Written questions by Morello.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking through youth services to help increase (a) school attendance and (b) the number of young people staying in education.

This Government fully recognises the importance of youth services to live safe and healthy lives, and the positive impact youth services can have on young people, including in educational settings.That is why we are co-producing a new National Youth Strategy. The Strategy will better coordinate youth services and policy at a local, regional and national level, moving away from siloed working - ensuring we are better coordinated and more than the sum of our parts.We know that youth services will help deliver the government’s missions, and the National Youth Strategy will work alongside developing Young Future hubs, the Curriculum and Assessment Review and further work across government to fulfill our commitment to improve young people’s lives.

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of training for (a) general practitioners and (b) dentists for (i) recognising and (ii) managing temporomandibular joint disorder.

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) treatment is considered as planned non-emergency care. The NHS.UK website advises that it is not usually serious and generally gets better without treatment. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/temporomandibular-disorder-tmd/Treatment options for TMJD are:- conservative treatments such as pain relief, physiotherapy, bite guards, and self-management advice. These are usually provided through primary care and would be considered as non-urgent but necessary care;- specialist referral, if conservative treatment does not help, specifically referral to oral maxillofacial surgery or a specialist pain clinic may occur. These referrals are part of the routine National Health Service pathways but are prioritised on clinical need; and- surgical treatments in severe cases, which are scheduled as planned elective procedures. In NHS terms this falls under elective care, but it is not optional in a cosmetic sense, as it is clinically indicated.NHS England Getting It Right First Time and the Royal College of Surgeons’ Faculty of Dental Surgery have produced guidance to better manage the condition, which is available at the following link:https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/-/media/FDS/Comprehensive-guideline-Management-of-painful-Temporomandibular-disorder-in-adults-March-2024.pdfNo assessment has been made on the adequacy of the training for general practitioners and dentists on recognising and managing TMJD. The standard of training is the responsibility of the General Medical Council and General Dental Council, which are independent statutory bodies.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of not being able to access a consistent brand of Letrozole on patient adherence.

Where a prescriber specifies a specific brand or manufacturer on the prescription, the pharmacy should provide that specific product to the patient. However, obtaining a product from a particular supplier may take the pharmacy longer to source.Pharmacies are largely private businesses, which provide National Health Services and have their own buying arrangements. Not all manufacturers supply to all wholesalers and not all pharmacies use the same wholesalers. This can mean there may be some specific manufacturer’s products that a pharmacy may not easily be able to source.Where a pharmacy is unable to supply a particular medicine promptly, their professional guidance states that they should talk to the patient to discuss the possible options available to them. This includes checking whether the medicine is available at another pharmacy or offering to contact the patient’s prescriber to jointly consider whether another suitable brand or medicine is available.

Whether his Department is taking steps to assess the (a) affordability and (b) accessibility of transferring people unable to access timely care on the NHS to private sector providers for temporomandibular joint disorder.

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) treatment is considered as planned non-emergency care. The NHS.UK website advises that it is not usually serious and generally gets better without treatment. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/temporomandibular-disorder-tmd/Treatment options for TMJD are:- conservative treatments such as pain relief, physiotherapy, bite guards, and self-management advice. These are usually provided through primary care and would be considered as non-urgent but necessary care;- specialist referral, if conservative treatment does not help, specifically referral to oral maxillofacial surgery or a specialist pain clinic may occur. These referrals are part of the routine National Health Service pathways but are prioritised on clinical need; and- surgical treatments in severe cases, which are scheduled as planned elective procedures. In NHS terms this falls under elective care, but it is not optional in a cosmetic sense, as it is clinically indicated.NHS England Getting It Right First Time and the Royal College of Surgeons’ Faculty of Dental Surgery have produced guidance to better manage the condition, which is available at the following link:https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/-/media/FDS/Comprehensive-guideline-Management-of-painful-Temporomandibular-disorder-in-adults-March-2024.pdfNo assessment has been made on the adequacy of the training for general practitioners and dentists on recognising and managing TMJD. The standard of training is the responsibility of the General Medical Council and General Dental Council, which are independent statutory bodies.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has considered introducing restrictions on the sale of disposable barbecues in areas experiencing prolonged dry weather.

The Government has no plans to ban disposable barbeques. Local authorities already have powers to apply local bans on council or public land. It is a crime to litter a disposable barbecue for which councils have powers to issue fixed penalty notices of up to £500 or prosecute. Research published under the previous Government titled Sky Lanterns, Single-Use Barbecues and Helium Balloons - Risks and Mitigation Options - EV04104 considered the risks posed by disposable barbecues but failed to demonstrate a clear net benefit from a total ban. National Landscapes and National Parks also have powers to regulate and prohibit fires on access land. The public are encouraged to behave responsibly when using products which have a fire risk. We are working across government to increase wildfire messaging to the public. The Countryside Code advises visitors to only use barbecues where signs state they are allowed. Voluntary guidelines by the British Retail Consortium encourage retailers to restrict the sale of disposable barbecues during extreme heat events, or when there are increased fire risks, or when asked to by local authorities. Wildfires are not in Defra’s remit, but instead fall to the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). If you would like further information on wildfires, please reach out to MHCLG.

If he will have discussions with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology on improving digital (a) access and (b) support for care users.

My rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, regularly meets with other Ministers to discuss shared priorities and cross-cutting policy areas. While there is no single cross-government digital strategy focused specifically on care users, the Department for Health and Social Care regularly engages with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and other departments on the importance of digital inclusion, infrastructure, and technology adoption in social care. These discussions inform our joint efforts to promote access to technology and digital services across the sector, ensuring that care settings are equipped with the digital infrastructure needed to support people who draw on care to access and use connected technologies in their day to day lives.Officials from both Departments are in regular contact to align on shared priorities, including the digital switchover, infrastructure investment, and support for innovation in care technology. An example of this joint working can be seen in the Telecare National Action Plan, published in February 2025.

Whether he has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology on the potential merits of implementing a digital strategy to enable care users to use technology.

My rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, regularly meets with other Ministers to discuss shared priorities and cross-cutting policy areas. While there is no single cross-government digital strategy focused specifically on care users, the Department for Health and Social Care regularly engages with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and other departments on the importance of digital inclusion, infrastructure, and technology adoption in social care. These discussions inform our joint efforts to promote access to technology and digital services across the sector, ensuring that care settings are equipped with the digital infrastructure needed to support people who draw on care to access and use connected technologies in their day to day lives.Officials from both Departments are in regular contact to align on shared priorities, including the digital switchover, infrastructure investment, and support for innovation in care technology. An example of this joint working can be seen in the Telecare National Action Plan, published in February 2025.

What steps his Department is taking with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to support care users to use technology in day to day life.

My rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, regularly meets with other Ministers to discuss shared priorities and cross-cutting policy areas. While there is no single cross-government digital strategy focused specifically on care users, the Department for Health and Social Care regularly engages with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and other departments on the importance of digital inclusion, infrastructure, and technology adoption in social care. These discussions inform our joint efforts to promote access to technology and digital services across the sector, ensuring that care settings are equipped with the digital infrastructure needed to support people who draw on care to access and use connected technologies in their day to day lives.Officials from both Departments are in regular contact to align on shared priorities, including the digital switchover, infrastructure investment, and support for innovation in care technology. An example of this joint working can be seen in the Telecare National Action Plan, published in February 2025.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with retailers on limiting the sale of disposable barbecues during periods of high fire risk.

The Government has no plans to ban disposable barbeques at present. Local authorities already have powers to apply local bans on council or public land. It would also be a crime to litter a disposable barbecue for which councils have powers to issue fixed penalty notices of up to £500 or prosecuteNational Landscapes and National Parks also have specific powers to regulate and prohibit fires on access landThe public are encouraged to behave responsibly when using products which have a fire risk. We are working across government departments to increase wildfire messaging to the public. The Countryside Code also advises visitors to the countryside to only use barbecues where signs state they are allowed.Voluntary guidelines by the British Retail Consortium encourage retailers to restrict the sale of disposable barbecues during extreme heat events, or when there are increased fire risks, or when asked to by local authorities.Wildfires and fire risk are not in Defra’s remit, but instead fall to the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). If you would like further information on wildfires, please reach out to MHCLG.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to discourage the use of disposable barbecues in National Landscapes during periods of high fire risk.

The Government has no plans to ban disposable barbeques at present. Local authorities already have powers to apply local bans on council or public land. It would also be a crime to litter a disposable barbecue for which councils have powers to issue fixed penalty notices of up to £500 or prosecuteNational Landscapes and National Parks also have specific powers to regulate and prohibit fires on access landThe public are encouraged to behave responsibly when using products which have a fire risk. We are working across government departments to increase wildfire messaging to the public. The Countryside Code also advises visitors to the countryside to only use barbecues where signs state they are allowed.Voluntary guidelines by the British Retail Consortium encourage retailers to restrict the sale of disposable barbecues during extreme heat events, or when there are increased fire risks, or when asked to by local authorities.Wildfires and fire risk are not in Defra’s remit, but instead fall to the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). If you would like further information on wildfires, please reach out to MHCLG.

Innovation and Technology, what plans his Department has to bring forward legislative proposals to amend the Submarine Telegraph Act 1885 to introduce modern (a) penalties and (b) definitions for (i) undersea infrastructure attacks and (ii) cyber‑enabled sabotage.

The Government is conducting a review to assess whether existing legal frameworks applying to subsea telecoms cables remain sufficient to ensure the security and resilience of this critical infrastructure. As part of the review, we are considering the provisions in the Submarine Telegraph Act 1885, including whether existing penalties and definitions remain fit for purpose to address modern threats. Where appropriate and proportionate to do so, the government will develop proposals to update existing legal frameworks.

Whether he is taking steps to support (a) BAE Systems and (b) other UK defence manufacturers to restart Typhoon production at the Warton facility in Lancashire.

The Typhoon programme supports more than 20,000 jobs across all regions of the UK, with an estimated 9,000 jobs in North-West England alone. Thanks to the hard-fought industrial workshare agreement, 37% of all nations' Typhoons are made in the UK, with major unit production occurring at BAE Systems sites in Salmesbury and Warton. Consequently, due to new aircraft orders placed by other nations, and the UK's continued investment to upgrade and sustain our Typhoons, the vast majority of these jobs are already secured. Importantly, this will sustain highest skilled manufacturing jobs in the UK for at least the next 10 years irrespective of whether the UK orders more aircraft. Typhoon will remain a critical Combat Aircraft for the UK until at least 2040. UK investment to upgrade and sustain the UK's Typhoon fleet will support jobs at BAE Systems sites, particularly at Warton and strengthen the UK's prospective Typhoon export campaigns. The Ministry of Defence is actively supporting BAE Systems export campaigns with Turkey and the KSA; the success of either of which would be enough to secure approximately 150-200 jobs on the Warton assembly line. In addition, to Typhoon, UK investment in the global F-35 programme, which has prospective orders for more than 3,500 aircraft, has created up to 20,000 UK jobs in the manufacturing and supply chains. With some nations expected to operate F-35 until the 2080s, the UK's participation in this programme will sustain these jobs for decades to come. Moreover, our investment in the Global Combat Air Programme is building on the Typhoon and F-35 UK industry skills base. There are already over 3,500 skilled people working on the programme across the UK, with a large proportion employed at BAE Systems at Warton, where the development of the aircraft is being led. Our commitment to the UK's Combat Air aerospace sector through the Typhoon, F-35 and GCAP programmes outlined in the Strategic Defence Review will deliver a world class Combat Air fleet for our armed forces and support over 40,000 long-term, high-quality UK manufacturing jobs.

Whether her Department is taking steps to increase the funding rate for school meals.

This government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity and tackling child poverty. We have now announced that we are extending free school meals (FSM) to all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit from September 2026. This will lift 100,000 children across England out of poverty and put £500 back in families’ pockets, supporting parents in decisive action to improve lives ahead of the Child Poverty Strategy coming later this year.Providing over half a million children from the most disadvantaged backgrounds with a free, nutritious lunchtime meal every school day will also lead to higher attainment, improved behaviour and better outcomes, meaning children get the best possible education and chance to succeed in work and life.The new entitlement will be fully funded. The department has set aside over £1 billion in funding over the multi-year spending review period to cover the additional meal costs. This is new money, as opposed to funding within existing school budgets. This will support schools to deliver nutritious and high quality meals which meet the school food standards to over half a million additional pupils.Schools fund benefits-related FSM from core funding, at a rate set by the national funding formula, which has increased to a factor value of £495 per eligible pupil for the 2025/26 academic year. The current meal rate for universal infant free school meals and further education free meals is increasing to £2.61 for 2025/26. As with all programmes, we will continue to keep funding for FSM under review.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the school meals funding rate in England to match the rate in Scotland.

This government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity and tackling child poverty. We have now announced that we are extending free school meals (FSM) to all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit from September 2026. This will lift 100,000 children across England out of poverty and put £500 back in families’ pockets, supporting parents in decisive action to improve lives ahead of the Child Poverty Strategy coming later this year.Providing over half a million children from the most disadvantaged backgrounds with a free, nutritious lunchtime meal every school day will also lead to higher attainment, improved behaviour and better outcomes, meaning children get the best possible education and chance to succeed in work and life.The new entitlement will be fully funded. The department has set aside over £1 billion in funding over the multi-year spending review period to cover the additional meal costs. This is new money, as opposed to funding within existing school budgets. This will support schools to deliver nutritious and high quality meals which meet the school food standards to over half a million additional pupils.Schools fund benefits-related FSM from core funding, at a rate set by the national funding formula, which has increased to a factor value of £495 per eligible pupil for the 2025/26 academic year. The current meal rate for universal infant free school meals and further education free meals is increasing to £2.61 for 2025/26. As with all programmes, we will continue to keep funding for FSM under review.

What assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the funding rate for school meals in West Dorset constituency.

This government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity and tackling child poverty. We have now announced that we are extending free school meals (FSM) to all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit from September 2026. This will lift 100,000 children across England out of poverty and put £500 back in families’ pockets, supporting parents in decisive action to improve lives ahead of the Child Poverty Strategy coming later this year.Providing over half a million children from the most disadvantaged backgrounds with a free, nutritious lunchtime meal every school day will also lead to higher attainment, improved behaviour and better outcomes, meaning children get the best possible education and chance to succeed in work and life.The new entitlement will be fully funded. The department has set aside over £1 billion in funding over the multi-year spending review period to cover the additional meal costs. This is new money, as opposed to funding within existing school budgets. This will support schools to deliver nutritious and high quality meals which meet the school food standards to over half a million additional pupils.Schools fund benefits-related FSM from core funding, at a rate set by the national funding formula, which has increased to a factor value of £495 per eligible pupil for the 2025/26 academic year. The current meal rate for universal infant free school meals and further education free meals is increasing to £2.61 for 2025/26. As with all programmes, we will continue to keep funding for FSM under review.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the school meals funding rate on local providers.

This government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity and tackling child poverty. We have now announced that we are extending free school meals (FSM) to all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit from September 2026. This will lift 100,000 children across England out of poverty and put £500 back in families’ pockets, supporting parents in decisive action to improve lives ahead of the Child Poverty Strategy coming later this year.Providing over half a million children from the most disadvantaged backgrounds with a free, nutritious lunchtime meal every school day will also lead to higher attainment, improved behaviour and better outcomes, meaning children get the best possible education and chance to succeed in work and life.The new entitlement will be fully funded. The department has set aside over £1 billion in funding over the multi-year spending review period to cover the additional meal costs. This is new money, as opposed to funding within existing school budgets. This will support schools to deliver nutritious and high quality meals which meet the school food standards to over half a million additional pupils.Schools fund benefits-related FSM from core funding, at a rate set by the national funding formula, which has increased to a factor value of £495 per eligible pupil for the 2025/26 academic year. The current meal rate for universal infant free school meals and further education free meals is increasing to £2.61 for 2025/26. As with all programmes, we will continue to keep funding for FSM under review.

If she will hold discussions with the Prime Minister on the potential merits of establishing a new homeland security ministerial post.

As Security Minister, I am responsible for matters covering a range of homeland security issues - counter terrorism and extremism; state threats; cyber security and crime; serious and organised crime; oversight of the National Crime Agency; anti-corruption; and economic crime (excluding fraud). In addition, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is the Minister responsible for resilience and civil contingencies.Given that CDL and my respective responsibilities cover homeland security, there are therefore currently no plans for the Home Secretary to discuss a new Ministerial post with the Prime Minister. However, as set out in our recently published National Security Strategy, the Government recognises action is needed to ensure we are secure at home and will continue to explore the best ways to undertake the steps set out in the strategy.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of reliance on Chinese-made drones on levels of risk for defence procurement.

The Ministry of Defence regularly reviews its critical supply chains to identify and mitigate risks to defence capability. The Department does not procure Chinese manufactured drones for use in operations.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that face-to-face meetings are available to claimants during the Personal Independence Payment appeals process.

Listing appeals, including the mode of hearing, is a judicial function, and HM Courts & Tribunals Service cannot comment on decisions made by independent tribunal judiciary.As part of the appeal process, appellants are given the option to select the most suitable hearing types for them. This includes attending a tribunal venue for a face-to-face hearing; a video or telephone hearing; or for the appeal to be determined on the papers. The Department for Work and Pensions, as Respondent to the appeal, is also given the opportunity to express their preference for the type of hearing they would like. Most hearings are currently held in person at a tribunal venue.The President of the First-Tier Social Entitlement Chamber has published a Guidance Note on the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary Website covering the mode of hearing in Social Security and Child Support Tribunal Appeals here: Chamber President's Guidance Note No. 5 Mode of hearing in Social Security and Child Support Appeals.

Whether her Department is developing proposals for the creation of a national body for special educational needs and disabilities.

The department is aware of the challenges in the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system, and we understand how urgently we need to address these. We do not, however, believe that what the SEND system needs is another body which would add to the bureaucracy in the system. Our focus is on making the system less bureaucratic and getting support to children and young people who need it, quickly and efficiently.Details of the government's intended approach to SEND reform will be set out in a White Paper in the autumn.