Written questions by Spencer.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 25 November 2025 to Question 92210 on Internet: Outages, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill on disruption to government services during the Cloudflare outage.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) recognises the importance of robust protections for the services essential to our society and economy. That is why we introduced the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill (CSRB) on 12 November - by enhancing protections for the most important digital services, Government services that rely on them will also benefit.As the digital centre of government, DSIT also recognises that a step change in cyber and digital resilience is required across the government sector. However, we do not need to wait for legislation to take action.We are acting in parallel with the approach of the CSRB through our mandate to set robust cyber security standards across government organisations. Government services have been subject to the National Cyber Security Centre’s Cyber Assessment Framework since 2022, which promotes resilience against both cyber attacks and the types of system failure that we saw with the Cloudflare outage.Despite this progress, we are not complacent. DSIT will publish the Government Cyber Action Plan, which will lay out a detailed programme of work with clear expectations, targets, and milestones to enhance Government's cyber and digital resilience.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has been made of the level of resource required to a) repair and b) maintain essential river assets, including weirs and sluice gates, on the River Thames.

The 195 sets of weirs and sluices that exist along the 217km of non-tidal Thames are owned and operated by the Environment Agency (EA) and are regularly inspected to assess their condition, operational effectiveness, and safety. Critical parts of the weirs and sluices are replaced throughout their lifetime as part of the EA’s maintenance programme, to ensure they continue to provide effective water level management. Future investment need is considered as part of each Spending Review. Navigation locks have a similar inspection and maintenance regime, and their wider investment need also forms part of the Spending Review process.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the capacity of (a) sectoral regulators and (b) the NCSC to process and respond to cyber incident reports as a result of the expanded reporting requirements in the Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill.

Officials have worked closely with regulators and the NCSC in developing the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill and will continue to do so throughout its parliamentary passage and implementation planning. The NCSC already leads the UK’s response to cyber incidents by triaging reports, supporting affected organisations and coordinating government action during major incidents. In the year preceding, September 2025, NCSC received 1,727 incident tips, 429 of which required direct support. The Bill will expand the type of incidents reported to regulators and the NCSC, strengthening understanding of the threat landscape and improving national cyber-defences. The Bill will also bolster regulator resources by reforming cost recovery. Currently, regulators are constrained – for example, they cannot recover the cost of enforcement. The Bill will enable regulators to fully recover their costs and utilise flexible, sector-appropriate charging mechanisms, ensuring they are properly equipped to meet their duties.

What measures his Department is taking to mitigate any potential increase in waiting times for neurodiverse assessments in Runnymede and Weybridge as a result of the recent ICB decision to pause assessments through the Right to Choose with the provider Psicon.

The Government has recognised that, nationally, demand for assessments for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays for accessing such assessments. The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan will make the National Health Service fit for the future and recognises the need for early intervention and support.It is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) in England to make appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to autism and ADHD assessments, in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.The Medium-Term Planning Framework, published 24 October, was explicit that ICBs and providers are expected to optimise existing resources to reduce long waits for autism and ADHD assessments and improve the quality of assessments by implementing existing and new guidance, as published.In April 2023, NHS England published a national framework and operational guidance to help ICBs and the NHS to deliver improved outcomes for people referred to an autism assessment service. NHS England has continued to support services to identify challenges and how they might overcome these.  NHS England also established an ADHD taskforce to better understand the challenges affecting those with ADHD, including in accessing timely and equitable access to services and support. We are pleased that the final report was published on 6 November, and we are carefully considering its recommendations.

What assessment his Department has made of the impact of the introduction of Indicative Activity Plans limiting neurodiverse assessments through Right to Choose providers on waiting lists for neurodevelopmental assessments in Runnymede and Weybridge.

The Government has recognised that, nationally, demand for assessments for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays for accessing such assessments. The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan will make the National Health Service fit for the future and recognises the need for early intervention and support.It is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) in England to make appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to autism and ADHD assessments, in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.The Medium-Term Planning Framework, published 24 October, was explicit that ICBs and providers are expected to optimise existing resources to reduce long waits for autism and ADHD assessments and improve the quality of assessments by implementing existing and new guidance, as published.In April 2023, NHS England published a national framework and operational guidance to help ICBs and the NHS to deliver improved outcomes for people referred to an autism assessment service. NHS England has continued to support services to identify challenges and how they might overcome these.  NHS England also established an ADHD taskforce to better understand the challenges affecting those with ADHD, including in accessing timely and equitable access to services and support. We are pleased that the final report was published on 6 November, and we are carefully considering its recommendations.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of financial pressures in local government on the delivery of effective planning enforcement.

Local planning authorities have a wide range of enforcement powers, with strong penalties for non-compliance. It is for authorities to decide how and when they use their powers depending on the circumstances of each case. It is also for local planning authorities to ensure they have the resources in place to carry out their planning enforcement function effectively. For a summary of the steps the government is taking to support capacity and capability within local planning authorities, including within their enforcement teams, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to question UIN 67508 on 14 July 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with (a) officials and (b) local authorities on making planning enforcement a non-discretionary service.

Local planning authorities have a wide range of enforcement powers, with strong penalties for non-compliance. It is for authorities to decide how and when they use their powers depending on the circumstances of each case. It is also for local planning authorities to ensure they have the resources in place to carry out their planning enforcement function effectively. For a summary of the steps the government is taking to support capacity and capability within local planning authorities, including within their enforcement teams, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to question UIN 67508 on 14 July 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what support his Department is providing to local planning authorities to ensure the protection of (a) buildings and (b) areas of historic importance.

My Department has made no specific assessment of trends in relation to historic buildings and unlawful development. The government is committed to the protection of the historic environment. There are strong protections in both the National Planning Policy Framework and legislation to support the conservation and enhancement of heritage assets. The government has also given local planning authorities a wide range of enforcement powers in relation to unauthorised development, including specific powers in relation to designated heritage assets, with strong penalties for non-compliance.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of (a) loss and (b) damage to (i) English heritage and (ii) buildings of historic importance due to unlawful development.

My Department has made no specific assessment of trends in relation to historic buildings and unlawful development. The government is committed to the protection of the historic environment. There are strong protections in both the National Planning Policy Framework and legislation to support the conservation and enhancement of heritage assets. The government has also given local planning authorities a wide range of enforcement powers in relation to unauthorised development, including specific powers in relation to designated heritage assets, with strong penalties for non-compliance.

When he plans to respond to correspondence dated (a) 16th July 2025, (b) 8 September 2025 and (c) 8 October 2025 from the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge, on final approval for the rebuild of Weybridge Health Centre.

I responded to the Hon. Member’s correspondence on 13 November 2025.

What discussions and correspondence he and his officials have had on the decision for final approval of the rebuild of the Weybridge Health Centre; and what timescale has been established for a final decision to be made.

Final approval for the business case for the rebuild of Weybridge Health Centre was granted by NHS England on 4 November 2025. Planning approvals have been secured, and pre-construction demolition began on 10 November 2025. Full construction is scheduled to start in late January 2026.

Whether any further action or information is needed to determine whether final approval for the rebuild of the Weybridge Health Centre will be granted.

Final approval for the business case for the rebuild of Weybridge Health Centre was granted by NHS England on 4 November 2025. Planning approvals have been secured, and pre-construction demolition began on 10 November 2025. Full construction is scheduled to start in late January 2026.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Transport (Duty to Cooperate) Bill on the economy.

The Government will outline its position on this Bill during the scheduled second reading.

Innovation and Technology, whether (a) Government services and (b) critical national infrastructure faced disruption as a result of the Microsoft Azure outage on Wednesday 29 October 2025; and what estimate her Department has made of the cost to the economy of that service outage.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is leading Government’s response to the Microsoft Azure outage that took place on Wednesday 29 October 2025. We understand that all Azure services were restored on Wednesday evening, and DSIT is in contact with Microsoft to understand how such events can be mitigated in the future.DSIT has identified disruption to online Government services across several departments, which were restored within hours of the incident.We are not aware of any major disruption arising from this event affecting Critical National Infrastructure but will continue to work with relevant operators to understand the full impact.The outage affected a wide range of organisations across all sectors and it will take some time to fully understand the scale of the economic impact.

When he plans to respond to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge, case reference BS35944, dated (a) 15 July 2025 and (b) 8 September 2025 .

The Government is committed to transparency and accountability, including through clear and timely responses to correspondence. I can confirm that your letter to the Minister for the Cabinet Office dated 15 July, and subsequent email 8 September, have been passed to me as the Minister responsible for this policy, and I have replied to your letter. Please accept my apologies for the delay.

Innovation and Technology, what government services faced disruption as a result of the Amazon Web Services outage on Monday 20 October; and what assessment her Department plans to make of the cost to the economy of that service outage.

Many government departments use AWS services, and we are aware that the Home Office, DVLA, DWP and HMRC all experienced impacts as a result of the outage on Monday 20 October.The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is working with both departments and AWS to better understand the impacts, and will use this to inform future work on government digital resilience.The cost of the outage is not yet known.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 October 2025 to Question 75683 on Neurodiversity: Children, what discussions he has had with NHS Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board on the steps they are taking to ensure that assessment pathways for neurodevelopment disorders in children meet National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has had no such discussion with the Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board (ICB).The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) guidelines are developed by experts based on a thorough assessment of the available evidence and through extensive engagement with stakeholders. They are not mandatory, but National Health Service commissioners are expected to take them fully into account in designing services to meet the needs of their local populations.The NHS Surrey Heartlands ICB advises that additional investment has been secured by the local system to increase capacity within the assessment pathway, and it is working to increase the earlier support available. The ICB is also continuing delivery of the Partnerships for the Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools programme, which brings together ICBs, local authorities, and schools, working in partnership with parents and carers to support schools to better meet the needs of neurodivergent children and their families.

When he plans to respond to correspondence dated (a) 5 March 2025, (b) 13 May 2025 and (c) 11 June 2025 from the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge, case reference BS35623.

The Government is committed to transparency and accountability, including through clear and timely responses to correspondence. I can confirm that your letter to the then-Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster dated 5 March, and subsequent emails of 13 May and 11 June, have been passed to me as the Minister responsible for this policy, and I have replied to your letter. Please accept my apologies for the delay.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy performance of Surrey and Borders NHS FT assessment pathway for neurodevelopment disorders in children.

The Government has recognised that, nationally, demand for assessments for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays for accessing such assessments. The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan will make the National Health Service fit for the future, recognising the need for early intervention and support, without the need for diagnosis.Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for making appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including access to ADHD and autism assessments, in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.In April 2023, NHS England published a national framework and operational guidance to help ICBs and the NHS to deliver improved outcomes for people referred to an autism assessment service. NHS England has continued to support services to identify challenges and how they might overcome these.  NHS England also established an ADHD taskforce to better understand the challenges affecting those with ADHD, including in accessing services and support. An interim report was published on 20 June 2025, with the final report expected later in the year and we will carefully consider its recommendations.

What (a) data sources and (b) methodology was used by South Western Rail to (i) measure the performance and (ii) monitor outage events of the lifts at Weybridge Station.

South Western Railway (SWR) uses the Network Rail data source system Citadel, which logs lifts reported out of use, alongside SWR customers advising of lifts out of use. This approach is used at all SWR stations with lifts including Weybridge. This data is then fed into a dashboard for measuring performance. The dashboard, lift performance and outage events are all discussed at a meeting held each rail period between SWR and Network Rail. This review feeds into improvement works and activities.