Written questions by Naish.

Whether the DVLA is taking steps to reduce the time taken for medical driver's license applications to be processed.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) aims to process all applications as quickly as possible. Driving licence applications where a medical condition(s) must be investigated before a licence can take longer. This is because the DVLA is often reliant on receiving information from third parties, including medical professionals, before a licence can be issued. The DVLA is currently rolling out a new casework system which is expected to deliver significant improvements to the services provided to drivers with medical conditions. This will enhance the handling of medical cases, support growing customer demand and help to reduce processing times. As part of this work, the DVLA has improved the quality of the correspondence provided to applicants and reviewed the questions asked of applicants and healthcare professionals when assessing medical fitness to drive with a view to simplify the process wherever possible. It is important to note that most applicants renewing an existing licence will be able to continue driving while their application is being processed, providing the driver can meet specific criteria. More information on this can be found at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1180997/inf1886-can-i-drive-while-my-application-is-with-dvla.pdf.

What assessment she has made of the (a) quality and (b) timeliness of DVLA communications with medical driving licence applicants; and whether the DVLA is taking steps to improve the quality of its (i) updates to applicants and (ii) plain-English correspondence.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) aims to process all applications as quickly as possible. Driving licence applications where a medical condition(s) must be investigated before a licence can take longer. This is because the DVLA is often reliant on receiving information from third parties, including medical professionals, before a licence can be issued. The DVLA is currently rolling out a new casework system which is expected to deliver significant improvements to the services provided to drivers with medical conditions. This will enhance the handling of medical cases, support growing customer demand and help to reduce processing times. As part of this work, the DVLA has improved the quality of the correspondence provided to applicants and reviewed the questions asked of applicants and healthcare professionals when assessing medical fitness to drive with a view to simplify the process wherever possible. It is important to note that most applicants renewing an existing licence will be able to continue driving while their application is being processed, providing the driver can meet specific criteria. More information on this can be found at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1180997/inf1886-can-i-drive-while-my-application-is-with-dvla.pdf.

If she will require local authorities to (a) recognise and (b) fund (i) safe spaces, (ii) full-time one-to-one support and (iii) other adaptations as core SEND provision.

The department is providing an increase of £1 billion for high needs budgets in England in the 2025/26 financial year, following the Autumn Budget 2024. This brings total high needs funding for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to over £12 billion. Of that total high needs funding, Nottinghamshire County Council is being allocated over £130 million through the high needs funding block of the dedicated schools grant (DSG).In addition to the DSG, local authorities also receive a separate core schools budget grant (CSBG) in the 2025/26 financial year, for local authorities to pass on to specialist settings in their area to support with the costs of teacher and support staff pay awards, and national insurance contributions costs.Local authorities allocate their high needs funding to support specialist settings, and also mainstream schools with pupils identified as having more complex SEND where the additional support costs for those mainstream pupils are more than £6,000 per annum. The provision that is funded can include adaptations to the curriculum and learning environment, and targeted teaching support where necessary.The department also allocates annual capital funding to support local authorities to meet their statutory duty to provide sufficient school places for children with SEND or who require alternative provision.The department has published allocations for £740 million in High Needs Provision Capital Allocations (HNPCA) for the 2025/26 financial year. Of this, Nottinghamshire have been allocated £14 million. The funding can be used to adapt schools to be more accessible for children with SEND, to create specialist facilities within mainstream schools that can deliver more intensive support adapted to suit the pupils’ needs and to create special school places for pupils with the most complex needs.The department is considering the funding required for future years and how it is to be allocated, following the conclusion of the recent spending review. Our objective is that future funding for SEND supports our plans for reforming the SEND system, which will be set out in further detail in a White Paper in the autumn.

Whether his Department plans to implement Phase 2 of the non-domestic Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards.

Government consulted on strengthening the non-domestic PRS minimum energy efficiency standards to EPC C by 1 April 2027, and EPC B by 1 April 2030. We are currently reviewing the policy design to ensure that it remains fair and proportionate for landlords and tenants alike. We plan to publish a response to the consultation as early as possible. We recognise the delay has caused uncertainty within industry and are working hard to deliver this policy at the earliest possible date, whilst ensuring we are providing sufficient lead-in time for property owners and the wider supply chain.

Whether the Education and Skills Funding Agency monitors academy trust compliance with health and safety standards for school playgrounds.

It is the responsibility of those who manage our schools (local authorities, diocesan bodies and academy trusts) to ensure their premises operate in accordance with relevant standards and legislation. The department provides guidance on how health and safety standards should be met for their premises, including the publication titled ‘Advice on standards for school premises’, which can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/standards-for-school-premises. The department does not monitor compliance.The recently published ‘School estate management standards’, gathers in one place links to key policies, processes and guidance to support schools to manage their estates effectively and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-estate-management-standards. It signposts users to expert advice and good practice, including more extensive guidance and tools from the department’s ‘Good estate management for schools’ manual, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/good-estate-management-for-schools, and the Health and Safety Executive here: https://www.hse.gov.uk/education/index.htm.To note, the Education and Skills Funding Agency became part of the Department for Education in April 2025.

What the average time taken was for an IHT30 certificate to be issued in the latest period for which data is available; and how many cases were waiting for an IHT30 certificate to be issued on 1 August 2025.

HMRC do not measure the average time taken for an IHT30 certificate to be issued. HMRC have a service standard to process 80% of IHT30 certificates within 15 working days. HMRC have prioritised the processing of IHT400 forms to minimise any delays for customers applying for probate through HM Courts & Tribunals Service. Customers do not need an IHT30 certificate to distribute assets to beneficiaries. HMRC have trained and deployed additional staff to work on inheritance tax, and are investing £52m to digitalise the Inheritance Tax service from 2027-28 to provide a modern, easy-to-use system, making returns and paying tax simpler and quicker.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of making written feedback from schools consulted during Education, Health and Care Plan placement decisions legally binding on local authorities.

When preparing a new education, health and care (EHC) plan, or amending the setting named on an existing plan, a local authority must consult with any school or other setting it may name in the plan. The special educational needs and disability (SEND) code of practice: 0 to 25 years is statutory guidance that sets out how this should be done, and it stresses that a local authority must consider the comments of a setting very carefully before deciding whether to name it in an EHC plan. This consultation process allows the setting to voice any concerns, for example in relation to its capacity or ability to meet the needs of the child or young person. Advice from the setting will also contribute to the local authority’s development of the plan to ensure that it meets the child or young person’s needs, the outcomes they want to achieve and the aspirations they are aiming for. Informed by the response to its consultation, the local authority then decides which setting to name, following the statutory procedure for doing so. The local authority is the body best placed to gather the necessary advice and information and then weigh up all the relevant considerations in finalising an EHC plan.This government shares the widespread view that improvements to the SEND system are badly needed and as part of our Plan for Change we are committed to ensuring all children and young people have the support they need to develop skills for the future. Details of our intended approach to SEND reform will be set out for consultation in a Schools White Paper in the autumn.

What steps he is taking to incentivise the installation of solar panels on (a) commercial and (b) industrial roofs; and whether he has plans to prioritise the use of these spaces over agricultural land for renewable energy projects.

The Government incentivises commercial/industrial rooftop solar in various ways, including permitted development rights, favourable tax treatment, and the Smart Export Guarantee. Solar is an important part of our strategy for improving energy performance of buildings. New building standards will ensure new buildings are fit for a Net Zero future. The Warm Homes Plan will set out pathways for decarbonisation of all buildings, including non-domestic ones. Further details will be set out by October. Achieving our ambitious clean power mission will require rapid deployment across rooftops and ground-mounted solar farms. However, planning guidance makes clear that, wherever possible, solar developers should utilise brownfield, industrial, contaminated, or previously developed land.

How many Type 1 emergency departments in England currently operate without an on-site neurology service.

In 2021, NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme shared its national specialty report for neurology following deep dive visits to all 24 neuroscience regions, then to the 67 trusts that together deliver neurology services to 139 sites.Data from the report shows that 28% of emergency admissions were at N4 sites, sties with a visiting neurologists only and no on-site service, and a further 4% at N5 sites, sites with no visiting neurologists.Building on the recommendations in the GIRFT national report, the NHS England Neurology Transformation Programme is developing guidance to support integrated care boards and service providers to deliver services for patients with acute neurological conditions efficiently and equitably.Earlier access to expert opinion improves outcomes and allows earlier discharge, reducing lengths of stay and inpatient care costs. Many admissions are potentially avoidable if appropriate ambulatory admission avoidance pathways for acute neurology are put in place.

What steps he is taking to (a) encourage and (b) incentivise the installation of solar panels on (i) commercial and (ii) industrial roofs; and whether he plans to prioritise the use of those spaces over agricultural land for renewable energy projects.

The Government incentivises commercial/industrial rooftop solar in various ways, including permitted development rights, favourable tax treatment, and the Smart Export Guarantee. Solar is an important part of our strategy for improving energy performance of buildings. New building standards will ensure new buildings are fit for a Net Zero future. The Warm Homes Plan will set out pathways for decarbonisation of all buildings, including non-domestic ones. Further details will be set out by October. Achieving our ambitious clean power mission will require rapid deployment across rooftops and ground-mounted solar farms. However, planning guidance makes clear that, wherever possible, solar developers should utilise brownfield, industrial, contaminated, or previously developed land.

What discussions he has had with industry stakeholders on the potential impact of proposals for energy efficiency targets for non-domestic properties on levels of planned investment in non-domestic properties.

Department officials have worked closely with industry on the implementation and design of the policy to ensure the policy is fair and proportionate for landlords and tenants alike. This includes multiple workshops this year with these stakeholders to update the policy to significantly reduce complexity and administrative burdens. We received feedback that the policy has the potential to unlock a significant investment in retrofit of commercial buildings.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of digital-first primary care systems on patients without internet access; and what steps he plans to take to reduce digital exclusion in the NHS.

People unable to access the NHS App or online services, or visit their general practice (GP) in person, can ask for a feature called proxy access available through the NHS App. This function allows a trusted relative or carer to act on the patient’s behalf and can be set up through the patient’s GP surgery, so that they can help them manage their health and care. This is done through a proxy, or linked, account. Depending on the access that the GP surgery has enabled, proxy users may be able to act for the person they support, by ordering repeat prescriptions, booking appointments, viewing test results or vaccinations, and accessing all or part of the GP health record, to help with health-related tasks and managing health issues.While digital health tools like the NHS App offer convenience, they should be part of a wider offering that includes face-to-face support with appropriate help for people who struggle to access digital services.NHS England has published a framework for National Health Service action on digital inclusion and is developing further resources to support practical actions. All programmes are actively considering how they can contribute to improvements in healthcare inequalities and digital inclusion. Digital health tools are part of a wider offering that includes face-to-face support and telephone services, with appropriate help for people who struggle to access digital services.NHS England has successfully run a number of programmes to support patients, carers, and health service staff with their digital skills. These include: - the NHS App ‘Spoken Word’ Pilot project, designed to test the efficacy of promoting NHS digital health products and services in languages other than English;- the Digital Health Champions programme, a proof of concept to support citizens who have no or low digital skills with understanding how to access health services online; and- the Widening Digital Participation programme, aimed to ensure more people have the digital skills, motivation, and means to access health information and services online. GP surgeries also offer patients non-digital methods to manage their primary and secondary healthcare, and these methods usually consist of telephonic communication and letters. Patients can request a non-digital route by registering their preference with their GP surgery.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that patients who cannot use the internet retain (a) telephone or (b) in-person routes to (i) book GP appointments and (ii) access triage services.

People unable to access the NHS App or online services, or visit their general practice (GP) in person, can ask for a feature called proxy access available through the NHS App. This function allows a trusted relative or carer to act on the patient’s behalf and can be set up through the patient’s GP surgery, so that they can help them manage their health and care. This is done through a proxy, or linked, account. Depending on the access that the GP surgery has enabled, proxy users may be able to act for the person they support, by ordering repeat prescriptions, booking appointments, viewing test results or vaccinations, and accessing all or part of the GP health record, to help with health-related tasks and managing health issues.While digital health tools like the NHS App offer convenience, they should be part of a wider offering that includes face-to-face support with appropriate help for people who struggle to access digital services.NHS England has published a framework for National Health Service action on digital inclusion and is developing further resources to support practical actions. All programmes are actively considering how they can contribute to improvements in healthcare inequalities and digital inclusion. Digital health tools are part of a wider offering that includes face-to-face support and telephone services, with appropriate help for people who struggle to access digital services.NHS England has successfully run a number of programmes to support patients, carers, and health service staff with their digital skills. These include: - the NHS App ‘Spoken Word’ Pilot project, designed to test the efficacy of promoting NHS digital health products and services in languages other than English;- the Digital Health Champions programme, a proof of concept to support citizens who have no or low digital skills with understanding how to access health services online; and- the Widening Digital Participation programme, aimed to ensure more people have the digital skills, motivation, and means to access health information and services online. GP surgeries also offer patients non-digital methods to manage their primary and secondary healthcare, and these methods usually consist of telephonic communication and letters. Patients can request a non-digital route by registering their preference with their GP surgery.

What steps NHS England is taking to ensure that A&E clinicians are trained to (a) recognise neurological red-flag symptoms and (b) initiate (i) plasma exchange, (ii) intravenous methyl-prednisolone and (iii) other urgent treatments.

All accident and emergency clinicians are trained to the highest standards to ensure the best patient care possible. Recognition of neurological emergencies is part of the emergency care curriculum, which is written by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine to the standards set by the medical regulator, the General Medical Council.

Whether his Department plans to introduce a requirement for (a) 24-hour on-call neurology cover or (b) rapid tele-neurology support in all major emergency departments.

The Department has no plans to introduce a requirement for 24-hour on-call neurology cover or rapid tele-neurology support in all major emergency departments.

What the median waiting time is for an emergency department patient to receive a consultant neurologist review in hospitals that do not have an on-site neurology team.

The information requested is not held centrally.

What assessment his Department has made of the clinical impact of (a) delayed and (b) missed diagnosis of (i) autoimmune encephalitis and (ii) other acute neurological emergencies presenting to emergency departments without neurology cover.

The revised NHS England specialised neurology service specification, published on 13 August, following extensive consultation with clinical and charity partners, states that all patients should have access to acute neurology advice via a networked model of care. The national specialised commissioning team is also developing an integrated care system toolkit to support implementation, which includes acute neurology guidance.

What guidance her Department issues to local authorities on verifying the (a) staffing, (b) space and (c) specialist-expertise capacity of schools before naming them in education, health and care plans.

When preparing a new education, health and care (EHC) plan, or amending the setting named on an existing plan, a local authority must consult with any school or other setting it may name in the plan. The special educational needs and disability (SEND) code of practice: 0 to 25 years is statutory guidance that sets out how this should be done, and it stresses that a local authority must consider the comments of a setting very carefully before deciding whether to name it in an EHC plan. This consultation process allows the setting to voice any concerns, for example in relation to its capacity or ability to meet the needs of the child or young person. Advice from the setting will also contribute to the local authority’s development of the plan to ensure that it meets the child or young person’s needs, the outcomes they want to achieve and the aspirations they are aiming for. Informed by the response to its consultation, the local authority then decides which setting to name, following the statutory procedure for doing so. The local authority is the body best placed to gather the necessary advice and information and then weigh up all the relevant considerations in finalising an EHC plan.This government shares the widespread view that improvements to the SEND system are badly needed and as part of our Plan for Change we are committed to ensuring all children and young people have the support they need to develop skills for the future. Details of our intended approach to SEND reform will be set out for consultation in a Schools White Paper in the autumn.

What steps his Department is taking to encourage (a) commercial and (b) industrial property owners to install solar panels on roofs.

The Government incentivises commercial/industrial rooftop solar in various ways, including permitted development rights, favourable tax treatment, and the Smart Export Guarantee. Although we have no plans to mandate the installation of solar panels on commercial roofs, the recently published Solar Roadmap set out that rooftop solar will, where appropriate, play an important role in the Future Buildings Standard for new build non-domestic buildings which is due to be introduced later this year. We are also working to unlock the potential for solar deployment in the non-domestic retrofit space, for example by exploring innovative financing models with the National Wealth Fund, and the upcoming Solar Council will monitor progress and drive delivery of this and other actions in the Roadmap.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of mandating the installation of solar panels on commercial and industrial roofs.

The Government incentivises commercial/industrial rooftop solar in various ways, including permitted development rights, favourable tax treatment, and the Smart Export Guarantee. Although we have no plans to mandate the installation of solar panels on commercial roofs, the recently published Solar Roadmap set out that rooftop solar will, where appropriate, play an important role in the Future Buildings Standard for new build non-domestic buildings which is due to be introduced later this year. We are also working to unlock the potential for solar deployment in the non-domestic retrofit space, for example by exploring innovative financing models with the National Wealth Fund, and the upcoming Solar Council will monitor progress and drive delivery of this and other actions in the Roadmap.