Written questions by Maguire.

Whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on ensuring that veterans with service-related (a) injuries and (b) mental health conditions are not disadvantaged by changes to PIP eligibility criteria.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are the lead Department regarding welfare reform. DWP and Ministry of Defence (MOD) officials continue to work closely to ensure that where DWP benefits interface with the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and War Pension Scheme, they are taken into consideration as work on welfare reform continues. The Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper was published on 18 March 2025. This consultation sets out our vision, strategy, and proposals to reform health and disability benefits and employment support. It builds upon the foundations laid by the Get Britain Working White Paper in November 2024 and marks an important staging post in our journey of reform. The Government is committed to ensuring that the views and voices of disabled people, people with health conditions, and veterans are at the heart of everything we do. The Government recognises that service-related mental health conditions can differ significantly in presentation and impact from civilian experiences. It is essential that any future processes for assessment and support reflect that distinction and provide compassionate, informed, and appropriate care for veterans. We strongly encourage veterans and support organisations to engage with the consultation, so their voices are clearly heard. Veterans who are resident in England can access specialist care for physical and mental health conditions via Op RESTORE and Op COURAGE respectively. Alternative provision is available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as responsibility for health is devolved. Veterans UK, which is part of the Ministry of Defence, provides free support for veterans and their families, including a helpline, Veterans Welfare Service, Defence Transition Services and injury/bereavement compensation scheme payments. I am committed to working together with colleagues in the DWP to ensure that our reforms result in a system that is fair, supportive, and responsive to the real needs of veterans.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of polluted rivers on public health.

The Department is currently undertaking work to assess the human health impacts associated with recreational activities in inland waterways such as rivers.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the timeline for the New Hospital Programme; and what steps he is taking to ensure that programme meets revised completion targets.

The review of the New Hospital Programme (NHP) has provided a credible plan and timeline to deliver the schemes, as set out in the NHP Plan for Implementation published in January 2025 on the GOV.UK website, and which is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-hospital-programme-review-outcomeWe are working at pace to ensure that the seven hospitals built wholly or primarily from reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in the NHP will be replaced as quickly as possible, to protect patient and staff safety.The NHP continues to work with trusts in the programme to progress their schemes in line with the timelines set out in the published Plan for Implementation.

What steps her Department is taking to prevent the Child Maintenance Service being used in coercive and controlling behaviour by abusive ex-partners (a) by malicious reporting to the (i) police and (ii) social services and (b) in general.

The Child Maintenance Service is committed to ensuring that it delivers a safe service that is sensitive to the needs of all the parents that use its service. We recognise that some parents may face difficult circumstances, particularly at a time of separation.All caseworkers receive extensive training and follow a well-managed process with clear steps to support vulnerable clients, including those facing domestic abuse. However, the department has no jurisdiction relating to Police or Social Services investigations.The CMS has access to a list of resources which helps caseworkers provide signposting to supporting organisations, which is regularly reviewed and strengthened on the basis of customer insight.A consultation on proposed reforms to the CMS was published by the previous Government on 8 May 2024. This included removing Direct Pay and managing all CMS cases in one service to allow the CMS to tackle non-compliance faster and explore how victims and survivors of domestic abuse can be better supported. This goes further than the proposal in the Child Support Collection (Domestic Abuse) Act which received royal assent in July 2023.This proposal would also reduce the ability for perpetrators of domestic abuse to inflict economic control and coercion through withholding child maintenance payments. The consultation closed on 30 September 2024, and the Government will publish a response in due course.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of removing the collection charge for receiving parents using the Child Maintenance Service’s Collect and Pay service.

A consultation on proposed reforms to the CMS was published by the previous Government on 8 May 2024. This included:removing Direct Pay and managing all CMS cases in one service to allow the CMS to tackle non-compliance faster,exploring views on collection fees and the impact of proposals to maintain but reduce fees, andexploring how victims and survivors of domestic abuse can be better supported. This follows the Child Support Collection (Domestic Abuse) Act receiving royal assent in July 2023.The consultation was extended by this Government at the end of July and ran until 30 September 2024. We are currently analysing the responses we have received, and the Government plan to publish the response in the summer.

What his Department's timetable is for publishing the results of the consultation entitled Pharmacy supervision, which closed on 29 February 2024.

The Government is committed to publishing the response to the public consultation entitled Pharmacy Supervision, and to bringing forward the associated legislation later this year.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of making employers of gamekeepers vicariously liable for their actions.

The introduction of new regulation, such as vicarious liability, requires evidence that it will be effective. Vicarious liability occurs where one person can be held liable for the actions of another person. With regards to gamekeepers, this could mean a manager or employer would be held criminally liable for an unlawful act perpetrated by their gamekeeper, for example the unlawful killing of birds of prey. Vicarious liability for such acts has been introduced in Scotland but so far there is no compelling evidence to show that its introduction has had a significant deterrent effect on those who persecute wildlife. We will continue to monitor the situation in Scotland to consider whether vicarious liability is a necessary and proportionate approach in tackling crime in England.

How much has been paid in application fees for indefinite leave for members of the armed forces on discharge in each year since 2015.

This information is not held by the Ministry of Defence. Individuals who choose to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK on discharge, also known as Settlement, submit their application and any associated fee to the Home Office.

What steps he is taking to prevent community pharmacies from operating at a financial loss when dispensing medicines for which the purchase price exceeds the NHS drug tariff reimbursement rate.

We have now concluded the consultation on funding for 2024/25 and 2025/26, and have agreed with Community Pharmacy England to increase the community pharmacy contractual framework to £3.073 billion. This deal represents the largest uplift in funding of any part of the National Health Service, over 19% across 2024/25 and 2025/26.There are two arrangements in place to avoid pharmacy contractors dispensing at a loss and to ensure that overall, they are paid enough as part of the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) funding. These are the medicine margin and the concessionary price arrangements.The community pharmacy reimbursement arrangements include an amount of medicines margin, the difference between the reimbursement price and the price the pharmacy was charged by the supplier, that pharmacies are allowed to retain as part of the CPCF funding. The Department assesses the medicine margin through a quarterly medicine margin survey, which ensures that overall, pharmacies are paid more than what it cost them to purchase medicines.The concessionary prices are granted to ensure that pharmacy contractors are fairly reimbursed for any prescriptions dispensed during that given month, where they may suddenly face challenges in obtaining stock at the Drug Tariff reimbursement price. In addition, there is a ‘retrospective top-up payment for concessionary prices’, which provides an additional payment to contractors when the margin survey indicates that despite a concessionary price, there was an under payment.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department plans to expand penalties for sanctions evasion by banning maritime services for vessels used to transport Russian crude oil without complying with the price cap.

With the implementation of the maritime transportation and associated services ban, the UK, along with G7 partners, banned the provision of services that facilitate the maritime transportation of Russian oil. The Oil Price Cap (OPC) exemption permits UK services to be available to third country importers and exporters only where the price paid for Russian oil is at or below the relevant price cap.Where Russia has sought to circumvent those sanctions, we have taken robust action; since July 2024 we have sanctioned 129 shadow fleet oil tankers. We continue to step up our efforts, working closely with partners, to ensure our sanctions' effectiveness.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to prevent eutrophication in waterways.

Eutrophication from excess nutrient pollution is a key pressure affecting our rivers, lakes, and seas. As part of Price Review 24 final determinations, Ofwat has allowed £4.795 billion of investment to improve water quality by reducing phosphorus pollution in England and Wales. We will also require water companies to upgrade 440 wastewater treatment works by 2030, to meet strict phosphorus targets, reducing harmful nutrient pollution from treated wastewater. We have committed to a rapid review of the Environmental Improvement Plan which will set out how Defra will deliver our legally binding targets. The levels of nitrogen losses from agriculture are unacceptable. That is why we are focused on working with farmers across the country to reduce pollution and clean up our waters. Regulations are in place to address nitrogen and wider pollution from agriculture and the Environment Agency conducts over 4,000 inspections nationally each year to support farmers to comply.

Whether his Department plans to implement the recommendations of the Quinquennial Review of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme 2023.

The Department continues to work to implement the accepted Quinquennial Review recommendations. A progress update will be published over the course of the year.

With reference to the Carer's Trust press release entitled Carers Trust launches landmark young carers covenant to transform the lives of over one million children, published on 13 March 2024, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of requiring (a) schools and (b) colleges to have a (i) young carers lead and (ii) policy to improve educational opportunities for young carers.

The government is committed to helping all young people, including young carers, thrive in education. We continue to work closely across government to strengthen the visibility and support of young carers both at home and in educational settings.Young carers as a specific group were added to the school census in the 2022/23 academic year, allowing schools to identify their students who are providing care for the first time. The census data is creating a new evidence base on the educational outcomes of young carers across England, shining a light on how many young carers are in our schools and the impact that caring can have on their education.The government recognises the importance of encouraging schools and local authorities to work closely with young carers and their families to identify their needs and provide tailored support, ensuring they do not miss out on vital educational opportunities.The statutory guidance ‘Keeping children safe in education’ requires designated safeguarding leads to undergo training to provide them with the knowledge and skills to carry out their role. This includes having a good understanding of, and an alertness to, the needs of young carers.The Children’s Social Care National Framework provides clarity on the outcomes that leaders and practitioners should achieve when supporting children, young people, and families, including young carers. The framework emphasises the importance of multi-agency collaboration, which includes schools as key partners in supporting the wellbeing and educational outcomes of children, particularly those involved with social care services and young carers. This includes drawing on the expertise of virtual school heads, designated safeguarding leads and designated teachers.Since 2021 virtual school heads have had a non-statutory, strategic duty to promote the educational outcomes of all children with a social worker, including young carers whose families receive, or have received, social services support, enabling earlier intervention to address the educational barriers these children can face. The department is now making this role statutory through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which will enable local authorities to prioritise these children’s educational outcomes, ensuring they receive the support they need to succeed in education.

How many applications to the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) have there been in each year since 2015; and how many were successful for each year.

In financial year 2023-24, 9,545 initial injury/illness claims were registered under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS). Of which, 2,454 have been awarded either a lump sum payment or a lump sum payment and a guaranteed income payment as at 31 March 2024. The attached supporting table shows the number of initial injury/illness claims registered and awarded under the AFCS from 1 April 2015 to the 31 March 2024 by financial year in which the initial claim was registered.

Whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the potential impact of the replacement of the Work Capability Assessment with a new system based on Personal Independence Payment criteria on veterans.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are the lead Department regarding welfare reform. DWP and Ministry of Defence (MOD) officials continue to work closely to ensure that where DWP benefits interface with the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and War Pension Scheme, they are taken into consideration as work on welfare reform continues. The Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper was published on 18 March 2025. This consultation sets out our vision, strategy, and proposals to reform health and disability benefits and employment support. It builds upon the foundations laid by the Get Britain Working White Paper in November 2024 and marks an important staging post in our journey of reform. The Government is committed to ensuring that the views and voices of disabled people, people with health conditions, and veterans are at the heart of everything we do. The Government recognises that service-related mental health conditions can differ significantly in presentation and impact from civilian experiences. It is essential that any future processes for assessment and support reflect that distinction and provide compassionate, informed, and appropriate care for veterans. We strongly encourage veterans and support organisations to engage with the consultation, so their voices are clearly heard. Veterans who are resident in England can access specialist care for physical and mental health conditions via Op RESTORE and Op COURAGE respectively. Alternative provision is available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as responsibility for health is devolved. Veterans UK, which is part of the Ministry of Defence, provides free support for veterans and their families, including a helpline, Veterans Welfare Service, Defence Transition Services and injury/bereavement compensation scheme payments. I am committed to working together with colleagues in the DWP to ensure that our reforms result in a system that is fair, supportive, and responsive to the real needs of veterans.

Whether his Department's policy on the call-out time for reservists has changed in the last six months; and what the minimum notice period is before deployment.

In developing and maintaining our Reserves mobilisation policy, ensuring that the process is optimal for Defence, the Employer and the Reservist continue to be at the forefront of our thinking. The Ministry of Defence’s Reserves mobilisation policy has not changed over the last six months. While all Reservists are technically on immediate notice for call out, when circumstances permit, it is Defence policy that they, and their employers, will, wherever possible, be given a minimum of 28 days’ formal notice after receiving the call-out notice to report to a mobilisation centre for contingency operations and 90 days’ notice for pre-planned operations.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of lowering the Oil Price Cap on Russia’s revenue generation through seaborne oil exports.

The UK is committed to maintaining the efficacy of the price cap and to adapting it as necessary and practicable, subject to thorough impact assessments and alongside our international partners, to further our objectives of constraining Russian oil revenues. This is why the UK has publicly called on partners to tighten the Oil Price Cap as part of our wider efforts to increase economic pressure on Russia.In tandem, the UK continues to directly target shadow fleet vessels and entities that seek to undermine UK sanctions and facilitate the trade and transportation of Russian oil and oil products. Since Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has sanctioned 133 vessels and 28 entities and individuals linked to Russia’s shadow fleet.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a requirement for maritime insurers to verify with bank statements whether the oil price for Russian exports was paid below the price cap.

The UK, alongside G7+ Oil Price Cap (OPC) Coalition partners, keeps the efficacy of the OPC under constant review, whilst working closely with industry to aid compliance and ensure that any changes to the measure are implementable – as evidenced by the February 2024 updates to the OPC compliance regime and the OPC industry advisory on falsified certificates of origin, published in November 2024.The UK is committed to continuing to adapt the OPC as necessary and practicable, alongside our international partners, to further our objectives of constraining Russian oil revenues.

What her planned timeline is for reviewing her proposed changes to the Personal Independence Payment assessment process.

In the Pathways to Work Green Paper we announced plans to launch a review of the PIP assessment, which I shall lead. To make sure we get this right, we will bring together a range of experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience to consider how best to do this and to start the process as part of preparing for a review. We will provide further details about the timing of the review as plans progress.

What steps her Department is taking to support people with the police complaints process.

The statutory police complaints process allows members of the public to raise concerns or express dissatisfaction with the police. They can do so directly to their local police force or via the online portal on the website of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The IOPC has a phone line for the public to ask for assistance on making their complaint. The most serious and sensitive matters are investigated independently by the IOPC, but all complainants have a right to an independent review if their complaint is dealt with first by the police force. The IOPC run targeted campaigns to build awareness among specific groups, including women and girls, about how to access the police complaints system.The Government keeps the police complaints system under review to ensure that it is fit for purpose. In October last year, the Home Secretary announced a package of reforms to improve public confidence in police accountability. This includes amendments in the Crime and Policing Bill, to put the victims right to review on a statutory footing for complainants who want to challenge a decision by the IOPC not to refer a case to the Crown Prosecution Service.