Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the provisions in the National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill on the ability of local authorities to fulfil their statutory obligations for ensuring that children with special educational needs and disabilities are able to attend school.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

I refer the hon. Member for Newton Abbot to the answer of 29 January 2025 to Question 26397.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has had discussions with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) the Licensed Private Hire Car Association on the potential impact of the National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill on future provision of home-to-school transport for children with special educational needs beyond March 2025.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

Departmental officials engage regularly with local authorities to understand the challenges they face and will continue to monitor this situation. We do not expect there to be a significant impact on home-to-school travel for children with special educational needs and disabilities. Local authorities are responsible for arranging home-to-school travel and deliver this through a range of in-house services and external providers. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education has not met with the Licensed Private Hire Car Association on this topic.

The government has more than doubled the Employment Allowance to £10,500 which means that more than half of businesses with National Insurance liabilities will either gain or see no change next year. Businesses will still be able to claim employer National Insurance contributions relief, where eligible.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of changes to National Insurance Contributions to home-to-school service contract suppliers beyond March 2025.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

I refer the hon. Member for Newton Abbott to the answer of 29 January 2025 to Question 26397.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the 20-hour-per-week work limit for international students during term time.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

I refer the Honourable Member to my response to the Member for Bournemouth East’s question of 17 October 2024 [09875].

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to introduce a community right to buy for (a) social landlords and (b) community-led housing organisations.

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

Through the English Devolution Bill, we will introduce a ‘right to buy’ to empower local people to bring community assets, such as shops, pubs and community centres, into community ownership. There are no plans for this to apply to social or community-led housing.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if her Department will introduce a community right to buy for social landlords and community-led housing organisations.

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

Through the English Devolution Bill, we will introduce a ‘right to buy’ to empower local people to bring community assets, such as shops, pubs and community centres, into community ownership. There are no plans for this to apply to social or community-led housing.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will (a) support and (b) meet with the community organisation Friends of the River Teign, in the context of South West Water's plans for tackling levels of overflow along the River Teign.

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

The Government commends the work of community groups in bringing attention to environmental issues, such as the state of our rivers.

The local Environment Agency Team last met with the Friends of the River Teign (FORT) through the South Devon Catchment Partnership in December 2024. The next meeting is arranged for Thursday 6 March. It will include an update on water quality testing including additional monitoring of the Teignmouth Back Beach, Defra’s bathing water consultation, and wider Environment Agency work to improve water quality in the River Teign.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will (a) hold discussions and (b) take steps with Super Humans Ukraine to provide (i) training, (ii) equipment for (A) prosthetics and (B) medical (1) assistance and (2) training and (iii) other support in Ukraine.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

As a world leader in military rehabilitation, the UK Ministry of Defence, in consultation with our Ukrainian partners has chosen to contribute to the NATO Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP) funded Project RENOVATOR, a project to support the development of increased rehabilitation capacity and capability within Ukraine to help deal with the thousands of injured military personnel.

Project RENOVATOR supports the building of infrastructure and the provision of equipment and delivery of training and education, including specialist physiotherapy and prosthetic capabilities. The ultimate aim is to provide five modernised rehabilitation facilities across the country, supporting Ukraine to develop a modern military healthcare system.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has plans to continue funding the adoption and special guardianship support fund for financial year 2025-26.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department will shortly be finalising business planning decisions on how its budget will be allocated for the next financial year. All decisions regarding the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) are being made as part of these discussions. An announcement will be made as soon as possible.

ASGSF therapy applications are generally permitted to extend up to 12 months, allowing children and families to receive continuing therapy across financial years.

Applications for the fund with therapy starting in this financial year are still being accepted and processed under business as usual.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of cutting funding for Adoption South West on parents of adopted children in Devon; and when the funding for 2025-26 will be announced.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department will shortly be finalising business planning decisions on how its budget will be allocated for the next financial year. All decisions regarding the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) are being made as part of these discussions. An announcement will be made as soon as possible.

ASGSF therapy applications are generally permitted to extend up to 12 months, allowing children and families to receive continuing therapy across financial years.

Applications for the fund with therapy starting in this financial year are still being accepted and processed under business as usual.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to ensure the adoption and special guardian support fund can continue to offer support beyond March 2025.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department will shortly be finalising business planning decisions on how its budget will be allocated for the next financial year. All decisions regarding the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) are being made as part of these discussions. An announcement will be made as soon as possible.

ASGSF therapy applications are generally permitted to extend up to 12 months, allowing children and families to receive continuing therapy across financial years.

Applications for the fund with therapy starting in this financial year are still being accepted and processed under business as usual.

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 submit an environmental information request to South West Water seeking to obtain details of the (a) testing and (b) monitoring they have carried out along the River Teign in the last five years.

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

Access to testing and monitoring data is vital for transparency and to hold water companies to account to deliver protections for our rivers, lakes and seas. There are a number of provisions to ensure that Government, regulators and the public have access to the information about discharges from water company assets.

The Environment Agency undertakes statutory bathing water samples to test for microbiological water quality including faecal indicator organisms at Teignmouth Town, Shaldon and Ness Cove, and six additional freshwater sites along the River Teign, during the bathing water season. High readings will be investigated.

This data is published on the EA’s Swimfo bathing waters website so that the public can make an informed decision before swimming.

Since 1 January 2025, water companies are required to publish data related to discharges from all storm overflows within one hour of the discharge beginning. This data can be found on the South West Water website.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the number of (a) Russian (ii) shadow fleet and (ii) trade vessels and (b) other vessels that have travelled to and from Russian ports that have entered UK waters in the last 12 months.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave on 07 February 2025, to Question 27704.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the provisions in the National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill on the ability of children with special educational needs and disabilities requiring home-to-school transport to attend lessons.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

I refer the hon. Member for Newton Abbot to the answer of 29 January 2025 to Question 26397.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 24 February 2025 to Question 31092 on Armed Forces: Pensions, if he will take steps to ensure that service members who are not eligible for pensions due to them falling under pre-1975 criteria are provided with periodical payments instead.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

This is a Government of service and I am leading work across Government and with civil society to look at the best ways to ensure all Veterans get access to the support and opportunities they need and deserve. This year, we will set out our plans for Veterans in our updated Veterans’ Strategy. This Government will always stand up for those who have served our country. That said, the rules governing Armed Forces’ pensions are designed to be fair to all military personnel and thus the awarding of periodic payments is not under consideration by this Department.

The Social Security Act 1973 brought about changes by requiring all occupational pension schemes to preserve pension rights for those who left service after 6 April 1975 having completed at least five years qualifying service and having attained the age of 26. It is a fact that the legacy issues associated with the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 1975 are replicated in other public sector schemes in existence prior to the Social Security Act 1973.

Where legacy issues are common across public sector schemes, any provisions or change implemented for the Armed Forces would certainly result in pressure from others for similar treatment. To concede retrospection or make provisions for one group would place great pressure on other public service schemes and this would have huge financial implications. This would also impact any future meaningful improvements to pension schemes for current employees and make them unaffordable.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 24 February 2025 to Question 31092 on Armed Forces: Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of that proposal on service members at pension age.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

This is a Government of service and I am leading work across Government and with civil society to look at the best ways to ensure all Veterans get access to the support and opportunities they need and deserve. This year, we will set out our plans for Veterans in our updated Veterans’ Strategy. This Government will always stand up for those who have served our country. That said, the rules governing Armed Forces’ pensions are designed to be fair to all military personnel and thus the awarding of periodic payments is not under consideration by this Department.

The Social Security Act 1973 brought about changes by requiring all occupational pension schemes to preserve pension rights for those who left service after 6 April 1975 having completed at least five years qualifying service and having attained the age of 26. It is a fact that the legacy issues associated with the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 1975 are replicated in other public sector schemes in existence prior to the Social Security Act 1973.

Where legacy issues are common across public sector schemes, any provisions or change implemented for the Armed Forces would certainly result in pressure from others for similar treatment. To concede retrospection or make provisions for one group would place great pressure on other public service schemes and this would have huge financial implications. This would also impact any future meaningful improvements to pension schemes for current employees and make them unaffordable.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of allowing international students to reduce skills shortages in key sectors through the Graduate Route visa.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The Graduate route enables international students who have successfully completed an eligible qualification to stay in the UK and work, or look for work, at any skill level for 2 years, or 3 years for doctoral students. It includes the ability to switch into other routes, such as the Skilled Worker route, if the requirements of such routes are met.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will review the inclusion of international students in net migration figures.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 24th February is attached.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will meet with hon. Members representing constituencies in Devon to discuss (a) the recent Ofsted report in Devon and (b) SEND provision.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

The department has been working closely with Devon County Council since Ofsted’s inspection of children’s services in March 2020, in which services were found to be ‘inadequate’ overall and were placed in formal intervention under a Statutory Direction.

In September 2022, the department issued Devon with an Improvement Notice for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and an Accelerated Progress Plan (APP) was developed with the local authority and integrated care board (ICB). The department is working with all statutory partners involved in delivering SEND services in Devon to monitor and support improvement, which includes the deployment of SEND advisers to assist the local area and to offer advice.

In October 2024, children’s services in Devon were inspected by Ofsted. Publication of the report has been delayed as a part of Ofsted’s quality assurance processes. Once confirmed, findings from the report will be used as part of our wider evidence base to help shape the longer-term approach to supporting children’s services at the Council.

Following the conclusion of Ofsted’s quality assurance process and the publication of the inspection report, I would welcome the opportunity to meet with the hon. Members for constituencies in Devon to discuss progress and next steps to our intervention of both children’s services and SEND in Devon.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will ensure that building management companies covering new developments have adequate (a) investment funds and (b) fees for continued (i) maintenance and (ii) rejuvenation of public spaces.

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

As part of our manifesto commitment to bring the injustice of ‘fleecehold’ private housing estates to an end, the government intends to consult on options to reduce the prevalence of private management arrangements for new estates which are the root cause of the problems faced by many residential leaseholders.

The government is clear that new housing estates must have a sustainable plan for their long-term maintenance, upkeep and regeneration. The National Design Guide and National Model Design Code, which are both part of the suite of planning practice guidance that supports the National Planning Policy Framework, emphasise that well designed places consider management and maintenance regimes from the early stages of the design process and set them out in a management plan.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of changes proposed by clause 1 of the National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill on future trends in the level of local authority funding for fiscal years (a) 2025-26, (b) 2026-27 and (c) 2027-28.

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

Raising the revenue required to fund public services and restore economic stability requires difficult decisions on tax.

The government is providing an additional £2 billion in grant funding through the Settlement, including £502 million to address the impact of employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) changes on council budgets. A further £13 million has been allocated to Mayoral Combined Authorities, totalling £515 million.

Payments will be unringfenced to allow funding to be used across direct, commissioned, and externally provided local services.

Spending decisions beyond 2025-26 are a matter for the upcoming Spending Review.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to require new local authorities to consult National Park authorities on potential planning applications.

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

New local authorities, including unitary authorities, are required to consult the National Park authority concerned on “development likely to affect land in a National Park,” as prescribed in Sch. 4 of The Town and Country (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if the Government will fully implement the recommendations of the Leveson Report.

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

The Government has clearly laid out its priorities in the manifesto and in the King’s speech, and the second part of Leveson is not among them. This Government has no current plans for further legislation in this area.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has commissioned research into trends in the level of public trust in the UK press; and whether she plans to take steps to help increase this trust.

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

We are aware that news consumption habits are changing and many are increasingly turning to less trustworthy news sources. The Government is committed to supporting a free, sustainable and plural media landscape, as the best way to maintain a shared understanding of facts. Relevant work here includes the next BBC Charter Review, our Local Media Strategy, and the implementation of recent legislation on broadcasting, digital competition and online safety.

We will take an evidence-based approach to all of this work, and any research that we commission on trends in public trust in the UK press will be published in line with Government policy and build on previous relevant research from Ofcom, the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism and others.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she plans to shift to using the Impress regulator.

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

The Government is committed to protecting press freedom, which is essential to a strong and functioning democracy. In the UK, there exists an independent, self-regulatory system for the press, which is crucial to maintain press freedom.

The Government therefore does not use, intervene in or oversee the work of Impress or other independent press regulators.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make it her policy to commission a follow-up to the Leveson report.

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

The Government has clearly laid out its priorities in the manifesto and in the King’s speech, and the second part of Leveson is not among them. This Government has no current plans for further legislation in this area.

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 provide additional (a) financial and (b) social support to poultry farmers affected by Avian Flu quarantine measures.

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

We recognize that avian influenza outbreaks are very distressing for the individual poultry farmers and businesses who are on the frontline of this terrible disease.

Compensation is paid for any healthy birds culled by the Government for avian influenza disease control purposes. In response to the unprecedented outbreaks of avian influenza in October 2022 Defra’s approach to compensation was updated to involve earlier assessment of the number of healthy birds and swifter calculation of compensation. This allows Defra to provide earlier certainty about entitlement to compensation; better reflects the impact of outbreaks on premises; and leads to swifter payments to help stem any cash flow pressures.

Any bird keepers whose premises are directly affected by avian influenza will receive support from the Animal and Plant Health Agency. In addition, there are numerous support networks that poultry farmers can contact for help including the rural services helpline. Defra also work in partnership with Farming Help organisations to support their work to help the farming community through challenging times.

In addition, a range of grants have been made available to poultry keepers through the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway to improve biosecurity on premises and support the welfare of birds.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department plans to take in response to Russian use of cluster munitions in Ukraine.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

As a State Party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), the UK has made a commitment not to produce or use cluster munitions and to discourage their use. We stand by that.

As President of the CCM in 2022 the UK frequently highlighted the use of cluster munitions by Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. The UK has committed £6.1million to address explosive ordnance, including cluster munitions, in Ukraine in financial year 2024-5 through the Global Mine Action Programme.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will take steps to provide additional (a) funding and (b) other support to free range poultry farmers affected by Avian flu.

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

The UK poultry sector is highly resilient, adaptable and continues to supply healthy and affordable products in spite of the many challenges it has faced in recent years including the war in Ukraine and Avian Influenza outbreaks.

In Autumn 2024 Defra announced a package of measures to help poultry farmers to deal with the impact of Avian Influenza outbreaks and to provide certainty and stability to the sector. This included:

• The introduction of legislation to allow free-range eggs to continue to be labelled as such for the duration of mandatory housing measures, reducing costs on producers and enabling them to continue to trade fairly with imported eggs. The Statutory Instrument came into force on 24 January 2025.
• A consultation on introducing similar measures for the labelling of free-range poultry meat during mandatory housing measures. The consultation closed on 16 December 2024. Responses are currently being analysed, and a summary of responses will be published in due course.

We continue to work closely with the poultry and egg sectors and to monitor these markets for any supply issues and impacts to producers that arise as a result of Avian Influenza outbreaks.

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 trial Avian Flu vaccinations in poultry farms in Devon.

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

Defra have established a cross-government and industry taskforce to explore potential for use of vaccination as a preventive measure for avian influenza. In conjunction with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), Defra will continue to monitor the development and availability of vaccines for their utility in preventing and responding to avian influenza outbreaks as they are put forward for market authorisation by vaccine manufacturers.

A clinical trial to examine under field conditions the safety and/or efficacy of a veterinary vaccine, when conducted in Great Britain and/or Northern Ireland requires an Animal Test Certificate (ATC). Applications to carry out a clinical trial for avian influenza vaccination must be made to the VMD who will conduct an assessment based on the information provided and consider the application in consultation with Defra.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to allow a portion of the fines collected by (a) Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation and (b) other enforcement agencies to be directed toward reparations.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) is responsible for issuing civil monetary penalties for breaches of financial sanctions.

The money collected from monetary penalties is deposited into the Consolidated Fund, in line with the general principles applying to the treatment of fines or other penalties imposed by public bodies in central government.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average processing time was for student visa applications in the latest period for which data is available; and what steps her Department is taking to reduce processing times for such applications.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Our published transparency statistics can be found here and include data on service standards. The current publication covers to Q3 2024.

Visas, status and immigration data: Q3 2024 - GOV.UK

We continue to operate within our service standard of 15 days for straightforward applications, with even faster times for our priority services.

Where applications are complex and we require further information or checks, decisions may take longer. This is to prevent abuse of our immigration system. All visa applications are carefully considered on their individual merits in accordance with the immigration rules.

We encourage international students to apply as early as possible and ensure they have provided all required documents, to avoid any delay to starting their studies in the UK. Visa applications can be made up to 6 months before the course start date, once the student has their Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies from their education sponsor.

We work with educational institutions and partners globally to ensure students are encouraged to apply for their visa as early as possible and guided through the application process online.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2025 to Question 29255 on Immigration: Overseas Students, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the student visa process on the international student experience.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

An evaluation of the Student visa has been published on Gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/student-visa-views-of-students-and-higher-education-institutions.

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 provide an annual assessment of the UK’s progress towards climate and nature targets.

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

This Government is absolutely committed to tackling the climate and nature crises. In January 2025 we committed to publishing an annual climate and nature statement to parliament and the country.

In terms of frameworks already in place, under the Climate Change Act 2008, the Climate Change Committee provide an annual assessment on the UK government's progress towards meeting carbon budgets and a biennial assessment of progress to adapt to climate change. We are expecting the next progress reports in spring 2025 and the government will lay its responses in Parliament by 15 October 2025.

In accordance with the statutory requirements for progress reports under the Environment Act 2021, the Secretary of State must prepare annual reports on the implementation of the current environmental improvement plan. The next report covering the period to March 2025 is due to be published and laid in Parliament by July 2025.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make it her policy to introduce measures to limit the brightness of LED car headlights.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

All headlamps are designed and tested to international standards to ensure they are bright enough to light the road ahead but not so bright as to dazzle other road users. The standards define the beam pattern and maximum and minimum light intensities.

However, noting increased public concern, Government has commissioned independent research to better understand the root causes of headlamp glare and develop potential countermeasures. The work is underway and is due to deliver in summer 2025. Government will consider carefully the outcome of that research to determine what action might be appropriate.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with his American counterpart on the security provisions in place for UK citizens that have data held by US Government Departments, in the context of recent steps taken by the US Department of Government Efficiency to access personal data.

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

The UK-US special relationship continues to be critical for our security, growth and prosperity, as reiterated by the Prime Minister and President during the recent visit. Under the UK data protection regime, organisations must ensure there are appropriate safeguards in place when sending UK personal data internationally.

The UK has an adequacy decision for certain transfers to the US and robustly monitors any developments that could affect that decision. Where an adequacy decision cannot be relied upon, UK organisations must ensure alternative safeguards are in place, such as contractual clauses, in accordance with Article 46 of the UK GDPR.

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 adequacy of cardiac services in (a) Torbay, (b) Teignbridge and (c) South Hams.

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

There is a concerted focus in Devon on improving cardiology services, with support from regional and national colleagues, after being identified by the system as an area for action.

Work is under way to reduce cardiology waiting times and strengthen the quality of care for patients across the county, with all units, including Torbay, playing their full part. Clinicians are working closely together, taking advantage of capacity across the system, and sharing good practice. As a result, the number of cardiology patients waiting over a year in Devon has fallen from 930 to 577, representing a drop of 38%, in the past 18 months.

Regional support for the cardiology work in Devon is being provided by the South West Cardiac Network, which brings together specialists from across the region.

National support for the cardiology work in Devon is being provided by NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time programme, with advice from the National Clinical Director for Heart Disease.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to commission a review into the potential merits of introducing a cap on political donations including (a) at what level a cap should be and (b) what the potential impact of such a cap would be.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Effective regulation of political finance is crucial for maintaining public trust in our electoral systems. The Government is committed to strengthening our democracy and upholding the integrity of elections and, as stated in our manifesto, we intend to strengthen the rules around donations to political parties to protect our democracy. My department is developing proposals to give effect to these commitments and will share details with Parliament in due course.

Political parties play a vital role in our democracy, and it is important that they are able to fundraise effectively and communicate with the electorate. The law sets out that it is the responsibility of political parties to take reasonable steps to verify the identity of a donor and whether they are permissible. The Government will take any necessary steps to ensure those requirements are tightened and abided by.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will introduce legislation to regulate political donations made by foreign nationals via companies.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Effective regulation of political finance is crucial for maintaining public trust in our electoral systems. The Government is committed to strengthening our democracy and upholding the integrity of elections and, as stated in our manifesto, we intend to strengthen the rules around donations to political parties to protect our democracy. My department is developing proposals to give effect to these commitments and will share details with Parliament in due course.

Political parties play a vital role in our democracy, and it is important that they are able to fundraise effectively and communicate with the electorate. The law sets out that it is the responsibility of political parties to take reasonable steps to verify the identity of a donor and whether they are permissible. The Government will take any necessary steps to ensure those requirements are tightened and abided by.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if the Department will make an assessment of the merits of redefining childcare as infrastructure.

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

The Planning Act 2008, Part 11, provides the legislative framework for the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

Section 216(1) of the 2008 Act means that CIL must be spent on the provision, improvement, replacement, operation, or maintenance of infrastructure.

Section 216(2) of that Act contains an illustrative list of kinds of infrastructure that CIL may be spent on and in subsection (2)(c) express reference is made to schools and other educational facilities.

This allows the levy to be used to fund a broad range of facilities, which may include childcare facilities.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help reduce (a) hate crime and (b) discrimination against international students.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department condemns all forms of hatred on our campuses. Every student, irrespective of their background, should feel safe to pursue their studies at university.

As autonomous institutions, universities should have robust processes in place to prevent and tackle acts of harassment and abuse on campus.

This government is clear that international students, who make a positive impact on UK higher education, our economy and society as a whole, are welcome in the UK. They bring significant benefits, by enriching our university campuses, forging lifelong friendships with our domestic students and becoming global ambassadors for the UK.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Government has plans to introduce a cap on political donations.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Effective regulation of political finance is crucial for maintaining public trust in our electoral systems. The Government is committed to strengthening our democracy and upholding the integrity of elections and, as stated in our manifesto, we intend to strengthen the rules around donations to political parties to protect our democracy. My department is developing proposals to give effect to these commitments and will share details with Parliament in due course.

Political parties play a vital role in our democracy, and it is important that they are able to fundraise effectively and communicate with the electorate. The law sets out that it is the responsibility of political parties to take reasonable steps to verify the identity of a donor and whether they are permissible. The Government will take any necessary steps to ensure those requirements are tightened and abided by.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2025 to Question 29255 on Immigration: Overseas Students, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of financial pressures on (a) UK and (b) international students.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

This government is clear that international students, who make a positive impact on UK higher education (HE), our economy and society as a whole, are welcome in the UK. They bring significant benefits, by enriching our university campuses, forging lifelong friendships with our domestic students and becoming global ambassadors for the UK.

HE providers in the UK received an estimated £12.1 billion in tuition fee income from international students in the 2022/23 academic year, which supported the provision of places for domestic students and research and development.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the independent regulator of English HE providers. In its most recent report on the financial health of the sector, published November 2024, the OfS assessed the risks to provider financial sustainability and overreliance on recruitment of students from particular countries was noted as a particular concern.

The OfS emphasised that the HE sector should be cautious about depending too much on international student fee income in their recruitment forecasts and urged institutions to have strong contingency plans to mitigate the financial risks of over-recruiting from a single country.

All providers must continue to adapt to financial risks and, as autonomous bodies independent of government, it is for them to decide on effective business models.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2025 to Question 29255 on Immigration: Overseas Students, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of international students on UK universities.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

This government is clear that international students, who make a positive impact on UK higher education (HE), our economy and society as a whole, are welcome in the UK. They bring significant benefits, by enriching our university campuses, forging lifelong friendships with our domestic students and becoming global ambassadors for the UK.

HE providers in the UK received an estimated £12.1 billion in tuition fee income from international students in the 2022/23 academic year, which supported the provision of places for domestic students and research and development.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the independent regulator of English HE providers. In its most recent report on the financial health of the sector, published November 2024, the OfS assessed the risks to provider financial sustainability and overreliance on recruitment of students from particular countries was noted as a particular concern.

The OfS emphasised that the HE sector should be cautious about depending too much on international student fee income in their recruitment forecasts and urged institutions to have strong contingency plans to mitigate the financial risks of over-recruiting from a single country.

All providers must continue to adapt to financial risks and, as autonomous bodies independent of government, it is for them to decide on effective business models.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the transition from the 1987 Police Pension Scheme to the 2015 Career Average Revalued Earnings Scheme on officers who served nearly 20 years under the 1987 scheme.

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

The main public service pension schemes – including the police pension schemes – were reformed following the recommendations of the Independent Public Service Pensions Commission in 2011. This reviewed the public service pensions landscape and the potential reforms in depth.

The 2015 scheme offers valuable pensions, improves affordability and sustainability, and is fairer to lower and middle earners. It is backed by the taxpayer, index-linked, and offers guaranteed benefits on retirement. Police officers, like the firefighters and the armed forces, also benefit from a normal pension age in the 2015 scheme of age 60, while other public service schemes have a normal pension age aligned to State Pension Age.

The 2015 scheme introduced valuable protections for the benefits that members have accrued in their legacy schemes (including the 1987 pension scheme): protecting the point at which they can draw those legacy benefits, maintaining a link to their final salary against their pensionable service and where applicable, a link to the enhanced accrual rate.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to support police officers unable to benefit from the final ten years of enhanced accrual under the 1987 Police Pension Scheme.

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

The main public service pension schemes – including the police pension schemes – were reformed following the recommendations of the Independent Public Service Pensions Commission in 2011. This reviewed the public service pensions landscape and the potential reforms in depth.

The 2015 scheme offers valuable pensions, improves affordability and sustainability, and is fairer to lower and middle earners. It is backed by the taxpayer, index-linked, and offers guaranteed benefits on retirement. Police officers, like the firefighters and the armed forces, also benefit from a normal pension age in the 2015 scheme of age 60, while other public service schemes have a normal pension age aligned to State Pension Age.

The 2015 scheme introduced valuable protections for the benefits that members have accrued in their legacy schemes (including the 1987 pension scheme): protecting the point at which they can draw those legacy benefits, maintaining a link to their final salary against their pensionable service and where applicable, a link to the enhanced accrual rate.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will adjust pension calculations for police officers who completed the majority of their service under the 1987 Pension Scheme.

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

The main public service pension schemes – including the police pension schemes – were reformed following the recommendations of the Independent Public Service Pensions Commission in 2011. This reviewed the public service pensions landscape and the potential reforms in depth.

The 2015 scheme offers valuable pensions, improves affordability and sustainability, and is fairer to lower and middle earners. It is backed by the taxpayer, index-linked, and offers guaranteed benefits on retirement. Police officers, like the firefighters and the armed forces, also benefit from a normal pension age in the 2015 scheme of age 60, while other public service schemes have a normal pension age aligned to State Pension Age.

The 2015 scheme introduced valuable protections for the benefits that members have accrued in their legacy schemes (including the 1987 pension scheme): protecting the point at which they can draw those legacy benefits, maintaining a link to their final salary against their pensionable service and where applicable, a link to the enhanced accrual rate.

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 the costs to pet owners for (a) pet passports and (b) Animal Health Certificates for travel between the UK and the EU in the last ten years.

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

The Government does not collect data on the cost of pet passports or Animal Health Certificates.

All fees are set by veterinary surgeons or veterinary practices and are a private matter between individual practices and their clients and neither the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the UK regulator of the veterinary profession, nor Defra intervene in the level of fees that are charged.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department is taking steps to support women impacted by changes to the State Pension age with top-up contributions.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government seeks to support people to help them to retain, return to or progress in work. That is why the Government is reforming employment support to ensure it supports people of all ages.

For those people who are unable to work but who are not eligible for pensioner benefits because of their age, financial support is available through the welfare system.

The new State Pension, introduced in 2016, addresses historically poorer outcomes for women. Since the introduction of the new State Pension, National Insurance Contributions and National Insurance Credits have equal value, providing access to the same level of entitlement for all. In addition, there is a comprehensive framework of National Insurance credits available when people are out of the workforce, maybe caring for children or elderly relatives.

For people with gaps in their National Insurance record, they may want to consider voluntary contributions. Many can now use the Check your State Pension forecast service to buy voluntary National Insurance contributions online.

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 take steps to provide compensation to poultry farmers who have had eggs destroyed as a result of Avian flu.

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

Compensation paid for birds culled by the Government for disease control purposes is designed to promote prompt reporting of suspicion of disease and is only payable for healthy birds as set out in the Animal Health Act 1981. There is no compensation available for sick birds or birds that have died.

Compensation is not paid for consequential losses, including business interruption caused by control measures, or for eggs or poultry meat. We have no plans to reconsider this policy at this time.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will provide a path for settlement for Ukrainians in the UK linked to the 100 year partnership with Ukraine.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

We recognise the Ukrainian government’s desire for the future return of its citizens to Ukraine to assist in the rebuilding of the country. It is important our approach respects these wishes.

This is why the temporary sanctuary Ukraine visa Schemes do not lead to settlement in the UK.

There are other routes available for those who wish to settle in the UK permanently, if they meet the requirements.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to enable the repurposing of assets seized from sanctions violations to fund reparation for victims and survivors of serious human rights or humanitarian law violations and serious corruption.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office)

Prosecutors and/or law enforcement agencies are currently able to confiscate or permanently seize assets where someone has benefitted from their offending or where their assets have or will have links to criminality, by making use of powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

This includes powers to allow law enforcement agencies to take civil proceedings to enable the permanent seizure of assets that are demonstrated to have been obtained through unlawful conduct or which are intended for use in unlawful conduct.

We are committed to exploring all lawful routes through which Russian assets can be used to support Ukraine.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to provide support to homes with an EPC rating of D and below in Newton Abbot constituency.

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

There are various schemes currently delivering home energy efficiency improvements across Great Britain, including Newton Abbot, such as the Energy Company Obligation and the Great British Insulation Scheme. Owner occupier households are eligible if they receive means tested benefits and fall within Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band D-G.

The new Warm Homes: Local Grant will also support low-income homeowners living in privately owned EPC band D-G homes both on and off the gas grid in England, with delivery beginning this year.

The home retrofit tool on GOV.UK, ‘Find ways to save energy in your home’ (www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency) allows users to get tailored recommendations for home improvements that could make their property cheaper to heat and keep warm.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has make an assessment of the potential merits of reviewing the prescription charge exemption list to increase the support for patients with chronic illness.

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

There are no current plans to review the list of prescription charge exemptions or the list of medical conditions that entitle someone to apply for a medical exemption certificate.

There are extensive arrangements in place in England to ensure that prescriptions are affordable for everyone. Approximately 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge in the community in England, and there is a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place, for which those with rheumatoid arthritis may be eligible. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, whether they have a qualifying medical condition, or whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.

People on low incomes can apply for help with their health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) are also available. PPCs allow people to claim as many prescriptions as they need for a set cost, with three-month and 12-month certificates available. The 12-month PPC can be paid for in instalments.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to strengthen the Orphan drug regulations to encourage research into rare diseases.

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

The Human Medicines Regulations include specific incentives to support orphan medicines, designed to encourage the development of medicines for rare diseases. The regulations enable the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to grant orphan designation to a medicine intended for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a rare condition. This orphan designation provides the product with a period of market exclusivity for the specified condition, preventing similar competitor medicines from entering the market during this time.

The MHRA further supports developers of orphan medicines by offering a full or partial refund of the marketing authorisation fee following a positive orphan designation. There is evidence that the regulations for orphan medicines do support development, with approximately 150 medicines having been successfully developed and authorised for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of rare diseases and given orphan designation in the United Kingdom.

The MHRA will continue to review its approach to orphan medicines and, where necessary, will propose updates to the criteria to further encourage research into rare diseases, to improve patient outcomes.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of President Trump's call for a peace agreement on the war between Ukraine and Russia.

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

We share President Trump's desire to bring this barbaric war to an end. Russia could do this tomorrow by withdrawing its forces and ending its illegal invasion. We are working closely with the US, and both the UK and the US remain focused on bringing a just and lasting peace to Ukraine. We are clear that there can be no negotiation about Ukraine without Ukraine.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment they have made of the impact of the new US president on escalation in the Ukraine-Russian war.

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

We share President Trump's desire to bring this barbaric war to an end. Russia could do this tomorrow by withdrawing its forces and ending its illegal invasion. We are working closely with the US, and both the UK and the US remain focused on bringing a just and lasting peace to Ukraine. We are clear that there can be no negotiation about Ukraine without Ukraine.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the policy paper entitled 10-year Prison Capacity Strategy, published on 11 December 2024, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that new prison developments do not negatively impact local (a) air and (b) water quality; and whether she plans to put systems in place to monitor the environmental impact of those developments.

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

All new prison developments require the Ministry of Justice to submit a detailed Environment Impact Assessment. In addition, the Ministry of Justice applies the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) policy, which requires new builds, where technically feasible, to achieve the BREEAM ‘Excellent’ accreditation as a minimum with the ambition to achieve ‘Outstanding’, the highest rating achievable. BREEAM is a third-party certification process which assesses a project’s environmental, social and economic sustainability performance, including specific consideration of water course pollution, air quality and other environmental impacts. Once construction is complete, the Ministry of Justice is committed to monitoring the environmental impact of developments throughout their lifespan in accordance with BREEAM policy and in line with planning condition requirements.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress her Department has made on publishing a road safety strategy.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Improving road safety is one of the Department’s highest priorities. Too many people are killed and seriously injured in road traffic collisions, and this Government will work hard to prevent these tragedies for all road users. The Department is developing a road safety strategy and will set out more details in due course.

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 potential impact of the level of NHS prescription charges on (a) patients' health outcomes and (b) numbers of (i) hospital admissions and (ii) GP visits.

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

The Department has made no assessment of the impact of prescription charges on patients’ health outcomes, or the number of hospital admissions or general practice visits. The Department does not hold data on the number of individuals not taking prescribed medications due to cost.

Approximately 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge in the community in England, and there are a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place to help those with the greatest need. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, whether they have a qualifying medical condition, or whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.

People with certain long-term medical conditions may qualify for a medical exemption, which entitles them to claim free prescriptions. Medical exemption is a long-standing exemption from prescription charges, which covers all the patient’s prescriptions, not just those for the qualifying condition. A list of the qualifying medical conditions and information on how to apply for a medical exemption certificate is available at the following link:

www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/medex

People on low incomes can apply for help with their health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme. People who need multiple prescription items and who do not qualify for an exemption, or the NHS Low Income Scheme, could save money with a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC). PPCs allow people to claim as many prescriptions as they need for a set cost, with three-month and 12-month certificates available, and the 12-month PPC can be paid for in direct debit instalments.

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 prescription charges on patients with long-term health conditions; and whether he has made an estimate of the number individuals not taking prescribed medications due to cost.

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

The Department has made no assessment of the impact of prescription charges on patients’ health outcomes, or the number of hospital admissions or general practice visits. The Department does not hold data on the number of individuals not taking prescribed medications due to cost.

Approximately 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge in the community in England, and there are a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place to help those with the greatest need. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, whether they have a qualifying medical condition, or whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.

People with certain long-term medical conditions may qualify for a medical exemption, which entitles them to claim free prescriptions. Medical exemption is a long-standing exemption from prescription charges, which covers all the patient’s prescriptions, not just those for the qualifying condition. A list of the qualifying medical conditions and information on how to apply for a medical exemption certificate is available at the following link:

www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/medex

People on low incomes can apply for help with their health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme. People who need multiple prescription items and who do not qualify for an exemption, or the NHS Low Income Scheme, could save money with a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC). PPCs allow people to claim as many prescriptions as they need for a set cost, with three-month and 12-month certificates available, and the 12-month PPC can be paid for in direct debit instalments.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the level of US government control of Starlink in Ukraine.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence has assessed the implications of a disruption to Starlink services to Ukraine. The large number of Starlink terminals (reported at over 40,000) means Starlink makes a significant contribution to Ukraine civil and military sectors. As per Starlink terms and conditions, off-the-shelf purchases of Starlink terminals are not subject to US Government export regulations.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will fully implement the recommendations of the Atherton report.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

Following the July 2021 House of Commons Defence Committee report into Women in the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defence has delivered a range of initiatives to improve the experience of women in the Armed Forces.

Key actions have been taken to combat unacceptable sexual behaviour, with two Zero Tolerance policies and a Sexual Exploitation and Abuse policy; improvements have been made to women’s health and wellbeing with new policies on menopause and breastfeeding, emergency sanitary provision, sports bras and a urinary support device; together with improved female fit uniform and equipment (including body armour); greater career flexibility; and improved access to childcare through the Wraparound Childcare scheme.

Related work has reformed the Service Complaints System to improve confidence and efficiency. The Service Justice System is more victim focussed, having established the Defence Serious Crime Unit and the Victim and Witness Care Unit in 2023.

The Raising our Standards Team will continue to focus on driving more inclusive behaviours. In addition, new initiatives are being developed on women’s health to better prepare them for arduous training as well as an increased focus on bringing a gender perspective to the future development of existing equipment and uniform.

The Armed Forces Commissioner Bill will establish an independent champion for our Serving personnel and their families. This a new, unprecedented post that will serve as a direct point of contact for Service personnel and their families to raise general service welfare matters.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to support women in the armed forces.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

Following the July 2021 House of Commons Defence Committee report into Women in the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defence has delivered a range of initiatives to improve the experience of women in the Armed Forces.

Key actions have been taken to combat unacceptable sexual behaviour, with two Zero Tolerance policies and a Sexual Exploitation and Abuse policy; improvements have been made to women’s health and wellbeing with new policies on menopause and breastfeeding, emergency sanitary provision, sports bras and a urinary support device; together with improved female fit uniform and equipment (including body armour); greater career flexibility; and improved access to childcare through the Wraparound Childcare scheme.

Related work has reformed the Service Complaints System to improve confidence and efficiency. The Service Justice System is more victim focussed, having established the Defence Serious Crime Unit and the Victim and Witness Care Unit in 2023.

The Raising our Standards Team will continue to focus on driving more inclusive behaviours. In addition, new initiatives are being developed on women’s health to better prepare them for arduous training as well as an increased focus on bringing a gender perspective to the future development of existing equipment and uniform.

The Armed Forces Commissioner Bill will establish an independent champion for our Serving personnel and their families. This a new, unprecedented post that will serve as a direct point of contact for Service personnel and their families to raise general service welfare matters.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department holds information on the proportion of Russian oil (a) imports and (b) exports insured by UK financial instruments.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Oil Price Cap was designed to meet two core objectives: to bear down on Russian revenues that could otherwise be used to fund its illegal war, whilst also maintaining global energy security and flows of affordable oil to countries that need it.

The measure has been effective partly thanks to the prevalence of highly sought after G7+ service providers, which means it is very difficult to make major oil trades or gain significant market share without using G7+ services at all.

Where G7+ services are involved in the shipping of Russian oil and oil products to third countries, these trades must be conducted at or below the relevant price cap – constraining Putin’s ability to use inflated oil revenues to sustain his war machine. This is why the UK, alongside G7+ partners, has provided extensive guidance to industry to advise service providers, including insurers, on how they can move Russian oil in compliance with the price cap.

While the cap allows UK service providers to continue to be involved in the shipping of Russian oil and oil products to third countries, it is important to note that since 5 December 2022 the UK has banned the import, acquisition, supply and delivery of Russian oil and oil products into the UK.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will publish data on consumption emissions.

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

Defra publish the Carbon Footprint for the UK – including UK consumption emission figures. The latest data is available up to 2021 here : Carbon footprint for the UK and England to 2021 - GOV.UK.

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 estimate of changes to the level of operating costs for (a) end-of-life nursing, (b) mental health support services, (c) home care, (d) assisted living facilities and (e) other social care and support services due to increases to employer National Insurance contributions and the forthcoming increase in the National Living Wage from April 2025 in Devon.

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

We took necessary decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances at Autumn Budget 2024, which enabled the Spending Review settlement of a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department from 2023/24 outturn to 2025/26.

The Employer National Insurance rise will be implemented from April 2025. The Government will provide support for departments for additional Employer National Insurance Contributions costs for public sector employers only, and the level of funding will be confirmed at main estimates shortly. The approach to National Health Service commissioned end-of-life nursing, community and mental health support services has been set out in NHS Planning Guidance and will be subject to local negotiation with providers.

For staff on Agenda for Change (AfC) dynamic contracts, as the 2025/26 pay round will not have concluded by 1 April 2025, it will be necessary to implement an increase to AfC entry pay from 1 April 2025 to maintain compliance with the National Minimum Wage. This will be an advance payment of the 2025/26 pay recommendations, and the final pay award will be given following the conclusion of the Pay Review Body process. This advance will apply to approximately 250,000 AfC staff across band 1 (closed grade), both pay points in band 2 and the entry point of band 3 to ensure NHS pay sits above the National Living Wage. These pay points will receive an advance pay uplift of 28p per hour, representing a temporary 2.3% pay uplift.

The Government considered the cost pressures facing adult social care as part of the wider consideration of local government spending within the Spending Review process. The Government is making available up to £3.7 billion of additional funding for social care authorities in 2025/26, which can be used to address the range of pressures facing the adult social care sector. Overall, core local government spending power will increase by 6.8% in cash terms in 2025/26.

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 prescription charges do not act as a barrier to treatment for people with long-term medical conditions.

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

Approximately 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge in the community in England, and there is a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place to help those with the greatest need. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, whether they have a qualifying medical condition, or whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.

People with certain long-term medical conditions may qualify for a medical exemption, which entitles them to claim free prescriptions. The medical exemption is a long-standing exemption from prescription charges, which covers all the patient’s prescriptions, not just those for the qualifying condition. A list of the qualifying medical conditions and information on how to apply for a medical exemption certificate is available at the following link:

www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/medex

People who do not qualify for an exemption and who need many prescription items could save money with a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC). PPCs allow people to claim as many prescriptions as they need for a set cost, with three-month and 12-month certificates available, and the 12-month PPC can be paid for in instalments.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential role of international students with Graduate visas in tackling workforce skills shortages in key sectors.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

I refer the Honourable Member to my response to his question of 24^th February 2025 [33207].

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 take steps to strengthen the relationship between the (a) Joint Nature Conservation Committee and (b) Climate Change Committee and the UK Special Representative for Nature.

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

As part of the Government’s consideration of the Climate and Nature Bill, on 24 January 2025, I committed to strengthen relationships between the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) and the Special representative for Nature. There is already a strong working relationship between JNCC and CCC. We intend to build on this at a more strategic level and work has commenced to integrate the Special Representative for Nature into this engagement.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what meetings she has had with the private parking industry since 5 July 2024.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government is committed to delivering a single Code of Practice for private parking companies to follow, as part of this process we will undergo a public consultation to assess the impact of the Code.

We are currently reviewing all options and will announce our plans regarding the code in due course.

My officials meet regularly with the two private parking trade associations and consumer groups and I am due to meet with them soon.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to create a single independent appeals process for parking.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government is committed to delivering a single Code of Practice for private parking companies to follow, as part of this process we will undergo a public consultation to assess the impact of the Code.

We are currently reviewing all options and will announce our plans regarding the code in due course.

My officials meet regularly with the two private parking trade associations and consumer groups and I am due to meet with them soon.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to establish a single code of practice for private parking.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government is committed to delivering a single Code of Practice for private parking companies to follow, as part of this process we will undergo a public consultation to assess the impact of the Code.

We are currently reviewing all options and will announce our plans regarding the code in due course.

My officials meet regularly with the two private parking trade associations and consumer groups and I am due to meet with them soon.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will publish an impact assessment for the private parking code of practice.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government is committed to delivering a single Code of Practice for private parking companies to follow, as part of this process we will undergo a public consultation to assess the impact of the Code.

We are currently reviewing all options and will announce our plans regarding the code in due course.

My officials meet regularly with the two private parking trade associations and consumer groups and I am due to meet with them soon.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution will meet with the hon. Member for Newton Abbot.

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

I meet with members routinely, and am pleased to do so. My office have contacted the hon. Member.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to establish new offshore Marine Protected Areas.

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

In January 2025, Minister Hardy tabled a Written Statement committing to designating new Marine Protected Areas and/or extending existing Marine Protected Areas in Secretary of State waters to deliver strategic environmental compensation for unavoidable damage caused by offshore wind developments to seabed habitats. The location of these Marine Protected Areas is not yet known but some may be in the offshore area.

There is a comprehensive legislative process required to designate Marine Protected Areas which includes gathering evidence through the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and Natural England, and consulting with affected industries and communities before taking designation decisions. We will work closely and openly with stakeholders throughout this process.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how new local authorities with overlapping national park authorities will (a) interact with each other, (b) have stakeholder obligations and (c) be statutory consultees to each other.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 32529 on 3 March 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if his Department will fully implement the findings of the Etherton Review.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Government accepts the intent behind all of Lord Etherton’s recommendations and Defence continues to work at pace to deliver them. As of 4 March 2025, 42 of the 49 recommendations have been implemented, with work to implement the outstanding seven recommendations underway, demonstrating our commitment to supporting the LGBT veteran community.

Out of the seven remaining recommendations, two are for Defence and five are for Department of Health and Social Care. The two for Defence include recommendation 44 focusing on female veterans affected by the ban; this will be implemented as part of the new inclusive veterans’ strategy. Recommendation 17 to implement a dedicated memorial to LGBT personnel at the National Memorial Arboretum; this is expected to be unveiled before the end of the 2025. Defence officials are also supporting Department of Health and Social Care colleagues with progressing their five remaining recommendations (recommendations 31, 35, 36, 38 and 42), which are all for the NHS.

Defence encourages those affected to apply for non-financial restorative measures and the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme by completing the application forms available at the following address: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/lgbt-veterans-support-and-next-steps.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has plans to ban UK firms from insuring supplies and products to and from Russia.

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

Together with our international partners, we have unleashed the largest and most substantial package of sanctions ever imposed on a major economy. As a result, Russian imports into the UK have fallen by more than 99 percent, and UK exports to Russia are down by more than 75 percent. Many of our trade sanctions on goods include restrictions on the provision of financial services underlying trade to and from Russia. This includes the provision of insurance.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will take steps with Cabinet colleagues to require regulators to help support businesses to meet their fiduciary responsibilities to (a) employees and (b) the environment.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Under Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006, directors have a fiduciary duty to have regard in their decision-making to the interests of their employees and the impact of the company’s operations on the environment. Large companies must report annually on how they have fulfilled this duty and the audit and reporting regulator, the Financial Reporting Council, provides best practice guidance on Section 172 reporting.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will extend Ukrainian’s UK student visas.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Those granted further permission to remain in the UK under the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme will receive the same rights and entitlements to access work, benefits, healthcare and education as provided under the existing Ukraine Schemes.

Individuals with permission under one of the Ukraine schemes have access to standard immigration routes to remain in the UK once their permission expires, in order to complete higher education courses they commence during their initial period of permission.

Individuals will have continued access to student support and home fee status where they can show they have been granted further leave to remain in the UK.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when the Minister for Housing and Planning will meet with the hon. Member for Newton Abbot.

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

My private office has contacted the hon. Member by email to offer a meeting.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make it her policy to use frozen Russian assets to provide compensation for Ukrainian (a) war survivors and (b) victims of (i) economic crime and (ii) human rights violations.

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

This Government is clear that Russia must be held responsible for its illegal war. Working with allies, we remain committed to considering all lawful means by which Russia is made to pay for the damage it has caused Ukraine. Our agreement with G7 partners to provide approximately $50 billion in additional funding to Ukraine, repaid by the profits generated on sanctioned Russian sovereign assets, is an important step in this regard. The UK will make a £2.26 billion contribution, earmarked for military spending.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 10 February 2025 to Question 28323 on Post Boxes, if he will hold discussions with Ofcom on the potential merits of implementing an enforcement mechanism to require Royal Mail to (a) replace post boxes quickly and (b) install post boxes on new estates.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Ofcom is the independent regulator for the postal sector, and it sets and monitors the network access requirements that Royal Mail must provide to meet the reasonable needs of customers. The government meets with Ofcom regularly but has no role in Ofcom's regulatory decisions.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to the Egyptian Government on consular access for Alaa Abd el-Fattah.

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

The UK Government continues to raise Mr Alaa Abd El-Fattah's case at the highest levels with the Egyptian government. We have been consistently clear in calling for his release and continue to press for consular access. The Prime Minister raised the case in a phone call with President Sisi on 28 February 2025 and previously wrote to President Sisi on 26 December 2024 and 8 January 2025. The Foreign Secretary raised this case with the Egyptian Foreign Minister on 23 January 2025; I raised the case with the Egyptian Ambassador to London on 18 February 2025. National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell raised this with the Egyptian Foreign Minister on 2 January 2025.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the withdrawal of US support on Ukrainian independence.

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

Europe has provided two thirds of all aid, and over half of all military aid to Ukraine. The $50 billion G7 ERA loans puts Ukraine in a good position for 2025, of which the UK's $3 billion contribution will be earmarked for military spending, giving Ukraine more of the vital kit it needs to fight off Russian aggression.

A just and lasting peace is only possible if we continue to show strength and provide Ukraine with the support it needs. There will be no let-up in our support, which we will continue for as long as it is necessary.

The UK notes the US decision to pause foreign aid funding for 3 months, pending a review. This is a matter for the US. We are currently working to assess the implications and are working with other partners to share analysis of the pause. We continue to engage with the US Administration at the highest levels on Ukraine.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of changes to (a) the minimum wage and (b) employer National Insurance contributions on the ability of companies to hire workers for long term skills investment.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We are committed to building an economy that works for everyone and considers the impacts of all policies that we introduce.

We accepted in full the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission who considered the impact on business, competitiveness, the labour market, wider economy and the cost of living. A full Impact Assessment on NMW was published and received a Green ‘fit for purpose’ from the Regulatory Policy Committee on Tuesday 4 February 2025.

The Office for Budget Responsibility’s October 2024 forecast includes the impact to changing employer National Insurance contributions and expects the unemployment rate will fall to 4.1% next year and remain low until 2029. Employers of those under the age of 21 and apprentices under the age of 25 receive 100% employer National Insurance relief on salaries up to £50,270.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he is taking steps with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to (a) support and (b) provide training to medical practitioners on the use of (i) prosthetic and (ii) other medical technologies in Ukraine.

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

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) partners continue to support medical practitioners in Ukraine. For example, the FCDO contributed to £320,000 of funding to the Superhumans War Trauma Centre in Ukraine last year. The clinic provides innovative rehabilitation services to people who have been impacted by war, including training surgeons on prosthetics. In addition, the Ukraine Red Cross Society, funded by UK assistance, provides specialised training at the Burns Unit in Kyiv and was recently visited by the Prime Minister.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) fund and (b) support the Superhumans war trauma centre in Ukraine.

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

The Superhumans War Trauma Centre in Ukraine provides innovative rehabilitation services to people who have been impacted by war. Last year, FCDO-led, multi-donor programme - the Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine (PFRU) - supported the Superhumans clinic. PRFU provided £320,000 of funding for the Superhumans clinic, 40 percent of which was UK support. We remain in regular contact with the centre.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if his Department will publish a breakdown of projected defence spending on US (a) goods, (b) services and (c) land rents in the next five years.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

This information is not held in the format requested.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of the UK defence budget is spent on the procurement of (a) items and (b) services from the US.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

This information is not held in the format requested.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to comments by President Trump on support for Ukraine, whether he is taking steps to re-allocate funding to domestic (a) procurement, (b) services and (c) other defence expenditure.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The United States is the United Kingdom's primary defence and security ally. Our collaboration in defence is mutually beneficial, and we maintain robust working partnerships in the areas of intelligence, nuclear, science and technology, and operations.

The defence sector plays a vital role not only in our national security but also to the prosperity and economic growth of the UK. That is why we are bringing forwards a Defence Industrial Strategy that will review the consideration of sovereign capability and capacity and will align our security and economic priorities.

We are determined to achieve a secure, lasting peace in Ukraine, which means putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position to prevent any return to Russian aggression. Since July 2024, the Government has provided over £5.26 billion in military aid and financial support to Ukraine, including a £3 billion annual military aid and a £2.26 billion loan for military spending.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take steps to divest from defence procurement from the US.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

This Government is committed to improving the UK defence industrial base to ensure a robust defence sector, support economic growth and provide greater certainty in procurement processes.

The United States is the United Kingdom's primary defence and security ally. Our collaboration in defence is mutually beneficial, and we maintain robust working partnerships in the areas of intelligence, nuclear, science and technology, and operations.

The UK and US share a strong economic relationship that is equitable, balanced, and reciprocal. With $1.5 trillion invested in each other's economies and supporting over 2.5 million jobs collectively, our economic ties are significant.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of his Department's adherence to Access to Work scheme guidelines, published in May 2024, when working with outside organisations providing one-to-one job coaches in Devon.

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

Access to Work adheres to the scheme guidelines when working with outside organisations providing one to one job coaches., A job coach is a person who gives specialised on-site support to someone disabled who has a job to start and will assist the employee to learn the job and keep the job. The scheme guidelines are applicable to all areas in England, Wales and Scotland.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the transfer of intellectual property for projects for which a catapult grant has been awarded to that catapult grant on (a) small businesses, (b) start-up businesses and (c) entrepreneurs.

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

The intellectual property (IP) associated with any grants from Innovate UK is owned by the project participants. The sharing of IP between project participants in a collaborative R&D project is established through a collaboration agreement for that consortium. Innovate UK does not dictate the terms of those collaboration agreements. When a Catapult, which are set up as private businesses, is one of the collaborators they are subject to the same approach. Agreement would be reached across the consortium, and while a Catapult might take an IP stake it would only do so where this supported delivery of its strategic objectives to support innovation and the translation of R&D.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department made an assessment of the potential merits of holding a public consultation prior to the passing of the 2022 Private Parking Code of Practice.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the Government to prepare a code of practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities. This includes a duty to consult with relevant stakeholders on the measures within this Code. This government is determined to drive up standards in the private parking sector and will announce its plans for the new Code and related consultation in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether her Department made an environmental impact assessment prior to the commencement of expansion works at HMP Channings Wood; and whether baseline data on (a) air and (b) noise pollution was collected to measure the potential impact of increased traffic on local residents.

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

Under the previous Government, ahead of delivery at HMP Channings Wood, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening template was completed by our delivery partner (Cushman & Wakefield) and submitted to the council. Using this template and supporting technical assessments, the Local Planning Authority decided that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was not required. The Local Planning Authority did not consider the expansion to have significant environmental effects and therefore would not require an EIA.

An Air Quality Assessment was undertaken in support of the original planning application. The baseline assessment used published data (Teignbridge Council’s 2020 Annual Status Report (TDC 2021)) to consider the impacts of the proposed development and identify the future air quality conditions that occupants will experience. The assessment was based on measurements made during 2019 (i.e. pre-pandemic activity) to ensure worse case assessment. The future air quality conditions of the proposed development are acceptable with concentrations well below air quality objectives throughout the site. Additional traffic generated by the proposed development will be below published thresholds.

Alongside this, a Baseline Assessment of Noise was carried out on 14 October 2024 (daytime) and 15 October 2024 (nighttime) to assess ambient and background noise levels in a number of locations across the prison estate nearest to sensitive noise receptors. This has given us baseline data for noise levels from the prison.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, for what reason his Department has issued licenses for the export to Russia of (a) medicinal and pharmaceutical products, (b) beverages and tobacco, (c) organic chemicals, (d) cars, (e) toilet and cleansing preparations, (f) travel services, (g) insurance and pension products, (h) other business services, (i) financial services and (j) telecoms, computer and information services since September 2024.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

Applications for licences to export goods and services to Russia otherwise covered by sanctions are assessed on a case-by-case basis, in line with the objectives of our sanctions regime, our wider international obligations, and the specific context of each application, including humanitarian considerations.

Considerations for granting a licence include, but are not limited to, goods and services being provided for medical and pharmaceutical purposes for the benefit of the civilian population, or activities to support the divestment of assets with Russia, and the production or distribution of food for the benefit of the civilian population. Section 3 of the Statutory Guidance for Russia Sanctions: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/russia-sanctions-guidance provides further information.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has plans to ban imports from third country refineries that process Russian crude oil.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The UK has worked closely with international partners to constrain Russian oil revenues while maintaining global energy supply and security, protecting critical supply chains, and maintaining the stability of global markets. The Government does not speculate on future sanctions measures as to do so could reduce their impact. We continue to monitor the effectiveness of our sanctions.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has plans to ban the importation of oil products produced from Russian crude oil.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The UK has worked closely with international partners to constrain Russian oil revenues while maintaining global energy supply and security, protecting critical supply chains, and maintaining the stability of global markets. The Government does not speculate on future sanctions measures as to do so could reduce their impact. We continue to monitor the effectiveness of our sanctions.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what information his Department holds on oil exports to Russia which are (a) processed, (b) traded, (c) refined and (d) financially insured in the UK.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The UK did not export oil (HS 2709 and 2710) to Russia in 2023 or 2024.

The department does not hold specific information on financial insurance services. However, the export of - and technical assistance, financial and brokering services related to - a petroleum oil, including crude, as well as oil refining goods and technology are prohibited to Russia under UK sanctions. Failure to comply with our sanctions is a serious offence and punishable through large financial penalties or criminal prosecution.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of using (a) alternatives to traditional construction methods in the construction of prisons and (b) modular and rapid deployment cells to meet long-term capacity needs; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of these proposals on the environment.

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

Our new prisons are being delivered through Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) and Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) which use a standardised design, allowing us to build faster and more effectively. MMC describes contemporary innovations in construction, including new technologies (such as digital tools and techniques), offsite manufacture and use of efficient processes to deliver productive, sustainable and better outcomes. Because of this, we are now delivering almost 22% faster than traditional construction methods. Additionally, these developments are required to deliver through the application of the Ministry of Justice’s sustainable construction policies, including BREEAM, which holds relevant new prison developments to the highest environmental standards.

As outlined in the 10-year Prison Capacity Strategy, published in December 2024, we are using Rapid Deployment Cells (RDCs) to deliver temporary accommodation at pace, with c.770 already delivered across 14 sites. These are modular, self-contained units with a warranty of 15 years, helping to provide an innovative solution to address the need for additional capacity. Given their temporary nature, RDCs do not apply BREEAM regulations, however, we mitigate against environmental impacts where possible, including through compliance with local planning policy and nutrient neutrality requirements. Additionally, RDCs are fully electric and meet energy efficiency targets for insulation, heating systems and general energy performance.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will take steps to prevent oil produced in the UK arriving in Russia.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The export of oil from the UK to Russia is prohibited. Non-compliance with the UK's tough sanctions is a serious offence and punishable through large financial penalties or criminal prosecution. According to HMRC data, the UK did not export oil (HS 2709 and 2710) to Russia in 2023 or 2024.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make a comparative assessment of (a) gas and (b) biofuels for home heating.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Moving away from our reliance on natural gas for home heating is essential to achieving Net Zero and increasing our energy independence. The Government expects most properties will switch to heat pumps, along with heat networks, but recognises that in homes not connected to the gas grid, renewable liquid heating fuels (RLHF) could play a limited role in decarbonising heat.

However, sustainable biomass is a limited resource, so the Government expects to prioritise its use in sectors which have fewest options to decarbonise. RLHFs are also more expensive to use than other heating solutions. We will keep evidence under review.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to increase the proportion of eligible children who claim their entitlement to a free school meal; and if she will take steps to (a) reduce the complexity of application forms, (b) provide forms in multiple languages, (c) increase awareness of the free school meal entitlement and (d) help tackle stigmas associated with claiming free school meals.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

There are currently around 2.1 million pupils eligible for and claiming free school meals (FSM). The department recognises the vital role played by FSM and strongly encourages schools and local authorities to support eligible families take this entitlement up.

To make claiming free meals as easy possible, we have developed a model registration form to help schools encourage parents to sign up for FSM, which is available in the department’s published guidance.

The department also provides the Eligibility Checking System, which allows local authorities to quickly verify eligibility for FSM. Improvements to this system will be rolled out nationally by March 2026, to allow parents and schools to check eligibility for free meals independently from their local authorities, which has the potential to make claiming FSM easier.

Further to this, the department is aware of a range of measures aimed at supporting take-up of FSM, including through approaches being trialled by local authorities. We welcome local authorities taking action to ensure government support reaches families, subject to them meeting legal requirements, including those on data protection.

We continue to engage with stakeholders and other government departments to better understand potential barriers to claiming free meals, including stigma. We will consider whether further work to improve enrolment for free meals is needed through the work of the child poverty taskforce.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make a comparative assessment of taxation on (a) bio fuel and (b) fossil fuels.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The UK taxes fuels for a variety of reasons, and tax revenues from fuel are a vital part of overall tax revenues which are used to fund public services. Tax treatment does not generally differ between biofuels and fossil fuels.

The government also ensures the tax system supports climate goals through measures such as the Carbon Price Support and Climate Change Levy.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if the Government will ratify the agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction.

Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government is completely committed to ratification of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement, also known as the "High Seas Treaty" or "Global Ocean Treaty"), which is in line with our determination to reinvigorate the UK's wider international leadership on climate and nature. Legislation to implement the BBNJ Agreement will be introduced as soon as the legislative timetable allows.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the adoption and special guardianship support fund on families.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Adoption England is committed to improving support for families and is working to ensure every child has an individual adoption support plan at the point of placement, which will identify current and future needs. The adoption and special guardianship support fund (ASGSF) provides trauma and attachment support for adoptive children, many of whom will have suffered abuse, neglect and violence before adoption.

Previously, the Institute of Public Care (IPC), at Oxford Brookes University carried out a three-year mixed-method evaluation on behalf of the department between 2018 and 2021. Their report can be accessed at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6391c41a8fa8f53ba783e8ad/Evaluation_of_the_Adoption_Support_Fund_2018_to_2022_-_summary_.pdf. The report found that “a high proportion (83%) parents and guardians participating in the longitudinal survey found the funded support helpful or very helpful overall”. The IPC report also found “a statistically significant (substantial, with large effect size) improvement in parent and guardian estimates of the extent to which the main aim of the funded support had been met by the end of the intervention” and reported that parents and guardians scored on average “7 out of 10 in relation to a question about the extent to which positive change(s) for their child and/or family had been sustained 6 months since the conclusion of ASF-funded support”.

The impact of the therapies available within the ASGSF is currently being assessed from multiple angles. The National Institute for Health Research is currently conducting a randomised control trial into Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), one of the main therapies the ASGSF funds. This research is currently in its third and final phase and it will provide robust evidence regarding the effectiveness of DDP. The department started to collect data from outcomes measurement tools for ASGSF-funded therapies in December 2023. As therapy treatment comes to an end, this data will give an overall picture of the impact and adequacy of individual ASGSF-funded therapies.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will provide additional support for adopted children impacted by (a) abuse, (b) neglect and (c) violence before adoption.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Adoption England is committed to improving support for families and is working to ensure every child has an individual adoption support plan at the point of placement, which will identify current and future needs. The adoption and special guardianship support fund (ASGSF) provides trauma and attachment support for adoptive children, many of whom will have suffered abuse, neglect and violence before adoption.

Previously, the Institute of Public Care (IPC), at Oxford Brookes University carried out a three-year mixed-method evaluation on behalf of the department between 2018 and 2021. Their report can be accessed at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6391c41a8fa8f53ba783e8ad/Evaluation_of_the_Adoption_Support_Fund_2018_to_2022_-_summary_.pdf. The report found that “a high proportion (83%) parents and guardians participating in the longitudinal survey found the funded support helpful or very helpful overall”. The IPC report also found “a statistically significant (substantial, with large effect size) improvement in parent and guardian estimates of the extent to which the main aim of the funded support had been met by the end of the intervention” and reported that parents and guardians scored on average “7 out of 10 in relation to a question about the extent to which positive change(s) for their child and/or family had been sustained 6 months since the conclusion of ASF-funded support”.

The impact of the therapies available within the ASGSF is currently being assessed from multiple angles. The National Institute for Health Research is currently conducting a randomised control trial into Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), one of the main therapies the ASGSF funds. This research is currently in its third and final phase and it will provide robust evidence regarding the effectiveness of DDP. The department started to collect data from outcomes measurement tools for ASGSF-funded therapies in December 2023. As therapy treatment comes to an end, this data will give an overall picture of the impact and adequacy of individual ASGSF-funded therapies.

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 the shortage of quetiapine modified-release tablets on Bipolar patients.

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

The Department has made no such assessment. We are aware of supply issues affecting several brands and tablet strengths of quetiapine modified release tablets. Following the Department working with suppliers, there have been improvements in supply through February and early March 2025, with improvements in supply expected to continue through to May 2025, and full resolution expected in October 2025. The Department continues to work with the suppliers of quetiapine modified -release tablets to bring forward these future deliveries. Working with National Health Service specialists we have provided comprehensive management advice for this supply issue, advising healthcare professionals on how to manage patients during this time. Any patient who is worried about their condition, or access to these medications, should speak to their clinician in the first instance.

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 merits of requiring large pharmacies to hold several months of reserve stock of medication.

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

Pharmacies are independent businesses and are expected to maintain a reasonable stock holding to meet their legal obligations to dispense all prescriptions with reasonable promptness, recognising that it is not feasible for a pharmacy to maintain stock of every medicine.

Most pharmacies do not have space to hold several months of stock and such stock holding would come with a financial risk to the pharmacy as stock may expire. There are therefore no plans to require pharmacies to hold reserve stock of medication.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to ensure patients can (a) get better access to and (b) find out about (i) research and (ii) clinical trials for rare cancers.

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

The Department is committed to maximising our potential to lead the world in clinical trials and ensuring that clinical trials are more accessible.

The Department funded National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funds research and research infrastructure, which supports patients and the public to participate in high-quality research, including clinical research on rare cancers. NIHR research expenditure for all cancers was £133 million in 2023/24, reflecting its high priority. These investments are pivotal to informing efforts to improve cancer prevention, treatment, and outcomes, including for rare cancers.

The NIHR provides an online service called Be Part of Research, which promotes participation in health and social care research, including research into rare cancers, by allowing users to search for relevant studies and register their interest. This makes it easier for people to find and take part in health and care research that is relevant to them.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will appoint a named lead in the Department with a responsibility to support research and innovation for rare cancers.

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

There are no plans to appoint a named lead within the Department for this purpose as the Department supports research and innovation for rare cancers, and other conditions, through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why the Department spends £1.6 billion each year on research through the NIHR, with cancer as one of the largest areas of investment, at over £133 million in 2023/24, reflecting its high priority.

The development and delivery of research for rare cancers is supported and enabled nationwide through the NIHR’s infrastructure, including the NIHR Research Delivery Network, the NIHR Clinical Research Facilities, the NIHR Biomedical Research Centres, the NIHR HealthTech Research Centres, the Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, and the newly designated NIHR Commercial Research Delivery Centres. These all support the delivery of clinical research through facilities, staff resource, collaborations, and funding.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2025 to Question 29255 on Immigration: Overseas Students, if she will make an assessment of trends in the level of (a) access and (b) participation in university services by (i) UK and (ii) international students.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Universities and higher education providers are independent institutions, and the government plays no part in their day to day running. Consequently, the department does not hold data about trends relating to university services for UK and international students.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will make an assessment of the effectiveness of existing disposal infrastructure for pesticides in the UK at protecting (a) the environment and (b) public health.

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

We have no current plans to make an assessment of the effectiveness of existing disposal infrastructure for pesticides in the UK.

The Government’s first priority with regard to pesticides is to ensure that they will not harm people or pose unacceptable risks to the environment. All pesticide users should follow good practice in the use, storage and disposal of pesticide products, and work to reduce the amount of waste they produce, as set out in the Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products.

For all pesticides there are legal requirements to store the product securely, use it according to its authorisation (which will include conditions considered appropriate to protect people and the environment) and dispose safely of any surplus.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will make an assessment of the financial reasons for care providers closing.

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

Adult social care services are provided through a largely outsourced market of commercial organisations and charities. Local authorities are best placed to understand and plan for the care needs of their populations, and to develop and build local market capacity.

Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities also have a temporary duty to ensure continuity of care in the event of business failure. This means that people continue to receive the care and support they need if their adult social care provider is no longer able to carry on delivering services.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when GP practices will be informed about the funding settlement details for the next financial year.

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

We are investing an additional £889 million in general practice (GP) to reinforce the front door of the National Health Service and bring back the family doctor, bringing total spend on the GP Contract to £13.2 billion in 2025/26. This is the biggest increase in over a decade and means we are reversing the recent trend with a rising share of total NHS resources going to GPs. Details of the contract were announced on 28 February 2025.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will make an assessment of the adequacy of staffing levels in care providers in Devon.

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

English local authorities have responsibility under the Care Act 2014 to meet social care needs and statutory guidance directs them to ensure there is sufficient workforce in adult social care.

The Department continues to monitor adult social care workforce capacity, bringing together national data sets from Skills for Care’s monthly tracking data, the Capacity Tracker tool and intelligence from key sector partners.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 8 January 2025 to Question 21470 on Hospices: Charitable Donations, what steps his Department is taking to monitor the potential impact of declining charitable income on hospice services; and if he will introduce targeted financial support for hospices.

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

Integrated care boards are responsible for the commissioning of palliative and end of life care services, to meet the needs of their local populations. Most hospices are charitable, independent organisations which receive some statutory funding for providing National Health Services.

Charitable hospices, as autonomous organisations, provide a range of services which go beyond that which statutory services are legally required to provide. Consequently, the funding arrangements reflect this.

We are pleased to confirm that the Government has released the first £25 million tranche of the £100 million of capital funding, as referenced in the answer of 8 January 2025 to Question 21470, with Hospice UK kindly allocating and distributing the money to hospices throughout England. An additional £75 million will be available from April.

There are a number of hospices in South Devon, serving people in the Newton Abbot constituency and the surrounding area, which are recipients of the £100 million of capital funding. Their allocations from the first £25 million tranche of funding are as follows:

- £158,301 for Rowcroft, a Torbay and South Devon hospice;

- £180,911 for Hospiscare in Exeter;

- £16,934 for Sidmouth Hospice in Home; and

- £176,616 for St Luke's Hospice in Plymouth.

In addition to this record hospice funding package, I recently met the major palliative and end of life care and hospice stakeholders, and long-term sector sustainability, within the context of our 10-Year Health Plan, was discussed at length.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 8 January 2025 to Question 21470 on Hospices: Charitable Donations, what proportion of the recently announced investment for hospices has been allocated; and how much has been distributed to hospices in Newton Abbot constituency.

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

Integrated care boards are responsible for the commissioning of palliative and end of life care services, to meet the needs of their local populations. Most hospices are charitable, independent organisations which receive some statutory funding for providing National Health Services.

Charitable hospices, as autonomous organisations, provide a range of services which go beyond that which statutory services are legally required to provide. Consequently, the funding arrangements reflect this.

We are pleased to confirm that the Government has released the first £25 million tranche of the £100 million of capital funding, as referenced in the answer of 8 January 2025 to Question 21470, with Hospice UK kindly allocating and distributing the money to hospices throughout England. An additional £75 million will be available from April.

There are a number of hospices in South Devon, serving people in the Newton Abbot constituency and the surrounding area, which are recipients of the £100 million of capital funding. Their allocations from the first £25 million tranche of funding are as follows:

- £158,301 for Rowcroft, a Torbay and South Devon hospice;

- £180,911 for Hospiscare in Exeter;

- £16,934 for Sidmouth Hospice in Home; and

- £176,616 for St Luke's Hospice in Plymouth.

In addition to this record hospice funding package, I recently met the major palliative and end of life care and hospice stakeholders, and long-term sector sustainability, within the context of our 10-Year Health Plan, was discussed at length.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if the Government will make an assessment of the (a) adequacy of and (b) lessons learned from the security response to the Russian invasion of Crimea; and if he will make an assessment of the impact of that response on the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Prime Minister made clear in his statement to the House on 25 February 2025 that this Government is actively responding to the security situation regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine. We have already commissioned a Strategic Defence Review (SDR) to examine the whole of Defence and identify where reprioritisation of roles, capabilities, activities, and support may be made in the current Defence programme to allow new investment, achieve better value for money, and secure greater economic gain for the UK.

The Reviewers will make their final report to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State in the spring of this year. The Secretary of State will then subsequently report to Parliament.

This Government is also beginning the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War, reaching 2.5% of GDP from April 2027, maintaining that level for the rest of this Parliament, and then setting a clear ambition for defence spending to rise to 3% in the next Parliament.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 8 January 2025 to Question 21470 on Hospices: Charitable Donations, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential implications for its policies of recent reports of reduced service in hospices.

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

Integrated care boards are responsible for the commissioning of palliative and end of life care services, to meet the needs of their local populations. Most hospices are charitable, independent organisations which receive some statutory funding for providing National Health Services.

Charitable hospices, as autonomous organisations, provide a range of services which go beyond that which statutory services are legally required to provide. Consequently, the funding arrangements reflect this.

We are pleased to confirm that the Government has released the first £25 million tranche of the £100 million of capital funding, as referenced in the answer of 8 January 2025 to Question 21470, with Hospice UK kindly allocating and distributing the money to hospices throughout England. An additional £75 million will be available from April.

There are a number of hospices in South Devon, serving people in the Newton Abbot constituency and the surrounding area, which are recipients of the £100 million of capital funding. Their allocations from the first £25 million tranche of funding are as follows:

- £158,301 for Rowcroft, a Torbay and South Devon hospice;

- £180,911 for Hospiscare in Exeter;

- £16,934 for Sidmouth Hospice in Home; and

- £176,616 for St Luke's Hospice in Plymouth.

In addition to this record hospice funding package, I recently met the major palliative and end of life care and hospice stakeholders, and long-term sector sustainability, within the context of our 10-Year Health Plan, was discussed at length.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 8 January 2025 to Question 21470 on Hospices: Charitable Donations, if he will provide financial support to hospices to directly cover declining charitable incomes.

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

Integrated care boards are responsible for the commissioning of palliative and end of life care services, to meet the needs of their local populations. Most hospices are charitable, independent organisations which receive some statutory funding for providing National Health Services.

Charitable hospices, as autonomous organisations, provide a range of services which go beyond that which statutory services are legally required to provide. Consequently, the funding arrangements reflect this.

In addition to the record hospice funding package I mentioned in my previous answer, I recently met the major palliative and end of life care and hospice stakeholders, and long-term sector sustainability, within the context of our 10-Year Health Plan, was discussed at length.

Future of the adoption and special guardianship support fund

SEND in schools

Banking hubs

Sharrington phone box

10th anniversary of the English Riviera Film Festival

The Alban Bun

Rowcroft Hospice

Chronic urinary tract infections and women's health

Friends of Factory Row volunteers

Wellbeing benefits of outdoor education to young people

Building consensus on a pathway to spending 3% of GDP on defence

Adult education

Ending the sale of tickets to captive orca and dolphin shows

South West Blood Bikes' volunteers

Tackling the climate and nature crisis

World Kidney Day 2025

Contribution of tourism to Devon

Mobile phone usage in schools

Covid-19 Day of Reflection 2025

Replacement of Personal Independence Payments with a voucher system

Registration scheme for short-term lets and local communities

Coastal erosion in north Norfolk

Community pharmacies

Social care day of action

Value of grasslands

Air Gunner Jim Squires

Impact Assessments of changes to Official Development Assistance

Saudi Arabia’s bid to join the UN Human Rights Council

Marking World Cancer Day 2025

Triple negative breast cancer

Review into breast cancer screening

Shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy

Found: Maguire Tessa Munt Manuela Perteghella Monica Harding Sarah Gibson Olly Glover Tom Morrison Martin Wrigley

Found: Western Mrs Sharon Hodgson Nadia Whittome Josh Fenton-Glynn Abtisam Mohamed Jess Asato Martin Wrigley

Found: Western Mrs Sharon Hodgson Nadia Whittome Josh Fenton-Glynn Abtisam Mohamed Jess Asato Martin Wrigley