Written questions by Wrigley.

Whether his Department has make an assessment of the potential merits of reviewing the prescription charge exemption list to increase the support for patients with chronic illness.

There are no current plans to review the list of prescription charge exemptions or the list of medical conditions that entitle someone to apply for a medical exemption certificate.There are extensive arrangements in place in England to ensure that prescriptions are affordable for everyone. Approximately 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge in the community in England, and there is a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place, for which those with rheumatoid arthritis may be eligible. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, whether they have a qualifying medical condition, or whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.People on low incomes can apply for help with their health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) are also available. PPCs allow people to claim as many prescriptions as they need for a set cost, with three-month and 12-month certificates available. The 12-month PPC can be paid for in instalments.

Communities and Local Government, what meetings she has had with the private parking industry since 5 July 2024.

The Government is committed to delivering a single Code of Practice for private parking companies to follow, as part of this process we will undergo a public consultation to assess the impact of the Code. We are currently reviewing all options and will announce our plans regarding the code in due course. My officials meet regularly with the two private parking trade associations and consumer groups and I am due to meet with them soon.

If she will extend Ukrainian’s UK student visas.

Those granted further permission to remain in the UK under the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme will receive the same rights and entitlements to access work, benefits, healthcare and education as provided under the existing Ukraine Schemes.Individuals with permission under one of the Ukraine schemes have access to standard immigration routes to remain in the UK once their permission expires, in order to complete higher education courses they commence during their initial period of permission.Individuals will have continued access to student support and home fee status where they can show they have been granted further leave to remain in the UK.

If he will take steps to strengthen the Orphan drug regulations to encourage research into rare diseases.

The Human Medicines Regulations include specific incentives to support orphan medicines, designed to encourage the development of medicines for rare diseases. The regulations enable the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to grant orphan designation to a medicine intended for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a rare condition. This orphan designation provides the product with a period of market exclusivity for the specified condition, preventing similar competitor medicines from entering the market during this time. The MHRA further supports developers of orphan medicines by offering a full or partial refund of the marketing authorisation fee following a positive orphan designation. There is evidence that the regulations for orphan medicines do support development, with approximately 150 medicines having been successfully developed and authorised for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of rare diseases and given orphan designation in the United Kingdom. The MHRA will continue to review its approach to orphan medicines and, where necessary, will propose updates to the criteria to further encourage research into rare diseases, to improve patient outcomes.

What estimate his Department has made of the potential impact of the level of NHS prescription charges on (a) patients' health outcomes and (b) numbers of (i) hospital admissions and (ii) GP visits.

The Department has made no assessment of the impact of prescription charges on patients’ health outcomes, or the number of hospital admissions or general practice visits. The Department does not hold data on the number of individuals not taking prescribed medications due to cost.Approximately 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge in the community in England, and there are a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place to help those with the greatest need. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, whether they have a qualifying medical condition, or whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.People with certain long-term medical conditions may qualify for a medical exemption, which entitles them to claim free prescriptions. Medical exemption is a long-standing exemption from prescription charges, which covers all the patient’s prescriptions, not just those for the qualifying condition. A list of the qualifying medical conditions and information on how to apply for a medical exemption certificate is available at the following link:www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/medexPeople on low incomes can apply for help with their health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme. People who need multiple prescription items and who do not qualify for an exemption, or the NHS Low Income Scheme, could save money with a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC). PPCs allow people to claim as many prescriptions as they need for a set cost, with three-month and 12-month certificates available, and the 12-month PPC can be paid for in direct debit instalments.

If he will make an assessment of his Department's adherence to Access to Work scheme guidelines, published in May 2024, when working with outside organisations providing one-to-one job coaches in Devon.

Access to Work adheres to the scheme guidelines when working with outside organisations providing one to one job coaches., A job coach is a person who gives specialised on-site support to someone disabled who has a job to start and will assist the employee to learn the job and keep the job. The scheme guidelines are applicable to all areas in England, Wales and Scotland.

Communities and Local Government, if she will publish an impact assessment for the private parking code of practice.

The Government is committed to delivering a single Code of Practice for private parking companies to follow, as part of this process we will undergo a public consultation to assess the impact of the Code. We are currently reviewing all options and will announce our plans regarding the code in due course. My officials meet regularly with the two private parking trade associations and consumer groups and I am due to meet with them soon.

Whether he plans to ensure patients can (a) get better access to and (b) find out about (i) research and (ii) clinical trials for rare cancers.

The Department is committed to maximising our potential to lead the world in clinical trials and ensuring that clinical trials are more accessible.The Department funded National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funds research and research infrastructure, which supports patients and the public to participate in high-quality research, including clinical research on rare cancers. NIHR research expenditure for all cancers was £133 million in 2023/24, reflecting its high priority. These investments are pivotal to informing efforts to improve cancer prevention, treatment, and outcomes, including for rare cancers.The NIHR provides an online service called Be Part of Research, which promotes participation in health and social care research, including research into rare cancers, by allowing users to search for relevant studies and register their interest. This makes it easier for people to find and take part in health and care research that is relevant to them.

Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to establish a single code of practice for private parking.

The Government is committed to delivering a single Code of Practice for private parking companies to follow, as part of this process we will undergo a public consultation to assess the impact of the Code. We are currently reviewing all options and will announce our plans regarding the code in due course. My officials meet regularly with the two private parking trade associations and consumer groups and I am due to meet with them soon.

If he will take steps with Cabinet colleagues to require regulators to help support businesses to meet their fiduciary responsibilities to (a) employees and (b) the environment.

Under Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006, directors have a fiduciary duty to have regard in their decision-making to the interests of their employees and the impact of the company’s operations on the environment. Large companies must report annually on how they have fulfilled this duty and the audit and reporting regulator, the Financial Reporting Council, provides best practice guidance on Section 172 reporting.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to the Egyptian Government on consular access for Alaa Abd el-Fattah.

The UK Government continues to raise Mr Alaa Abd El-Fattah's case at the highest levels with the Egyptian government. We have been consistently clear in calling for his release and continue to press for consular access. The Prime Minister raised the case in a phone call with President Sisi on 28 February 2025 and previously wrote to President Sisi on 26 December 2024 and 8 January 2025. The Foreign Secretary raised this case with the Egyptian Foreign Minister on 23 January 2025; I raised the case with the Egyptian Ambassador to London on 18 February 2025. National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell raised this with the Egyptian Foreign Minister on 2 January 2025.

If he will appoint a named lead in the Department with a responsibility to support research and innovation for rare cancers.

There are no plans to appoint a named lead within the Department for this purpose as the Department supports research and innovation for rare cancers, and other conditions, through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why the Department spends £1.6 billion each year on research through the NIHR, with cancer as one of the largest areas of investment, at over £133 million in 2023/24, reflecting its high priority.The development and delivery of research for rare cancers is supported and enabled nationwide through the NIHR’s infrastructure, including the NIHR Research Delivery Network, the NIHR Clinical Research Facilities, the NIHR Biomedical Research Centres, the NIHR HealthTech Research Centres, the Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, and the newly designated NIHR Commercial Research Delivery Centres. These all support the delivery of clinical research through facilities, staff resource, collaborations, and funding.

Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to create a single independent appeals process for parking.

The Government is committed to delivering a single Code of Practice for private parking companies to follow, as part of this process we will undergo a public consultation to assess the impact of the Code. We are currently reviewing all options and will announce our plans regarding the code in due course. My officials meet regularly with the two private parking trade associations and consumer groups and I am due to meet with them soon.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of prescription charges on patients with long-term health conditions; and whether he has made an estimate of the number individuals not taking prescribed medications due to cost.

The Department has made no assessment of the impact of prescription charges on patients’ health outcomes, or the number of hospital admissions or general practice visits. The Department does not hold data on the number of individuals not taking prescribed medications due to cost.Approximately 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge in the community in England, and there are a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place to help those with the greatest need. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, whether they have a qualifying medical condition, or whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.People with certain long-term medical conditions may qualify for a medical exemption, which entitles them to claim free prescriptions. Medical exemption is a long-standing exemption from prescription charges, which covers all the patient’s prescriptions, not just those for the qualifying condition. A list of the qualifying medical conditions and information on how to apply for a medical exemption certificate is available at the following link:www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/medexPeople on low incomes can apply for help with their health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme. People who need multiple prescription items and who do not qualify for an exemption, or the NHS Low Income Scheme, could save money with a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC). PPCs allow people to claim as many prescriptions as they need for a set cost, with three-month and 12-month certificates available, and the 12-month PPC can be paid for in direct debit instalments.

With reference to her Department's guidance entitled, Universal Credit: further information for families, updated on 18 December 2024, how her Department defines the terms (a) available, (b) free, (c) appropriate and (d) affordable childcare.

There is no prescribed definition for the terms available, free, appropriate and affordable childcare. The work coach will work with the claimant to understand how childcare is preventing them from undertaking work related activities and make necessary adjustments.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of Elon Musk's business interests in connection with his role as head of the US Department of Government Efficiency on UK national security.

The appointment of US officials is a matter for the US and not one in which we have a role. We have no plans to make an assessment along the lines proposed. The UK-US relationship has been the cornerstone of our security and prosperity for over a century. When the Prime Minister visited the White House on 27 February 2025, he discussed with President Trump the depth of the special relationship and their commitment to shared security and prosperity.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help support businesses to meet their legal duties to the environment.

The Environment Agency appointed a new Chief Regulator, to deliver Government priorities to support business and sustainable economic growth, and ensure environmental regulation is future focused, effective and trusted. A key part of the Chief Regulator’s role is to act as a critical friend to the Environment Agency, ensuring the organisation is making the improvements it needs to and holding it to account. The new Chief Regulator’s report 2023-24 introduces the role of Chief Regulator. It summarises the performance of those it regulates, its own performance as a regulator, and changes needed to respond to a changing environment and support Government priorities.

What steps he is taking to support women in the armed forces.

Following the July 2021 House of Commons Defence Committee report into Women in the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defence has delivered a range of initiatives to improve the experience of women in the Armed Forces. Key actions have been taken to combat unacceptable sexual behaviour, with two Zero Tolerance policies and a Sexual Exploitation and Abuse policy; improvements have been made to women’s health and wellbeing with new policies on menopause and breastfeeding, emergency sanitary provision, sports bras and a urinary support device; together with improved female fit uniform and equipment (including body armour); greater career flexibility; and improved access to childcare through the Wraparound Childcare scheme. Related work has reformed the Service Complaints System to improve confidence and efficiency. The Service Justice System is more victim focussed, having established the Defence Serious Crime Unit and the Victim and Witness Care Unit in 2023. The Raising our Standards Team will continue to focus on driving more inclusive behaviours. In addition, new initiatives are being developed on women’s health to better prepare them for arduous training as well as an increased focus on bringing a gender perspective to the future development of existing equipment and uniform. The Armed Forces Commissioner Bill will establish an independent champion for our Serving personnel and their families. This a new, unprecedented post that will serve as a direct point of contact for Service personnel and their families to raise general service welfare matters.

Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will publish data on consumption emissions.

Defra publish the Carbon Footprint for the UK – including UK consumption emission figures. The latest data is available up to 2021 here : Carbon footprint for the UK and England to 2021 - GOV.UK.

If he will fully implement the recommendations of the Atherton report.

Following the July 2021 House of Commons Defence Committee report into Women in the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defence has delivered a range of initiatives to improve the experience of women in the Armed Forces. Key actions have been taken to combat unacceptable sexual behaviour, with two Zero Tolerance policies and a Sexual Exploitation and Abuse policy; improvements have been made to women’s health and wellbeing with new policies on menopause and breastfeeding, emergency sanitary provision, sports bras and a urinary support device; together with improved female fit uniform and equipment (including body armour); greater career flexibility; and improved access to childcare through the Wraparound Childcare scheme. Related work has reformed the Service Complaints System to improve confidence and efficiency. The Service Justice System is more victim focussed, having established the Defence Serious Crime Unit and the Victim and Witness Care Unit in 2023. The Raising our Standards Team will continue to focus on driving more inclusive behaviours. In addition, new initiatives are being developed on women’s health to better prepare them for arduous training as well as an increased focus on bringing a gender perspective to the future development of existing equipment and uniform. The Armed Forces Commissioner Bill will establish an independent champion for our Serving personnel and their families. This a new, unprecedented post that will serve as a direct point of contact for Service personnel and their families to raise general service welfare matters.