Written questions by Mierlo.

With reference to the Curriculum and Assessment Review interim report, published in March 2025, what steps her Department is taking to ensure (a) climate and (b) nature education is embedded across the curriculum.

It is important that pupils learn about climate and nature education. Therefore, these topics are already included within the geography, science, and citizenship national curricula, and schools can also choose to teach these matters where they feel relevant in other subjects.In addition, the Natural History GCSE will enable more young people to benefit from the opportunity to learn about the natural world in more depth at key stage 4. It will equip them to understand, and respect, the natural world and contribute to the protection and conservation of the environment locally, nationally and internationally.The independent Curriculum and Assessment Review’s interim report set out that rapid social, environmental and technological change necessitates that the curriculum keep pace, including a greater focus on sustainability and climate science.The Review’s final report has been published on 5 November with the government response to the recommendations published on the same day.

What (a) guidance, (b) funding, (c) accounting assistance and (d) other support her Department is providing to small businesses that become VAT-registered.

HMRC provides extensive guidance on GOV.UK to support VAT registered businesses including essentials that every business needs, up to more complex areas. Additional individual support is available from their helplines. HMRC has published an online VAT Registration Estimator for businesses approaching VAT registration. This helps them understand their basic obligations, work out what their liability may be should they need to register, and provides links to relevant guidance. There are schemes available to small businesses to support their cash flow and simplify the requirements for accounting for VAT. This includes the annual accounting scheme and cash accounting scheme, available for businesses with a turnover up to £1.6m. The Flat Rate Scheme is also available for those with a turnover up to £230k. This simplifies the calculation of VAT liability by applying a sector-specific percentage to sales, rather than recording VAT on each transaction.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2025 to Question 63715 on ADHD taskforce, when he expects the final report of the independent ADHD taskforce to be published.

The independent attention deficit hyperactivity disorder taskforce is expected to publish its final report in the coming weeks, and the Government will carefully consider its recommendations.

What steps he is taking to encourage bereavement leave uptake among (a) shift workers and (b) carers.

The Employment Rights Bill will introduce a new right to Bereavement Leave for those grieving the loss of a loved one or a pregnancy. A consultation was launched on 23rd October, and was widely shared. We will invite a range of groups, including business, charities, trade unions and others who represent caregivers and shift workers to roundtables to discuss the questions raised by the consultation and how the entitlement can best be constructed to meet the needs of those they represent. This approach will ensure the entitlement is constructed with the needs of employees and employers at the forefront.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of keeping the personal allowance at £12,570 on pensioners’ tax liability.

The Government is committed to making sure older people can live with the dignity and respect they deserve in retirement. The State Pension is the foundation of the support available to them. Over the course of this Parliament, the yearly amount of the full new State Pension is currently projected to go up by around £1,900 based on the Office for Budget Responsibility's latest forecast. The Personal Allowance - the amount an individual can earn before paying tax - will continue to exceed the basic and full new State Pension in 2025/26. This means pensioners whose sole income is the full new State Pension or basic State Pension without any increments will not pay any income tax.

How many patients accessed specialist weight management services operated by private providers through the Right to Choose pathway in the latest period for which data is available; and if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of funding provided to integrated care boards to support access to these services.

Patients have a legal right to choose where they go for their first appointment when referred to consultant-led care as an outpatient. Patients can choose a clinically appropriate provider who holds a contract for the provision of National Health Services. This includes independent sector providers who hold contracts with integrated care boards (ICBs) across the country to deliver services for the NHS.The Department does not hold data on whether patients were either offered a choice, or requested a choice, by provider or speciality pathway.ICBs are responsible for arranging the provision of health services within their area, in line with local population need and taking account of relevant guidance. This includes specialist weight management services, which are commissioned and funded by ICBs. NHS England has provided additional funding for ICBs to develop their obesity care pathways to support the roll out of some obesity medicines that have previously only been available in specialist weight management services.

Whether the Government plans to (a) update or (b) consolidate the legal framework governing the rights of Irish citizens in the UK, including the (i) Ireland Act 1949 and (ii) post-Brexit guidance.

We remain firmly committed to both the Good Friday Agreement and protecting the integrity and security of the Common Travel Area, which provides reciprocal rights for Irish citizens in the UK and UK citizens in Ireland. The UK Government and Irish Government work closely together to ensure that the rights continue to operate fully and correctly.

How much funding her Department plans to provide to schools that are not eligible for funding under the Connect the classroom programme for upgrading essential IT infrastructure.

The department is committed to supporting all schools to harness the transformative potential of technology. By setting digital and technology standards, developing support services, including our plan technology for your school service, and investing in connectivity, we aim to help all schools to have essential digital infrastructure in place.Funding under the Connect the Classroom programme is targeted at schools in greatest need, ensuring public investment delivers the most impact.The department is currently finalising internal budgeting processes and will announce any updates on future funding via GOV.UK.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy (a) of the rules governing utilities companies' use of the highway when carrying out emergency repairs and (b) the level of risk of abuse of those rules by utilities companies.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that street works, including emergency repairs by utilities companies, are managed efficiently and with minimal disruption. The current legislative framework provides highway authorities with effective powers to coordinate and oversee such works. We continue to review and strengthen these regulations to ensure charges remain proportionate and effective, and remain committed to working with local authorities, utilities, and stakeholders to deliver a modern and accountable street works regime.We are also aware of concerns about the potential misuse of emergency permit rules by utilities companies. Available data shows no evidence of widespread abuse, with most immediate permits used for genuine emergencies or urgent repairs. The Department continues to monitor trends and engage with industry and local authorities and will update guidance to provide greater clarity on appropriate use. We remain committed to ensuring the system is effective, proportionate, and minimises disruption to local communities.

What steps she is taking to enable Irish passport holders to apply for UK driving licences online.

Customers with an Irish passport can already use GOV.UK to verify their identity to renew an existing photocard licence, replace a lost, stolen, damaged or defaced licence and notify of a change of address. A further enhancement to the online service is scheduled to be available by March 2026 which will enable customers who hold an Irish passport to also apply for their first provisional licence online.

What steps he is taking to ensure that women with polycystic ovary syndrome receive (a) timely and (b) equitable access to fertility assessment and treatment under NHS pathways.

Funding decisions for health services in England are made by integrated care boards (ICBs) and are based on the clinical needs of their population. We expect ICBs to commission fertility services in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines ensuring equal access to fertility treatment across England.The NICE fertility guideline includes information on what advice and treatment should be offered to women with ovulation disorders, including polycystic ovary syndrome.NICE is currently reviewing the fertility guidelines and will consider whether the current recommendations for access to National Health Service funded treatment are still appropriate. A consultation on revised guidelines was published on 10 September.NICE is the independent body responsible for translating evidence into authoritative evidence-based guidance for the health and care system on best practice. NICE has been asked to develop a clinical guideline on the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome and is now planning its development. The guideline will cover the assessment and treatment of infertility for people with suspected or confirmed polycystic ovary syndrome, including in vitro fertilisation and in vitro maturation.The Government recognises that fertility treatment across the NHS in England is subject to variation in access. Work continues between the Department and NHS England to better understand the offer around NHS-funded fertility services. This work will take time to develop, however the Department is keen to ensure there will be stakeholder engagement during this process beginning in the new year.

What guidance his Department provides to ICBs to ensure that patients are informed of local IVF eligibility criteria at the point of referral to fertility services.

Funding decisions for health services in England are made by integrated care boards (ICBs), and we expect ICBs to commission fertility services in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. No guidance has been provided by the Department to the ICBs regarding the information provided to patients at the point of referral to fertility services.As part of the Women’s Health Strategy for England, we published data showing how many in vitro fertilisation cycles are funded by the NHS in each area of England, to promote more transparency about what services commissioners are offering. This data is reviewed and updated periodically and was last updated on 11 September 2025. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-funded-ivf-in-england/nhs-funded-in-vitro-fertilisation-ivf-in-england

What recent data his Department holds on the number of NHS-funded IVF cycles provided in each Integrated Care Board area.

Funding decisions for health services in England are made by integrated care boards (ICBs), and we expect ICBs to commission fertility services in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. No guidance has been provided by the Department to the ICBs regarding the information provided to patients at the point of referral to fertility services.As part of the Women’s Health Strategy for England, we published data showing how many in vitro fertilisation cycles are funded by the NHS in each area of England, to promote more transparency about what services commissioners are offering. This data is reviewed and updated periodically and was last updated on 11 September 2025. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-funded-ivf-in-england/nhs-funded-in-vitro-fertilisation-ivf-in-england

What steps she is taking to ensure that automated systems used by public bodies do not misclassify Irish citizens as requiring EU settled status documentation.

The automated systems used by public bodies are the responsibility of the relevant organisation. Where a public body carries out automated checks with the Home Office, such checks will generally confirm whether the person holds a valid immigration status. The Home Office does not provide information or advice on what immigration status or documentation a person is required to hold as part of those checks. Irish citizens are treated as settled in the UK and are not required to hold an immigration status.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of national funding allocations to Integrated Care Boards to support the delivery of levels of IVF treatment recommended by NICE.

No assessment has been made. Funding decisions for health services in England are made by integrated care boards (ICBs) and are based on the clinical needs of their population. We expect ICBs to commission fertility services in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines, ensuring equal access to fertility treatment across England.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of IVF age limits on women who delay starting families for (a) educational, (b) career and (c) financial reasons.

The Government recognises that fertility treatment across the National Health Service in England is subject to variation in access. Work continues between the Department and NHS England to better understand the offer around NHS-funded fertility services. This work will take time to develop, and the Department is keen to ensure there will be stakeholder engagement during this process, beginning in the new year.Funding decisions for health services in England are made by integrated care boards (ICBs) and are based on the clinical needs of their population. We expect ICBs to commission fertility services in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, ensuring equal access to fertility treatment across England.NICE develops its guidelines independent of the Government, based on the best available clinical evidence. The age limits recommended by NICE are informed by the chance of a live birth following in vitro fertilisation treatment falling with rising female age.NICE is currently reviewing the fertility guidelines and will consider whether the current recommendations for access to NHS-funded treatment are still appropriate. A consultation on revised guidelines was published on 10 September.

What steps he is taking to ensure that Integrated Care Boards implement National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance on access to NHS-funded IVF treatment.

The Government recognises that fertility treatment across the National Health Service in England is subject to variation in access. Work continues between the Department and NHS England to better understand the offer around NHS-funded fertility services. This work will take time to develop, and the Department is keen to ensure there will be stakeholder engagement during this process, beginning in the new year.Funding decisions for health services in England are made by integrated care boards (ICBs) and are based on the clinical needs of their population. We expect ICBs to commission fertility services in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, ensuring equal access to fertility treatment across England.NICE develops its guidelines independent of the Government, based on the best available clinical evidence. The age limits recommended by NICE are informed by the chance of a live birth following in vitro fertilisation treatment falling with rising female age.NICE is currently reviewing the fertility guidelines and will consider whether the current recommendations for access to NHS-funded treatment are still appropriate. A consultation on revised guidelines was published on 10 September.

What discussions she has had with police forces on the potential impact of the Malicious Communications Act 1988 on the right to peaceful protest.

The right to protest is a fundamental part of our democratic society, and people are free to express their views peacefully within the law. The Home Office continues to engage regularly with policing partners on the application of legislation in the context of public order and freedom of expression.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to reduce delays in the property buying process.

On 6 October 2025, the government published a consultation on proposals to improve to the home buying and selling process. It can be found on gov.uk here.

What recent discussions he has had with NHS England on Innovative Medicines funding for givinostat.

Department officials have regular discussions with NHS England on a number of topics, including funding for innovative medicines.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) makes recommendations for the National Health Service on whether new licensed medicines should be routinely funded by the NHS independently, based on an assessment of their costs and benefits. The NHS in England is legally required to fund medicines recommended by NICE, normally within three months of the publication of final guidance.NICE is currently evaluating givinostat for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and, following a call for evidence, its Appraisal Committee will meet to consider its recommendations on 23 October 2025. NICE currently expects to publish final guidance in January 2026.If recommended by NICE in draft guidance, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has been clear that NHS England should aim to work with the pharmaceutical company, Italfarmaco, to provide early interim funding for givinostat through the Innovative Medicines Fund, which has made available £340 million of ringfenced funding for the NHS to fund early access to medicines. This could potentially speed up access to givinostat by up to five months.To avoid the possibility of creating a way to circumvent the appraisal process, NHS England is unable to fund givinostat prior to the publication of draft NICE guidance that recommends the treatment.