Written questions by Onn.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of variations between integrated care boards for access to free Lyft shots on the management of Type 1 diabetes; and whether he has plans to ensure equal access to those medicines across England.

The Department has not made a specific assessment. Decisions on the prescribing of medicines in England are a matter for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). NICE has published advice on the management of Type 1 Diabetes, including advice on managing acute hypoglycaemia. This is available at the following link: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/diabetes-type-1/management/ Glucose gels, such as Lift shots, are available on prescription for Type 1 diabetes hypoglycaemia episodes if deemed clinically appropriate and with regard to national guidance.

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of probation staff pay, in the context of the (a) workload and (b) public safety responsibilities of probation staff.

We are committed to supporting probation staff and value their hard work, commitment and dedication. We recognise that fair and competitive pay is essential not only for staff wellbeing and retention, but also for maintaining the resilience of the Probation Service in its critical public safety role.In recent years, we have made significant investments in pay through a multi-year pay deal (2022–2025), which provided certainty in pay increases and addressed longstanding structural issues. In June 2025, we secured exceptional agreement to pay the Competency Based Framework (CBF) Progression element of the award to eligible staff, recognising their contribution during a period of exceptional operational pressure.We are currently working with senior leaders, ministers and recognised Trade Unions to agree the best possible outcome for the 2025/26 pay award, in line with Civil Service Pay Remit Guidance and our priorities for attraction and retention.We also recognise the link between pay, workload and public safety. To address workload pressures, we have implemented initiatives such as “Probation Reset” and “Impact” and launched the “Our Future Probation Service” programme, which aims to reduce workload by 25% by April 2027. Recruitment remains a priority, with significant numbers of probation officer trainees onboarded in 2024/25 and a commitment to onboard a further 1,300 by March 2026.These efforts are supported by a new wellbeing support model across HMPPS, including regional plans such as the Midlands wellbeing strategy, to ensure staff are supported in delivering their vital public safety responsibilities.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of gluten free prescribing provision for people with coeliac disease.

No recent assessment has been made by the Department. However, a review was undertaken in 2019, which confirmed that the position in England remains that gluten free (GF) bread and mixes can be provided to all eligible coeliac patients on a National Health Service prescription. A wide range of these items continues to be listed in Part XV of the Drug Tariff.NHS England developed guidance on Prescribing Gluten Free Foods in Primary Care in 2018 which states that NHS commissioners can restrict the prescribing of GF foods to bread and mixes only. Under the current legislation, integrated care boards may choose to further restrict product choice, or end prescribing of GF foods altogether, if they feel this is appropriate for their population, whilst taking account of their legal duties to advance equality and having regard to reducing health inequalities. NHS England currently has no plans to update the guidance.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support UK exporters of Category 3 fishmeal and fish oil facing delays at EU Border Control Posts.

Defra actively supports GB exporters of Category 3 fishmeal and fish oil to navigate EU Border Control Post processes. To assist exporters, Defra has issued detailed Notes for Guidance outlining the certification process, including specific requirements that must be met to ensure compliance with EU legislation.

Food and Rural Affairs, how often physical sampling checks are applied by the Service d’Inspection Vétérinaire Et Phytosanitaire to UK consignments of Category 3 fishmeal and fish oil exported through Calais; how long those checks take; and what representations she has made to her French counterpart on those checks.

The baseline frequency rate for physical checks on consignments of fishery products, is set out in EU legislation, though this may be increased where serious deficiencies are identified on specific goods. The EU regulations also require that for Processed Animal Protein (PAP), which includes fishmeal, the first six consignments of bulk imports are tested and their compliance verified by EU border controls before releasing the consignment.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to meet representatives of the UK fishmeal and fish oil export sector to discuss (a) the impact of delays at EU ports and (b) potential solutions.

Ministers continue to work closely with industry to address immediate challenges to the cross-border trade between the UK and EU. As announced at the UK-EU Leaders’ Summit on 19 May 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area, aimed at reducing trade barriers to facilitate the safe and efficient movement of Agri-food Negotiations are expected to begin in the autumn.

What the minimum salary requirement is for overseas-qualified veterinary surgeons to be eligible for Skilled Worker visas.

Practices sponsoring veterinarians for Skilled Worker applications post 22nd July 2025 will need to offer a salary of at least £49,500 to meet the requirements.There are salary discounts available for “New entrants” at the start of their careers. If they meet any of these requirements then instead of the £49,500 salary requirement vets could qualify with a minimum pay of £34,600.A technical annex (www.gov.uk/government/publications/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-white-paper/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-technical-annex) was published alongside the Immigration White Paper setting out the impact of some of the key policy changes.The national salary thresholds are set at the median levels according to the Office for National Statistics Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, and are in place to ensure that resident workers’ wages should not be undercut and also to protect overseas workers from being exploited as low-cost labour.On 2 July we asked the independent Migration Advisory Committee to advise on future salary requirements for Skilled Worker visas.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Skilled Worker visa salary threshold on the ability of veterinary practices to recruit staff; and what appeals process is available where salary thresholds do not reflect local pay levels.

Practices sponsoring veterinarians for Skilled Worker applications post 22nd July 2025 will need to offer a salary of at least £49,500 to meet the requirements.There are salary discounts available for “New entrants” at the start of their careers. If they meet any of these requirements then instead of the £49,500 salary requirement vets could qualify with a minimum pay of £34,600.A technical annex (www.gov.uk/government/publications/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-white-paper/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-technical-annex) was published alongside the Immigration White Paper setting out the impact of some of the key policy changes.The national salary thresholds are set at the median levels according to the Office for National Statistics Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, and are in place to ensure that resident workers’ wages should not be undercut and also to protect overseas workers from being exploited as low-cost labour.On 2 July we asked the independent Migration Advisory Committee to advise on future salary requirements for Skilled Worker visas.

What recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the Approved Mileage Allowance Payments rate; and whether she plans to update that rate.

Approved Mileage Allowance Payments (AMAPs) are used by employers to reimburse an employee’s expenses for business mileage in their private vehicle. These rates are also used by self-employed drivers to claim tax relief on business mileage (simplified motoring expenses). In considering potential changes to the AMAP/simplified motoring expenses rates, the Government would need to balance support for individuals with the responsible management of public finances which fund our essential public services.

What steps her Department is taking to help improve access to cash for disabled people who are not able to use cash machines.

The Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those in vulnerable groups, and is committed to protecting access to cash for individuals as a priority.The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) assumed regulatory responsibility for access to cash in September 2024. Its rules ensure cash continues to be a viable method of payment for the millions of people who depend on it and help businesses to continue to accept cash by providing reasonable access to cash deposit facilities. The Government is also working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this parliament. These hubs will provide small businesses and individuals who need face-to-face support with critical cash and in-person banking services. Over 180 Banking Hubs are already open across the UK. The provision of cash machines (and their functions) is overseen by LINK, the operator of the UK’s largest ATM network. LINK provide a free cash locator tool on their website allowing consumers to find their nearest cash access points, including showing access points where audio assistance and wheelchair access is available. https://www.link.co.uk/cash-locator The Equality Act 2010 provides legal protection from discrimination for disabled people in a range of circumstances, including in the provision of goods, facilities and services and requires retailers to make reasonable adjustments. The Financial Conduct Authority also requires authorised financial services firms to comply with their ‘Consumer Duty’, which requires them to deliver good outcomes for retail customers, including those with disabilities.

What steps his Department is taking to support access to NHS prescriptions for people unable to operate online health services.

People who are unable to use online health services are still able to access the NHS via traditional routes. To get a prescription without online services, patients can visit their GP surgery and request a paper repeat prescription slip or fill out a form, or call their GP to request a telephone appointment to discuss their needs.NHS England has successfully run several programmes to support patients, carers, and health service staff with their digital skills. These include:- The Digital Health Champions programme, a proof of concept to support citizens who have no or low digital skills with understanding how to access health services online.- The Widening Digital Participation programme, aimed to ensure more people have the digital skills, motivation and means to access health information and services online.- The NHS App ‘Spoken Word’ Pilot project, designed to test the efficacy of promoting NHS digital health products and services in languages other than English. We have also recruited over 2,000 NHS App ambassadors and 1,400 libraries to help people to learn how to use it. NHS England has published a framework for NHS action on digital inclusion and is developing further resources to support practical actions. All programmes are actively considering how they can contribute to improvements in healthcare inequalities and digital inclusion.

What steps she is taking (a) ensure the safeguarding of beagles at MBR Acres during periods of extreme warm weather and (b) phase out the use of dogs in clinical trials.

Licensed establishments are responsible for the welfare of animals in their care at all times, including during extreme weather. Under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA), all such establishments must comply with legal requirements and standards set out in the Home Office’s published Operational Guidance and Code of Practice.These documents require establishments to have contingency plans for temperature extremes to ensure animal welfare. Establishment licence holders must ensure sufficient trained staff are in place to maintain high standards of care and facility management.Daily checks by competent personnel are mandated under Standard Condition 4 to monitor animal welfare and environmental conditions, with prompt action required to address any issues. Standard Condition 18 requires that any breaches or potential breaches of licence conditions be reported to the Secretary of State.The Animals in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU) monitors compliance through regular audits, including both announced and unannounced visits, to assess animal welfare and adherence to ASPA.The Government is committed to working towards a vision of phasing out the use of animals in science. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is engaging with stakeholders to finalise a strategy to accelerate the development, validation and uptake of alternatives to animal testing which is scheduled for publication later this year.

What assessment she has made of the merits of implementing a national strategy to tackle (a) the sale of (i) illegal tobacco and (ii) vapes and (b) money laundering.

The UK Government has national strategies to curb the sale of illegal tobacco and combat money laundering, and is developing a robust compliance framework for the upcoming Vaping Products Duty. In January 2024, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Border Force launched their latest illicit tobacco strategy, “Stubbing Out the Problem”. This builds on a series of previous strategies which, together, have contributed to a significant reduction in the tobacco duty tax gap, from 21.7% in 2005/06 to 13.8% in 2023/24. Tackling the trade in illicit tobacco requires a comprehensive, cross-government approach and the latest strategy is supported by over £100 million in new Smokefree funding over five years to further enhance enforcement capabilities to disrupt both supply and demand across the entire tobacco supply chain. As announced at Autumn Budget 2024, Vaping Products Duty (VPD) will come into effect on 1 October 2026. In preparation HMRC is developing a comprehensive compliance strategy to address the illicit vaping market. This includes vaping duty stamps and enhanced enforcement powers. These measures will be implemented before the duty goes live and will form part of a cross-government enforcement approach supporting provisions in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The Government’s approach to tackling money laundering is embedded within the Economic Crime Plan 2 (2023–2026). This plan sets out what the public and private sectors should do to continue to transform the UK’s response to economic crime, including money laundering. HMRC supports several of the actions in their plan, such as anti-money laundering supervisory reform and targeted intelligence and operational work on high-harm money laundering methodologies.

What proportion of (a) UK-flagged and (b) EU member state-flagged fishing vessels were subject to port inspections in in Scotland in the last 12 months.

The regulation and oversight of port inspections in Scotland predominantly fall within the remit of the Scottish Government. As such, the Scotland Office does not hold the specific information requested. I recommend contacting the Scottish Government for further details on this matter.

What the average response time was to public complaints submitted to her Department in the last 12 months.

Performance against service standards in relation to replies to customer complaints for UKVI, Immigration Enforcement and Border Force (excluding His Majesty’s Passport Office) is available from published data and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/migration-transparency-data#uk-visas-and-immigration

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the current tariff for the Minor Surgery Directed Enhanced Service in the context of rising operational costs.

General practices (GPs) are paid for minor surgery directed enhanced services through global sum payments, although they have the option to opt out of these services, and if so, the relevant deductions will be made from their global sum payments.Every year we consult with the profession about what services GPs provide, including Directed Enhanced Services, and the money providers are entitled to in return under their contracts.We are investing an additional £889 million in GPs to reinforce the front door of the National Health Service, bringing total spend on the GP Contract to £13.2 billion in 2025/26. This is the biggest increase in over a decade and means we are reversing the recent trend with a rising share of total NHS resources going to GPs. We are pleased that the General Practitioners Committee England is supportive of the contract changes.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to extend the requirement for mandatory anti-lock braking systems to include all new 125cc motorcycles.

The UK's technical requirements for the type approval of motorcycles currently remain aligned with the EU's as the Department seeks to reduce burdens on businesses by limiting UK-EU regulatory divergence. Motorcycles with an engine capacity of 125cc or less must be equipped with an advanced braking system: either an anti-lock braking system or a combined braking system or both. The Department has not undertaken a study into the effectiveness of mandating anti-lock braking systems for motorcycles with an engine capacity of 125cc or less and there are no plans to introduce legislation on this issue.

Media and Sport, what assessment has she made of the potential impact of the closure of the FA Futsal Committee on futsal governance in England; and if she will publish a long-term development strategy for the sport.

I recognise the passion within the futsal community in England and the importance of effective governance for the sport's development. Last year, the Football Association (FA), as the sport's National Governing Body, evolved its structure for futsal, integrating its oversight within the Football Development Committee and collaborating with "England Futsal" for delivery.Ultimately, the governance and strategic direction of futsal in England, including its long-term development, are matters for the recognised National Governing Body to lead. The Government continues to observe their progress and engagement with the futsal community as they implement their plans for the sport.

What steps his Department is taking to support the biodiesel industry.

My department supports Clean Energy industries to invest and grow, including biofuels such as biodiesel, and the sectors that use these fuels. Our approach to these sectors is set out in the industrial strategy.My officials also work alongside colleagues at the Department for Transport who carried out a call for evidence on the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) scheme in November last year. This considered future targets for the supply of renewable fuels, such as biodiesel. The product of that review will be published soon.

What discussions his Department is having with the Care Quality Commission on carrying out further inspections at Castle Hill Hospital.

The Department recently sought information from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) regarding their regulatory oversight of Castle Hill Hospital. The CQC last inspected Castle Hill Hospital in November 2022, where it was rated as Requires Improvement overall. The full inspection report and detail are available at the following link:https://www.cqc.org.uk/location/RWA16Castle Hill Hospital is part of the Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The trust is subject to enhanced surveillance and attends a monthly Quality Improvement Board chaired by NHS England, which the CQC also attends. The trust’s action plan is monitored by the Board.The trust was told by the CQC to take several actions to ensure that clinical care and treatment across the trust was delivered safely and in accordance with national guidance. The CQC continues to monitor the trust to ensure required improvements are made.In light of the police investigation and the completion of three external reviews into the trust, the CQC is considering new information to determine any further regulatory action. Any inspection activity will be reported on and published on the CQC’s website.