Written questions by Darling.

What the cost to the public purse was of opposing the WASPI campaign's application for a costs capping order in their previous legal action.

Awaiting answer.

What steps she is taking to encourage police forces to adopt advanced technological innovations.

Awaiting answer.

Whether the Government considered the potential merits of a cost capping order in the latest legal action brought by the WASPI campaign.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment she has made of the positive role advanced technology can play in the reporting and prevention of violence against women and girls.

Awaiting answer.

What recent assessment she has made of barriers to innovation and technology adoption across police forces; and what steps she is taking to break down those barriers to support crime prevention and prosecutions.

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to provide support to (a) Elliott Michael Roberts and (b) other detained British nationals in Israel.

Awaiting answer.

What consideration she has given to provision of bleed kits in first aid kits in police cars.

Bleed kits can play a valuable role in saving lives in emergency situations. Decisions on the placement of bleed kits in first aid kits in police vehicles are an operational matter for Chief Officers to decide. Their assessment should be based on local risk assessments and priorities, in conjunction with their Police and Crime Commissioner and in line with health and safety legislation and the College of Policing’s Authorised Professional Practice (APP).

Which ICBs have chosen not to allow GPs to prescribe weight loss injections.

Awaiting answer.

How many ICBs have chosen to make provision of Aquablation to treat enlarged prostates.

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, if he will ensure that areas without mayors are entitled to the same funding and devolved powers as authorities with mayors.

Awaiting answer.

How many businesses will be impacted by changes to business rates (a) nationally and (b) in Torbay constituency.

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation was the first since the pandemic, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties as they recover from the pandemic. To respond to those who are seeing large increases, the Government has already acted to limit increases in bills, announcing a support package worth £4.3 billion package at the Budget. You can find both national and regional data related to the 2026 revaluation here: Non-domestic rating: change in rateable value of rating lists, England and Wales, 2026 Revaluation (compiled list) - GOV.UK

What plans the Government has to roll out Cafcass in Torbay.

Awaiting answer.

Whether he plans to mandate that all ICBs make provision of Aquablation as a procedure to treat enlarged prostates.

Awaiting answer.

Whether the Minister will discuss routes for British citizens to be employed in the EU in the longer term with his EU counterpart; for example, whether it would be possible for youth mobility participants to transfer onto other visa routes such as Skilled Worker Visas, without a legal gap in EU residence.

UK nationals who wish to work in the EU are subject to the immigration requirements of the relevant Member States. This Government is committed to ensuring opportunities for British citizens to live, work, study, and travel across the European Union. That is why at the 2025 UK-EU Summit, we agreed to negotiate a balanced youth experience scheme with the EU. We have agreed that any scheme will be capped, subject to a visa requirement, as well as time-limited. We have been clear that the scheme should be in line with the UK’s existing schemes, such as with Australia and New Zealand. The exact parameters of the scheme are subject of ongoing negotiations.

Whether he has had discussions with his European Commission counterpart on allowing British citizens participating in the proposed Youth Mobility Scheme.to move between EU Member States.

We are negotiating an ambitious youth experience scheme with the EU. This will provide a valuable form of cultural exchange for young Brits to travel, experience other cultures and learn languages, as well as work and study abroad in Member States. We have agreed that any scheme will be capped, subject to a visa requirement, as well as time-limited. We have been clear that the scheme should be in line with the UK’s existing schemes, such as with Australia and New Zealand, but the exact parameters are subject to ongoing negotiation.

When her Department plans to reply to the correspondence of 20 March 2026 from the hon. Member for Torbay.

A response to the correspondence of 20 March 2026 from the hon. Member for Torbay was sent on 14 May 2026.

Whether he has had discussions with his European Commission counterpart on pathways for British citizens to be employed in the EU for a limited time if they come off the proposed Youth Mobility Scheme and prior to the expiry of their youth mobility visas.

We are negotiating an ambitious youth experience scheme with the EU. This will provide a valuable form of cultural exchange for young Brits to travel, experience other cultures and learn languages, as well as work and study abroad in Member States. We have agreed that any scheme will be capped, subject to a visa requirement, as well as time-limited. We have been clear that the scheme should be in line with the UK’s existing schemes, such as with Australia and New Zealand, but the exact parameters are subject to ongoing negotiation.

Whether the implementation of his policy to merge Housing Benefit for pensioners with Pension Credit will require Primary Legislation, and when he expects the new system to be in operation.

Through bringing together the administration of pensioner Housing Benefit and Pension Credit, we are working to ensure more pensioners receive all the benefits to which they are entitled. This work will deliver a simplified joined-up service that is more effective, consistent, and improves pensioner access to financial support.There is no requirement for primary legislation changes to deliver this joined-up service, which we will be testing with a small set of customers from Autumn 2026 to ensure improvements are having the impact we expect, before agreeing to roll out more widely.

What steps he is taking to allow people to do their EU-UK youth mobility exchange in (a) EEA countries and (b) Switzerland.

We are negotiating an ambitious youth experience scheme with the EU. This will provide a valuable form of cultural exchange for young Brits to travel, experience other cultures and learn languages, as well as work and study abroad in Member States. We have agreed that any scheme will be capped, subject to a visa requirement, as well as time-limited. We have been clear that the scheme should be in line with the UK’s existing schemes, such as with Australia and New Zealand, but the exact parameters are subject to ongoing negotiation.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of artificial intelligence on supporting lower energy consumption and access to lower tariffs for low-income households.

Recent analysis at global level, including by the International Energy Agency, has highlighted the extensive potential for AI applications in energy to cut costs and lower consumer bills. Government will publish an AI Strategy for Energy in Autumn this year, which will set out the actions it is taking to apply AI to the Clean Energy Superpower mission. The AI for Clean Energy Champion is also preparing a review of AI deployment in electricity networks, for publication in the summer.