Written questions by Perkins.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that transition plan requirements are proportionate and flexible for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The government is clear that it wants any future requirements to be proportionate and that the focus will be on economically significant entities where there is likely a significant investor and public interest. As a result, small to medium-sized companies are not envisaged as being within the scope of any future requirements set by the government. The FCA has independent decision-making powers for companies in scope of any future transition plan requirements they set.

What steps he is taking through the Modern Service Framework for cardiovascular health to reduce premature deaths from cardiovascular disease.

The cardiovascular disease modern service framework will help accelerate progress towards the Government’s ambition to reduce premature deaths from heart disease and stroke by 25% within a decade.The Government is prioritising ambitious, evidence-led, and clinically informed approaches to prevention, treatment, and care. At the heart of this is engagement with people and communities, so that the modern service framework is shaped by and meets their needs. We will say more on these plans in due course.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of including targets to reduce the diagnosis time for myeloma in the National Cancer Plan for England.

Early diagnosis is a key focus of the National Cancer Plan. It is a priority for the Government to support the National Health Service to diagnose cancer, including blood cancers, as early and quickly as possible, and to treat it faster, to improve outcomes.To tackle late diagnoses of blood cancers, the NHS is implementing non-specific symptom pathways for patients who present with symptoms such as weight loss and fatigue, which do not clearly align to a tumour type. Blood cancers are one of the most common cancer types diagnosed through these pathways.We will get the NHS diagnosing blood cancers earlier and treating it faster, and we will support the NHS to increase capacity to meet the demand for diagnostic services through investment, including for magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scanners.The National Cancer Plan will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, including speeding up diagnosis and treatment, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology, and ultimately drive up this country’s cancer survival rates.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he will take to (a) protect and (b) build on the accomplishments of the UKSA after it joins his Department.

Space is a priority for this Government, supporting national security, economic growth, and scientific excellence. The integration of the UK Space Agency (UKSA) into the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is a strategic opportunity to strengthen the UK’s position as a leading space power.This transformation will better align our space capabilities with the wider science and technology agenda, enabling stronger links between space, innovation, and industry. We are committed to maintaining the Agency’s specialist expertise and operational focus, while unlocking new opportunities through DSIT’s broader reach and ministerial oversight.

Whether he has made an assessment of whether (a) Elbit Systems UK and (b) Forge Solutions have supplied arms to Israel.

The Government has suspended all export licences for equipment that we assess could be used in military operations in Gaza, with the exception of the special measures that we have taken with regard to the global F-35 programme. We have implemented that suspension and continue to refuse all relevant licence applications on the same basis.The Government recently published extensive information on extant export licences to Israel, available at: Export control licensing management information for Israel - GOV.UK. Specific detail on the assessment of individual companies’ licences is not regularly provided as this is commercially sensitive and provided in confidence by companies acting fully within the law – but all licences granted to UK exporters for Israel are within the scope of our current suspension, and in line with the requirements of our Strategic Export Licensing Criteria.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with the Sri Lankan government on groundwater contamination in Chunnakam.

Earlier this year, the former Minister for the Indo-Pacific launched the citizen science project for 'Improving Groundwater Management in the Jaffna Peninsula' where she met local community representatives and International Water Management Institute (IWMI) researchers to discuss efforts to improve groundwater management. This is a component of the UK's Climate Action for a Resilient Asia (CARA) programme which funds a groundwater monitoring project in Jaffna, delivered by the IWMI.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of setting the age limit for funding of level 7 apprenticeships at 22 years old.

This government has a driving mission to break down barriers to opportunity. Apprenticeship starts by young people under 25 fell by almost 40% over the last decade. From January 2026, the government will no longer fund level 7 apprenticeships, equivalent to master’s degree level, except for young apprentices under the age of 22, or those aged 22 to 24 who have an education, health and care plan or have been in local authority care. This will enable apprenticeship opportunities to be rebalanced towards young people and create more opportunities for those entering the labour market, who need skills and training to get on in their careers. This decision was informed by a wide range of evidence, including Skills England’s analysis of official apprenticeship statistics and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders. Skills England did not find a strong enough economic rationale to exempt any level 7 apprenticeship standards from defunding. While level 7 apprenticeships can be a valuable route for some disadvantaged learners, a significant proportion are from non-deprived backgrounds and are significantly less likely to be deprived than apprentices at lower levels. Level 7 generally has a higher proportion of older learners than other apprenticeships, particularly the senior leader apprenticeship (where 99% are over 25) and standards with an embedded postgraduate qualification. Skills England also suggested that de-funding would be unlikely to lead to a significant fall in the supply of these skills in the long term.

What steps he is taking to ensure that weight loss drugs are available on the NHS for (a) women with (i) polycystic ovary syndrome and (ii) other fertility issues and (b) everyone.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended a number of weight-loss medicines for use on the National Health Service, which the NHS is now required to fund for eligible patients in line with NICE’s recommendations, including for women with polycystic ovary syndrome and fertility problems.The product information for weight loss medicines state that all individuals of child-bearing potential, who are able to become pregnant, using GLP-1 medications should take steps to ensure they do not become pregnant. GLP-1 medicines should not be taken during pregnancy or just before trying to get pregnant.The NHS is currently rolling out tirzepatide for obesity in primary care, using a phased approach based on clinical need to manage NHS resources. Around 220,000 individuals are expected to be eligible over the next three years. NHS England worked with clinical experts, integrated care boards, patient and public representatives, healthcare professionals, charities and royal colleges on its prioritisation approach, which it set out in its interim commissioning guidance, available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/interim-commissioning-guidance-implementation-of-the-nice-technology-appraisal-ta1026-and-the-nice-funding-variation-for-tirzepatide-mounjaro-for-the-management-of-obesity/At the current time, patients will be eligible for treatment in primary care if they have a body mass index of at least forty, and four or more out of five ‘qualifying' conditions. The qualifying conditions are cardiovascular disease, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea, and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

What assessment has he made of the potential merits of increasing parental bereavement leave from two weeks to four weeks.

The entitlement to Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay represents a floor, not a ceiling, and the Government strongly encourages employers to go beyond the statutory minimum wherever they are able to. The Government is also committed to taking a holistic look at the parental leave and pay system to consider how it can better support working families via the Parental Leave Review, which launched in July and will run for 18 months. All current parental leave and pay entitlements are in scope of the review, including Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay.

If she will ensure that independent celebrants are included in the Government response to the Law Commission’s report entitled Celebrating Marriage: A New Weddings Law, published on 18 July 2022.

The Law Commission’s 2022 report on weddings made 57 recommendations for reform of weddings law, including how independent celebrants could conduct legally binding weddings. The Government appreciates the importance of this issue and will provide an update in due course.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the decision to pause the next phase of electrification of the Midland Main Line on rail (a) times and (b) investment in the East Midlands.

The Spending Review prioritised investment across all government spending, taking account of business cases and affordability. While I appreciate the investment opportunities that further electrification of the Midland Main Line could bring to the East Midlands, schemes that would have a more significant impact on economic growth were prioritised for funding. There is still significant investment being made in rail and we will continue to keep this project under review as part of our longer-term pipeline of schemes. Ahead of further funding becoming available to complete electrification of the route, EMR’s new intercity bi-mode trains will provide a step change in journey quality for rail passengers travelling between South Yorkshire, the East Midlands and London. The new trains will be quieter, more comfortable and will reduce carbon emissions by running using electric overhead lines between London and Wigston, south of Leicester. When fully operational they will provide a 46 per cent increase in capacity through a mixture of a greater number of seats and units.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2025 to Question 31833 on Mineworkers' Pension Scheme, when he expects discussions with Mineworkers' Pension Scheme trustees to conclude on the future of the surplus sharing arrangements.

The then Minister for Industry (Sarah Jones) met the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Trustees in April and July to discuss their proposals and the analysis we had jointly commissioned. The Government is keen to reach agreement with the Trustees as swiftly as possible on changes to take effect from the September 2026 scheme valuation.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will add priority species-rich grasslands to the list of irreplaceable habitats.

The Government has stated its intention to review the definition of irreplaceable habitats in due course, to ensure it remains robust and supports decision making.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will review the definition of irreplaceable habitats to ensure it is (a) robust and (b) comprehensive to support decision makers.

The Government has stated its intention to review the definition of irreplaceable habitats in due course, to ensure it remains robust and supports decision making.

Media and Sport, what her Department's policy is on converting existing tennis courts to padel courts.

The Government is determined to ensure that everyone has access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities. That is why we have committed another £400 million to transform facilities across the whole of the nation following the Spending Review. We will now work closely with sporting bodies - including the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) - and local leaders to establish what each community needs and then set out further plans. The Government provides the majority of support for grassroots sport through Sport England - which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding. Sport England provides long term investment to the LTA, which receives up to £10.2 million for 5 years from 2022 to invest in tennis and padel initiatives that will benefit as many people as possible.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with poultry industry representatives on the potential welfare merits of upright catching.

Following the publication of the public consultation on poultry catching and handling, we engaged with poultry industry representatives to discuss the potential welfare merits and harms of different poultry catching and handling methods, including upright catching.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help support indoor tennis facilities.

The Government is determined to ensure that everyone has access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities. The Government provides the majority of support for grassroots sport through Sport England, which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding. This includes long term investment to the Lawn Tennis Association, the National Governing Body for tennis, which receives up to £10.2 million for five years to invest in community tennis initiatives. The Government has also announced another £400 million to transform facilities across the UK following the Spending Review. We will work closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what communities need and will then set out further plans. I have met with the Lawn Tennis Association, along with representatives from other sports, to discuss this.

Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the amount of water lost due to leaking toilets in the UK; and if he will take steps to help reduce this.

Waterwise, the lead environmental non-governmental organisation for water efficiency, estimates to 8% of toilets are leaking around 400 litres a day each. The Government is committed to reducing leakage by 50% by 2050 as part of our legally binding target to reduce water use per person by 20% by 2038. This includes taking steps to reduce water wastage from toilets. Our recent update to our government response on a Call for Evidence on leaking toilets, conducted in 2022 outlined we are reviewing initial discussions with stakeholders as part of a ‘leaky loos taskforce’ to understand the steps needed to reduce toilet leakage.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment has he made of the reasons for the exemption of the Advanced Research and Invention Agency from the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

ARIA is a small body with limited administrative capacity to handle Freedom of Information Act requests. It is important that ARIA is focused on funding long-term transformational research for the benefit of the UK.ARIA is, however, dedicated to transparency. ARIA has other statutory commitments to transparency, including requirements for it to submit an annual report and a statement of accounts, which are laid before Parliament and audited by the National Audit Office or a commercial auditor. In addition to this, ARIA regularly publishes transparency information on its website, including on its financial transactions, contracts and funding recipients.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of existing flood-related resources for fire and rescue services; and whether she plans to increase guaranteed resources.

Protecting communities from flooding is a key priority for this government. Fire and Rescue Authorities already have duties under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 to prepare for emergencies, including major flooding. However, we recognise the interest in creating a statutory duty for flood rescue and officials are working with DEFRA, as lead government department for flooding, to consider the wider implications of this.MHCLG supports Fire and Rescue Authorities in responding to flood incidents by providing national resilience High Volume Pump (HVP) capabilities. These are available to be used by Fire & Rescue Services across the country during major flood incidents. Additionally, DEFRA hold the Flood Rescue National Asset Register, a list of teams or assets that voluntarily join the register and maintain availability for national deployment in England.The 2025/26 Local Government Finance Settlement set out funding allocations for all local authorities, including Fire and Rescue Authorities (FRAs). Standalone FRAs will see an increase in core spending power of up to £69.1m in 2025/26.