Written questions by Berry.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 21 January 2026 to Written Question UIN 106814, whether a response has been received from Southern Water.

Polluting our waterways is unacceptable. It is only right that Southern Water has taken responsibility for the appalling pollution incident on the south coast in November, and I have been clear that the sector as a whole must step up and do better for our people, and for the environment. The Environment Agency’s investigation into the pollution incident is ongoing and we expect conclusions in the coming weeks. The Government is taking decisive action to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas.

Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions he has had with Brighton and Hove City Council on the external auditor’s report findings on (a) the risk of a Section 114 notice being issued and (b) demand for statutory services.

In the multi-year Local Government Finance Settlement, the Government made available a Core Spending Power increase for Brighton of 14.2% between 2024-25 and 2028-29, worth £47.6m – coming good on our promise of reforming the funding system. We know that recovering from the legacy of the local government finance system overseen by previous governments will take time. On 23 February, this government announced £15m of in-principle Exceptional Financial Support for Brighton and Hove City Council. The department continues to engage with the council on a confidential basis to support them to transform their services.

Pursuant to the answer of 22 October 2025 to Written Question UIN 80759, how many Access to Work claims have been processed since 10 October 2025; what the extent is of the backlog of outstanding claims; and what steps he is taking to reduce that backlog.

We are committed to reducing waiting times in Access to Work so that people can access the support they need. We prioritise applications from customers who are due to start work within the next four weeks, as well as renewals for existing grants, to minimise disruption to employment. In March 2025, the Department published the Pathways to Work Green Paper, launching a consultation on the future of Access to Work and how the scheme can better support disabled people in employment. We are reviewing all aspects of the programme as we develop plans for reform following the conclusion of the consultation. From the period 10/10/2025 to 23/02/2026 51,924 Access to Work claims have been processed. As of the 23/02/2026 there were 66,749 applications awaiting a decision.Please note that the data supplied is derived from unpublished management information, which was collected for internal Departmental use only, and have not been quality assured to National Statistics or Official Statistics publication standard.

Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to support local authorities to fast-track planning applications that deliver 100% affordable housing.

The government has no specific plans to fast-track planning applications that deliver 100% affordable housing. We have already taken a number of steps to streamline planning processes generally. We are currently consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework, that includes clearer, ‘rules based’ policies for decision-making and plan-making. The consultation will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026 and can be found on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to help ensure affordable housing for young people.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 113747 on 2 March 2026.

Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to take steps to support local authorities seeking to build social housing to access finance to purchase land being sold by NHS Trusts.

The government is not taking any specific action to support local authorities to purchase land being sold by NHS Trusts.However, in January we announced that we would extend the ‘preferential’ borrowing rate for council housebuilding from the Public Works Loan Board for another year until the end of March 2027. This will provide councils with greater certainty to increase their supply plans, including through land-led development.

Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions he has had with Homes England about access to grant funding for small housing providers.

Small housing providers can bid for grant funding through the government’s new 10-year £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme.Guidance to bidders from Homes England can be found on gov.uk here, and to bidders from the Greater London Authority here. The government’s policy statement to accompany this guidance can be found on gov.uk here.

What steps he is taking to increase access to NHS specialist mental health care following (a) pregnancy and (b) baby loss for people in Brighton Pavilion constituency.

We recognise that the experience of losing a baby or pregnancy loss can be very difficult for parents and families. We are determined to make sure all bereaved parents, regardless of where they live, have access to mental health support.Significant progress has been made to ensure women experiencing moderate to severe and complex perinatal mental health conditions can access specialist perinatal mental health services. This includes 165 mother and baby unit beds which have now been commissioned to provide inpatient care to women who experience severe mental health difficulties during and after pregnancy.Maternal mental health services are also available in all parts of England, including Brighton. These services provide care for women with moderate/severe or complex mental health difficulties arising from birth trauma or loss in the maternity/ neonatal context.The National Health Service has expanded specialist perinatal mental health support, and access has more than doubled from 31,163 in March 2020 to 66,468 in October 2025.The Sussex Perinatal Mental Health Service, which covers the Brighton area, includes a specialist bereavement counselling offer, available to anyone who was pregnant with a baby that died after 24 weeks of pregnancy or up to 28 days after birth. This includes stillbirth, neonatal death, and termination for medical reasons after 24 weeks. This service can be accessed at any point within the first year of the bereavement. The offer includes counselling and therapies for individuals and couples. More information is available at the following link:https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/our-services/specialist-services/perinatal-services

Whether she has had discussions with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on transparency and corporate capture detailed in the InfluenceMap report entitled Corporate Capture and the UN International Civil Aviation Organization, published in September 2025; and if she will make representations on that issue ahead of the ICAO Council meeting on 23 March 2026.

The United Kingdom is an active and influential member of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The UK sits on the elected ICAO Council and participates in committees and working groups across the organisation, as we seek to maintain and improve the safety, security and sustainability of international aviation. The UK, in our capacity as a Council member, has been actively involved in ICAO’s transformation programme which seeks to improve the accountability and transparency of the organisation. With regard to the Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP), this is an expert body which provides ICAO with technical analysis and advice on environmental measures. Representatives of a range of industry groups and other stakeholders participate as observers, in support of the Committee’s membership of States. CAEP has a long history of collaboration to deliver strong technical outcomes, including standards for aircraft CO2, noise and pollutant emissions. In February 2025, CAEP recommended an updated CO2 standard requiring new aeroplane designs to reduce emissions by 10% after 2031, following an analysis that relied on industry data and expertise. CAEP operates with enhanced safeguards due to the handling of commercially sensitive technical data, however the UK fully supports improving CAEP’s transparency where possible and further strengthening of governance arrangements. The UK appreciates the collaborative working relationship between States and industry at ICAO, as we collectively seek to decarbonise the aviation sector.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she had made of the potential impact of bottom trawling on meeting the target in the UN Global Biodiversity Framework of conserving 30% of earth’s seas by 2030.

The 30by30 target, Target 3 of the Convention on Biological Diversity Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, is a global target to effectively protect 30% of the global ocean and of land by 2030. Just over 9.8% of the global ocean is now protected. Achieving this global 30by30 target will require an international effort, from all countries and sectors and the UK is leading the way. In England, we have a comprehensive network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) covering 40% of our waters, and we are focusing on making sure they are properly protected. Marine regulators make evidence-based, site-by-site assessments of the fishing activities that could prevent MPAs from achieving their conservation objectives and put in place the necessary management measures. Nearly 60% of MPAs already have byelaws in place to protect them from damaging fishing activity and the Marine Management Organisation consulted last year on proposals to prohibit bottom trawling over sensitive seabed habitats in a further 41 MPAs. It is currently analysing the large number of responses received and decisions will be made in due course.

If he will investigate whether Peter Mandelson (a) shared privileged information with Palantir and (b) used his role in Government for personal gain.

I refer you to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12 February, and the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

If he will launch an independent inquiry into the potential role of Peter Mandelson in negotiating contracts between the UK Government and Palantir; and if he will make it his policy to publish the results of that inquiry.

Details of central government contracts above £12,000 for procurements commenced before 24 February 2025 are published on Contracts Finder. Contracts procured under the Procurement Act 2023, which came into force on 24 February 2025, are published on the Central Digital Platform Find a Tender service.

Whether the Prime Minister has agreed a date to meet with victims of press abuse, following his remarks at the Liaison Committee on 15 December 2025.

Officials from the Prime Minister’s Office are in contact to arrange a meeting.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with Southern Water on (a) the significant pollution incident on the south coast of England in October 2025 and (b) the steps it is taking to ensure that its infrastructure is functioning correctly.

The Secretary of State and I are in close contact with the Environment Agency, which is now conducting an active investigation into the incident. Southern Water will be subject to a PACE interview; a formal, legally regulated interview under the Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE) Act 1984. The Environment Agency has also conducted detailed inspections of the Eastbourne wastewater treatment works and is overseeing the improvement works being carried out by Southern Water. I have written to Water Companies to further emphasise the need for the sector to ensure that these sorts of incidents do not occur, to reiterate how unacceptable the pollution incident at Camber Sands is, and to stress the positive action Water Companies must take to ensure their infrastructure is functioning correctly. Water companies should take all necessary precautions to ensure all equipment is properly constructed and maintained to prevent the unauthorised or accidental escape of bio-beads from wastewater treatment works into the environment. The Government is looking into developing new standards for infrastructure resilience which, coupled with robust water company planning through Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans and the new statutory Pollution Incident Reduction Plans, will drive investment to improve wastewater assets and reduce pollution into our environment.

With reference to Written Statement HCWS1044 on 11 November 2025, which findings contained in the 2007 DWP evaluation of the effectiveness of automatic pension forecast letters were not provided to his predecessor.

The Secretary of State announced in his oral statement of 11 November 2025 that we will retake the decision made in December 2024 as it relates to the communications on State Pension age. This was because findings from a 2007 report had not been drawn to the attention of the previous Secretary of State as its potential relevance to the making of her decision was not evident at the time. The process to retake the decision is underway and it is important that we give this full and proper consideration. We will update Parliament on the decision as soon as a conclusion is reached.

How many GP practice (a) closures and (b) mergers there have been in (i) Brighton Pavilion constituency and (ii) the Brighton and Hove local authority area since 2016.

The Department does not hold data on the number of general practice closures and mergers that there have been in the Brighton Pavilion constituency and the Brighton and Hove local authority area since 2016. This data is held by the NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of remediation needed on large panel system (LPS) housing blocks on the finances of local authorities; and whether building safety financial support will cover more LPS buildings with delays in remediation.

The issues with Large Panel System (LPS) buildings are longstanding and well known. Building owners are responsible for managing safety and performance risks in their buildings, in a proportionate, risk- based and evidence-based way. We have made it clear they are therefore responsible for any maintenance or remedial works required on their LPS buildings, including any strengthening works or removal of mains gas supply. Guidance has long been made available to support building owners in taking the right steps and measures to mitigate risks in their LPS buildings. This includes the British Research Establishment Report: Handbook for the structural assessment of large panel system (LPS) dwelling blocks for accidental loading (BR 511) Local authorities are responsible for managing their budgets to fulfil their duties. This includes keeping the housing conditions in their area under review with a view to identifying any actions that may need to be taken by them. Where remediation or maintenance works are required in LPS buildings, or any other issues, local authorities should do so within their budgets.

Whether he plans to hold discussions with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on his comments of December 2025 on the treatment of hunger-striking prisoners.

No discussions are planned. We are confident that the measures in place to ensure proper care for prisoners who refuse food are in accordance with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.

Whether he plans to widen eligibility for hybrid closed loop (HCL) pump devices for people with diabetes; what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the progress of the rollout of HCL pumps to eligible groups; and what estimate he has made of the cost of expansion.

The eligibility criteria for hybrid closed loop (HCL) devices for people with diabetes are set in guidance published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) at the following link:https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta943NICE is an independent body with their own processes for reviewing and updating their guidance, taking account of the best available evidence of both clinical and cost effectiveness.As part of NHS England’s HCL implementation, HCL has been provided to over 600 pregnant women with type 1 diabetes. Further details on NHS England’s five-year national implementation strategy are published online, at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/hybrid-closed-loop-technologies-5-year-implementation-strategy/

What steps she is taking to help prevent regional inconsistencies in pavement parking enforcement policy; and when statutory guidance for local authorities to enforce against unnecessary obstruction of the pavement will be published.

On 8 January 2026, the Secretary of State announced the publication of the government’s formal response to the 2020 public consultation 'Pavement parking: options for change' which sets out the legislative measures to tackle pavement parking. The government will publish statutory guidance by end of 2026 to assist local authorities in carrying out enforcement in a fair and proportionate manner.