Written questions by Shannon.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of Early Access Programmes on equity of access to (a) tofersen and (b) other innovative treatments.

Early access schemes for unlicenced medicines, where approval may be obtained in other markets, including where a licence exists but a National Institute for Health and Care Excellence decision is not available, are managed by companies to benefit patients.The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) Early Access to Medicines Scheme (EAMS) provides a route for the supply of new medicines to United Kingdom patients on an unlicensed basis, prior to receiving a marketing authorisation. The EAMS aims to give patients with life threatening or seriously debilitating conditions early access to medicines that show early signs of having a major advantage over existing therapeutics.The EAMS is a two-step process, with the first step being a Positive Innovative Medicine designation, and the second step being the publishing of a Scientific Opinion. Medicines have to be successful at both of these stages to have access to patients through this scheme.We are currently reviewing the recently submitted Torfersen, but cannot comment on its progress. The MHRA recognises the importance of rapid assessment, and is committed to doing so in a timely manner.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for his policies of the recent killing of Dr. Sheikh Mahmood in Sargodha, Pakistan; and what steps his Department is taking to support efforts to protect the (a) rights and (b) safety of religious minorities in that region.

Promoting freedom of religion or belief is a core part of the UK's diplomatic engagement overseas. I raised the deteriorating situation for Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan in a meeting with Pakistan's Minister of State for the Interior in March 2025. Our High Commission in Islamabad regularly raises the importance of Ahmadi rights at the highest levels, and has raised the tragic killing of Dr Sheikh Mahmood with Pakistan's Minister for Human Rights and the Chief Minister of Punjab. We will continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to guarantee the rights of all people in accordance with international standards.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with international partners to (a) help prevent violence against Christian communities in Burkina Faso and (b) support displaced people impacted by religious persecution.

The UK strongly condemns reports of attacks on religious minorities in Burkina Faso and has consistently called on all actors in Burkina Faso to respect human rights and adhere to international humanitarian law.The UK remains committed to funding official development aid to address the drivers of conflict and reduce the influence of violent extremist organisations in the region, including through providing over £142 million in bilateral official development aid to the Sahel in Financial Year 2024/25. The majority of this was used on humanitarian aid for displaced people but programmes also promote stability and conflict resolution, provide health services and bolster resilience to climate change.

What steps her Department is taking to help tackle mental health discrimination in schools.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.Discrimination or bullying of any kind is never acceptable and must be tackled quickly. The government is committed to improving mental health support for all children and young people. This is critical to breaking down barriers to opportunity, and helping pupils to achieve and thrive in education.To support education staff to understand mental health issues, the department provides a range of guidance and practical resources on promoting and supporting pupils’ mental health and wellbeing. The government will provide access to specialist mental health professionals in every school by expanding Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs). By April 2026, we estimate that 60% of pupils in schools and learners in further education in England will be covered by an MHST, up from 52% in April 2025.Through statutory relationships, sex and health education pupils are taught about healthy, respectful relationships and physical health and mental wellbeing, including talking about their emotions and the benefits of exercise and simple self-care techniques.

Whether she is taking steps to help promote an increase in the number of jobs available for pilots.

The Government is supporting the UK aviation sector to drive economic growth and create jobs, including for pilots. We’re backing airport expansions, promoting sustainable aviation fuel, and working with the industry, the CAA, and international partners to raise the profile of aviation careers and improve access. The Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund has provided over £2 million to support outreach programmes that help young people pursue careers in aviation.

What estimate she has made of the number of drug seizures across the UK in the last 12 months.

The Home Office latest published data on the number of drug seizures made by the police and Border Force for England and Wales covers the period April 2023-March 2024, and it can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/seizures-of-drugs-in-england-and-wales-financial-year-ending-2024In the year ending March 2024, the latest published statistics show that a total of 217,644 drug seizures were made by police forces and Border Force.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of using drones in police searches.

Decisions on operational equipment are made independently by police forces, who are best placed to assess their own operational needs while ensuring they have the tools necessary to protect the public.The wider adoption of drones by police forces is developing at a rapid pace. Therefore, in FY 24/25, the Home Office allocated over £4m to national police-led programmes of work to support police use of drones and explore the benefits that future drones’ capabilities may provide to police operations – including, standardising police operations, trailing innovative use of drones to improve police productivity, and supporting the progression of a future operating model for police aviation that considers both crewed and uncrewed aircraft.We are currently finalising the funding arrangements for these police-led drones programmes in FY25/26 to continue supporting the use of drones by police forces.

Media and Sport, what financial support her department will offer to the creative industries in the next year.

At the Creative Industries Growth Summit in January, DCMS Secretary of State announced £40 million of funding for the creative industries over the financial year 2025/26 – supporting start-up video game studios, British music and film exports, and creative businesses outside of London. The Creative Industries is a key growth-driving sector and one of eight selected to be included in the Government's new Industrial Strategy. Support beyond the financial year 25/26 will be set out in the Creative Industries Sector Plan, to be published later this year.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of flood recovery funding over the last 12 months.

Flood recovery is a devolved responsibility. The Flood Recovery Framework provides swift, responsive financial support packages to communities, households and businesses suffering the impacts of severe flooding with schemes from MHCLG, DBT and Defra in England. A post activation review of the flood recovery framework following storm Babet Oct 2023 and Storm Henk January 2024 has taken place and is accessible here: Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament.

What steps she is taking to protect children with allergies in schools.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.Section 100 of the Children and Families Act 2014 places a duty on maintained schools, academies and pupil referral units to make arrangements for supporting pupils with medical conditions. The accompanying statutory guidance makes clear to schools what is expected of them in taking reasonable steps to fulfil their legal obligations and to meet the individual needs of pupils with medical conditions, including allergies.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent steps he has taken with Cabinet colleagues to support Ukraine.

On 9 May, the Foreign Secretary travelled with European partners to Lviv, where they formally endorsed the legal texts required to establish a Special Tribunal to hold those responsible for the crime of aggression against Ukraine to account. On 12 May he hosted Foreign Ministers from the Weimar+ group of key European allies to discuss our joint efforts to strengthen European security and secure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. The Prime Minister attended the Joint Expeditionary Force Leaders' Summit in Oslo on 9 May and travelled to Kyiv on 10 May alongside President Macron, Chancellor Merz, and Prime Minister Tusk, where he met President Zelenskyy and co-chaired a virtual meeting of leaders from the Coalition of the Willing. These discussions continue. The Prime Minister also announced in Oslo our largest ever package of sanctions on Russia's shadow fleet raising the total number of ships designated for transporting Russian energy past 250, including 233 oil tankers - the highest by any country.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent estimate he has made of the level of the butterfly population across the UK.

This Government is committed to restoring and protecting nature, including pollinator species such as butterflies. The most recently published statistics on butterflies in the United Kingdom and in England for 2023 provides information on UK butterfly abundance as well as the major drivers of decline. In summary, on average the abundance of butterflies across the UK continues to show a long-term decline. This is due to a range of factors including weather patterns, habitat loss, pollution and the use of pesticides. Defra partly funds the UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme (UK PoMS) which is the first scheme in the world to have begun (since 2017) generating systematic data on the abundance of bees, hoverflies and other flower-visiting insects at a national scale. Data collected through PoMS insect surveys contribute to providing an invaluable resource from which to measure trends in pollinator populations. PoMS complements longer-running insect monitoring carried out by citizen scientists including the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS) and the Big Butterfly Count that runs from July into August.

What steps he is taking to support mothers with post-partum depression.

We are committed to ensuring that all women and babies receive the safe, personalised, and compassionate care they need, at all stages of pregnancy and post-partum.A range of specialist mental health services have been made available to women during the perinatal period. For women with, or at risk of, mental health problems, who are planning a pregnancy, who are pregnant, or who have a baby up to two years old, specialist perinatal mental health services provide care in all 42 integrated care system (ICS) areas of England. For women experiencing mental health difficulties directly arising from, or related to, their maternity or neonatal experience, Maternal Mental Health Services are operational in 41 of the 42 ICS areas in England, with the final ICS in England due to launch their service by the end of Quarter 1 of 2025/26. Additionally, 165 Mother and Baby Unit beds have now been commissioned, with 153 currently operational. These units provide inpatient care to women who experience severe mental health difficulties during and after pregnancy.NHS England’s guidance sets out that all women who have given birth should be offered a postnatal check-up with their general practitioner (GP) after six to eight weeks. This check-up provides an important opportunity for women to be listened to by their GP in a discreet, supportive environment, and for women to be assessed and supported not just in their physical recovery post-birth but also their mental health.

With reference to the Written Statement of 6 May 2025 on Veterans Support: A New Approach HCWS619, how much of the £50milllion funding for new support system for veterans will be allocated to the devolved institutions.

I repeat the lines that my Ministerial colleague, the Minister for Veterans and People gave that VALOUR is a new commitment to establish the first-ever UK-wide approach to veteran support. The detailed structures and processes that will underpin VALOUR will be designed in collaboration with relevant partners and further details will be announced in due course. on 12 May to Questions 50185, 50186, 50187, 50189, 50190, and 50191 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr Cartlidge), and Question 50424 to the Gallant and hon. Member for Spelthorne (Mr Jopp).

Whether he has had recent discussions with his US counterpart on the import of hormone-treated beef into the UK.

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade engages regularly with the US. On 8 May, we announced a landmark economic deal with the US, making the UK the first country to reach an agreement with President Trump.We have agreed new reciprocal market access on beef - with UK farmers given a guaranteed quota for 13,000 metric tonnes of beef exports at a very low tariff rate. Imports of hormone treated beef will remain illegal. Our approach to this trade deal has ensured that any agricultural imports coming into the UK will meet the highest food standards.

What steps she is taking to (a) tackle obesity and (b) encourage healthy eating in schools.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.We are committed to raising the healthiest generation ever and the department encourages schools to have a whole school approach to healthy eating. The national curriculum sets the expectation that pupils are taught about the importance of healthy eating and nutrition.We encourage all schools to provide healthy, tasty and nutritious food and drink. Governing boards have a responsibility to ensure compliance with the school food standards. In November 2024, the department, along with the National Governance Association, launched online training on school food to support governors and trustees with this duty.We will break down barriers to physical education (PE) and school sport, ensuring all children can achieve and thrive through increased physical activity. The PE curriculum is designed to ensure that all pupils develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities, are physically active for sustained periods and lead healthy and active lives.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the provision of solar farms.

The solar market is mature, and Britain has a healthy pipeline of projects in development. The Clean Power Action Plan calls for the rapid acceleration of solar deployment, from around 18GW at present to 45-47GW by 2030. Large solar projects are supported under the Contracts for Difference scheme and the Government is pursuing reforms to grid connections and the planning system to support deployment. Further actions for government and industry will be published shortly in the Solar Roadmap.

What steps she plans to take to tackle violence against prison staff.

We will not tolerate violence against our hardworking prison staff and will do whatever it takes to keep them safe. Prisoners who are violent towards staff will face the full consequences of their actions.To protect staff from serious assaults, Body Worn Video Cameras, and rigid-bar handcuffs are currently available for use by staff. Batons and PAVA (a synthetic pepper spray) are also available for use by prison officers in the adult male estate. Protective Body Armour (PBA) is worn by specialist prison staff, and by officers in cases where there is planned use of force, or where safe systems of work for the management of high-risk prisoners dictates.We have expanded security measures such as X-ray body scanners and airport-style Enhanced Gate Security to tackle the smuggling of drugs, mobile phones and other contraband which can drive violence in prisons.We are committed to removing wet shave razors, which can be used as weapons, from adult male closed prisons. Electric shavers have been rolled out in 31 priority sites and this rollout will continue in 2025/26.Those who are assessed as posing a raised risk of being violent are supported through a case management approach that is centred around the individual and addressing the underlying causes of their violence, including specific risk factors and needs, to help them manage and move away from violent behaviours.A review into whether protective body armour should be made available to frontline staff, is underway and an operational trial into Conductive Energy Devices (CEDs, commonly known as “tasers”) for specialised officers will be launched to help staff respond to high-risk incidents more effectively. The findings from this trial will inform any future decisions around the use of tasers in the prison estate.

If he will estimate the number of high street job vacancies filled over the last 12 months.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 13th May is attached.

How many people have been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in the past 12 months.

This information is not held in the format requested. The Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), published by NHS England, includes a count of the total number of admissions with a primary diagnosis of multiple sclerosis between April 2024 and February 2025, by the age and sex of the patient. However, this data is not a count of patients, as an individual may be admitted on more than one occasion in any given period with the same diagnosis. The following table shows a count of finished admission episodes with a primary diagnosis of multiple sclerosis by age and sex in 2024/25, with provisional data to February 2025:Age group in yearsFemaleMaleUnknownTotal5 to 9 1 110 to 145228 8015 to 194561561462620 to 241,316482 1,79825 to 293,5261,177564,75930 to 345,9741,7971597,93035 to 396,5082,1621568,82640 to 446,4012,3211758,89745 - 495,3881,955667,40950 to 545,0302,027947,15155 to 593,9241,580565,56060 to 642,313999523,36465 to 69971491151,47770 to 74341262360675 to 7919072626880 to 84492417485 to 8913712190 and over22 4unknown7240 112All ages42,52615,58385458,963Source: HES, NHS England.