Written questions by Evans.

What active funding streams are focused on research into endometriosis.

The Department commissions research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR supports research with a focus on endometriosis through a range of funding streams. For example, the Health Technology Assessment Programme is currently considering applications submitted to a call for research into pain management programmes for endometriosis. Details of successful funding awards will be published on the NIHR website later this year.In addition, the NIHR is currently funding two doctoral fellowships with relevance to endometriosis, thus supporting the pipeline of researchers with expertise in women’s health issues.The NIHR continues to welcome funding applications for research into any area of women’s health, including endometriosis.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of developing a long term funding model for (a) adopted and (b) special guardianship children previously in care.

All funding after March 2026 is subject to the next spending review. However, we recognise and value the positive impact of the adoption and special guardianship support fund in supporting adoptive and kinship families and its importance to many. Therefore, we will be discussing the best approach to the management of funds in future years with key stakeholders. We will announce next steps as soon as possible.

What his planned timetable is for the conclusion of a review of the final cost information to develop a new STEM building at Hinckley School.

Officials are currently working through costs, and I will provide an update to the hon. Member for Hinckley and Bosworth in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of extended producer responsibility fees on the hospitality sector; and whether hospitality businesses are required to pay fees when a closed-loop waste and recycling system is in place.

In October 2024 the Government published an updated assessment of the impact of introducing the packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) scheme on packaging recycling rates. The impact assessment did not look at the specific impacts of the pEPR scheme on individual sectors, such as hospitality. We are considering further improvements to the scheme, including how to treat businesses which run closed loop recycling systems that support the environmental outcomes of the scheme. My officials are reviewing options to bring forward an offset where obligated producers are operating closed loop recycling systems for food-grade plastic at the earliest opportunity.

What discussions the Health and Safety Executive has had with representatives of the hairdressing and beauty industry on ensuring that health and safety practices are followed when using hair dye.

Businesses in the hairdressing and beauty sector, which includes barber shops, hairdressers and beauty salons are required to comply with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and associated regulations, which place duties on businesses to assess the risk of infection for employees and others affected by their work including members of the public. While Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has the policy lead for the hair and beauty sector, responsibility for enforcing health and safety legislation at individual businesses rests with the local authority where the premises are located. HSE is not currently engaged in discussions with the industry about the use of hair dye, however it’s use and the precautions necessary when using it are captured by the requirements of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (as amended). Where there is evidence that risks are not being properly managed, local authorities are able to intervene and take appropriate enforcement action to ensure that employees and customers are protected.

Which representative bodies she intends to meet to hold preparatory discussions with on proposals to reform the business rates system in the 2026-2027 financial year.

HM Treasury releases a quarterly record of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations. This can be found online: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel At the Autumn Budget, the Government published the Transforming Business Rates Discussion Paper, which sets out priority areas for reform. This paper invited stakeholders to help co-design a fairer business rates system that supports investment and is fit for the 21st century. On 17 February the Government published a ‘forward look’ of the expected timeline for reforms announced at Autumn Budget 2024, and how stakeholders should engage the Government. This will be updated when further information is available. In the summer, the Government will publish an interim report that sets out a clear direction of travel for the business rates system, with further policy detail to follow at Autumn Budget 2025.

What recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the final cost of developing a new STEM building at Hinckley School.

Officials are currently working through costs, and I will provide an update to the hon. Member for Hinckley and Bosworth in due course.

How many funding awards under consideration focus on the (a) diagnosis, (b) care and (c) treatment of endometriosis.

The Department commissions research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR supports research with a focus on endometriosis through a range of funding streams. For example, the Health Technology Assessment Programme is currently considering applications submitted to a call for research into pain management programmes for endometriosis. Details of successful funding awards will be published on the NIHR website later this year.In addition, the NIHR is currently funding two doctoral fellowships with relevance to endometriosis, thus supporting the pipeline of researchers with expertise in women’s health issues.The NIHR continues to welcome funding applications for research into any area of women’s health, including endometriosis.

What recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Midlands Rail Hub on economic growth in Hinckley and Bosworth constituency.

Midlands Rail Hub would unlock thousands of homes and drive economic growth, with better connections regionally and nationally and more reliable trains. This means more opportunities for the people of Hinckley.In December the Chancellor launched the second stage of the Spending Review. This is a ‘zero-based’ review, to ensure every line of spending – including the transport infrastructure portfolio – delivers the Plan for Change and provides good value for taxpayers.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to monitor the impact of extended producer responsibility fees on the growth of the hospitality industry.

Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) is being evaluated as part of the Resources and Waste Policy Programme Evaluation for England, and the UK-wide elements of the Collection and Packaging Reforms (CPR) Evaluation. This evaluation includes reviewing the impacts on businesses who are obligated packaging producers. The combined evaluation programme is expected to report in 2029. The Government has also committed to a post-implementation review on the impacts of pEPR in 2027/2028 financial year.

What discussions he has had with (a) NHS England and (b) the National Institute for Health and Care Research on the role of women's hubs in supporting the (i) diagnosis, (ii) care and (iii) treatment of endometriosis.

The Government is committed to improving the diagnosis, treatment and ongoing care for gynaecological conditions including endometriosis.Women’s health hubs bring together healthcare professionals and existing services to provide integrated women’s health services in the community, centred on meeting women’s needs across the life course. Women’s health hubs have a key role in shifting care out of hospitals and reducing gynaecology waiting lists. The assessment and treatment of menstrual problems is a core service for women’s health hubs. This includes care for heavy, painful or irregular menstrual bleeding, and for conditions such as endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome. The Government is committed to encouraging integrated care boards (ICBs) to further expand the coverage of women’s health hubs and to support ICBs to use the learning from the existing women’s health hubs to improve local delivery of services to women.The Department commissions research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). There are two active research projects which are exploring the role of women’s health hubs in England. The first project is led by the NIHR Policy Research Unit in Reproductive Health and focuses on identifying the mechanisms for commissioning women’s health services in England, how approaches vary and what works, including women’s health hubs commissioning. The second project is led by the NIHR Policy Innovation and Evaluation Policy Research Unit and is an examination of women’s experience and access to health services for reproductive health care.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with industry representatives on taking steps to support the transportation of milling wheat for food production.

Defra regularly engages with industry and across Government to monitor risks to food supply. This includes extensive, regular and ongoing engagement in preparedness for, and response to, issues with the potential to cause disruption to food supply chains.

If he would make an assessment of the potential merits of a licensing scheme for (a) hairdressers and (b) barbers.

Hairdressing salons and barbers, like other employers, are subject to normal business regulations such as health and safety requirements, employer and public liability insurance. The Hairdressers Registration Act of 1964 already provides for a UK register of qualified hairdressers and HMRC will investigate evidence suggesting businesses have misclassified individuals for tax purposes and Government collaborates closely with law enforcement to monitor criminal behaviour.The Government has no current plans to introduce further regulation of the hair industry, but we will always remain open to considering.

Pursuant to the Answer of 31 March 2025 to Question 42805 on Private Education, on what date she last visited a private school.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education prioritises visits to state schools, which serve 93% of pupils in England. The Secretary of State for Education and the wider Ministerial team visit a wide variety of education settings, including to private schools.

With reference to his oral evidence to the Health and Social Care Committee on 8 April 2025, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the redundancy package for staff being made redundant from NHS England (a) in total and (b) per integrated care board.

The detailed plans for realising efficiency gains from this process are being formulated by a joint Department and NHS England programme team, which will include the mechanisms and timings for any exit processes. Any costs will be offset by the savings delivered by having a more efficient and less bureaucratic centre. Further detail on the costs and benefits will be provided as this work develops.

With reference to his oral evidence to the Health and Social Care Committee on 8 April 2025, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the closure of NHS England (a) in total and (b) per integrated care board.

The detailed plans for realising efficiency gains from this process are being formulated by a joint Department and NHS England programme team, which will include the mechanisms and timings for any exit processes. Any costs will be offset by the savings delivered by having a more efficient and less bureaucratic centre. Further detail on the costs and benefits will be provided as this work develops.

What assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of integrated care boards in securing money for primary care expansion from Section 106 agreements.

The Department for Health and Social Care is working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government to extend our collective interactions in the planning process, from local plan making to negotiating developer contributions through updates to national guidance. This is alongside determining how developer contributions from new housing developments can be better used towards local health services and infrastructure.Integrated care boards have been building their capacity and capability, and in some areas working with expertise in NHS Property Services (NHSPS) to support health systems to navigate the planning system, to secure and use monies and other mitigations from developers as part of Section 106 (S106) agreements. The health ask will be considered alongside other priorities that local authorities are responsible for delivering in their area.National data on the collection and spending of S106 data is limited, with no comprehensive findings published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government since 2020, which makes assessing the trends difficult. The Department for Health and Social Care, NHS England, and NHSPS continue to work together to look at how we negotiate for S106 contributions and ensure that any secured contributions are spent in a timely manner.Integrated care systems’ estates infrastructure strategies have also been developed to create a long-term plan for future estate requirements and investment for each local area and its needs. These strategies take the existing and future general practice and primary care estate needs into account when considering how best to deliver local services when interacting with local planning authorities on all aspects of the planning process.

What assessment his Department has made of trends in the amount of money used for primary care expansion from Section 106 agreements.

The Department for Health and Social Care is working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government to extend our collective interactions in the planning process, from local plan making to negotiating developer contributions through updates to national guidance. This is alongside determining how developer contributions from new housing developments can be better used towards local health services and infrastructure.Integrated care boards have been building their capacity and capability, and in some areas working with expertise in NHS Property Services (NHSPS) to support health systems to navigate the planning system, to secure and use monies and other mitigations from developers as part of Section 106 (S106) agreements. The health ask will be considered alongside other priorities that local authorities are responsible for delivering in their area.National data on the collection and spending of S106 data is limited, with no comprehensive findings published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government since 2020, which makes assessing the trends difficult. The Department for Health and Social Care, NHS England, and NHSPS continue to work together to look at how we negotiate for S106 contributions and ensure that any secured contributions are spent in a timely manner.Integrated care systems’ estates infrastructure strategies have also been developed to create a long-term plan for future estate requirements and investment for each local area and its needs. These strategies take the existing and future general practice and primary care estate needs into account when considering how best to deliver local services when interacting with local planning authorities on all aspects of the planning process.

Whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the amount of money used for primary care expansion from Section 106 agreements.

The Department for Health and Social Care is working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government to extend our collective interactions in the planning process, from local plan making to negotiating developer contributions through updates to national guidance. This is alongside determining how developer contributions from new housing developments can be better used towards local health services and infrastructure.Integrated care boards have been building their capacity and capability, and in some areas working with expertise in NHS Property Services (NHSPS) to support health systems to navigate the planning system, to secure and use monies and other mitigations from developers as part of Section 106 (S106) agreements. The health ask will be considered alongside other priorities that local authorities are responsible for delivering in their area.National data on the collection and spending of S106 data is limited, with no comprehensive findings published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government since 2020, which makes assessing the trends difficult. The Department for Health and Social Care, NHS England, and NHSPS continue to work together to look at how we negotiate for S106 contributions and ensure that any secured contributions are spent in a timely manner.Integrated care systems’ estates infrastructure strategies have also been developed to create a long-term plan for future estate requirements and investment for each local area and its needs. These strategies take the existing and future general practice and primary care estate needs into account when considering how best to deliver local services when interacting with local planning authorities on all aspects of the planning process.

With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 8 April 2025, HCWS586, how many full-time equivalent GPs have been recruited since 1 October 2024.

Between 1 October 2024 and 28 February 2025, 851 fully qualified, full-time equivalent (FTE) general practitioners (GPs) have been recruited through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme. Between 30 September 2024 and 28 February 2025, the number of fully qualified, FTE GPs employed directly by practices has increased by 282. In total, the number of fully qualified, FTE GPs has increased by 1,134 over this period.