Written questions by Olney.

If she will set the processes by which the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme collects data from individuals.

Those registering under FIRS do so through a dedicated IT platform. Comprehensive guidance on the scheme has been published on gov.uk. This includes guidance on what data needs to be registered and what data will appear on the public register.In addition, the Home Office has published a Privacy Information Notice setting out how data provided under the scheme is handled (https://foreign-influence-registration-scheme.service.gov.uk/Privacy).This includes how personal information inputted into registrations will be collected and stored securely in accordance with Home Office guidance and data policies.

How does the Home Office learn of, or uncover, incidents of transnational repression.

We continually assess potential threats in the UK and draw on a multisource model to build a comprehensive picture of that threat.The Government works closely with law enforcement, government departments, international partners, civil society and affected individuals to strengthen our understanding of reporting trends and methodologies, identify patterns of behaviour, and ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to prevent transnational repression (TNR). A dedicated team has now been established within the Home Office to coordinate this work and act as a focal point across HMG.The Government will continue to deepen its understanding of TNR and ensure that the systems used to detect, deter and counter this activity remain effective and proportionate.Anyone who believes they are a victim of state-directed activity should report incidents or suspicious activity to the police via 101, at a local police station, or 999 in emergencies.

How many residents have been charged interest on late payments to HMRC in each year since 2015.

We do not hold aggregated data on the total number of individuals who have paid late payment interest.

How many people are currently on the NHS Talking Therapy waiting list in the UK.

The latest published annual statistics for NHS Talking Therapies services in England for 2024/25 show that the mean average waiting time in days between the date the referral request was received and the date of first appointment, where the referral had a first attended appointment in the year, was 21.5 days.As of 31 December 2025, there were 118,988 open referrals to NHS Talking Therapies services in England yet to have a first appointment.

What was the average waiting time in 2025 for an NHS Talking Therapy appointment following referral.

The latest published annual statistics for NHS Talking Therapies services in England for 2024/25 show that the mean average waiting time in days between the date the referral request was received and the date of first appointment, where the referral had a first attended appointment in the year, was 21.5 days.As of 31 December 2025, there were 118,988 open referrals to NHS Talking Therapies services in England yet to have a first appointment.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the capabilities of UK data centres to meet the energy usage required with the increasing use of AI.

The Government keeps UK data centre capability under review and works closely with energy regulators, network operators and industry.Through the AI Energy Council, Government is assessing system‑wide impacts, promoting energy efficiency and clean power solutions, and ensuring that growth in AI compute supports economic growth without undermining energy security or climate objectives.Through AI Growth Zones, the Government is streamlining planning, improving access to power and crowding in investment, while ensuring developments are located where energy system impacts can be managed effectively.UK Data and AI infrastructure is subject to the UK’s environmental and planning frameworks, which require assessment of impacts such as energy use. Larger data centres, which will be able to apply through the recently introduced Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project route, will also be subject to these requirements.

Food and Rural Affairs, what are the average cost differences between smart water meter bills and flatline bills.

Customers can be charged for water and sewerage through either the rateable value (unmetered) or via metered volume. Smart meters automatically monitor water usage, enabling water companies and customers to receive more regular data on water consumption. Smart metering offers an opportunity for customers to save money on their bills through identifying water wastage through leaks. Whilst the impacts on bills depend on individual circumstances and customer billing plans, the 2024 Baringa report on smart water metering showed that moving from unmetered charging to a ‘dumb’ meter can reduce water consumption by 12–15% and transitioning directly to smart meters can lead to reductions of up to 17%. Customers may wish to contact the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) for additional support and advice on getting a smart meter installed and the impacts this could have on their bills. Customers can use the CCW water meter calculator, to assess any potential bill savings they could make if they installed a smart water meter.

Whether he has made an estimate of the average cost difference between smart meter and flatline bills.

Smart meters help households to manage their energy use and reduce bills by enabling suppliers to bill them for their actual, rather than estimated, energy use. Households with additional low carbon technology can also save on their energy bills by switching to tariffs that are enabled by smart meters with rates designed to incentivise flexible energy use. For example, an EV driver could potentially save £330 annually by smart charging overnight. Households with heat pumps could also save over £250 annually by shifting to a smart tariff and using their heat pump flexibly to pre-heat their homes during cheaper periods.

What plans her Department has to provide long-term funding certainty for schools supported by the Music and Dance Scheme.

I refer the hon. Member for Richmond Park to the answer of 12 February 2026 to Question 111332.

What steps she is taking to help ensure that children from non-privileged backgrounds continue to have access to music and dance training, including through supporting the Music and Dance Scheme Schools.

I refer the hon. Member for Richmond Park to the answer of 12 February 2026 to Question 111332.

How she plans to support the Music and Dance Scheme Schools that face financial challenges.

I refer the hon. Member for Richmond Park to the answer of 12 February 2026 to Question 111332.

What discussions her Department has had with Transport for London on the distribution of the structure fund for repairs and renovations.

The Department is currently seeking views from key stakeholders, including Transport for London, on how best to design and deliver the Structures Fund.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of Think Pharmacy First campaign on helping to encourage people use pharmacies for treatment.

The Pharmacy First advertising campaign has now been run on several occasions. Data collected from the campaign run from November to December 2024 showed an increase in public knowledge that pharmacies can treat ‘Pharmacy First’ conditions, from 71% to 79%, and trust in the advice given by the pharmacy team increased from 61% to 70%. Public intention to use the pharmacy if they experienced any of the Pharmacy First conditions increased from 32% to 37%. This positive shift in people’s attitudes is reflected through an increased use of the Pharmacy First service. There were 198,794 completed clinical pathways in October 2024, the month before the advertising campaign. This increased to 259,323 completed clinical pathways during December 2024. A second public advertising campaign on Pharmacy First ran from 20 October 2025 to 4 January 2026. Evaluation of this most recent campaign is underway.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 January 2026 to Question 107739, if he will clarify what productivity and effectiveness service improvements are used with the assistance of AI.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is used across a number of Home Office services to support productivity, improve effectiveness, and enhance service delivery. In immigration operations, we have developed bespoke tools for specific teams to improve the asylum decision making process, with the pilot suggesting that up to an hour can be saved per case when reviewing interview transcripts and searching for country policy information.AI is also used in other business areas to support productivity and effectiveness, as set out in the response to UIN 73677.The Home Office continues to introduce AI-enabled tools, including the rollout of Microsoft Copilot to assist in routine administrative tasks, help summarise information, and improve search and analysis. We will continue to explore the appropriate and responsible use of AI to enhance effectiveness and strengthen the delivery of our services.

Whether her Department uses artificial intelligence for decision making on immigration applications.

Where appropriate, we use AI to improve productivity and effectiveness in our public services. All applications made under the Immigration Rules are considered and decided by trained human decision-makers.

What steps his Department is taking to put the Financial Reporting Council on a statutory footing.

The Government will look to put the Financial Reporting Council on a statutory footing as soon as parliamentary time allows. We will set out next steps in due course.

What assessment his Department has made of the estimated costs saved to businesses following the cancellation of the Audit Reform and Corporate Governance bill.

The Department for Business and Trade has not made a full assessment of the costs to business of the policies previously intended to form part of the Audit Reform and Corporate Governance Bill. Most of those costs would have come from the expansion of the Public Interest Entity audit regime to private companies with 1000 or more employees and £1 billion or more in turnover.

Whether her Department uses artificial intelligence to automate decision making about access to public services.

The Department uses automated decision-making in some areas, as described in our Personal Information Charter, but AI is not used to automate decision-making about access to our services. Customers are told when an automated decision has been made in relation to their case, along with information on the steps they would need to take if they want to exercise their right to ask for a human to review that decision.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of therapeutic Tier 4 services.

NHS England’s London Region Specialised Commissioning is currently undertaking a tabletop review of Tier 4 (T4) Personality Disorder inpatient provision within the London footprint. This review is being led by the Nursing and Quality and Mental Health teams and covers all units providing national T4 Personality Disorder inpatient services, which are all located in London.The review has been initiated in response to a number of quality and environmental concerns identified within the provision and is assessing the effectiveness of the current service model, its clinical distinctiveness, equity of access, and its alignment with national policy objectives.

Whether his department uses AI to automate decision making about access to public services.

The Department develops policy and strategy on the regulation and use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies across health and care. The NHS England Information Governance (IG) Policy Engagement Team are updating their guidance for patients, health care professionals, and IG professionals on the use of AI and patient data in the National Health Service.Decisions regarding the adoption and deployment of AI tools, including those used for automated decision making, are made at a local level by individual NHS trusts. At present, NHS trusts have autonomy to determine the use of such technologies, taking into account the needs and priorities of their respective organisation, and should evaluate and review the impact of AI deployment within their care settings.While some trusts may utilise AI to support processes such as prioritisation, access to NHS services is, and will remain, governed by the NHS Constitution. In particular, principle 2 of the NHS Constitution ensures that access is based on clinical need, not on the technology used.