Written questions by Smith.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of housing repairs that require contributions from Network Rail before proceeding on financial costs to homeowners.

Network Rail is responsible for assessing and managing potential impacts that its infrastructure or activities may have on neighbouring properties. Where homeowners believe that damage may be linked to railway operations, assets or work, Network Rail has an established process for investigating claims and determining any contribution it may be liable to make. The Department has not made a separate assessment of financial impacts on homeowners, as Network Rail’s processes follow existing legal and regulatory frameworks governing liability and compensation. These processes are designed to ensure that homeowners are not unfairly disadvantaged and that any required contributions from Network Rail are determined promptly and transparently.

What steps her Department is taking to help ensure that homeowners near railway lines being (a) created and (b) reopened are informed of the potential impact of new electrification or rail infrastructure on their homes, including the requirement to provide (i) detailed plans from contractors and (ii) contributions by Network Rail before making repairs to their homes.

The Department for Transport expects Network Rail to proactively and transparently engage with lineside neighbours who live close to major rail infrastructure works. Network Rail’s established consultation and communication procedures require project teams to provide clear information to homeowners regarding the scope and timing of works, potential impacts, and any access requirements. In addition, where new statutory powers are required to construct new rail infrastructure, further details on the scope, approach and any proposed mitigations (in accordance with legal requirements for those mitigations) are set out as part of the application process. Those affected have the opportunity to review and provide representations on the proposals, before a decision is made by the Secretary of State to grant statutory powers in a legal Order. Network Rail aims to minimise the impact of its works on adjoining neighbours. In the unlikely event that a neighbour considers damage has been caused as a result of Network Rail’s works, Network Rail has a standard process for those affected to set out, and evidence, the basis of their claim, which would then be considered.

What progress her Department has made in amending the rules on Gift Aid.

The government is pleased to confirm that charities will continue to be eligible for Gift Aid following implementation of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. HMRC has published guidance setting out that where subscriptions are currently eligible under existing Gift Aid rules, they will remain so. The guidance can be found on gov.uk via: Chapter 3 - 3.13.4: Gift Aid - GOV.UK

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that recent changes to the Motability Scheme, including the removal of VAT zero-rating on advance payments and the introduction of Insurance Premium Tax on certain vehicles, do not disproportionately impact disabled individuals in rural areas who require higher-specification vehicles capable of handling adverse road conditions.

The Motability Scheme is a lifeline for many disabled people and families, supporting their independence by enabling them to lease a car, wheelchair accessible vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair in exchange for an eligible disability benefit allowance.The Scheme will continue to offer a choice of vehicles, to meet a range of accessibility needs. The changes announced at the budget will not apply to current leases or wheelchair adapted vehicles, and the Scheme will continue to offer vehicles which require no advance payment, meaning that people will be able to access a suitable vehicle using only their qualifying disability benefit.  The Scheme will continue to offer a full ‘peace of mind package’ – including insurance and UK breakdown cover – and provide means-tested grants to support eligible people who would otherwise struggle to afford the advance payment. Proposed changes to the leasing package will undergo disability impact assessment by the Motability Foundation, which oversees the Scheme.

What assessment she has made of Link’s possible responsibility for delivering access to banking services and access to cash services.

Banking is changing, with many customers benefiting from the convenience and flexibility of managing their finances remotely. However, the Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking services to communities and is committed to supporting sufficient access for customers across the country. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) assumed regulatory responsibility for access to cash in September 2024. Where a resident, community organisation or other interested party feels access to cash in their community is insufficient, they can submit a request for a cash access assessment. LINK, the independent industry coordinating body responsible for conducting access to cash assessments, will then assess a community’s access to cash needs, and will recommend appropriate solutions, including banking hubs, where it considers a community requires additional cash services. LINK’s assessment criteria are based on rules set by the FCA. The FCA’s rules require LINK to consider a range of factors in their assessments. This includes travel times to nearby cash facilities and local population demographics, including the levels of vulnerability and the number of elderly people within the community. Any decisions on changes to LINK’s independent assessment criteria are a matter for LINK, the financial services sector, and for the FCA, which oversees the access to cash regime. Neither the FCA or LINK have responsibility for access to banking or in-person services. To support communities across the UK, the financial services industry is committed to rolling out 350 banking hubs across the UK by the end of this Parliament. Over 270 hubs have been announced so far, and more than 210 are already open.Banking hubs provide access to everyday counter services through Post Office staff, including cash withdrawals and deposits, balance enquiries and bill payments. They also contain dedicated rooms where customers can see community bankers from their own bank to carry out other banking services.

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that local health authorities provide parents with clear information regarding expected waiting times for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessments for children; and whether he plans to implement a standardised minimum waiting time announcement for such appointments.

There are currently no plans to implement a standardised minimum waiting time for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessments for children.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline for the diagnosis of autism recommends the length of time between referral and first appointment should be no more than 13 weeks. We know that this is not happening routinely across the country. In respect of ADHD, the NICE guideline does not recommend a maximum waiting time for people to receive an assessment for ADHD or a diagnosis, however it sets out best practice on providing a diagnosis.The Government has recognised that, nationally, demand for assessments for autism and 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) to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including provision of autism and ADHD services, in line with relevant NICE guidelines.Through the NHS Medium-term planning framework, published 24 October 2025, NHS England has set clear expectations for local ICBs and trusts to improve access, experience, and outcomes for autism and ADHD services over the next three years, focusing on improving quality and productivity.The Secretary of State announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. This independent review will inform our approach to enabling people with ADHD and autistic people to have the right support in place to enable them to live well in their communities.

Whether she has made an assessment of how Primary PE and Sport will be funded in the 2026–27 academic year; and when she plans to announce future funding arrangements for the Primary PE and Sport Premium.

Arrangements for the funding of PE and sport in the 2026/27 academic year and future will be confirmed in due course.

Media and Sport, what plans her Department has for funding the School Games Organiser Network after July 2026.

The Government has now confirmed funding for the SGO Network until the end of the 2026/27 financial year.

If she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of variations in ticket pricing between rail operators on the East Coast Main Line serving stations such as Berwick upon Tweed and Newcastle; and whether she plans to require more (a) transparent and (b) consistent pricing for passengers in regions where multiple operators provide competing services.

The move to Great British Railways will enable passengers to receive a more consistent offer across the network, and we are already taking steps to overhaul the complex fares system and make it easier and simpler for passengers to trust they are buying the right ticket and getting the best fare for their journey. Through public ownership London North Eastern Railway (LNER), TransPennine Express and Northern have expanded the availability of advance fares, making journeys that cross between operators cheaper and simpler. In addition, passengers travelling between Berwick and London can access the same core range of fares whether travelling on a direct service or by changing at Newcastle or York, including using TransPennine Express and then LNER on a single ticket. The only exceptions are specific LNER promotions (mainly the family ticket) and the LNER only First Class single. Further, the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement ensures that tickets valid for all train operators on the East Coast Mainline, including open access operators, will remain available for passengers.

Whether he plans to remove the mechanism in the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme that freezes bonus pension increase.

I am meeting the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Trustees next month to discuss future surplus sharing arrangements. No decisions have been made yet.

When she plans to publish the Integrated National Transport Strategy for England, following the closure of the call for evidence on 20 February 2025.

The Department is committed to publishing the integrated national transport strategy shortly, which will set the long‑term vision for domestic transport across England.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with Ofcom on considering the needs of rural broadband investment in the Telecoms Access Review.

As the independent regulator for telecommunications, Ofcom is responsible for making regulatory decisions in the fixed telecoms sector and is currently finalising its Telecoms Access Review.DSIT officials regularly engage with Ofcom on these issues. In July, we published our draft updated Statement of Strategic Priorities to Ofcom that sets out the government’s view on the importance of competition to promote investment in broadband deployment across the UK, including in rural areas.In non-commercially viable, often rural, areas, more than £2.4 billion of Project Gigabit contracts have already been signed to connect over one million premises with gigabit-capable broadband.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help increase funding for education for children around the world.

The UK is a world leader in championing safe, inclusive, quality education, working in partnership with governments and multilaterals to deliver the education that all children deserve. In a context of scarce resources, the UK is working to increase both the volume and effectiveness of global and national financial investments in education, including supporting innovative financing mechanisms such as the International Finance Facility for Education.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the Rural Payments Agency’s performance in delivering Higher Tier and other payments in early December in line with past expectations.

The 2025 payment window opened on 1 December, and by mid-December around three quarters of eligible farmers had already received their Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship payments. The Agency continues to work hard improving payment performance and to deliver all remaining eligible Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship payments as quickly as possible.

Food and Rural Affairs, what reassurance she can give to farmers whose cashflow relies on Higher Tier payments arriving in early December and who have not received their payments yet from the Rural Payments Agency.

The 2025 payment window opened on 1 December, and by mid-December around three quarters of eligible farmers had already received their Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship payments. The Agency continues to work hard improving payment performance and to deliver all remaining eligible Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship payments as quickly as possible.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he will take to remove barriers to accessing a social home for those most in need.

The government has already taken action to remove barriers for those most in need of access to social housing, including exempting former members of the regular armed forces, young care leavers under 25 and victims of domestic abuse from local connection tests.As announced in the government’s National Plan to End Homelessness on 11 December, we will work with partners to update statutory guidance on social housing allocations to ensure that allocations reflect local need and ensure homes go to those who need them the most.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the allegations relating to the (a treatment and (b) location of Y Qunyh Bdap from Vietnam; and what discussions she has had with her counterparts in Vietnam on his (i) location, (iI) wellbeing and (iii) access to legal counsel and independent monitoring.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 November in response to Question 83589. The UK raised the case of Y Quynh Bdap in our statement at the UN Human Rights Council in September 2025. On 19 December, the UK Human Rights Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Eleanor Sanders, also raised the UK's position on this case with Thailand's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Usana Berananda.

With reference to her Department's press release entitled Mirror, signal, manoeuvres: Military driving examiners mobilised to cut test backlog, published on 12 November 2025, whether an impact assessment has been conducted on the changes to the driving test booking system, including on driving instructors, and vulnerable or neurodiverse learners; and what assessment she has made of the potential merits of allowing approved driving instructors to book driving tests on behalf of pupils under the new system.

To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests across the country. The measures the Secretary of State for Transport announced on 12 November are designed to make the practical driving test booking process fairer, providing all learners with equal access to the booking system and ensuring that everyone pays the prescribed fee.The decision follows a call for evidence and a public consultation that sought views from the driver training industry, learner drivers and other interested parties. In reaching this decision, impacts were fully considered. Further detail on the rationale, which will set out the detailed analysis, will be provided in the consultation report which will be published shortly.DVSA is aware that some learners will need support to book tests, particularly those with accessibility requirements or learning difficulties. DVSA is working through the details to ensure no one is disadvantaged and will discuss practical solutions with the driver training industry ahead of implementation.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that patients awaiting elective surgery are provided with clear and timely information about their position on waiting lists; and whether his Department has considered introducing a system that allows patients to (a) track their approximate place in the queue and (b) receive regular updates on expected waiting times.

The Government is committed to putting patients first. This means making sure patients are seen on time and have the information they need to have the best possible experience of care.As set out in the Elective Reform Plan, published January 2025, patients should expect clear communications that meet their needs throughout their time on a waiting list. This includes information about how long they might wait for their appointment and details about how and when to contact their provider. We are currently working with patients and carers to publish minimum standards patients should expect while they wait for planned care. This includes considering patients’ communication needs.We have also taken steps to deliver important digital interventions to ensure patients can receive clear and timely information whilst waiting for care. Since March 2025, patients at 87% of hospitals can view information about their elective appointments, estimated waiting times, and average waiting times by specialty on the NHS App. By March 2027, we will significantly improve information about waiting times on the NHS App for patients in elective care and will expand proxy access for parents and carers. We will also review the role and functionality of My Planned Care, which currently provides average waiting times and other information for patients waiting for care. High quality non-digital options should always be in place for those that need them.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of (a) allowing the payment of and (b) refunding Vehicle Excise Duty on a (i) daily and (ii) weekly basis.

Since 1 October 2014, customers have had the option to pay VED monthly or in two instalments per year via direct debit, with a 5% surcharge. This scheme enables the spreading of VED payments at a lower surcharge rate than non-direct debit instalments, and helps individuals and families to plan and manage their finances. When considering changes to tax administration, the Government must balance a range of competing objectives such as complexity in the tax system, administrative burdens and cost. The Government annually reviews the rates and thresholds of taxes and reliefs to ensure that they are appropriate and reflect the current state of the economy. The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of the public finances.