Written questions by Naismith.

Whether she plans to include people with mental health problems in the disability criteria for disabled railcards.

The Disabled Persons Rail Card (DPRC) supports over 300,000 with disabilities to travel more affordably, recognising that people with a disability often face additional costs and barriers to participating in day-to-day activities such as travel. Although those with a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability can be eligible for a DPRC already, under some circumstances, the Department for Transport is currently reviewing the criteria to ensure they reflect a more comprehensive understanding of disability, particularly in relation to non-visible disabilities, and how people demonstrate their eligibility.

What steps she is taking to ensure airlines do not discriminate against elderly people who are not able to digitally check-in.

Nobody should be discriminated against because of their age when travelling by air.All passengers have the choice to check in for their flight at the airport.

Whether his Department plans to include vasa praevia screening as part of antenatal care within the NHS.

Based on the UK National Screening Committee’s last review in 2023 of screening women for vasa praevia during pregnancy, screening is not currently recommended, because:- it is not known how many babies are affected by it in the United Kingdom;- it is not known how accurate screening tests are at detecting it;- screening may mean some women are offered an early caesarean when they do not need one; and- some women may be reassured by false tests and still have a problem during delivery.The Secretariat hopes to be able to commission a further evidence review within the next three years.

What steps her Department is taking to (a) comply with the McCloud remedy and (b) provide assurances to members of the Police Pensions Scheme.

While the Home Office has responsibility for overarching policy and legislative changes to the police pension regulations, the police pension scheme is locally administered by individual police forces. The regulations governing the McCloud remedy for the police pension schemes were made in July 2023.It is for each Chief Constable, in their role as scheme manager for their force, to determine their administrative timetable, including when remedy payments will be distributed.The Home Office is actively collaborating with policing to support the effective implementation of the McCloud remedy for all affected individuals.

If she will take steps to ensure unpaid carers claiming carers allowance over the retirement age on behalf of a disabled spouse below retirement age continue to receive benefits.

I refer the honourable member to the answer I gave on 14 October 2024 to question UIN 6904As explained in UIN 6904 these rules are based on the circumstances of the carer, not those of the disabled person.

Whether her Department has plans to mandate a standard platform height for train stations.

Ensuring accessibility for all passengers is at the heart of the Government’s passenger-focused approach and we will work to deliver a more reliable and consistent customer experience for everyone with accessibility needs. Level boarding is an important factor, and the procurement of new trains will need to take account of allowing passengers to board and alight with ease. At present, new, renewed or upgraded platforms at train stations in Great Britain are required to meet a nominal height of 915mm, as mandated by the National Technical Specification Notices and National Technical Rules for the interoperability of the GB railway. There is no current plan to change these mandatory platform heights requirements for stations on the conventional mainline railway, but the Department keeps all rail interoperability requirements under review.

What steps she is taking to improve the accessibility of the railways for disabled people.

We are carefully considering the best approach to the Access for All programme. Since April 2024, 13 stations have been completed with a further 18 due to be completed by April 2025. This will be the most stations completed in one year since the programme started in 2006. This Government is committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognises the social and economic benefits this brings to communities.

What plans his Department has to ensure that (a) commercial and (b) retail units utilise (i) solar panels and (ii) other renewable energy sources.

Future building standards this year will set new homes and buildings on a path that moves away from relying on volatile fossil fuel markets and ensures they are fit for a net zero future. Changes have been introduced to permitted development rights, enabling more solar installations to benefit from these flexibilities and planning freedoms. The Government will assess the potential to drive the construction of solar canopies on outdoor carparks over a certain size through a call for evidence this year.

How many (a) Community First Responders and (b) Emergency Medical Technician use blue light vehicles.

This data is not held centrally by the Department. Community First Responders (CFRs) are community volunteers who respond to incidents, supporting ambulance services. CFRs are not trained to drive under blue light emergency conditions, and must follow all...

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of Ofsted's complaints procedure; and what her Department's policy is on its future.

This is a matter for His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver. I have asked him to write to the hon. Member and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the condition of Crewe Railway Station.

There is a clear need for interventions at Crewe station including to ageing roof and canopies. The Department expects Avanti West Coast, which manages the day-to-day running of the station, to work closely on behalf of passengers with Network Rail, which...

What steps her Department is taking to help raise awareness of the (a) potential merits of T Level qualifications for employers and (b) differences between T Levels and apprenticeships.

All T Levels provide students with direct experience of the workplace through a 45-day industry placement, offering employers a unique opportunity to build their talent pipelines and fill skills gaps. Almost a third of the first cohort of T Level students...

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of a shortfall in SEND education provision within Cheshire East on SEND children; and whether she plans to take steps to increase this provision.

The statutory duty to provide sufficient school places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) sits with local authorities.The department supports local authorities to provide suitable school places for children and young peopl...

What plans he has to support people who require long term care for (a) dementia and (b) other debilitating diseases with the costs of such care.

We want a society where every person, including those with dementia and other long-term conditions, receives high-quality, compassionate continuity of care, with their families and carers also supported. Central to this is the provision of personalised ca...

What her planned timetable is for the reform of business rates.

The government made a manifesto commitment to a fairer business rates system that levels the playing field between online giants and the high street, supports investment and entrepreneurship and tackles empty properties. Further information on business ra...

What assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the condition of RAAC at Leighton Hospital in Crewe and Nantwich constituency.

As one of the seven hospitals constructed mostly using reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), Leighton Hospital was selected to be rebuilt as part of the New Hospital Programme (NHP) in May 2023. It is also part of NHS England’s robust national RAAC programme, which is backed by £954 million. This programme has delivered mitigation, safety, and eradication works across all National Health Service sites in England with confirmed RAAC, to keep facilities safe and open, including Leighton Hospital. Keeping capacity open but being scrupulous about monitoring and mitigation until the hospital is rebuilt is fully in line with the current evidence and recommendations of the Institute of Structural Engineers.As the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced, and as subsequently confirmed in the Chancellor’s statement on 29 July 2024, the Department will undertake a full and comprehensive review of the NHP to provide a realistic and costed timetable for delivery. This will take into account the urgent need to rebuild Leighton Hospital to ensure the safety of staff and patients. Once the review into the NHP is concluded the Secretary of State will update Parliament and set out the next steps for the Programme.

What steps his Department plans to take to (a) improve connectivity between the North and the Midlands, (b) increase capacity on the West Coast Main Line and (c) utilise Crewe as a transport hub.

Transport is an essential part of our mission to rebuild Britain, and this Government is committed to delivering infrastructure that works for the whole country. We are currently considering options on future rail infrastructure, including how we best support economic growth in the North and Midlands and tackle issues on the West Coast Main Line.