Written questions by McMurdock.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of patients seeking medication from unregulated sources on public health.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), acting on behalf of the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, is responsible for the regulation of all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe. This also includes applying the legal controls on the retail sale, supply and advertising of medicines which are set out in the Human Medicines Regulations 2012.Sourcing any medicine from unregulated suppliers significantly increases the risk of getting a product which is either falsified or not authorised for use. Products purchased in this way will not meet the MHRA’s strict quality and safety standards, and can expose patients to incorrect dosages, or dangerous ingredients that can have serious health consequences.Many legitimate medicinal products are prescription-only medicines, meaning that a consultation with a doctor or qualified healthcare professional is needed to assess the patient's suitability for the treatment and consider any potential risks. Usually, they should only be obtained from a registered pharmacy against a valid prescription.Public safety is the number one priority for the MHRA and its Criminal Enforcement Unit (CEU) works hard to prevent and investigate illegal activity involving medicines and medical devices.This year, the CEU and its partners have seized millions of doses of illegally traded medicines. It also works closely with web-based sales platforms and the internet industry to identify and remove non-compliant medicines and medical devices where possible.The MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme collects and monitors information on suspected safety concerns involving healthcare products, including side effects caused by medicines. These reports help the regulator gain a better understanding of medicine interactions and safeguard patients through vigilant monitoring.

What recent estimate she has made of how many and what proportion of recent university graduates are employed in roles that make use of their degree-level skills.

The department does not produce these estimates.Graduate Outcome survey data published by HESA shows that around 70% of UK domiciled students who graduated with an undergraduate degree from a UK higher education provider during the 2022/23 academic year were in high-skilled employment fifteen months after graduation. This data was published in July 2025 and can be found in Table 12 here: https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/sb272/figure-12.The Office for National Statistics have also published ad hoc statistics on employment in graduate roles. Available data for 2023 can be found here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/adhocs/2492onslocalemploymentingraduateandnongraduaterolesbyqualificationandsectorbyukregion2023.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure that fractional ownership schemes are adequately regulated to protect consumers.

Housing providers offering shared ownership properties that are grant-funded or delivered via Section 106 agreements must use model leases provided by Homes England or the Greater London Authority. These model leases contain a fundamental clause governing how shared ownership operates. Most shared ownership homes are also delivered by Registered Providers of Social Housing, regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing. However, private developers offering shared ownership outside of grant funding or Section 106 are not required to follow a model lease or be regulated by the Regulator. Consumers who encounter issues with their shared ownership arrangement may be able to seek support or redress through the Housing Ombudsman Service, where applicable. Other routes may be available depending on the provider and nature of the issue. The government is considering what more can be done to improve the experience of shared owners.

Communities and Local Government, if she will consider the potential merits of requiring the provision of publicly accessible bleed control kits as part of local authority regeneration plans.

The department has no plans to require local authorities to provide publicly accessible bleed control kits. The department believes local councils are best placed to make decisions about the priorities for local community safety.

What assessment she has made of the potential relative needs of (a) urban, (b) suburban and (c) rural police stations in the context of the electrification of local police forces’ car fleets.

Decisions around the procurement and deployment of electric vehicles, as well as infrastructure to support them, is a matter for operationally independent Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners, or Mayoral equivalents.We would expect decisions to be made with consideration to the needs of the force, their local community, and within their existing budget allocation.

What steps she is taking to provide adequate funding to support police forces with the costs of electrifying their car fleets.

Decisions around the procurement and deployment of electric vehicles, as well as infrastructure to support them, is a matter for operationally independent Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners, or Mayoral equivalents.We would expect decisions to be made with consideration to the needs of the force, their local community, and within their existing budget allocation.

What guidance her Department issues to police forces on the impact of battery degradation on their electric vehicle fleets.

Decisions around the procurement and deployment of electric vehicles, as well as infrastructure to support them, is a matter for operationally independent Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners, or Mayoral equivalents.We would expect decisions to be made with consideration to the needs of the force, their local community, and within their existing budget allocation.

What assessment she has made of the potential operational impact of switching to electric police vehicles on frontline officers.

The National Police Chiefs Council have begun the process of assessing the impact of transitioning from internal combustion engine to electric vehicles, which includes consideration of the operational consequences, consequences for frontline officers and budgetary impact.At the Spending Review, the Chancellor confirmed a real terms increase in police spending power. Grant allocations to police forces will be made in the usual way at the police funding settlement.

What assessment she has made of the relative adequacy of (a) electric and (b) internal combustion engine vehicles in enabling police forces to meet response time targets.

The National Police Chiefs Council have begun the process of assessing the impact of transitioning from internal combustion engine to electric vehicles, which includes consideration of the operational consequences, consequences for frontline officers and budgetary impact.At the Spending Review, the Chancellor confirmed a real terms increase in police spending power. Grant allocations to police forces will be made in the usual way at the police funding settlement.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of setting up a combined police forces electric vehicle battery replacement plan to maximise value for money.

The National Police Chiefs Council have begun the process of assessing the impact of transitioning from internal combustion engine to electric vehicles, which includes consideration of the operational consequences, consequences for frontline officers and budgetary impact.At the Spending Review, the Chancellor confirmed a real terms increase in police spending power. Grant allocations to police forces will be made in the usual way at the police funding settlement.

What financial support she intends to provide for the installation of chargers in police car parks as police car fleets are electrified.

Decisions around the procurement and deployment of electric vehicles, as well as infrastructure to support them, is a matter for operationally independent Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners, or Mayoral equivalents.We would expect decisions to be made with consideration to the needs of the force, their local community, and within their existing budget allocation.

What assessment she has made of the level of future requirement for (a) standard and (b) fast charging points installed in police car parks for electric police vehicles.

Decisions around the procurement and deployment of electric vehicles, as well as infrastructure to support them, is a matter for operationally independent Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners, or Mayoral equivalents.We would expect decisions to be made with consideration to the needs of the force, their local community, and within their existing budget allocation.

What steps she is taking to provide public charging infrastructure specifically for police officers and electric police vehicles.

Decisions around the procurement and deployment of electric vehicles, as well as infrastructure to support them, is a matter for operationally independent Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners, or Mayoral equivalents.We would expect decisions to be made with consideration to the needs of the force, their local community, and within their existing budget allocation.

What recent estimate she has made of how many and what proportion of university graduates are in full-time employment within six months of graduation.

Administrative Longitudinal Educational Outcome data of 292,945 UK domiciled first-degree students who graduated with a first degree from UK Higher Education Institutions only in 2022/23 academic year shows that an estimated 82.8% were in sustained employment (with or without study) one year after graduation. The full dataset was published in June 2025 and can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/leo-graduate-and-postgraduate-outcomes/2022-23#dataBlock-d7be0f33-0ec5-4b78-98ed-ba6f25dfb414-charts.

Whether he plans to support early access to clinical trials for patients with rare cancers.

The Department is committed to ensuring that all patients have access to cutting-edge clinical trials and innovative, life-saving treatments, including those with rare cancers.We are also working to fast track clinical trials to drive global investment into life sciences, to improve health outcomes and to accelerate the development of medicines and therapies of the future, including for rare cancers.The Department invests £1.6 billion each year on research through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). NIHR research expenditure for all cancers was £133 million across 2023/24, reflecting their high priority.The forthcoming National Cancer Plan will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients across the country, including patients with rare cancers. It will ensure that more patients have access to the latest treatments and technology, and to clinical trials.The Government also supports the Rare Cancers Bill and its ambitions to incentivise clinical trials and access to innovative treatments for rare cancers.

How many and what proportion of mental health inpatients discharged between 2024 and 2025 were readmitted within (a) 30 and (b) 90 days of discharge, broken down by age group.

The following table shows the information requested for inpatients discharged between January 2024 and December 2024 in England: Age bandDischarges eligible for readmissionReadmissions within 30 days of dischargeReadmissions within 90 days of dischargeProportion of discharges readmitted within 30 daysProportion of discharges readmitted within 90 days0-174,1341,4681,92535.5%46.6%18-2410,9121,8683,06817.1%28.1%25-3418,8062,4144,15612.8%22.1%35-4416,7421,7853,27010.7%19.5%45-5412,6151,1772,2109.3%17.5%55-6410,2869101,7048.8%16.6%65+13,2737611,4175.7%10.7%Missing/Invalid records2000.0%0.0%Total86,77010,38317,75012.0%20.5%Source: Mental Health Services Dataset, NHS England Notes:The age band is calculated based on the patient's age at the time of the previous discharge. The number of discharges eligible for readmission covers all discharges from hospital in the reporting period that meet the following criteria:Method of discharge from hospital was NOT the patient dying, discharging themselves, or being discharged by a relative or advocate.Destination of discharge from hospital was NOT a high security of psychiatric hospital or accommodation, a medium secure unit, or an Independent Sector Healthcare Provider run hospital. The number or readmissions within 30 or 90 days of discharge covers all next earliest admissions to hospital following a patient's eligible discharge. Number of days is calculated using the start date of the new admission and the discharge date of the previous discharge.

What the longest inpatient stays were for mental health patients in each age group discharged in 2025.

The information requested for the latest available period (1 January to 30 June 2025) is in the table below. Counts below 5 are suppressed using an asterisk. Age Band at DischargeBed Type at Discharge1Total Number of DischargesLongest hospital stay (days)20 to 17Child and Young Person Learning Disabilities9452,9680 to 17Unknown34002,3850 to 17Acute Mental Health Unit for Adults with a Learning Disability and/or Autism*2,0330 to 17General Child and Young Person Young Person (13 years up to and including 17 years)9308530 to 17Child and Young Person Low Secure Mental Illness*6990 to 17Eating Disorders Child and Young Person1356620 to 17General Child and Young Person Child (up to and including 12 years)2406090 to 17Child and Young Person Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit1105630 to 17Adult Low Secure53920 to 17Adult Eating Disorders*2000 to 17Child Mental Health Services for the Deaf*1140 to 17Acute Adult Mental Health Care30590 to 17Child and Young Person Medium Secure Mental Illness*430 to 17Adult Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (Acute Mental Health Care)*420 to 17Adult Mental Health Rehabilitation (Mainstream Service)540 to 17Adult Neuro-Psychiatry / Acquired Brain Injury10318 to 64Adult High Secure5510,51418 to 64Adult Medium Secure3807,89718 to 64Adult Mental Health Rehabilitation (Mainstream Service)1,3606,78518 to 64Unknown32,9506,66618 to 64Acute Mental Health Unit for Adults with a Learning Disability and/or Autism7306,19918 to 64Adult Low Secure4205,91618 to 64Acute Older Adult Mental Health Care (Organic and Functional)5555,38118 to 64Adult Neuro-Psychiatry / Acquired Brain Injury1605,25018 to 64Acute Adult Mental Health Care30,9053,92018 to 64Adult Mental Health Rehabilitation for Adults with a Learning Disability and/or Autism (Specialist Service)1553,76318 to 64Child and Young Person Learning Disabilities302,95618 to 64Adult Personality Disorder102,70118 to 64Adult Mental Health Services for the Deaf201,89218 to 64Eating Disorders Child and Young Person351,53818 to 64General Child and Young Person Child (up to and including 12 years)*1,41418 to 64Adult Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (Acute Mental Health Care)2,5801,18118 to 64Adult Eating Disorders39094318 to 64Child and Young Person Low Secure Mental Illness587618 to 64General Child and Young Person Young Person (13 years up to and including 17 years)3569318 to 64Child and Young Person Medium Secure Mental Illness*60018 to 64Mother and Baby46528518 to 64Severe Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Body Dysmorphic Disorder - Young Person524518 to 64Child and Young Person Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit1018865+Adult Mental Health Rehabilitation (Mainstream Service)1958,76865+Adult Low Secure206,36165+Adult Neuro-Psychiatry / Acquired Brain Injury456,16765+Acute Older Adult Mental Health Care (Organic and Functional)5,7055,67165+Adult Medium Secure154,96065+Acute Mental Health Unit for Adults with a Learning Disability and/or Autism152,60665+Acute Adult Mental Health Care1,0551,83265+Adult Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (Acute Mental Health Care)301,57665+Unknown31251,19565+Adult Mental Health Services for the Deaf*53465+Adult Mental Health Rehabilitation for Adults with a Learning Disability and/or Autism (Specialist Service)551465+Severe Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Body Dysmorphic Disorder - Young Person*31065+Adult Eating Disorders1026065+General Child and Young Person Child (up to and including 12 years)*-Data source: Mental Health Services Dataset, NHS England 1 Bed type is the bed that the patient was in when they were discharged. 2 The length of stay is the patient’s total length of stay during the hospital spell. 3 Where a patient’s bed type is not recorded or cannot be matched to a valid value, the bed type is recorded as unknown.

What recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of pavement parking on people with (a) sight loss, (b) mobility impairments and (c) other disabilities.

The Secretary of State has not had any discussions with local authorities on these matters. The Government fully understands the serious problems that vehicles parked on the pavement, and other obstacles on the pavement, can cause for pedestrians, especially for people with mobility or sight impairments and those with wheelchairs, prams or pushchairs. The Department has been considering all the views expressed in response to the 2020 pavement parking consultation and is currently working through the policy options and the appropriate means of delivering them. We will announce the next steps and publish our formal response as soon as possible.  In the meantime, local authorities can make use of existing powers to manage pavement parking, and it is up to them to decide where to restrict pavement parking and what enforcement is appropriate. Recent reforms by my Department to the process by which Traffic Regulation Orders are made will make it easier for them to do so.

Whether he plans to commission an independent review of how severity is defined in NICE appraisals and its effect on access to new cancer drugs.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is responsible for the methods and processes that it uses in the development of its recommendations. The severity modifier was introduced in January 2022 as part of a number of changes intended to make NICE’s methods fairer, faster, and more consistent.NICE carried out a review of the implementation of the severity modifier in September 2024 and found that it is operating as intended. This showed that the proportion of positive cancer recommendations is higher, at 84.8%, than with the end-of-life modifier it replaced, at 75%, and the proportion of positive recommendations for advanced cancer treatments is also higher, 81.1% compared to 69%.NICE has commissioned research to gather further evidence on societal preferences that will inform future method reviews.

If she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the pupil premium at reducing attainment gaps in (a) England and (b) in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.

Schools receive pupil premium, worth over £3 billion in 2025/26, to support disadvantaged pupils’ educational outcomes. South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency’s pupil premium allocation this financial year is £5.59 million.The department published an evaluation of pupil and recovery premia in March 2025: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67dd5b7f0114b0b86e59f42b/Pupil_premium_and_recovery_premium_evaluation.pdf.This contained positive findings, for example 85% of schools and 91% of trusts agreed that having pupil premium meant they had a better strategy for meeting disadvantaged pupils’ needs.