Written questions by Bedford.

What assessment she has made of the (a) safety and (b) accessibility of road networks in rural areas in Mid Leicestershire constituency; and whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of development on road networks between settlements.

The Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. To this end, my Department is developing its Road Safety Strategy and will set out more details in due course. Local government is the main delivery agent of road safety. The responsibility to implement, fund, deliver, promote and enforce local road safety initiatives remains with the Local Authorities under the 1988 Road Traffic Act. It is for the local council to decide what measures may be appropriate in their local area to “take steps both to reduce and prevent accidents”. Local authorities are also responsible for the management of local roads, within the rules set by Government, including setting local speed limits where the national limit would not be appropriate. Local highway authorities are bound by the Public Sector Equality Duty and it is for them to ensure they manage their roads in a way that complies with that, including assessing potential impacts of development on road networks in their area. Local authorities are best placed to decide on delivery of road safety initiatives, because of their knowledge of the roads for which they are responsible. We aid local authorities by providing guidance and initiatives such as our flagship road safety campaign, THINK!

Communities and Local Government, if her Department will take steps with (a) academies and (b) schools to introduce impact statements for large housing developments within their catchment area.

The National Planning Policy Framework recognises the importance of ensuring a sufficient choice of early years, school and post-16 places are available to meet the needs of existing and new communities and outlines that local planning authorities should take a proactive, positive, and collaborative approach to meeting this requirement, and to development that will widen choice in education. The Framework further states that local planning authorities should give great weight to the need to create, expand or alter early years, schools, and post-16 facilities through the preparation of plans and decisions on applications, and work with early years, school and post-16 promoters, delivery partners and statutory bodies to identify and resolve key planning issues before applications are submitted. In view of these existing provisions, the government has no plans to introduce separate requirements for impact statements for large housing developments.

Representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, if he will publish a breakdown of the number of Freedom of Information Requests received from (a) individuals and (b) organisations in (i) 2024 and (ii) 2025.

The number of Freedom of Information requests received by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority in 2024 was 167, and as of 8 July 2025, the number received in 2025 is 152. In 2024, ninety requests were received from organisations and forty-four from individuals, with thirty-three requests not possible to determine. In 2025, seventy-five requests have been received from organisations and forty-three from individuals, with thirty-four requests not possible to determine.

Communities and Local Government, when she plans to publish the outcome of the consultation entitled Strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England, which closed on 26 February 2025.

The government response to the ‘Strengthening the Standards and Conduct Framework for Local Authorities in England’ consultation will be issued in due course. After its release, we will continue to work actively with local government on developing the detailed policies for implementation.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has considered including child development in the planning process to encourage outdoor activities.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) recognises that access to a network of high-quality open spaces and opportunities for sport and physical activity is important for the health and well-being of communities, including children. The Framework is clear that local planning policies should be based on robust and up-to-date assessments of the need for open space, sport and recreation facilities, and opportunities for new provision, including places for children’s play. In the revised NPPF published on 12 December 2024 we strengthened the strong protections already in place by adding explicit reference to safeguarding “formal play spaces”. That means that facilities can be lost only where there is clear evidence they are no longer required, where equivalent or better provision is secured in a suitable location, or where development of the site is for alternative sports and recreational provision, the benefits of which clearly outweigh the loss of the current or former use.

What plans her Department has to prioritise Canada in future bilateral trade negotiations; and whether this will be reflected in the scope of the UK–Canada trade taskforce.

Canada is a close ally and valued partner of the UK, with trade underpinned by our existing trade agreement worth around £28 billion in 2024.As agreed between our Prime Ministers at the G7, the UK and Canada will establish a new structured Working Group to deepen the bilateral trading relationship further. This includes seeking to address existing market access barriers affecting bilateral UK-Canada trade and expanding existing arrangements.The working group will report back to both Prime Ministers within six months.

Whether the expiry of Country of Origin quotas under the UK-Canada Trade Continuity Agreement will be considered by the UK-Canada trade taskforce; and what discussions he has had with his counterpart in Canada on the expiration of Country of Origin quotas.

As agreed between our Prime Ministers, the UK and Canada will establish a new structured Working Group to deepen the bilateral trading relationship further, including by building on existing arrangements and addressing bilateral market access barriers.That will include looking at Rules of Origin arrangements under the Trade Continuity Agreement, and what can be done there to grow trade and make it easier for UK exporters to access the Canadian market.The Business and Trade Secretary had a warm introductory conversation with his Canadian counterpart at the G7, where they agreed to work together on deepening and growing the bilateral trading relationship further.

Whether the Government plans to appoint a Trade Envoy to Canada.

We remain committed to strengthening our long, positive and wide-ranging trading relationship with Canada, with our trade in bilateral goods and services worth £28bn in 2024. There are no plans at present to appoint a Trade Envoy as the UK already has sophisticated diplomatic, trade and investment networks to support our engagement in Canada, as well as our recent visits by Ministers, including the Prime Minister on 15th June.Markets where there are no Trade Envoys will continue to receive support alongside our other initiatives for exporters and investors, both of which are driving economic growth and creating opportunities at home and abroad.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to allow pets to travel in and out of the UK in the main cabin of aircraft.

All pets travelling into Great Britain are checked for compliance with the necessary health and documentary requirements prior to entry to safeguard our biosecurity. When travelling to Great Britain by air, pets travel as manifest cargo to facilitate these checks upon arrival. The only animals that are authorised to travel in the cabin of a commercial aircraft into Great Britian are Recognised Assistance Dogs. We have no current plans to change the process by which pet cats, dogs and ferrets may enter Great Britain in aircraft. When travelling with a pet abroad, pet owners and assistance dog users should seek guidance as to whether their pet is permitted to travel in the aircraft from the relevant competent authority and airline.

What progress his Department has made on issuing Armed Forces Pension Scheme Remediable Service Statements to all members who require one by 30 September 2025.

There are 34,917 Immediate Choice members in scope to receive a Remediable Service Statement (RSS), of which 13,066 have been issued as of 31 May 2025. Of the 60,813 Active Member RSSs, 43,977 have been issued. The remaining 16,836 (27 per cent) are complex cases requiring manual intervention. For the Deferred Member cohort, no RSSs have been issued, however, these will begin to arrive with members by September 2025. If an RSS cannot be issued by September 2025, affected members will be notified in writing with an explanation, revised timelines, and further details published on GOV.UK.

For what reason betting companies operating primarily (a) over the phone and (b) by direct debit are included in the proposed single Remote Betting and Gaming Duty.

The Government is consulting on proposals to simplify the current gambling tax system by merging the three current taxes that cover remote gambling into one. The definition of ‘remote gambling’ in the Gambling Act 2005 means gambling in which persons participate by the use of remote communication. “In this Act “remote communication” means communication using — a) the internet,b) telephone,c) television,d) radio, ore) any other kind of electronic or other technology for facilitating communication” The consultation asks respondents to share views on whether this definition is appropriate for the proposed Remote Betting and Gaming duty (RBGD). As such, I would encourage interested parties to respond to it.

What information she holds on the (a) ethnic background and (b) religious belief of civil servants in her Department in (i) 2022-23, (ii) 2023-24 and (iii) 2024-25.

Information on ethnic background and religious belief of Civil Servants in the Home Office is published in both the Departments annual workforce diversity statistics and Civil Service statistics based on the Annual Civil Service Employment Survey (ASCES). The data for 24-25 will be published soon in Civil Service statistics and the Home Office annual diversity publication for 24-25 will be released in Q1 2026.Home Office workforce diversity statistics - GOV.UKCivil Service statistics - GOV.UK

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of green levies on business competitiveness.

The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect businesses permanently. Policy costs on energy bills are essential for funding key environmental policies which enable the UK to transition to a secure, low-carbon energy future. This shift to renewables is making energy cleaner, more stable, and cheaper in the long run. The clean energy transition is the economic opportunity of the 21st century. It is our chance to build up the industries of the future right here at home. That is why we have announced that from 2027 a new Industrial Strategy Energy Support Scheme will help over 8,000 businesses see their electricity costs drop by around 20-25%.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a delay repay compensation scheme for coach travel.

The Department for Transport has not undertaken an assessment of introducing a delay repay compensation scheme specifically for coach travel. Unlike the rail industry, where delay repay schemes are a standard requirement within franchise agreements, the wider coach sector operates primarily on a commercial basis with limited regulatory intervention. The Department continues to monitor passenger experience across all transport modes and remains committed to ensuring passengers receive appropriate consumer protections. We regularly engage with industry stakeholders, consumer groups and the public to assess whether existing compensation arrangements are sufficient. Any proposals for new regulatory requirements would need careful consideration of the potential impacts on both passengers and operators, including the administrative burden and potential costs that might be passed on to passengers.

Whether she plans to review the Sentencing Council's remit on young offenders convicted of (a) murder and (b) manslaughter.

The Government has no current plans to ask the Council to consider reviewing the guidelines in relation to this cohort.The law is clear that those who commit murder as children must receive a life sentence. There is no mandatory sentence for a child convicted of manslaughter, but the court may impose a life sentence, depending on the circumstances of the case.

Whether his Department plans to conduct a review of the Carr-Hill formula in Primary Care Networks.

On 25 June 2025, we announced that the Government’s 10-Year Health Plan would address the inequalities in general practice (GP) services across England. We know that the Carr-Hill formula is considered outdated and recognise the importance of ensuring funding for core services is distributed equitably between practices across the country.The Government will review how health need is reflected in the Carr-Hill funding formula for GPs. Details of the review, including timeframes, will be confirmed in due course.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of integrated care boards in delivering new (a) GP and (b) medical centres in Leicestershire.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are best placed to understand the needs of their local population and to make decisions on new general practice (GP) surgeries based on those needs. ICBs’ annual commissioning plans must consider requirements for new practices, including those driven by population growth, contract expiries, or unplanned closures.The Government is committed to delivering a National Health Service that is fit for the future. That is why we have set out our commitment to fix the front door to the National Health Service, for example through the £102 million Primary Care Utilisation and Modernisation Fund for upgrades to more than a thousand GP surgeries across England over this financial year.The NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland ICB has been allocated the following amounts from national capital programmes and operational capital for 2025/26:- £14.8 million from the Constitutional Standards Recovery Fund;- £9.3 million from the Estates Safety Fund;- £1.8 million from the Primary Care Utilisation Fund; and- £70.8 million in operational capital funding.We will trial Neighbourhood Health Centres to bring together a range of services, ensuring healthcare is closer to home and patients receive the care they deserve.

What her planned timeline is for implementing recommendations arising from the Modernisation Committees Review.

The Modernisation Committee has not held a Review. The Modernisation Committee held a “call for views” between October and December 2024, seeking views on what it should prioritise for reform. In February 2025, it published the results of this exercise in a document entitled “Next steps for the Modernisation Committee following the Call for Views”, which is available on the Committee’s website. This document outlines the work the Committee is already undertaking.On outside interests and employment, the Modernisation Committee has asked the Committee on Standards to undertake an inquiry, which is currently underway. The timeline for this inquiry is in the hands of the Committee on Standards.The Modernisation Committee is also involved in discussions to take forward recommendation 3 from Paul Kernaghan’s review of the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme.Following my request, the Procedure Committee is undertaking an inquiry on proxy voting, including on whether proxy voting arrangements for serious long-term illness and injury should be made permanent. In addition, the Procedure Committee has announced inquiries into call lists and electronic voting, both of which were frequently raised topics in the call for views. The timelines for these inquiries are in the hands of the Procedure Committee.The next steps document also sets out three new packages of work that the Modernisation Committee is pursuing. The first is on improving accessibility for MPs, staff and the public. On 20 March 2025, the Committee launched an inquiry on this topic, which is currently taking oral evidence and which is expected to result in a report, with recommendations, in the autumn. The other two packages of work are on effective use of time in the Commons, and on creating more certainty about the timing and nature of parliamentary business. There is no fixed timeline, but work is ongoing and updates will be issued as it progresses.The Committee continues to work closely with key stakeholders, including the Speaker and Deputy Speakers, whips, smaller parties and other committees.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential financial impact of the creation of a single unitary authority in Leicestershire.

We have made no such assessment for Leicestershire, nor any other area undergoing reorganisation. Ultimately it is for councils to develop robust and sustainable proposals that are in the best interests of their whole area. In our invitation we provided guidance on efficiencies and financial sustainability, as well as size, sensible geographies, public service delivery, community engagement and devolution. It will be for the new councils to achieve the efficiencies identified in reorganisation proposals and subsequent detailed implementation and transformation plans.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of an increase in gambling levies on pools operators.

As set out in the government’s consultation response, the statutory gambling levy will be charged at a set rate for all holders of a Gambling Commission licence, ranging from 1.1% to 0.1% of Gross Gambling Yield (GGY). Remote and non-remote pool betting operators will be charged the levy at the lowest rate of 0.1%. We will conduct a formal review of the statutory levy system within five years where the structure and effectiveness of the system, including levy rates, will be assessed and any necessary adjustments made to ensure we are achieving our objectives and impacts are proportionate.