Written questions by Wrigley.

What steps he is taking to ensure Infected Blood Compensation Authority caseworkers and assessors are suitably trained to interpret complex medical records when determining compensation awards.

Dedicated claim managers are supporting individuals through the claim process and, depending on the data available to the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA), there may be some instances in which more information is asked for to complete a claim. In those instances, IBCA may be able to help source that information to relieve the burden on the person making the claim. I visited the IBCA team led by Sir Robert Francis earlier this year. I saw how determined they are for compensation to be paid out to victims as soon as possible. Additionally, all claims managers employed since October 2024 have received three weeks of trauma-informed training for the role.

Whether her Department plans to enforce statutory guidance on the cost of school uniforms.

The guidance on the cost of school uniforms is statutory and schools must have regard to it when designing and implementing their uniform policies. We expect all schools to now be compliant.If parents are concerned about the cost of their child’s school uniform, they should raise this with the school, including through the school’s published complaints process where necessary.If a parent is unhappy with the outcome of their complaint, they can raise this with the department. We will consider whether the uniform policy meets the requirements of the guidance.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 4 February 2025 to Question 26627 on Gulf of Mexico: Politics and Government, what terminology his Department plans to use in international documents when referring to the Gulf of Mexico.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office will continue to follow the guidance of the Permanent Committee on Geographical Names (PCGN) who advises His Majesty's Government on policies and procedures for the representation of geographical names for places and features outside the UK, excluding those of the Antarctic. For names of international maritime features beyond any sovereignty, PCGN usually advises reflecting the common English conventional name, which for this body of water is the 'Gulf of Mexico'.

What fiscal steps she plans to take to support small businesses with (a) energy prices, (b) inflation and (c) business rates.

At Autumn Budget the Government announced it was freezing the small businesses multiplier for 2025-26, and extending the retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) business rates relief for 1-year at 40% (up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business). This means over a million properties will be protected from inflationary increases. In 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. On energy prices, the Government supports businesses with electricity costs through the British Industrial Energy Supercharger. This is targeted towards businesses that are simultaneously more exposed to competition through trade and more impacted by higher energy prices. Currently the scheme saves businesses approximately 34% on electricity costs. The Bank of England has responsibility for sustainably returning inflation to the 2% target, and the Government is supporting them to control inflation by reducing borrowing year on year from 2025-26 and meeting the fiscal rules.

What steps his Department is taking to support high street businesses in competing with large online retailers.

We intend to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, including those on the high street, from 2026-27. This tax cut must be sustainably funded, and so we intend to apply a higher rate from 2026-27 on the most valuable properties - those with a Rateable Value of £500,000 and above. These represent less than one per cent of all properties, but include the majority of large distribution warehouses, including those used by online giants. Ahead of these changes being made, we have prevented RHL relief from ending in April 2025 by extending it for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business and frozen the small business multiplier. We are also working with businesses to understand their barriers to growth and High Streets will be a key pillar of our forthcoming Small Business Strategy.

Whether people eligible for the infected blood compensation scheme will retain access to (a) disability grants, (b) dependent children payments and (c) other support scheme benefits.

Any payments received from the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme are disregarded from means tested benefit assessments. This means that compensation payments made through the Scheme will not adversely impact on the means tested benefits received by either infected or affected people. Those currently on the Infected Blood Support Schemes will continue to receive their discretionary payments until they receive a compensation offer from IBCA. The compensation will take into account any discretionary payments received under the support schemes when calculating a compensation award.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to protect landscapes with literal heritage in Devon.

Much of England's culturally rich landscapes and the literary heritage they represent are found in our National Parks, The Broads and National Landscapes. These Protected Landscapes are already specifically designated and managed to conserve and enhance their natural beauty and important cultural associations, including relevant literature and the sites which inspired it, as key components of the natural beauty of the area. Protected Landscapes are extensively protected as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework which gives ‘great weight’ to the landscape and scenic beauty of Protected Landscapes. In addition local authorities are able to formally identify areas of local landscape value in local plans and the historic literary importance of a place can already be taken into account in development decisions.

What recent discussions she has had with Big Brother Watch on the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill 2025.

The Department has extensively engaged a range of stakeholders on the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill.This includes holding regular forums, which both Disability Rights UK and Big Brother Watch have attended, to provide stakeholders with the latest information on Bill measures and invite questions and feedback.

Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with the EU on touring artists.

The UK Government remains in constructive dialogue with the EU on tackling the challenges facing UK musicians and their support staff when touring in the EU, as well as other EU reset priorities. Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds and European trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič have been tasked with moving discussions forward and leaders will take stock at the UK-EU Summit in May.On 7 April, the Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism, Chris Bryant, attended the Informal Meeting for EU Culture Ministers in Warsaw, as a guest of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. This is the first time a UK minister has been invited to such a meeting since the UK’s exit from the EU. Minister Bryant used the opportunity to forge closer, more cooperative ties with his EU counterparts, including on matters related to touring. The Minister and senior DCMS officials had previously engaged EU counterparts on this bilaterally, including from the EU Commission, Poland, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark and Sweden.Our aim is to identify practical solutions to ensure that UK artists can continue to perform across Europe with minimal barriers while respecting the regulatory frameworks on both sides.

What information his Department holds on (a) when the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency plans to publish guidance on regulatory process for phage therapy use; and (b) whether that guidance will help reduce regulation on phage therapy research.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is preparing the draft guidance, Regulatory considerations for therapeutic use of bacteriophages in the United Kingdom, which will be published in the second quarter of 2025.Regulation of medicines in the UK is undertaken by the MHRA in accordance with the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 (SI 2012/1916) (as amended), thereby ensuring compliance with statutory obligations relating to the manufacture, distribution, sale, labelling, advertising, and promotion of medicines.The purpose of the guidance is to address regulatory considerations applicable to the use, in the UK, of bacteriophages for therapeutic purposes in humans, whether as licensed or unlicensed medicinal products.

Whether she has had recent discussions with Disability Rights UK on the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill 2025.

The Department has extensively engaged a range of stakeholders on the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill.This includes holding regular forums, which both Disability Rights UK and Big Brother Watch have attended, to provide stakeholders with the latest information on Bill measures and invite questions and feedback.

If she will take steps to publish an updated impact assessment on the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill.

The Department published its Impact Assessment with the introduction of this Bill on the 22nd January 2025. It can be found here: ImpactAssessment.pdf.The Department has committed to produce a further Impact Assessment for the Eligibility Verification Measure within 12 months of Royal Assent of the Bill. There are no plans to provide a further Impact Assessment of other measures in the Bill beyond usual procedures.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2025 to Question 37400, if she will publish the (a) minutes and (b) attendees of meetings with private parking companies before the Westminster Hall debate on 6 May 2025.

Pursuant to my answer to Question UIN 39208 on 25 March 2025, as part of the government’s ongoing work to introduce a Code of Practice for Private Parking Operators, officials speak regularly with the two Private Parking Trade Associations.I am due to have meetings with the two parking Trade Associations next month.

Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 3 April 2025 to Question 41541 on Youth Services: Finance, if she will issue new guidance to local authorities on the provision of youth services in the context of proposed changes to funding for those services.

In 2023, DCMS published updated statutory guidance to support local authorities’ understanding of the existing statutory duty on the provision of youth services and how to deliver it. That duty, and therefore local authorities’ responsibilities, have not changed. As such, we have no plans to issue new guidance to local authorities at this time.However, since 2023 we have been funding peer reviews to help Local Authorities learn from each other on the best approaches to youth service provision. The Local Youth Transformation pilot will also test a new way of working and supporting local authorities, providing a package of support to assess, improve and develop impactful local youth offers. We will launch the pilot in 2025/26 and further details will be shared in due course.

With reference to the oral contribution of the hon. Member for Hazel Grove in Home Office oral questions on 31 March 2025, Official report, Column 19, whether Ukrainian refugees resident in the UK will be able to stay beyond the expiry of their visas.

The UK has offered or extended sanctuary to over 300,000 Ukrainians and their families under the Ukraine Schemes, thanks to the immense generosity of the British public. We are determined to continue to provide stability for those we have welcomed to the UK and who still need our sanctuary.The Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme, which opened to applications on 4 February 2025, provides up to an additional 18 months’ permission to stay in the UK for those with existing Ukraine Scheme permission.We recognise the Ukrainian government’s desire for the future return of its citizens to Ukraine. It is important our approach respects these wishes.This is why our offer of temporary sanctuary under the Ukraine Schemes does not lead to settlement in the UK. Similarly, time spent in the UK with permission granted under the Ukraine Schemes cannot be relied upon towards the continuous qualifying period for the purposes of a Long Residence application. This applies to holders of Ukraine Scheme permission regardless of nationality. There are other routes available for those who wish to settle in the UK permanently, if they meet the requirements.Registration or naturalisation as a British citizen is available to a Ukrainian national in the same way as other nationals, if they meet the statutory requirements.Those granted permission under one of the Ukraine Schemes, which provide full rights to work and study, can apply to switch into other visa routes for which they qualify, including work and global talent visas.We continue to keep the Ukraine schemes under review in line with the ongoing conflict.

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 April 2025 to Question 41244 on Special Educational Needs: Schools, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of local authorities not complying with that advice.

The ‘Special educational needs and disabilities code of practice’ is statutory guidance issued by the department. Where a local authority does not comply with a statutory duty, such as reviewing a child or young person’s education, health and care (EHC) plan at least every 12 months, parents can complain to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) after following the local authority’s formal complaints procedure. The LGSCO is able to look at how the local authority has carried out its statutory duties in relation to EHC plans. The department holds local authorities to account for delivery of their special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services through joint inspections by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission. These inspections place a greater emphasis on the outcomes being achieved for children and young people. They are the primary tool to maintain a focus on high standards in the SEND system across all partners.

What recent discussions she has had with GWR on ticket offices in Devon.

The Department expects all train operating companies to use reasonable endeavours to meet their obligations for regulated staffed ticket office opening hours under Schedule 17 of the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement. As such, we regularly review ticket office opening hours compliance.

With reference to the oral contribution of the hon. Member for Hazel Grove in Home Office oral questions on 31 March 2025, Official report, Column 19, if she will (a) extend the Ukrainian Permission Extension scheme beyond 18 months and (b) create a pathway to UK citizenship for resident Ukrainians.

The UK has offered or extended sanctuary to over 300,000 Ukrainians and their families under the Ukraine Schemes, thanks to the immense generosity of the British public. We are determined to continue to provide stability for those we have welcomed to the UK and who still need our sanctuary.The Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme, which opened to applications on 4 February 2025, provides up to an additional 18 months’ permission to stay in the UK for those with existing Ukraine Scheme permission.We recognise the Ukrainian government’s desire for the future return of its citizens to Ukraine. It is important our approach respects these wishes.This is why our offer of temporary sanctuary under the Ukraine Schemes does not lead to settlement in the UK. Similarly, time spent in the UK with permission granted under the Ukraine Schemes cannot be relied upon towards the continuous qualifying period for the purposes of a Long Residence application. This applies to holders of Ukraine Scheme permission regardless of nationality. There are other routes available for those who wish to settle in the UK permanently, if they meet the requirements.Registration or naturalisation as a British citizen is available to a Ukrainian national in the same way as other nationals, if they meet the statutory requirements.Those granted permission under one of the Ukraine Schemes, which provide full rights to work and study, can apply to switch into other visa routes for which they qualify, including work and global talent visas.We continue to keep the Ukraine schemes under review in line with the ongoing conflict.

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 April 2025 to Question 41337 on Dangerous Dogs, what steps he is taking to improve health outcomes for people who are victims of dog bites.

The National Health Service provides advice on what to do after an animal bite, which is available at the following link:https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/animal-and-human-bites/Individuals who have been bitten by an animal and are concerned should seek medical assistance.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of US tariffs on the UK fishing industry.

We know that this will be a concerning time for UK businesses. That is why the Government has been focused on negotiating an economic deal with the US and we remain committed to these discussions. We are resolute in our support for industry across the whole of the UK, and we will continue to engage with seafood businesses to assess and understand the impact of these tariffs. In addition, on 3 April the Government launched a Request for Input from businesses to help inform the UK’s response to US tariffs.