Written questions by Goldman.

If her Department will consider the treatment of LGBTQ+ refugees when assessing enforced returns to countries with newly established regimes, particularly where a change of government has not resulted in improved protections for LGBTQ+ people.

All asylum and human rights claims including those based on sexual orientation and gender identity are carefully considered on their individual merits in accordance with our international obligations. Each individual assessment is made against the background of relevant case law and the latest available country of origin information. This is based on evidence taken from a wide range of reliable sources, including reputable media outlets; local, national, and international organisations, including human rights organisations; and information from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office. Our assessment of the situation of a given group in a given country, is set out in the relevant country policy and information note, which is available on Country policy and information notes - GOV.UK.When someone applies for settlement, we review the situation in their country to assess whether they still need protection. Those who no longer need protection can return home in safety or apply to stay under other provisions of the Immigration Rules.We will not remove anyone to any country where they will face persecution or serious harm.

With reference to the removal of ring-fenced funding for maternity services at Integrated Care Board level, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that maternity safety improvements are maintained.

The Government has instructed the National Health Service to improve maternity services, as part of a drive to improve quality, as a priority in the Medium‑Term Planning Framework.While the ringfence has been removed, the same level of funding is being delivered to allow local healthcare system leaders more autonomy to meet the needs of their local population. This approach is consistent with our wider approach to give local healthcare leaders, who are best placed to decide how to serve their local community, more flexibility.Baroness Amos is leading a rapid, independent investigation in NHS Maternity and Neonatal services to help us understand the systemic issues behind why so many women, babies and families experience unacceptable care. The investigation will look into the maternity and neonatal system nationally, bringing together the findings of past reviews into one clear national set of recommendations. This will also include local investigations of maternity and neonatal services in selected trusts.On 9 December, Baroness Amos published reflections on what she has heard so far as part of the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation, following engagement with women and families. Baroness Amos’ reflections and initial findings are available at the following link:https://www.matneoinv.org.uk/

When his Department plans to publish the review of adult gender services.

We know that adults questioning their gender face long waiting lists for a first appointment at National Health Service adult gender services.Dr David Levy’s Review of NHS Adult Gender Dysphoria Clinics will identify areas for improvement in relation to service quality, good practice that could be shared with other clinics, and any support that should be made available to services to assist improvement.NHS England aims to publish the Review of Adult Gender Services in due course.

If he will take steps to ensure that dentists have adequate knowledge and training to treat people born with cleft (a) lips and (b) palates.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for Yeovil on 20 November 2025 to Question 90537.

Whether his Department collects data on (a) dental access and (b) treatment outcomes for people born with a cleft lip and/or palate.

Data is not held centrally on dental access and treatment outcomes for people born with a cleft. We recognise that certain groups of patients may be more vulnerable to oral health problems, including patients with clefts.NHS England commissions services for children, young people, and adults with a cleft lip and/or palate. The patient pathway can start from pre-birth and continues into adulthood. Cleft services provide care through multi-disciplinary teams, and the comprehensive care pathway will include elements such as paediatric dentistry, restorative dentistry, and orthodontics. A copy of the Cleft Lip and/or Palate Services including Non-Cleft Velopharyngeal Dysfunction (VPD) (All Ages) Service Specification is attached.

What his Department’s timescale is for the publication of data on incidences of corridor care.

The Government is committed to tackling the corridor care in our National Health Service. Our Urgent and Emergency Care Plan, published in June, set out the steps we are taking to improve accident and emergency waiting times, including the commitment to publish data on the prevalence of corridor care. NHS England has been working with trusts to put in place new reporting arrangements related to the use of corridor care, to drive improvement. The data quality is currently being reviewed, and the information will be published shortly.

What steps he is taking to ensure that hospitals have sufficient capacity for patients.

Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning healthcare services, including hospitals, to meet the needs of their local populations. We are asking trusts to place a special focus on reducing bed occupancy ahead of Christmas, creating additional capacity and improving patient flow.The New Hospital Programme (NHP) will build “right-sized” hospitals, based on robust assumptions appropriate for local health needs that support the shift from hospital to community. The NHP has developed a National Health Service demand and capacity model which reflects changes in demographics, including predictions for population growth, which will underpin assumptions when right-sizing hospitals. The NHP Plan for Implementation, published on the GOV.UK website, sets out the delivery timeline for the schemes in the programme. Further information on the NHP Plan for Implementation is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-hospital-programme-review-outcome/new-hospital-programme-plan-for-implementation

What steps he is taking to ensure that people born with cleft (a) lips and (b) palates have access to appropriate dental care.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for Eastleigh on 21 November 2025 to Question 89684.

For what reason pensions were not included in the original Windrush Compensation Scheme.

We continue to listen and respond to feedback from affected communities and stakeholders, including the Windrush Commissioner, to improve how the Scheme operates. We are committed to awarding the maximum amount at the earliest point possible and doing so with compassion and understanding.On 24 October 2025, the Home Secretary announced a series of significant changes to the Windrush Compensation Scheme, including compensation for losses to occupational and personal pensions.We are working at pace to implement these changes. Updated rules and caseworker guidance will be published as soon as possible. Once the new rules go live, all changes will be applied retrospectively. A dedicated team will review previously concluded claims to identify those who may benefit from the updates.If a claimant or claimant’s family disagree with the outcome of their claim, they can request a review of the decision.We will be launching a consultation on our earned settlement proposals later this year. Everyone will be welcome to participate. There are no plans to change eligibility for the right of abode in the UK. Members of the Windrush generation who do not have proof of their lawful status in the UK can continue to apply to the Windrush Scheme to obtain this.

If she will make it her policy to exclude Windrush claimants from her proposed changes to the eligibility criteria for (a) Indefinite Leave to Remain and (b) Right of Abode.

We continue to listen and respond to feedback from affected communities and stakeholders, including the Windrush Commissioner, to improve how the Scheme operates. We are committed to awarding the maximum amount at the earliest point possible and doing so with compassion and understanding.On 24 October 2025, the Home Secretary announced a series of significant changes to the Windrush Compensation Scheme, including compensation for losses to occupational and personal pensions.We are working at pace to implement these changes. Updated rules and caseworker guidance will be published as soon as possible. Once the new rules go live, all changes will be applied retrospectively. A dedicated team will review previously concluded claims to identify those who may benefit from the updates.If a claimant or claimant’s family disagree with the outcome of their claim, they can request a review of the decision.We will be launching a consultation on our earned settlement proposals later this year. Everyone will be welcome to participate. There are no plans to change eligibility for the right of abode in the UK. Members of the Windrush generation who do not have proof of their lawful status in the UK can continue to apply to the Windrush Scheme to obtain this.

With reference to the news story entitled Windrush compensation scheme overhaul to deliver faster justice, published on 24 October 2025, when she expects pension losses to be added to the awards of Windrush Compensation Scheme claimants.

We continue to listen and respond to feedback from affected communities and stakeholders, including the Windrush Commissioner, to improve how the Scheme operates. We are committed to awarding the maximum amount at the earliest point possible and doing so with compassion and understanding.On 24 October 2025, the Home Secretary announced a series of significant changes to the Windrush Compensation Scheme, including compensation for losses to occupational and personal pensions.We are working at pace to implement these changes. Updated rules and caseworker guidance will be published as soon as possible. Once the new rules go live, all changes will be applied retrospectively. A dedicated team will review previously concluded claims to identify those who may benefit from the updates.If a claimant or claimant’s family disagree with the outcome of their claim, they can request a review of the decision.We will be launching a consultation on our earned settlement proposals later this year. Everyone will be welcome to participate. There are no plans to change eligibility for the right of abode in the UK. Members of the Windrush generation who do not have proof of their lawful status in the UK can continue to apply to the Windrush Scheme to obtain this.

If she will take steps to ensure that Windrush (a) claimants and (b) claimants' families can ask for their cases to be reviewed if they believe that the level of compensation they have been awarded is incorrect.

We continue to listen and respond to feedback from affected communities and stakeholders, including the Windrush Commissioner, to improve how the Scheme operates. We are committed to awarding the maximum amount at the earliest point possible and doing so with compassion and understanding.On 24 October 2025, the Home Secretary announced a series of significant changes to the Windrush Compensation Scheme, including compensation for losses to occupational and personal pensions.We are working at pace to implement these changes. Updated rules and caseworker guidance will be published as soon as possible. Once the new rules go live, all changes will be applied retrospectively. A dedicated team will review previously concluded claims to identify those who may benefit from the updates.If a claimant or claimant’s family disagree with the outcome of their claim, they can request a review of the decision.We will be launching a consultation on our earned settlement proposals later this year. Everyone will be welcome to participate. There are no plans to change eligibility for the right of abode in the UK. Members of the Windrush generation who do not have proof of their lawful status in the UK can continue to apply to the Windrush Scheme to obtain this.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support the work of the British Council.

The British Council plays a crucial role supporting the UK’s interests around the world, including helping people to learn English, and promoting British arts, culture and education. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is providing over £160 million Grant-in-Aid to the Council this year, which underlines our continued support for their important work.

What steps his Department is taking to help (a) increase capacity and (b) reduce inequalities in accessing respiratory diagnosis.

The Government is committed to increasing the capacity of respiratory services and is improving access to these services through new community diagnostic centres (CDCs).All standard and large CDCs are required to offer diagnostic respiratory tests such as spirometry and full lung function tests as part of their core testing offer.The 2025/26 capital guidance confirmed that £1.65 billion of capital funding is being allocated to support National Health Service performance across secondary and emergency care across 2025/26 more broadly. This includes funding to enable the completion of 2024/25 CDC schemes, as well as to expand existing and build new CDCs.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of removing the requirement for landlords to apply for at least five parking spaces to qualify for the electric vehicle infrastructure grant.

The requirement for landlords to apply for at least five parking spaces applies to the Staff and Fleets and Residential Landlords infrastructure grants within the Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant (EVCG). The requirement is in place to encourage landlords to consider future needs when installing charging infrastructure in commercial and residential car parks. The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles continually monitors and reviews grants to optimise delivery and value for money.

Whether his Department will take steps to help ensure that health (a) boards and (b) trusts (i) collect and (ii) publish data on the provision of respiratory diagnostics.

Activity and waiting times for the main respiratory tests, for instance spirometry and lung function tests, are not included in the National Diagnostic Activity and Waiting Times Collection.However, NHS England undertakes a number of internal assurance data collection exercises on activity and waiting times. The National Diagnostic Programme undertakes an annual snap-shot data collection on respiratory diagnostics to understand the levels of activity and waiting times for a range of respiratory tests within trusts across England.NHS England’s Respiratory Programme, in collaboration with national stakeholders, has also developed a standardised spirometry data capture template. This tool is designed to support integrated care boards in consistently recording and reporting spirometry activity, enabling improved oversight, service planning, and equitable access to respiratory diagnostics.There are no current plans to publish these collections.

What steps he is taking to ensure that the Warm Home Discount is provided to eligible claimants who have their bills included in their rent.

Earlier this year, the Government consulted on broadening Warm Home Discount eligibility to include households whose energy costs are included in their rent. However, it was not feasible to take this forward without increasing the cost of the scheme for all consumers. We recognise the challenges this presents and continue to keep eligibility under review. We recognise the importance of ensuring that those in rented accommodation live in warm, energy-efficient homes. This is why we recently consulted on raising minimum energy efficiency standards in the private rented sector. We received a significant number of responses and will publish our response in due course.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending ring-fenced support for (a) nutritious meals and (b) food education to all early years settings.

This government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity and tackling child poverty. Our landmark Child Poverty Strategy tackles the root causes of poverty by cutting the cost of essentials, boosting family incomes and improving local services so that every child can have the best start in life.Removing the two-child limit will lift 450,000 children out of poverty, rising to around 550,000 alongside other measures, such as expanding free school meals to all children in households receiving Universal Credit from September 2026.This will deliver the largest expected reduction in child poverty over a Parliament since comparable records began and will also apply to children in school-based nurseries and maintained nursery schools.Under the early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework, any meals, snacks and drinks provided must be healthy, balanced and nutritious. The department has published new EYFS nutrition guidance, and the ‘Help for early years providers’ website offers resources on food activities and sensory food education. The EYFS guidance is available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6839b752210698b3364e86fc/Early_years_foundation_stage_nutrition_guidance.pdf.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing single-parent specific work coaches.

Parents claiming Universal Credit have support from Work Coaches, who provide individual, tailored help to all customers across the country. This includes supporting the development of skills needed to look for and obtain sustained employment, advice to parents on childcare support and funding through Flexible Support Fund to remove immediate barriers to employment. We are also considering how we can improve our employment support to parents as part of our Child Poverty Strategy.

What steps he is taking to help ensure that children are safeguarded in cases where allegations of parental abuse have been made but no formal legal restrictions are yet in place.

The welfare of children is the paramount concern in family proceedings.Established multi-agency safeguarding arrangements are in place to ensure that children are protected swiftly and effectively in both public and private family proceedings. Where needed, there are clear referral routes for communicating cases to Local Authorities. These procedures ensure that concerns about the immediate welfare of children are identified and escalated promptly with the appropriate agencies.This government is delivering a package of reform to the family courts to ensure that children continue to be safeguarded and supported. This includes the expansion of the Pathfinder programme, which promotes child safeguarding through early multi-agency collaboration, expert domestic abuse support, and greater emphasis on the voice of the child.