Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the recommendations set out in her Department’s 2023 policy document entitled ‘Options for addressing the cost of pilot training’, including (a) enabling trainee pilots to access a Government-backed loan scheme and (b) addressing any outstanding issues relating to the First Officer Apprenticeship.

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

The ‘Options for addressing the cost of pilot training’ policy document was published during the time of the previous government.

This government is working closely with industry to address the cost of pilot training, including through the Aviation Industry Skills Board. Government also supports the aviation industry through the Generation Aviation programme. The Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund, a part of Generation Aviation and administered by the CAA on behalf of the Department, funds outreach programmes with the aim of improving the accessibility and inclusivity of the sector and attracting the next generation of people into aviation careers, including pilot careers.

The First Officer Apprenticeship (FOA) was designed by an industry group as a way of reducing the high cost of pilot training and improving access to the profession. An approved training provider (ATO) is now in place, and regulatory changes made this year have increased training flexibility for employers.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of an Accident and Emergency Appreciation Week.

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

The Government highly values hardworking National Health Service staff who go above and beyond to provide rapid and critical care. Local NHS trusts have in place their own approaches to recognising and rewarding staff, supported by advice and guidance set out in the Staff Recognition Framework, which is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/staff-recognition-framework/

Members of Parliament can also acknowledge the work of NHS staff in their constituency through the NHS Parliamentary Awards, with further information available at the following link:

https://nhsparliamentaryawards.co.uk/

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to tackle the backlog of court cases in Cheshire.

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

Chester Crown Court has been allocated an additional 232 sitting days in-region to increase hearing capacity and improve throughput of cases. Additional Legal Advisor recruitment is underway to facilitate an increase in court hearing capacity in Cheshire Magistrates’ Courts.

The Government inherited a justice system in crisis, with a record and rising open caseload of nearly 80,000 criminal cases waiting to be heard and too many victims waiting years for justice. Investment alone is not enough - that is why this Government asked Sir Brian Leveson to undertake his Independent Review of the Criminal Courts. On 2 December, the Deputy Prime Minister responded to the first part of that review and set out why reform is necessary, alongside investment and modernisation.

Found: following Members made oral representations: • Mike Martin, Sir Julian Lewis, Michael Payne and Tim Roca