Written questions by Anderson.

What steps her Department are taking to help tackle ageism in society.

The UK has a strong history of protecting against direct and indirect discrimination. The Equality Act 2010 (The Act) has protections that enable people to challenge age discrimination across a range of fields, including the provision of services, employment and recruitment processes. Where age discrimination cannot be objectively justified and is unlawful, individuals can seek redress in the courts or, where relevant, at an employment tribunal.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to ensure new housing developments have adequate (a) infrastructure and (b) public service provision.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 65505 on 14 July 2025.

Pursuant to the Answer of 16 June 2025 to Question 58049 on Kirkby-in-Ashfield Station: Access, when she next plans to select stations for accessibility upgrades; and whether Kirkby-in-Ashfield station will be considered.

In May 2024, the previous government identified 50 stations for initial feasibility work to assess their potential for future upgrades under the Access for All programme. This did not include Kirkby-in-Ashfield station.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill on the effectiveness of procedures for opposing local development.

The Impact Assessment for the Planning and Infrastructure Bill was published 6 May 2025 and can be found on gov.uk here.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to review the suitability of Syria as a recipient of foreign aid.

The humanitarian situation in Syria is dire, with over 16 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and 90 per cent of the population living in poverty. Our funding provides urgent humanitarian aid, as well as support for Syria's longer-term recovery through education and livelihoods. The UK has robust processes in place to ensure our overseas development assistance aid funding reaches those most in need, delivers value for money and protects against aid diversion. A stable Syria is firmly in the UK's interests, reducing the risk of irregular migration, terrorism and other threats to our national security.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill on (a) levels of access to green spaces and (b) wildlife.

The Impact Assessment for the Planning and Infrastructure Bill was published 6 May 2025 and can be found on gov.uk here.

If he will ensure the long term future of the postal service.

The government is clear on its commitment to the provision of a comprehensive, reliable and affordable universal postal service that works for customers, workers and businesses.Ofcom has reviewed the future of the universal service obligation (USO) and set out changes to put the USO on a more sustainable footing and to push Royal Mail to improve reliability.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse for the use of private jets by his Department since 5 July 2024.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office incurred approximately £3,850,000 in ministerial travel costs between July 2024 and the end of March 2025. This figure is inclusive of all commercial, non-scheduled and RAF flights, as well as associated rail and car journeys. The information required to isolate only the cost of private jet usage is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. April 2025 to end June 2025 data will be published in due course via gov.uk, as part of the Quarterly Ministerial Transparency Returns.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure religious freedom in Syria.

The UK has consistently advocated for an inclusive political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians, regardless of religious or ethnic background. I travelled to Damascus on 27 August, and reiterated this message to Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani and Justice Minister Al-Waisi.. The Foreign Secretary also discussed this with President al Sharaa and Foreign Minister al Shaibani when he visited Damascus in July. We continue to press the Syrian Government on the need to improve their response to sectarian violence and hold those responsible to account. We welcome the provisions on freedom of expression and freedom of religion and belief in the Constitutional Declaration. We will continue to advocate for the right to freedom of religion or belief for all.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the penalties for antisocial drug smoking.

The maximum penalty for possession of a Class A drug is up to seven years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.The maximum penalty for possession of a Class B drug is up to five years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.

What steps her Department is taking to help tackle antisocial drug smoking.

Tackling anti-social behaviour, including drug misuse, is a top priority for this Government and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission.That’s why we have committed to recruiting an additional 13,000 neighbourhood police officers and community support officers by the end of the Parliament and will ensure that residents have a named officer they can turn to when things go wrong. It is unlawful to possess or supply controlled drugs without a Home Office licence and we expect the police to enforce the law.The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 provides the police, local authorities and other relevant agencies with a range of flexible tools and powers that they can use to respond quickly and effectively to all forms of anti-social behaviour, including drug misuse.

How much was given in legal aid to people accused of (a) murder, (b) rape and (c) terrorism offences in each of the last five years.

The requested information relating to legal aid expenditure in respect of specific criminal offences could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Whether any convicted paedophiles have been released from prison through the early release scheme; and if she will make it her policy not to release convicted paedophiles through the early release scheme.

This Government inherited prisons days from collapse. We had no choice but to take decisive action to stop our prisons overflowing and keep the public safe. On 10 September 2024, the Government therefore took the unavoidable step to move the release point for certain standard determinate sentences from 50% to 40% (‘SDS40’).All sex offences including those committed against a child are automatically excluded from SDS40.

What the cost to the public purse was for legal aid for cases in relation to immigration offences in each of the last five years.

The requested information relating to legal aid expenditure in respect of specific criminal offences could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential risk of infectious diseases from immigrants who arrive illegally on boats.

The UK Health Security Agency routinely monitors infectious disease risk across England and manages any public health action required following notification of infectious diseases.The Migrant Health Guide recommends that all new arrivals to the United Kingdom, including people seeking asylum, should have access to an initial health assessment, which includes infectious disease screening and routine vaccine catch-up. The guide is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/migrant-health-guide

How many people have been given legal aid for cases in relation to immigration offences in each of the last five years.

The requested information relating to legal aid expenditure in respect of specific criminal offences could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

With reference to recommendation 8 of part 1 report of the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts, published on 9 July 2025, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of adopting the recommendation on trends in the level of (a) theft and (b) drug dealing.

The Government will carefully consider Sir Brian’s recommendations in detail before setting out a full response to the report in the autumn.

What steps she is taking to improve East-West connectivity (a) in the Midlands and (b) nationwide.

The first phase of Midlands Rail Hub (‘Western’ scope) would enable additional trains each hour between Birmingham and South Wales and the South West, and on Birmingham’s Cross City Line. This includes extending Chiltern services from Moor Street to Snow Hill station by improving connectivity across the region.

If she will consider the potential merits of conducting a review of the legal aid policy.

The previous Government commissioned the Criminal Legal Aid Independent Review (CLAIR), chaired by Lord Bellamy KC in 2021, to provide analysis of the criminal legal aid system and explore the ways in which the Government could support its long-term sustainability. This Government continues to keep the Review’s findings under consideration as we look at options for reform in the criminal legal aid sector. On 19 December 2024, we announced that criminal legal aid solicitors will receive up to £92 million more a year, subject to consultation, to help address the ongoing challenges in the criminal justice system. The consultation for this has now closed. Additionally, in November 2024, we announced our response to the Crime Lower consultation, confirming an uplift to the lowest police station fees, introducing a new Youth Court fee scheme, and paying for travel in certain circumstances. Together, these changes amounted to a £24 million investment for criminal legal aid providers.

If her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of exempting foreign nationals from being eligible for legal aid.

Decisions about who receives legal aid are made in accordance with the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 and regulations made under that Act.Anyone applying for legal aid in England and Wales is subject to strict eligibility criteria, and as a result, their legal issue must generally be in scope, and they must satisfy means and merit tests, unless specifically exempt by regulation.Legal aid can play an important role in ensuring the smooth running of the courts, by providing timely advice to the individuals concerned, reducing the likelihood of delays and adjournments and helping to tackle court backlogs.