Written questions by Collins.

What the backlog in County Court cases is in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency, and what steps her Department is taking to tackle it.

It is not possible to measure ‘backlog’ within the County Courts due to the nature of Civil claims with many claims settling between parties. The pace of such cases is very often determined by the choices and behaviour of the parties.Our focus across Hertfordshire is to progress the cases in as timely a way as possible whilst balancing the individual circumstances and needs of each case. The Designated Family Judge and Designated Civil Judge along with HM Courts & Tribunals Service, have implemented robust listing and case progression initiatives. Cases are reviewed so that court hearing time is maximised, waiting times are reduced and matters that are suitable for the hearing to be brought forward are prioritised. This is achieved by utilising courtroom capacity that becomes available from other cases resolving.

Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to ensure mobile network operators cannot invoke the all reasonable efforts clause to avoid penalties under the Shared Rural Network agreement in (a) remote and (b) total not-spot areas.

The Shared Rural Network programme is underpinned by licence obligations enforced by Ofcom. Under the licences, the mobile network operators can only invoke the reasonable endeavours clauses under specific circumstances, by providing evidence to Ofcom, and would do so at their own discretion. Ofcom will make any assessment of whether any such claims are valid at a key delivery deadline of January 2027. This is an independent process facilitated by Ofcom and it would not be appropriate for the Department to intervene and take steps to stop the operators invoking the reasonable endeavours clauses.

What discussions her Department has had with schools on the potential impact of branded school uniform policies on families; and what steps her Department is taking to ensure that schools comply with the statutory guidance entitled Cost of school uniforms, published on 19 November 2021.

Whilst many schools are taking action to reduce costs, too many families tell us that the cost of school uniform remains a financial burden. The department’s research shows that the average cost of uniform is significantly lower when parents can buy items from somewhere other than a designated shop or school. This research is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-school-uniforms-survey-2023.The government has introduced legislation through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, to limit the number of compulsory branded items schools can require, to remove the cost of uniform as a barrier to pupils accessing school and activities in school.We estimate that requiring fewer branded items from designated suppliers could save some parents over £50 per child during the back to school shop once the uniform limit comes into effect.The department has statutory guidance on the ‘Cost of school uniforms’, and schools must have regard to it when designing and implementing their uniform policies. We expect all schools to now be compliant.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 19 June 2025 to Question 59177 on Broadband: Coastal Areas and Rural Areas, whether the reported 95 percent coverage achieved by the Shared Rural Network will be reviewed using Ofcom’s forthcoming reporting methodology based on a 5 Mbps threshold.

The previously agreed coverage thresholds for the Shared Rural Network were designed to reflect the level of service required to make calls and access online services in areas that previously had little to no service. This remains the baseline for the programme. We will continue to work with the mobile network operators to ensure that the improved connectivity we are putting in place meets the needs of rural communities.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to issue a formal definition of a Large Built-Up Area for the purposes of planning decisions.

Local planning authorities (LPAs) must necessarily exercise judgement to interpret and apply national planning policy to their particular local circumstances. The government published revised Green Belt guidance on 27 February 2025, to help LPAs review their Green Belt and identify grey belt land. This guidance sets out key considerations for informing judgements on the contribution land makes to checking the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas.

What steps her Department is taking to help support businesses to invest in skills and training in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency.

The department’s Industrial Strategy outlines key interventions to boost employer engagement with the skills system. These include: Shorter and foundation apprenticeships in priority sectors.New short courses in England, funded by the growth and skills levy from April 2026.Cross-sector skills packages in areas like digital, engineering and defence.A £625 million construction skills package to train up to 60,000 workers this Parliament. This investment will be supported by stronger employer partnerships, including the launch of technical excellence colleges to build local talent pipelines. Additionally, the chair of Skills England, alongside the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council, will explore how employers, individuals and government can collaborate to meet national skills needs and drive future job growth.

What discussions his Department has had with his European counterparts on cooperation on aircraft development.

The Ministry of Defence has continuous discussions with several European counterparts related to common platforms, such as A400M and Typhoon, and future capabilities. This includes continuous engagement with Italy as part of the delivery of our joint Global Combat Air Programme. We also have regular engagement with France and Germany to look to deliver interoperability in the development of our respective future combat air systems.

What estimate his Department has made of the number of deaths as a result of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in (a) 2020, (b) 2021, (c) 2022, (d) 2023 and (e) 2024.

NHS England has published the national service specification Inherited Cardiac Conditions (All Ages), that covers patients who often present as young adults with previously undiagnosed cardiac disease and families requiring follow up due to a death from this cause. This describes the service model and mandated guidelines and guidance that should be followed to support the diagnosis and treatment of patients or family members. It also includes the requirement for inherited cardiac conditions services to investigate suspected cases. Further information on the Inherited Cardiac Conditions (All Ages) service specification is available at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/cardiology-inherited-cardiac-conditions.pdf NHS England has published a suite of national service specifications and standards for congenital heart disease, which define the standards of care expected from all organisations funded by NHS England, to support and improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients with congenital cardiac problems. There are no plans to publish further specific information on people under the age of 35 years old with cardiac abnormalities, over and above those who would be covered by the service specifications referenced above. Data shows that in 2022, there were 939 people under the age of 35 years old who died due to heart and circulatory conditions. Further information, including historic data and a breakdown of death by high level condition, is available on the British Heart Failure website, at the following link: https://www.bhf.org.uk/-/media/files/for-professionals/research/heart-statistics/bhf-cvd-statistics-compendium-2024-v3.pdf?rev=c72e2593b0ac4f2b999ad2f5999d8c07&hash=7DCC7E6832AA9495B0F5E720357DB9FB NHS England does not hold the data for the number of deaths following out of hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs). The following table shows the number of cardiac arrest patients in England receiving an organised emergency medical services response, whether resuscitation was attempted, continued, terminated, or not attempted, the number where resuscitation was commenced or continued by an ambulance service, and the number of those with survival at 30 days, from 2020 to 2024: 20202021202220232024Cardiac arrest patients in England receiving an organised emergency medical services response, whether resuscitation was attempted, continued, terminated, or not attempted93,92095,09399,11195,22796,049Number where resuscitation was commenced or continued by an Ambulance Service30,84132,48634,19532,03132,932Number of those with survival at 30 days2,4972,7832,6602,9433,144Source: NHS England’s Ambulance Quality Indicators, available at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ambulance-quality-indicators/Notes:the 2020 figure is survival to discharge from hospital rather than survival at 30 days, and may be incomplete;during the COVID-19 pandemic, data suppliers in some hospitals were moved to other duties, making data on survival harder to obtain than data on deaths; anddue to a trust-wide outage of the Electronic Patient Clinical Record, data is unavailable from 1 April to 30 September 2023 for the Isle of Wight, and incomplete for the South Central Ambulance Service from July to September 2023. Publicly available data on OHCAs can also be found on the University of Warwick’s out-of-hospital cardiac arrest outcomes website, at the following link: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/med/research/ctu/trials/ohcao/

What steps she is taking to support victims of violence against women through the criminal justice system in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency.

This Government was elected with a landmark mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade, and we have already taken steps to support victims through the criminal justice system, including in the Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency.The Ministry of Justice provides funding for support services for victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence, both nationally and locally. Most of this funding is delivered through the Police and Crime Commissioners, such as the one in Hertfordshire, who commission services based on local need. This includes ringfenced funding for domestic and sexual violence services, including Independent Sexual and Domestic Violence Survivors, and domestic abuse and sexual violence services such as Refuge.Nationally, we also fund over 60 specialist organisations through the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund and operate a 24/7 support line for victims of sexual violence. The MoJ-funded National Witness Service also provides emotional and practical support on the day of trial, helping victims navigate the court process. All Crown Prosecution Service areas, including Thames and Chiltern, now have a dedicated Victim Liaison Officer to support victims of rape and serious sexual offences in the criminal justice system. We are also committing to establish specialist rape and sexual offences teams within every police force, enhancing the support network for victims across the country.Furthermore, in line with the Independent Sentencing Review’s recommendations, we are looking to expand specialist domestic abuse courts and are continuing the provision for free sentencing transcripts for victims of rape and sexual offences whose cases are heard in the Crown Courts.

What steps his Department is taking to support (a) research and (b) development into medical treatments for people affected by COVID-19 vaccine injury.

The Department commissions research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and continues to welcome funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including treatments for vaccine side effects. Since the start of the pandemic, the NIHR has allocated more than £110 million of funding for COVID-19 vaccine research, including consideration of issues around vaccine safety. As part of this, the Department commissioned a £1.6 million programme of work through the NIHR, to understand the mechanisms underlying the occurrence of COVID-19 vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia syndrome, a rare condition of blood clotting with low platelets following vaccination for COVID-19. This research was published in July 2025.In the very rare event where an individual may have suffered a severe adverse reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine, care and treatment will be best met and managed by National Health Service local specialist services, augmented as appropriate by national specialist advice.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Crawford & Company in administering the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme; and for what reason that company was selected to manage the process.

The NHS Business Services Authority is the administrator of the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS). Crawford and Company provides a medical assessment service for the VDPS. Crawford and Company were awarded this contract following a formal procurement process under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (as amended). The procurement process was open, fair, and transparent. Crawford and Company emerged as the successful bidder following an evaluation of their bid, and the contract started in March 2022, following their successful bid.Key performance indicators are in place to ensure the effectiveness of the medical assessment service, and are closely monitored via the contract. This includes a target that 95% of medical assessments are returned to the NHS Business Services Authority within 15 working days. The supplier has achieved this target since August 2023.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to review the scope of permitted development rights for above-ground utility infrastructure in residential areas; and if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring prior community consultation before such installations occur.

My Department has not issued any such guidance. The government continues to keep permitted development rights under review.

What training is provided to NHS continuing healthcare assessors on health needs associated with (a) progressive supranuclear palsy and (b) corticobasal degeneration.

The National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded Nursing Care sets out the process for determining eligibility for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC). This statutory guidance is clear that the assessment process should include someone with specialist knowledge of the individual’s condition, such as progressive supranuclear palsy or corticobasal degeneration, or have information available to them from the relevant specialists.It is important that those contributing to the assessment process have the relevant skills and knowledge. To support staff working in health and social care to apply the principles of the national framework, NHS England has developed and published a comprehensive set of online learning resources.Eligibility for CHC is not determined by diagnosis or clinical condition. It is assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account an individual’s needs, including ways in which these needs interact with one another.

Whether he plans to review the (a) scope, (b) eligibility, (c) criteria and (d) compensation level of the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme.

I would like to express my deepest sympathies to those individuals who have experienced harm following vaccination, and to their families.Ministers continue to consider options for reforming the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme.In parallel, the Department has been working with the NHS Business Services Authority, the administrators of the scheme, to take steps to improve the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme, including through processing claims at a faster rate.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has issued guidance on the (a) siting and (b) appearance of statutory undertaker infrastructure on highway land; and whether she plans to ensure that (i) local authorities and (ii) residents can determine the placement of visible above-ground installations in residential neighbourhoods.

My Department has not issued any such guidance. The government continues to keep permitted development rights under review.

What recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on UK access to the Security Action for Europe fund.

We welcome all European efforts to increase defence spending and provide the critical capability uplift needed by Europe, including through the EU’s European Defence Readiness / ReArm initiatives and the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument. SAFE was formally adopted by the European Council on 29 May 2025. Alongside the UK’s recently agreed Security and Defence Partnership with the EU, the UK now meets the criteria for discussing participation in the SAFE instrument. Recognising the important role that the UK’s world-leading defence industry plays for European security, the Defence Secretary has already engaged Commissioner Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defence and Space, on our ambition to swiftly explore the potential for enhanced cooperation under SAFE. We also continue to engage allies bilaterally, including through the recent Lancaster House modernisation 2.0, to ensure we are all contributing to a more resilient defence industrial base for Europe.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of improving continuing healthcare assessments for (a) progressive supranuclear palsy and (b) corticobasal degeneration.

The Department has not made an assessment of the potential merits of improving NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) assessments at this time, in relation to individuals with supranuclear palsy and corticobasal degeneration.Eligibility for CHC is not determined by age, diagnosis or condition, or financial means, instead it is assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the totality of an individual’s needs. This ensures a person-centred approach to CHC, whereby the individual is placed at the centre of the assessment and care-planning process, and should be supported to access and follow these. We continue to work with our partners, including: NHS England, who is responsible for oversight of CHC delivery; external organisations; and people with lived experience, to seek feedback on CHC policy and implementation.

What steps her Department is taking to help ensure (a) equal and (b) fair access to driving test appointments for candidates who are unable to travel outside their local areas.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.DVSA is committed to providing its customers with the best service possible and continually reviews its estate to ensure it represents good value for money and is efficient.DVSA’s booking service is live, and candidates are advised to check for new appointments regularly. Test appointments are released on a rolling 24-week basis, and slots are added as soon as they become available.On 28 May, the DVSA launched a public consultation on improving the rules for booking car driving tests. The aim of the consultation is to make test booking fairer, stop people charging extra fees to book tests and simplify the system for learners and approved driving instructors (ADI).From recruitment campaigns, since July 2024, the DVSA has onboarded, and started on a training course, 347 Driving Examiner candidates. Of whom 200 have completed training and have successfully been placed at test centres, 67 candidates are currently in training and 80 candidates failed to complete the training course.DVSA will continue to assess recruitment needs of all test centres in Great Britain when it launches any future recruitment campaigns. The table below shows the number of car practical driving tests conducted as a result of overtime, since December 2024. Overtime tests conductedDecember 202412,223January 202515,194February 202518,661March 202520,751April 202518,751May 202520,433June 202528,541

What recent assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the DVSA’s recruitment campaign for new examiners; and how many new examiners have been recruited in the last 12 months.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.DVSA is committed to providing its customers with the best service possible and continually reviews its estate to ensure it represents good value for money and is efficient.DVSA’s booking service is live, and candidates are advised to check for new appointments regularly. Test appointments are released on a rolling 24-week basis, and slots are added as soon as they become available.On 28 May, the DVSA launched a public consultation on improving the rules for booking car driving tests. The aim of the consultation is to make test booking fairer, stop people charging extra fees to book tests and simplify the system for learners and approved driving instructors (ADI).From recruitment campaigns, since July 2024, the DVSA has onboarded, and started on a training course, 347 Driving Examiner candidates. Of whom 200 have completed training and have successfully been placed at test centres, 67 candidates are currently in training and 80 candidates failed to complete the training course.DVSA will continue to assess recruitment needs of all test centres in Great Britain when it launches any future recruitment campaigns. The table below shows the number of car practical driving tests conducted as a result of overtime, since December 2024. Overtime tests conductedDecember 202412,223January 202515,194February 202518,661March 202520,751April 202518,751May 202520,433June 202528,541

How many additional driving test appointments have been made available through extended testing hours since December 2024.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.DVSA is committed to providing its customers with the best service possible and continually reviews its estate to ensure it represents good value for money and is efficient.DVSA’s booking service is live, and candidates are advised to check for new appointments regularly. Test appointments are released on a rolling 24-week basis, and slots are added as soon as they become available.On 28 May, the DVSA launched a public consultation on improving the rules for booking car driving tests. The aim of the consultation is to make test booking fairer, stop people charging extra fees to book tests and simplify the system for learners and approved driving instructors (ADI).From recruitment campaigns, since July 2024, the DVSA has onboarded, and started on a training course, 347 Driving Examiner candidates. Of whom 200 have completed training and have successfully been placed at test centres, 67 candidates are currently in training and 80 candidates failed to complete the training course.DVSA will continue to assess recruitment needs of all test centres in Great Britain when it launches any future recruitment campaigns. The table below shows the number of car practical driving tests conducted as a result of overtime, since December 2024. Overtime tests conductedDecember 202412,223January 202515,194February 202518,661March 202520,751April 202518,751May 202520,433June 202528,541