Written questions by Coghlan.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of support for (a) householders and (b) businesses to mitigate of the costs of net zero transition.

To reach net zero requires a wide-reaching transformation of the UK economy, which brings with it incredible opportunity for jobs and growth across the country. It will attract investment into our communities and help support new jobs. Accelerating to net zero will unlock a range of benefits for businesses, including new market opportunities, access to green finance and reduced energy bills. We support the UK Business Climate Hub which provides advice to support business, particularly SMEs, to take action to reduce emissions. We have also committed to publishing a Public Participation Strategy for Net Zero this year, which will include how we will support people to adopt new technologies. In an unstable world, the only way to guarantee our energy security and protect billpayers permanently is to speed up the transition away from fossil fuels and towards homegrown clean energy.

What steps she plans to take to improve consumer protections for air travel.

The UK already has a Regulatory framework to protect air passenger rights, including during disruptions such as cancellations and delays, and for disabled and less mobile passenger. The Department for Transport will continue to consider options for strengthening air passenger rights; working with industry, stakeholders and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to ensure consumers continue to have a high level of protection whilst travelling by air. The Department for Transport launched the Aviation Accessibility Task and Finish Group in November. It brings together industry experts and consumer representatives to identify practical and achievable actions to improve aviation accessibility. Furthermore, the Department for Transport is continuing work with the CAA exploring how the Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing (ATOL) scheme should operate in the future to continue to provide valued protection for consumers.

Whether he has had discussions with airlines on the transparency of their terms and conditions.

Airlines are required by law to have fair and transparent terms and conditions. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is responsible for ensuring airlines are meeting this legal obligation and will take enforcement action where necessary.

If he will (a) review (i) diagnostic and (ii) treatment practices for people with chronic urinary tract infections and (b) take steps to improve conditions for people with such infections.

NHS England published Excellence in Continence Care on 23 July 2018, bringing together evidence-based resources and research for guidance for commissioners, providers, and health and social care staff. This guidance covers both urinary and bowel, also known as faecal, incontinence, and is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/excellence-in-continence-care/NHS England will consider the next steps for Excellence in Continence Care.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of revising the Infection Prevention Controls guidance in the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual and Health Technical Memoranda guidelines prior to 1 March 2025 to ensure (a) recognition of the role of airborne transmission of SARS-Cov-2 and (b) appropriate guidance on (i) the use of FFP3 masks, (ii) improved standards of ventilation and air filter devices in (A) clinical and (B) non-clinical healthcare settings and (iii) other measures to limit airborne transmission of (1) Covid-19 and (2) other respiratory viruses; and if he will take steps to ensure the distribution of those guidelines to all employers and providers of healthcare workers.

The emerging evidence on airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses is continually reviewed by the UK Health Security Agency, NHS England, and the Department. Assessment of research on aerosol behaviour, Aerosol Generating Procedures (AGPs), and personal protective equipment, including FFP3 masks, ensures that the guidance reflects the latest science and best practice.The National Infection Prevention and Control Manual offers practical guidance on respiratory transmission, including airborne pathways, with non-pathogen-specific standards providing a robust framework for diverse infection, prevention, and control challenges.The updated acute respiratory virus guidance, published in March 2024, advises adult social care providers on precautions for preventing respiratory infection transmission, addressing masks, ventilation, and other measures based on current evidence. The acute respiratory virus guidance is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/infection-prevention-and-control-in-adult-social-care-acute-respiratory-infection/infection-prevention-and-control-ipc-in-adult-social-care-acute-respiratory-infection-ari

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of waiting until the publication of the final Module 3 Covid-19 Inquiry report to (a) recognise the role of airborne transmission of SARS-Cov-2 and (b) update (i) Infection Prevention Controls guidance in the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual and (ii) Health Technical Memoranda guidelines to limit airborne transmission of (A) Covid-19 and (B) other respiratory viruses on (1) health workers and (2) patients.

NHS England maintains efforts to evaluate potential revisions to the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM), which aim to maintain high infection, prevention, and control standards. Any updates will ensure consistent application across healthcare settings. Current guidance balances scientific evidence, operational feasibility, and sustainable infection, prevention, and control practices to protect healthcare workers and patients.Delaying NIPCM updates until the final Module 3 COVID-19 inquiry report risks greater exposure to infection, slower practice improvements, and training gaps. Timely updates, based on emerging evidence, strengthen healthcare worker and patient safety through evidence-based, locally adapted measures.The updated acute respiratory virus guidance, published in March 2024, advises adult social care providers on precautions for preventing respiratory infection transmission, addressing masks, ventilation, and other measures based on current evidence. The acute respiratory virus guidance is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/infection-prevention-and-control-in-adult-social-care-acute-respiratory-infection/infection-prevention-and-control-ipc-in-adult-social-care-acute-respiratory-infection-ari

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to discourage landbanking.

The government wants to see homes built faster and we recognise the frustrations that stalled or delayed sites can cause to communities.Once housebuilders have been granted permission for residential development, meeting local housing needs and preferences, we expect to see them built out as quickly as possible.Local planning authorities already have powers to issue a completion notice to require a developer to complete their development if it is stalled. If they fail to do so, the planning permission for the development will lapse.The revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December includes policies designed to support increased build out rates, including the promotion of mixed tenure development.In addition, our New Homes Accelerator aims to unblock and accelerate the delivery of housing developments that have for various reasons become delayed, or which are not progressing as quickly as they could be.To enhance transparency and accountability in respect of build out rates, the government intend to take steps to implement build out reporting following technical consultation.We also intend to provide local planning authorities with powers to decline to determine planning applications submitted by developers who have failed to implement previous permissions.

What steps her Department is taking to help progress the planning application for Betchwood Vale Academy.

The construction contractor, appointed by the department to progress the detailed designs, is currently producing the necessary reports and surveys required to submit the planning application for Betchwood Academy.

What steps his Department has taken to ensure blood specimens taken for prostate specific antigen tests are separated within 16 hours.

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing volumes and the time taken for blood specimens to reach the laboratory for separation, including those within 16 hours, is not currently monitored by NHS England.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence...

How many and what proportion of blood specimens taken for prostate specific antigen tests are separated within 16 hours.

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing volumes and the time taken for blood specimens to reach the laboratory for separation, including those within 16 hours, is not currently monitored by NHS England.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence...