Written questions by Morrison.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how she is ensuring that UK-supported humanitarian programmes provide timely and effective support to survivors of gender-based violence.

As part of the Foreign Secretary's focus on preventing violence against women and girls, we continue to prioritise support to survivors of gender-based violence in humanitarian settings. From April 2023 to March 2024, 3.21 million people were reached with gender-based violence prevention or response services through bilateral Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office support. More information can be found on GOV.UK at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68af15d3969253904d1558dd/FCDO_gender_based_violence_results_factsheet_2023_to_2024.pdf.Another recent example is the UK's effort to step up support and improving frontline services for survivors of sexual violence in Sudan. In February 2026, the Foreign Secretary announced a new £20 million multi-year programme to support survivors of rape and sexual violence in Sudan.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of schools’ mobile phone policies in preventing disruption in learning.

Mobile phones have no place in schools. Research from the Children’s Commissioner, published in April 2025, shows that the overwhelming majority of schools, 99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools, already have policies in place that limit or restrict the use of mobile phones during the school day. The department’s recently strengthened guidance on mobile phones in schools is clear that all schools should be mobile phone-free by default. Pupils should not have access to their devices during lessons, break times, lunch times, or between lessons. The guidance will be implemented through behaviour management in schools, and by setting out clear expectations for teachers and school staff. Our attendance and behaviour hub lead schools will support other schools to implement and enforce a mobile phone policy where needed. From April, Ofsted will also check school mobile phone policy on every inspection, with schools expected to be mobile phone-free by default. Ofsted will examine both schools' mobile phone policies and how effectively they are implemented when judging behaviour during inspections.

How many (a) neurologists, (b) geriatricians and (c) nurses there are working in the NHS who have specialist training in Parkinson’s.

The Department does not hold data on the number of neurologists or geriatricians with specialist training in Parkinson’s disease working in the National Health Service in England. National workforce datasets do not record condition‑specific sub‑specialisms, and responsibility for determining local specialist workforce configurations rests with individual employers and integrated care boards (ICBs).As of December 2025, there were 2,002 full‑time equivalent doctors in neurology and 6,318 in geriatric medicine working in NHS trusts and other organisations in England. These specialties include clinicians who provide care to people with Parkinson’s.The Department does not hold a central count of the number of specialist Parkinson’s nurses employed across the NHS in England. Workforce planning, including decisions about the number and type of specialist nurses needed locally, is the responsibility of individual employers and their ICBs, which are best placed to assess the needs of their populations.We continue to work with NHS England through programmes like Getting It Right First Time to support improvements in access to specialist care. The Department has also established a United Kingdom‑wide Neuro Forum, which brings together governments, the NHS, the devolved administrations, and neurological alliances across the four nations to share best practice and address system-wide challenges, including workforce needs for conditions such as Parkinson’s.

If he will provide an analysis of trends relating to the distribution of take home naloxone kits between 2022 and 2025.

Access to naloxone is vital to respond to the threat of synthetic opioids and to prevent drug related deaths. The Government has long supported expanded provision of naloxone, with guidance and funding, and this has contributed to a significant growth in the amount of naloxone available in the community to reverse opioid overdoses.In England, take-home naloxone supply is recorded by the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System, which drug and alcohol treatment services complete. It only records supply of take-home naloxone to people in registered treatment and does not record other people who may also be supplied with naloxone, like friends or family of people in treatment. Local authorities may also distribute naloxone via other routes besides substance misuse services.We have recently published statistics on the distribution of naloxone to those in registered treatment from 2024 to 2025. The statistics can be found in the data tables in Table 1.7: naloxone distribution and use to reverse overdose, namely in Table 1.7a: naloxone issued, at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/substance-misuse-treatment-for-adults-statistics-2024-to-2025This is the first time that figures on the distribution of naloxone have been published and, therefore, trends in its distribution over time cannot yet be assessed. We intend to continue publishing statistics on naloxone distribution each year.The Department launched a public consultation in December 2025 on further legislative options to expand access to take-home and emergency use naloxone. As part of this consultation, we are proposing specific data reporting requirements to enable more consistent reporting across the United Kingdom on the supply of take-home naloxone. The consultation closes on the 9 March 2026.

How many take-home naloxone kits were distributed by local authorities in England in 2022/2023.

Access to naloxone is vital to respond to the threat of synthetic opioids and to prevent drug related deaths. The Government has long supported expanded provision of naloxone, with guidance and funding, and this has contributed to a significant growth in the amount of naloxone available in the community to reverse opioid overdoses.In England, take-home naloxone supply is recorded by the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System, which drug and alcohol treatment services complete. It only records supply of take-home naloxone to people in registered treatment and does not record other people who may also be supplied with naloxone, like friends or family of people in treatment. Local authorities may also distribute naloxone via other routes besides substance misuse services.We have recently published statistics on the distribution of naloxone to those in registered treatment from 2024 to 2025. The statistics can be found in the data tables in Table 1.7: naloxone distribution and use to reverse overdose, namely in Table 1.7a: naloxone issued, at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/substance-misuse-treatment-for-adults-statistics-2024-to-2025This is the first time that figures on the distribution of naloxone have been published and, therefore, trends in its distribution over time cannot yet be assessed. We intend to continue publishing statistics on naloxone distribution each year.The Department launched a public consultation in December 2025 on further legislative options to expand access to take-home and emergency use naloxone. As part of this consultation, we are proposing specific data reporting requirements to enable more consistent reporting across the United Kingdom on the supply of take-home naloxone. The consultation closes on the 9 March 2026.

How many take-home naloxone kits were distributed by local authorities in England in 2023/2024.

Access to naloxone is vital to respond to the threat of synthetic opioids and to prevent drug related deaths. The Government has long supported expanded provision of naloxone, with guidance and funding, and this has contributed to a significant growth in the amount of naloxone available in the community to reverse opioid overdoses.In England, take-home naloxone supply is recorded by the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System, which drug and alcohol treatment services complete. It only records supply of take-home naloxone to people in registered treatment and does not record other people who may also be supplied with naloxone, like friends or family of people in treatment. Local authorities may also distribute naloxone via other routes besides substance misuse services.We have recently published statistics on the distribution of naloxone to those in registered treatment from 2024 to 2025. The statistics can be found in the data tables in Table 1.7: naloxone distribution and use to reverse overdose, namely in Table 1.7a: naloxone issued, at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/substance-misuse-treatment-for-adults-statistics-2024-to-2025This is the first time that figures on the distribution of naloxone have been published and, therefore, trends in its distribution over time cannot yet be assessed. We intend to continue publishing statistics on naloxone distribution each year.The Department launched a public consultation in December 2025 on further legislative options to expand access to take-home and emergency use naloxone. As part of this consultation, we are proposing specific data reporting requirements to enable more consistent reporting across the United Kingdom on the supply of take-home naloxone. The consultation closes on the 9 March 2026.

How many take-home naloxone kits were distributed by local authorities in England in 2024/2025.

Access to naloxone is vital to respond to the threat of synthetic opioids and to prevent drug related deaths. The Government has long supported expanded provision of naloxone, with guidance and funding, and this has contributed to a significant growth in the amount of naloxone available in the community to reverse opioid overdoses.In England, take-home naloxone supply is recorded by the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System, which drug and alcohol treatment services complete. It only records supply of take-home naloxone to people in registered treatment and does not record other people who may also be supplied with naloxone, like friends or family of people in treatment. Local authorities may also distribute naloxone via other routes besides substance misuse services.We have recently published statistics on the distribution of naloxone to those in registered treatment from 2024 to 2025. The statistics can be found in the data tables in Table 1.7: naloxone distribution and use to reverse overdose, namely in Table 1.7a: naloxone issued, at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/substance-misuse-treatment-for-adults-statistics-2024-to-2025This is the first time that figures on the distribution of naloxone have been published and, therefore, trends in its distribution over time cannot yet be assessed. We intend to continue publishing statistics on naloxone distribution each year.The Department launched a public consultation in December 2025 on further legislative options to expand access to take-home and emergency use naloxone. As part of this consultation, we are proposing specific data reporting requirements to enable more consistent reporting across the United Kingdom on the supply of take-home naloxone. The consultation closes on the 9 March 2026.

With reference to the answer to question 42 at the Liaison Committee on 15th December 2025, whether the Prime Minister’s office has agreed a date to meet with the victims of press abuse.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 02 February, Official Report, PQ 107285.

If he will take steps to ensure that a message is included prior to starting the benefits claim process (a) online, (b) in print and (c) by phone to make it clear that (i) free and (ii) independent support is available.

Free help and support in applying for Universal Credit is available from Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland. Free help and support for claiming other DWP benefits is widely available, including on GOV.UK, from the Department itself, and from organisations such as Age UK. There is no need for claimants to pay for advice and support with benefit applications.

Whether his Department has an expected timeline for publishing the Modern Service Framework for Cardiovascular Disease.

We expect to publish the new Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework (CVD MSF) later this year.The Department and NHS England are engaging widely with stakeholders to co-produce the CVD MSF, ensuring that experts, people, and communities are at the heart of its development.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that funding reductions do not undermine progress towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 8 January in response to Question 101723.

What steps he is taking to support young people pursuing apprenticeships who are unable to obtain English and Maths GCSEs; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the requirement to obtain English and Maths GCSEs when irrelevant to their chosen vocation on young people's confidence and self belief.

Young people are not required to hold GCSE qualifications in English and/or maths before starting an apprenticeship. Apprentices under the age of 19 are funded to achieve up to a level 2 qualification in English and/or maths (where they do not already hold one) before the end of their apprenticeship, putting them in the best position to progress in their life and career. This can be a GCSE or functional skills qualification. Further flexibility is in place for apprentices with a learning difficulty and/or disability, where there is evidence this is likely to be a barrier to them completing their apprenticeship. In these cases, they are able to achieve an entry level 3 functional skills qualification to complete. Since August 2024, this flexibility has been available to apprentices with a learning difficulty and/or disability but without an Education Health and Care Plan.

Whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of the regularity of identity verification for businesses and shops possibly operating illegally.

The Department considered the regularity of identity verification as part of Companies House reform. Identity verification applies to individuals associated with registered entities, not all businesses and is generally a one-off requirement. This approach provides more assurance about who is setting up, running and controlling companies in the UK whilst minimising burdens to business. Companies House can, require individuals to re-verify their identity where there are concerns that verification was obtained fraudulently. Identity verification forms part of a broader, risk-based approach, alongside enhanced intelligence sharing and strengthened powers to detect and address suspicious activity.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the requirement to have GCSEs to enter apprenticeships on young people with disabilities, learning difficulties and neurodivergence.

Young people are not required to hold GCSE qualifications in English and/or maths before starting an apprenticeship. Apprentices under the age of 19 are funded to achieve up to a level 2 qualification in English and/or maths (where they do not already hold one) before the end of their apprenticeship, putting them in the best position to progress in their life and career. This can be a GCSE or functional skills qualification. Further flexibility is in place for apprentices with a learning difficulty and/or disability, where there is evidence this is likely to be a barrier to them completing their apprenticeship. In these cases, they are able to achieve an entry level 3 functional skills qualification to complete. Since August 2024, this flexibility has been available to apprentices with a learning difficulty and/or disability but without an Education Health and Care Plan.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what role the UK Government is playing internationally to support equitable access to long-acting HIV prevention technologies, including long-acting PrEP, in low-income settings.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 8 January in response to Question 101723.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with international partners on protecting global HIV funding and increasing progress towards ending AIDS by 2030.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 8 January in response to Question 101723.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how the Government is working with international partners to ensure that new HIV prevention technologies are affordable and accessible to populations most at risk.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 8 January in response to Question 101723.

What steps she is taking to ensure transparency in the work of the VOA.

The Valuation Office Agency publishes valuation information for transparency while ensuring the protection of taxpayer confidentiality in line with its duty under the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005. The VOA published draft valuations from the 2026 Revaluation of Business Rates alongside Autumn Budget, so ratepayers can see the Rateable Values on which their bills will be based from 1 April 2026. To increase transparency, VOA also provided customers with information on comparable properties to help them understand how their rateable value has been determined.

What support she is providing to students who want to pursue a creative course for further education but cannot due to not obtaining English and Maths GCSEs despite resits.

Level 2 English and mathematics skills are essential for progression in work and further study, and providers are required to continue teaching English and/or mathematics to students aged 16 to 19 without these skills. Learners aged 16 to 18 at the start of their apprenticeship are required to achieve English and/or maths qualifications as an exit requirement.The department does not set entry requirements for further education (FE) courses and guidance is clear that decisions to enter students into English and mathematics exams should be based on readiness to improve their grade.The Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper outlined further support for providers to improve outcomes for all students, on study programmes. We have introduced teaching hours requirements and will also introduce new Level 1 preparation for GCSE qualifications. We are working with the FE Commissioner to share effective practice. Proposed reforms to level 2 and 3 vocational and technical pathways will also be designed to ensure there is sufficient time to continue studying English and mathematics.

What steps she is taking maximise the public sharing of evidence on which assertions by the VOA are made; and how the VOA's duty to taxpayer confidentiality will be used when responding to queries.

The Valuation Office Agency publishes valuation information for transparency while ensuring the protection of taxpayer confidentiality in line with its duty under the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005. The VOA published draft valuations from the 2026 Revaluation of Business Rates alongside Autumn Budget, so ratepayers can see the Rateable Values on which their bills will be based from 1 April 2026. To increase transparency, VOA also provided customers with information on comparable properties to help them understand how their rateable value has been determined.