Written questions by Pochin.

What assessment he has made of the reliability of current systems for transporting and processing serum Clozapine blood samples across NHS providers.

No specific assessment has been made of the reliability of current systems for transporting and processing serum Clozapine blood samples across National Health Service providers. Operational responsibility for the collection, transport, and processing of clozapine blood samples lies with individual NHS providers and their commissioned pathology and courier services. Further information on sample type and transport stability is available via individual NHS trust laboratory webpages.Testing for clozapine levels is carried out within the same accredited pathology framework used for other biochemical assays, with defined requirements for sample collection, labelling, storage and transport to maintain sample integrity. Laboratories providing clozapine assays hold UKAS ISO 15189 accreditation and are required to undertake internal quality control and participate in national External Quality Assessment schemes to ensure accuracy and reproducibility of results.Samples are transported through contracted courier services operating temperature controlled logistics, chain of custody processes and turnaround time requirements. These arrangements form part of routine clinical governance, incident reporting and performance management across NHS pathology services to prevent sample loss and provide assurance on the reliability of testing. Detailed operational arrangements are managed locally by individual pathology providers.

What steps he is taking to prevent serum Clozapine blood samples from being lost in transit within the NHS.

No specific assessment has been made of the reliability of current systems for transporting and processing serum Clozapine blood samples across National Health Service providers. Operational responsibility for the collection, transport, and processing of clozapine blood samples lies with individual NHS providers and their commissioned pathology and courier services. Further information on sample type and transport stability is available via individual NHS trust laboratory webpages.Testing for clozapine levels is carried out within the same accredited pathology framework used for other biochemical assays, with defined requirements for sample collection, labelling, storage and transport to maintain sample integrity. Laboratories providing clozapine assays hold UKAS ISO 15189 accreditation and are required to undertake internal quality control and participate in national External Quality Assessment schemes to ensure accuracy and reproducibility of results.Samples are transported through contracted courier services operating temperature controlled logistics, chain of custody processes and turnaround time requirements. These arrangements form part of routine clinical governance, incident reporting and performance management across NHS pathology services to prevent sample loss and provide assurance on the reliability of testing. Detailed operational arrangements are managed locally by individual pathology providers.

What analysis her Department has undertaken of the role of (a) maternity pay and (b) family-friendly employment conditions in levels of retention of experienced teachers.

The government is committed to tackling recruitment and retention challenges and supporting teachers to stay in the profession and thrive. We recognise women aged 30-39 are the largest group of leavers from the teacher workforce. To address this, we are taking action to promote and expand flexible working opportunities in schools, without impacting pupils’ education hours. This includes offering practical support on combining flexible working and career progression. We also provide support for those returning having taken an extended break following parental leave. The Burgundy Book outlines how maternity provision applies in schools. This is a national agreement negotiated with employers by the six teachers’ organisations. Further information can be found on the Local Government Association website and views can be fed in via the organisations involved in that negotiation.

Whether her Department has assessed the potential impact of differences in maternity (a) pay and (b) leave arrangements between classroom teachers and Department for Education civil servants on teacher retention, with particular reference to teachers aged 30 to 39.

The government is committed to tackling recruitment and retention challenges and supporting teachers to stay in the profession and thrive. We recognise women aged 30-39 are the largest group of leavers from the teacher workforce. To address this, we are taking action to promote and expand flexible working opportunities in schools, without impacting pupils’ education hours. This includes offering practical support on combining flexible working and career progression. We also provide support for those returning having taken an extended break following parental leave. The Burgundy Book outlines how maternity provision applies in schools. This is a national agreement negotiated with employers by the six teachers’ organisations. Further information can be found on the Local Government Association website and views can be fed in via the organisations involved in that negotiation.

Whether the teacher workforce strategy includes consideration of aligning maternity (a) pay and (b) leave arrangements for classroom teachers more closely with the equivalent arrangements available to civil servants, in the context of efforts to improve teacher retention.

The government is committed to tackling recruitment and retention challenges and supporting teachers to stay in the profession and thrive. We recognise women aged 30-39 are the largest group of leavers from the teacher workforce. To address this, we are taking action to promote and expand flexible working opportunities in schools, without impacting pupils’ education hours. This includes offering practical support on combining flexible working and career progression. We also provide support for those returning having taken an extended break following parental leave. The Burgundy Book outlines how maternity provision applies in schools. This is a national agreement negotiated with employers by the six teachers’ organisations. Further information can be found on the Local Government Association website and views can be fed in via the organisations involved in that negotiation.

How learning from serious incidents involving accidental Clozapine withdrawal is being recorded and shared nationally across NHS mental health services.

Clozapine is used to treat people with schizophrenia in whom other medicines have not worked. It is also used to treat severe disturbances in the thoughts, emotions, and behaviour of people with Parkinson’s disease in whom other medicines have not worked.The known side effects of clozapine are outlined in the product information, the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) for healthcare professionals, and the Patient Information Leaflet which is provided in each pack of the medicine. The SPC states that clozapine should be stopped in a number of clinical situations including after developing a low white blood cell count, fever above 38oC, high blood glucose, also known as hyperglycaemia, as well as jaundice or clinically relevant increases in liver enzymes. If clozapine is restarted it must be carefully titrated and monitoring requirements followed.Inadvertent withdrawal of clozapine is an issue that is included in the National Health Service’s Time Critical Medicines Safety Improvement Programme, with further information available at the following link:https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/safer-use-of-time-critical-medicines-programme/The programme is supporting over 50 NHS hospitals to improve the reliability of administration of Time Critical Medicines such as clozapine.In July 2024 a thematic review of clozapine safety conducted in the North West of England was shared with the NHS England National Medication Safety Officer Network. This included a range of clozapine safety resources published online, such as:- Managing the risks associated with patients prescribed clozapine, which is available at the following link: https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/managing-the-risks-associated-with-patients-prescribed-clozapine/;- Clinical considerations for patients prescribed clozapine, which is available at the following link: https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/clinical-considerations-for-patients-prescribed-clozapine/;- Managing constipation in people taking clozapine, which is available at the following link: https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/managing-constipation-in-people-taking-clozapine/;- Clozapine use in adults with swallowing difficulties, which is available at the following link: https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/clozapine-use-in-adults-with-swallowing-difficulties/;- Managing specific interactions with smoking, which is available at the following link: https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/managing-specific-interactions-with-smoking/; and- Managing complexities of medication use across care boundaries, which includes a podcast on clozapine safety and which is available at the following link: https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/managing-complexities-of-medication-use-across-care-boundaries/. As with all medicines, the safety of clozapine is kept under continual review by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) using a number of data sources. The MHRA is currently reviewing the blood monitoring requirements associated with clozapine.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of laboratory and record-keeping systems supporting Clozapine treatment, and whether they meet the standards expected for equivalent safety-critical medicines in physical healthcare.

NHS England’s National Patient Safety Team collect records of all patient safety incidents recorded by National Health Service trusts via the Learn From Patient Safety Events service. These records are used to identify new and under-recognised risks to patient safety and to understand themes and trends. The insight generated informs work to improve patient safety across the NHS. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/patient-safety/patient-safety-insight/learning-from-patient-safety-events/using-patient-safety-events-data-to-keep-patients-safe/#The safety of clozapine is kept under continual review by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) using a number of data sources, including reports of suspected side effects through the Yellow Card Scheme, data from marketing authorisation holders, and research published in the scientific literature.Each clozapine marketing authorisation holder operates a Patient Monitoring Scheme which focuses on the blood monitoring requirements for clozapine. However, regular contact with healthcare professionals caring for patients receiving clozapine has resulted in a high proportion of suspected side effects being reported through the Yellow Card scheme. These reports are published by the MHRA in the interactive drug analysis profile for clozapine, with further information available at the following link:https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/idaps/CLOZAPINE The Summary of Product Characteristics for clozapine outlines the monitoring requirements needed to minimise the risks of possible side effects for healthcare professionals. However, the MHRA does not regulate clinical practice or audit NHS record-keeping systems.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential cumulative impact on public houses of business rates, employer National Insurance contributions and recent increases in the National Living Wage.

The Government has assessed the cumulative impacts of measures announced over recent Budgets on businesses and households. Taken together, these measures raise revenue to support the public finances in a fair way, whilst providing targeted support. The Government recognises that recent policy changes will have combined effects on some businesses. Where changes are made, relevant assessments and impact notes are published to inform stakeholders. The Treasury continues to engage with affected sectors to understand the challenges they face and to ensure the UK remains a competitive place to do business. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and keep our policy approach under review, with future tax decisions taken at fiscal events under the normal process.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Cabinet-level decision-making structures in delivering the Government’s priorities.

The Prime Minister announced a number of changes to Cabinet committees in November to ensure decision-making structures are best able to deliver the Government’s priorities. The list of Cabinet committees can be found online here.

What steps he is taking to improve coordination between Government departments in the delivery of policy.

The Prime Minister announced a number of changes to Cabinet committees in November to ensure decision-making structures are best able to deliver the Government’s priorities. The list of Cabinet committees can be found online here.

Whether his Department has conducted internal analysis of the potential causes of recent trends in levels of public approval of the Government.

Listing the endless ways the government engages with the public and assesses its relationship with the public would be fruitless, since that is a basic principle behind everything the government does.

What metrics his Department uses to assess the level of public support for the Government’s policy programme.

Listing the endless ways the government engages with the public and assesses its relationship with the public would be fruitless, since that is a basic principle behind everything the government does.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of trends in the level of public confidence in the Government since the General Election.

Listing the endless ways the government engages with the public and assesses its relationship with the public would be fruitless, since that is a basic principle behind everything the government does.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of recent changes to business rates policy on the financial viability of public houses in England.

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base.At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties as they recover from the pandemic. To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government announced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years, including protection for ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down next year. This means most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest. Without this support, pubs would have faced a 45% increase in the total bills they pay next year. However, because of the support the Government has put in place, this has fallen to just 4%. More broadly, the Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto. The Government is doing this by introducing permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties, while ensuring that warehouses used by online giants will pay more. The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since COVID.The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since COVID. Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit.

How many public houses in England received discretionary business rates relief in 2024 to 25, and what the total value of that relief was.

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base.At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties as they recover from the pandemic. To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government announced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years, including protection for ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down next year. This means most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest. Without this support, pubs would have faced a 45% increase in the total bills they pay next year. However, because of the support the Government has put in place, this has fallen to just 4%. More broadly, the Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto. The Government is doing this by introducing permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties, while ensuring that warehouses used by online giants will pay more. The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since COVID.The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since COVID. Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has conducted an equality impact assessment relating to the effect of an Islamophobia definition on religious minorities other than Muslims.

All forms of racial and religious discrimination are completely unacceptable, and this Government is committed to tackling this wherever it manifests. The Government established an independent working group to advise on a non-statutory definition of anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia, including on how to best understand, quantify and define prejudice, discrimination, and hate crime targeted against Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim. The Working Group have now submitted their advice to ministers for consideration.The working group have engaged widely to ensure the advice given to the Government reflects the diverse perspectives and implications for different groups. To strengthen engagement, the Working Group launched a Call for Evidence on 20 July 2025. It was open to the public, and any individual or organisation, including Hindu community groups, were able to submit advice.The Working Group operated according to its established terms of reference, which stated that any definition must be compatible with free speech and the right to criticise religions and religious practices. The Government will consider their advice in view of this.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of an Islamophobia definition on the ability to scrutinise religious ideology or practice.

All forms of racial and religious discrimination are completely unacceptable, and this Government is committed to tackling this wherever it manifests. The Government established an independent working group to advise on a non-statutory definition of anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia, including on how to best understand, quantify and define prejudice, discrimination, and hate crime targeted against Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim. The Working Group have now submitted their advice to ministers for consideration.The working group have engaged widely to ensure the advice given to the Government reflects the diverse perspectives and implications for different groups. To strengthen engagement, the Working Group launched a Call for Evidence on 20 July 2025. It was open to the public, and any individual or organisation, including Hindu community groups, were able to submit advice.The Working Group operated according to its established terms of reference, which stated that any definition must be compatible with free speech and the right to criticise religions and religious practices. The Government will consider their advice in view of this.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has received representations from Hindu community groups on the potential impact of an Islamophobia definition on freedom of expression.

All forms of racial and religious discrimination are completely unacceptable, and this Government is committed to tackling this wherever it manifests. The Government established an independent working group to advise on a non-statutory definition of anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia, including on how to best understand, quantify and define prejudice, discrimination, and hate crime targeted against Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim. The Working Group have now submitted their advice to ministers for consideration.The working group have engaged widely to ensure the advice given to the Government reflects the diverse perspectives and implications for different groups. To strengthen engagement, the Working Group launched a Call for Evidence on 20 July 2025. It was open to the public, and any individual or organisation, including Hindu community groups, were able to submit advice.The Working Group operated according to its established terms of reference, which stated that any definition must be compatible with free speech and the right to criticise religions and religious practices. The Government will consider their advice in view of this.

Communities and Local Government, which organisations and representative groups were consulted by his Department prior to consideration of an Islamophobia definition.

All forms of racial and religious discrimination are completely unacceptable, and this Government is committed to tackling this wherever it manifests. The Government established an independent working group to advise on a non-statutory definition of anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia, including on how to best understand, quantify and define prejudice, discrimination, and hate crime targeted against Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim. The Working Group have now submitted their advice to ministers for consideration.The working group have engaged widely to ensure the advice given to the Government reflects the diverse perspectives and implications for different groups. To strengthen engagement, the Working Group launched a Call for Evidence on 20 July 2025. It was open to the public, and any individual or organisation, including Hindu community groups, were able to submit advice.The Working Group operated according to its established terms of reference, which stated that any definition must be compatible with free speech and the right to criticise religions and religious practices. The Government will consider their advice in view of this.

On what statutory basis compensation was paid to Fuad Awale; and what the criteria are for such payments.

Compensation and legal costs were paid in order to comply with an order of the High Court. Failure to do so would have constituted a breach of the court order.