Written questions by Caliskan.

Communities and Local Government, what (a) estimate her Department has made of the number of local authorities not meeting targets on guidance set for housing delivery and (b) assessment she has made of the potential impact of planning restrictions on housing delivery.

The Housing Delivery Test, published annually, measures how well authorities have delivered against their housing requirements over a three-year period.In the latest publication, published on 12 December 2024, 110 of 302 authorities delivered below 95% of their requirements.The consequences that result from this under-delivery are set out in the National Planning Policy Framework which can be found on gov.uk here.

What steps his Department is taking to tackle shortages of medicine for people with (a) epilepsy and (b) Parkinson’s disease.

The Department is working hard with industry to help resolve intermittent supply issues with some epilepsy medications. As a result of ongoing activity and intensive work, including directing suppliers to expedite deliveries, most issues, including with carbamazepine, lamotrigine, and oxcarbazepine presentations, have been resolved.We are currently aware of an ongoing supply issue with all strengths of topiramate tablets from one manufacturer. This supply issue is expected to resolve by the end of May 2025. We are also aware of a shortage of phenobarbital 15 milligram tablets from one manufacturer, with the resupply date to be confirmed. In both cases, alternative suppliers are in stock with sufficient supply to support patients, and these issues have been communicated to the National Health Service.The Department is aware of supply constraints with one supplier of amantadine 100 milligram capsules used in the management of Parkinson’s Disease, however stocks remain available from alternative suppliers to cover demand. The Department has also been notified of a discontinuation of apomorphine (APO-go PFS) 50 milligram/10millilitre pre-filled syringes from April 2025. Alternative formulations of apomorphine remain available for patients, and management guidance has been issued to the NHS.

Whether her Department has made an estimate of the number of additional jobs created by Heathrow expansion.

Heathrow expansion could result in billions invested into the economy to create over 100,000 jobs, and support many more jobs by boosting UK economic growth. Our pledge to use more sustainable aviation fuel, part of our Plan for Change, will also support thousands of jobs, bring down our transport emissions, and make the UK a clean energy superpower.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the equitability of film tax relief schemes.

The government is committed to supporting the creative industries, and film and TV companies benefit from a number of generous and equitable tax reliefs, ranging from a rate of 34% for the standard Audio Visual Expenditure Credit to 53% for the Independent Film Tax Credit.The credits are available to all companies that meet the eligibility criteria, which are outlined in the BFI’s Creative Sector Expenditure Credits and Tax Relief guidance. The criteria ensure that the credits meet their objectives of incentivising investment in culturally British film and TV productions and support the domestic industry. As with all taxes, the government keeps the film and TV reliefs under review.The government also provides significant funding for the film and TV sector and has included the creative industries in its Industrial Strategy. A £60 million package of support for the creative industries announced in January included including £7 million for the Global Screen Fund and funding to 6 Mayoral Authorities to help develop creative clusters. The British Film Institute (BFI) administers the Global Screen Fund on behalf of government and follows the BFI Diversity Standards for all BFI funding.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the timeframe GPs have to authorise repeat prescriptions.

There is no set timeframe for which general practitioners (GPs) must authorise repeat prescriptions. However, GPs should ensure that their patients know when to request the next batch of their repeat prescriptions, to allow sufficient time for it to be au...

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of regulating micro-mobility modes of transport.

The Government recognises the depth of public concern about the question of regulation for micromobility. As you will appreciate, the new Government is still in its early stages, and I am carefully considering next steps and potential policy solutions for...

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 October to Question 8348 on Driving Tests: Greater London, what the average waiting time was at a driving test centre in the wider London area in (a) 2019 and (b) 2015.

The table below shows the average waiting time for driving test centres in the wider London area, located within the M25, in the financial years (a) 2019/20 and (b) 2015/16.Driving test centre (DTC)2015/16 Average car practical driving test waiting time (...

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the uptake of breast cancer screening in (a) London and (b) the North East London Health and Care Partnership.

Uptake of breast screening declined during the pandemic but is now increasing although London uptake levels remains below England levels. The national acceptable level for coverage in the NHS Breast Screening Programme is 70%.The following table shows the...

What recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the capacity of DVLA test centres in (a) London and (b) Barking constituency.

The table below shows the number of tests available and the current average waiting time at Barking driving test centre (DTC), and other London DTCs near the Barking constituency, as of 7 October 2024. Driving test centre (DTC)Average car practical drivi...

What steps her Department plans to take this academic year to help schools tackle absences.

The government recognises school absence as a key barrier to learning and tackling this must be a top priority. Thanks to the sector's efforts, more students are attending school this year compared to last. However, 1.6 million children remain persistentl...

What the capacity is of SEND (a) schools and (b) provision within mainstream schools in (i) London and (ii) Barking.

Information on school capacity in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and mainstream schools as at May 2023 is published at local authority level in the annual School Capacity statistics publication, which can be accessed at the following li...

What recent assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of trends in vacancy rates for midwives in (a) England, (b) London and (c) the North East London Health and Care Partnership.

No specific recent assessment has been made. The Government will continue to work with the National Health Service as it delivers its three-year maternity and neonatal plan to grow the maternity workforce, develop a culture of safety, and ensure women rec...

How many school absences were recorded in Barking in the (a) 2021-22 and (b) 2022-23 academic years.

Information on pupil absence, including breakdowns by characteristic, is published at local authority level in the Pupil absence in schools in England statistics publication. This can be accessed here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/f...

How many households in Barking constituency have faced eviction proceedings since April 2019.

The Ministry of Justice only holds data on possession proceedings issued at court. We do not hold data on all eviction proceedings, such as those where a tenant leaves the property voluntarily following receipt of a notice.Statistics on the number of poss...

How many times have neonatal units in the North East London Health & Care Partnership reached capacity since 1 May 2022.

The Department does not hold this data centrally. NHS England is investing £45 million to increase neonatal cot capacity. This investment has started to improve cot capacity in London, and will continue to do so by March 2025.

What steps her Department is taking to meet demand for SEND educational provision in (a) London, (b) Barking and (c) the UK.

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with SEND or in alternative provision (AP) receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. The department is committed to improving inclusivity and ...