tandem with those conducted by statutory services. Criminal investigations will always take primacy over internal processes, which must do nothing to frustrate criminal proceedings. Safeguarding Case Management Groups (SCMGs) will always seek advice from the police before undertaking any messaging within parishes. Police and other statutory services are invited to SCMGs to ensure information sharing. Guidance on referring to statutory services is contained within the 2025 Managing Allegations Code.

Question

To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what formal processes exist to (a) identify and (b) manage conflicts of interest during senior Church appointments where safeguarding concerns have been raised.

Answered by Marsha De Cordova

I refer the Hon Member for Tewkesbury to the previous answer UIN 108535
In addition, all those involved in Crown Nominations Commissions (CNCs) are asked to declare any conflicts of interest, with professional advice sought and appropriate action taken to address any impacts where they arise.

Question

To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, how potential conflicts between safeguarding outcomes and reputational and legal risk management are identified and managed during safeguarding decision-making.

Answered by Marsha De Cordova

Safeguarding risks are managed through a Safeguarding Case Management Group (SCMG) process under the 2025 managing allegations code of practice. The role of the group includes managing both individual and organisational (reputational) risks, whilst being cognisant of the legality of decisions and proposed risk management recommendations. Legal advice is sought throughout the process, and on some occasions registrars are members of the SCMG.

Curlew populations

Understanding of Tourette Syndrome

New US sanctions on Cuba

Right to peaceful protest and freedom of assembly

Endometriosis Awareness Month 2026

Heating oil prices

International Women's Day 2026 and women’s inclusion in placemaking

NHS dentistry

Eating disorder services

Cardiac risk in the young

Funding for rural fire and rescue services

Covid Day of Reflection 2026

Palantir and the NHS

Found: 9BE Plymouth South West Luke Pollard All Saints’ Academy GL51 0WH Gloucestershire South West Cameron Thomas

Found: 9BE Plymouth South West Luke Pollard All Saints’ Academy GL51 0WH Gloucestershire South West Cameron Thomas

Submit Evidence (by 17 Apr 2026)

The Culture, Media and Sport Committee is inviting written submissions on the future of the BBC as part of a new inquiry into the Royal Charter Review.