Written questions by Rosindell.

Representing the Church Commissioners, whether the National Church Institutions have issued guidance on the use of sacred places of worship for secular purposes.

Church of England parish churches are public spaces. Their primary use is for worship, but for centuries the church has welcomed appropriate use, alongside worship, for the benefit of the community and the church.Currently the Church is the largest provider of space in local communities where amateur and professional art, culture, and music can be enjoyed. In addition churches run coffee mornings, warm spaces, food banks and credit unions. They are also used for election hustings, planning enquiries, emergency relief in floods or natural disasters, public community meetings, and official announcements such as the proclamations made at the Demise of the Crown.Churches respond to local need, and other creative ideas include village shops, community banks, children’s social and holiday clubs, wellbeing and mental health support, libraries, nursery and play spaces, and flexible office space. In rural parts of the country, churches are also supporting their communities by using their buildings to broadcast internet and wifi to support and retain the viability of local businesses and schools.The Church publishes case studies to share examples that inspire others, along with guidance and policies for initiatives such as ‘Support for struggling churches’ (found here: https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/churchcare/church-buildings-council/how-we-manage-our-buildings/struggling-churches ) which recognises broader use alongside worship as part of a sustainable future for church buildings.There is extensive guidance, including videos, about making changes to churches (which can be found here: https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/churchcare/making-changes-your-building-and-churchyard/develop-your-vision ) and this guidance covers many non-worship uses of the space.

What his planned timeframe is for the establishment of the first Staff Treatment Hubs.

As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will roll out staff treatment hubs that will ensure staff have access to high quality support for occupational health, including support for mental health and back conditions.The commitment to staff treatment hubs draws on various evidence sources including the NHS England internal Staff Treatment Access Review, which demonstrated the clear productivity and economic argument for investing in the health of our National Health Service staff, particularly focusing on mental health and musculoskeletal treatment services as the main drivers of sickness absence in the NHS, as well as wider sectors.Following the publication of the 10-Year Health Plan on 3 July 2025, work is underway to develop implementation and operational plans for the staff treatment hubs. This will determine factors such as location, budgets, timeframes, and capacity.

What estimate he has made of the number of NHS staff that will be treated at the Staff Treatment Hubs within the first five years of their establishment.

As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will roll out staff treatment hubs that will ensure staff have access to high quality support for occupational health, including support for mental health and back conditions.The commitment to staff treatment hubs draws on various evidence sources including the NHS England internal Staff Treatment Access Review, which demonstrated the clear productivity and economic argument for investing in the health of our National Health Service staff, particularly focusing on mental health and musculoskeletal treatment services as the main drivers of sickness absence in the NHS, as well as wider sectors.Following the publication of the 10-Year Health Plan on 3 July 2025, work is underway to develop implementation and operational plans for the staff treatment hubs. This will determine factors such as location, budgets, timeframes, and capacity.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she has taken to support women from minority faith communities in (a) England and (b) Romford constituency.

The government recognises the central role that women play in all faith communities across the country and the Minister for Faith is committed to championing spaces for women to help foster cohesion and resilience within their communities. The government supports a variety of initiatives in this regard. This includes Near Neighbours whose work to strengthen social cohesion includes empowering women, particularly from ethnic minority backgrounds, as leaders in their local communities. Near Neighbours operates in several parts of England, including a local hub in East London. We also recognise that Muslim women face specific challenges as a result of discrimination and intolerance often being directed at them. The government has announced a new fund to provide a comprehensive service to monitor anti-Muslim hatred and support victims.

Media and Sport, how many times she has met with representatives of (a) the Church of England, (b) mainstream Islamic denominations and (c) mainstream Jewish denominations in the last calendar year.

Details of ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

What steps the Government has taken to support (a) Anglo-Catholics and (b) traditionalist Anglo-Catholics of the Church of England in the workplace.

This government is clear that no one should be disadvantaged in the workplace because of their religion or belief. The Equality Act 2010 provides protection from discrimination to anyone with a religious or philosophical belief, as well as to those who lack a religion or belief. This includes all forms of Anglo-Catholicism. The definition of religion, or religious or philosophical belief is in line with Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights which stipulates that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. The main criterion for what constitutes a ‘religion’ for the purposes of Article 9 is that it must have a clear structure and belief system. A range of guidance and codes of practice is available to employers and employees to help ensure that the law is followed. Employees who think that they have experienced religious discrimination may seek legal redress at an employment tribunal, if early Acas conciliation proves unsuccessful.

If she will make a comparative assessment of (a) the data in UCL’s report entitled Trends in smoking prevalence and socio-economic inequalities across regions in England: A population study, 2006 to 2024, published on 18 March 2025 with (b) the decrease in HMRC’s tobacco duty receipts in the Tobacco Bulletin in (i) 2023-24 and (ii) 2024-2025.

Tobacco duty receipts reported in HMRC’s Tobacco Duty Bulletin fell 10% between 2023/24 and 2024/25. This publication reports on receipts collected at the UK level. UCL’s “Trends in smoking prevalence and socio-economic inequalities across regions in England: A population study, 2006 to 2024” report discusses a range of issues and suggests that smoking prevalence in England declined from 25.3% in 2006 to 16.5% in 2024. This report looks at English smoking prevalence only and so is not directly comparable with the UK receipts published in HMRC’s Tobacco Bulletin.

Representing the Church Commissioners, what funds the Commissioners allocate to parish churches for the enabling of online church services.

Since 2018 the Church of England has provided specialist training and resources for parishes on how to use digital channels to grow their worshipping communities, through a programme called Digital Labs. With weekly blogs, regular webinars, and on-demand videos, this content has been seen more than 90,000 times a year. Bespoke in-person training and Digital Labs Clinics, where churches receive one-to-one advice and support, are also available. Building capacity and expertise through the work of Digital Labs has helped parishes across the country to share their services online. In 2024, our church-finder site www.AChurchNearYou.com listed 2,444 online services for the public to watch. The National Church Institutions also provide a weekly national online church service. This service airs every Sunday at 9 a.m. on the Church of England’s Facebook page, YouTube channel, and website. It is an essential resource for housebound individuals, those with caring responsibilities, and shift workers. It continues to be viewed over 150,000 times a week. The Church also offers services and prayer resources available through the Daily Prayer app, smart speakers and the free Daily Hope telephone line.

Media and Sport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential of local parish churches to be tourist attractions.

Parish churches are an integral and unique part of our national heritage. They can be and often are significant attractions for both domestic and international visitors, especially where there is an additional historic connection, such as at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon, the most visited parish church in England.While the Department has not conducted a specific national assessment on this matter, we work closely with our arm's-length bodies to support these vital historic buildings. DCMS also directly funds listed places of worship through the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, with a budget of £23 million for the current financial year. In addition, Historic England, as the Government’s statutory heritage advisor, provides grants, expertise, and guidance to help care for our most significant historic places of worship.Furthermore, we encourage local areas to consider all their unique heritage assets, including parish churches, as part of their strategic tourism planning through the network of Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs).

Representing the Church Commissioners, how many ordinations to (a) the diaconate and (b) the priesthood there have been in each year since 1993.

The National Church Institutions only hold limited central data on the number of ordinations of deacons and priests. Diocesan bishops, together with some area bishops and Diocesan Directors of Ordinands, are responsible for assessing the vocations of candidates for the priesthood and deciding locally which are ready for deaconing and priesting. What information is available centrally is regularly published as part of ministry statistics on the Church of England website (under ‘About’, then ‘Data Services’)The initial formation period for candidates is part of a discernment process, and not every candidate who begins training will complete it within a fixed timeframe or be considered ready for ordination as a deacon or priest at the end. Because vocations and ordinations are personal, comparing data year-on-year is usually less helpful than examining longer-term trends. The trend seen in the centrally available data shows that since 1997, the number of deacons ordained has roughly doubled, and since 2007, it has stayed relatively steady. Efforts are already underway to address the recent decrease in the number of candidates for deacon. Level of Ordination by year (Deacons)1997: 2622001: 2952002: 3132003: 3332007: 5522008: 5742009: 5642010: 5632011: 5042012: 4942013: 4842014: 5002015: 4982016: 4842017: 4882018: 5032019: 5802020: 5802021: 6102022: 540 Level of Ordination by year (Deacons and Priests)2023: 513 Deacons, 519 Priests2024: 462 Deacons, 508 Priests

If she will make a comparative assessment of (a) the recent HMRC tax gap estimates for tobacco excise duty with (b) the data in UCL’s report entitled Trends in smoking prevalence and socio-economic inequalities across regions in England: A population study, 2006 to 2024, published on 18 March 2025, on smoking prevalence in (i) 2023-24 and (ii) 2024-25.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) estimates the size of the UK tax gap, which is the difference between the amount of tax that should, in theory, be paid to HMRC, and what is actually paid. The tax gap statistics and details of the estimate methodologies are published annually and are available at: Measuring tax gaps 2025 edition: tax gap estimates for 2023 to 2024 - GOV.UK HMRC have a continuous programme of development to improve and strengthen tax gap estimates. Tax gap estimates adhere to the values, principles and protocols set out in the UK Statistics Authority’s Code of Practice for Statistics. Tax gap estimates are reviewed each year and take into account the availability of more up-to-date data and more recent years’ information. ‘Measuring tax gaps 2026 edition: tax gaps estimates for 2024 to 2025’ is scheduled for June 2026.

Media and Sport, what steps the Government plans to take to mark the commemoration of VJ Day 2025.

The Government has delivered a suite of commemorative activities to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. This included a Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum delivered in partnership with the Royal British Legion. Their Majesties, together with the Prime Minister attended the event, which included a national two minutes silence and a spectacular tribute to veterans involving 400 members of the Armed Forces, the Red Arrows and historic aircraft from The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Veterans in attendance included Burma Star recipients, British Indian Army veterans and those involved in the Battles of Kohima and Imphal, as well as Prisoners of War held across the region and veterans stationed in the UK or Commonwealth countries, who contributed to the war effort. The VJ commemorations commenced with a Downing Street reception to honour veterans, hosted by the Prime Minister. Government buildings and iconic sites were lit up to remember and thank those who fought in Asia and the Pacific during the Second World War. To honour the significant sacrifices made in the Far East, the Government’s National Engagement Programme continues to run throughout the year. A new film and augmented reality experience and a paper crane initiative was launched by the Imperial War Museums. The Government is continuing to work with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on the For Evermore Tour and Arts Council England on funding local community-based commemorative activity around the UK in arts centres, libraries and museums. We will continue to promote a range of educational and cultural activities to help schools and communities to engage with the 80th year of commemoration, including through Our Shared Story, and the National Theatre’s year-long school engagement programme. I visited Barnsley Civic and The Old Fire Station in Oxford, both contributors to the UK-wide programme in arts centres and libraries that is bringing communities together through creativity to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. To mark VJ Day, I also visited the Tower of London Poppy display and laid a wreath at the sunset ceremony at Memorial Gates. Events to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of VJ Day will conclude with a reception for veterans at Windsor Castle later in the Autumn

Media and Sport, whether her Department is taking steps to support to the charitable work of the Church of England.

For millions of people in this country, their faith and belief identity is a crucial part of their lives, and our nation is enriched by our diverse tapestry of faiths and beliefs. This government celebrates the central role of faith, including the Christian faith, in our national life. Churches, such as the Church of England, contain many Christians whose faith guides their moral outlook and inspires them to public service and helping those in need.This government is committed to harnessing the power of faith for national renewal, helping us to make progress against our missions. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is funding a number of cohesion and interfaith projects this financial year, including the Near Neighbours programme delivered by the Church Urban Fund, a charity affiliated with the Church of England.Over the last year, my own department has been delivering the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Energy Efficiency Scheme, which is a £25.5 million fund to support VCSE organisations across England to save money on energy bills. The fund was designed to help groups with rising energy costs and was targeted at those delivering key frontline services. Recipients of the fund have included over 40 churches and faith-based organisations.

What steps he has taken to improve incontinence care provided by the NHS.

Millions of men, women, young people, and children of all ages are living with bowel and bladder problems. All continence problems can be debilitating and life changing. They affect a wide range of care groups and can be a particular concern for the ageing population.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published five guidelines on the management of urinary and faecal incontinence to date. These guidelines cover the management of urinary incontinence in people with neurological disease, the prevention and management of pelvic floor dysfunction, and pelvic organ prolapse in women. NICE has also published a further 14 products in relation to urinary incontinence and 12 in relation to faecal incontinence.The Department has also commissioned NICE to produce late-stage assessment guidance on one-piece closed bags for colostomies and intermittent urethral catheters for chronic incomplete bladder emptying in adults. These late-stage assessments gather the views of clinical experts and patients to help NICE assess and compare the value of products in widespread use across the National Health Service.The NHS must also have regard to the Excellence in Continence Care guidance, published in 2018. This provides advice for commissioners, providers, and healthcare staff on understanding and addressing continence needs within their local population. This guidance is supported by British Society of Urogynaecology. Further information on the Excellence in Continence Care guidance is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/excellence-in-continence-care/NHS England has also produced Safer Bowel Care for Patients at Risk of Autonomic Dysreflexia, a serious medical emergency that can occur in people with spinal cord injuries, which offers resources to support safer bowel care practice and highlights the importance of implementing the Excellence in Continence Care framework.In addition to national guidance, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has professional standards relating to bladder and bowel nursing care. The NMC Code places strong emphasis on the principle of “Prioritising People”, which sets out the expectation that registrants should always respond to individual patient needs.NHS England is also developing a best practice catheter care pathway across all settings to be completed by the end of this year.Our focus on the shift from hospital to community will help to drive more joint working in neighborhoods between primary care, pharmacies, community health care, and social care, to help people to manage incontinence at home, by giving them access to the right self-care, the right professional support, so they aren’t passed from service to service, and reducing their need for emergency admissions to hospital.

What steps he has taken to improve the mental well-being of NHS staff.

Looking after the mental health of our hardworking National Health Service staff is a priority for the Government.The 10-Year Health Plan committed to roll out staff treatment hubs. These hubs will provide a high-quality occupational health service for all NHS staff, including support for mental health issues. It will build on work that NHS England has led to strengthen occupational health in the NHS and on existing mental health provision such as the Practitioner Health service.We will also work with the Social Partnership Forum to introduce a new set of staff standards for modern employment, covering issues such as access to healthy meals, support to work healthily and flexibly, and tackling violence, racism, and sexual harassment in the workplace.

How many asbestos-related deaths have occurred in England in the last year; and what steps the Health and Safety Executive is taking to help reduce the number of asbestos-related deaths in England.

The Government recognises the devasting impact on those who have asbestos related disease and their families. In total, there were over 4000 deaths due to asbestos-related diseases in England in 2023, the latest year for which statistics are available, due to past exposures to asbestos. This total includes 1975 mesothelioma deaths, and a similar estimated number due to asbestos-related lung cancer. There were in addition 401 deaths where the death certificate mentioned the non-malignant asbestos-related disease of asbestosis. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is actively tackling Great Britain’s asbestos legacy using a variety of regulatory interventions including licencing of removal contractors and inspection of the management of asbestos in situ, stakeholder engagement, public campaigns (including, ‘Asbestos & You’ for trades people to know what to watch for and what to do when they come across asbestos) as well as research activities. Collectively, this supports dutyholders and other stakeholders to manage asbestos safely to avoid further exposure to risk and work towards an asbestos-free built environment. HSE is giving further consideration to the recommendations in the 2022 Work and Pensions Select Committee report, “The Health and Safety Executive’s Approach to asbestos management”.

What steps he has taken to help reduce levels of (a) violent and (b) sexual crime against NHS staff.

Everyone working in the National Health Service has a fundamental right to be safe at work.All NHS organisations should have robust policies and procedures in place to manage sexual misconduct in the workplace. In September 2023, NHS England launched the healthcare system’s first organisational Sexual Safety Charter. There are over 400 signatories to the charter across the health system who have committed to taking and enforcing a zero-tolerance approach to any unwanted, inappropriate, or harmful sexual behaviours in the workplace.In April 2025, the Government announced that the Social Partnership Forum’s recommendations on tackling and reducing violence, as part of the 2023 Agenda for Change pay deal, have been accepted. These include significant commitments to tackle violence and aggression against NHS staff, including improving data and the reporting of incidences, and ensuring strengthened risk assessment, training, and support for victims. This will be strengthened by the introduction of a new set of staff standards, as detailed in the 10-Year Health Plan, which will cover issues including tackling violence, racism, and sexual harassment in the NHS workplace.

What steps he has taken to ensure the preparedness of NHS hospitals for extreme weather conditions.

The Government continues to support the resilience of the healthcare estate through substantial capital investment. National Health Service trusts are responsible for maintaining their estate, including adapting premises to reduce risks associated with climate change and severe weather, as set out in the NHS Standard Contract. The Department is supporting the improvement of NHS sites by investing £30 billion over the next five years in day-to-day maintenance and repair, with £5 billion allocated specifically to address the most critical building issues. We are also continuing delivery through the New Hospital Programme, where schemes will achieve a minimum Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method rating of ‘Excellent’ for new builds, and ‘Very Good’ for refurbishments, including a key focus on climate adaptation. In addition, all NHS investments in new buildings and upgrades to existing facilities that are subject to the HM Treasury business case approval process must align with the NHS Net Zero Building Standard, which includes a focus on overheating risks.

Whether she plans to publish a (a) transition plan for the transfer of retail responsibilities from train operating company retail websites to Great British Railways and (b) timetable for formal market (i) consultation and (ii) tendering for future Great British Railways retail ticketing.

Once Great British Railways is established, it will retail online by consolidating individual train operators’ ticket websites. This will take place alongside a thriving private sector retail market, which will continue to play a key role in driving innovation and investment and encouraging more people to choose rail. The Railways Bill consultation took place in the Spring. As part of this process, the Government consulted closely with industry, the private sector, and wider stakeholders including in relation to the future of the rail retail market. A formal update will be provided in due course.

What discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the efficacy of enforcement provisions in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, in the context of the recent BBC investigation into the illicit tobacco market.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will strengthen enforcement and crack down on rogue retailers selling illegal and unregulated tobacco and vape products to children and young people. The Bill introduces new £200 fixed penalty notices in England and Wales for certain tobacco and vape offences, including underage sales, and enables the introduction of a retail licensing scheme in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and a new registration scheme for tobacco, vape and nicotine products sold on the UK market.Alongside the Bill, we are investing £30 million of new funding for enforcement agencies in 2025/26, including Trading Standards, HMRC and Border Force. This funding is being used to support the enforcement of illicit and underage tobacco and vape sales in England, and the implementation of the measures in the Bill.