Written questions by Reynolds.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the 90 in 180 day Schengen rule on (a) employment levels among UK-based HGV drivers working in international transport and (b) the competitiveness of UK logistics companies operating cross-border services to the EU.

The Schengen 90/180-day immigration rule has applied since 2021 to all UK nationals (including drivers of heavy goods vehicles (HGV) and coaches) undertaking short stays for leisure and work in the Schengen area. The Schengen 90/180 limit is a fundamental part of the EU’s conditions of entry for third country nationals to its territory. As such, it is not UK Government policy. The Department for Transport is undertaking a research study to improve understanding of the effects of a) the Schengen 90/180-day limit to date, and b) preparedness for the implementation of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) on the international operations of GB-based HGV and coach businesses that hold standard international operator licences. The data is currently being processed, and the study’s findings will be published in due course.

Whether she has had recent discussions with his EU counterparts on establishing sector-specific mobility arrangements for UK professional drivers engaged in international (a) freight and (b) passenger transport.

There have been no recent discussions with the EU regarding sector-specific mobility arrangements for UK road freight and coach drivers. The Government will continue to listen to concerns raised by sectors affected by existing rules and will advocate for British citizens abroad.

Whether his Department has plans to make an assessment of the adequacy of the Fireworks Regulations 2004 for tackling the cumulative impact of repeated private firework use from a single residential property within the permitted hours over consecutive nights; and if he will publish guidance on provisions to limit the (a) duration and (b) frequency of such use.

Currently, no assessment of the adequacy of the Fireworks Regulations 2004 has been made in relation to repeated private firework use.Existing legislation controls the sale, availability, and use of fireworks. Local Authorities and law enforcement agencies are empowered to take action against offenders when fireworks are not used appropriately. While there are no plans to publish guidance to limit their use further, the Government launched a campaign for this fireworks season which promotes lower noise fireworks alongside considerate use.

Communities and Local Government, if he plans to provide financial support to local authorities seeking to rename (a) streets and (b) roads currently named after Prince Andrew where there is support from local residents for such a change.

Section 81 of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 enables Local Authorities to make changes to street names if they determine they command ‘sufficient local support’ and sets an expectation of local engagement prior to any change. Local Authorities are funded for their street naming and numbering functions in the usual manner.

Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to promote awareness among leaseholders of their right under the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 to extend their lease to 990 years at a peppercorn ground rent; and what support his Department will provide to ensure leaseholders can exercise this right without requiring professional legal assistance.

The government is committed to ensuring leaseholders can take advantage of the reforms provided for by the Leasehold and Freehold Reform act 2024 as they are implemented. We will continue to work closely with delivery partners and stakeholders to raise awareness about these, including publishing guidance as and when appropriate. Specialist legal advice should be taken from a solicitor or surveyor when considering enfranchisement or extensions. Leaseholders can also get free information and advice from the government supported Leasehold Advisory Service.

What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of trends in the number of pub closures in the last 12 months; and what fiscal measures she plans to take to support that sector.

The Government recognises the important role pubs play on our high streets and in community spaces and we want to see them thrive. That’s why the Government is investing £440,000 with Pub is The Hub to help rural pubs diversify, aiming to support rural communities, create new jobs and services. In recognition of the economic and cultural importance of pubs, as well as the wider hospitality sector, at Autumn Budget 2024 the Government cut alcohol duty on qualifying draught products by 1.7% in cash terms. This duty reduction, worth over £85m a year, covers approximately 60% of the alcoholic drinks sold in pubs and is equivalent to a 1p duty reduction on a typical pint. As announced at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government will introduce permanently lower business rates multipliers for retail, hospitality, and leisure properties with ratable values below £500,000 from 2026/27. This permanent tax cut will ensure that small hospitality businesses, such as pubs, benefit from much-needed certainty and support. The Government keeps all areas of the tax system under review. Any changes to the tax system are announced as part of the annual Budget process.

If she will take steps to reduce business rates for (a) hospitality businesses, (b) pubs and (c) breweries.

As announced at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government will introduce permanently lower business rates multipliers for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with ratable values (RVs) below £500,000 from April 2026. This permanent tax cut will ensure that eligible RHL businesses, including hospitality venues and pubs, benefit from much-needed certainty and support. Breweries that are wholly or mainly open to visiting members of the public (for instance, mainly used as a bar or for providing tours to the public) will also benefit from the lower multipliers. The rates of the new multipliers will be announced at Budget 2025, so that the Government can factor the revaluation outcomes, as well as the broader economic and fiscal context into decision-making. Ahead of the new multipliers being introduced, the Government prevented RHL business rates relief from ending in April 2025, extending it for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business, and froze the small business multiplier. By extending the relief, the Government has saved the average pub, with a RV of £16,800, over £3,300.

Whether he plans to allow inhalers to be sold over the counter without a prescription.

At present, inhalers used for conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are authorised as prescription-only medicines (POM). This classification reflects the clinical need for a healthcare professional to confirm diagnosis, advise on correct inhaler technique, determine appropriate dosing, monitor treatment response, and detect any adverse reactions. The prescription requirement also supports the systematic recording of use and helps prevent inappropriate or excessive use.It is also important to note that inhalers themselves are not a class of medicine per se but a delivery device for a range of medicines.If a manufacturer or marketing authorisation holder wishes to pursue POM to pharmacy medicine reclassification for any type of medicine or their mode of delivery, the appropriate route is to submit a major reclassification application to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). This is a formal dossier that must present a robust evidential case in support of reclassification.The MHRA publishes guidance on the requirements for reclassification applications, including what constitutes a “major” reclassification. The MHRA is open to early dialogue with sponsors to clarify expectations and help focus application efforts via the provision of scientific advice. Until such an application is received and assessed under the statutory framework, the prescription requirement remains in place.Should a comprehensive dossier be submitted, the MHRA will consider it in line with its public-health mandate. The MHRA remains open to innovations that improve patient access and convenience, provided they uphold safety, clinical outcomes, and quality of care.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that freeholders of leasehold properties comply with their legal obligations to maintain asbestos management plans; and what penalties apply to freeholders who fail to provide leaseholders with access to such plans when requested.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have published information to help landlords understand their duties under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 for the common parts of multi-occupancy domestic premises (such as foyers and corridors, lifts and lift-shafts and staircases etc). and what they are required to do to comply here: The duty to manage asbestos in buildings: Check if you have the duty to manage asbestos - HSE and here: Managing and working with asbestos - HSE. Those that are in breach would be subject to the normal range of penalties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Leaseholders can contact the Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) for specific guidance on their situation and potential courses of action.

What assessment his Department has made of the effect of prison officers recruited through the Unlocked Graduates programme on (a) prisoner rehabilitation outcomes and (b) reoffending rates in establishments where they have been deployed.

The Ministry of Justice's workforce planning process ensures that we use all appropriate recruitment routes to ensure that we have in place the level of Prison Officers we need to support delivery.The information regarding retention rates is scheduled for future publication, with the release date to be confirmed.The effect of prison officers recruited through the Unlocked Graduates programme on rehabilitation outcomes and reoffending rates is not held centrally.

What assessment his Department has made of the comparative retention rates of (a) prison officers recruited through the Unlocked Graduates programme and (b) those recruited through standard routes; and what steps he is taking to ensure similar retention rates for future cohorts.

The Ministry of Justice's workforce planning process ensures that we use all appropriate recruitment routes to ensure that we have in place the level of Prison Officers we need to support delivery.The information regarding retention rates is scheduled for future publication, with the release date to be confirmed.The effect of prison officers recruited through the Unlocked Graduates programme on rehabilitation outcomes and reoffending rates is not held centrally.

What assessment he has made of the effect on prison officer recruitment capacity of the conclusion of the Unlocked Graduates contract in 2026.

The Ministry of Justice's workforce planning process ensures that we use all appropriate recruitment routes to ensure that we have in place the level of Prison Officers we need to support delivery.The information regarding retention rates is scheduled for future publication, with the release date to be confirmed.The effect of prison officers recruited through the Unlocked Graduates programme on rehabilitation outcomes and reoffending rates is not held centrally.

What his policy is on including Investor-State Dispute Settlement provisions in trade agreements under negotiation; and whether such provisions are being proposed in negotiations with (a) India and (b) the United States.

The UK will draw on the full range of investment commitments and international best practice in our international investment agreements to promote growth, deliver our clean energy goals, and continue to uphold the UK’s right to regulate. Negotiations for the UK-India bilateral investment treaty have not yet concluded, and the content of the agreement remains under discussion. As set out in the General Terms for the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal, the UK and the US have announced the intention to cooperate on the effective use of investment security measures.

What estimate he has made of the UK's potential financial exposure to Investor-State Dispute Settlement claims.

Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provides an independent means for investors to resolve disputes with states where they believe they have experienced arbitrary, discriminatory, or unfair treatment or expropriation without compensation. The Government is a respondent in two active arbitrations. The UK has a longstanding track record of supporting foreign investment, including through fulfilling its obligations in the international investment agreements to which it is a party and has never faced a successful ISDS claim. The Government maintains that it has acted consistently with domestic and international law obligations in the case of the legal challenges. In view of the ongoing proceedings, it would be inappropriate for the Government to comment further at this stage.

How many Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) cases are active against the UK; and what the total value of claims is in those cases.

Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provides an independent means for investors to resolve disputes with states where they believe they have experienced arbitrary, discriminatory, or unfair treatment or expropriation without compensation. The Government is a respondent in two active arbitrations. The UK has a longstanding track record of supporting foreign investment, including through fulfilling its obligations in the international investment agreements to which it is a party and has never faced a successful ISDS claim. The Government maintains that it has acted consistently with domestic and international law obligations in the case of the legal challenges. In view of the ongoing proceedings, it would be inappropriate for the Government to comment further at this stage.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that frontline call handling staff have (a) accurate and (b) up-to-date information on expected timelines for responses from (i) decision-making teams and (ii) complaints handling units (A) in general and (B) for Universal Credit queries; and if his Department will update call scripts to include standardised guidance on wait times.

There is clear guidance available to all staff regarding complaint handling and the expected timeframe for responding to complaints, which is accessible via the Department’s intranet. The Department aims to respond to complaints within 15 working days. Where this is not possible, such as in complex cases, the Department remains committed to providing a response at the earliest opportunity. DWPs complaints procedure is available to the public on GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions/about/complaints-procedure#guidance-on-how-to-complain).

What her Department's priorities are for the forthcoming UN Tax Convention negotiations.

The UK is committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure inclusive and effective international tax cooperation, and has been actively engaging in negotiations at the UN over a future Framework Convention, including the recent informal sessions for the technical workstreams. The UK believes that a UN Tax Framework Convention has the potential to further advance international tax cooperation, but to be successful, it needs to be clear in its aims, avoid duplicating initiatives, and seek to secure the broad support and participation of members.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the Access to Work scheme in supporting disabled people to (a) enter and (b) remain in employment; and what steps he is taking to (i) reduce delays, (ii) improve administrative efficiency, and (iii) ensure adequate funding of the scheme.

Access to Work (AtW) is a demand-led, personalised discretionary grant which supports the recruitment and retention of disabled people in employment. The Scheme has been providing support for over 30 years. In 2024-2025, 61,670 people were approved for Access to Work provision. This is around a 10% increase when compared to 2023/24. Expenditure on Access to Work provision was around £320.7 million, which supported around 60,000 disabled people in employment. We recognise that Access to Work is providing a poor experience for some applicants with processing delays affecting employees’ ability to start or continue in employment, and employers’ ability to support them. That is why in the Pathways to Work Green Paper, we consulted on the future of Access to Work and how to improve the scheme so that it helps more disabled people in work. We are reviewing all aspects of Access to Work as we develop plans for reform following the conclusion of the consultation.

Whether his Department is taking steps to introduce an (a) diagnostic protocol for bowel cancer in patients under 50 and (b) a mandatory referral for colonoscopy after two presentations of unresolved rectal bleeding.

The Department is committed to ensuring that people of all ages with symptoms of bowel cancer are diagnosed as quickly as possible. Clinicians should use their judgment in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance to ensure that every patient receives timely and appropriate investigation for bowel cancer, including patients aged under 50 years old presenting with unresolved rectal bleeding. Guidance on referral for suspected cancer is developed and maintained by NICE. The guideline NG12 sets out the symptoms which should prompt referral for urgent investigation. For lower gastrointestinal cancer, there are several indications for patients aged under 50 years old which would be expected to result in referral. Further information can be found on the NICE website at the following link: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng12/chapter/Recommendations-organised-by-site-of-cancer#lower-gastrointestinal-tract-cancers

When her Department plans to publish further details on (a) how V Levels will align with (i) T Levels and (ii) A Levels in the post-16 qualification framework and (b) other matters relating to V Levels.

On 20 October 2025, the department set out plans to introduce V Levels, a third, vocational pathway at level 3. V Levels will sit alongside A levels and T Levels and will offer a vocational alternative to these academic and technical routes. We launched a consultation on post-16 level 3 and below pathways, closing on 12 January 2026. This can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/post-16-level-3-and-below-pathways. The results of the consultation and the department's response will be published in 2026.This government remains strongly committed to T Levels and will continue to encourage their growth. T Levels are delivering fantastic results for students, providing the technical skills needed for progression into further study and training or skilled work. Where a learner wants in-depth knowledge of a subject area, they should study the T Level, compared to the V Level which allows learners more flexibility to explore different areas and which we generally expect will be the size of one A level.