Written questions by Dillon.

What assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of automated translation tools for use in the asylum decision making process.

The Home Office does not currently use AI or automation for interpreting or translation purposes. The Home Office is currently exploring the technology landscape for translation and transcription solutions with the view to better understand the capabilities and their current maturity, along with the risks and benefits. The intent is to understand the feasibility and adequacy of utilising this type of technology to support processes within the Migration & Borders system. This exploration is also supportive of engaging with experts and academia to ensure a well-informed and evidence-based approach. The Home Office is investing in innovative techniques, including AI, to explore how we can improve productivity, speed up processing the asylum backlog, streamline the provision of accommodation and support, and restore order in the asylum system. This will not be at the cost of compromising on accuracy due to the complexity and importance of asylum decisions.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the proposed Community Right to Buy on the establishment of community owned businesses.

Through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, we are introducing a new community right to buy to give communities stronger powers to protect a range of assets which are important to them. This will help to ensure that community owned businesses have the spaces they need to operate effectively, meeting the needs of the community and benefiting the local economy.

Whether her Department plans to review inheritance tax reliefs for agricultural property.

The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, fixing the public finances, and funding public services. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free. The Government will invest more than £2.7 billion a year in sustainable farming and nature recovery from 2026-27 until 2028-29. This includes the largest financial investment into nature-friendly farming ever.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the economic contribution of small-scale, family-run farms to local economies in England.

Defra does not collect data which classifies whether farms are family-run and does not hold any data on the economic contribution of small-scale, family run farms to local economies in England.

What support is available to households requiring removal of spray foam insulation installed under government grant schemes.

In any instance where insulation is installed improperly under a government-backed scheme, consumers are entitled to remediation by their installer or, failing that, the insurance-backed guarantee. Where the measure has not been installed correctly, homeowners should contact their installer or use the TrustMark dispute resolution process to seek redress (https://www.trustmark.org.uk/homeowner/information-guidance/if-things-go-wrong). As part of the Warm Homes Plan, Government is reviewing the entire landscape - from how installers work in people’s homes to where homeowners turn for rapid action and enforcement if things go wrong. We are planning to consult on proposals for retrofit system reform early next year.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of specialist evidence-based parenting support for families with children with SEND.

Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life sets out how the government will invest close to £1.5 billion over the next three years to expand and strengthen family services.This will include £500 million for rolling out Best Start Family Hubs in every local authority. Each Best Start Family Hub will have a children and family services professional specifically trained in supporting parents of children with additional needs. This will help identify children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) who may need extra help, making links with local early years settings and health services. We will also fund more evidence based parenting offers and set clearer rules to ensure that funding is used on high quality parenting programmes.This will be supported by a new national Best Start digital service, linked to ‘My Children’ on the NHS app, bringing together the advice and guidance parents need in one place, and linking families to local services.The Families First Partnership programme is embedding Family Help as a seamless offer of family support delivered by multi-disciplinary, community based teams. This includes a broad range of professionals, including those working in SEND. The location of services will be determined by local authorities, with partners, and we encourage areas to consider family hubs as a location.

What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of digital parenting programmes in supporting families of children with SEND.

Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life sets out how the government will invest close to £1.5 billion over the next three years to expand and strengthen family services.This will include £500 million for rolling out Best Start Family Hubs in every local authority. Each Best Start Family Hub will have a children and family services professional specifically trained in supporting parents of children with additional needs. This will help identify children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) who may need extra help, making links with local early years settings and health services. We will also fund more evidence based parenting offers and set clearer rules to ensure that funding is used on high quality parenting programmes.This will be supported by a new national Best Start digital service, linked to ‘My Children’ on the NHS app, bringing together the advice and guidance parents need in one place, and linking families to local services.The Families First Partnership programme is embedding Family Help as a seamless offer of family support delivered by multi-disciplinary, community based teams. This includes a broad range of professionals, including those working in SEND. The location of services will be determined by local authorities, with partners, and we encourage areas to consider family hubs as a location.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that families of children with SEND in rural areas have equitable access to early parenting support.

Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life sets out how the government will invest close to £1.5 billion over the next three years to expand and strengthen family services.This will include £500 million for rolling out Best Start Family Hubs in every local authority. Each Best Start Family Hub will have a children and family services professional specifically trained in supporting parents of children with additional needs. This will help identify children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) who may need extra help, making links with local early years settings and health services. We will also fund more evidence based parenting offers and set clearer rules to ensure that funding is used on high quality parenting programmes.This will be supported by a new national Best Start digital service, linked to ‘My Children’ on the NHS app, bringing together the advice and guidance parents need in one place, and linking families to local services.The Families First Partnership programme is embedding Family Help as a seamless offer of family support delivered by multi-disciplinary, community based teams. This includes a broad range of professionals, including those working in SEND. The location of services will be determined by local authorities, with partners, and we encourage areas to consider family hubs as a location.

What steps she is taking to promote agricultural (a) careers and (b) skills development among young people in rural constituencies.

In October, the department published the Post-16 education and skills white paper, setting out a strategy to build a world-class skills system aligned with student and employer needs. Central to these reforms is Skills England, which provides expert insight into current and future skills needs. The department funds the Careers & Enterprise Company to increase young people’s exposure to industry. They work with sector bodies, such as the Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture to embed employer insight within careers education. Through a network of careers hubs, the Careers & Enterprise Company connects careers provision in schools and colleges to the needs of local economies through strategic partnerships with local government. Several careers hubs covering rural constituencies work in line with local skills improvement plans by supporting young people’s career readiness and delivering application and interview support.

What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Digital Services Tax; and whether she plans to review the rate at which it is set.

Decisions on tax are a matter for the Chancellor and any changes will be announced at the budget in the usual way. The Digital Services Tax is an interim solution to widely held concerns with the international corporate tax framework, and the UK remains committed to remove it once a global solution on the reallocation of taxing rights is in place.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of changes to the business rates system from 1 April 2026 on businesses in the horseracing industry.

The Government is creating a fairer business rates system that protects the high street, supports investment, and is fit for the 21st century. To deliver our manifesto pledge, from 2026/27, the Government intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, including those on the high street, with rateable values below £500,000. This permanent tax cut will ensure that they benefit from much-needed certainty and support. This tax cut must be sustainably funded, and so we intend to introduce a higher rate on the most valuable properties in 2026/27 - those with Rateable Values (RVs) of £500,000 and above. These represent less than one per cent of all properties, but cover the majority of large distribution warehouses, including those used by online giants. The final design, including the rates, for the new business rates multipliers will be announced at Budget 2025, so that the Government can factor the revaluation outcomes and broader economic and fiscal context into decision-making. When the new multipliers are set, HM Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements. Ahead of these changes being made, we recognise that businesses will need support in 2025/26. As such, the Government has prevented the current RHL 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 the Government has frozen the small business multiplier.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of late-night pharmacy provision in Newbury constituency.

Local authority health and wellbeing boards have a statutory responsibility to assess if local provision, including pharmacies’ opening hours, is adequate to meet local needs for pharmaceutical services and to publish their assessments every three years.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of ending temporary business rates reliefs for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses from 1 April 2026 on racehorse training yards.

The Government is creating a fairer business rates system that protects the high street, supports investment, and is fit for the 21st century. To deliver our manifesto pledge, from 2026/27, the Government intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, including those on the high street, with rateable values below £500,000. This permanent tax cut will ensure that they benefit from much-needed certainty and support. This tax cut must be sustainably funded, and so we intend to introduce a higher rate on the most valuable properties in 2026/27 - those with Rateable Values (RVs) of £500,000 and above. These represent less than one per cent of all properties, but cover the majority of large distribution warehouses, including those used by online giants. The final design, including the rates, for the new business rates multipliers will be announced at Budget 2025, so that the Government can factor the revaluation outcomes and broader economic and fiscal context into decision-making. When the new multipliers are set, HM Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements. Ahead of these changes being made, we recognise that businesses will need support in 2025/26. As such, the Government has prevented the current RHL 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 the Government has frozen the small business multiplier.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of risk-stratified screening on improving early detection of prostate cancer.

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), which advises ministers on all screening matters, commissioned an evidence review modelling the clinical effectiveness and cost of several approaches to prostate cancer screening. This included different potential ways of screening the whole population and targeted screening aimed at groups of people identified as being at higher-than-average risk, such as black men or men with a family history of cancer.The modelling and evidence review reports are now complete, and the UK NSC plans to open a three-month public consultation towards the end of the year. After this, the UK NSC will make a recommendation on screening for prostate cancer. Ministers will then be asked to consider whether to accept the recommendation.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of extending Orchestra Tax Relief to (a) vocal performance groups and (b) choirs.

The Government supports the creative industries, including orchestras, through funding and through the tax system. To qualify for Orchestra Tax Relief, a concert must be performed by a group of at least 12 instrumentalists. The voice is not considered to be an instrument for these purposes. However, orchestra concerts with a vocal element are eligible for the relief providing that the orchestra also contains at least 12 instrumentalists, not including the voice, and the instrumentalists are the primary focus. Vocal performance groups and choirs do not qualify for Orchestra Tax Relief since the scheme aims to support the cultural and distinct economic activity associated with orchestral concerts. We do of course recognise the benefits choirs and vocal performance groups offer to those who participate and who enjoy their performances. When considering new tax reliefs, the Government takes into account a wide range of factors including costs, complexity, and fairness.The Chancellor makes announcements on tax at fiscal events in the context of the overall public finances.

What steps her Department is taking to improve support for children with speech and language challenges in schools.

The department, in collaboration with NHS England, has extended the Early Language and Support for Every Child (ELSEC) programme to strengthen early identification and intervention for children with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) in early years settings and primary schools.Under the Best Start in Life strategy, the department is investing in evidence-based initiatives such as the Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI), which has demonstrated significant impact on oral language and early literacy, particularly for disadvantaged pupils.Since 2021, English Hubs have delivered targeted professional development to enhance whole class early language provision, primarily in early years and key stage 1, with plans to expand support for reception classes.Recognising the critical role of speech and language therapists, the department is working closely with the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England to improve access to community health services, including speech and language therapy, for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

Whether her Department plans to extend the (a) 38.4 and (b) 44 tonne limits for lower carbon construction vehicles after 2028.

The Department ran a call for evidence from October to December 2023 seeking views on three potential options on weight limits for Volumetric Concrete Mixers (VCMs). The outcome of this review was published on 18 March 2025. VCMs will continue to be permitted on our roads, but as planned, a temporary weight limit exemption for this type of vehicle (via vehicle special orders) will end on 31 March 2028, after which VCMs must operate at the legal weight limits applicable to other heavy good vehicles. This is not a ban or change in policy. There are no plans to extend the 38.4 or 44 tonne weight limits for Volumetric Concrete Mixers beyond 2028.

What discussions he has had with the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary on improving the terms and conditions for magistrates.

As magistrates are volunteers, they do not have formal terms and conditions. However, their role is governed by the Lord Chancellor’s Directions, which set out expectations and guidance for their role. While these Directions are issued by the Lord Chancellor, they are developed with input from, and in coordination with, the independent Judiciary.The Lord Chancellor regularly meets with the Lady Chief Justice and senior judiciary to discuss courts, tribunals, the magistracy, and the wider justice system. It is standard practice not to comment on the specifics of Minister-judiciary conversations.Magistrates can claim expenses for loss of earnings, travel and subsistence in support of their judicial duties. The Ministry of Justice will consult on, and publish, an updated Magistrates Expenses policy in 2026.Training of the judiciary is a judicial responsibility. Magistrates are supported with an extensive training programme, provided by the Judicial College, across their first 12-15 months in post, including a three day in person induction course at the outset. All newly appointed magistrates are also supported by a mentor. Continuation training and regular appraisals are provided for magistrates on an ongoing basis.

Whether her Department provides (a) training and (b) support to teachers working with children experiencing alienation from a (i) parent and (ii) grandparent.

The Initial Teacher Training and Early Career Framework sets out the core content that defines great teaching and must be used by all providers of initial and early career teacher training to create their curricula. The framework sets out that trainees and early career teachers should learn how to develop an understanding of each pupil's individual needs by engaging with parents and carers to better understand these individual needs, and building trusting relationships with parents and carers to better understand each pupil's circumstances. Beyond the mandatory framework, decisions relating to teachers’ professional development rests with schools, headteachers, and teachers themselves, as they are in the best position to judge the development and training that teachers in their schools need to support their pupils.

If he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his Department's policies of the recommendations in the report by the Magistrates' Association entitled Magistrates Matter, published on 5 June 2025.

The Ministry of Justice is dedicated to ensuring all magistrates feel valued for their work. We have considered the Magistrates’ Association report on improving recognition of magistrates and its recommendations for Ministers and the Senior Judiciary. We work closely with the Magistrates’ Association, and we will consider their recommendations carefully.