Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with Network Rail on updates to South Western Railway’s timetable.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

SWR is developing proposals for a refreshed timetable focused on improving the reliability and resilience of services, making better use of the new higher-capacity Arterio trains and reflecting current passenger travel patterns. Plans will be shared through a public consultation with passengers and stakeholders later this year.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help mainstream schools with the funding, staffing and specialist support needed to meet the needs of SEND pupils.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Mainstream school funding is increasing by 2.6% per pupil between the 2025/26 and 2026/27 academic years, and high needs funding for children and young people with complex needs is continuing at an increased level of over £12 billion in 2026/27, following an increase of 11% in 2025/26.

The Schools White Paper sets out additional funding for both schools and local authorities to drive forward reform of the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system. The department is committed to prioritising early intervention and is increasing financial support, with £4 billion being invested over the three years of the 2025 spending review period.

Within the £4 billion investment to reform the SEND system, the department will provide additional funding through an Inclusive Mainstream Fund to boost inclusive practice in schools, colleges and early years settings, investing over £500 million per financial year over the next three years, and a a new training package, backed by £200 million of new funding, to ensure that all teachers, educators, teaching assistants, support staff and leaders across early years, schools and post-16 settings can be trained to support pupils with SEND.

The department is also providing £1.8 billion for local partnerships over the next three years, including local authorities and Integrated Care Boards, to work together to develop a new ‘Experts at Hand’ offer. This new offer is designed to strengthen the capability of mainstream education settings by providing access to universal and targeted support from key services and health and to specialist education practitioners.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to tackle the backlog in Child Maintenance cases; and how long it takes his Department to respond to correspondence.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Department is taking a range of steps to improve the timeliness and efficiency of Child Maintenance Service (CMS) operations and reduce outstanding work. The CMS is delivering a Modernisation Programme to improve customer access, efficiency and transparency. This includes integrated online application services, the My Child Maintenance Case (MCMC) service, which provides customers with online access to case information and payment schedules, allows changes to be reported at times convenient to the customer and Customer Connect, which enables secure online communication between parents and caseworkers. Telephone and assisted digital support remain available for customers who need additional assistance.

The programme has also introduced improved digital communications, enhanced data sharing and automation to support faster maintenance calculations and case progression, and predictive analytics to help identify cases at risk of non compliance, which allows us to review the cases more swiftly and take action to ensure compliance is maintained.

We recognise that response times to hon. Members’ enquiries on behalf of constituents have not been consistently adequate in recent months, as higher complaint volumes and increasing complex cases have affected our response times. However, the Department is actively addressing these pressures and driving improvements in both timeliness and efficiency. The Department is taking urgent action to reduce complaint backlogs and improve response times, with a clear focus on resolving issues as quickly as possible, including at the earliest point of contact where appropriate.

To support this, we have deployed additional resources to complaints and correspondence teams and prioritised activity to reduce outstanding volumes and strengthen performance monitoring to improve timeliness. We have introduced senior oversight and improved case management processes to support faster and more consistent responses. Where a complaint requires formal investigation, the Department’s service standard aims to provide a full response within 15 working days. More complex cases may take longer; however, the Department seeks to keep customers informed of progress and expected timescales.

The Department is clear that hon. Members must be able to rely on timely and accurate information when representing their constituents. Improving response times remains a key operational priority, and these measures are intended to restore performance to the expected standard.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of exclusions of pupils with special educational needs or disabilities referred to an independent review panel or tribunal were overturned in each of the last five academic years.

Answered by Paul Waugh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Statistics on suspensions and permanent exclusions by special educational need (SEN) provision, school phase and local authority can be found in the following publication: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/suspensions-and-permanent-exclusions-in-england/2024-25. This has been available since 9 July 2026.

The rates of suspensions and permanent exclusions for pupils with an education, health and care (EHC) plan and SEN support, broken down by phase and local authority, for the 2020/21 to 2024/25 academic years can be found at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/3bf4181a-9f43-4e9b-4c5d-08df251b5373

The suspension rates for pupils with an EHC plan and SEN support for the 2020/21 to 2024/25 academic years is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/cffba26f-c4ad-4005-62bf-08df2c2ef7db.

Data on Independent Review Panels broken down by pupil characteristics (SEN and disability) is not collected by the department. Data on independent review panels is collected at aggregate local authority level. Additionally, the department does not centrally hold any data on First-tier SEND Tribunals.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many exclusions of pupils with special educational needs or disabilities were referred to an independent review panel or the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability) in each of the last five academic years.

Answered by Paul Waugh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Statistics on suspensions and permanent exclusions by special educational need (SEN) provision, school phase and local authority can be found in the following publication: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/suspensions-and-permanent-exclusions-in-england/2024-25. This has been available since 9 July 2026.

The rates of suspensions and permanent exclusions for pupils with an education, health and care (EHC) plan and SEN support, broken down by phase and local authority, for the 2020/21 to 2024/25 academic years can be found at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/3bf4181a-9f43-4e9b-4c5d-08df251b5373

The suspension rates for pupils with an EHC plan and SEN support for the 2020/21 to 2024/25 academic years is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/cffba26f-c4ad-4005-62bf-08df2c2ef7db.

Data on Independent Review Panels broken down by pupil characteristics (SEN and disability) is not collected by the department. Data on independent review panels is collected at aggregate local authority level. Additionally, the department does not centrally hold any data on First-tier SEND Tribunals.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the (a) permanent exclusion and (b) suspension rates were for pupils with (i) an Education, Health and Care Plan and (ii) SEN support in each of the last five academic years, broken down by type of school and by local authority.

Answered by Paul Waugh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Statistics on suspensions and permanent exclusions by special educational need (SEN) provision, school phase and local authority can be found in the following publication: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/suspensions-and-permanent-exclusions-in-england/2024-25. This has been available since 9 July 2026.

The rates of suspensions and permanent exclusions for pupils with an education, health and care (EHC) plan and SEN support, broken down by phase and local authority, for the 2020/21 to 2024/25 academic years can be found at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/3bf4181a-9f43-4e9b-4c5d-08df251b5373

The suspension rates for pupils with an EHC plan and SEN support for the 2020/21 to 2024/25 academic years is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/cffba26f-c4ad-4005-62bf-08df2c2ef7db.

Data on Independent Review Panels broken down by pupil characteristics (SEN and disability) is not collected by the department. Data on independent review panels is collected at aggregate local authority level. Additionally, the department does not centrally hold any data on First-tier SEND Tribunals.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the suspension rate was for pupils with (a) an Education, Health and Care Plan and (b) SEN support in each of the last five academic years.

Answered by Paul Waugh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Statistics on suspensions and permanent exclusions by special educational need (SEN) provision, school phase and local authority can be found in the following publication: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/suspensions-and-permanent-exclusions-in-england/2024-25. This has been available since 9 July 2026.

The rates of suspensions and permanent exclusions for pupils with an education, health and care (EHC) plan and SEN support, broken down by phase and local authority, for the 2020/21 to 2024/25 academic years can be found at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/3bf4181a-9f43-4e9b-4c5d-08df251b5373

The suspension rates for pupils with an EHC plan and SEN support for the 2020/21 to 2024/25 academic years is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/cffba26f-c4ad-4005-62bf-08df2c2ef7db.

Data on Independent Review Panels broken down by pupil characteristics (SEN and disability) is not collected by the department. Data on independent review panels is collected at aggregate local authority level. Additionally, the department does not centrally hold any data on First-tier SEND Tribunals.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of movement of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities from independent special schools into mainstream schools on that sector.

Answered by Paul Waugh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department does not track which pupils individually are moving out of the private school sector. The latest school census data, as of June 2026, reveals pupil numbers remain firmly within historical patterns seen for over the last 20 years. This data is accessible at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics/2025-26.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what meetings, calls and correspondence have taken place since 18 September 2026 between Palantir Technologies UK, including Lord Watson, Ministers and senior officials in DHSC and NHS England.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Details of meetings held by ministers and senior officials with external individuals and organisations are published on a quarterly basis in the Department’s transparency data.

Lord Watson wrote to myself and my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on 18 September on behalf of Palantir Technologies UK. A response has not yet been sent.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of introducing a separate business rates multiplier for large distribution warehouses on (a) retail supply chain costs and (b) consumer prices.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, and does not routinely comment on proposals.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if his department plans to introduce a warehouse tax at the next budget.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, and does not routinely comment on proposals.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the Poultry and Horticulture Sector Growth Plan will be published.

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

The two separate Poultry and Horticulture Sector Growth Plans are being developed by industry-led Sector Expert Groups, supported by Defra. Publication timing will therefore partly be determined by the sectors’ own drafting and engagement processes. Current expectations are for the Horticulture Sector Growth Plan to be completed and published in early 2027 with the Poultry Sector Growth Plan shortly after, later in 2027.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential merits of reviewing the taxation of road fuel to reduce the impact of significant increases in global fuel prices on households and businesses.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Government continues to assess the impact of heightened fuel prices on households, motorists, and businesses. RAC data has shown that since February, motorists and businesses have spent around £9.3bn more on fuel than otherwise would have been spent. To mitigate cost of living impacts, we have extended the 5p cut to fuel duty and announced that all single bus fares outside London will be capped at £2 in 2027. Government will regularly review measures to mitigate future impacts where appropriate.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of fluctuations in fuel prices on the cost of living and operating costs for motorists and commercial road users.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Government continues to assess the impact of heightened fuel prices on households, motorists, and businesses. RAC data has shown that since February, motorists and businesses have spent around £9.3bn more on fuel than otherwise would have been spent. To mitigate cost of living impacts, we have extended the 5p cut to fuel duty and announced that all single bus fares outside London will be capped at £2 in 2027. Government will regularly review measures to mitigate future impacts where appropriate.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes in fuel prices on the cost of road transport for businesses and households.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Government continues to assess the impact of heightened fuel prices on households, motorists, and businesses. RAC data has shown that since February, motorists and businesses have spent around £9.3bn more on fuel than otherwise would have been spent. To mitigate cost of living impacts, we have extended the 5p cut to fuel duty and announced that all single bus fares outside London will be capped at £2 in 2027. Government will regularly review measures to mitigate future impacts where appropriate.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the forthcoming Mental Health Strategy will include measures to improve access to NHS Talking Therapies, and what options will be available to patients for whom a course of treatment has not been effective.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Since coming to office, this Government has recruited thousands of extra mental health staff, increased access to National Health Service talking therapies, started the roll-out of mental health specialists to every school and college in the country, and announced a major expansion of mental health support within the community, with £187 million allocated for 100 community mental health centres, and £156 million for 59 mental health emergency departments.

Later this year, we will also publish our new mental health strategy for England, setting out our plans to transform mental health care into a system that responds earlier, reduces waiting times for support, intervenes earlier, and supports people to stay active and participate in education, work, family, and community life.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to strengthen mental health support and services as part of the forthcoming Mental Health Strategy.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Since coming to office, this Government has recruited thousands of extra mental health staff, increased access to National Health Service talking therapies, started the roll-out of mental health specialists to every school and college in the country, and announced a major expansion of mental health support within the community, with £187 million allocated for 100 community mental health centres, and £156 million for 59 mental health emergency departments.

Later this year, we will also publish our new mental health strategy for England, setting out our plans to transform mental health care into a system that responds earlier, reduces waiting times for support, intervenes earlier, and supports people to stay active and participate in education, work, family, and community life.