Written questions by Dhesi.

What recent steps his Department is taking to reduce treatment waiting times for people with prostate cancer in the South East.

The Government understands that more needs to be done to improve outcomes for all patients with prostate cancer, including in the South East.NHS England has introduced a best-practice timed pathway for prostate cancer so that those suspected of prostate cancer receive a multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging scan first, which ensures that only those men most at risk of having cancer undergo an invasive biopsy. The AI in Health and Care Award has also been established, which aims to accelerate the testing and development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. £113 million has already been allocated to support 86 AI technologies, and three of these projects specifically relate to prostate cancer, one of which is the Paige prostate cancer detection tool, developed by the University of Oxford.The Department will publish a National Cancer Plan which will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients across England, including the South East, speed up diagnosis and treatment, and ensure that patients have access to the latest treatments and technology.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a national prostate cancer screening programme.

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), which advises ministers on all screening matters, commissioned an evidence review modelling the clinical effectiveness and cost of several approaches to prostate cancer screening. This included different potential ways of screening the whole population and targeted screening aimed at groups of people identified as being at higher-than-average risk, such as black men or men with a family history of cancer.The modelling and evidence review are now complete, and the reports are being considered by the UK NSC and experts. Subject to no further revisions being required, the UK NSC plans to start a three-month public consultation towards the end of 2025. After this, the UK NSC will make a recommendation about screening for prostate cancer. Ministers will then be asked to consider whether to accept the recommendation.

What recent steps his Department has taken to raise public awareness of the availability of government grants for the installation of solar panels on homes.

Although domestic rooftop solar remains a key priority for the Government, there are currently no grants on offer to support the installation of solar panels specifically. However, alongside the £13.2bn we are investing in the Warm Homes Plan, officials will work with the finance sector on the role Government may play in scaling up and mobilising low-cost lending to support households with the up-front costs of energy efficiency and clean energy upgrades. Additionally, our Solar Roadmap carries several actions for government and industry to facilitate the provision of financial solutions for suitable customers. We will monitor and support delivery of these actions through the Solar Council co-chaired with industry.

What information her Department holds on the number of recorded offences related to the illegal use of an e-scooter in a public place in the past 5 years.

The Home Office collects information on the number of notifiable offences recorded by the police in England and Wales.The Home Office does not hold information on whether an offence was related to the use of e-scooters.

What information his Department holds on the number of rooftop solar panels in use in (a) Slough and (b) Berkshire.

The Government does not have data for the number of rooftop solar panels in total by parliamentary constituency; however, we do hold figures for domestic solar installations across parliamentary constituencies, and these are available online. Our latest figures show that Slough has a solar PV capacity of 4.4MW across 1,312 domestic installations. Across the nine parliamentary constituencies in Berkshire, there is 73.6MW of solar capacity over 19,218 domestic installations. Wokingham leads the charge with 11.9MW over 2,790 installations.

What guidance her Department issues to police forces to ensure that they use their public order powers at protests in compliance with human rights legislation.

Guidance on the use of public order powers is jointly produced by the College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs’ Council.The College of Policing publishes the Public Order Public Safety Authorised Professional Practice, while the Protest Operational Advice Document is issued collaboratively by both organisations.These documents provide comprehensive operational guidance and include robust, detailed consideration of human rights legislation, ensuring that policing practices align with legal obligations and uphold fundamental rights.

What progress his Department has made on increasing (a) solar and (b) rooftop solar capacity.

Accelerating solar deployment is a key part of the Government’s clean energy mission. As set out in the recently published Solar Roadmap, solar capacity will need to rise to 45-47GW by 2030. Since the Government took office, UK solar capacity has increased from 17.8GW (July 2024) to 19.1GW (July 2025). The Government does not hold precise figures for rooftop solar deployment. However, UK solar capacity from installations smaller than 50kW has risen from 6.3GW (July 2024) to 7.2GW (July 2025).

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of statutory paternity leave entitlements for self-employed parents.

Self-employed parents are not currently eligible for statutory paternity leave or pay. On 1 July the Government launched the Parental Leave and Pay Review. The Review will consider all existing and upcoming parental leave entitlements, including whether support available meets the needs of self-employed parents.

What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of compliance with international tax standards by the Overseas Territories.

The inhabited Overseas Territories are largely self-governing jurisdictions with democratically elected governments, and are responsible for fiscal matters. All Overseas Territories with financial centres have committed to upholding international tax standards, including those on tax transparency and exchange of information, and Base Erosion and Profit Shifting. Compliance with international standards is assessed through a system of peer reviews and monitoring within the G20/OECD Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting and the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes. The UK also works bilaterally with the Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories on issues of mutual concern. For example, on 27 May 2025, the UK and Isle of Man issued a joint statement, agreeing to explore ways to further enhance information flows, joint working and other ways in which tangible benefits for both jurisdictions can be achieved, noting our shared objective of combatting tax avoidance and evasion.

What recent steps she has taken to improve passenger railway services in (a) Slough and (b) the South East.

The Secretary of State is committed to improving rail services by working together with train operators, Network Rail, and where appropriate, Transport for London, to continue to improve reliability and punctuality in the South East. Slough already benefits from contactless ticketing, which we have announced will be further expanded to 49 more stations across the South East later this year.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps his Department has taken to prevent the importation of low-welfare animal products.

The Government shares the public’s high regard for the UK’s environmental protections, food standards and animal welfare. We will promote robust standards nationally and internationally. All agri-food products must comply with our import requirements in order to be placed on the UK market. This includes ensuring imported meat products have been slaughtered to animal welfare standards equivalent to our domestic standards. As set out in the UK’s Trade Strategy, the Government will not lower food standards and will uphold high animal welfare standards. We recognise concerns about methods of production, such as sow stalls and battery cages, which are not permitted in the UK. While methods vary in line with different climates, diseases, and other contextual reasons, we will always consider whether overseas produce has an unfair advantage and any impact that may have. Where necessary, we will be prepared to use the full range of powers at our disposal to protect our most sensitive sectors including permanent quotas, exclusions, and safeguards.

What information her Department holds on the number of children (a) with epilepsy and (b) without an individual healthcare plan in Slough.

The department does not collect data on pupils who have specific health issues, such as epilepsy, and only collects information where a pupil has a learning need. As such, we do not hold figures on either the number of children with epilepsy, or the proportion who do not have an education, health and care plan.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps she has taken to ensure that imported meat products are slaughtered to animal welfare standards equivalent to those in the UK.

The Government encourages the highest standards of animal welfare at slaughter. Under existing legislation, imports of meat must meet standards at least equivalent to welfare at slaughter requirements set out in assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the supply of epilepsy medications.

The Department is working hard with industry to help resolve intermittent supply issues with some epilepsy medications. As a result of ongoing activity and intensive work, including asking manufacturers to expedite deliveries, most issues have been resolved.We are currently aware of a supply issue affecting topiramate 25mg, 50mg, 100mg and 200mg tablets and phenobarbital 15mg tablets, used in the management of epilepsy, from certain manufacturers. Resupply from the affected manufacturers is yet to be confirmed but stock remains available from alternative manufacturers to meet patient demand, and we have issued management guidance to the National Health Service.

What recent steps he has taken to help reduce the average diagnosis time for endometriosis.

It is unacceptable that women can wait too long for an endometriosis diagnosis and this government is committed to improving the diagnosis, treatment and ongoing care for gynaecological conditions including endometriosis.Tackling waiting lists is a key part of our Health Mission. We have now exceeded our pledge to deliver an extra two million operations, scans, and appointments, having now delivered 4.9 million more appointments.In November 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence updated its guideline on the diagnosis and management of endometriosis to make firmer recommendations on referral and investigations, which will help women receive a diagnosis and effective treatment faster. This includes updated recommendations that for women with symptoms of endometriosis, initial pharmacological treatment should take place in primary care, and that this can take place in parallel with additional investigations and referral to secondary care if needed. The guideline is available at the following link:https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng73

What recent estimate she has made of the number of property management companies that have (a) delivered services for and (b) made payments on behalf of sanctioned individuals for the (i) maintenance and (ii) management of property in the UK.

OFSI has not made an estimate for the information requested but robustly enforces UK sanctions where breaches are identified. OFSI imposed a penalty in September 2024 against a firm for breaches of Russia sanctions relating to property management. Through OFSI’s enhanced capabilities and increased collaboration between government agencies, OFSI is able identify breaches proactively and is not reliant on self-reported breaches. Since February 2022, just over 1% of all suspected breach reports submitted to OFSI were reported by property and related services firms. Meanwhile, 7% of all suspected breaches reported to OFSI by other types of firms involved property and related services firms in some capacity.OFSI is taking concrete action to increase sanctions awareness within the sector, through direct engagement with the sector and publication of its Threat Assessment Report and guidance for letting agents.For the Threat Assessment Report, click here: OFSI_Property_and_Related_Services_Threat_Assessment.pdfFor OFSI’s letting agents guidance, click here: Financial sanctions guidance for letting agents - GOV.UK

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Environment Agency on trends in levels of fly-tipping in the (a) South East and (b) Slough.

There have been no recent discussions with the Environment Agency (EA) on trends in levels of fly-tipping in the South East and Slough. The EA is a member of the Defra-chaired National Fly-Tipping Group which aims to share best practice on tackling fly-tipping. Local authorities are required to annually report fly-tipping incidents and enforcement actions to Defra, which are published each year. These are available at Fly-tipping statistics for England - GOV.UK.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of fly-tipping on private land owners.

While no recent assessment has been made, we appreciate the difficulty and cost that fly-tipping poses to landowners and we are working with a wide range of interested parties through the National Fly-Tipping Prevention Group, such as the National Farmers Union, to promote and disseminate good practice, including how to prevent fly-tipping on private land. We encourage local authorities to make good use of their enforcement powers which include prosecution. On conviction, a cost order can be made by the court so that a landowner’s costs can be recovered from the perpetrator.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent support he has provided to local authorities to help tackle fly-tipping.

We want to see local authorities make good use of their enforcement powers and are taking steps to help them do so. For example, we are currently reviewing their powers to seize vehicles of suspected fly-tippers to identify ways in which we help them make better use of this tool. Defra also chairs the National Fly-Tipping Prevention Group through which we work with a wide range of stakeholders, including local authorities, to promote and disseminate good practice with regards to preventing fly-tipping. Various practical tools are available from their webpage which is available at: https://nftpg.com/. From 2026–27, the Government will deliver the first multi-year Settlement in a decade, fundamentally improving how we fund councils and directing funding to where it’s most needed. We’re committed to simplifying the wider local funding landscape by reducing the number of grants and consolidating them into the Settlement, so councils can plan more effectively. Detailed decisions will follow the funding reform consultation and be set out at the provisional Settlement later this year.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with local authorities in (a) Slough and (b) the Thames Valley region on the implementation of mandatory digital waste tracking.

The department has had no recent direct discussions with local authorities in Slough or the Thames Valley region on the implementation of mandatory digital waste tracking. Information is shared with stakeholders including local authorities via our Circular Economy newsletter. Through this newsletter we have invited organisations to sign up to the project’s user panel to get involved in testing of the developing service and provide feedback.