Written questions by Evans.

If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of HMRC's (a) investigative powers and (b) human resources to investigate cases of organised criminals accessing VAT accounts using genuine customers' registration details and claiming VAT refunds.

HMRC has active investigations into organised crime VAT fraud. However, live case information isn’t routinely published, and disclosing the number of ongoing investigations would risk alerting or enabling those seeking to exploit the tax system. Further to answer UIN 112096, HMRC have implemented additional controls over recent months to strengthen its systems and ensure access is limited to legitimate customers. As part of this, HMRC has established the Fraud Prevention Centre (FPC), a multi-functional team led by HMRC's Security directorate, focused on the protection, detection and response to identity-related security threats. The FPC also provides enhanced, direct support to customers and manages fraud in line with industry best practice. HMRC has wide ranging criminal investigation powers, as set out on GOV.UK, and is resourced to investigate serious fraud, deploying compliance and enforcement capability to protect the integrity of the tax system. At Spring Statement 2025, the Government set out plans to expand HMRC's counter-fraud capability, including strengthening its response to organised criminal attacks.

What is the frequency of the updates that he is receiving from the Fuel Distribution Association about challenges in the supply chain of heating oil for [i] domestic and [ii] business customers.

The Government is in frequent communication with the UK and Ireland Fuel Distribution Association (UKIFDA) to monitor heating oil supply and pricing. We are aware that some customers are experiencing delays or difficulties in receiving heating oil deliveries; this was due to an increase in demand. This has now reduced, and industry are reporting that demand has returned to the normal level expected for this time of year. The Prime Minister confirmed £53 million of immediate support for those most exposed to changing heating oil prices on Monday 16 March.

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 February 2026 to Question 112096 on VAT Fraud, how many cases are being investigated by HMRC of organised criminals accessing VAT accounts using genuine customers' registration details and claiming VAT refunds.

HMRC has active investigations into organised crime VAT fraud. However, live case information isn’t routinely published, and disclosing the number of ongoing investigations would risk alerting or enabling those seeking to exploit the tax system. Further to answer UIN 112096, HMRC have implemented additional controls over recent months to strengthen its systems and ensure access is limited to legitimate customers. As part of this, HMRC has established the Fraud Prevention Centre (FPC), a multi-functional team led by HMRC's Security directorate, focused on the protection, detection and response to identity-related security threats. The FPC also provides enhanced, direct support to customers and manages fraud in line with industry best practice. HMRC has wide ranging criminal investigation powers, as set out on GOV.UK, and is resourced to investigate serious fraud, deploying compliance and enforcement capability to protect the integrity of the tax system. At Spring Statement 2025, the Government set out plans to expand HMRC's counter-fraud capability, including strengthening its response to organised criminal attacks.

What assessment he has made of the trends in the level of (a) staff take-up and (b) trends in staff feedback to the mental health support offered to NHS England staff teams as the closure of NHS England takes place.

In addition to the routine review of mental health services, and specifically the employee assistance and occupational health services which highlight needs of colleagues that are mental health related, the engagement level for both services is tracked. Trends in the level of colleague uptake of services, by type and satisfaction levels, and trends in staff feedback to the mental health support offered to NHS England colleagues is monitored and reviewed through established governance arrangements, including feedback provided from trade union partnerships and staff networks, to ensure that the provision is meeting existing demand and forecast projections.An expert panel has been recently engaged to assess the trends, including the level of colleague uptake and feedback, to make recommendations within the context of the closure of NHS England and potential impact on colleagues. The panel will inform decisions on whether further support for colleagues should be put in place in 2026/27.

Whether assessments of trends in the level of provision of mental health support for (a) senior NHS England leaders and (b) wider staff teams as the closure of NHS England is taking place.

NHS England has robust people management infrastructure in place. This includes an annual appraisal process which incorporates risk assessments for all colleagues. There is a broad set of provisions for mental health support which includes an independent external Employee Assistance Programme, Occupational Health Services, and the in-house provision of Mental Health First Aiders.This provision is supplemented by a bespoke well-being programme which was developed and implemented in response to the Government’s announcement regarding the closure of NHS England last year and includes webinars and workshops delivered by external and internal mental health experts, the provision of change management, and stress management interventions and toolkits, including Maximum and Able Futures workplace mental health services.Regular reports, including trend data and insights from the providers of mental health services, are regularly reviewed through routine reviews with the providers of the services and established governance arrangements, including the Health and Safety Committee, to ensure that the provision is meeting existing demand and forecast projections.

What steps her Department is taking to engage with the autism community to ensure that public opinion is captured for the SEND Reform White Paper without the need to provide a written submission to the consultation.

On Monday 23 February, we launched a full 12-week consultation on our special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms because we want to hear directly from people across the country who have an interest in these reforms and build on our national conversation.There are three ways that we are ensuring we capture the views of those who are part of the SEND community. First, we are hosting a series of online and in-person events throughout the consultation period, including sessions delivered in partnership with the Council for Disabled Children. More information on these sessions will be advertised in the coming weeks.Second, we are engaging with a range of SEND organisations, including autism organisations, and representatives of those organisations will also be on ministerial engagement groups. Members of our Expert Advisory Group for Inclusion, SEND Development Group, and Complex Needs Group have autism expertise, and we also plan to engage with representatives from other organisations that specialise in autism at our planned deep dives. We are also engaging with academics in this space. Finally, we continue to engage with young people, including those with autism, on the consultation as we did pre-publication.Third, the department has a dedicated mailbox for SEND reform consultation responses and is accepting non-written as well as written responses to consultation questions. The mailbox is available at: SENDreform.CONSULTATION@education.gov.uk.The consultation, including accessible versions, can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/send-reform-putting-children-and-young-people-first.

If her Department will conduct focus groups in the East Midlands with individuals who need equality adjustments to share their opinions in a non-written manner on the SEND Reform White Paper.

On Monday 23 February, we launched a full 12‑week consultation on our special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms because we want to hear directly from people across the country who have an interest in these reforms.To do that, we are building on our national conversation and delivering one of the widest engagement programmes we have ever run, reaching professionals, families, and children and young people to help shape these reforms together.We are hosting a series of in‑person events and online opportunities throughout the 12-week consultation period in every region, including the East Midlands, with some sessions delivered in partnership with the Council for Disabled Children.The department has a dedicated mailbox for SEND reform consultation responses and is accepting both written and non-written responses to consultation questions. The mailbox is available at: SENDreform.CONSULTATION@education.gov.uk.The consultation, including accessible versions, can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/send-reform-putting-children-and-young-people-first.

Pursuant to Question118267 answered on 13 March on General Practitioners: Contracts, what evidence is there to support the statement that the changes made to advice and guidance will reduce the number of unnecessary appointments.

NHS England collects and publishes national data on total Advice and Guidance (A&G) activity through the existing system elective recovery outpatient collection, published and available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/outpatient-transformation/specialist-advice/This includes total A&G requests sent, processed requests, where a specialist has returned the advice and diversions, where the outcome of A&G is that a referral is not required. This data is also available at provider and integrated care board levels.NHS England also collects data on the above by treatment function, or specialty, and on turnaround times of A&G. These are not published but available to National Health Service providers through the Model Health System. During 2026/27, NHS England will review and expand what measures are published as and when additional data becomes available through the expansion and improvements to the electronic referral system platform.Between April 2025 and November 2025, there were 2,394,266 pre-referral advice and guidance requests, of which 2,210,443 were processed and 1,095,172 have been diverted, which is 45.7% of total requests. Diverted patients may otherwise have had to wait for an unnecessary appointment and instead are expected to receive more timely care with earlier specialist input.

With reference to his Department's publication entitled Changes to the GP contract in 2026/27, updated on 4 March 2025, when will the exact requirements for advice and guidance be published.

As part of the 2026/27 GP Contract, we are embedding the current Advice and Guidance enhanced service funding within core practice funding. The core expectations for general practices (GPs) broadly remain unchanged, and practices will be required to use Advice and Guidance prior to or in place of a planned care referral, where clinically appropriate, and to follow locally agreed referral pathways. As part of the usual annual cycle, NHS England will refresh the operational delivery framework to ensure it remains aligned with the updated contractual requirements. The GP Contract changes for 2026/27 are underpinned by regulations, which will be laid before Parliament in the usual way, alongside an explanatory memorandum. Framework updates will happen in line with, or prior to, regulations coming into force. NHS England will continue to ensure that operational delivery frameworks remain clear, robust, and supportive as the use of Advice and Guidance expands. A draft technical guidance is already available to ICBs to support preparation for implementation.

Pursuant to Question 118267 answered on 13 March on General Practitioners: Contracts, what data will be collected about advice and guidance by NHS England.

NHS England collects and publishes national data on total Advice and Guidance (A&G) activity through the existing system elective recovery outpatient collection, published and available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/outpatient-transformation/specialist-advice/This includes total A&G requests sent, processed requests, where a specialist has returned the advice and diversions, where the outcome of A&G is that a referral is not required. This data is also available at provider and integrated care board levels.NHS England also collects data on the above by treatment function, or specialty, and on turnaround times of A&G. These are not published but available to National Health Service providers through the Model Health System. During 2026/27, NHS England will review and expand what measures are published as and when additional data becomes available through the expansion and improvements to the electronic referral system platform.Between April 2025 and November 2025, there were 2,394,266 pre-referral advice and guidance requests, of which 2,210,443 were processed and 1,095,172 have been diverted, which is 45.7% of total requests. Diverted patients may otherwise have had to wait for an unnecessary appointment and instead are expected to receive more timely care with earlier specialist input.

With reference to his Department's publication entitled Changes to the GP contract in 2026/27, updated on 4 March 2025, at what point during the process of advice and guidance will his Department add a patient to an official NHS waiting list.

Currently, a patient is added to an official waiting list when an Advice and Guidance request is converted into a referral. This will remain the case through part of 2026/27. From October 2026, expanded Advice and Guidance will be routed through a new Elective Single Point of Access (SPoA), in line with the Medium Term Planning Framework. From this point, while a patient will still be added onto a waiting list at the point of the referral being accepted, their waiting time will be calculated from the date the Advice and Guidance request or referral was received by the SpoA.While advice is being sought and acted on in primary care, the general practitioner remains responsible for the patient’s overall clinical care and risk. The specialist is responsible for the quality and appropriateness of the advice they give, not for ongoing management or follow‑up unless they formally take the patient on. Specialist also have clinical responsibility from the point an Advice and Guidance request is converted into a referral or if the specialist initiates investigations or treatment directly.

Pursuant to Question 118267 answered on 13 March on General Practitioners: Contracts, who is clinically responsible for the patient while advice and guidance is being sought; and at what point does that responsibility transfer to secondary care.

Currently, a patient is added to an official waiting list when an Advice and Guidance request is converted into a referral. This will remain the case through part of 2026/27. From October 2026, expanded Advice and Guidance will be routed through a new Elective Single Point of Access (SPoA), in line with the Medium Term Planning Framework. From this point, while a patient will still be added onto a waiting list at the point of the referral being accepted, their waiting time will be calculated from the date the Advice and Guidance request or referral was received by the SpoA.While advice is being sought and acted on in primary care, the general practitioner remains responsible for the patient’s overall clinical care and risk. The specialist is responsible for the quality and appropriateness of the advice they give, not for ongoing management or follow‑up unless they formally take the patient on. Specialist also have clinical responsibility from the point an Advice and Guidance request is converted into a referral or if the specialist initiates investigations or treatment directly.

With reference to his Department's publication entitled Changes to the GP contract in 2026/27, updated on 4 March 2025, whether he has made an assessment of the impact of removing the cap on online requests that can be submitted during core hours on (a) patient safety and (b) GP workload.

The Department has not made a specific assessment of the impact of removing the caps on online requests on patient safety and general practice (GP) workload. Data on online consultation submissions is collected, monitored, and published.This is because there is no change to clinical responsibility, triage processes, or same‑day requirements for clinically urgent care as a result of this clarification. Practices retain flexibility over how requests are prioritised and responded to, including the use of triage models and appropriate response times for non‑urgent requests. Evidence from practices shows that spreading demand more evenly across the day can support smoother workflows and reduce pressure on telephone access, rather than increasing overall workload.The clarification on online access is being implemented alongside wider GP Contract changes for 2026/27, including £485 million in additional core funding and reforms intended to support practice capacity.

What his planned timetable is for publishing operational guidance for the use of Advice and Guidance in the context of the GP contract 2026/27.

As part of the usual annual cycle, NHS England will refresh the operational delivery framework to ensure it remains aligned with the updated contractual requirements. The GP Contract changes for 2026/27 are underpinned by regulations, which will be laid before Parliament in the usual way, alongside an explanatory memorandum. Framework updates will happen in line with, or prior to, regulations coming into force. NHS England will continue to ensure that operational delivery frameworks remain clear, robust, and supportive as the use of Advice and Guidance expands.

If he will ask NHS England to set out the definition of ‘clinically urgent’ for patients who need to be dealt with on the same day in the context of the the GP contract 2026/27.

As part of the 2026/27 GP Contract, we are amending the core contract to explicitly require that requests identified as clinically urgent must be dealt with on the same day. It is for practices to use their clinical judgement to determine which requests are clinically urgent.

With reference to his Department's publication entitled Changes to the GP contract in 2026/27, updated on 4 March 2025, whether the money to fund the practice-level GP reimbursement scheme will be new funding.

Following feedback from the 2026/27 GP Contract consultation, we are introducing a practice-level general practice reimbursement scheme using £292 million of repurposed funding from the current Capacity and Access Payment. This funding will be available to practices to hire additional general practitioners (GPs) or to fund additional sessions with existing GPs to improve access in GPs. This aims to strengthen capacity, access, and improve patient satisfaction, whilst also addressing GP unemployment and underemployment. This is good value for the taxpayer and guarantees the money is spent on GPs.

Whether Advice and Guidance will be mandatory for GPs to use in the context of the GP contract 2026/27.

As part of the 2026/27 GP Contract, we are embedding the current Advice and Guidance (A&G) enhanced service funding within core practice funding. Practices will be required to use A&G prior to or in place of a planned care referral, where clinically appropriate, and to follow locally agreed referral pathways.A&G has shown clear value in supporting timely specialist input, reducing unnecessary referrals, and ensuring patients receive timely care in the most appropriate setting.Between April 2025 and December 2025, A&G has avoided 1.3 million patients being added to waiting lists.

With reference to the GP contract 2026/27, whether every non-cancer referral will need to go through Advice and Guidance.

As part of the 2026/27 GP Contract, we are embedding the current Advice and Guidance (A&G) enhanced service funding within core practice funding. Practices will be required to use A&G prior to or in place of a planned care referral, where clinically appropriate, and to follow locally agreed referral pathways.A&G has shown clear value in supporting timely specialist input, reducing unnecessary referrals, and ensuring patients receive timely care in the most appropriate setting.Between April 2025 and December 2025, A&G has avoided 1.3 million patients being added to waiting lists.

What his planned timetable is for informing children’s hospices of their individual allocations from recent funding announcements.

Children and young people’s hospices have been informed of their allocations for 2026/27 by NHS England. Communications regarding future allocations, for 2027/28 and 2028/29, will be sent once the 2026/27 process is complete.

If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of hospice bed capacity and how this is tracked nationally.

The majority of hospices are charitable, independent organisations and, therefore, the Government does not collect or keep data on hospice bed capacity nationally. There are no current plans to make a formal assessment of the adequacy of hospice bed capacity.Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning core and specialist palliative care services to meet the reasonable needs of their population, which can include hospice services available within the ICB catchment. To support ICBs in this duty, NHS England has published statutory guidance and a service specification.The Government is developing a Palliative Care and End of Life Care Modern Service Framework (MSF) for England. Through our MSF, we will closely monitor the shift towards the strategic commissioning of palliative care and end-of-life care services to ensure that services reduce variation in access and quality. As part of the MSF, we will consider contracting and commissioning arrangements. We recognise that there is currently a mix of contracting models in the hospice sector. By supporting ICBs to commission more strategically, we can move away from grant and block contract models. In the long term, this will aid sustainability and help hospices’ ability to plan ahead.