Written questions by Glover.

Whether Great British Railways Retail will be required to comply with the statutory Code of Practice on retail market conduct managed by the Office of Rail and Road.

The retail industry code of practice announced in the Government's response to the Railways Bill consultation will incorporate clear requirements for how Great British Railways (GBR) should interact with all market participants. The code of practice will be owned and managed by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). GBR’s licence will require it to comply, with the ORR able to demand corrective action if it considers that GBR has not done so.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Government’s forthcoming animal welfare strategy will prohibit (a) the introduction of in-ovo sexing technology and (b) the routine culling of day-old male chicks.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 9 July 2025 to the hon. Member for Stockport, PQ UIN 64121.

What number students eligible for the 16-19 large programme uplift funding in the last five academic years studied the International Baccalaureate Level 3 programme and pursued STEM-related subjects.

The information requested is not held by the department. The department does not hold information on the constituent subjects that make up the International Baccalaureate as this information is not provided by awarding organisations.

In the last academic year, what (a) percentage and (b) number of pupils were eligible for the Pupil Premium and received the 16-19 large programme uplift funding for studying four or more A Levels.

The Pupil Premium is not available for post-16 students. Therefore, no students were eligible in the last academic year for the Pupil Premium and received the Large Programme Uplift for studying four or more A levels or a T Level and at least one A level alongside.

In the last academic year, what (a) percentage and (b) number of pupils were eligible for the Pupil Premium and received the 16-19 large programme uplift funding for studying a T Level and at least one A Level alongside.

The Pupil Premium is not available for post-16 students. Therefore, no students were eligible in the last academic year for the Pupil Premium and received the Large Programme Uplift for studying four or more A levels or a T Level and at least one A level alongside.

What number of students eligible for the 16-19 large programme uplift funding in the last five academic years studied four or more A Levels and pursued STEM-related subjects.

The requested data can be found in the below table. Please note that the large programme uplift (LPU) is calculated using attainment data and as such operates on a three-year lag. Therefore, the latest LPU calculation was for 2025/26 academic year allocations based on 2022/23 attainment data. The department has announced that moving forward LPU funding will be focused on large programmes which include maths, further maths and other high value A-levels.Time PeriodNumber of Students2022/2376062021/2278752020/2191262019/2082302018/196485 Notes about the data:1. Includes state-funded students who ended 16-18 study in the reported year (e.g. 2022/23).2. Includes students who entered for at least four STEM A levels and achieved at least a grade B in each A level, or a grade C in the case of further mathematics.3. Discounting rules apply (i.e. where students have multiples entries in the same subject, the best result is included).4. STEM subjects are defined by subject mapping codes as used in the A level and other 16 to 18 results statistical release.

Whether she has had meetings with Yutong on the supply of (a) buses and (b) batteries to the UK.

To date the Secretary of State has not had any meetings with Yutong on the supply of buses and batteries to the UK.

What information her Department holds on the number of (a) buses and (b) batteries manufactured by Yutong that are supplied to bus companies operating in the UK.

The information on the number of Yutong electric buses operating in the UK is already published as part of the vehicle licensing statistics.The Department does not hold data on whether batteries manufactured by Yutong are supplied separately to bus companies operating in the UK.

Innovation and Technology, whether her Department plans to reintroduce the gigabit voucher scheme in Oxfordshire.

As part of Project Gigabit, Gigaclear is delivering two contracts across Oxfordshire, with a combined value of £26.5 million, to provide gigabit-capable broadband to premises not included in suppliers’ commercial rollout plans. Approximately 9,500 premises across Oxfordshire are currently included in these contracts, which are being delivered until the end of 2026.The Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, which forms another part of Project Gigabit, is currently closed in the Oxfordshire area as our priority currently is to provide gigabit coverage to as many premises as possible through Gigaclear’s contracts.We will aim to cover the remaining premises as far as possible as funding becomes available, in line with the objective of achieving nationwide gigabit coverage by 2032.

Pu if she will list all reports and documents that train operators have (a) submitted to and (b) discussed with her Department on the reliability of battery (i) bi-mode, (ii) tri-mode, (iii) battery/electric hybrid and (iv) fully electric trains.

Department officials are working closely with train operators and Network Rail to build a full understanding of the different traction opportunities as we work towards Net Zero in rail by 2050. The rail industry has developed a range of evidence supporting the known case for the reliability and performance benefits of electric traction over diesel traction in rail. This includes work by the Rail Safety & Standards Board, the Railway Industry Association, and Network Rail, examples of which are provided below. https://www.rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T1145https://www.riagb.org.uk/RIA/RIA/Newsroom/Publications%20Folder/Why_Rail_Electrification_Report.aspxhttps://www.riagb.org.uk/RIA/RIA/Newsroom/Publications%20Folder/A_lower_cost__higher_performing_net-zero_railway.aspxhttps://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Traction-Decarbonisation-Network-Strategy-Interim-Programme-Business-Case.pdf It is also important to note that these technologies, particularly battery, are rapidly developing and our understanding is constantly growing with the support of Network Rail and our train operators.

Innovation and Technology, if she will review the adequacy of the funding levels for Project Gigabit in Oxfordshire.

As part of Project Gigabit, Gigaclear is delivering two contracts across Oxfordshire, with a combined value of £26.5 million, to provide gigabit-capable broadband to premises not included in suppliers’ commercial rollout plans. Approximately 9,500 premises across Oxfordshire are currently included in these contracts, which are being delivered until the end of 2026.The Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, which forms another part of Project Gigabit, is currently closed in the Oxfordshire area as our priority currently is to provide gigabit coverage to as many premises as possible through Gigaclear’s contracts.We will aim to cover the remaining premises as far as possible as funding becomes available, in line with the objective of achieving nationwide gigabit coverage by 2032.

For what reason 3-year Network Railcards have been discontinued.

The Network Railcard was introduced by British Rail in 1986 on a one-year basis, which continues to exist. There has been no withdrawal of a three-year Network Railcard, which has never existed.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 51729 on Railways: Electrification, when she plans to publish the whole-life costs for (a) full and (b) partial electrification for all rolling stock traction types.

Officials from the Department for Transport are working closely with Network Rail to produce their new 'Long-term Planning for Rail Decarbonisation' strategy, this strategy will include an examination of the whole life costs of each option to upgrade traction to set out a realistic, affordable, and deliverable approach to a net zero railway. We expect Network Rail to engage with industry as part of the development of this strategy and we expect to see a draft of this strategy before the end of this year.

Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that Oxfordshire has 99% gigabit coverage by 2032.

As part of Project Gigabit, Gigaclear is delivering two contracts across Oxfordshire, with a combined value of £26.5 million, to provide gigabit-capable broadband to premises not included in suppliers’ commercial rollout plans. Approximately 9,500 premises across Oxfordshire are currently included in these contracts, which are being delivered until the end of 2026.The Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, which forms another part of Project Gigabit, is currently closed in the Oxfordshire area as our priority currently is to provide gigabit coverage to as many premises as possible through Gigaclear’s contracts.We will aim to cover the remaining premises as far as possible as funding becomes available, in line with the objective of achieving nationwide gigabit coverage by 2032.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 51730 on Railways: Electrification, if she will list all reports and documents that train operators have (a) submitted to and (b) discussed with her Department on the acceleration capability of trains powered by (i) batteries, (ii) overhead catenary systems and (iii) contact rail systems for operating speeds of up to 125 miles per hour.

Department officials are working closely with train operators and Network Rail to build a full understanding of the different traction opportunities as we work towards Net Zero in rail by 2050. The Rail Industry has developed a range of evidence supporting the known case for the reliability and performance benefits of electric traction over diesel traction in rail. This includes work by the Rail Safety & Standards Board, the Railway Industry Association, and Network Rail, examples of which are provided below. https://www.rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T1145https://www.riagb.org.uk/RIA/RIA/Newsroom/Publications%20Folder/Why_Rail_Electrification_Report.aspxhttps://www.riagb.org.uk/RIA/RIA/Newsroom/Publications%20Folder/A_lower_cost__higher_performing_net-zero_railway.aspxhttps://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Traction-Decarbonisation-Network-Strategy-Interim-Programme-Business-Case.pdf It is also important to note that these technologies, particularly battery, are rapidly developing and our understanding is constantly growing with the support of Network Rail and our train operators.

Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of New Zealand's housing-with-care sector and the supply of new homes in that country.

As part of our commitment to enhancing provision and choice for older people in the housing market, my Department continues to consider a range of overseas systems.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the concerns raised by the Dental Defence Union in their British Dental Journal article, published on 16 May 2025 in relation to the delays in fitness to practise proceedings.

The Government is committed to modernising the regulatory frameworks for all healthcare professionals in the United Kingdom.In the first instance, we plan to consult on secondary legislation to modernise the General Medical Council’s regulatory framework in late 2025, and to deliver reformed legislation for the Health and Care Professions Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Council within the current Parliamentary period.The Department will continue to work with all regulators, the devolved administrations, and other key partners as we develop more consistent, efficient, and effective regulatory frameworks.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of issuing a Section 60 Order to update fitness to practise proceedings for dental professionals.

The Government is committed to modernising the regulatory frameworks for all healthcare professionals in the United Kingdom.In the first instance, we plan to consult on secondary legislation to modernise the General Medical Council’s regulatory framework in late 2025, and to deliver reformed legislation for the Health and Care Professions Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Council within the current Parliamentary period.The Department will continue to work with all regulators, the devolved administrations, and other key partners as we develop more consistent, efficient, and effective regulatory frameworks.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of a national social tariff.

The Independent Water Commission made a recommendation to consult on a National Social Tariff which the Government is taking into consideration and will provide a response to later this year in a White Paper. The Government is working with industry to keep current support schemes under review to ensure that vulnerable customers across the country are supported and expects water companies to ensure support is available for vulnerable customers who are struggling to pay their bills. Companies have therefore more than doubled the number of customers that will receive help with their bills through existing social tariffs – from 4% to 9%.

Food and Rural Affairs, what progress his Department has made on establishing a national social tariff for water consumers.

The Independent Water Commission made a recommendation to consult on a National Social Tariff, which Government is taking into consideration and will provide a response to later this year in a White Paper. Water companies have more than doubled the number of customers that will receive help with their bills through existing social tariffs – from 4% to 9% - and the Government expects industry to keep the current support schemes under review to ensure that vulnerable customers across the country are supported.