Written questions by Cooper.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to the Government of Israel regarding the detention and release of medical personnel in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on private renters of letting agents and landlords declining to provide tenancy references until a tenant has served notice on their existing tenancy.

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, if he will consider taking steps to increase protections for private renters during the process of moving between tenancies, including in relation to tenancy references and the requirement to serve notice on an existing tenancy before a new tenancy is secured.

Awaiting answer.

How many and what proportion of higher education providers in i) England ii) Sussex are expected to record an operating a deficit over the next financial year.

The Office for Students (OfS), as the independent regulator of higher education (HE) in England, is responsible for monitoring the sector’s financial sustainability. Its most recent report on the sector’s financial health, published in May 2026, is availa...

What support her Department is giving to research-intensive universities.

The government recognises the vital role that universities play in supporting the UK’s world‑leading research base and delivering the Industrial Strategy, and is therefore investing a record £86 billion in research and development between 2026/27 and 2029...

What steps she is taking to help prevent job reductions in higher education.

The Office for Students (OfS), as the independent regulator of higher education (HE) in England, is responsible for monitoring the sector’s financial sustainability. Its most recent report on the sector’s financial health, published in May 2026, is availa...

What estimate she has made of the cost to the NHS of treating conditions (a) caused and (b) exacerbated by (i) tobacco, (ii) alcohol and (iii) drug use.

Awaiting answer.

Whether she plans to introduce MUP for alcohol in England.

Under our Health Mission, this government is committed to prioritising public health measures to support people to live longer, healthier lives. We do not currently have any plans to introduce minimum unit pricing for alcohol in England. We are continuing...

What steps he is taking to help reduce health inequalities arising from substance misuse.

The Government is committed to ensuring that anyone with a drug or alcohol problem can access the help and support they need. Funding for drug and alcohol treatment can reduce societal inequalities and contribute to the Government’s mission to increase op...

What assessment he has made of regional variation in access to drug, alcohol and smoking cessation services.

The Government is committed to ensuring that all areas offer high-quality drug, alcohol and smoking cessation services, with action to support consistent provision nationwide.For smoking, we have invested an additional £70 million in both 2024/25 and 2025...

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of alcohol delivery services on (a) consumption and (b) public health.

The Department has not made an assessment of the impact of alcohol delivery services on consumption of alcohol or public health.The delivery of alcohol is regulated under the Licensing Act 2003, responsibility for which rests with the Home Office. The Gov...

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will review the decision not to permit close relatives of deceased members of the Women’s Land Army to apply for and receive the Women’s Land Army and Women’s Timber Corps commem

The Women’s Land Army and Women’s Timber Corps Scheme, announced to Parliament on 6 December 2007, recognises the women who served in the Land Army and Timber Corps during the Second World War making a critical contribution to the war effort. The Scheme w...

What estimate his Department has made of (a) the number and (b) cost of clinical negligence claims associated with the use of corridor care in hospitals.

NHS Resolution (NHSR) manages clinical negligence and other claims against the National Health Service in England. NHSR does not hold the information in the format requested.

What assessment they have made of the adequacy of Statutory Sick Pay in meeting essential living costs for low-income workers.

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is designed to provide a minimum level of support and financial security for employees when they are unable to work due to sickness whilst also balancing the cost to employers. The government has made key changes to SSP, which cam...

What assessment his Department has made of the implications for public health policy of the Health Foundation’s findings on the decline in healthy life expectancy in the UK.

The Government recognises that the Health Foundation’s findings on the recent decline in healthy life expectancy are concerning. The findings reinforce the importance of a shift from treatment to prevention as set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, alongside...

What assessment has been made of the potential impact of debt on the prevalence of mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.

The Government recognises that financial circumstances are an important factor influencing mental health. Evidence, including findings from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey: Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, England, 2023/24, shows a clear asso...

What steps he is taking to reduce the impact of energy bills on levels of personal debt.

The affordability crisis is the biggest issue facing families across the country. At the Autumn Budget we committed to taking money off energy bills to tackle the cost of living. The Government is working closely with Ofgem, energy suppliers and consumer ...

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a maximum five per cent threshold for ultra-processed foods (Nova Group 4) in the updated School Food Standards.

The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition has considered the impact of processed foods on health in 2023 and 2025, and recommends that on balance, most people are likely to benefit from reducing their consumption of processed foods high in energy, saturated fat, salt and free sugars and low in fibre.The School Food Standards already restrict foods high in fat, salt and sugar, as well as low-quality reformed or reconstituted foods, but to ensure quality and nutrition in meals for the future, we are revising the School Food Standards. We are engaging experts across the sector, such as nutritionists, and are developing our plans to consult on the changes.

Whether the contract for the National school breakfast club programme prohibits the use of ultra-processed cereals and breads; and if she will set out the nutritional and processing specification of that contract.

The National School Breakfast Programme (NSBP) is an inherited scheme from the previous government and the contract will end in July 2026. The contract with the supplier Family Action stipulates that all food available for schools to purchase must meet the School Food Standards, which already restrict foods high in fat, salt and sugar, as well as low-quality reformed or reconstituted foods. To ensure quality and nutrition in meals for the future, we are revising the School Food Standards and are engaging with experts across the sector.This government is committed to delivering a free breakfast club in every state-funded school with primary-aged pupils in England. All NSBP schools with primary-aged pupils will have the opportunity to transition onto the free breakfast clubs programme from September 2026. NSBP secondary schools will be provided with continued support at an equivalent value to what they receive on the NSBP for the 2026/7 academic year. Further details for secondary schools will follow shortly.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to assist British nationals who have overstayed their visas abroad, particularly in countries where the process for obtaining exit permits is complex.

Each country is responsible for their own immigration rules and we cannot interfere in their policies or procedures. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice provides up to date information on the most common entry and exit requirements, with further guidance published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/support-for-british-nationals-abroad. When appropriate, the FCDO will signpost British nationals to local authorities to help resolve any immigration issues.