Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential for Shropshire’s 2026–2029 Destination Management Plan and the inter-county partnership between Shropshire and Essex to lead to a national renewal of the ‘Grand Tour of England’.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

While DCMS has not made a specific assessment of the potential for these initiatives to lead to a national renewal of the historic Grand Tour of England, we continue to encourage creative proposals that celebrate England’s cultural heritage and landscapes and contribute to economic development across communities.

DCMS encourages innovative partnerships and thematic product development, such as proposals to revive the Grand Tour linking Shropshire and Essex, to create a powerful thematic draw for both domestic and international visitors. To support this, VisitEngland is working with the VisitBritain international network and events programme to ensure regional offerings are integrated into the global travel trade and bookable by international travel trade.

DCMS welcomes Shropshire’s consultation on their Destination Management Plan (DMP) 2026–2029, which references the potential of working with Essex on the Grand Tour concept as a strong example of the partnership working. The DMP provides a strategic framework for enhancing the visitor economy in Shropshire, home to world-class attractions including the UNESCO-listed Ironbridge Gorge, the medieval Ludlow Castle and the scenic Shropshire Hills AONB.

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 her Spanish counterpart on expediting the processing of visa applications for British nationals at the Consulate of Spain in Manchester.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer she was provided on 27 November in response to Question 91476.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with NHS England on delays to the supply of Heraeus bone cement.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department is working closely with NHS England, professional bodies and industry partners and have implemented a range of measures to resolve the shortage of bone cement.

The National Health Service has secured stock of an alternative bone cement product, which is now in the United Kingdom for onward distribution. There is sufficient supply to confidently resume elective procedures, and further deliveries are planned in the coming weeks.

The NHS also issued immediate guidance to hospitals to ensure that trauma and urgent care could continue safely.

We will keep our horizon-scanning processes under review and work specifically to identify future potential risks and safeguard continuity of future bone cement supplies.

The Department has held regular discussions with NHS England on the supply position, operational impact, and plans to secure alternative products, including through established incident coordination structures.

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 to the National Police Chiefs’ Council guidance on abnormal loads on the haulage sector.

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

We continue to monitor the impact of the guidance issued in June 2025 by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), aimed at improving coordination, transparency, and efficiency for both law enforcement and the transport industry. NPCC have set a review date for the document of 1 May 2027.

We are working with industry, including the Heavy Transport Association and agencies, such as National Highways, to ensure the appropriate balance between efficient movement of abnormal loads, whilst ensuring road safety and minimised disruption to other road users.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of care for people who have received dementia diagnoses, in the context of the contribution of (a) continued activity and (b) social engagement for slowing the progression of dementia.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The provision of dementia health care services is the responsibility of local integrated care boards (ICBs). Therefore no central assessment has been made of the adequacy of care for people who have received dementia diagnoses in the context of the contribution of continued activity and social engagement for slowing the progression of dementia. We expect ICBs to commission services based on local population needs, taking account of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines, and oversee the quality of the services they commission.

We will deliver the first ever Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia to deliver rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity. The Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia will seek to reduce unwarranted variation and narrow inequality for those living with dementia and will set national standards for dementia care and redirect National Health Service priorities to provide the best possible care and support.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of Dementia Assessment Services in Shropshire.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

No central assessment has been made of the adequacy of Dementia Assessment Services in Shropshire. The provision of dementia health care services is the responsibility of local integrated care boards and ensuring they are responsive to the needs of local communities.

However, NHS England does collect and publish data about people with dementia at each general practice (GP) in England, including those in Shropshire, to enable National Health Service GPs and commissioners to make informed choices about how to plan their dementia services around patients’ needs.

GPs also provide a count of patients up to the end of the reporting period who have received an assessment for dementia and who have received or declined an initial memory assessment, a referral to a memory clinic, a care plan, a care plan review, and/or a medication review.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to encourage police forces to apply the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s revised guidance on abnormal loads.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

NPCC guidance for forces on managing abnormal loads was updated in May 2025. This seeks to promote greater national alignment across forces, where possible, noting the need for variations.

Police Chiefs are responsible for decisions on escorting abnormal loads and for how guidance should be implemented in their areas. Local variation in the management of abnormal loads may be necessary to account for factors such as geography and road infrastructure.

The NPCC has committed to review this guidance twelve months after publication to ensure it remains fit for purpose.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to help improve collaboration between landowners, telecoms infrastructure providers and mobile operator companies.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Government is keen that landowners, infrastructure providers and operators work as collaboratively as possible.

We therefore endorse the work of the National Connectivity Alliance, an alliance of telecommunications providers, infrastructure providers, landowners and their professional advisers who are brought together to collaborate on areas of mutual interest.

We are committed to implementing the remaining provisions of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022, including section 70 relating to the handling of complaints, as soon as possible.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will list the number of critical incidents declared at hospitals between November and January for each of the last 10 financial years.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England does not centrally record all actions taken by acute trusts or integrated care boards that exceed the Operational Pressures Escalation Levels (OPEL) 4 threshold, the highest level of pressure, where demand and capacity issues are critically affecting the ability to deliver services. Patient safety could be compromised

Oversight and support are delivered through locally implemented surge and escalation policies, which must be aligned with the OPEL 2024 to 2026 framework. The framework contains a number of actions which should be taken by the organisations involved in the delivery of care.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that people with dementia are able to access a timely diagnosis.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

We remain committed to recovering the dementia diagnosis rate to the national ambition of 66.7%. The estimated dementia diagnosis rate for patients aged 65 years old and over at the end of January 2026 was 66.1%.

To support recovery of the dementia diagnosis rates and implementation of the Dementia Care Pathway, we have developed a memory service dashboard for management information purposes. The aim is to support commissioners and providers with appropriate data and enable targeted support where needed.

To reduce variation in diagnosis rates, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities’ Dementia Intelligence Network has developed a tool for local systems, which includes an assessment of population characteristics such as rurality and socio-economic deprivation. This enables systems to investigate local variation in diagnosis and takes informed action to enhance their diagnosis rates. The tool has been released and is available via the NHS Futures Collaboration platform.

We will deliver the first ever Modern Service framework for Frailty and Dementia to deliver rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity. The Modern Service framework for Frailty and Dementia will seek to reduce unwarranted variation and narrow inequality for those living with dementia and will set national standards for dementia care and redirect National Health Service priorities to provide the best possible care and support.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of conflict in the Middle East on the cost of domestic heating oil in England.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government is closely monitoring heating oil supply and price in light of instability in the Middle East. We recognise that wholesale oil price volatility is placing pressure on domestic heating oil costs, and we are engaging with industry to ensure supply and pricing remains resilient. The supply of heating oil is subject to competition and consumer protection laws overseen by the Competition and Markets Authority, who monitor for any irregularities. The Warm Homes Discount Scheme continues to be available for low income off-grid households reliant on heating oil, while we work to support a transition away from fossil fuels to strengthen long-term resilience.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support people living in homes off the gas grid in North Shropshire with the cost of heating.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

As a result of decisions taken in the Budget, energy bills are set to fall by 7% or £117 from April. The expansion of the Warm Home Discount means nearly 6 million households are now eligible for the discount. We will continue to provide this until 2030/31.

We also made a £15 billion investment in the Warm Homes Plan. £5 billion of this is going to low-income and fuel poor households, initially delivered through the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund and Warm Homes: Local Grant. This is made up of £4.4 billion in direct capital grants and an initial £600 million from the Warm Homes Fund, our new strategic investment facility.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed reforms to laying hen welfare policy on the competitiveness and viability of UK egg producers.

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

The Government has carried out an assessment and, as part of the consultation on laying hen cage reform, is seeking views on that assessment. The consultation also seeks additional evidence on how the proposals will affect egg production costs and current levels of imports and exports.

As set out in the UK’s trade strategy, the Government will always consider whether overseas produce has an unfair advantage. Where necessary, the Government will be prepared to use the full range of powers at the government’s disposal to protect UK’s most sensitive sectors.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that imported egg products adhere to the same welfare standards as UK egg producers.

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

The Government has carried out an assessment and, as part of the consultation on laying hen cage reform, is seeking views on that assessment. The consultation also seeks additional evidence on how the proposals will affect egg production costs and current levels of imports and exports.

As set out in the UK’s trade strategy, the Government will always consider whether overseas produce has an unfair advantage. Where necessary, the Government will be prepared to use the full range of powers at the government’s disposal to protect UK’s most sensitive sectors.

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 potential impact of the proposed changes to laying hen welfare policy on the level of imports and exports of egg products.

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

The Government has carried out an assessment and, as part of the consultation on laying hen cage reform, is seeking views on that assessment. The consultation also seeks additional evidence on how the proposals will affect egg production costs and current levels of imports and exports.

As set out in the UK’s trade strategy, the Government will always consider whether overseas produce has an unfair advantage. Where necessary, the Government will be prepared to use the full range of powers at the government’s disposal to protect UK’s most sensitive sectors.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that UK egg producers are not undercut by egg imports of lower welfare standards.

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

The Government has carried out an assessment and, as part of the consultation on laying hen cage reform, is seeking views on that assessment. The consultation also seeks additional evidence on how the proposals will affect egg production costs and current levels of imports and exports.

As set out in the UK’s trade strategy, the Government will always consider whether overseas produce has an unfair advantage. Where necessary, the Government will be prepared to use the full range of powers at the government’s disposal to protect UK’s most sensitive sectors.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of the production costs for UK egg producers that would be associated with a ban on colony eggs.

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

The Government has carried out an assessment and, as part of the consultation on laying hen cage reform, is seeking views on that assessment. The consultation also seeks additional evidence on how the proposals will affect egg production costs and current levels of imports and exports.

As set out in the UK’s trade strategy, the Government will always consider whether overseas produce has an unfair advantage. Where necessary, the Government will be prepared to use the full range of powers at the government’s disposal to protect UK’s most sensitive sectors.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the national heritage significance of the Byrga Geniht studies identifying Soulton Hall as the likely place of reburial for Erkenwald and the location of the High Altar stone of Old St Paul’s.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

At this stage, the Government has not made an assessment of the interesting studies identifying Soulton Hall as the likely place of reburial for Erkenwald and the location of the High Altar stone of Old St Pauls.

Currently, the architectural and historical significance of Soulton Hall is recognised through its Grade II* listing designation. Historic England, the government's statutory advisor on the historic environment, has received an application to amend the current List entry for Soulton Hall, and is considering the information provided. Historic England will then submit any subsequent recommendation to amend the List to DCMS for consideration.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support private stewards who manage significant national patrimony in private hands.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Historic England, the government’s statutory advisor on the historic environment, provides a wide range of resources and support to private owners of historic buildings, on matters from energy efficiency to maintenance to helping owners secure the most appropriate insurance for their properties. In addition, the planning reforms on which the government is consulting will make it easier for owners to make appropriate changes to buildings.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what support her Department provides for faith interface and reconciliation work carried out following cultural discoveries.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

While there is no specific support available for faith interface and reconciliation work, Historic England, the government’s statutory advisor on the historic environment, provides grants for projects that repair, conserve and care for historic places including buildings, structures, monuments, landscapes and areas. Such grants can also be provided for unexpected discoveries, including objects.

Historic England can then support further stages of work through separate research grants, where applicable, such as for removal and transportation of objects, and conservation and archiving. Details of such ‘emergency funding’ can be found on Historic England’s website.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many mobile masts have been installed in (a) England (b) Wales (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland that provide coverage in areas that did not previously have coverage in each of the past 10 years.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Over the last 10 years, Ofcom reports that 4G coverage from at least one operator has risen from 72% in 2016 to 96% in 2025. During this period mobile masts have been installed to provide new coverage via both Government subsidised rollout and by commercial rollout.

For example, through the Shared Rural Network, a joint deal between Government and the network operators, so far a total of 121 masts have been installed or upgraded. As part of this, the Extended Area Services project has provided new commercial 4G coverage across 30 sites in England, 40 sites in Scotland and 49 sites in Wales. The Total Not Spots project has so far installed 2 masts in Scotland.

Government does not track the number of masts providing new coverage via commercial rollout so cannot provide a total figure for the number of new masts that have been installed. It is for network operators to determine if additional masts are needed, and where these should be deployed, to deliver a reliable, high-quality service for their customers. Detail on the availability of fixed and mobile networks in each nation is available in Ofcom’s Connected Nations Report 2025.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many existing mobile masts have been removed in (a) England (b) Wales (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland in each of the past 10 years.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Department does not track the number of mobile masts that are removed. Masts may be removed or relocated for a number of reasons and this is a commercial matter for operators.

Over the last 10 years, Ofcom reports that 4G coverage from at least one operator has risen from 72% in 2016 to 96% in 2025.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure transparency in the insurance industry's use of algorithmic and AI pricing models.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government is determined that insurers should treat customers fairly and firms are required to do so under Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules. The FCA requires firms to ensure their products offer fair value (i.e. if the price a consumer pays for a product or service is reasonable compared to the overall benefits they can expect to receive). The FCA has been clear that it will be monitoring firms to make sure they provide products that are fair value, and, where necessary, it has robust powers to take action.

The government believes that the safe and effective adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in financial services is a major strategic opportunity, with the potential to power growth across the UK.

As set out in the government’s Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy, it is our ambition to make the UK the world's most technologically advanced global financial sector, leveraging our dual strengths in financial services and AI.

To support the effective and safe use of AI by industry, while protecting consumers and financial stability, the government has appointed Financial Services AI champions, Harriet Rees and Rohit Dhawan. They will focus on helping firms seize the opportunities for AI in a way that supports innovation, maintains trust in UK financial services, and ensures that consumers are appropriately protected.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing statutory protections that would allow surviving policyholders, where the death of a partner has led to terminations of reissuing of joint insurance policies, to continue existing insurance policies until the end of their contract.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government is determined that insurers should treat customers fairly, including where they have suffered a bereavement, and firms are required to do so under Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules. The FCA requires firms to ensure their products offer fair value (i.e. if the price a consumer pays for a product or service is reasonable compared to the overall benefits they can expect to receive). FCA rules also require insurers to ensure their communications are clear, fair and not misleading. The FCA have published guidance for firms on the fair treatment of vulnerable customers, including those who may recently have experienced bereavement.

The FCA monitors firms to make sure they comply with these rules, and, where necessary, it has robust powers to take action.

More broadly, insurers make commercial decisions about the terms of cover they offer based on their assessment of the relevant risks. The government does not generally intervene in these decisions by insurance companies.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure customers purchasing joint insurance policies are made aware of changes to cover and pricing when one policyholder dies by insurance companies.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government is determined that insurers should treat customers fairly, including where they have suffered a bereavement, and firms are required to do so under Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules. The FCA requires firms to ensure their products offer fair value (i.e. if the price a consumer pays for a product or service is reasonable compared to the overall benefits they can expect to receive). FCA rules also require insurers to ensure their communications are clear, fair and not misleading. The FCA have published guidance for firms on the fair treatment of vulnerable customers, including those who may recently have experienced bereavement.

The FCA monitors firms to make sure they comply with these rules, and, where necessary, it has robust powers to take action.

More broadly, insurers make commercial decisions about the terms of cover they offer based on their assessment of the relevant risks. The government does not generally intervene in these decisions by insurance companies.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential benefits of introducing a mandatory bereavement grace period for insurers.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government is determined that insurers should treat customers fairly, including where they have suffered a bereavement, and firms are required to do so under Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules. The FCA requires firms to ensure their products offer fair value (i.e. if the price a consumer pays for a product or service is reasonable compared to the overall benefits they can expect to receive). FCA rules also require insurers to ensure their communications are clear, fair and not misleading. The FCA have published guidance for firms on the fair treatment of vulnerable customers, including those who may recently have experienced bereavement.

The FCA monitors firms to make sure they comply with these rules, and, where necessary, it has robust powers to take action.

More broadly, insurers make commercial decisions about the terms of cover they offer based on their assessment of the relevant risks. The government does not generally intervene in these decisions by insurance companies.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the closing of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund on the voluntary and community sector in (a) Shropshire, (b) England and (c) the UK.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

With the UK Shared Prosperity Fund concluding in 2026, the government is moving away from short-term, uncertain funding cycles and towards a clearer, more stable long-term funding approach through the Local Government Finance Settlement, complemented by targeted interventions to support growth and strengthen communities across the UK.

While government support for local growth is broader than any single funding stream, we recognise the challenges around local capacity and impact on organisations delivering UKSPF-funded services, including within the voluntary and community sectors. Government is continuing to work closely with local government and delivery partners to help manage this transition, including by extending the UKSPF expenditure deadline to 30 September 2026, to provide local authorities and partners with greater flexibility to maximise spend.

We understand that Shropshire is not currently a part of a devolution arrangement, but encourage expressions of interest for Foundational Strategic Authorities in line with the invitation issued on 12^th February (Areas for producing spatial development strategies - GOV.UK).

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her department is taking to help ensure that risk in the food supply chain, for example in relation to drought and flooding, is not disproportionately shouldered by producers.

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

The Border Target Operating Model Impact Assessment frames economic analysis around business costs/benefits, check rates, and biosecurity risk. It does not model or quantify changes in food import volumes attributable to the post‑2020/BTOM border processes.

Defra publishes statistics on overseas trade of food, feed and drink imports (Chapter 13: Overseas trade - GOV.UK).

UK agri‑food import patterns are influenced by various factors, making it difficult to attribute changes to border processes alone. The latest official statistics show that in 2024 the value of UK food, feed and drink imports rose by 6.6% to £64.1 billion, with fresh fruit and vegetable imports increasing 12% over the same period.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her department is taking to help increase transparency in the dairy industry's supply chain.

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

The Government recognises the importance of transparency and fairness in the dairy supply chain, so that farmers and other suppliers are able to make informed decisions and receive a fair return for their produce.

The Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2024, which has applied to all milk contracts since July 2025, established new contractual requirements between dairy farmers and milk purchasers. The Regulations improve fairness and transparency, requiring dairy contracts to include clear terms on pricing, termination and prohibiting unilateral changes.

The Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator (ASCA) has been appointed to oversee and enforce these regulations, providing a route for complaints where parties believe the rules have not been followed.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of ambulance station closures on ambulance response times in (a) Shropshire (b) rural areas and (c) England.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

No specific assessment has been made. Responsibility for the delivery, implementation, and funding decisions for services ultimately rests with the appropriate National Health Service commissioner. The West Midlands Ambulance Service have two hubs in Shropshire and no current plans to change that.

Integrated care boards are best placed to work with and consult local health and care organisations, local authorities and local stakeholders to decide how to best deliver and meet their local population care needs and national targets for ambulance response times. The Urgent and Emergency Care Plan for 2025/26 commits to reducing ambulance response times for Category 2 incidents to 30 minutes on average this year.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of trends in the number of year-on-year changes to hospital handover delays in (a) Shropshire (b) West Midlands and (c) England.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Shropshire is primarily served by the West Midlands Ambulance Service, along with the wider West Midlands region, where in January 2026 average hospital handovers took one hour, 20 minutes and 15 seconds, which is worse than the same period the year before.

For England overall, the most recent National Health Service performance figures show that average ambulance handover delays have improved, falling to 37 minutes 39 seconds from 40 minutes 23 seconds, an improvement of over two and a half minutes from the same period last year.

From 2023, NHS England has published data on hospital handover delays at acute and ambulance trust level. There is no published data on individual hospital handover times publicly available, so the Deptartment is unable to list the longest hospital handover times recorded. However, the 90th centile of handovers times are published monthly. The data can be found at the following two links:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mi-nhse-ambulance-handover-times-by-acute-trust

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ambulance-quality-indicators/ambulance-quality-indicators-data-2025-26/

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will list the longest hospital handover time recorded in each ambulance service area of England in each January of the past five years.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Shropshire is primarily served by the West Midlands Ambulance Service, along with the wider West Midlands region, where in January 2026 average hospital handovers took one hour, 20 minutes and 15 seconds, which is worse than the same period the year before.

For England overall, the most recent National Health Service performance figures show that average ambulance handover delays have improved, falling to 37 minutes 39 seconds from 40 minutes 23 seconds, an improvement of over two and a half minutes from the same period last year.

From 2023, NHS England has published data on hospital handover delays at acute and ambulance trust level. There is no published data on individual hospital handover times publicly available, so the Deptartment is unable to list the longest hospital handover times recorded. However, the 90th centile of handovers times are published monthly. The data can be found at the following two links:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mi-nhse-ambulance-handover-times-by-acute-trust

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ambulance-quality-indicators/ambulance-quality-indicators-data-2025-26/

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase the use of call-before-you-convey by ambulance services and hospital trusts.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

In the Urgent and Emergency Care Plan 2025/2026, ambulance services have been focusing on delivering a range of practical actions to improve performance in 2025/26, including;

• improving ambulance ‘hear and treat’ service rates with increasing the proportion of Category 2 ambulance incidents where an ambulance clinician provides advice and treatment over the phone; and
• reducing avoidable ambulance dispatches and conveyances by ensuring all Category 3 and 4 calls are clinically navigated, validated, and where appropriate, triaged in ambulance control centres, or in single points of access.

All ambulance services have implemented call before you convey arrangements, to ensure crews can access senior clinical advice on scene and convey patients to an emergency department only where it is clinically appropriate.

We are also expanding access to urgent community care services to support the reduction of unnecessary emergency department attendances and hospital admissions.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential safety benefits of providing warning lights for vehicles used by Community First Responders.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Community First Responders (CFRs) are volunteers trained by ambulance services to attend certain types of emergency calls in the communities where they live or work. Decisions on operational arrangements, including safety measures and equipment for CFRs, are determined locally by ambulance trusts.

As a complementary resource, CFRs are dispatched only to those calls that appropriately fall within the clinical scope of practice for a volunteer CFR role and assessment of this takes both the safety of the volunteer and patient into account.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, may, by regulations, make provisions for courses of training for driving vehicles at high speed. It is generally taken that those responding to incidents using blue lights and sirens are trained to an appropriate standard that is recognised by the despatching National Health Service ambulance service. The decision to authorise interested CFR and/or co-responder schemes to use blue lights and sirens and claim exemptions is for local determination by NHS ambulance services.

The CFR scheme is designed so volunteers are typically located close to incidents requiring a response, meaning driving under emergency conditions would typically confer relatively little benefit compared with travelling at normal road speed. Any potential benefits must also be weighed against the increased risks to the public associated with using exemptions to road traffic regulations.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help ensure the safety of Community First Responders.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Community First Responders (CFRs) are volunteers trained by ambulance services to attend certain types of emergency calls in the communities where they live or work. Decisions on operational arrangements, including safety measures and equipment for CFRs, are determined locally by ambulance trusts.

As a complementary resource, CFRs are dispatched only to those calls that appropriately fall within the clinical scope of practice for a volunteer CFR role and assessment of this takes both the safety of the volunteer and patient into account.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, may, by regulations, make provisions for courses of training for driving vehicles at high speed. It is generally taken that those responding to incidents using blue lights and sirens are trained to an appropriate standard that is recognised by the despatching National Health Service ambulance service. The decision to authorise interested CFR and/or co-responder schemes to use blue lights and sirens and claim exemptions is for local determination by NHS ambulance services.

The CFR scheme is designed so volunteers are typically located close to incidents requiring a response, meaning driving under emergency conditions would typically confer relatively little benefit compared with travelling at normal road speed. Any potential benefits must also be weighed against the increased risks to the public associated with using exemptions to road traffic regulations.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the decision to allow pending cases to be tried by a judge alone on (a) the number of pre-trial hearings and (b) the number of appeals to these hearings.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The Ministry of Justice has published information about the impacts of the IRCC measures in the Courts and Tribunals Bill, in the IRCC Impact Assessment (Courts and Tribunals Bill (Structural Criminal Court) Impact Assessment). This includes the impacts of re-allocating cases in the open caseload to the Crown Court Bench Division or judge-alone for technical and lengthy cases. Re-allocation of these cases may be done on the papers, ie without a hearing.

The package of measures is estimated to reduce incoming demand on the Crown Court by the equivalent of around 27,000 sitting days in 2028/29. These changes are annual and continue into future years. In 2028/29 a further one-off gain of c. 3,500 Crown Court sitting days will accrue from changing mode of trial on cases already in the Crown Court open caseload from jury trial to trial by judge alone (either under the Crown Court Bench Division or on grounds of technicality or length). The modelling of this gain takes into account the time needed to review open cases when re-allocating cases.

There will be no right to appeal against an allocation decision or order made to hear a trial by judge alone. Parliament has long held that decisions about mode of trial (e.g., allocation decisions in the magistrates’ court) are not normally subject to appeal given the need for procedural finality and avoiding delay in cases.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what modelling his department has used to establish that allowing pending cases to be tried by a judge alone will deliver swifter justice as referenced in the Minister for Courts and Legal Services’ letter to the Justice Select Committee dated 17 February 2026.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The Ministry of Justice has published information about the impacts of the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts (IRCC) measures in the Courts and Tribunals Bill, in the IRCC Impact Assessment (Courts and Tribunals Bill (Structural Criminal Court) Impact Assessment). This includes the impacts of re-allocating cases in the open caseload to the Crown Court Bench Division and judge-alone trials for technical and lengthy cases to cases.

Sir Brian’s Review gave a ‘conservative’ estimate that trials without a jury will make hearings at least 20% faster. This assumption was reached through quantitative analysis and workshops with HMCTS operational experts and engagement with judges. The Impact Assessment details the methodology used to reach this estimate. The assumption is also consistent with international evidence: data from New South Wales shows an average 16% reduction in trial length for judge-only trials, rising to around 29% for complex cases.

The package of reforms in the Courts and Tribunals Bill are designed to free up Crown Court capacity so that the most serious cases can be put before a jury more quickly, reducing delays for victims and witnesses.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the number of cases due to be affected by the decision to allow pending cases to be tried by a judge alone.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The Ministry of Justice has published information about the impacts of the IRCC measures in the Courts and Tribunals Bill, in the IRCC Impact Assessment (Courts and Tribunals Bill (Structural Criminal Court) Impact Assessment). This includes the impacts of re-allocating cases in the open caseload to the Crown Court Bench Division and judge-alone trials for technical and lengthy cases.

The package of measures is estimated to reduce incoming demand on the Crown Court by the equivalent of around 27,000 sitting days in 2028/29. These changes are annual and continue into future years. In 2028/29 a further one-off gain of c. 3,500 Crown Court sitting days will accrue from changing mode of trial on cases already in the Crown Court open caseload from jury trial to trial by judge alone (either under the Crown Court Bench Division or on grounds of technicality or length). The modelling of this gain takes into account the time needed to review open cases when re-allocating cases.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on ensuring step free access at railway stations.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve the availability of CCTV coverage in train carriages.

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

Most new train procurements since 1996 have included provision of CCTV. National Rail Contracts and Service Agreements between the Government and train operators impose obligations that where CCTV is installed or upgraded, operators are contractually required to comply with relevant CCTV guidance and industry standards.

Where CCTV is provided, train operators are expected to follow the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) Rail Industry Standard for On-Train Camera Monitoring Systems. This standard sets out requirements for camera placement, image quality, secure data storage and integration with passenger alarms.

The RSSB Key Train Requirements also emphasise the importance of internal CCTV as an element of passenger security, including good coverage, reliable performance and proper maintenance over the life of the train. The Key Train Requirements document assists rolling stock procurers, specifiers, manufacturers, and system suppliers to compile procurement specifications for new and refurbished trains.

As we move towards public ownership we will be working with train operators to ensure equipment is working and retention periods are adhered to.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will take steps to support consumers paying increased costs for (a) heating oil (b) petrol and (c) diesel, in the context of conflict in the Middle East.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government is closely monitoring heating oil, petrol and diesel prices in light of instability in the Middle East. International kerosene prices are >75% higher than they were before the conflict and this is putting pressure on heating oil prices.

The Secretary of State has written to the industry reminding heating oil distributors of their commitments under the UKIFDA Code of Practice, including the need for fair, transparent and justifiable pricing. Ministers have also spoken with the Competition and Markets Authority, who have announced they are reviewing evidence of potential unfair practices and anti-competitive behaviour.

We are keeping under review whether any further support or action is needed to protect consumers.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many NHS England employees there (a) are and (b) were on 13 March 2025; and what estimate he has made of the number of NHS England employees there will be following the first round of the voluntary redundancy scheme.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many NHS England employees have opted to take the voluntary redundancy scheme commencing in April 2026.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many NHS England employees have resigned, transferred or otherwise terminated their employment at NHS England since the announcement of its abolition.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Since the announcement of NHS England’s abolition, 827 employees have left NHS England’s employment.

Ambulance handover times

Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust

Funding for rural Britain

Conflict in Lebanon

NHS funding for mental health services

Student finance system reform

State visits to the US

Leasehold reform (No. 3)

Endometriosis Awareness Month 2026

Funding for rural fire and rescue services

Right to peaceful protest and freedom of assembly

Energy prices for households and businesses

Heating oil prices

Royal Mail delivery standards

Royal Mail postal delivery services

NHS dentistry

Found: Registered Charity No. 214348 Mr Toby Perkins MP, Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee Helen Morgan