Written questions by McMurdock.

What steps she is taking to increase higher education participation among young men.

The Office for Students (OfS), as regulator for higher education (HE), has a statutory duty to have regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity in relation to the whole of the student lifecycle, not just access, but also continuation and success.HE providers registered with the OfS that intend to charge higher level tuition fees must have an access and participation plan (APP) approved by the OfS.APPs articulate key risks to equality of opportunity in HE, how these will be addressed and the student groups that will be supported through them. The OfS advises HE providers to consider intersections of disadvantage, such as those faced by white working-class men, when creating their APPs, based on credible assessment of risk.Supporting disadvantaged and underrepresented students in HE remains a priority. The government has allocated £265 million this financial year in student premium funding to support successful student outcomes.

What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of SEND support for children without education, health and care plans.

This government’s ambition is that every child or young person receives the best possible educational experience, one that is academically stretching, where every child or young person feels like they belong, and that sets them up for life and work.As part of our Plan for Change, we are determined to fix the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system and restore parents’ trust by ensuring schools have the tools to better identify and support children before issues escalate.We will build a better system which is grounded in evidence, identifies and supports need at the earliest opportunity, and ensures families can secure support swiftly without a fight. There will always be a legal right to the additional support that children with SEND need.Our new regional improvement for standards and excellence (RISE) teams will work with mainstream schools to help them become more inclusive places as one of four priority areas for improvement.The newly published RISE Inclusive Mainstream webpage provides schools with programmes and resources to help mainstream schools improve inclusivity and support for those with SEND, and is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rise-support-for-inclusive-mainstream-education/rise-support-for-inclusive-mainstream-education.

What steps she is taking to help improve the retention of male students in higher education.

The Office for Students (OfS), as regulator for higher education (HE), has a statutory duty to have regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity in relation to the whole of the student lifecycle, not just access, but also continuation and success.HE providers registered with the OfS that intend to charge higher level tuition fees must have an access and participation plan (APP) approved by the OfS.APPs articulate key risks to equality of opportunity in HE, how these will be addressed and the student groups that will be supported through them. The OfS advises HE providers to consider intersections of disadvantage, such as those faced by white working-class men, when creating their APPs, based on credible assessment of risk.Supporting disadvantaged and underrepresented students in HE remains a priority. The government has allocated £265 million this financial year in student premium funding to support successful student outcomes.

What estimate she has made of male drop-out rates in higher education for the most recent year for which figures are available.

The department does not publish statistics on drop-out rates.Figures on continuation rates, which are the proportion of entrants continuing in their studies one year after entry, are published by the Office for Students. The latest year of data for UK domiciled male entrants studying a full-time first degree, covering those who entered in the 2021/22 academic year, shows that the continuation rate was 84.9%, compared with 89.0% for females.The requested data on continuation rates is available in more detail here: https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/data-and-analysis/student-characteristics-data/outcomes-data-dashboard/. This data has been available since 3 September 2024.

If he will provide certainty on funding to voluntary organisations delivering drug and alcohol treatment services.

Local authorities, both upper tier and unitary, are responsible for commissioning drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services as part of their public health responsibilities. In addition to the Public Health Grant, in 2025/26 the Department is providing a total of £310 million in additional targeted grants to improve drug and alcohol treatment services and recovery support. This funding can be used by local authorities to support voluntary organisations to deliver drug and alcohol treatment services.To better support upper tier and unitary local authorities’ vital public health work, from 2026/27 we will bring together over £4 billion of public health funding for local government, by consolidating service specific grants into the Public Health Grant. It is our intention to publish indicative Public Health Grant funding alongside the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement later this year, with final multi-year Local Authority Public Health Grant allocations published early in the new year. This will give local authorities more advanced notice of their total funding allocations, further empowering them to plan more effectively and better manage their services.

What recent comparative assessment she has made of trends in the identification of special educational needs and disabilities among (a) boys and (b) girls.

Information on the characteristics of pupils with special educational needs (SEN) are recorded in the school census. Data is not available for independent schools or general hospital schools. As of January 2025, 24.1% of male pupils were identified with SEN, compared to 14.2% of female pupils. 16.8% of male pupils were identified as receiving SEN support, compared to 11.1% of female pupils. 7.4% of male pupils had an education, health and care plan compared to 3.1% of female pupils. Whilst the number of both male and female pupils with SEN has grown since January 2016, the rate of growth has been higher among female pupils compared to male pupils.

How many pharmacies in England provide (a) supervised needle exchange programmes and (b) other substance misuse services.

As of August 2025, there are 10,412 community pharmacies in England. Many community pharmacies provide locally commissioned services including supervised needle exchange programmes and other services such as naloxone provision and supervised consumption of opioid substitution treatment medicines, like methadone. Pharmacies also provide free healthcare advice, public health interventions, and signposting to relevant organisations and services. Data is not held centrally on how many community pharmacies provide needle exchange programmes and other substance misuse services.Local substance misuse services and community pharmacies should work together to help provide an effective service to people who use drugs and alcohol. This includes encouraging person-centred and trauma-informed treatment with shared decision-making.The Department is aware of the challenges in the ability of some community pharmacies to provide substance misuse services and has been supporting drug and alcohol treatment services to identify local solutions, including increased payment and some alternative models of provision of these services.

Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to introduce targeted housing initiatives to support young people in high-cost areas.

The affordability challenges facing prospective first-time buyers mean that too many people, including key workers, are now locked out of homeownership. In addition to increasing the supply of homes of all tenures, the government is supporting people into home ownership, including through the shared ownership scheme and the Lifetime ISA. The government has also introduced a new, permanent Mortgage Guarantee Scheme, available to support and sustain availability of low deposit mortgage products for prospective buyers. First-time buyers in East England may also benefit from home ownership initiatives offered at the local level.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the impact of house price growth in the last year on home ownership rates among young people.

The affordability challenges facing prospective first-time buyers mean that too many people, including key workers, are now locked out of homeownership. In addition to increasing the supply of homes of all tenures, the government is supporting people into home ownership, including through the shared ownership scheme and the Lifetime ISA. The government has also introduced a new, permanent Mortgage Guarantee Scheme, available to support and sustain availability of low deposit mortgage products for prospective buyers. First-time buyers in East England may also benefit from home ownership initiatives offered at the local level.

Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the average house price for first time buyers in East England.

The affordability challenges facing prospective first-time buyers mean that too many people, including key workers, are now locked out of homeownership. In addition to increasing the supply of homes of all tenures, the government is supporting people into home ownership, including through the shared ownership scheme and the Lifetime ISA. The government has also introduced a new, permanent Mortgage Guarantee Scheme, available to support and sustain availability of low deposit mortgage products for prospective buyers. First-time buyers in East England may also benefit from home ownership initiatives offered at the local level.

How many small businesses have used the tribunal system to pursue late payments in each of the last five years.

The information requested is not collated centrally and judgments produced by the courts and tribunal system do not actively include information on whether the parties are small businesses.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the affordability of housing for young people in East England.

The affordability challenges facing prospective first-time buyers mean that too many people, including key workers, are now locked out of homeownership. In addition to increasing the supply of homes of all tenures, the government is supporting people into home ownership, including through the shared ownership scheme and the Lifetime ISA. The government has also introduced a new, permanent Mortgage Guarantee Scheme, available to support and sustain availability of low deposit mortgage products for prospective buyers. First-time buyers in East England may also benefit from home ownership initiatives offered at the local level.

What plans he has to reform the tribunal process to make it more cost-effective for small businesses seeking redress for late payments.

Claims for late payment are generally made as specified money claims to the County Court and not to a specific tribunal. We are taking multiple steps to drive improvements and reduce delays in the County Court which will result in better experience including for small businesses.We are investing in the Court’s digital infrastructure. Our new digital services (such as Online Civil Money Claims) are supporting swifter access to justice with reduced processing times, and more engagement with the justice system as evidenced by higher levels of defended claims and admissions for cases. Cases which can progress on digital services consistently progress three times quicker from the time the claim is issued to the generation of a Standard Directions Order.The introduction of mandatory mediation for money claims under £10,000 via the HM Courts & Tribunals Service Small Claims Mediation Service has enabled a larger number of claims to be settled earlier, at lower cost and without requiring a final judicial hearing. Additionally, the extension of Fixed Recoverable Costs to most civil claims under £100,000 is delivering access to justice at proportionate cost by making it clear at the start of proceedings the adverse costs that parties are liable to pay. This allows small businesses in litigation to make an informed choice about whether and how to proceed.

Whether he has made an assessment of the barriers faced by small businesses in using the tribunal system to recover late payments.

We have not made an assessment of the barriers faced by small business using the courts and tribunal system to recover late payment.DBT has launched a consultation on late payment which includes proposals to provide the Small Business Commissioner with powers to arbitrate disputes between small and large businesses with the intention of reducing financial and procedural burdens to resolve payment disputes. A final impact assessment will be published before these proposed measures are taken forward in primary legislation.

Whether he plans for the National Cancer Plan for England to include targets to improve the early diagnosis of blood cancers.

Early diagnosis is a key focus of the National Cancer Plan. It is a priority for the Government to support the National Health Service to diagnose cancer, including blood cancers, as early and quickly as possible, and to treat it faster, to improve outcomes.To tackle late diagnoses of blood cancers, the NHS is implementing non-specific symptom pathways for patients who present with symptoms such as weight loss and fatigue, which do not clearly align to a tumour type. Blood cancers are one of the most common cancer types diagnosed through these pathways.We will get the NHS diagnosing blood cancers earlier and treating it faster, and we will support the NHS to increase capacity to meet the demand for diagnostic services through investment, including for magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scanners.The National Cancer Plan will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, including speeding up diagnosis and treatment, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology, and ultimately drive up this country’s cancer survival rates.

What steps she is taking to ensure that drivers receive training on changes to the Highway Code.

The Government does not have any plans to introduce mandatory refresher training for drivers. Mandatory refresher training could place an undue burden on responsible drivers and disproportionately affect older or lower-income individuals, potentially limiting their independence and mobility. There are many organisations which provide driver refresher training and assessments should a driver feel they require it. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) also promotes the Pass Plus scheme which is designed to enable drivers to further develop their driving skill to drive more safely on the road in varied driving conditions. The scheme is primarily targeted at drivers who have recently passed their driving test. There is no statutory basis for training on changes made to the Highway Code after someone has passed their driving test.DVSA is among many organisations and local authorities who provide public education for people who are licensed to drive. Examples from DVSA include the advice and blog at www.safedrivingforlife.info and the free resources | Safe Driving for Life (and specifically the vulnerable road users quiz), as well as products like The Official DVSA Guide to Better Driving book and The Official DVSA Guide to Better Driving e-learning.Public education for drivers is also delivered through the relevant social media channels of the Department for Transport, Think Road Safety Campaign, DVSA and National Highways, as well as our partnerships such as Safe Driving For Life.

What plans she has for the provision of funding to support infrastructure improvements to help tackle road and rail conflicts at railway crossings.

The Department confirmed a settlement of £44.1 billion to fund Network Rail’s operations, maintenance and renewal activity across the 5 years of Control Period 7 in England and Wales. This includes funding for maintenance and renewals to help tackle road and rail conflicts at railway crossings. It is for Network Rail, as the infrastructure manager, to determine how it spends its funds and on what, reflecting its need to ensure safety, reliability and to deliver value for money for the taxpayer.

Whether she plans to introduce mandatory refresher training for drivers.

The Government does not have any plans to introduce mandatory refresher training for drivers. Mandatory refresher training could place an undue burden on responsible drivers and disproportionately affect older or lower-income individuals, potentially limiting their independence and mobility. There are many organisations which provide driver refresher training and assessments should a driver feel they require it. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) also promotes the Pass Plus scheme which is designed to enable drivers to further develop their driving skill to drive more safely on the road in varied driving conditions. The scheme is primarily targeted at drivers who have recently passed their driving test. There is no statutory basis for training on changes made to the Highway Code after someone has passed their driving test.DVSA is among many organisations and local authorities who provide public education for people who are licensed to drive. Examples from DVSA include the advice and blog at www.safedrivingforlife.info and the free resources | Safe Driving for Life (and specifically the vulnerable road users quiz), as well as products like The Official DVSA Guide to Better Driving book and The Official DVSA Guide to Better Driving e-learning.Public education for drivers is also delivered through the relevant social media channels of the Department for Transport, Think Road Safety Campaign, DVSA and National Highways, as well as our partnerships such as Safe Driving For Life.

What recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of increases in freight traffic on the railway crossing in East Tilbury.

In agreeing any increases to rail freight, Network Rail works closely with operators and local authorities to ensure that any impacts to level crossings meet robust safety requirements. With regard to road freight, local traffic authorities have powers under Sections 1 & 2 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, which allow for the restriction or prohibition of the use of HGVs on any road, for a wide range of safety and environmental reasons. These measures can be implemented by making Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) without reference to the Department for Transport.The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 provide various signs for authorities to consider if they choose to do this, including signs informing motorists that certain roads are unsuitable for HGVs or if a weight limit is in place. The restrictions are then enforceable by the police.

Whether her Department has made an estimate of the proportion of drivers who regularly update their knowledge of the Highway Code.

The Department for Transport has not made an estimate of the proportion of drivers who regularly update their knowledge of the Highway Code. In January 2022 the Department made changes to the Highway Code to help improve road safety for people walking, cycling and horse riding and ran THINK! campaigns to raise awareness of the changes. The percentage of road users reporting to know either a little or a lot about the Highway Code changes in September 2023 was at 70% among all road users (82% amongst drivers), with 86% of road users having heard of the changes by September 2023. We continue to promote the Highway Code changes on THINK! and DfT social media channels and via our partner organisations, including supporting an upcoming Transport for London campaign encouraging road users to follow Highway Code rules to keep themselves and others safe. In addition, we run three radio filler adverts year-round, encouraging motorists to maintain safe passing distances from cyclists and horse riders, to use the Dutch Reach when opening car doors to keep cyclists safe, and to raise awareness of pedestrian priority at junctions.