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 ensure that funding allocated to the NHS in the Autumn Budget 2024 is being used to (a) boost productivity and (b) reduce waiting times.

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

My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer allocated an additional £25.7 billion to the National Health Service at the Autumn Statement over this year and the next, which includes over £2 billion for technological and digital transformation to improve productivity, and £1.8 billion to support elective recovery and activity to reduce waiting times.

The investment in technology includes the continued expansion of the use of Electronic Patient Records across all NHS trusts to improve care coordination and streamline patient management, and the continued development of the NHS App to enable better patient access to services and information. Combined with a range of other actions, including spreading clinical and operational best practice and reducing temporary staffing, we have committed to delivering a 2% growth in productivity in 2025/26.

The £1.8 billion investment will directly support elective recovery and activity in 2024/25. This funding will help the NHS to deliver two million additional operations, scans, and appointments in our first year in Government, the equivalent to 40,000 per week, as a first step towards ensuring that patients can expect to be treated within 18 weeks.

Elective funding beyond 2024/25 is being considered and will be announced within the upcoming Spending Review.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which office in his Department Alan Milburn sits in.

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

Alan Milburn was appointed as Lead Non-Executive Member to the board of the Department on 8 November 2024.

Non-executive board members provide independent advice and expertise to inform the Department's strategy, performance, and governance, and the lead non-executive board member provides additional support to my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care in their role as Chair of the Board.

Non-executive board members do not have a designated space within the Department’s office buildings. They may attend meetings in person or virtually as required.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department plans to take to support landlords in (a) rural and (b) coastal areas to meet the new EPC standards by 2030.

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

The Government is now consulting on increasing minimum energy efficiency standards in the private rented sector to EPC C or equivalent. We are proposing a phased implementation of the new standard from 2028 to 2030 to encourage early action. The consultation is accompanied with the Department’s assessment of the potential cost to landlords. We are considering how we can best support landlords to meet the new standards, including when and how exemptions should be applied for those unable to meet the new standard.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what financial assistance the Government is providing to landlords to help them meet the new EPC requirements for private rented properties.

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

The Government is now consulting on increasing minimum energy efficiency standards in the private rented sector to EPC C or equivalent. We are proposing a phased implementation of the new standard from 2028 to 2030 to encourage early action. The consultation is accompanied with the Department’s assessment of the potential cost to landlords. We are considering how we can best support landlords to meet the new standards, including when and how exemptions should be applied for those unable to meet the new standard.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to support landlords in areas with limited access to qualified professionals and contractors in meeting the proposed higher EPC requirements for private rented properties.

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

The Government is now consulting on increasing minimum energy efficiency standards in the private rented sector to EPC C or equivalent. We are proposing a phased implementation of the new standard from 2028 to 2030 to encourage early action. The consultation is accompanied with the Department’s assessment of the potential cost to landlords. We are considering how we can best support landlords to meet the new standards, including when and how exemptions should be applied for those unable to meet the new standard.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to incentivize contractors and service providers to operate in underserved areas with high demand for energy efficiency upgrades.

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

The Government recognises the need for a skilled, competent and robust supply chain to deliver the improvements to buildings necessary to meet our net zero and fuel poverty targets.

We have invested in regional pilots through the Local Net Zero Hubs which are trialling regional solutions to retrofit supply chain challenges. Over £28 million has been committed to support skills in the energy efficiency and low carbon heating sectors since 2020. The Regional Skills Pilots is a £3.5 million investment in the retrofit skills supply chain across the English regions. The pilots support the five local net zero hubs to work with local delivery partners to identify and test solutions to regional supply chain challenges.

We will set out further details in the Warm Homes Plan.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the new EPC regulations on the supply of rental properties in underserved regions.

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

I refer the hon Member to the answer given to the hon Member for Thirsk and Malton (Kevin Hollinrake) by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 14 January 2025 to Question UIN 22048.

On the 4^th December 2024 Government published the consultation on Reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings regime.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has undertaken an impact assessment for the (a) Motability Scheme and (b) Motability Operations.

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

The Motability Scheme was scrutinised by a range of external bodies between 2018 and 2020, and a series of reports were produced:

• The Motability Scheme; Joint report by the Work and Pensions and Treasury Committees; May 2018;
• The Motability Scheme; National Audit Office report; December 2018; and
• The use of public funds in supporting the mobility needs of disabled people; Social Security Advisory Committee report; November 2020.

The government responded to each of these reports.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what funding her Department has provided to the Motability (a) Foundation, (b) Scheme and (c) Operations.

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

The Motability Foundation charity, which is independent of government, oversees Motability Operations in its delivery of the Motability Scheme. The Motability Scheme does not receive any direct funding from the Department for Work and Pensions.

The Department for Work and Pensions facilitates a direct transfer to Motability of a claimant’s Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment or Armed Forces Independence Payment mobility allowance if they elect to join the Scheme.

The Motability Scheme allows eligible claimants to exchange their qualifying mobility benefit for a lease on a Motability car, powered wheelchair, scooter or Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when she plans to answer Questions (a) 31696 and (b) Question 31697 on Department for Work and Pensions: Muslim Council of Britain, tabled on 13 February 2025.

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

Questions 31696 and 31697 were answered on 27 February.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what guidance he has issued on using Community Protection Notices for household waste receptacles.

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

The Home Office, who administer the legislation for Community Protection Notices, have issued guidance on their use. This is available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6422a19b60a35e00120cae63/2023_Update_ASB_Statutory_Guidance_-_FINAL__1_.pdf.

Defra has issued guidance on using fixed penalties notices under section 46A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 for household waste receptacle offences. This is available at:

Household waste bins: when and how councils may issue fixed penalties - GOV.UK

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 30 January 2025 to Question 25593 on Wood-burning stoves: air pollution, what assessment his Department has (a) made and (b) commissioned of the impact of the burning of household rubbish in the gardens of residential properties on air pollution.

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

No assessment has been made of the impact of burning household waste in gardens as there is legislation and guidance to prevent fires causing pollution or a nuisance.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 5 February 2025 to Question 24365 on Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: WRAP, how much funding is being provided to WRAP in (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26; if he will list each of the projects, programmes and activities that WRAP has been commissioned by his Department to undertake; and what access WRAP gives his Department to its internal research and datasets.

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

This information is published by WRAP in its Annual report and Accounts.

Defra’s funding for WRAP in 2025/26 is subject to internal business planning allocations . To ensure value for money, Defra has access to all WRAP strategic boards, working groups, evidence, research, and reports.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 February 2025, to Question 23782, on Domestic Waste: Disposal, what is the process and right of appeal against an outsourced company that issues a fixed penalty notice in breach of the Code of Practice.

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

There is no formal right of appeal against a fixed penalty notice. If an alleged offender does not accept their liability for the offence, there is no requirement on them to pay the fixed penalty. They may have to defend their case in court. As this is an informal process, there are no fixed grounds on which such a challenge may be made.

The Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse states that “as a guideline, a single plastic sack of rubbish should usually be considered fly-tipping rather than litter.” Advisory guidance for local authorities is available on the use of littering enforcement powers which states that fixed penalty notices should only be used for the offence for which they were created. It also explains local authorities remain responsible for the entire enforcement process, even if they choose to use a private enforcement company. Defra is currently considering whether to make this enforcement guidance statutory.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his policy is on outsourced private companies levying fines under section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 for minor litter breaches.

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

There is no formal right of appeal against a fixed penalty notice. If an alleged offender does not accept their liability for the offence, there is no requirement on them to pay the fixed penalty. They may have to defend their case in court. As this is an informal process, there are no fixed grounds on which such a challenge may be made.

The Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse states that “as a guideline, a single plastic sack of rubbish should usually be considered fly-tipping rather than litter.” Advisory guidance for local authorities is available on the use of littering enforcement powers which states that fixed penalty notices should only be used for the offence for which they were created. It also explains local authorities remain responsible for the entire enforcement process, even if they choose to use a private enforcement company. Defra is currently considering whether to make this enforcement guidance statutory.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 February 2025 to Question 27559 on Domestic Waste: Recycling and Waste Disposal, whether his Department has (a) funded and (b) supported the Waste & Resources Action Programme to produce guidance on this issue.

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

Yes, Defra has provided WRAP funding and support under its Collection & Packaging Reforms and Resource and Waste Strategy programmes.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 February 2025 to Question 23782 on Domestic Waste: Disposal, whether an outsourced contract for issuing fixed penalty notices in a manner that is in breach of the Code is grounds for appeal against the issuing of a fixed penalty notice.

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

There is no formal right of appeal against a fixed penalty notice. If an alleged offender does not accept their liability for the offence, there is no requirement on them to pay the fixed penalty. They may have to defend their case in court. As this is an informal process, there are no fixed grounds on which such a challenge may be made.

The Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse states that “as a guideline, a single plastic sack of rubbish should usually be considered fly-tipping rather than litter.” Advisory guidance for local authorities is available on the use of littering enforcement powers which states that fixed penalty notices should only be used for the offence for which they were created. It also explains local authorities remain responsible for the entire enforcement process, even if they choose to use a private enforcement company. Defra is currently considering whether to make this enforcement guidance statutory.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to create any new national parks.

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

Following the previous Government’s announcement on 29 November 2023, Natural England have undertaken early exploratory work to consider possible approaches to the designation of a new National Park in England.

It is important to note that there is no formal application process for National Park or National Landscape (AONB) designation. Natural England takes an evidence-led approach, guided by government policy steers, and any future search will be England-wide.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether Baroness Casey of Blackstock will be paid for her review into social care; and how many civil servants have been assigned to support that review.

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

Baroness Casey of Blackstock will be paid for her role as Chair of the independent commission. We are currently in the process of recruiting the Commission Secretariat and therefore the number of civil servants supporting the commission is still to be confirmed.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will maintain funding for specialist (a) clinical and (b) surveillance services for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Effective diagnostic and surveillance services for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) are necessary to monitor public health protection measures and ensure that patients receive appropriate care and support.

Currently, specialist diagnostic and surveillance services are provided by the National CJD Research and Surveillance Unit. From April 2025, funding for diagnostic and clinical services is transferring from the National Institute for Health and Care Research to NHS England. This includes funding for specialist testing, neuropathology services, and clinical support.

Also from April 2025, the lead for CJD surveillance in England will be the UK Health Security Agency. CJD will be added to schedule 1 of the Health Protection (Notification) (Amendment) Regulations 2025. Subject to Parliamentary clearance, CJD notification in England will become a statutory duty from 6 April 2025.

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 support research and innovation into Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department funds research through the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR). Since 2002, the Department has made available over £43 million of funding for research and surveillance of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) and prion diseases including into the treatment and testing for CJD and mitigation strategies to reduce the risk of secondary transmission of the disease.

The NIHR welcomes research proposals on all aspects of human health including CJD and prion disease. Research applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made based on the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money and scientific quality.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has received representations on health warnings on bacon.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Department officials are not aware of any correspondence or meetings being held in relation to health warnings on bacon. Government advice is that people with relatively high intakes of red and processed meat, namely over 90 grams per day, should consider reducing their intakes. It was estimated that a reduction to the adult population average of 70 grams per day would not increase the proportion of the adult population with low iron intakes.

Government recommendations on red and processed meat intake, including bacon, are based on advice from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), a committee of independent scientific experts. SACN reviewed the evidence on red and processed meat intake and the risk of bowel cancer as part of their report on Iron and Health, published in 2010. SACN concluded that red and processed meat is probably associated with increased bowel cancer risk.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions her Department has had with Isle of Wight Council on (a) local government reorganisation and (b) devolution.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

At the start of February I was pleased to confirm Hampshire and the Solent’s place on the Devolution Priority Programme. Since then both I and Baroness Taylor have met with leaders from the Isle of Wight Council and their neighbours to discuss both reorganisation and devolution to the most ambitious timescale. The council is also invited to formally respond to the consultation Government is currently running in the area, seeking views on Mayoral devolution. My officials have engaged regularly with their counterparts in local government in the region.

With regards to reorganisation, on 5 February, I invited unitary proposals from all councils in two-tier areas and their neighbouring small unitaries. All councils in Hampshire, Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight have been invited to submit an interim plan by 21 March and any final proposal(s) by 26 September. Departmental officials have recently met with officers from all councils in the area, including the Isle of Wight to discuss to discuss the process for reorganisation set out in the statutory invitation letter and next steps.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he plans to answer Question 31747 on Radicalism, tabled on the 13 February 2025.

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

I responded to Question 31747 on the 26 February 2025.

Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on improving transport connectivity to Scottish islands.

Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)

There are few issues which better encapsulate the incompetence and arrogance of the SNP government than their long-running ferry fiasco.

Scotland’s island communities have been let down time and time again, from Nicola Sturgeon pretending to launch a ferry with the windows painted on, to the recent reports that the Glen Rosa may not be delivered until 2026 - eight years behind schedule.

John Swinney and the SNP have left Scotland’s islands with no functioning ferry network. Our island communities deserve better, they deserve a new direction.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the migration of analogue phone lines to digital voice over internet protocol on elderly people in the Isle of Wight East constituency.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government is determined to ensure that any risks arising from the industry-led migration of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) are mitigated, for all customers across the UK.

A definition of vulnerable customers who may require additional support in the context of the PSTN switch-off was published in November 2024. It includes those who are telecare users and those dependent on their landline. Any customer, including the elderly, can also self-identify as requiring additional support.

Communication providers and network operators signed voluntary charters in December 2023 and March 2024, committing to protect vulnerable consumers during the PSTN switch-off. On 18 November 2024, the major communication providers agreed to adhere to further safeguards set out in the non-voluntary migrations checklist before restarting non-voluntary migration of customers.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to (a) monitor and (b) enforce compliance with the checklist for communication providers; and how customers will be informed of their rights and the safeguards in place during the migration to Voice over Internet Protocol.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The PSTN switch-off is an industry-led process. As per the checklist the Government is meeting with communications providers before they restart non-voluntary migrations to ensure they are meeting the checklist commitments. The Government is engaging regularly with the signatories of the PSTN Charter to monitor their PSTN switch-off plans and progress and compliance with the checklist.

The Government and Ofcom are engaging regularly with the industry to monitor their plans for raising awareness on the PSTN switch-off. Ofcom has placed an obligation on communications providers to engage in effective communication with customers about any change to their service.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what (a) research and (b) data his Department holds on rodent infestations and problems.

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

Defra does not carry out research or hold data on rodent infestations and problems.

Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), in collaboration with a number of partners including the devolved administrations, publishes a Code of Practice for the prevention and control of rodent infestations on poultry farms Code of Practice: prevention and control of rodent infestations on poultry farms - GOV.UK.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 10 January 2025 to Question 18949 on Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal, what assessment his Department made of the potential impact of not setting minimum levels of service frequency for residual waste collections on (a) odours and smells, (b) insects, (c) rodents, (d) fly-tipping and (e) harm to local amenity as a consequence of councils adopting monthly bin collections.

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

Defra has not produced a specific impact assessment regarding service frequency for residual waste collections. Modelling for this would be subjective to the circumstances of each individual local authority.

Through Simpler Recycling, all householders will receive a comprehensive and consistent set of waste and recycling services. This will enable householders to recycle as much waste as possible and to frequently dispose of bad-smelling food waste, which will be collected from all households at least weekly.

Defra recognises that as recycling services are expanded and improved, local authorities may want to review residual waste services to ensure they are providing best value for money in line with local need. The government’s priority is ensuring that households’ needs are met, and we expect local authorities to continue to provide services to a reasonable standard, as they do now. Building on existing and new legal duties, Defra has published guidance to ensure that local authorities consider certain factors when they review services, to ensure that reasonable standards are maintained.

Defra have also previously commissioned research into fly-tipping, published in 2022, found that “Good infrastructure and services offered by local authorities will play a significant part in cutting fly-tipping at source”.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to answer Question 29973 on Agriculture: Inheritance Tax, tabled on 7 February 2025.

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

An answer to Question 29973 is being prepared and will be provided as soon as possible.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to answer Question 30823 on National Parks, tabled on 11 February 2025.

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

Question 30823 was answered on 4 March 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to answer Question 31228 on Wolves: Conservation, tabled on 12 February 2025.

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

Question 31228 was answered on 27 February 2025.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to establish a full investigation into exploitation within social care.

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

We have seen unacceptable increases in unethical practices and exploitation in the adult social care sector. The Government is delivering legislation to improve employment rights, and the Fair Work Agency in the Employment Rights Bill will bring together existing state enforcement functions and, over time, take on enforcement of a wider range of employment rights.

The Department also continues to work closely with regulators, local authorities, other departments, and enforcement bodies to share concerns and intelligence about illegal or unethical practices in adult social care. The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority investigates reports of worker exploitation and illegal activity, such as human trafficking, modern slavery, forced labour, as well as offences under the National Minimum Wage Act, working with HM Revenue and Customs, and the Employment Agencies Acts, working with the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate. The Home Office has also begun delivery of new measures, meaning that any business employing overseas workers found guilty of serious employment law breaches, such as failing to comply with National Minimum Wage, will have action taken against them, up to and including having their visa sponsorship licences refused or revoked.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many NHS appointments were delivered in each month between July 2023 and June 2024.

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

Information related to the baseline and methodology for the additional appointments delivered is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/rtt-waiting-times/recovery-of-elective_activity-mi/

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate his Department has made of the number of (a) value-weighted activity appointments and (b) diagnostic NHS appointments that will take place in (i) 2024-25, (ii) 2025-26 and (iii) by the end of this Parliament.

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

As set out in the Plan for Change, we will ensure 92% of patients return to waiting no longer than 18 weeks from referral to treatment by March 2029, a standard which has not been met consistently since September 2015.

Thanks to funding announced in the Autumn Budget 2024, we have delivered an additional two million operations, scans, and appointments between July and November 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, as a first step in our commitment to ensuring patients can expect to be treated within 18 weeks.

NHS Operational Planning Guidance for 2025/26 sets out that systems are expected to deliver activity consistent with the national value weighted activity target of 118%. Levels beyond this period will be agreed as part of the forthcoming Spending Review process.

Question

To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commission will take steps to reinstate the round-robin feature for tabling written parliamentary questions.

Answered by Nick Smith

The round-robin feature was disabled due to processing issues arising from its use. The Table Office is in discussion with the Parliamentary Digital Service about its reinstatement. This would require some technical enhancement and testing before the feature is made available in the live environment.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether hon. Members serving a custodial sentence at His Majesty’s Pleasure are permitted by HM Prison & Probation Service to receive Parliamentary casework by post.

Answered by Nicholas Dakin - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

All prisoners have a statutory entitlement to send and receive letters, this includes parliamentary casework by post where an Hon. Member is serving a custodial sentence.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will ensure that councils are aware of the guidance entitled Household waste bins: when and how councils may issue fixed penalties, published on 23 April 2018.

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

The guidance, 'Household waste bins: when and how councils may issue fixed penalties' outlines the rules that councils must follow when issuing fixed penalties under section 46A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. We routinely point councils to this guidance when we receive relevant queries. Additionally, we are working with WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) and the sector to provide further guidance and tools to support preparation for the implementation of Simpler Recycling.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will publish each of the responses to the final Simpler Recycling consultation.

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

In October 2023, Defra held two consultations on Simpler Recycling, and has since published consultation responses for both online, including a summary of responses:

• Simpler recycling in England: additional policies - GOV.UK
• Exemptions and statutory guidance for simpler recycling in England - GOV.UK

Note, the Government has since published a policy update on Simpler Recycling (November 2024): Simpler Recycling in England: policy update - GOV.UK.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to ban (a) three and (b) four weekly residual bin collections.

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

The Government has introduced mandating weekly food waste collections.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, who the members of the assessment advisory panel are for the Members of the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration.

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

When new members or chairs are recruited to pay review bodies, Ministers are assisted in their decision making by an Advisory Assessment Panel, set up for each individual recruitment. The Panel includes a departmental official and a member independent of the department and of the body concerned. For competitions recruiting non-chair members, the panel should also include a representative from the public body, normally the chair.

Members of the assessment panel is made public on Cabinet Office’s digital platform for public appointments, through which all roles are advertised and candidates apply. For the NHS Pay Review Body and the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration, a listing of members of the assessment panel is available at the following link:

https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/roles?titleSearch=&bodySearch=1355&regulated=&bodyJustice=&remunerated=&status=closed#search-results

The recruitment process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and is open and transparent, and appointments are made on merit.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which Ministers have met with security staff workers and their representatives to discuss possible strikes.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Cabinet Office regularly discusses workforce matters with Civil Service trade unions. The Cabinet Office does not keep records of other departments’ ministers’ meetings.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, who the members are of the assessment advisory panel for the Members of the NHS Pay Review Body.

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

When new members or chairs are recruited to pay review bodies, Ministers are assisted in their decision making by an Advisory Assessment Panel, set up for each individual recruitment. The Panel includes a departmental official and a member independent of the department and of the body concerned. For competitions recruiting non-chair members, the panel should also include a representative from the public body, normally the chair.

Members of the assessment panel are made public on Cabinet Office’s digital platform for public appointments, through which all roles are advertised and candidates apply. For the NHS Pay Review Body and the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration, a listing of members of the assessment panel is available at the following link:

https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/roles?titleSearch=&bodySearch=1355&regulated=&bodyJustice=&remunerated=&status=closed#search-results

The recruitment process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and is open and transparent, and appointments are made on merit.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to answer Question 31252 on Home Office: Equality, tabled on 12 February 2025.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office answered PQ 31252 on 27 February; within the 5-day deadline for Ordinary Written Parliamentary Questions.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has a policy on unconscious bias training in the NHS.

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

In June 2023, NHS England published an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Improvement Plan that sets out targeted actions to address prejudice and discrimination in the National Health Service workforce. It is right that the NHS takes proactive steps to addresses prejudice and discrimination where it exists across the NHS workforce.

There is no national NHS-wide policy on unconscious bias training in the NHS. Individual NHS organisations have responsibility for training their own staff and provide relevant training where appropriate.

Some elements of unconscious bias training are available to NHS staff at both a national and local level and includes access to e-learning resources. NHS Employers has published a good practice framework for the delivery of equality and diversity training in the NHS and which includes unconscious bias training. This is available at the following link:

https://www.nhsemployers.org/system/files/2021-10/NHS%20good%20practice%20guidance_Final.pdf

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish the final report from the Funding Flows task and finish group.

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

The Building the Right Support Delivery Board, including the Funding Flows Task and Finish Group, was commissioned under the previous Government and has been paused. We do not plan to take decisions on the delivery board, including publishing the final report of the Funding Flows Task and Finish Group, whilst the Mental Health Bill is before Parliament. However, we recognise this is an important area and we are considering how to ensure that more people with a learning disability and autistic people are supported well in the community.

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 improve discharge rates from mental health hospitals.

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

The Discharge from Mental Health Inpatient Settings statutory guidance, published in January 2024, provides clarity in relation to how health and care systems can work together to support safe and timely discharge from all mental health inpatient settings and ensure the right support in the community. It includes best practice on how patients and their carers should be involved in discharge planning. The Discharge from Mental Health Inpatient Settings statutory guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/discharge-from-mental-health-inpatient-settings/discharge-from-mental-health-inpatient-settings

Under the 2025/26 Planning Guidance, there has been a refocusing of mental health priorities into key areas, which includes improved patient flow through mental health crisis and acute pathways, thereby reducing the average length of stay in adult acute mental health beds. Systems have been asked to prioritise work on the 10 High Impact Actions to improve discharge. This includes a follow up to be carried out with the person by the Community Mental Health Team or Crisis Resolution Home Treatment Team at the earliest opportunity and within a maximum of 72 hours of discharge, to ensure the right discharge support is in place.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to undertake an impact assessment for the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.

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

An impact assessment is being developed, which will consider the relevant impacts of the bill as it stands at the end of Committee Stage, based on the available evidence.

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 monitor progress on reducing the number of people with a learning disability and autism in mental health hospitals.

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

The Mental Health Bill, introduced in the House of Lords on 6 November 2024, proposes a package of measures to ensure people with a learning disability and autistic people get the support they need in the community, improving care and keeping people out of hospitals.

The Assuring Transformation data set is our primary source for people with a learning disability and autistic people who are in hospital for a mental health condition. This data is published monthly and shows the number of people with a learning disability and autistic people who are in mental health inpatient settings. We will continue to evaluate this data.

National Health Service planning guidance, published on 30 January 2025, includes a focus on improving mental health and learning disability care and contains the objective to deliver a minimum 10% reduction in the use of mental health inpatient care for people with a learning disability and autistic people in 2025/26. This supports the aim to reach a position of no more than 30 adults or between 12 and 15 children aged under 18 years old for every one million population.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much funding his Department allocated to improve community support for people with a learning disability and autistic people in 2024-25.

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

For 2024/25, NHS England allocated £124 million of transformation funding for learning disability and autism services in local integrated care board (ICB) areas. This funding includes money for local systems to reduce reliance on mental health inpatient settings.

In England, we continue to fund the locally administered Disabled Facilities Grant which helps eligible disabled people, including people with a learning disability and autistic people, on low incomes to adapt their homes to make them safe and suitable for their needs.

We have provided an in-year uplift to the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) of £86 million in 2024/25. This increase will fund approximately 7,800 additional home adaptations. This is on top of the £625 million paid to local authorities in May 2024. The Government has also announced an £86 million additional investment in the DFG for 2025/26 at the Budget, bringing total funding for 2025/26 to £711 million.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether it remains his Department's policy that there should be no more than 30 adult inpatients with a learning disability and/or autism per million adult population in mental health inpatient units.

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

Our commitment remains, as set out in the NHS Long Term Plan, that there should be no more than 30 adults with a learning disability, autism or both in a mental health inpatient setting per million adults. As part of NHS Operational and Planning Guidance for 2025/26, integrated care boards are expected to set out plans for how they will continue to focus on making sure that people with a learning disability and autistic people are admitted into a mental health inpatient setting only for the purpose of care and treatment of a mental health condition. The aim is to achieve a further 10% reduction in the number of people with a learning disability and autistic people in inpatient settings by March 2026.

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