Written questions by McMurdock.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of declining domestic oil and gas production on UK manufacturing sectors.

The Government recognises the importance of oil and gas for a wide range of industrial and manufacturing purposes, including in the production of agricultural inputs such as fertilisers. Oil and gas will continue to play an important role in the UK’s energy mix for decades to come. The Government’s North Sea Future Plan sets out our approach to managing existing oil and gas fields for their full lifespan, while not issuing new licences to explore new fields, supporting a fair, orderly and prosperous transition. There isn’t a single standalone assessment specific to any individual manufacturing sectors.

What support is being provided to schools and colleges in areas with higher than average rates of students not achieving a grade 4 in GCSE a) English and b) Maths.

The department has committed £27.7 million this financial year to raise reading standards. We are introducing a statutory reading check for pupils in year 8 to help ensure schools are identifying and providing targeted support to pupils.In the 2025/26 academic year, the department rolled out a secondary pilot of the English Hubs programme, to help address reading needs for schools most in need. In January 2026, all schools were given access to Unlocking Reading, a continuing professional development programme. English Hubs will continue supporting secondary schools into the 2026/27 academic year, with an increased number of schools receiving intensive support from literacy specialists.A national network of 40 Maths Hubs is supporting schools to improve teaching quality.  This network aims to improve the teaching of mathematics for all pupils in publicly funded schools by providing school-to-school support focussed on subject knowledge and pedagogy training for teachers, supporting teaching quality as well as workforce recruitment and retention.Following the Curriculum and Assessment Review, reforms to the national curriculum and GCSEs will deliver clearer, better sequenced content grounded in essential knowledge and skills. Schools also benefit from the universal regional improvement for standards and excellence programme, a sector-led approach providing access to high quality school improvement support.

What estimate she has made of the level of underreporting of anti-social behaviour incidents.

Tackling Anti-social Behaviour (ASB) is a key commitment as part of improving confidence in policing and local responses to crime as set out in the Government’s Plan for Change.In the year ending September 2025, the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) showed that around 38% of people experienced or witnessed some type of ASB, and there were 1 million police recorded incidents. We know, however, that ASB goes underreported to the police and other agencies. The latest CSEW data (YE March 2025) indicates that depending on the type of ASB, between 63-93% of ASB incidents are not reported to any agency. We are committed to ensuring better support and information is available to victims of ASB, including on how to report ASB.The Home Office recognises that persistent ASB can have a significant impact on individuals’ quality of life and sense of safety, particularly in the areas where they live, work, and visit. While the Home Office does not make a specific assessment on the impact of ASB on people’s decisions to move home, tackling ASB remains a priority to help ensure people feel safe in their neighbourhoods.To support this, every police force in England and Wales now has an anti-social behaviour lead in place who will work with communities, stakeholders and the public to implement their individual ASB.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of domestic oil and gas production policy on the UK fertiliser manufacturing sector.

The Government recognises the importance of oil and gas for a wide range of industrial and manufacturing purposes, including in the production of agricultural inputs such as fertilisers. Oil and gas will continue to play an important role in the UK’s energy mix for decades to come. The Government’s North Sea Future Plan sets out our approach to managing existing oil and gas fields for their full lifespan, while not issuing new licences to explore new fields, supporting a fair, orderly and prosperous transition. There isn’t a single standalone assessment specific to any individual manufacturing sectors.

What steps she is taking to help improve reporting rates for anti-social behaviour.

Tackling Anti-social Behaviour (ASB) is a key commitment as part of improving confidence in policing and local responses to crime as set out in the Government’s Plan for Change.In the year ending September 2025, the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) showed that around 38% of people experienced or witnessed some type of ASB, and there were 1 million police recorded incidents. We know, however, that ASB goes underreported to the police and other agencies. The latest CSEW data (YE March 2025) indicates that depending on the type of ASB, between 63-93% of ASB incidents are not reported to any agency. We are committed to ensuring better support and information is available to victims of ASB, including on how to report ASB.The Home Office recognises that persistent ASB can have a significant impact on individuals’ quality of life and sense of safety, particularly in the areas where they live, work, and visit. While the Home Office does not make a specific assessment on the impact of ASB on people’s decisions to move home, tackling ASB remains a priority to help ensure people feel safe in their neighbourhoods.To support this, every police force in England and Wales now has an anti-social behaviour lead in place who will work with communities, stakeholders and the public to implement their individual ASB.

What assessment he has made of the capacity factors of a) wind and b) solar electricity generation in the UK.

The capacity or load factors of wind and solar electricity generation in the UK depend on several factors, including site location and technology choices. The department publishes estimates of capacity factors for generic installations of solar PV, onshore wind, and offshore wind electricity generation in the UK as part of its Generation Costs publications. The relevant publications can be found here: Annex A (Generation Costs Report): annex-a-additional-estimates-and-key-assumptions-2025.xlsx (view the ‘Technical and Cost Assumptions’ section for load factors).Generation Costs Report: Electricity Generation Costs 2025

What proportion of UK electricity demand was met by a) wind and b) solar generation during periods of low wind and low sunlight in the last 12 months.

The Department does not hold this data. Half-hourly demand figures and estimated wind and solar generation for Great Britain, are published by NESO. Weather data is available from the Met Office.

What estimate he has made of the amount of backup generation capacity required to support a) wind and b) solar electricity generation.

The Capacity Market is government’s main tool for ensuring continued security of electricity supply in Great Britain. It is technology neutral and provides incentives for all forms of capacity, including generation, storage, consumer-led flexibility and interconnection to be on the system to deliver when needed. The volume of capacity procured through the Capacity Market is set based on advice from National Energy System Operator (NESO) in their annual Electricity Capacity Report. Through the Capacity Market we have secured a total of 57.4 GW for the coming winter, meaning we can have confidence that we will have sufficient capacity available to deliver electricity when needed.

How much Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust spent on agency staff in each of the last three financial years.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

What assessment she has made of the difference in attainment rates in GCSE a) English and b) Maths by age 19 between South Basildon and East Thurrock and the national average.

The latest available data for the 2023/24 academic year shows that by age 19, 76.3% of young people in South Basildon and East Thurrock had achieved a grade 4 or above in GCSE English and 69.8% in GCSE maths, compared with national averages of 82.9% and 79.0%. The department has committed £27.7 million this financial year to raise reading standards and are introducing a new statutory year 8 reading test to strengthen reading at key stage 3. Curriculum and GCSE reforms will deliver clearer, better‑sequenced, content. Schools will be supported by the universal regional improvement for standards and excellence programme providing sector‑led school improvement support. As part of the Post‑16 Education and Skills White Paper, the department is introducing reforms to support progression to Level 2 English and maths. This includes new 16 to 19 Level 1 qualifications for lower‑attaining students, revising the accountability framework and sharing effective practice through a Further Education Commissioner guide.

What plans he has to introduce national minimum staffing level guidance for NHS services.

There are no plans to introduce national minimum staffing level guidance. Staffing levels are determined locally, supported by national guidance and regulated by the Care Quality Commission.Guidance from the National Quality Board entitled Safe, sustainable and productive staffing, from 2016, and Developing Workforce Safeguards, from 2018, are designed to ensure a consistent, scientific, and evidence-based approach to staffing levels and to improve governance and board accountability relating to staffing decisions. Both guidance documents are available, respectively, at the following two links:https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/nqb-guidance.pdfhttps://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Developing-workforce-safeguards.pdf

What assessment he has made of trends in the level of staff perceptions of staffing levels and their ability to deliver safe patient care in the NHS.

The Department assesses the state and sentiment of the National Health Service workforce through the annual NHS Staff Survey.The full findings of the NHS Staff Survey is available at the following link:https://www.nhsstaffsurveys.com/results/national-results/Employers are best placed to determine their workforce needs based on local needs. In addition, the 10 Year Workforce Plan will set out how national supply will be achieved and will be making sure that staff are better treated, have more fulfilling roles, and hope for the future.

What estimate he has made of the cost difference between NHS bank staff and agency staff.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of anti-social behaviour on people’s decision to move home.

Tackling Anti-social Behaviour (ASB) is a key commitment as part of improving confidence in policing and local responses to crime as set out in the Government’s Plan for Change.In the year ending September 2025, the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) showed that around 38% of people experienced or witnessed some type of ASB, and there were 1 million police recorded incidents. We know, however, that ASB goes underreported to the police and other agencies. The latest CSEW data (YE March 2025) indicates that depending on the type of ASB, between 63-93% of ASB incidents are not reported to any agency. We are committed to ensuring better support and information is available to victims of ASB, including on how to report ASB.The Home Office recognises that persistent ASB can have a significant impact on individuals’ quality of life and sense of safety, particularly in the areas where they live, work, and visit. While the Home Office does not make a specific assessment on the impact of ASB on people’s decisions to move home, tackling ASB remains a priority to help ensure people feel safe in their neighbourhoods.To support this, every police force in England and Wales now has an anti-social behaviour lead in place who will work with communities, stakeholders and the public to implement their individual ASB.

What assessment she has made of public satisfaction levels following reports of anti-social behaviour to a) the police and b) local authorities.

Tackling Anti-social Behaviour (ASB) is a key commitment as part of improving confidence in policing and local responses to crime as set out in the Government’s Plan for Change.In the year ending September 2025, the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) showed that around 38% of people experienced or witnessed some type of ASB, and there were 1 million police recorded incidents. We know, however, that ASB goes underreported to the police and other agencies. The latest CSEW data (YE March 2025) indicates that depending on the type of ASB, between 63-93% of ASB incidents are not reported to any agency. We are committed to ensuring better support and information is available to victims of ASB, including on how to report ASB.The Home Office recognises that persistent ASB can have a significant impact on individuals’ quality of life and sense of safety, particularly in the areas where they live, work, and visit. While the Home Office does not make a specific assessment on the impact of ASB on people’s decisions to move home, tackling ASB remains a priority to help ensure people feel safe in their neighbourhoods.To support this, every police force in England and Wales now has an anti-social behaviour lead in place who will work with communities, stakeholders and the public to implement their individual ASB.

What discussions he has had with the a) pharmaceutical, b) chemical and b) agricultural sectors on future availability of oil and gas derived feedstocks.

Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. Oil and gas will continue to play an important role in the UK’s energy mix for decades to come. The Government’s North Sea Future Plan sets out our approach to managing existing oil and gas fields for their full lifespan, while not issuing new licences to explore new fields, supporting a fair, orderly and prosperous transition.

What steps she is taking to help increase public confidence in reporting anti-social behaviour to the police.

Tackling Anti-social Behaviour (ASB) is a key commitment as part of improving confidence in policing and local responses to crime as set out in the Government’s Plan for Change.In the year ending September 2025, the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) showed that around 38% of people experienced or witnessed some type of ASB, and there were 1 million police recorded incidents. We know, however, that ASB goes underreported to the police and other agencies. The latest CSEW data (YE March 2025) indicates that depending on the type of ASB, between 63-93% of ASB incidents are not reported to any agency. We are committed to ensuring better support and information is available to victims of ASB, including on how to report ASB.The Home Office recognises that persistent ASB can have a significant impact on individuals’ quality of life and sense of safety, particularly in the areas where they live, work, and visit. While the Home Office does not make a specific assessment on the impact of ASB on people’s decisions to move home, tackling ASB remains a priority to help ensure people feel safe in their neighbourhoods.To support this, every police force in England and Wales now has an anti-social behaviour lead in place who will work with communities, stakeholders and the public to implement their individual ASB.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to address factors linked to public perception of safety such as a) litter and b) graffiti.

To improve public perception of safety with regard to litter and graffiti, the Government has enabled and supported local action by providing a clear legal framework of statutory powers and responsibilities of local councils and setting national standards. Local councils have legal powers to take enforcement action against both littering and graffiti offenders. Anyone caught littering or graffitiing may be prosecuted in a magistrates’ court. Alternatively, councils may decide to issue a fixed penalty (on-the-spot fine) of up to £500. Councils also have powers to tackle any persistent or unreasonable behaviour that is having a negative effect on a community’s quality of life by issuing Community Protection Notices and Public Space Protection Orders.To support local councils to make good use of their fixed penalty powers for littering and related offences like graffiti we have recently published new Statutory Guidance, Litter enforcement powers: when and how to use them, in Parliament. Local authorities will need to have regard to this guidance when using their powers, which is available at: Litter enforcement powers: when and how to use them - GOV.UKWe have also published the Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse statutory guidance which outlines the standards expected of local authorities and other duty bodies (e.g. National Highways) with regards to their duty to keep their land clear of litter and refuse. This guidance can be found on: Code of practice on litter and refuse - GOV.UKFurthermore, there is advisory guidance on managing graffiti and flyposting for local councils and businesses, which is available here: 15681_GRAFFITI_AND_FLY_POSTING_MANAGEMENT_GUIDANCE.PDF.The guidance outlines the options available to local councils and others for tackling these issues with examples of good practice.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Powering the farms of the future with £50 million tech investment, published on 14 April 2026, what metrics her Department will use to measure the impact of the programme on farm productivity and sustainability.

The Investor Partnerships initiative is part of the Farming Innovation Programme. An interim evaluation, published in 2025, shows that the programme is on the right track to deliver long term improvements to productivity and the environment, and Defra continues to monitor the effectiveness of the funding. The Farming Innovation Programme aims to benefit English farmers and growers. Therefore, farmers based in Essex are in scope. Funding opportunities are promoted through multiple channels, including Press Notices, The Farming Innovation Programme website and Defra’s Farming Blog. The Modern Industrial Strategy, published last year, committed to spend at least £200 million through the Farming Innovation Programme by 2030. As part of this, at the NFU conference in February the Government announced £70 million to support investment in agri-tech research and development from 2026, including £30 million for the Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies fund.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Powering the farms of the future with £50 million tech investment, published on 14 April 2026, what plans she has to continue or expand agri-tech investment beyond the current funding round.

The Investor Partnerships initiative is part of the Farming Innovation Programme. An interim evaluation, published in 2025, shows that the programme is on the right track to deliver long term improvements to productivity and the environment, and Defra continues to monitor the effectiveness of the funding. The Farming Innovation Programme aims to benefit English farmers and growers. Therefore, farmers based in Essex are in scope. Funding opportunities are promoted through multiple channels, including Press Notices, The Farming Innovation Programme website and Defra’s Farming Blog. The Modern Industrial Strategy, published last year, committed to spend at least £200 million through the Farming Innovation Programme by 2030. As part of this, at the NFU conference in February the Government announced £70 million to support investment in agri-tech research and development from 2026, including £30 million for the Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies fund.