Written questions by Arthur.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a statutory national register of heritage trees.

Ancient and veteran trees are our most important trees and considered irreplaceable habitats. They are protected through planning policy, and local authorities can grant additional protections to individual high-value trees through Tree Preservation Orders. Defra is continuing to focus on improving how these protections are implemented, to ensure these trees are safeguarded in practice as well as in policy, while also considering what further measures could be included in a new Trees Action Plan.

With reference to the February 2026 announcement of £73.4 million in protective security funding for faith communities, (a) what was the evidential basis for the levels of funding allocated to different protective security schemes in the period referenced and (b) what steps she is taking to ensure support given to Hindu Mandirs in (i) Scotland and (ii) the wider UK reflects the actual costs of security provision and personnel.

Funding allocations are determined by an assessment of the threats and risks faced by communities. The recent allocation of £40 million for Muslim sites and £28.4 million for Jewish sites reflects the clear and sustained threat and vulnerability picture established through police reporting and assessments.This includes the latest data of police recorded hate crime which shows that religious hate crime continues to increase, with the majority (73%) of religious hate crime targeted at Jewish and Muslim communities in the most recent reporting year.Places of worship from all other faiths can apply to the Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme. The recently announced additional funding for 2026/27 for this scheme – which will bring total funding for the scheme to £5 million in 206/27 – represents record levels of support to Christian, Hindu, Sikh and other faith communities in England and Wales. Where measures are provided through the scheme, sites are assessed to identify proportionate security improvements, and the Home Office keeps unit cost assumptions and delivery arrangements under review to ensure they adequately reflect current market conditions.We continue to support the police and operational partners in assessing threats and strengthening protections for faith communities against hate crime. As policing and justice matters are devolved, the Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme is not available in Scotland. However, we continue to engage with partners across the UK to support faith communities to access appropriate advice and support.

What assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association in the context of its role as an approved alternative dispute resolution (ADR) body, including in relation to its independence and compliance with the requirements for ADR providers.

The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme is a voluntary, non-statutory dispute resolution scheme, set up by the industry and independent of government. DBT funds the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) who accredit and regularly audit BVRLA against key principles including neutrality, independence and effective complaints handling under a new mandatory accreditation and monitoring framework in the 2026 ADR Regulations. The new 2026 ADR Regulations replace the 2015 ADR Regulations, introducing mandatory accreditation of all ADR providers, strengthened accreditation and monitoring standards and new sanctioning powers to tackle poor performance.

What steps he is taking to ensure key workers can reach their place of employment in the event of a fuel shortage.

The Government is monitoring developments in relation to the Middle East closely. The UK benefits from a diverse and resilient supply chain. Around 90% of crude oil refined in the UK is imported, and approximately 1%,comes from the Middle East. This diverse supply means that the Government assesses that fuel supply is stable and remains accessible to those who need it.Government routinely reviews and exercises its preparedness arrangements for a range of scenarios, including through the National Emergency Plan for Fuel (NEP-F). This is a long-standing, precautionary framework designed to ensure that, in the unlikely event of a severe and sustained disruption, fuel can be prioritised for those who need it most.

What criteria will be used to ensure that the independent co-chair of the National Cancer Plan implementation board is independent of government.

The National Cancer Plan, published on the 4 February 2026, sets out several commitments and ambitions, to be delivered within the next 10 years. The role of the reformed National Cancer Board will be to support and monitor the delivery of the commitments and ambitions and provide regular updates to ministers. The board will be co-chaired by the Director General for Planned Care in the Department and an independent representative. It is important to choose the most suitable appointment process for selecting an independent representative to co-chair the board. To ensure that the co-chair of the board is independent of the Government, officials from NHS England and the Department are carefully following the required appointments procedures. An appointment will be made following all required ministerial approvals.

When he plans to appoint the independent co-chair of the National Cancer Plan implementation board.

The National Cancer Plan, published on the 4 February 2026, sets out several commitments and ambitions, to be delivered within the next 10 years. The role of the reformed National Cancer Board will be to support and monitor the delivery of the commitments and ambitions and provide regular updates to ministers. The board will be co-chaired by the Director General for Planned Care in the Department and an independent representative. It is important to choose the most suitable appointment process for selecting an independent representative to co-chair the board. To ensure that the co-chair of the board is independent of the Government, officials from NHS England and the Department are carefully following the required appointments procedures. An appointment will be made following all required ministerial approvals.

With reference to her written statement of 2 March 2026 on Asylum changes, what estimate her Department has made of the scale of a Named Community Sponsorship scheme.

In the Restoring Order and Control policy statement, the Government committed to transforming its approach to safe and legal routes. This included the creation of a named sponsorship scheme to enable community groups to sponsor refugees and displaced persons.Work is underway to deliver the named community sponsorship route.Further details, including the number of beneficiaries, will be set out in due course.

Pursuant to her written statement of 2 March 2026 on Asylum changes, by what date her department plans to have operationalised a Named Community Sponsorship scheme for refugee resettlement.

In the Restoring Order and Control policy statement, the Government committed to transforming its approach to safe and legal routes. This included the creation of a named sponsorship scheme to enable community groups to sponsor refugees and displaced persons.Work is underway to deliver the named community sponsorship route.Further details, including timeframes for the launch of the route, will be set out in due course.

What steps he is taking to support individuals with high domestic power bills arising from complex medical needs.

From April, households will benefit from reduction energy bills thanks to the action that the Government took in the Budget, with the price cap falling by £117, giving households certainty on their bills until July. The government have also announced £53 million for low-income families, who heat their homes with oil to help tackle surging prices. Funding is being delivered by local authorities through the Crisis and Resilience Fund. They may also be eligible for support such as the Warm Home Discount and I would urge anyone in such a challenging situation to contact their energy supplier or Citizens Advice to see what further support is available. Vulnerable consumers who need extra support are also able to sign up for the Priority Services Register for free.

What steps he is taking to support individuals with high domestic power bills arising from complex medical needs, particularly in light of recent fluctuations in energy prices.

From April, households will benefit from reduction energy bills thanks to the action that the Government took in the Budget, with the price cap falling by £117, giving households certainty on their bills until July. The government have also announced £53 million for low-income families, who heat their homes with oil to help tackle surging prices. Funding is being delivered by local authorities through the Crisis and Resilience Fund. They may also be eligible for support such as the Warm Home Discount and I would urge anyone in such a challenging situation to contact their energy supplier or Citizens Advice to see what further support is available. Vulnerable consumers who need extra support are also able to sign up for the Priority Services Register for free.

Pursuant to her written statement of 2 March 2026 on Asylum changes, what is her proposed timeline for establishing a Named Community Sponsorship scheme.

In the Restoring Order and Control policy statement, the Government committed to transforming its approach to safe and legal routes. This included the creation of a named sponsorship scheme to enable community groups to sponsor refugees and displaced persons.Work is underway to deliver the named community sponsorship route.Further details, including timeframes for the launch of the route, will be set out in due course.

What consideration she has given to allowing military parents more choice in how their child's Pupil Service Premium is spent.

The Service Pupil Premium (SPP) is additional funding for state-funded schools in England with children and young people of service families. It will be paid at a rate of £360 per eligible pupil in the 2026/27 financial year.Schools can tailor their SPP expenditure to meet the specific pastoral and academic needs of individual service children and help mitigate the impact of matters such as family mobility, separation, or parental deployment. It is the responsibility of each school to decide how to use their SPP funding and to communicate this with parents.Schools are encouraged to consider best practice in the use of SPP funding, set out here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-service-pupil-premium/service-pupil-premium-examples-of-best-practiceGuidance for schools, academy trusts and local authorities on supporting service pupils is published jointly by the department and the Ministry Of Defence here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/service-pupils-in-schools-non-statutory-guidance/service-pupils-in-schools-non-statutory-guidance.This recommends that schools consider recording their use of SPP funding as part of their mandatory pupil premium statement, unless they have reason to believe this will identify individual pupils. An optional field in the template is provided for this purpose.

What steps she has taken to encourage schools to be transparent with how they use Service Pupil Premium funding.

The Service Pupil Premium (SPP) is additional funding for state-funded schools in England with children and young people of service families. It will be paid at a rate of £360 per eligible pupil in the 2026/27 financial year.Schools can tailor their SPP expenditure to meet the specific pastoral and academic needs of individual service children and help mitigate the impact of matters such as family mobility, separation, or parental deployment. It is the responsibility of each school to decide how to use their SPP funding and to communicate this with parents.Schools are encouraged to consider best practice in the use of SPP funding, set out here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-service-pupil-premium/service-pupil-premium-examples-of-best-practiceGuidance for schools, academy trusts and local authorities on supporting service pupils is published jointly by the department and the Ministry Of Defence here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/service-pupils-in-schools-non-statutory-guidance/service-pupils-in-schools-non-statutory-guidance.This recommends that schools consider recording their use of SPP funding as part of their mandatory pupil premium statement, unless they have reason to believe this will identify individual pupils. An optional field in the template is provided for this purpose.

What consideration he has given to the use of existing delivery frameworks, such as the Major Conditions Strategy, to drive improvements in early detection and treatment of heart valve disease.

We are committed to reducing premature deaths from heart disease and stroke and we recognise that improving the detection and treatment of heart valve disease is an important step to achieving this ambition. As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will publish a new cardiovascular disease Modern Service Framework (CVD MSF) later this year. The CVD MSF will prioritise ambitious, evidence-led, and clinically informed approaches to prevention, treatment, and care, and as part of its development we are engaging widely to identify and consider the role of emerging innovations across the cardiovascular pathway.High blood pressure is a key risk factor for heart valve disease, and the Government has invested heavily in the Hypertension Case-finding Service for those aged over 40 years old in community pharmacies, which has seen nearly 4.2 million blood pressure and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring checks delivered since October 2021.Alongside this, in 2025, NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time programme published new and revised cardiology pathways to support consistent care across primary and secondary settings, including advice regarding patients with severe symptomatic heart valve disease.

What the total amount of Government investment in research into neuroendocrine cancers has been in each of the last ten years; and what specific funding allocations have been made for neuroendocrine cancer within the forthcoming National Cancer Plan.

Government responsibility for delivering cancer research is shared between the Department for Health and Social Care, with research delivered by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, with research delivered via UK Research and Innovation.Between financial years 2015/16 and 2024/25, through the NIHR, the Department for Health and Social Care committed approximately £8 million for new research projects, alongside supporting infrastructure, into neuroendocrine cancer. The following table shows a breakdown of the £8 million for new research projects, alongside supporting infrastructure, into neuroendocrine cancer, from 2015/16 to 2024/25:2015/16£882,750.752016/17£1,170,974.892017/18£798,743.562018/19£833,349.432019/20£867,204.192020/21£878,387.612021/22£829,818.372022/23£610,754.012023/24£455,640.582024/25£707,561.31 As well as funding research itself, the Department invests significantly in research expertise and capacity, specialist facilities, support services, and collaborations to support and deliver research in England, known as NIHR infrastructure. NIHR infrastructure underpins research. The spend is not directly attributable to specific research studies for the most part, but an estimate is derived based on the number of studies in neuroendocrine cancer against the annual infrastructure spend.The findings presented are based on point-in-time analysis for 23 March 2026. The data does fluctuate due to changes such as contract variations and updated information regarding financial reconciliations and support activity.The NIHR continues to welcome funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including neuroendocrine cancers. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to the public and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality.

Whether his Department has plans to develop a national strategy for the early detection of heart valve disease.

We are committed to reducing premature deaths from heart disease and stroke and we recognise that improving the detection and treatment of heart valve disease is an important step to achieving this ambition. As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will publish a new cardiovascular disease Modern Service Framework (CVD MSF) later this year. The CVD MSF will prioritise ambitious, evidence-led, and clinically informed approaches to prevention, treatment, and care, and as part of its development we are engaging widely to identify and consider the role of emerging innovations across the cardiovascular pathway.High blood pressure is a key risk factor for heart valve disease, and the Government has invested heavily in the Hypertension Case-finding Service for those aged over 40 years old in community pharmacies, which has seen nearly 4.2 million blood pressure and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring checks delivered since October 2021.Alongside this, in 2025, NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time programme published new and revised cardiology pathways to support consistent care across primary and secondary settings, including advice regarding patients with severe symptomatic heart valve disease.

Whether he has considered introducing a national defibrillator strategy.

The Government’s position is that local communities are best placed to make decisions about procuring, locating, and maintaining automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Over 110,000 defibrillators are registered in the United Kingdom on The Circuit, the independent AED database. Over 30,000 of these have been added in the past two years, many as a result of local community-led action. For this reason, there are no plans to introduce a national defibrillator strategy.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of including timber supply metrics in the National Security Risk Assessment.

The National Security Risk Assessment (NSRA) is the government’s principal tool for identifying and assessing the most serious malicious and non-malicious risks facing the United Kingdom and its interests overseas. Whilst timber supply is not currently included as a discrete risk, both threat to domestic timber and critical supply chain disruption are considered from a range of causes across the NSRA. Malicious risks impacting imports and a plant pest affecting UK forestry, for example, currently assess this topic. Furthermore, all risks are assessed for their economic and macroeconomic impacts, and a disruption to construction materials sufficient to disrupt the UK economy (regardless of cause) may be identified here. Both the NSRA and the publicly available version, the National Risk Register (NRR), are kept under continual review to reflect the changing risk landscape. During every update, policy makers are encouraged to consider the potential implications of their risk across a range of sectors. The Lead Government Department (LGD) model ensures departments with the day-to-day responsibility for an issue or sector are responsible for leading work to identify serious risks and ensuring that the right planning, response and recovery arrangements are in place.

What recent assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the Adoption Support Fund; and what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the fund on (a) adoption breakdown rates and (b) mental health outcomes of children placed in permanent care.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.The department keeps the effectiveness of the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) under continual review. The latest evaluation found strong evidence of positive impact: 83% of parents and guardians reported that ASGSF‑funded support was helpful or very helpful, and there were statistically significant improvements by the end of the intervention. Families also reported an average score of seven out of ten six months after support ended. Outcome measurement tools are now strengthening our ability to assess therapeutic progress and longer-term impacts.Recognising both the positive benefits of the ASGSF and the need to ensure that support for adopted and permanently placed children is as effective as possible, the department launched a public consultation in February 2026, ‘Adoption support that works for all’. This seeks views on how to deliver a more responsive, evidence‑based system of adoption support, including future arrangements for the ASGSF.

What guidance and oversight the Government provides to private postal companies to ensure that agreements with trade unions on pay and conditions are respected; and what steps the Government is taking to support adequate pay and employment standards in the postal sector.

Pay and terms and conditions of employment, provided they are lawful, are, in general, a matter for private businesses to agree with their workforce and their representatives. The Secretary of State met Dave Ward, General Secretary of the CWU, and Daniel Křetínský, the owner of EP Group, on 16 February and again on 19 March 2026 to facilitate continued discussions on these matters., The Plan to Make Work Pay will boost fairness in the workplace, ensure equality of treatment and opportunity, and support low-paid workers.