Written questions by Gilmour.

Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to tackle digital exclusion among older people.

Tackling digital exclusion, which disproportionately impacts certain demographics including older people, is a priority for government.That is why we published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan – First Steps in February 2025, which outlines the first five actions we are taking over the next year on digital inclusion. Digital exclusion is often age-related, which is why we are keen to address lack of digital skills, as well as access to the internet and to suitable devices.These actions are our immediate steps to boost digital skills and confidence, widen access to devices and connectivity, and get support to people in their own communities so everyone can reap the benefits of technology.

What steps his Department is taking to help tackle trends in the level of ketamine abuse among young people.

The Department takes seriously the threat ketamine use poses to young people. Local authorities are responsible for providing drug treatment services based on the needs of their local populations, and this includes services to support ketamine users. In addition to the Public Health Grant, in 2025/26 the Department is providing a total of £310 million in additional targeted grants to improve drug and alcohol services and wider recovery support, including housing and employment. Local authorities, Combating Drugs Partnerships, and treatment providers lead on prevention, harm reduction, and treatment interventions, which includes awareness raising. Widespread action is already in progress through local and regional initiatives. Many of the national treatment providers, as well as local areas, have developed bespoke awareness-raising resources and approaches in response to ketamine, and a number have held events for professionals working in the field. In addition to this, the Department recently cascaded a briefing to local authorities and treatment systems on data on ketamine use and guidance on prevention, harm reduction, and treatment interventions. Department of Health and Social Care and Home Office ministers have written to festival organisers, asking them to work closely with police and health partners on their harm reduction and first aid measures, which includes highlighting the dangers of ketamine. The Department has also worked with the National Police Chiefs’ Council on a joint letter and advice for the police and local authorities about festivals, drugs, and alcohol, to minimise the risk of harm to individuals at these events. Statutory guidance on relationships, sex, and health education requires all primary and secondary schools to ensure that pupils know the key facts and risks associated with drug use, as well as how to manage influences and pressure, and keep themselves healthy and safe. The Department has worked with the Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education Association to develop the lesson plans on drugs and alcohol and commissioned an update of the resources, which was published at the end of last year. The Government has a drug information and advice service called Talk to FRANK, which aims to reduce drug misuse and its harms by increasing awareness, particularly for young people and parents. Talk to FRANK offers easy to read information on the risks of using ketamine, including bladder problems, and mixing it with other substances, as well as basic harm reduction advice. As a result of additional funding, and in response to increased prevalence, the treatment system is responding, and the proportion of children and young people under the age of 18 years old accessing help in relation to ketamine has increased from under 1% in 2015/16 to 9% in November 2024.

What steps he plans to take to provide financial support for local community-based (a) rehabilitation and (b) reablement services for brain injury survivors.

We intend to develop an acquired brain injury (ABI) Action or Delivery Plan, with input from NHS England and other Government departments, to be published in autumn 2025. The 10-Year Health Plan will provide the overarching plan for the future of the National Health Service, and a subsequent ABI Plan would then focus on specific actions and deliverables for ABI against the backdrop of the 10-Year Health Plan.Community rehabilitation for people with neurological conditions is named as one the integrated care board-funded core components of community health services. Further information on Standardising community health services planning guidance is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/standardising-community-health-services/The Department launched the Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) in September 2024, providing funding for eligible care staff to complete courses and qualifications. The scheme is backed by up to £12 million this financial year.We have published a list of over 200 training courses and qualifications which are eligible for funding from the LDSS, including training to enable staff to support care users with specific needs and medical conditions. It also includes qualifications to enhance quality of care more broadly, including the new Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate (L2ASCC).The L2ASCC is an accredited occupational qualification for all eligible non-regulated care staff aged 19 years old and over. It is based on the Care Certificate standards and ensures that those working in the sector have the right skills to provide the right care for individuals who draw on care and support.While brain injuries are not explicitly mentioned, the L2ASCC and the Care Certificate standards provide a foundation of knowledge and skills necessary to support individuals in the adult social care sector safely and effectively.

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability of training for social care staff to (a) understand and (b) address the needs of brain injury survivors.

We intend to develop an acquired brain injury (ABI) Action or Delivery Plan, with input from NHS England and other Government departments, to be published in autumn 2025. The 10-Year Health Plan will provide the overarching plan for the future of the National Health Service, and a subsequent ABI Plan would then focus on specific actions and deliverables for ABI against the backdrop of the 10-Year Health Plan.Community rehabilitation for people with neurological conditions is named as one the integrated care board-funded core components of community health services. Further information on Standardising community health services planning guidance is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/standardising-community-health-services/The Department launched the Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) in September 2024, providing funding for eligible care staff to complete courses and qualifications. The scheme is backed by up to £12 million this financial year.We have published a list of over 200 training courses and qualifications which are eligible for funding from the LDSS, including training to enable staff to support care users with specific needs and medical conditions. It also includes qualifications to enhance quality of care more broadly, including the new Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate (L2ASCC).The L2ASCC is an accredited occupational qualification for all eligible non-regulated care staff aged 19 years old and over. It is based on the Care Certificate standards and ensures that those working in the sector have the right skills to provide the right care for individuals who draw on care and support.While brain injuries are not explicitly mentioned, the L2ASCC and the Care Certificate standards provide a foundation of knowledge and skills necessary to support individuals in the adult social care sector safely and effectively.

Whether training is available through the NHS for school nurses on managing allergies and administering adrenaline auto-injectors.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) sets the standards for education preparation for school nurses, who are registered nurses that undertake a post-graduate Specialist Public Health Nurse qualification with an NMC-approved university. School nurses will then also undertake any mandatory training required by their employer, as appropriate to their role. Section 100 of the Children and Families Act 2014 places a duty on schools to make arrangements for supporting pupils with medical conditions. Schools should ensure they are aware of any pupils with medical conditions, and should have policies and processes in place to ensure these can be well managed. This includes allergies. The policy should also set out how staff will be supported in carrying out their role to support pupils, including how training needs are assessed and how training is commissioned and provided. Any member of school staff providing support to a pupil with medical needs should have received suitable training. NHS England has also produced the Healthy School Child e-learning programme, which is available at the following link: https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/healthy-school-child/ This programme is designed for healthcare professionals, including school nurses, working with children aged between five and 12 years old. Module 5 of the e-learning programme includes sessions on asthma, eczema, and other allergies.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to introduce a ban on the import of foie gras.

The Government shares the British public's high regard for animal welfare and has made clear that the production of foie gras from ducks or geese using force feeding raises serious welfare concerns. We have been clear that we will use our Trade Strategy to promote the highest food production standards.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to introduce regulatory limits on the volume of water extracted out at sea, following the 2025 UN Ocean Conference.

This Government is committed to protecting the natural environment and will consider any relevant issues and options as they arise.

If her Department will make an assessment of the adequacy of the level of service for users provided by the Child Maintenance Service.

Through the Service Modernisation Programme, the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) has made significant improvements to both communications and digital service in order to provide separated parents a greater level of service. The online digital service 'Get Help Arranging Child Maintenance ' through GOV.UK is a service open to any parent who needs to communicate with us and can receive unbiased advice and support to make an arrangement through CMS. Through increased use of SMS text and email, an extensive review of letters, which focussed on making the letters easier for customers to understand, and by promoting self-service online through My Child Maintenance Case (MCMC), the CMS is ensuring customers have greater choice of how they communicate with us and access our service. MCMC offers customers the ability to access and update information held on their case and request changes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. CMS has the ability to process simple changes through MCMC, automatically speeding up the time taken to make a change and greatly improving customer outcomes. These changes are a fundamental step towards the CMS modernisation goal of evolving our service to be predominately online. Although online communication is the preferred option, CMS fully recognises digital is not suitable for all customers. For those customers who have to contact us by telephone, steps have been taken to update the service through efficient call routing. We have freed up resources to deliver a more responsive service which allows caseworkers more time to better assist customers who need to reach out to us via telephone. The CMS telephony opening hours are regularly reviewed based on the demand requirements; CMS has extended their telephony service to 6pm on weekdays to meet this demand. On the 26 February 2024, the CMS removed the £20 application fee for those parents opting to use the service to ensure families on the lowest incomes do not face a barrier to accessing the service. As more customers apply to the CMS, the demand for the service is increasing. To allow CMS to meet this demand and provide an efficient service we continuously look at the resources we have and where we should focus our efforts in order to get the greatest value for money and deliver the best service to our customers. We review our overall resource supply twice yearly and take appropriate steps to ensure that staffing levels meet demands. We have an ongoing recruitment campaign for 2025; this will ensure CMS is resourced to meet current and future forecasted service demand. Furthermore, we have taken timely action to review, evaluate and enhance tools and training material to support staff in delivering a quality service to our customers. We have improved training for new entrant colleagues and caseworkers and upgraded our Operational Instructions with around 90% transformed into Smart Instructions, making them easier for caseworkers to understand and use. The CMS regularly gathers feedback from customers and stakeholders on our service. The Customer Experience Survey is a way in which the Department interacts with customers to understand their experience; this insight is used to inform ways to improve our service. In the last month, CMS continued to exceed our official key performance indicators, demonstrating improved outcomes and service for customers. We are always working to modernise our service and how we communicate with our customers. Commencement of any additional activity as part of the Service Modernisation Programme will be informed by the value to our customers and the cost to the Department.

If her Department will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the communication of the Child Maintenance Service.

Through the Service Modernisation Programme, the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) has made significant improvements to both communications and digital service in order to provide separated parents a greater level of service. The online digital service 'Get Help Arranging Child Maintenance ' through GOV.UK is a service open to any parent who needs to communicate with us and can receive unbiased advice and support to make an arrangement through CMS. Through increased use of SMS text and email, an extensive review of letters, which focussed on making the letters easier for customers to understand, and by promoting self-service online through My Child Maintenance Case (MCMC), the CMS is ensuring customers have greater choice of how they communicate with us and access our service. MCMC offers customers the ability to access and update information held on their case and request changes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. CMS has the ability to process simple changes through MCMC, automatically speeding up the time taken to make a change and greatly improving customer outcomes. These changes are a fundamental step towards the CMS modernisation goal of evolving our service to be predominately online. Although online communication is the preferred option, CMS fully recognises digital is not suitable for all customers. For those customers who have to contact us by telephone, steps have been taken to update the service through efficient call routing. We have freed up resources to deliver a more responsive service which allows caseworkers more time to better assist customers who need to reach out to us via telephone. The CMS telephony opening hours are regularly reviewed based on the demand requirements; CMS has extended their telephony service to 6pm on weekdays to meet this demand. On the 26 February 2024, the CMS removed the £20 application fee for those parents opting to use the service to ensure families on the lowest incomes do not face a barrier to accessing the service. As more customers apply to the CMS, the demand for the service is increasing. To allow CMS to meet this demand and provide an efficient service we continuously look at the resources we have and where we should focus our efforts in order to get the greatest value for money and deliver the best service to our customers. We review our overall resource supply twice yearly and take appropriate steps to ensure that staffing levels meet demands. We have an ongoing recruitment campaign for 2025; this will ensure CMS is resourced to meet current and future forecasted service demand. Furthermore, we have taken timely action to review, evaluate and enhance tools and training material to support staff in delivering a quality service to our customers. We have improved training for new entrant colleagues and caseworkers and upgraded our Operational Instructions with around 90% transformed into Smart Instructions, making them easier for caseworkers to understand and use. The CMS regularly gathers feedback from customers and stakeholders on our service. The Customer Experience Survey is a way in which the Department interacts with customers to understand their experience; this insight is used to inform ways to improve our service. In the last month, CMS continued to exceed our official key performance indicators, demonstrating improved outcomes and service for customers. We are always working to modernise our service and how we communicate with our customers. Commencement of any additional activity as part of the Service Modernisation Programme will be informed by the value to our customers and the cost to the Department.

Whether children with complex needs who are home educated are eligible to receive free school meals.

Free meals are available to registered pupils of state-funded schools meeting the eligibility criteria, either on school premises or at any place where education is provided.The department also expects local authorities to consider free meal provision for children and young people receiving education otherwise than at school, commonly referred to as EOTAS, in accordance with Section 61 of the Children and Families Act 2014. This is set out in our published guidance.In addition to this, all schools have duties under the Equality Act 2010 towards individual disabled children and young people. As this relates to school food provision, schools are required to make reasonable adjustment for disabled pupils to ensure they aren’t put at substantial disadvantage. Further information is available in our published guidance.

What progress phase 2 of the Schools Rebuilding Programme has made on Tiverton High School.

The department will begin working with Tiverton High School this quarter as it enters delivery. We will work closely with the Responsible Body to determine how best to proceed.

What steps he is taking to help ensure that social care reform tackles barriers faced by (a) disabled people with complex needs and (b) deafblind people.

The Government is taking forward a package of reforms to enable more people to live independently for longer, including older adults, disabled people, and those with complex needs. For example, in 2025/26, we are providing up to £3.7 billion of additional funding for social care authorities, including an £880 million increase in the Social Care Grant.We are also providing £172 million across this and the last financial year, for approximately 15,000 home adaptations, and are introducing new national standards and trusted guidance for care technologies such as remote monitoring. In addition, to strengthen the workforce, we are legislating for the first ever Fair Pay Agreement for care workers and are providing a £2,000 uplift to the Carer’s Allowance.We have also launched an independent commission into adult social care as part of our critical first steps towards delivering a National Care Service. The commission will work with people who draw on care and support, their families, staff, and the wider sector to build a system that meets the current and future needs of our population. These improvements will help support the quality of adult social care for all who draw on it, including disabled people with complex needs and deafblind people.

What steps he is taking to ensure that deafblind people can access care needs assessments.

Under the Care Act 2014 and Care and Support (Assessment) Regulations 2014, local authorities are responsible for ensuring deafblind people in their area access the right care and support. This includes making contact with and keeping a record of all deafblind people in their area and ensuring that needs assessments are carried out by a person who has specific training and expertise relating to individuals who are deafblind. In addition, under the Equality Act (2010), local authorities must make reasonable adjustments to ensure that disabled people are not disadvantaged.The Government recognises the many challenges facing the adult social care system and is taking steps to improve access to adult social care. We have launched an independent commission into adult social care as part of our critical first steps towards delivering a National Care Service. The commission will make clear recommendations to define and build an adult social care system that will meet the current and future needs of our population. The commission will consider older people’s care and support for working age disabled adults separately, recognising that these services meet different needs.In the interim, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) are assessing how well local authorities in England are performing against their duties under Part 1 of the Care Act 2014, including their duties relating to the access and provision of care and support for deafblind people. Support for deafblind people will form part of the CQC’s overall assessment of local authorities’ delivery of adult social care. In that context, the CQC will report when there is something to highlight, for example, something being done well, innovative practice or an area for improvement. If the CQC identifies a local authority has failed or is failing its functions to an acceptable standard, my Rt. Hon. friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has powers to intervene. The CQC has published over forty local authority ratings and reports, which are available at the following link: https://www.cqc.org.uk/care-services/local-authority-assessment-reports

If his Department will make an assessment of the adequacy of the online NHS Dentist checker information.

National Health Service dentists are required to update their NHS website profiles at least every 90 days to ensure patients have up-to-date information on where they can access care. This includes information on whether they are accepting new patients.Integrated care boards can review which practices in their area have not updated their profile in a 90-day period, and work with practices to ensure websites are up to date.Patients in England are not registered with an NHS dental practice, although many NHS dental practices do tend to see patients regularly. There is no geographical restriction on which practice a patient may attend.

If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the level of funding for state secondary schools.

The overall core schools budget is increasing by £3.7 billion in 2025/26, meaning that it will total £65.3 billion, compared to £61.6 billion in 2024/25. This is a 6% overall increase which, against the backdrop of a challenging fiscal picture, demonstrates the government’s commitment to enabling every child to achieve and thrive through delivery of the Opportunity Mission.Secondary pupils are attracting £7,316 per pupil on average through the dedicated schools grant in 2025/26. The additional funding to support schools and high needs settings with staff pay awards announced on 22 May, as well as funding in respect of the increases to National Insurance contributions, will be paid on top of that.

If her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of implementing a duty of care on universities in relation to extra-curricular activities carried out by affiliated student groups.

The department’s position is that a duty of care in higher education (HE) may arise in certain circumstances. Such circumstances would be a matter for the courts to decide, based on the specific facts and context of the case being considered and will be dependent on the courts’ application of accepted common law principles.The department would expect HE providers and their affiliated student groups to comply with relevant existing legislation and any other guidance. For example, that published by the provider and/or the National Union of Students on matters such as health and safety.

If his Department will make an assessment of the viability of tidal range power projects in the Severn Estuary.

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has launched a research innovation project to model the impacts and value of tidal range, we are expecting the report from this work soon and will consider its findings alongside the recently published Severn Estuary Commission report.

If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the level of pay for non-teaching staff in further education.

This government recognises the vital role non-teaching staff play within the further education (FE) sector, helping colleges to provide support to young people at a critical stage in their education.FE colleges, rather than government, are responsible for setting and negotiating pay within colleges. FE colleges were incorporated under the terms of the 1992 Further and Higher Education Act, which gives them autonomy over the pay and contractual terms and conditions of their workforce, including support staff.On 22 May, the department announced an investment of £160 million for colleges and other 16-19 providers in the 2025/2026 financial year. This funding will boost opportunities for learners across the country and drive forward delivery of the critical skills needed to grow our economy.Additional funding of over £30 million will be provided specifically for 16-19 provision in schools. This funding forms part of the overall £615 million funding envelope for 2025/26, which was announced alongside the 2025/26 school teachers’ pay award. Together, this means that a total additional sum of over £190 million will be available for 16-19 funding in the 2025/26 financial year.

What information her Department holds on what the average processing time for a shotgun license application was in the last 12 months.

The issuing of firearms certificates and the efficiency of police forces is a matter for individual Chief Constables and local Police and Crime Commissioners.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of consulting with experts from the voluntary support sector during the (a) planning for and (b) piloting of mental health support teams in schools.

As set out in the NHS Operational Planning Guidance 2025/26, integrated care boards are responsible for planning and implementing mental health support teams. Since the inception of the programme, guidance to local commissioners has been to engage with local partners including the voluntary sector in planning for mental health support teams, mapping local support, and through representation in local governance.