Written questions by Dillon.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to lower the threshold for the number of poultry places permitted on a farm before an environmental permit is required.

The department has no current plans to lower this threshold.

With reference to the independent report entitled Windrush Lessons Learned Review by Wendy Williams, updated 31 March 2020, what steps she has taken to ensure that the eVisas process provides adequate (a) safeguards, (b) fairness and (c) accountability for applicants.

We are conscious of the lessons learnt from Windrush and are committed to ensuring that all people, including the most vulnerable, are properly supported as we transform our immigration system.People who need support can contact the UKVI Resolution Centre to request that an account is created for them so they can access their eVisa. They can also get help to access their eVisa from Grant Funded Organisations or Local Authorities, or through the Assisted Digital Service if they are digitally excluded.We are continuing to listen to the views and concerns of stakeholders and users of our digital systems and aim to continually enhance the user experience wherever possible. We have also increased the number of support services available to vulnerable people and have delivered £4m of grant funding to 72 voluntary and community sector organisations across the UK.Listening to feedback from users, we have provided information and guidance videos on GOV.UK which show all users how to access and use their UKVI account.We are continually improving the functionality and ease of use of the UKVI account to access an eVisa. For example, we recently added the facility for a person without an identity document to create an account and we will add the ability to link a Home Office issued travel document to a UKVI account later in 2025.Monitoring of the system since the end of December 2024 suggests that for most people the transition to eVisa has gone smoothly. By the end of April 2025 over 4.3 million people had created an online (UKVI) account to access their eVisa, with the latest statistics published on GOV.UK on 22 May 2025. Further statistics will be published in due course.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that the e-visa process is (a) inclusive and (b) accessible.

We are conscious of the lessons learnt from Windrush and are committed to ensuring that all people, including the most vulnerable, are properly supported as we transform our immigration system.People who need support can contact the UKVI Resolution Centre to request that an account is created for them so they can access their eVisa. They can also get help to access their eVisa from Grant Funded Organisations or Local Authorities, or through the Assisted Digital Service if they are digitally excluded.We are continuing to listen to the views and concerns of stakeholders and users of our digital systems and aim to continually enhance the user experience wherever possible. We have also increased the number of support services available to vulnerable people and have delivered £4m of grant funding to 72 voluntary and community sector organisations across the UK.Listening to feedback from users, we have provided information and guidance videos on GOV.UK which show all users how to access and use their UKVI account.We are continually improving the functionality and ease of use of the UKVI account to access an eVisa. For example, we recently added the facility for a person without an identity document to create an account and we will add the ability to link a Home Office issued travel document to a UKVI account later in 2025.Monitoring of the system since the end of December 2024 suggests that for most people the transition to eVisa has gone smoothly. By the end of April 2025 over 4.3 million people had created an online (UKVI) account to access their eVisa, with the latest statistics published on GOV.UK on 22 May 2025. Further statistics will be published in due course.

If she will take steps to issue physical proof of status alongside eVisas to enhance accessibility.

We are conscious of the lessons learnt from Windrush and are committed to ensuring that all people, including the most vulnerable, are properly supported as we transform our immigration system.People who need support can contact the UKVI Resolution Centre to request that an account is created for them so they can access their eVisa. They can also get help to access their eVisa from Grant Funded Organisations or Local Authorities, or through the Assisted Digital Service if they are digitally excluded.We are continuing to listen to the views and concerns of stakeholders and users of our digital systems and aim to continually enhance the user experience wherever possible. We have also increased the number of support services available to vulnerable people and have delivered £4m of grant funding to 72 voluntary and community sector organisations across the UK.Listening to feedback from users, we have provided information and guidance videos on GOV.UK which show all users how to access and use their UKVI account.We are continually improving the functionality and ease of use of the UKVI account to access an eVisa. For example, we recently added the facility for a person without an identity document to create an account and we will add the ability to link a Home Office issued travel document to a UKVI account later in 2025.Monitoring of the system since the end of December 2024 suggests that for most people the transition to eVisa has gone smoothly. By the end of April 2025 over 4.3 million people had created an online (UKVI) account to access their eVisa, with the latest statistics published on GOV.UK on 22 May 2025. Further statistics will be published in due course.

What steps she is taking to support people having problems with E-visas.

We are conscious of the lessons learnt from Windrush and are committed to ensuring that all people, including the most vulnerable, are properly supported as we transform our immigration system.People who need support can contact the UKVI Resolution Centre to request that an account is created for them so they can access their eVisa. They can also get help to access their eVisa from Grant Funded Organisations or Local Authorities, or through the Assisted Digital Service if they are digitally excluded.We are continuing to listen to the views and concerns of stakeholders and users of our digital systems and aim to continually enhance the user experience wherever possible. We have also increased the number of support services available to vulnerable people and have delivered £4m of grant funding to 72 voluntary and community sector organisations across the UK.Listening to feedback from users, we have provided information and guidance videos on GOV.UK which show all users how to access and use their UKVI account.We are continually improving the functionality and ease of use of the UKVI account to access an eVisa. For example, we recently added the facility for a person without an identity document to create an account and we will add the ability to link a Home Office issued travel document to a UKVI account later in 2025.Monitoring of the system since the end of December 2024 suggests that for most people the transition to eVisa has gone smoothly. By the end of April 2025 over 4.3 million people had created an online (UKVI) account to access their eVisa, with the latest statistics published on GOV.UK on 22 May 2025. Further statistics will be published in due course.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that cases involving domestic abuse are assessed under the grave risk exception of Article 13(b) of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction; and what guidance she has provided to (a) central authorities and (b) courts for such assessments.

The Government is aware of concerns around the operation of the 1980 Hague Child Abduction Convention in situations where there are allegations of domestic abuse.Published judgments demonstrate that courts in the UK take into account domestic abuse when assessing the grave risk of harm exception under Article 13(b) of the 1980 Hague Child Abduction Convention.The International Child Abduction and Contact Unit, as the operational Central Authority for England and Wales under the 1980 Hague Convention on behalf of the Lord Chancellor, carries out the administrative work required under the Convention; the Central Authority has no role in the assessment of grave risk of harm.The UK has been leading efforts to consider these issues internationally, including via a Forum held in South Africa last year, part-funded by the Government, and will be taking an active role in the organisation of a second Forum in Brazil later this year.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department will take to help support people who have developed neurodivergent conditions due to heading the ball in football.

The safety, wellbeing and welfare of everyone taking part in sport is absolutely paramount. National Governing Bodies are responsible for the regulation of their sports, and they and player associations play a valuable role in supporting players’ welfare.The DCMS Secretary of State and I recently met with a small group of affected ex-footballers and family members, including individuals associated with Football Families for Justice, to discuss player safety and welfare for those suffering from dementia. We are committed to looking further at the issues raised and supporting the families and football authorities to come together to address the lifelong consequences from concussion, as well as post-career mental health and financial crises. We will set out next steps in due course.

If she will bring forward legislative proposals to the Child Abduction and Custody Act 1985 to strengthen legal protections for (a) children and (b) parents fleeing domestic abuse under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.

The Government is aware of concerns around the operation of the 1980 Hague Child Abduction Convention in situations where there are allegations of domestic abuse.Published judgments demonstrate that courts in the UK take into account domestic abuse when assessing the grave risk of harm exception under Article 13(b) of the 1980 Hague Child Abduction Convention.The International Child Abduction and Contact Unit, as the operational Central Authority for England and Wales under the 1980 Hague Convention on behalf of the Lord Chancellor, carries out the administrative work required under the Convention; the Central Authority has no role in the assessment of grave risk of harm.The UK has been leading efforts to consider these issues internationally, including via a Forum held in South Africa last year, part-funded by the Government, and will be taking an active role in the organisation of a second Forum in Brazil later this year.

Whether she has had any discussions with National Highways on banning HGV through traffic from Newbury town centre when the A34 is closed.

Diversion routes which include those through Newbury town centre are not part of the Strategic Road Network therefore are managed by the Local Authority.National Highways diversion routes are longstanding and agreed with the local authorities. Annual reviews are conducted to ensure that they remain fit for purpose and able to accommodate the type and volume of traffic using a given route, for example Heavy Goods Vehicles.

How many asylum claims have been submitted by Ukrainian nationals in each of the last three years; and what proportion of those were successful by oblast of origin.

The Home Office publishes data on asylum in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on the number of asylum claims and initial decisions by nationality is published in table Asy_D01 of the ‘Asylum claims and initial decisions detailed datasets’. Information on how to use the dataset can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbook. The latest data relates to the year ending March 2025.Please note that data on asylum claims by sub-national regions of origin is not published.Information on future Home Office statistical release dates can be found in the ‘Research and statistics calendar’.

What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the risk of insolvency among key providers of community equipment services.

Ministers regularly engage with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues. However, My rt Hon. friends, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, have had no meetings regarding the risk of insolvency among key providers of community equipment services.Local authorities have a statutory duty under various pieces of legislation, including the Care Act 2014, to make arrangements for the provision of disability aids and community equipment, to meet the assessed eligible needs of individuals who are resident in their area. In terms of the management of the market for these services, the commissioning and oversight of their delivery rests with local authorities.

What steps her Department is taking to improve access to legal support for parents involved in international child abduction cases.

Legal aid is available under the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO), for legal advice and representation in cases of international abduction where a child has unlawfully been brought to England and Wales from another country. Both the applicant and respondent may be eligible, subject to passing the relevant eligibility tests and providing the required documentation.For example, an applicant seeking the return of their child is eligible for non-means and non-merits tested legal aid for legal representation, where they reside in a country which has signed the 1980 Hague Convention, and have made an application to the International Child Abduction and Contact Unit. The respondent is eligible for legal aid but is subject to means and merits testing.Legal aid is also available to an applicant who is seeking to prevent the unlawful removal of a child (if they are a parent or have parental responsibility for the child) from the United Kingdom or to secure the return of a child who has been unlawfully removed from the United Kingdom, where the relevant proceedings are taking place in England and Wales. Funding is subject to passing the means and merits tests.The Government provides funding to Reunite International, a charity that operates a 24-hour telephone advice line offering information and practical support to parents, guardians and family members in international child abduction cases. Reunite also offer a mediation service, which can provide an alternative means of resolving an international child abduction case.

Whether her Department is taking steps with National Highways to introduce new (a) signage and (b) road markings to improve visibility on the A34.

National Highways is taking steps to improve visibility on the A34 through planned work on both new signage and road marking. National Highways is currently developing a scheme to renew approximately 51 signage assets along the route, in addition to refreshing road markings on the A34 and its slip roads between the Chieveley Interchange and the junction with the M40. Traffic signs on the A34 are inspected annually, alternating between one year as visual inspections and the second year as drive-through surveys measuring sign reflectivity. National Highways inspectors also patrol the length of the A34 at least twice a week, looking for obstructed signs or deteriorating road markings with any issues identified and raised as defects for attention. This year, National Highways has so far carried out 1,053 soft estate works on the A34, including the clearance of vegetation and obstructions from sightlines at junctions, signage, footpaths, and technology equipment.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to issue guidance to (a) charities and (b) the voluntary sector on local government reorganisation.

The Department has no plans to issue guidance to charities or the voluntary sector on local government reorganisation.

What steps her Department is taking to improve the quality of road surfaces on the A34 slip roads.

National Highways is responsible for the maintenance and the quality of the A34 and its slip roads surfaces. National Highways currently has a resurfacing scheme ongoing in the East Ilsley area, which includes the resurfacing of the northbound slip roads. In addition, several A34 slip roads have been resurfaced since December 2023. These include:December 2023: Northbound offslip and onslip at A343 Andover Road InterchangeJanuary 2024: Southbound offslip (120m) and onslip (125m) at A4 Bath Road Junction (Speen)February 2024: Southbound offslip (116m) at A343 Andover Road InterchangeMarch 2024: Southbound offslip (first 280m) at B4640 Tothill InterchangeJuly 2024: Northbound onslip (272m) at B4640 Tothill InterchangeAugust 2024: Northbound offslip (218m) and onslip (135m) at A4 Bath Road Junction (Speen)December 2024: Northbound offslip at B4640 Tothill Interchange National Highways will continue to monitor the condition of the A34 and plan further maintenance as necessary.

Whether her Department is taking steps with National Highways to install LED cat’s eyes on the A34.

National Highways is responsible for the maintenance and safety of the A34. The A34 has approximately 0.5 million metres of longitudinal road markings, with a legacy of associated road studs of various types. Surface-mounted road studs are typical, although more robust embedded studs are used where necessary, such as at centre lines near junctions. LED flush solar road studs have already been installed at several locations on the A34, including around the West Ilsley, Chilton, Milton, Hinksey Hill, and Botley junctions, to improve nighttime visibility.

Communities and Local Government, how much and what proportion of the funding allocated for affordable housing in the Spending Review 2025 will be allocated to rural areas.

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 2 July 2025 (HCWS771).

Whether her Department is taking steps with National Highways to introduce speed enforcement measures at known accident hotspots on the A34.

National Highways currently has no plans to introduce speed enforcement measures on the A34. National Highways deem the current speed limits on the A34 are appropriate. However, speed limits across the network are kept under review by National Highways.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that multi-academy trusts maintain education standards.

Multi-academy trusts play an important role in our schools system, both supporting school improvement and driving forward high-quality education for our children.Working with schools we will drive excellent teaching and leadership, a high-quality curriculum, robust accountability and faster school improvement, and an inclusive system which removes barriers to learning to ensure every child can achieve and thrive in education. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill will help deliver this by providing a core guarantee of quality education in every school, no matter where children live or what school they attend. To ensure all parts of our system are focused on delivering these excellent outcomes, the government will in future bring multi-academy trusts into our inspection system.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to support (a) the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service and (b) other local fire and rescue services to (i) manage risks from (A) wildfires, (B) flooding and (C) other major incidents, and (ii) collaborate with police and ambulance services.

Fire and Rescue Authorities (FRAs) have duties under the Civil Contingencies Act (2004) to prepare for emergencies, such as a wildfires, flooding, and other major incidents. Under the National Framework, FRAs are required to prepare Community Risk Management Plans, having regard to the views of other key local responders. These local plans identify and assess the full range of foreseeable fire and rescue-related risks, and make provision for prevention and protection activities, and appropriate response to incidents. We work with the National Fire Chiefs Council, FRAs and Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) to maintain, review and develop capabilities. This includes multi- agency working and use of the Joint Emergency Services Principles (JESIP) framework, that improves co-ordination and collaboration among blue light services and with other partners. The Government is providing funding of £17.9m in 2025/26 to FRAs who host national resilience capabilities, including Royal Berkshire FRS. These capabilities are widely used in day-to-day operations by FRSs and help to enhance both local responses, and responses to major and national scale incidents. Further, the Government provides funding of £15.1m in 2025/26 to the lead authority on national resilience (Merseyside) to assure the capabilities. Since 2024 the Government has also funded a national resilience wildfire advisor.