Written questions by Rankin.

Whether his Department prepared for potential legal challenges to the Down Syndrome Guidance upon the passing of the Down Syndrome Act.

Awaiting answer.

When Down Syndrome guidance will be published.

Awaiting answer.

How many people convicted of terrorism offences have been discharged from detention under the Mental Health Act 1983 in each of the last 10 years.

Awaiting answer.

Whether the Government has made an assessment of the potential impact of the provisions of the Mental Health Act 1983 on the ability of agencies to complete terrorism risk assessments prior to the discharge of convicted terrorist offenders.

Awaiting answer.

Whether all people convicted of terrorism offences who are discharged from detention under the Mental Health Act 1983 are subject to a formal terrorism risk assessment before release.

Awaiting answer.

What guidance is issued to NHS mental health providers on assessing terrorist risk when discharging patients convicted of terrorism offences.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment has been made of the potential merits of using specialist technologies for improving the life of ageing infrastructure.

The Department works with infrastructure operators on innovations for better managing transport infrastructure. For example, the Department encourages councils to embrace innovative practices to deliver better road maintenance programmes and supports rese...

How frequently is the long term condition of bridges monitored and how is this information recorded.

Responsibility for monitoring and inspecting the condition of local highway bridges sits with local highway authorities. Guidance recommends that they determine how often they inspect their local highways bridges by considering appropriate criteria, for e...

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will undertake a review of the effectiveness of the ban on single-use vapes.

Defra has commissioned an analysis of the single-use vapes ban via Ipsos, which will review the effectiveness of the ban. The report is due to be published soon. We will continue to monitor the impact of the ban to ensure that it is reducing problematic w...

How many bridges in the United Kingdom are subject to weight restrictions.

The Department does not hold data on the number of bridges subject to weight restrictions. The Government last year announced a £1 billion package of investment for key local highway enhancement projects and the new Structures Fund for repairing run-down ...

How many critical concrete structures are considered to be at risk of significant deterioration within the next decade.

It is the responsibility of infrastructure operators, including local highway authorities and arm’s length bodies, such as National Highways, to maintain their networks and any associated concrete structures. To help support this, the Government is invest...

What his planned timetable is for publishing the consultation on the proposed retail licensing scheme for tobacco, vape, and nicotine products under the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026.

The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 provides powers for ministers in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland to introduce, within their respective nations, a licensing scheme for the retail sale of tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products. A future scheme will stre...

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the ban on the sale and supply of single-use vapes since its introduction.

On 1 June 2025 the ban on the supply of single-use vapes came into force in the UK. From this date onwards, all vapes sold in the UK must be rechargeable and refillable. The ban is enforced by Local Authority Trading Standards, and the Office for Product ...

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the prevalence of products designed to circumvent the definition of single-use vapes under current regulations.

On 1 June 2025 the ban on the supply of single-use vapes came into force in the UK. From this date onwards, all vapes sold in the UK must be rechargeable and refillable. The ban is enforced by Local Authority Trading Standards, and the Office for Product ...

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the impact of the ban on single-use vapes on levels of vape-related litter and waste.

On 1 June 2025 the ban on the supply of single-use vapes came into force in the UK. From this date onwards, all vapes sold in the UK must be rechargeable and refillable. The ban is enforced by Local Authority Trading Standards, and the Office for Product ...

Media and Sport, how many meetings Ministers in her Department have held with representatives of (a) Alphabet and (b) its subsidiaries since 4 July 2024.

The details of meetings held between Ministers and Special Advisers with external stakeholders are published in quarterly transparency returns.

Media and Sport, how many meetings special advisers in her Department have held with representatives of (a) Alphabet and (b) its subsidiaries since 4 July 2024.

The details of meetings held between Ministers and Special Advisers with external stakeholders are published in quarterly transparency returns.

Whether any Ministers in her Department have used informal communication channels, including WhatsApp and private email, to conduct official business with representatives of Alphabet since 4 July 2024.

Cabinet Office published guidance under the previous government in 2023 on the use of non-corporate communication channels, available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/non-corporate-communication-channels-for-government-business.In line with t...

Innovation and Technology, how many meetings Ministers in her Department have held with representatives of (a) Alphabet and (b) its subsidiaries since 4 July 2024.

Details of ministers’ meetings with external organisations and individuals are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK as part of the Department’s transparency returns. The following meetings have taken place after the most recent publication.Special adv...

Innovation and Technology, how many meetings special advisers in her Department have held with representatives of (a) Alphabet and (b) its subsidiaries since 4 July 2024.

Details of ministers’ meetings with external organisations and individuals are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK as part of the Department’s transparency returns. The following meetings have taken place after the most recent publication.Special adv...