Written questions by Naismith.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of electrifying rail routes.

This government expects electrification to play an important role to achieve our Net Zero 2050 target and, as such, we will continue to invest in electrification projects which will deliver value for money for the taxpayer. Electrification can also have wider benefits for the railway including increased reliability, cheaper operating costs and quicker journeys compared to diesel vehicles. Our strategy will be to focus on being more efficient with where we deliver electrification by leveraging the recent progress in battery technology. This will help to reduce the amount of electrification infrastructure that needs to be delivered to achieve our Net Zero target.

Whether foreign nationals on UK work visas will (a) be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after five years and (b) have (i) provisions and (ii) routes for fast-tracking permanent residency for skilled workers in key sectors; and whether undertaking postgraduate studies alongside employment will impact eligibility for settlement.

We will be consulting on the earned settlement scheme later this year and further details on the proposed scheme will be provided at that time.

Whether the children of parents who have relocated to the UK are able to obtain funding to enrol at UK universities.

Generally, to be eligible for student support a student must be ordinarily resident in England and have ‘settled’ status or a recognised connection with the UK on the first day of the first academic year of the course. They must also have been ordinarily resident in the UK and Islands (Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) for the three years prior to that date.It is important that the limited public funds available for student support are targeted on those categories of persons with a lawful and substantial residential connection to the UK and who are likely to remain indefinitely.

What assessment he has made of the potential role of (a) railways and (b) rail freight in supporting the forthcoming industrial strategy.

The Government recognises that the supply chain is crucial for the day-to-day running, maintenance, and development of the railway.Under the strategic leadership of Great British Railways, there will be more coordination between track and train, a centralised point of contact and more certainty for rail suppliers, but equally the Government requires a resilient and productive rail supply chain that invests in skills, technology, and innovation to reduce costs and increase competitiveness.The Industrial Strategy Green Paper, Invest 2035, identified eight growth-driving sectors. All sectors will benefit from wider policy reform, including rail, through the Industrial Strategy’s cross-cutting policies alongside the broader Growth Mission. This will create the pro-business environment for all businesses to invest and employ, with growth that supports high-quality jobs and ensures that the benefits are shared across people, places, and generations.

What plans she has to review the age cap on funding for (a) Level 6 and (b) Level 7 apprenticeships.

This government has a driving mission to break down barriers to opportunity.From January 2026 the government will no longer fund level 7 apprenticeships except for young apprentices under the age of 22. This will enable apprenticeships opportunities to be rebalanced towards young people and create more opportunities for those entering the labour market, who need skills and training to get on in their careers.Level 6 apprenticeships will continue to be funded for all ages (16+) by the government.

Whether there is an external right of appeal for people who believe they have been discriminated against when applying for doctorates at universities in the UK.

Higher education providers (HEPs) are autonomous from government and are responsible for their own admissions decisions. The department has no legal remit to become involved in disputes between prospective students and their university.Responsibility for handling applicant complaints and/or appeals, in the first instance, is a matter for the relevant HEP and each university has formal complaints and appeal processes.If a complainant has exhausted the official process and the matter has not been resolved to their satisfaction, they are free to consider bringing a claim for judicial review or for discrimination under the Equality Act.Another route available to dissatisfied applicants is through the higher education regulator, the Office for Students (OfS). While the OfS cannot become involved in individual complaints, applicants can notify the OfS if they think that a university has broken its conditions of registration.

Communities and Local Government, when she plans to publish the long-term housing strategy.

The government intends to publish a long-term housing strategy later this year.

What (a) support and (b) funding his Department provides for renewable energy innovation to entrepreneurs in Cheshire East.

The Government supports renewable energy innovation through a range of measures including the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio which aims to accelerate the commercialisation of low-carbon technologies in power, buildings and industry. Over 2021-25, approximately £91 million has been invested in the Northwest of England through this programme. For example, in East Cheshire, funding has been provided to innovators like Aerofoil Energy to improve energy and temperature performance in retail refrigeration.

If his Department will ensure that Aphasia is included in the NHS 10-year plan.

The 10-Year Health Plan will deliver the three big shifts our National Health Service needs to be fit for the future: from hospital to community; from analogue to digital; and from sickness to prevention. All of these are relevant to managing conditions such as aphasia in all parts of the country.More tests and scans delivered in the community, better joint working between services, and greater use of apps and wearable technology will all support people to manage their long-term conditions, including aphasia, closer to home.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to ensure that the McCloud remedy is enacted for members of the Firefighters' Pension Scheme.

Neither the policy responsibility nor administrative responsibility for the firefighters’ pension scheme falls to the Department of Work and Pensions. There have, therefore, been no such discussions. The Public Service Pensions and Judicial Act 2022 provides that all eligible members will be given a choice to remedy the discrimination set out in the McCloud judgment. Implementation of McCloud remedy is an administrative matter, and the firefighters’ pension scheme is locally administered by each of the individual fire and rescue authorities in England. The government continues to work closely with the fire sector to support the effective implementation of the McCloud remedy for all affected individuals.

What recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the loan charge on the mental health of loan charge users.

In January, the Government launched an independent review of the Loan Charge. The Government believes the most important outcome of the review must be to bring the Loan Charge to a close for those people who still owe substantial amounts of money but can see no way to resolve their debts. The Government recognises the impact that large tax bills can have on taxpayers, especially those who are in vulnerable circumstances. HMRC continues to provide support for those affected, with agreed manageable payment plans and a well-established Extra Support Service. It has guidance and training in place for all customer advisors or settlement teams on identifying taxpayers who need extra support and providing reasonable adjustments to meet their needs. Where appropriate, HMRC will signpost taxpayers to voluntary and community organisations and where needed, to a dedicated Samaritans helpline for specialist emotional help, where taxpayers can talk through their concerns and worries.

If she will take steps to ensure that full-time carers are paid the national minimum wage.

The Department for Business and Trade is responsible for the enforcement of the National Minimum Wage. The Department of Health and Social Care has an interest in the terms and conditions of those working in the paid care sector in England. DWP provides support for unpaid carers on low incomes, including through Universal Credit, Pension Credit and housing benefits. These are income-related benefits and are paid at higher rates for full-time carers than for those without full-time caring responsibilities. In England and Wales, DWP also provides support for unpaid carers through Carer’s Allowance, which can be paid alongside the income-related benefits.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help support people who are being harassed by foreign private care institutions for matters that would not be subject to (a) legal and (b) financial obligations within the UK.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has longstanding advice that British nationals should purchase appropriate insurance before travelling abroad. If British travellers do not have appropriate insurance before they travel they can be liable for emergency expenses. The FCDO cannot get involved in private disputes over commercial or other matters. Our consular assistance includes providing information about the legal systems in the country concerned, and we can provide details of local lawyers.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to update guidance on the ownership of XL Bullies.

The ban on XL Bullies is vital to protect the public and we expect all XL Bully owners to comply with the conditions. Up to date guidance for owners of XL Bullies is available on GOV.UK.

Whether the definition of retail workers in clause 14 of the Crime and Policing Bill includes transport revenue protection staff with the facility to sell tickets.

Through our Crime and Policing Bill, we have introduced a standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores. This applies only to shop workers.The new offence is aimed specifically at shop workers due to the unacceptable, soaring levels of retail crime and assaults against retail workers in recent years.Those workers whose roles are not included within the definition are already covered under other legislation such as the Offences against the Person Act 1861, which also covers more serious violence, including actual bodily harm and grievous bodily harm.Section 156 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 creates a statutory aggravating factor in sentencing cases of assault against public facing workers. It applies where an assault is committed against those providing a public service, performing a public duty or providing a service to the public. This includes those working in retail and other public-facing roles, including those working in the transport sector.We will use the parliamentary process to scrutinise the provisions in the Bill and will consider carefully amendments tabled as well as evidence put forward in support of such amendments.

Whether the definition of retail workers in clause 14 of the Crime and Policing Bill includes staff selling tickets at (a) train station gate lines and (b) train station platforms.

Through our Crime and Policing Bill, we have introduced a standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores. This applies only to shop workers.The new offence is aimed specifically at shop workers due to the unacceptable, soaring levels of retail crime and assaults against retail workers in recent years.Those workers whose roles are not included within the definition are already covered under other legislation such as the Offences against the Person Act 1861, which also covers more serious violence, including actual bodily harm and grievous bodily harm.Section 156 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 creates a statutory aggravating factor in sentencing cases of assault against public facing workers. It applies where an assault is committed against those providing a public service, performing a public duty or providing a service to the public. This includes those working in retail and other public-facing roles, including those working in the transport sector.We will use the parliamentary process to scrutinise the provisions in the Bill and will consider carefully amendments tabled as well as evidence put forward in support of such amendments.

Whether the definition of retail premises in clause 14 of the Crime and Policing Bill includes (a) travel ticket offices, (b) train stations and (c) commercial passenger trains.

Through our Crime and Policing Bill, we have introduced a standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores. This applies only to shop workers.The new offence is aimed specifically at shop workers due to the unacceptable, soaring levels of retail crime and assaults against retail workers in recent years.Those workers whose roles are not included within the definition are already covered under other legislation such as the Offences against the Person Act 1861, which also covers more serious violence, including actual bodily harm and grievous bodily harm.Section 156 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 creates a statutory aggravating factor in sentencing cases of assault against public facing workers. It applies where an assault is committed against those providing a public service, performing a public duty or providing a service to the public. This includes those working in retail and other public-facing roles, including those working in the transport sector.We will use the parliamentary process to scrutinise the provisions in the Bill and will consider carefully amendments tabled as well as evidence put forward in support of such amendments.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 on consumer protection laws.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act updates existing prohibitions on unfair trading in the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations (2008) and introduces new consumer protections for subscription contracts.The impact assessment for the DMCCA can be found here: Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill - Impact Assessment Summary.docx. We will continue to monitor the impact of the measures on consumers.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate they have made of the number of UK residents with properties in the EU that are affected by post-Brexit restrictions; and what steps they are taking to (a) address and (b) remediate these.

There is no requirement for UK residents with properties in the EU to record these details with the UK Government.The UK and the EU allow for visa-free short-term travel in line with their respective arrangements for third country nationals. The UK allows EU citizens short-term visa-free travel for up to six months. Meanwhile, the EU allows for travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period; this is standard for third countries travelling visa-free to the EU. Applications for visas to visit or stay for longer periods of time would be processed according to the rules of individual Member States.The UK Government is using diplomatic channels to facilitate conversations with EU Member States about a range of issues affecting our citizens. We will continue to listen to and advocate for UK nationals.

Whether her Department plans to change rules for Cash ISAs.

The Government is committed to incentivising greater savings and investment. The Government recognises the important role that cash savings play in helping households build a financial buffer for a rainy day.At Spring Statement, the Government announced that it is looking at options for reforms to Individual Savings Accounts that get the balance right between cash and equities to earn better returns for savers, boost the culture of retail investment, and support the growth mission.