Written questions by Maguire.

What the budget for NHS dentistry is for 2026.

The 2026/27 dental ringfenced budget for NHS dentistry is £4.2 billion. For 2026/27, the budget for dental checks in Special Educational Settings (SES) is being included within the dental ringfenced budget. This was previously included within the wider Pharmacy, Ophthalmic, Dental (POD) budget but was not ringfenced with other dental spend.NHS England has now published the Medium-Term Planning Framework for delivering change together 2026/27 to 2028/29, which is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/medium-term-planning-framework-delivering-change-together-2026-27-to-2028-29/In addition, information on allocations for 2026/27 to 2027/28 is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/allocation-of-resources-2026-27-to-2027-28/NHS organisations are now in the process of developing their operational plans that will detail how they will meet the standards set out in the Medium-Term Planning Framework.A separate schedule has been issued setting out the 2026/27 to 2028/29 Integrated Care Board (ICB) POD allocations. The utilisation of ICB POD allocations is subject to a ringfence on budgets for dental services. More information is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/icb-other-primary-care-allocations-2026-27-to-2028-29-v2.pdf

What assessment has been made of the merits of providing training to mental health teams to support children with lifelong speech and language difficulties.

No such specific assessment has been made. The Department of Health and Social Care is working closely with the Department for Education and NHS England to improve access to community health services, including speech and language therapy, for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.In addition to the undergraduate degree route, speech and language therapists can now also train via a degree apprenticeship. This route is going into its fourth year of delivery and offers an alternative pathway to the traditional degree route into a successful career as a speech and language therapist.In partnership with NHS England, the Department for Education has extended the Early Language and Support for Every Child programme, trialling new ways of working to better identify and support children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs in early years settings and primary schools.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for her policies of the 2025 Key Stage 2 SATs results for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities; and what steps are being taken to help reduce disparities in attainment.

This government is focused on securing an excellent education for every child and young person to enable them to achieve and thrive.Following the government response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review report, we are working on development of a reformed curriculum and assessment system that is ambitious for every child, ensuring those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) leave school with the skills and knowledge they need.Our English Hubs programme is dedicated to improving the teaching of reading, and our Reading Ambition for All programme will improve outcomes for children in primary who need additional support with reading, including those with SEND. We are also expanding Continuing Professional Development for primary and secondary teachers to strengthen reading instruction for all pupils.We know some children face real challenges in maths. That’s why we’re supporting schools through our national Maths hubs, helping teachers deliver effective, inclusive lessons.

What recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the primary assessment system on pupil wellbeing, including for pupils with SEND.

Primary assessments were reviewed as part of the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, led by Professor Becky Francis. The review panel published their final report last month, concluding that the primary assessment system is generally working well and that the assessments are important for evaluating pupils’ progress.The report made some recommendations to improve the system, including revising the key stage 2 writing assessments and teacher frameworks to support fluent writing. The report also recommended exploring options for increasing inclusivity in assessments where they may not be as accessible for certain groups of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, particularly for the phonics screening checks and the multiplication tables check. The government has accepted these recommendations and the Standards and Testing Agency is now working on their implementation.

What consideration her Department has given to alternative models of primary assessment.

Primary assessments were reviewed as part of the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, led by Professor Becky Francis. The review panel published their final report last month, concluding that the primary assessment system is generally working well and that the assessments are important for evaluating pupils’ progress.The report made some recommendations to improve the system, including revising the key stage 2 writing assessments and teacher frameworks to support fluent writing. The report also recommended exploring options for increasing inclusivity in assessments where they may not be as accessible for certain groups of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, particularly for the phonics screening checks and the multiplication tables check. The government has accepted these recommendations and the Standards and Testing Agency is now working on their implementation.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of bringing forward proposals for a national safeguarding framework for historic burial grounds linked to former (a) psychiatric and (b) Poor Law institutions.

The Government recognises the sensitivities surrounding burial grounds linked to former psychiatric institutions, including Horton Cemetery, and is committed to upholding the dignity of these sites and the memory of those interred within them.The Law Commission is currently reviewing burial legislation, including the legal framework for the management of burial grounds, as part of its Burial, Cremation and New Funerary Methods project (Burial, cremation, and new funerary methods – Law Commission).The project includes an assessment of the existing legal safeguards for burial and disinterment, the options for improved regulation and oversight of burial sites taking into account their nature and context, and potential reforms to ensure appropriate protection for private burial grounds.The Government welcomes the Law Commission’s consideration of these issues and will respond in due course to its report, which is expected to be published in early 2026.

If he will place a moratorium on the granting of exhumation licences for former asylum cemeteries, including Horton Cemetery, until a review of historic and cultural importance has been undertaken.

The Government recognises the sensitivities surrounding burial grounds linked to former psychiatric institutions, including Horton Cemetery, and is committed to upholding the dignity of these sites and the memory of those interred within them.All applications for exhumation are assessed individually and require consents from next of kin, the owner of any related exclusive right of burial and the burial authority to ensure that respect for the deceased person is balanced with a legitimate request from the family or burial authority. A general ban would remove this balance and prevent valid cases from being considered. All applications undergo rigorous scrutiny, and disturbing remains without authority is a criminal offence.The Law Commission is currently reviewing burial legislation, including the legal provision for exhumation, as part of its Burial, Cremation and New Funerary Methods project (Burial, cremation, and new funerary methods – Law Commission). Its report on this issue is expected to be published in early 2026, and the Government will respond in due course.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of establishing a national memorial to commemorate the lives of people buried in former psychiatric hospital cemeteries, including Horton Cemetery.

No such assessments have been made.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the dereliction of former asylum cemeteries on stigma surrounding mental ill health.

No such assessments have been made.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to protect historic pauper burial sites from (a) private development and (b) inappropriate land use.

Burial grounds can be considered as open space, which is defined in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) as all open space of public value. There are strong safeguards set out in the NPPF to ensure the continued protection of existing open space. The designation of land as Local Green Space also allows communities to identify and protect green areas of particular importance to them.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will have discussions with the horticultural sector to embed green space delivery in the Environmental Improvement Plan.

The Government recognises the importance of the environmental horticulture sector in promoting people’s health and wellbeing, and its potential contribution to our environmental goals. I have met with stakeholders including the Royal Horticultural Society and the Horticultural Trades Association, in recognition of the importance of this sector. Officials also meet regularly with the sector, including the Environmental Horticulture Group, a coalition of industry leaders from across the sector. These discussions help inform policy development and will continue to help us understand what support the sector needs to help it thrive and to best support delivery of the Environmental Improvement Plan.

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 December 2025 to Question 93101, what recent assessment his Department has made of its ability to mitigate and respond to civilian harm during future military operations, including in a large-scale conflict scenario.

A recent external review has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence's approach to mitigate and respond to civilian harm is effective in the current operating environment and fully compliant with International Humanitarian Law. Whilst impossible to predict the nuances of civilian harm mitigation and response in any future military operation, the Department continues to undertake work to ensure they can respond appropriately to a wide range of scenarios, including a large-scale conflict scenario.

Pursuant to the Answer of 25 November 2025 to Question 91776, and with reference to the UK’s commitments as a signatory of the Political Declaration on strengthening the protection of civilians from the humanitarian consequences arising from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, what steps his Department has taken to review and improve its ability to record and track civilian casualties, including children, using various methods of data collection.

The UK has robust targeting policies, practices and processes to ensure that all military operations are conducted in full compliance with our legal obligations and in a manner that reflects the UK’s clear commitment to the protection of civilians. UK forces observe all practicable precautions, conducting rigorous assessments before and after striking a target. The Ministry of Defence analyses all UK military activity, investigating any credible reports that UK actions may have caused civilian harm.The UK are proud signatories of the 2022 Political Declaration on use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas and are party to Protocol Five of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.Our existing practices are some of the most robust and transparent globally and are kept under close review, including for the potential impact of new methods and technologies.

If he will extend Operation Soteria into the Crown Court.

Operation Soteria transformed how the police and the Crown Prosecution Service work together to investigate rape cases, promoting partnership working and ensuring a focus on the suspect’s behaviour and evidence, not the victim’s lifestyle, their choices or their character. This focus should continue in the court room. That is why we have announced new legislation to stop evidence which has the sole aim of undermining the victim – such as about their past sexual behaviour, previous allegations of assault, or compensation claim – being admitted to the courtroom unless it is absolutely necessary and clearly relevant.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of making case conferences before trial mandatory for victims and survivors of sexual abuse.

Victims and witnesses in sexual offence cases can request in advance of trial to observe proceedings remotely once they have given evidence. Courts will make every effort to accommodate these requests, which may include re-listing the trial in a courtroom with suitable technology. However, remote observation cannot be guaranteed in every case, as it depends on the availability of appropriate facilities and resources.The listing of Ground Rules Hearings (GRHs) is a matter for the judiciary. GRHs are typically held in cases involving vulnerable witnesses, such as children or individuals with communication difficulties, to ensure they are questioned in a fair and appropriate way during trial. However, judges also have discretion to direct a GRH for intimidated witnesses, including complainants in sexual offence cases, where they consider it appropriate in the circumstances of the case.

If he will take steps to enable victims and survivors of sexual abuse to observe their trial without sitting in the public gallery.

Victims and witnesses in sexual offence cases can request in advance of trial to observe proceedings remotely once they have given evidence. Courts will make every effort to accommodate these requests, which may include re-listing the trial in a courtroom with suitable technology. However, remote observation cannot be guaranteed in every case, as it depends on the availability of appropriate facilities and resources.The listing of Ground Rules Hearings (GRHs) is a matter for the judiciary. GRHs are typically held in cases involving vulnerable witnesses, such as children or individuals with communication difficulties, to ensure they are questioned in a fair and appropriate way during trial. However, judges also have discretion to direct a GRH for intimidated witnesses, including complainants in sexual offence cases, where they consider it appropriate in the circumstances of the case.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of implementing a whole-system criminal justice strategy for rape and sexual abuse.

The Ministry of Justice is committed to a high standard, whole system approach to cases of rape and sexual abuse. This is supported by the expertise of our Independent Advisor on the Criminal Justice Response to Sexual Violence.We will soon be publishing our cross-government Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy. This will set out strategic direction and concrete actions to prevent violence and abuse, pursue perpetrators, and support victims, including across the criminal justice system. This strategy will work in tandem with the recently published Crown Prosecution Service VAWG strategy, which sets out how they will work with partners to ensure a consistent, best practice response to VAWG.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a programme to subsidise domestic electric battery manufacturing.

The battery sector currently employs 10,500 people across the UK and is one of the frontier industries highlighted in our Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan.The Government recently made the UK's largest single commitment to battery R&D and commercialisation of £452 million to 2030 in the new Battery Innovation Programme (BIP).BIP targets technical skills gaps to develop engineers and scientists of the future, connects academic researchers with UK industry, and funds investor partnerships that improve access to investment for innovative battery companies ready to commercialise and scale in the UK.This sits alongside DRIVE35, our long-term £2.5 billion commitment to zero emission vehicle manufacturing which provides capital support and additional R&D funding for strategic vehicle technologies, like batteries, accelerating their commercial scale-up.

If he will meet with representatives from Beyond the Wire and members of the bereaved Armed Forces community to discuss the adequacy of support for the armed forces bereaved.

Defence officials will be meeting with the CEO of Beyond the Wire on 17 December. Additionally, they have been invited to join the Defence Bereaved Families Group (DBFG), which I believe to be the best mechanism to engage with all the stakeholders that have an interest in supporting the bereaved. There are no current plans for the Secretary of State to meet with the group. Defence recognises the extraordinary commitment and sacrifices that Service families make to our country and, in particular, of those who are bereaved. We take a holistic multi-agency approach to supporting the bereaved community with UK wide support in place through the single Services, Veterans Services and the DBFG. The DBFG itself was formed to ensure two-way communication on matters of bereavement between Defence and the bereaved cohort, facilitating the opportunity to shape policy to ensure those who suffer such loss are treated fairly and with due consideration. It's membership includes chairs of the Widows’ Associations, representatives from Government, bereaved support services, and military charities.

How many and what proportion of people admitted to hospital in (a) England and (b) Surrey were aged between (i) 60 and 70, (ii) 70 and 80, (iii) 80 and 90 and (iv) 90 and 100 in 2024.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 30 October 2025 to Question 85046.