Written questions by Maguire.

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help tackle the illegal modification of e-bikes and e-scooters.

The police have powers available to them to tackle the illegal use of e-scooters and e-bikes and we expect police to deploy them appropriately.The Home Office has also established a taskforce, which includes representatives from across Government, Policing and Fire and Rescue Services to help tackle the fire risks linked to lithium-ion batteries, e-bikes and e-scooters.

How many full-time permanent MOD staff have worked on coordinating Operation Interflex in each year since 2002.

The table below is based on those who have been involved in co-ordinating Operation INTERFLEX for each of the six Tranches, which to date have delivered more than 51,000 trained Ukrainians. The table includes those assigned to INTERFLEX HQ, the training delivery units and the logistic support element. Please note the UK delivers Op INTERFLEX in conjunction with our partners. Canada, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, New Zealand, Lithuania, Australia, Romania, Netherlands, Kosovo, and Estonia are all supporting the training programme. Albania will also be joining from the end of February, so UK personnel numbers alone do not represent output of total personnel. TrancheDates fromNo of UK Personnel1Jun-221,3892Jan-231,2703Jul-231,2704Jan-243885Jul-244286Jan-25369

How much funding he has provided for Operation Interflex in each year since its launch in July 2022.

The Ministry of Defence's spending figures on training in support of Ukraine are £115 million for financial year 2022-23 and £200 million for financial year 2023-24. Figures for the current financial year will be released in due course.

Pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2025 to Question 24080 on Joint Expeditionary Force, how many full-time permanent employees are employed by the Joint Expeditionary Force HQ.

11 personnel are engaged on the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) on a full-time basis at the Standing Joint Force Headquarters, the JEF HQ.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK to extend training programme for Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel throughout 2025, published on 6 September 2024, if he will make it his policy to extend Operation Interflex into 2026, subject to conflict in Ukraine continuing into that year.

In late 2024 the Secretary of State extended Op INTERFLEX into 2025. We continually assess how we can improve our training offer to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Operation INTERFLEX remains our main training effort in support of Ukraine and, together with our international partners, we have trained over 51,000 Ukrainian personnel since June 2022. The UK is committed to working with partners to meet Ukraine's training requirements now and in the future.

If his Department will review the regulatory framework for prescribing cannabis-based medicinal products to allow GPs to prescribe those treatments.

General practitioners (GPs) can only prescribe unlicensed cannabis-based products for medicinal use if under the direction of a specialist.These medicines are not first-line treatments and patients will be at a stage in their treatment pathway where they will be under the care of a specialist doctor. Whilst the evidence-base remains limited on the safety, quality, and efficacy of these products, it is right that the decision to prescribe remains essentially with specialist doctors. As with all laws, we will keep its impact under review.

Media and Sport, what plans her Department has to increase youth services provision in Epsom and Ewell constituency.

Local authorities hold the statutory duty to secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, sufficient provision of educational and recreational leisure-time activities for young people. In September 2023 DCMS published updated statutory guidance to support local authorities’ understanding of the existing duty and how to deliver it. Alongside this, DCMS funds a Peer Review programme for local authorities to learn from each other about the best approaches to youth service provision.This government has also committed to co-producing a new National Youth Strategy, which is an opportunity to move away from one-size-fits all approaches from central government, bringing power back to young people and their communities and rebuilding a thriving and sustainable sector. We plan to publish the strategy in the summer.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of flooding on (a) football pitches and (b) other local community assets; and if he will ensure that water companies compensate community organisations for damage caused.

Protecting communities around the country from flooding is one of the Secretary of State’s five core priorities. As part of the Government’s Plan for Change, a record £2.65 billion will be invested over two years in better protecting 52,000 properties by March 2026. Lead local flood authorities (unitary and county authorities) are required to manage local flood risks from surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses. Local flood risks should be identified and managed as part of a local flood risk management strategy. In managing these risks, the lead local flood authority will work closely with other risk management authorities. This includes water companies, which have a duty to maintain their sewers, under Section 94 of the Water Industry Act 1991, to ensure their areas are effectually drained. To improve understanding of current and future floor risk from rivers, the sea and surface water in England the Environment Agency has just published its new National Flood Risk Assessment. This data is available to everyone, improving individuals’ understanding of their local flood risk.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to ensure councils have the resources needed to provide safe, stable housing for homeless families.

Homelessness levels are far too high. This can have a devastating impact on those affected. The Deputy Prime Minister is leading cross-government work to deliver the long-term solutions we need to get us back on track to ending all forms of homelessness. This includes chairing a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group, bringing together ministers from across government to develop a long-term strategy.Homelessness legislation is clear that all temporary accommodation must be suitable, and local authorities should keep the suitability of accommodation under review. Where an individual feels that the council has applied their statutory duties incorrectly, they can take action in the courts or bring their concerns to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.As announced at the Budget, funding for homelessness services has been increased by £233 million compared to last year (2024/25). This increased spending will help to prevent rises in the number of families in temporary accommodation and help to prevent rough sleeping. This brings total Homelessness spend to nearly £1 billion in 25/26, a record level of funding.In addition, the £1.2 billion Local Authority Housing Fund will provide capital funding directly to English councils and is expected to provide up to 7,000 homes by 2026. It will create a lasting asset for UK nationals by building a sustainable stock of affordable housing and better-quality temporary accommodation for local communities.The Government is clear that, in the short-term, we must prioritise eliminating the worst forms of temporary accommodation such as families in Bed and Breakfast (B&B), other than in genuine emergencies. We have also launched Emergency Accommodation Reduction Pilots, backed by £5 million, to work with 20 local councils with the highest use of B&B accommodation for homeless families. This will support LAs to move families into more suitable accommodation.We are also taking action to improve standards across the housing sector, including temporary accommodation. The Renters’ Rights Bill will extend Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector which will set clear legal expectations about the timeframes within which landlords in the private rented sector must make homes safe where they contain serious hazards, including damp and mould. We plan to consult on how best to apply Awaab’s Law to temporary accommodation.Through the Renters’ Rights Bill the government has also introduced powers to apply the Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector. Included in that clause is a power to bring Temporary Accommodation into scope of the Decent Homes Standard. The government’s intention is that the Decent Homes Standard should apply to TA, subject to consultation on the detail of the new standard, including how applicable it is to TA.

What assessment her Department has made of the impact of fee-less community bank accounts being closed and replaced with fee-paying business accounts on (a) allotment societies and (b) other small voluntary organisations.

The provision of banking services is a commercial decision taken by the banking sector. In response to feedback from community account holders about difficulties in securing and maintaining suitable current accounts, UK Finance launched a website in July 2024, including guidance and an Account Finder tool, to help voluntary sector organisations locate an appropriate account for their needs. UK Finance also signpost where free banking services can be accessed. In developing these resources, UK Finance worked with charitable organisations, members, and regulators, with the aim of improving how community accounts are opened and run.

What steps his Department is taking to improve early diagnosis rates for (a) leukaemia and (b) other non-stageable cancers; and whether he plans to introduce measures in the National Cancer Strategy to track progress on those rates.

We are determined to take all the necessary steps to improve early diagnosis for all cancers, including leukaemia and other non-stageable cancers. To accomplish this, the National Health Service is implementing non symptom specific pathways for patients who present with non-specific symptoms or combinations thereof that can indicate several different cancers. This includes leukaemia, which can present non-specific symptoms, such as unexpected weight loss and night sweats. NHS England’s national evaluation showed that blood cancers are one of the most common cancer types diagnosed through these pathways.The National Cancer Plan will have patients at its heart and will cover the entirety of the cancer pathway, including diagnosis. We are currently exploring interventions to reduce the number of lives lost to cancer and on 4 February we launched a Call for Evidence, in which the views of people across the country will inform our plan to improve cancer care. Those who wish to share their views can do so on the new online platform, via the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/shaping-the-national-cancer-plan

What steps he is taking to improve access to clinical trials and innovative treatments for leukaemia patients.

The Department aims to ensure that all patients have access to cutting-edge clinical research and innovative, lifesaving treatments. The Department funded National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) funds research and research infrastructure, which supports patients and the public to participate in high-quality research, including clinical research on leukaemia.The Department is committed to ensuring clinical trials are people-centred and more accessible, including for leukaemia patients. For example, the NIHR provides an online service called Be Part of Research, which promotes participation in health and care research by allowing users to search for relevant studies and register their interest.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the findings from the National Child Mortality Database, if her Department will bring forward legislative proposals to mandate local authorities to provide cots for children under the age of two in temporary accommodation.

These statistics are shocking. Homelessness levels are far too high and we are taking action to fix the current system that has left too many families without security or stability.The Homelessness Code of Guidance is clear that temporary accommodation should not be considered suitable for a family with children under two if there is not enough space for a cot and that housing authorities should support families to secure a cot where needed. The legislation sets out that all temporary accommodation must be suitable, and local authorities should keep the suitability of accommodation under review. Where an individual feels that the council has applied their statutory duties incorrectly, they can take action in the courts or bring their concerns to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.The Deputy Prime Minister is leading cross-government work to deliver the long-term solutions we need to get us back on track to ending all forms of homelessness. This includes chairing a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group, bringing together ministers from across government to develop a long-term strategy.As announced at the Budget, funding for homelessness services has been increased by £233 million compared to last year (2024/25). This increased spending will help to prevent rises in the number of families in temporary accommodation and help to prevent rough sleeping. This brings total Homelessness spend to nearly £1 billion in 25/26, a record level of funding.

If his Department will issue additional guidance to Integrated Care Boards on determining appropriate levels of funding for hospices to ensure equitable access to palliative care services across different regions.

In England, palliative care services are included in the list of services an integrated care board (ICB) must commission. This promotes a more consistent national approach and supports commissioners in prioritising palliative and end of life care. To support ICBs in this duty, NHS England has published statutory guidance and service specifications for adults, and children and young people. ICBs are responsible for commissioning palliative and end of life care services to meet the needs of their local populations. Further information on palliative and end of life care services’ statutory guidance, the guidance for adults, and the guidance for children is available, respectively, at the following three links:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/palliative-and-end-of-life-care-statutory-guidance-for-integrated-care-boards-icbs/https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/service-specifications-for-palliative-and-end-of-life-care-adults/https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/service-specifications-for-palliative-and-end-of-life-care-children-and-young-people-cyp/Whilst the majority of palliative and end of life care is provided by National Health Service staff and services, we recognise the vital part that voluntary sector organisations, including hospices, also play in providing support to people at the end of life, and their loved ones.Most hospices are charitable, independent organisations that receive some statutory funding for providing NHS services. The amount of funding each charitable hospice receives varies both within and between ICB areas. The variation is dependent on demand in the area, and on the totality and type of palliative and end of life care provision from NHS and non-NHS services, including charitable hospices, within each ICB footprint.I met with key palliative and end of life care and hospice stakeholders on 3 February to discuss the long-term sustainability of palliative and end of life care, within the context of our 10-Year Health Plan.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that children with severe epilepsy can access second-generation cannabis-based medicines through the NHS.

The law allows United Kingdom specialist doctors to prescribe cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs). Cannabis-based medicines licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) are routinely available on the National Health Service, for example Epidyolex, for the treatment of two rare forms of epilepsy and tuberous sclerosis. However, some patients and families are seeking to access unlicensed forms of CBPMs, which have not been assessed by the MHRA. Clinical guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence demonstrate a clear need for more evidence to support routine prescribing and funding decisions for unlicensed CBPMs. We continue to call on manufacturers to conduct research to prove their products are safe, and clinically and cost effective. NHS England and the National Institute for Health and Care Research have agreed funding for two randomised control trials relating to the use of CBPMs for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsies. These will be world-first trials and will be crucial in furthering the evidence base and informing future NHS funding decisions.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to tackle underperforming wastewater treatment plants.

The Government has taken immediate and substantial action to address the performance of water companies who are not delivering for the environment or their customers. The Water (Special Measures) Bill will provide the most significant increase in enforcement powers for the regulators in a decade, giving them the teeth they need to take tougher action against water companies in the next investment period. The Bill will drive meaningful improvements in the performance and culture of the water industry as a first important step in enabling wider, transformative change across the water sector. Separately, the regulators have also launched the largest criminal and civil investigations into water company sewage discharges ever They will take action if any illegality is identified. As part of their investigation, Ofwat has proposed fines of £168 million against the first three companies. This investigation is a priority for Ofwat, and it will continue to work as quickly as possible on all remaining companies. Additionally, through the next investment period, which runs from 2025 – 2030, there will be improvements at wastewater treatment works protecting rivers across England and Wales.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of (a) maintenance grants and (b) other policies to help improve the level of participation of disadvantaged students in higher education.

The department is committed to supporting the aspiration of every person who meets the requirements and wants to go to university, regardless of their background.The government continues to provide means-tested non-repayable grants to low income full time undergraduate students with children and/or adults who are financially dependent on them. We have announced an increase to maximum dependants’ grants for the 2025/26 academic year by 3.1%, based on forecast inflation using the RPIX inflation index. Students undertaking nursing, midwifery and allied health profession courses also qualify for non-repayable grant support through the NHS Learning Support Fund.The department is also increasing the maximum maintenance loans for living costs for the 2025/26 academic year by 3.1%, in line with the forecast rate of inflation, to ensure that more support is targeted at students from the lowest income families. Higher rates of loan for living costs are also paid to students eligible for benefits such as lone parents and some disabled students as well as care leavers, who are normally assessed as low income independent students. In addition, care leavers are also entitled to a £2000 statutory bursary, paid via their local authority.However, the department recognises that there is much more to do to expand access and improve outcomes for disadvantaged students. Too many people across our country do not get the opportunity to succeed. We will act to change this. We are calling for providers to go further and play a stronger role in expanding access and improving outcomes for disadvantaged students, making sure that they are delivering robust and ambitious access and participation plans. By the summer, the department will set out our plan for higher education (HE) reform and the part we expect HE providers to play in this.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with Thames Water on its financial viability.

Since July the Defra Secretary of State has met with water company Chief Executives and chairs, including Thames Water.

How many new firearms licence certificates have been granted in each of the last five years.

The Home Office collects and publishes information annually on the number of new firearms licence certificates that have been granted in the statistical publication on firearm and shotgun certificates. The latest available data is for the year ending 31 March 2024 and can be accessed at the following link:Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates: April 2023 to March 2024 - GOV. UK (www.gov.uk).The number of new firearms licence certificates that have been granted in each of the last five years can be found in data table 1.

What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to (a) increase the role of the private sector within the defence sector and (b) allow industry partners to carry out essential cyber defence activities.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) works with multiple industry partners to carry out essential cyber defence activities. The Department works in a collaborative and integrated way across the technology and security sectors to deliver defensive cyber capabilities across Defence. There are two main Defensive Cyber Programmes that aim to bring in new technologies, processes, and ways of working to reduce cyber risk exposure across UK Defence. The programmes include a range of small, medium, and larger technology partners as part of their delivery ecosystems and are informed through insights gained via a wider group of Defence Industry partners through the Defence Cyber Protection Partnership (DCPP). Furthermore, the new Defence Industrial Joint Council (DIJC) will be a future-focused and representative defence sector council that will extensively engage the private sector and other key industry partners, allowing them to help deliver Ministerially-endorsed and MOD official-endorsed recommendations into the Department.