Written questions by Naish.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of reviewing the inclusion of (a) nursing and (b) other allied health professionals on the shortage occupation visa list.

The Government published the White Paper ‘Restoring Control over the immigration System’ on 12 May 2025. The White Paper set out its intention to introduce a Temporary Shortage List to replace the Immigration Salary List.The list will initially be comprised of occupations which the MAC have previously identified as in shortage and those which are key to the Industrial Strategy. The Government will set out in due course the longer term composition of that list.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of increasing the use of open banking on levels of financial inclusion.

The UK has been a world leader in Open Banking since 2018. Open Banking providers offer innovative services using customer data, and can help with improving financial inclusion, such as by allowing customers to gain better oversight of their finances, or by improving access to credit. The Government is committed to maintaining the UK’s leadership in this area. This is why the government set out in the National Payments Vision, published in November, that Open Banking must transition to a sustainable long-term regulatory framework. The government is committed to delivering this framework and intends to use incoming smart data powers in the Data (Use and Access) Bill, currently progressing through Parliament, to do so. The Government is working to ensure that individuals have access to the appropriate financial products and services they need. This is why I have committed to publish a Financial Inclusion Strategy later this year, which will examine the barriers consumers face and solutions to address them. On the 90-day Open Banking consumer consent period - this is a matter for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which is independent from Government. The FCA will respond to the Honourable Member by letter, and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House of Commons.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of extending the 90-day open banking consumer consent period on the economy.

The UK has been a world leader in Open Banking since 2018. Open Banking providers offer innovative services using customer data, and can help with improving financial inclusion, such as by allowing customers to gain better oversight of their finances, or by improving access to credit. The Government is committed to maintaining the UK’s leadership in this area. This is why the government set out in the National Payments Vision, published in November, that Open Banking must transition to a sustainable long-term regulatory framework. The government is committed to delivering this framework and intends to use incoming smart data powers in the Data (Use and Access) Bill, currently progressing through Parliament, to do so. The Government is working to ensure that individuals have access to the appropriate financial products and services they need. This is why I have committed to publish a Financial Inclusion Strategy later this year, which will examine the barriers consumers face and solutions to address them. On the 90-day Open Banking consumer consent period - this is a matter for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which is independent from Government. The FCA will respond to the Honourable Member by letter, and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House of Commons.

Whether her Department is taking steps to revise the open banking framework.

The UK has been a world leader in Open Banking since 2018. Open Banking providers offer innovative services using customer data, and can help with improving financial inclusion, such as by allowing customers to gain better oversight of their finances, or by improving access to credit. The Government is committed to maintaining the UK’s leadership in this area. This is why the government set out in the National Payments Vision, published in November, that Open Banking must transition to a sustainable long-term regulatory framework. The government is committed to delivering this framework and intends to use incoming smart data powers in the Data (Use and Access) Bill, currently progressing through Parliament, to do so. The Government is working to ensure that individuals have access to the appropriate financial products and services they need. This is why I have committed to publish a Financial Inclusion Strategy later this year, which will examine the barriers consumers face and solutions to address them. On the 90-day Open Banking consumer consent period - this is a matter for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which is independent from Government. The FCA will respond to the Honourable Member by letter, and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House of Commons.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to provide updated guidance on the classification of dog grooming parlours in the Use Classes Order.

The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 groups together uses which have similar land use impacts into classes, allowing flexibility to change between uses within each class.It is for the local planning authority to consider the use of a particular property based on the specific details of the individual case.We have not issued guidance on dog grooming parlours.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the introduction of e-visas on voters reliant on physical immigration documentation as voter ID.

An e-Visa is accepted as a form of identification at the polling station, as a digital version of ‘a biometric immigration document issued in accordance with regulations under section 5 of the UK Borders Act 2007’. All electors may also choose to apply to their local authority for a Voter Authority Certificate – an accepted form of identification available free of charge.

Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department has issued to local authorities on voter eligibility changes in the Elections Act 2022.

The Electoral Commission, as the independent electoral regulator, holds responsibility for issuance of guidance for local authorities on electoral registration and voting.This can be found at - Our guidance | Electoral Commission.The Electoral Commission also worked (and has continued to work) with voter groups and civil society organisations by providing information and raising awareness on changes to voter registration and eligibility requirements following the passage of the Elections Act 2022.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department has taken to communicate changes to voter eligibility to EU voters resident in the UK.

The Electoral Commission, as the independent electoral regulator, holds responsibility for issuance of guidance for local authorities on electoral registration and voting.This can be found at - Our guidance | Electoral Commission.The Electoral Commission also worked (and has continued to work) with voter groups and civil society organisations by providing information and raising awareness on changes to voter registration and eligibility requirements following the passage of the Elections Act 2022.

If his Department will take steps to (a) implement and (b) enforce the Accessible Information Standard for organisations that provide (i) NHS care and (ii) publicly-funded adult social care.

Since 2016, all National Health Service organisations and publicly funded social care providers are expected to meet the Accessible Information Standard (AIS), which details the recommended approach to supporting the information and communication support needs of patients and carers with a disability, impairment, or sensory loss. The AIS conformance criteria, published in 2016, set out how organisations should comply with the AIS, with further information available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/equality/equality-hub/patient-equalities-programme/equality-frameworks-and-information-standards/accessibleinfo/resources/assess-conformance/The responsibility for monitoring compliance with the AIS sits with the commissioner of the service.NHS England has been undertaking a review of the AIS to help ensure that the communication needs of people with a disability, impairment, or sensory loss are met in health and care provision. A self-assessment framework has been developed to support providers of NHS and social care services to measure their performance against the AIS, and develop improvement action plans to address gaps in implementation. The Care Quality Commission takes the AIS into account when regulating health and social care services, considering whether people using the services have accessible communications, in line with the relevant regulations, as set out in their assessment framework.A revised AIS will be published in due course. In the meantime, the current AIS remains in force and therefore there should not be a gap in provision for people using services. NHS England is working to support implementation of the AIS with awareness raising, communication, and engagement, and with a review of the current e-learning modules on the AIS. The intention is to ensure that staff and organisations in the NHS are aware of the AIS and the importance of meeting the information and communication needs of disabled people using these services.Section 95 of the Health and Care Act 2022, once commenced, and if Parliament agrees to the procedural regulations, would make compliance with information standards mandatory for health and care providers, and my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care would be responsible for enforcement, with appropriate support from NHS England. A programme of work has been set up to ensure readiness for the publication of mandatory information standards, including ensuring compliance functions are in place.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department has taken to provide clarity to local planning authorities on the classification of dog grooming parlours.

The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 groups together uses which have similar land use impacts into classes, allowing flexibility to change between uses within each class.It is for the local planning authority to consider the use of a particular property based on the specific details of the individual case.We have not issued guidance on dog grooming parlours.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with EU member states on securing new bilateral voting rights agreements.

Prior to the UK's departure from the EU, in December 2018, the UK wrote to all 27 EU Member States signalling willingness to enter into bilateral agreements to ensure continuity of local election voting and candidacy rights (VCR) for each other's citizens.Some EU countries already grant local voting rights to UK nationals, and we have bilateral agreements with other EU Member States.A number of EU Member States have constitutional barriers which prevent them from entering into bilateral agreements.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of allocating further funding for research into improving treatments for PANS and PANDAS.

We recognise that more research is necessary to understand the multiple factors leading to pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS), and to understand how best to raise awareness among healthcare professionals on how to diagnose these conditions and support affected children and their families.The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), which welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including conditions such as PANS and PANDAS.In October 2024, a project led by NIHR BioResource announced a partnership with PANS PANDA UK to delve further into immune conditions and mental health, and how to raise awareness of these neuropsychiatric conditions.

Whether his Department has considered introducing mandatory training for health professionals on PANS and PANDAS.

General practitioners and other healthcare professionals are responsible for ensuring their own clinical knowledge remains up-to-date and for identifying learning needs as part of their continuing professional development. This includes taking account of new research and developments in guidance, such as that produced by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, to ensure that they can continue to provide high quality care to all patients.The training curricula for postgraduate trainee doctors is set by the relevant medical royal college and has to meet the standards set by the General Medical Council (GMC), which is an independent statutory body. The GMC has the general function of promoting high standards of education and co-ordinating all stages of education to ensure that medical students and newly qualified doctors are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential for professional practice.Whilst curricula do not necessarily highlight specific conditions for doctors to be aware of, they instead emphasise the skills and approaches that a doctor must develop in order to ensure accurate and timely diagnoses and treatment plans for their patients. Whilst the Department, through NHS England, is able to influence the content of training courses, we consider that the curricula are best set by the regulators, royal colleges, and professional bodies working together.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of providing financial support to established (a) community and (b) charitable groups.

This government recognises the vital role that charitable organisations and community groups play in providing crucial support to families and individuals across the country. These organisations, as well as the wider Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector, are integral to the Government’s vision for national renewal and delivery of the five national missions.DCMS officials regularly review the health and sustainability of the sector; working with leading research institutions to review available data on a range of sector based issues, including financial stability.The department continues to promote availability of funding for smaller charities in several ways, including delivery of a number of grant schemes, such as the ‘Know Your Neighbourhood Fund’. Support for charities is also available through social investment which provides access to grants, repayable finance and a blend of the two. In particular, this government is continuing to look at how dormant assets can be used to support the availability of finance to facilitate VCSEs becoming more entrepreneurial and financially resilient. An estimated £350 million will flow into the Dormant Assets Scheme between 2024-28, with details on how this money will be distributed to be provided in due course.

With reference to the Department of Health's document entitled Statutory guidance for Local Authorities and NHS organisations to support implementation of the Adult Autism Strategy, published in March 2015, what plans his Department has to update the Autism Act 2009 statutory guidance.

The House of Lords has established an Autism Act 2009 Committee, which is holding an inquiry to look at the Autism Act, the autism strategy, and the autism statutory guidance, and which will make recommendations to the Government by 30 November 2025. This will inform the Government’s future approach.

What steps he is taking to reduce the duration of the recruitment process for the Royal Air Force.

The current Government inherited a crisis in recruitment and retention from the last administration but are taking steps to address it. Since June 2024, the recruitment timeline for Enlisted Aviator entrants has reduced by over 10 per cent and work is ongoing to reduce this further to ensure applicants have a positive candidate experience. The Royal Air Force (RAF) candidate recruitment journey has been improved by an overhaul of the RAF recruitment website and portal, process improvements such as the streamlining of eligibility checks and aptitude assessments, and the introduction of the digital exchange of medical information with civilian GPs.

What steps he is taking to ensure that newly-qualified (a) nurses and (b) other healthcare professionals trained in the UK have sufficient job opportunities.

Decisions on the availability of job opportunities for newly qualified nurses and other healthcare professionals trained in the United Kingdom are a matter for individual National Health Service trusts. NHS trusts manage their recruitment at a local level, ensuring they have the right number of staff in place, with the right skill mix, to deliver safe and effective care.We will publish a refreshed workforce plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade, and treat patients on time again.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of extending free childcare funded hours to people undertaking accredited professional healthcare courses in (a) nursing and (b) other subjects.

From September 2025, the government will expand government-funded childcare so eligible working parents in England will be able to access 30 hours of funded childcare per week, over 38 weeks of the year, from the term after their child turns nine months old to when they start school. Accessible and high-quality early education and childcare is a crucial part of giving every child the best start in life, boosting children’s life chances and giving parents work choices.Students who work in addition to their studies and earn the equivalent of at least 16 hours a week at National Minimum Wage, equivalent to £195 per week or £10,158 per year in 2025/26, and under £100,000 adjusted net income per year, may be eligible for this offer. If they are unable to meet this threshold, they will remain eligible for the universal 15 hours of free early education, which is available to all three and four-year-olds regardless of family circumstances.The government recognises the value of parents continuing in education and provides a range of support for students in further or higher education to support them with childcare. Support available to full-time students with dependent children includes the Childcare Grant and Parents’ Learning Allowance. Entitlement to these grants is based on a student’s household income. Healthcare students may also be entitled to the NHS Learning Support Fund. Information on eligibility and how to apply can be found at: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-learning-support-fund-lsf.Further information on the childcare offers available to parents can be found at: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.

Food and Rural Affairs, what (a) resources, (b) mechanisms and (c) funding his Department plans to make available to enable effective (i) monitoring and (ii) enforcement of on-site biodiversity net gain.

The Government has provided over £35 million of new burdens funding to Local Planning Authorities (LPAs), county councils and combined authorities thus far to help them implement mandatory biodiversity net gain (BNG). The uses to which the funding can be put are broad and there is no definitive list as requirements will differ across authorities. Some of this funding may be used for monitoring and enforcement responsibilities, including for ‘on-site’ BNG requirements. Decisions on any further funding are subject to the outcome of the spending review. All significant on-site BNG must be legally secured by a planning condition, planning obligation or conservation covenant for 30 years. If a developer does not meet BNG requirements they may be in breach of the planning condition or legal agreement, and the LPA has a range of planning enforcement powers and may take enforcement action. Where significant on-site gains are secured by a conservation covenant, the responsible body is responsible for enforcing the agreement.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure on-site biodiversity net gains offsets are (a) formally registered and (b) adequately monitored.

The Government has provided over £35 million of new burdens funding to Local Planning Authorities (LPAs), county councils and combined authorities thus far to help them implement mandatory biodiversity net gain (BNG). The uses to which the funding can be put are broad and there is no definitive list as requirements will differ across authorities. Some of this funding may be used for monitoring and enforcement responsibilities, including for ‘on-site’ BNG requirements. Decisions on any further funding are subject to the outcome of the spending review. All significant on-site BNG must be legally secured by a planning condition, planning obligation or conservation covenant for 30 years. If a developer does not meet BNG requirements they may be in breach of the planning condition or legal agreement, and the LPA has a range of planning enforcement powers and may take enforcement action. Where significant on-site gains are secured by a conservation covenant, the responsible body is responsible for enforcing the agreement.