Written questions by Jones.

When he intends to meet representatives of the Motability Collective Campaign Group.

Ministers regularly meet representative groups of a range of types and every request to meet a Minister is given consideration.

Innovation and Technology, what steps she taking to assess the digital inclusivity of services offered through (a) Gov.uk and (b) the wider public sector.

Central Government assesses digital inclusivity of GOV.UK and wider public sector services through service assessment teams within GDS and Departments. These teams review services against the Government Service Standard, requiring user research with diverse groups, ongoing evaluation, and data on uptake and satisfaction. The Government Digital Service also monitors compliance of public sector websites and apps with accessibility regulations.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions she had with (a) the Financial Conduct Authority, (b) Ofwat, (c) Ofgem and (d) Ofcom on ensuring (i) services are accessible to residents who are not online and (ii) issues around digital exclusion are consistently embedded in regulator guidance on dealing with vulnerable customers.

Digital inclusion can transform people’s lives for the better. Families can save money on their groceries and energy bills when they shop online; those looking for work can find better job opportunities and earn more; and people can more easily access the services they need – including the NHS and welfare.That is why we published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan, which sets out our immediate actions to deliver digital inclusion for everyone across the UK, regardless of their circumstances.We encourage providers of key services important to people’s daily lives – like banking and utilities – to prioritise inclusive and accessible services for everyone. We are working with industry, the Regulators and the voluntary sector to champion access for digitally excluded customers, including vulnerable people. That is why, for example, the government’s recent Financial Inclusion Strategy highlighted the commitment we have agreed with the financial services industry to rollout 350 banking hubs by the end of this parliament.We also want to make government digital services easier to access. Legal requirements should ensure public sector websites and apps meet accessibility requirements, and there is published best practice to provide alternative routes such as phone lines, in-person support and paper forms.

What steps his Department is taking to increase clinic capacity to help ensure that urgent breast referrals meet the 28 day Faster Diagnosis Standard.

We will support the National Health Service to increase capacity to meet the demand for diagnostic services through investment in new magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scanners. The Government is investing an extra £26 billion in the NHS and is opening up community diagnostic centres at evening and weekends, to help catch cancer earlier, including breast cancer.The NHS has exceeded its pledge to deliver an extra two million appointments, having now delivered over five million more appointments as the first step to ensuring earlier and faster access to treatment. Between October 2024 to September 2025, approximately 139,000 more patients were diagnosed or had cancer ruled out within 28 days compared to the previous 12 months.To ensure that the most advanced treatment is available to the patients who need it, and so that patients can be treated sooner, the Government has invested £70 million of central funding to replace outdated radiotherapy machines.

What action his Department is taking to ensure that 85 per cent of breast cancer patients start treatment within 62 days of urgent referral.

We will support the National Health Service to increase capacity to meet the demand for diagnostic services through investment in new magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scanners. The Government is investing an extra £26 billion in the NHS and is opening up community diagnostic centres at evening and weekends, to help catch cancer earlier, including breast cancer.The NHS has exceeded its pledge to deliver an extra two million appointments, having now delivered over five million more appointments as the first step to ensuring earlier and faster access to treatment. Between October 2024 to September 2025, approximately 139,000 more patients were diagnosed or had cancer ruled out within 28 days compared to the previous 12 months.To ensure that the most advanced treatment is available to the patients who need it, and so that patients can be treated sooner, the Government has invested £70 million of central funding to replace outdated radiotherapy machines.

When NHS England will publish the breast screening uptake improvement plan.

In 2026, NHS England is planning to publish a Breast Screening Programme Uptake Improvement Review to help improve uptake and address inequalities.They aim to publish a review of actions taken at a national level by the NHS Breast Screening Programme so far, as well as setting out where the focus will be going forward, to support local services to drive uptake even further.

What estimate she has made of the number of animals involved in LD50 tests by type of animal; and what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of those tests.

The Home Office publishes detailed annual statistics on the use of animals in science, including procedures for acute and sub-toxicity testing methods such as LD50 (Lethal Dose 50) and LC50 (Lethal Concentration 50). According to the latest published figures for 2024, there were 11,992 procedures in this category, and the statistics include a breakdown by species.All testing using protected animals, including the LD50 and LC50 tests, are subject to strict regulation under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.These particular tests are internationally recognised methods for assessing toxicity and are required under guidelines set by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulations overseen by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. Some authorised medicines in the UK necessitate quality control tests which require the use of animals, conducted to ensure the quality, safety, and efficacy of specific medicines. The Government is committed to non-animal alternatives in science and has published a strategy to support their development, validation and adoption. The strategy is available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/replacing-animals-in-science-strategy/replacing-animals-in-science-a-strategy-to-support-the-development-validation-and-uptake-of-alternative-methods

Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of animal-free tests such as the AcutoX for phasing out the LD50 test.

The strategy uses ‘baskets’ to group animal tests according to their readiness for replacement, based on maturity of potential alternative methods. These initial baskets will be refined in consultation with stakeholders, noting that two LD/LC50 tests are already in baskets 1 and 2 (botulinum potency and fish acute toxicity tests respectively) so are among the first targeted for phase-out. The Acutox test is a non-regulatory test and not yet validated for use in safety assessments. We will establish a new UK Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (UKCVAM) to accelerate alternative method validation and uptake for regulatory decision making.

Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to accelerate the phasing out of the use of the LD50 test; and if she will set out a timetable for that phasing out.

The strategy uses ‘baskets’ to group animal tests according to their readiness for replacement, based on maturity of potential alternative methods. These initial baskets will be refined in consultation with stakeholders, noting that two LD/LC50 tests are already in baskets 1 and 2 (botulinum potency and fish acute toxicity tests respectively) so are among the first targeted for phase-out. The Acutox test is a non-regulatory test and not yet validated for use in safety assessments. We will establish a new UK Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (UKCVAM) to accelerate alternative method validation and uptake for regulatory decision making.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the current legal protection regime for decapod crustaceans; and what steps is she taking to strengthen protections of the welfare of decapod crustaceans.

The Government is committed to an evidence-based and proportionate approach to setting welfare standards for decapod crustaceans. Defra has commissioned research to address a knowledge gap about how live decapods move from sea to plate. This is due to finish in 2026. In addition, a project on the welfare of decapod crustaceans across the supply chain is included in the Animal Welfare Committee’s current work plan.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to protect the welfare of live decapod crustaceans while held in commercial premises prior to sale.

The Government is committed to an evidence-based and proportionate approach to setting welfare standards for decapod crustaceans. Defra has commissioned research to address a knowledge gap about how live decapods move from sea to plate. This is due to finish in 2026. In addition, a project on the welfare of decapod crustaceans across the supply chain is included in the Animal Welfare Committee’s current work plan.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Cuban counterpart on reports of gender-based violence against women human rights defenders.

Our relationship with Cuba allows for frank dialogue, including on matters on which we do not agree. Our Ambassador in Havana has raised recent human rights cases with the Ministry of External Relations, and we work with likeminded partners to make clear our shared position. We will continue to raise concerns where we have them through diplomatic channels, in both London and Havana.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Government's proposed changes to Motability on those with standard leases.

The Motability Scheme will continue to offer a choice of vehicles to meet a range of accessibility needs. The Scheme will continue to offer vehicles which require no advance payment, meaning that people will be able to access a suitable vehicle using only their qualifying disability benefit. Motability Operations, an independent commercial company which delivers the Scheme, will continue to prioritise customer needs, ensuring vehicles remain affordable.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to page 89 of the Annual Report for 2023 on Official Controls performed in Great Britain under the OCR Multi-Annual National Control Plan published by her Department, what assessment she has made of the relative roles of a) intelligence of animal welfare breaches and b) public perceptions in driving animal welfare inspections by the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

The reference to game birds (p89) in the Multi Annual National Control Plan reflects increased public interest in a relatively new and emerging area of welfare oversight. In contrast, farmed livestock have long been a priority for both regulators and the public.The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) already adopt an intelligence-led, risk-based approach to animal welfare inspections. Intelligence sources include referrals from partners such as the Food Standards Agency (FSA), historical compliance data, and other risk indicators, ensuring resources are directed to areas of greatest concern.Public interest plays a role, particularly in triggering reactive inspections where complaints or media attention raise concerns about animal welfare.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to page 89 of the Annual Report for 2023 on Official Controls performed in Great Britain under the OCR Multi-Annual National Control Plan, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of public interest on the frequency of animal welfare inspections of livestock farms.

The Annual Report notes that inspection frequency for game bird establishments was increased in response to public interest. This was an exceptional measure for that sector.Public perception is an important consideration, but for livestock farms animal welfare has always been a priority. Inspection frequency is determined through a long-standing, risk-based system using objective factors such as compliance history and intelligence This ensures inspections remain proportionate and focused on areas of greatest risk.The Department remains committed to maintaining high standards of farmed animal welfare and will continue to act promptly where concerns are identified. Animal welfare will always remain a core policy priority for this Government.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she will consider increasing the transparency of operations by the Animal and Plant Health Agency in line with the Food Standards Agency's audits of slaughterhouses.

The Government acknowledges the importance of transparency in animal welfare regulation. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) publish details of successful prosecutions in its annual report to Parliament, as required by Section 80 of the Animal Health Act, and Defra publishes APHA regulatory data in the Official Controls report under the Multi-annual National Control Plan (MANCP). The content of these reports is regularly reviewed; however, the Government is not considering introducing additional reporting or audits beyond what is already published.

Food and Rural Affairs, what proportion of a) farms and b) slaughterhouses are inspected each year; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of that proportion on animal welfare standards.

a). In 2023, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) undertook 1381 visits, inspecting 3001 herd and flocks. APHA operates an intelligence- and risk-based inspection regime, prioritising cases where significant animal suffering has been identified. There is no prescribed proportion of farms inspected solely for welfare purposes. When inspections are carried out for other purposes, such as disease control, any welfare concerns identified are addressed immediately or escalated for further action. b) All approved slaughterhouses have Food Standards Agency (FSA) officials present during operations and receive at least one dedicated welfare inspection annually. These inspections are supplemented by risk-based audits, ensuring a high level of compliance with animal welfare standards. Overall compliance with animal welfare requirements in slaughterhouses remains very high across the sector.Risk-based and intelligence-led inspections remain the most effective means of targeting resources to tackle serious animal welfare breaches. The FSA monitors large numbers of animals and reports any welfare concerns to APHA, which forms part of this integrated, risk-based approach.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2025 to question 86529, what proportion of EU hazard classifications adopted since 1 January 2021 have received (a) no mandatory classification and (b) a different mandatory classification in GB Classification, Labelling and Packaging.

Since 2021, the mandatory classification and labelling of 232 chemicals have been formally adopted by the EU. In Great Britain (GB), the mandatory classification and labelling of 206 chemicals have been formally adopted, over the same period with the remaining 26 chemicals due to be adopted by GB in June 2026. Of the 232 chemicals formally adopted by the EU, the GB MCL classification has diverged from the EU classification for 29 chemicals, which is about 12%.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of ending the routine culling of day-old male chicks in the UK egg industry; and whether the forthcoming Animal Welfare Strategy will consider the use of in-ovo sexing technology.

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

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2025 to question 86529, whether divergence between EU and GB mandatory hazard classifications for the same substance will change under HSE proposals for changing GB Classification, Labelling and Packaging.

From 23 June to 18 August 2025, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) consulted on proposals to reform three pieces of chemicals legislation: Great Britain Biocidal Products Regulation (GB BPR); Great Britain Classification, Labelling and Packaging (GB CLP); and Great Britain Prior Informed Consent for the export and import of hazardous chemicals (GB PIC). The reform proposals suggest procedural changes to how the GB Classification system operates but do not propose changes to the underlying scientific criteria used for classifying and labelling chemicals. These criteria are set out in Annexes I and II to the GB Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation (known as the GB CLP Regulation). The final proposals for GB CLP will be confirmed as part of HSE’s response to the Chemicals Legislative Reform Proposals consultation. It is expected to be published in early 2026 subject to Ministerial approval.