Written questions by Shannon.

Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the provision of social housing.

This government is clear that there is a chronic shortage of social rented housing as a result of its undersupply over recent years.That is why we are committed to delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation.For an overview of our policies in this area, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 41721 on 3 April 2025.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs of Northern Ireland on the recent lifting of quarantine due to avian influenza.

Disease control is a devolved matter, and it is for the devolved administrations to assess their disease risks and respond accordingly. However, for animal disease threats, each of the four UK administrations are an integral part of the decision-making process and officials from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs of Northern Ireland meet regularly with their counterparts in Defra, Welsh Government and Scottish Government where topics such as the Avian influenza prevention zones and the lifting of housing measures are discussed and the impact on the UK administrations considered. Representatives including the Chief Veterinary Officers from each devolved administration also sit on the Animal Disease Policy Group, a UK wide policy decision making group. This helps to drive a flexible and coordinated response. The UK contingency plan for exotic notifiable diseases of animals explains how the administrations work together in responding to an outbreak at a UK level.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to encourage supermarkets to stock more locally, homegrown fruit and vegetables.

Defra officials regularly engage with stakeholders across the food supply chain to understand their work to promote British produce in-store and online. We strongly support efforts to promote British food and back our farmers, who produce some of the best food in the world. This is why the food strategy will set the food system up for long-term success and ensure that our food system can feed the nation, realise its potential for economic growth, protect the planet, and nourish individuals, now and in the future.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the chick population.

Defra publishes monthly statistics on the activity of UK hatcheries. The UK chick sector is highly resilient, with production remaining stable over the last five years. The latest published figures for the first quarter of 2025, show that total hatchery placings for commercial broilers, layer hens, and turkeys increased by approximately 3.5%, equivalent to 10.2 million additional chicks, compared to the same period in 2024. The Laying Hen Housing for Health and Welfare Grant was recently offered to commercial laying hen and pullet keepers in England. It supports these farmers to improve the health, welfare, and productivity of their flocks through access to £22.6 million in grants towards the cost of upgrading their housing. Applications closed on 18 September 2024, and all applicants have been contacted to notify them of next steps. In addition, we recently announced farmers across England will be able to apply for grants worth up to £25,000 to invest in machinery that boosts farm productivity, helps manage slurry, or for improving animal health and welfare. Eligible broiler and layer hen chick producers can apply for this new round of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund from 29 May 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he is having with international counterparts on tackling sexual violence on women in Mali.

The UK remains committed to addressing sexual violence against women and girls in Mali, including through our bilateral programming. In financial year 2024/25, the UK allocated £800,000 to the Women in Law and Development in Africa for survivor support and economic empowerment initiatives, £300,000 to the United Nations Population Fund and the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, to strengthen protection mechanisms. These programmes provide trauma support, skills training, and leadership development for women.The UK also co-chairs the Women's Empowerment Dialogue Group in Bamako alongside the International Organisation for Migration and UN Women, working with the Government of Mali and international partners to advance gender equality and tackle sexual violence. These efforts reflect the UK's broader commitment to women's rights in the Sahel.

Whether his Department is aware of Blenrep; and when it will be available to NHS patients.

The Department is aware of the medicine belantamab mafodotin (Blenrep). In the United Kingdom, medicines need to have a licence before they can be marketed, granted by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Licences confirm the health condition the medicine should be used for and the recommended dosage. To get a licence, the manufacturer of the medicine is required to provide evidence that shows that the medicine is safe and effective enough to be used for a specific condition and for a specific group of patients, and that they can manufacture the medicine to the required quality.After a review of the safety, quality, and efficacy of Blenrep, it was approved for a marketing authorisation on 17 April, in combination with other products for use in the treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma.Newly licensed medicines are appraised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which is the independent body responsible for developing evidence-based guidance for the National Health Service on new medicines represent a clinically and cost-effective use of resources. Following receipt of the marketing authorisation, the NICE will progress its appraisals of Blenrep as soon as possible.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of AI on detecting cancer.

The Department is testing artificial intelligence (AI) in areas that cause the most harm to health and to our economy. Through the £113 million AI award, a number of technologies that support with cancer diagnosis have been tested.In addition, the £21 million AI diagnostic fund is focused on technologies that support with lung cancer diagnosis, such as chest x-rays and chest computed tomography scans.On top of this, on 4 February 2025, the Department announced that nearly 700,000 women across the country will take part in a world-leading trial to test how cutting-edge AI tools can be used to catch breast cancer cases earlier. The Early Detection using Information Technology in Health, or EDITH, trial is backed by £11 million of Government support via the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

What steps her Department has taken to help tackle underpayments of the State Pensions in the last five years.

The Department has undertaken a range of steps over the past 5 years to address underpayments of State Pension. Details about this activity can be found online via the following link: State Pension underpayments: progress on cases - GOV.UK

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle the black market sale of (a) kidneys and (b) other organs in other countries.

Gangs and criminals that exploit and traffic people are part of international organised crime networks that do immense harm. Serious and organised crime in the UK is estimated to cost at least £47 billion annually and threatens our national security and prosperity. Overseas it poses a serious threat to our international objectives, including our efforts to deliver economic development, state building and poverty reduction. The UK is committed to tackling Serious Organised Crime and the illicit financial flows that underpin it through diplomatic, programmatic and operational interventions.

What discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Minister for the Economy on Northern Ireland's progress to achieve 70% renewable electricity by 2030.

Energy policy is a transferred matter to the Northern Ireland Assembly and Northern Ireland Executive. DESNZ holds regular discussions with NI Executive on broader energy matters, including through our Net Zero, Energy and Climate Change Inter-ministerial Group.

What assessment his Department has made of hearing loss causing dementia.

The 2024 update of the Lancet Commission suggests that approximately 45% of global dementia cases are estimated to be potentially preventable or delayable. One of the 14 risk factors identified by the Lancet Commission for dementia is hearing loss.The Department delivers a range of research into dementia via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). For example, the NIHR is currently funding the ENHANCE research programme, which is developing and testing an intervention app to see its effects on cognition, risk, quality of life, and affordability. The ENHANCE app seeks to address ten risk factors for dementia, including hearing loss. In the long-term, the researchers will examine health records to see if the app can reduce dementia rates.The Lancet Commission 2024 and further research will help inform Government action on dementia going forward.

How many Russian aircraft have the RAF intercepted in the last 12 months.

I am withholding further details as deterrence is a principal function of Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) and QRA is in turn which is an integral part of the air defence of the UK. The disclosure of information that might compromise the QRA deterrent capability would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

Whether she plans to take steps to help support schools to teach children about animal care.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.The national curriculum in England provides a broad framework within which schools have the flexibility to develop the content of their own curricula. Animal care can be taught within both the science and the relationships, sex and health curricula.

How many people have been arrested for defacing (a) monuments and (b) statues in the last 12 months.

The Home Office collects and publishes data annually on arrests in England and Wales as part of the ‘Police Powers and Procedures’ statistical series.The most recent data for the year ending March 2024 is available here: Stop and search, arrests and mental health detentions, March 2024 - GOV.UKHowever, this data is collected by broader offence group only, e.g. “criminal damage”, and detailed information on specific offences is not available.

What discussions he has had with his international counterparts on potential changes to steel tariffs.

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade regularly engages with counterparts in other nations in relation to tariffs and the international trade of steel. On 8 May, this Government concluded a landmark economic deal with the US, where the US has committed to removing the 25% Section 232 tariffs on UK exporters by applying a quota system. Most recently, the Secretary of State has also discussed steel tariffs with his EU counterpart the European Commissioner for Trade within the context of the conclusion of the European Commission’s review of their Steel Safeguard.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has had recent discussions with large banks on the potential merits of re-introducing the help to buy scheme for first time buyers.

The government has no plans for another Help to Buy scheme and the Deputy Prime Minister has not had any discussions with large banks about its reintroduction.

What steps she is taking to increase the number of apprenticeships in the renewable energy sector.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.Upskilling the country’s workforce is vital to meet the government’s clean energy 2030 target, with apprenticeships playing an important role in supporting employers in clean energy industries to develop the skills they need.Employers in England can benefit from over 40 apprenticeships that relate to clean energy industries. This includes the level 3 domestic electrician apprenticeship, which trains people to maintain domestic heat pumps, solar panels and electric charging points, and the level 4 community energy specialist apprenticeship, which trains people to help communities work together to reduce energy use and costs.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to encourage food suppliers to use locally sourced food products.

Our food strategy will bring together the outcomes we want from the food system to help Government and the food industry work towards shared goals and priorities. The Government will be considering the role of place-based initiatives as the food strategy is developed. Together, we can deliver a system we can be even more proud of, that protects British traditions and drives generational change in our relationship with food. For the first time in our history, the Government will also monitor where public sector food comes from so we can better understand our opportunities. We’re reforming procurement rules to make it easier for British producers to bid for a share of the £5 billion spent annually on public sector catering, given the new national procurement policy statement favours high-quality products that we believe British producers are well-placed to supply.

What steps she is taking to help improve school attendance.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.Tackling absence is at the heart of the government’s mission is to break down barriers to opportunity. The latest data shows that we are making progress, with children spending 3.13 million more days in school than last year. The department continues to work directly with academy trusts and local authorities to support and challenge them on improving attendance in their schools and to reduce variation in attendance outcomes. We are providing schools with market-leading, artificial intelligence-powered data tools to help them target their efforts most effectively.Alongside this, we have established 31 attendance hubs, led by schools with strong attendance practice, to offer support to around 2000 schools, and published an attendance toolkit to give schools practical advice on how to diagnose their attendance problem and implement great practice.Attendance is priority for the new regional improvement for standards and excellence teams. Supported by over £20 million, these teams will offer both mandatory, targeted intervention for schools identified by Ofsted as needing to improve and a universal service, acting as a catalyst for a self-improving system for all schools.The department recently announced an additional investment of £15 million to expand mentoring, which will see at least 10,800 secondary school pupils supported to improve their attendance.

Whether she plans to extend eligibility for university grants.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.The government is looking at its position on Lifelong Learning Entitlement-targeted grants policy and student finance and will make an announcement in due course.