Written questions by Hall.

What steps her Department is taking to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation with governments in countries with high incidences of livestreamed child sexual abuse production.

The Government is unequivocal in its commitment to protecting children from all forms of child sexual exploitation and abuse This includes ensuring that we are working to combat livestreamed abuse and ensuring that offenders cannot use technology to harm children with impunity.In order to tackle the threat and reduce livestreaming of child sexual abuse, which is an inherently transnational crime, the National Crime Agency (NCA) works in collaboration with law enforcement in the UK and internationally to pursue the highest harm offenders. The UK is also leading the way in supporting the building and developing thematic knowledge and operational capabilities of other international law enforcement agencies to work together to pursue offenders and safeguard children. In addition, the NCA is leading a number of initiatives with industry and engagement with the financial sector to specifically prevent and detect livestreaming offending. This includes work to build on the UK-supported report by the Action Taskforce (FATF) ‘Detecting, Disrupting and Investigating Online Child Sexual Exploitation’.This UK Government is prioritising our response to this crime, including crucial action through multilateral and bilateral forums to lead the way in ensuring there is robust international capacity to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse, including in response to livestreaming and other online offending, and working to keep children safe online and in communities around the world.

What recent discussions she has had with domestic abuse (a) charities and (b) specialist organisations on the sustainability of their services; and what steps she is taking to ensure that (i) victims and (ii) survivors of domestic abuse have access to adequate support.

The Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy will set out the strategic direction and concrete actions to deliver on the Government’s VAWG ambition. The new Strategy must reflect the real-world context and lived experiences of the people it is seeking to protect, and we have engaged with sector experts and delivery partners, including charities and specialist organisations, to ensure that it is informed by their views and insights. This included ministerially chaired roundtables on a range of key VAWG issues, including a session specifically on commissioning of specialist services for victims of VAWG.In this financial year, the Home Office is investing £19.9m in victims' support services - to provide vital support to victims of VAWG, increase awareness of VAWG and fund projects across the country aimed at preventing these horrific crimes.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with international counterparts on tackling plastic pollution; and what steps he is taking through international forums to promote global action to (a) reduce plastic waste and (b) support sustainable alternatives.

Plastic pollution is a global crisis that no country can solve alone. The UK has played an active role in pushing for an ambitious and effective global plastics treaty. In June 2025 I met with a range of influential countries in the margins of the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice to discuss global action. Over 90 countries, including the UK, endorsed the 'Nice Wake-up Call' calling for an ambitious global treaty to end plastic pollution. I also attended the second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee took place from 5-14 August in Geneva. The UK worked hard to progress negotiations, working closely with our partners to push for effective global measures on plastic products, including ensuring that any alternatives are sustainable. We are disappointed that no agreement was reached. The Government remains steadfast in our commitment to continue working to secure an effective global treaty on plastic pollution which protects the environment and paves the way to a circular economy.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of reintroducing private finance through public private partnerships for neighbourhood health centres on the NHS; and how those proposals differ from previous private finance initiative models.

As set out in the 10 Year Health Plan, the Department, alongside the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority, is working on a business case to look at the feasibility of using a public private partnership (PPP) model for Neighbourhood Health Centres, with a decision expected in the Autumn Budget.Any new PPP models will be subject to market testing and will build on lessons learned from past government experience, models currently in use, and the March 2025 National Audit Office report, ‘Lessons Learned: private finance for infrastructure’.The Department conducted a successful preliminary market engagement exercise over summer 2025, and this is feeding into the business case.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of waiting times for gynaecology treatment on women’s health outcomes; and what steps he is taking to improve access to timely care.

The Government is committed to prioritising women’s health as we build a National Health Service fit for the future. Our focus is on turning the commitments in the Women's Health Strategy into tangible action, such as providing emergency hormonal contraception free of charge at pharmacies on the NHS from October 2025; setting out how we will eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 through the new cervical cancer plan; and taking urgent action to tackle gynaecology waiting lists through the Elective Reform Plan.As set out in the Plan for Change, we have committed to return to the NHS constitutional standard that 92% of patients, including women waiting for gynaecological care, wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to treatment by March 2029. We provided additional investment in the Autumn Budget that has enabled us to fulfil our pledge to deliver over two million more elective care appointments early. More than double that number, 4.9 million more appointments, have now been delivered.The Elective Reform Plan, published in January, sets out the reform we will undertake to return to the 18-week standard, and to ensure patients have the best possible experience while they wait. This includes commitments to offer patients care closer to home, in the community, including piloting gynaecology pathways in community diagnostic centres for patients with unscheduled bleeding on hormone replacement therapy. We have also committed to increasing the relative funding available to support gynaecology procedures with the largest waiting lists.We know the vital role general practitioners (GPs) have to play in the Government’s mission to tackle NHS waiting lists. This is why we have expanded the Advice and Guidance scheme, investing £80 million to keep patients off the waiting list, with GPs working more closely with hospital specialists to access expert advice to make sure patients can access timely, high quality care.

What steps she is taking to support parents with the adoption process.

​​The government is funding Adoption England with £8.8 million this year to improve adoption services. Adoption England has published national standards for the adopter journey which covers all stages of the approval process from initial contact, through to assessment, approval and matching. A key feature of the standards is that prospective adopters feel welcomed and supported throughout the process. This includes opportunities to meet existing adopters and others going through the approval process. Adoption England regularly undertake mystery shopping exercises to ensure the advice and support adopters receive is consistent and high-quality across the country.Adoption agencies agree a support plan with prospective adopters when they have been matched with children which evolves over time as the child grows and develops.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to reform the (a) Packaging Recovery Note and (b) Packaging Waste Export Recycling Note system to (i) reduce price disparities, (ii) strengthen oversight of overseas export destinations and (iii) support domestic recycling infrastructure.

We meet regularly with industry stakeholders and will examine options to reform the Packaging Waste Recycling Note (PRN/PERN) system, which will include proposals intended to support the UK recycling sector.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the quality of (a) infrastructure and (b) property in NHS facilities on (i) patient safety and (ii) service delivery.

The safety of NHS staff and patients is a top priority for the Government, and we recognise that delivering high quality NHS healthcare services requires safe, sustainable, and effective infrastructure and facilities. Lord Darzi’s investigation considered the impact of NHS infrastructure, estates and capital funding on the NHS, and found that capital investment has been neglected, with the hospital estate left to crumble.Repairing and rebuilding our healthcare estate is a vital part of our ambition to create an NHS that is fit for the future through our 10-Year Health Plan. The Government’s recently published 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy set out 10-year maintenance budgets for the public estate, confirming £6 billion per year for maintenance and repair of the NHS estate up to 2034/35. Within this, the 2025 Spending Review settlement announced a total capital investment of £30 billion over five years in day-to-day maintenance and repair of the NHS estate, with over £5 billion specifically allocated to address the most critical building repairs.In 2025/26, this includes a £750 million Estates Safety Fund which will deliver vital safety improvements, enhance patient and staff environments, and reduce disruptions to NHS clinical services.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of trends in the level of (a) debt bondage and (b) tied visa arrangements among migrant care workers in the UK.

To date the Home Office hasn’t made an assessment of trends in the level of (a) debt bondage and (b) tied visa arrangements among migrant care workers in the UK.The Government has taken the decision to end overseas recruitment in Adult Social Care following significant abuse of the system and exploitation of workers. Thousands of workers have been displaced due to employer non-compliance, who continue to struggle to secure full time roles in the sector.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of levels of (a) puppy and (b) kitten smuggling into the UK under existing pet travel rules.

Due to the illegal nature of this activity, we cannot know the true extent of puppy and kitten smuggling operations. The Animal and Plant Health Agency plays a critical role in monitoring and intercepting animals that do not meet legal importation standards including those that are underage. As outlined in our manifesto, the Government is committed to ending puppy smuggling. That is why we are supporting the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill. We are fully supportive of this Bill and would like to see it pass through the House of Lords as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

With reference to section 8 of the Crime and Policing Bill, what guidance will be given to police forces on the circumstances in which a vehicle should be seized without warning.

We are amending the Police Reform Act 2002 through the Crime and Policing Bill to allow the police to seize vehicles which are used in an anti-social manner without having to first give a warning to the offender, as is currently required in some circumstances.We will work with the College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs’ Council to assess what guidance is required to forces on the implementation of these changes.

What steps his Department is taking to help protect the aluminium industry through free trade agreements.

We have taken decisive action to support the UK aluminium industry through recent trade agreements that reduce barriers and enhance market access. For example, in May, the UK concluded a landmark economic deal with the US, which included an agreement to remove the 25% tariff on steel and aluminium - restoring rates to Most Favoured Nation (MFN) levels. We continue to work closely with the US to ensure the deal is implemented as soon as possible. In the meantime, the UK remains the first country in the world to benefit from a 25% tariff rate that is half the 50% global rate.Where domestic producers believe they are at risk of being injured by unfair foreign trade practices, such as dumping or subsidisation, they should directly engage the Trade Remedies Authority. I welcome the fact that the TRA has been in discussion with UK aluminium producers over a potential trade remedies investigation.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to provide additional funding to local authorities to support rough sleepers during winter 2025–26; and what assessment she has made of the adequacy of funding for rough sleeping.

The Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant (RSPARG) is providing a total of £185.6 million to local authorities across England in 2025/26. The RSPARG gives local authorities the flexibility to determine the most suitable rough sleeping services required to meet local need, this includes providing support over the winter period.

What steps he is taking to help protect the aluminium industry from (a) US tariffs and (b) geopolitical competition.

We have taken decisive action to support the UK aluminium industry through recent trade agreements that reduce barriers and enhance market access. For example, in May, the UK concluded a landmark economic deal with the US, which included an agreement to remove the 25% tariff on steel and aluminium - restoring rates to Most Favoured Nation (MFN) levels. We continue to work closely with the US to ensure the deal is implemented as soon as possible. In the meantime, the UK remains the first country in the world to benefit from a 25% tariff rate that is half the 50% global rate.Where domestic producers believe they are at risk of being injured by unfair foreign trade practices, such as dumping or subsidisation, they should directly engage the Trade Remedies Authority. I welcome the fact that the TRA has been in discussion with UK aluminium producers over a potential trade remedies investigation.

Whether he has made an assessment of the comparative cost to the NHS of (a) hospice inpatient beds and (b) acute hospital beds for palliative care patients.

While the majority of palliative care and end of life care is provided by National Health Service staff and services, we recognise the vital part that voluntary sector organisations, including charitable hospices, also play in providing support to people at the end of life and those important to them. As charitable hospices are independent, autonomous organisations, they are free to set their own wages and some associated costs, and the Department does not hold or collect this information.

For what reason the aluminium sector was not included in the Industrial Strategy.

The Industrial Strategy focusses on the eight sectors with the highest economic potential, while supporting the Government's strategic objectives of resilient, environmentally sustainable, and regionally balanced growth. It also identifies foundational inputs for those sectors, including aluminium.The aluminium sector will benefit from wider growth policies. The latest UK criticality assessment includes aluminium within its critical minerals list, to be used as the basis for the upcoming Critical Minerals Strategy. Some aluminium businesses will benefit from the increased network charge compensation.We will also consult on eligibility for the new British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme, which will cut electricity bills for electricity-intensive industries by up to 25%.

How many requests for biometric deferral have been received from Palestinian students in Gaza since October 2023; and how many have been approved.

The Home Office does not currently publish data regarding the number of biometric deferral requests submitted or approved.The Home Office has put in place systems to issue expedited visas, with biometric checks conducted prior to arrival in the UK for all Chevening scholars from Gaza.  We are in the process of doing the same for a group of students in Gaza who have been awarded fully funded scholarships covering course fees and living costs at UK universities so they can start their studies in Autumn 2025. The Government is doing everything it can to support their safe exit and onward travel to the UK. The situation on the ground in Gaza makes this extremely challenging.

Whether he plans to introduce a 24/7 single point of access for palliative and end of life care (a) advice, (b) guidance and (c) support, following the publication of the 10-Year Plan for Health.

One of the three ‘shifts’ that the 10 Year Health Plan will deliver is around the Government’s determination to shift healthcare out of hospitals and into the community, to ensure patients and their families receive personalised care in the most appropriate setting. Palliative care and end of life care services will have a big role to play in that shift and were highlighted in the plan as being an integral part of neighbourhood teams.I have tasked officials to look at how to improve the access, quality, and sustainability of all- age palliative and end of life care in line with the 10 Year Health Plan.Officials will present further proposals to ministers over the coming months, outlining the drivers and incentives that are required in palliative care and end of life care to enable the shift from hospital to community, including as part of neighbourhood health teams.To support integrated care boards (ICBs) in the commissioning of palliative care and end of life care services, NHS England has published statutory guidance and service specifications. The guidance makes specific reference to commissioners defining how their services will meet population needs 24/7 and includes a priority action for ensuring that staff, patients, and carers can access the care and advice they need, whatever time of day.National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance on the service delivery of end of life care for adults also includes recommendations about 24/7 access to care. Although NICE guidance is not mandatory, there is an expectation that commissioners and service providers take the guidelines into account when making decisions about how to best meet the needs of their local communities.The Government and the National Health Service will closely monitor the shift towards the strategic commissioning of palliative care and end of life care services to help ensure that services remove variation in access and quality, although some variation may be appropriate to reflect both innovation and the needs of local populations.

What steps he is taking to help ensure that the 10-Year Plan for Health promotes equitable access to (a) palliative and (b) end of life care.

One of the three ‘shifts’ that the 10 Year Health Plan will deliver is around the Government’s determination to shift healthcare out of hospitals and into the community, to ensure patients and their families receive personalised care in the most appropriate setting. Palliative care and end of life care services will have a big role to play in that shift and were highlighted in the plan as being an integral part of neighbourhood teams.I have tasked officials to look at how to improve the access, quality, and sustainability of all- age palliative and end of life care in line with the 10 Year Health Plan.Officials will present further proposals to ministers over the coming months, outlining the drivers and incentives that are required in palliative care and end of life care to enable the shift from hospital to community, including as part of neighbourhood health teams.To support integrated care boards (ICBs) in the commissioning of palliative care and end of life care services, NHS England has published statutory guidance and service specifications. The guidance makes specific reference to commissioners defining how their services will meet population needs 24/7 and includes a priority action for ensuring that staff, patients, and carers can access the care and advice they need, whatever time of day.National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance on the service delivery of end of life care for adults also includes recommendations about 24/7 access to care. Although NICE guidance is not mandatory, there is an expectation that commissioners and service providers take the guidelines into account when making decisions about how to best meet the needs of their local communities.The Government and the National Health Service will closely monitor the shift towards the strategic commissioning of palliative care and end of life care services to help ensure that services remove variation in access and quality, although some variation may be appropriate to reflect both innovation and the needs of local populations.

What steps he is taking to provide funding certainty to hospices beyond this financial year, in the context of the 10-year plan for palliative and end-of-life care.

One of the three ‘shifts’ that the 10 Year Health Plan will deliver is around the Government’s determination to shift healthcare out of hospitals and into the community, to ensure patients and their families receive personalised care in the most appropriate setting. Palliative care and end of life care services will have a big role to play in that shift and were highlighted in the plan as being an integral part of neighbourhood teams.I have tasked officials to look at how to improve the access, quality, and sustainability of all- age palliative and end of life care in line with the 10 Year Health Plan.Officials will present further proposals to ministers over the coming months, outlining the drivers and incentives that are required in palliative care and end of life care to enable the shift from hospital to community, including as part of neighbourhood health teams.To support integrated care boards (ICBs) in the commissioning of palliative care and end of life care services, NHS England has published statutory guidance and service specifications. The guidance makes specific reference to commissioners defining how their services will meet population needs 24/7 and includes a priority action for ensuring that staff, patients, and carers can access the care and advice they need, whatever time of day.National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance on the service delivery of end of life care for adults also includes recommendations about 24/7 access to care. Although NICE guidance is not mandatory, there is an expectation that commissioners and service providers take the guidelines into account when making decisions about how to best meet the needs of their local communities.The Government and the National Health Service will closely monitor the shift towards the strategic commissioning of palliative care and end of life care services to help ensure that services remove variation in access and quality, although some variation may be appropriate to reflect both innovation and the needs of local populations.