Written questions by Morton.

What assessment she has made of the impact of further education funding pressures on skills shortages in the West Midlands; and what discussions she has had with mayoral combined authorities and local employers on workforce shortages in construction, engineering and health and social care.

Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) bring together employers, education providers, and other local partners to identify and address key skills needs in an area. In the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) the LSIP is led by the Coventry Chamber of Commerce. The WMCA sets out sector skills priorities, which inform the LSIP currently being developed for the area. The LSIP is due to be published this summer.The WMCA also has devolved responsibility for the Adult Skills Fund and delivers priority skills in the region for adults in line with its Integrated Settlement Outcomes Framework, published this May.

What estimate she has made of the number of students on waiting lists for further education construction courses in England; and what assessment she has made of the adequacy of existing capital funding for colleges seeking to expand technical education capacity.

The government is investing £195 million to give colleges the space and facilities to train the next generation of construction workers as part of the Construction Skills Package. A further £375 million will increase capacity in colleges for 16 to 19 year-olds, including technical education. Wave 2 Technical Excellence Colleges are backed by £137 million capital funding, investing in the facilities needed to deliver quality specialist provision across priority sectors.Admissions are a matter for individual providers and the department itself has not made any estimate of waiting lists.

What estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS and the public sector of industrial action by doctors and other healthcare workers since July 2024; what assessment he has made of the potential impact of that industrial action on the length of waiting lists, and the number of cancelled procedures and the level of patient outcomes; and whether he plans to reintroduce minimum service levels or amend protections relating to industrial action in essential health and social care services.

Since the agreement made with resident doctors in July 2024 there have been four rounds of strikes. The resident doctors have been on strike for five days each in July, November, and December 2025, and for six days in April 2026. These have an estimated total cost of £50 million a day, including direct and indirect costs, so the total estimated cost is £1 billion. There have not been other national strikes of other healthcare worker groups in this time period.NHS England routinely publishes information on postponed inpatient and outpatient appointments during periods of industrial action. This information is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/preparedness-for-potential-industrial-action-in-the-nhs/#heading-3NHS England has published further workforce and activity analysis for the most recent strikes, and this is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/supplementary-information/There are no plans to reintroduce minimum service levels or to amend protections relating to industrial action in essential public services. The Government is committed to bringing in a new era of partnership that sees employers, unions, and the Government work together in co-operation to resolve disputes through meaningful negotiations. Additionally, we have robust contingency plans in place to minimise disruption from any potential industrial action. Striking workers are still subject to section 240 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, which allows for criminal prosecutions for those who intentionally and maliciously endanger life or cause serious injury to a person by going on strike.

What recent discussions she has had with retailers on the potential impact of recent trends in the level of retail crime and shoplifting.

The Government recognises the importance of close partnership with the retail sector in tackling retail crime. Home Office Ministers and officials, regularly engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including major nationwide retailers, trade associations, security providers policing partners, and other law enforcement agencies through forums such as the Retail Crime Forum and wider bilateral engagement. The most recent Retail Crime Forum meeting was held on 17 March, chaired by Ministers, it supports this oongoing dialogue and ensures that industry expertise informs our approach and ensures we understand the needs of all retailers to prevent and reduce retail crime.

Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to amend the National Planning Policy Framework to make explicit reference to residential boat communities and their accommodation needs.

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department provides to local authorities on safeguarding and expanding residential mooring provision as part of Development Plans.

Awaiting answer.

How many 16 to 18-year-old students enrolled at further education colleges in England in the 2025-26 academic year are currently unfunded; what estimate she has made of the number of students who may be denied places in 2026-27 because of funding constraints; and what assessment she has made of the impact of unfunded places on skills shortages in construction, health and social care.

The department funds any 16 to 18-year-old who wants a place in post-16 education. Institutions receive funding for all their students, but on a lagged approach, meaning the funding in each academic year is based on the number of students in the previous year.The department recognises that where an institution makes a particularly significant expansion in student numbers in a single year, that can cause cost pressures. For that reason, we provide exceptional in-year growth (EIYG) funding. We are investing £87 million to fund exceptional in-year growth this year.In the 2026/27 academic year, we have allocated nearly £9 billion in 16 to 19 programme funding to colleges, schools and other institutions. No young person should be denied a place due to funding constraints as institutions can be confident their funding will reflect student numbers.

What recent engagement his Department has undertaken with hospice providers, palliative care charities and sector representatives in developing the proposed Palliative Care and End of Life Care Modern Service Framework; whether he plans to publish a draft framework or consultation prior to implementation; and whether the framework will contain specific measures relating to (a) children’s hospices, (b) hospice-at-home provision, (c) advance care planning, (d) hospice capital funding and estates and (e) workforce recruitment, training and retention across specialist palliative and end of life care services.

We will publish an interim update on the Modern Service Framework (MSF) for Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care shortly. The final MSF will be published this autumn, to allow comprehensive engagement with sector stakeholders.The MSF will provide a clinically-led, evidence-based framework to support sustained improvement in patient and carer outcomes, including reducing both inequality and unwarranted variation. The MSF will also provide the framework against which palliative care and end-of-life care will be improved across all settings, including hospital and community, through neighbourhoods. Areas of action will be identified for those commissioning and delivering services with associated performance and outcome metrics to support system accountability.As part of the MSF, we will consider contracting and commissioning arrangements. The MSF will seek to embed palliative care and end-of-life care within a strategic commissioning model that is centred on population need. Integrated care boards (ICBs) will be directed to move to sustainable contracting of hospice and other services based on population needs assessments. Further direction to ICBs will be set out in the MSF interim update.We have been engaging with a range of stakeholders, from approximately 70 organisations, to inform the MSF’s development. This includes the Ambitions Partnership and organisations representing the hospice sector. As there are approximately 170 adult and 40 children’s hospice in England, we have asked independent hospice stakeholders to engage via their membership organisations, Hospice UK and Together for Short Lives. We are also undertaking engagement with integrated care systems through National Health Service regional teams.Department and NHS England officials will continue to engage closely with stakeholders on the development of the final MSF. Future opportunities for stakeholder engagement will be communicated via our regional NHS England teams, NHS Alliance, and Ambitions Partnership.We have supported the hospice sector in England with a £125 million capital funding boost for adult and children and young people’s hospices to ensure they have the best physical environment for care.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer to question 99517 when will her Department be able to update the house of the proposed new approach to dual use packaging as referred to by the Minister.

Defra is working closely with stakeholders to assess all options to amend the household packaging definition (regulation 8) in the packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) regulations. This includes both sector-based interim measures, as well as a long-term solution that addresses all affected sectors. We understand that this is a high priority issue for stakeholders and will provide an update as soon as possible.

What estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS and wider public sector of industrial action by doctors and other healthcare workers since July 2024; what assessment he has made of the impact of that industrial action on (a) waiting lists, (b) cancelled procedures and (c) patient outcomes; and whether he plans to reintroduce minimum service levels or amend protections relating to industrial action in essential public services.

Since the agreement made with resident doctors in July 2024 there have been four rounds of strikes. The resident doctors have been on strike for five days each in July, November, and December 2025, and for six days in April 2026. These have an estimated total cost of £50 million a day, including direct and indirect costs, so the total estimated cost is £1 billion. There have not been other national strikes of other healthcare worker groups in this time period.NHS England routinely publishes information on postponed inpatient and outpatient appointments during periods of industrial action. This information is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/preparedness-for-potential-industrial-action-in-the-nhs/#heading-3NHS England has published further workforce and activity analysis for the most recent strikes, and this is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/supplementary-information/There are no plans to reintroduce minimum service levels or to amend protections relating to industrial action in essential public services. The Government is committed to bringing in a new era of partnership that sees employers, unions, and the Government work together in co-operation to resolve disputes through meaningful negotiations. Additionally, we have robust contingency plans in place to minimise disruption from any potential industrial action. Striking workers are still subject to section 240 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, which allows for criminal prosecutions for those who intentionally and maliciously endanger life or cause serious injury to a person by going on strike.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment her Department has made of whether packaging predominantly used in hospitality settings is being correctly classified under extended producer responsibility regulations.

Some packaging classified as household packaging under the packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) regulations will ultimately end up being managed through commercial waste management operations. Defra is working closely with stakeholders on this issue, including with representatives of the hospitality and food and drink sectors. Work is ongoing to look for opportunities to reduce the amount of packaging waste managed commercially that is liable for pEPR disposal cost fees.

Whether the forthcoming Palliative Care and End of Life Care Modern Service Framework will include proposals for (a) a national commissioning model for hospice services, (b) minimum standards for palliative and end of life care provision, (c) reducing regional disparities in access to hospice care, (d) improving access to community-based palliative care services and (e) reducing the reliance of hospices on charitable fundraising to deliver core clinical services; and whether Integrated Care Boards will be subject to any new statutory duties or funding expectations as part of that framework.

We will publish an interim update on the Modern Service Framework (MSF) for Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care shortly. The final MSF will be published this autumn, to allow comprehensive engagement with sector stakeholders.The MSF will provide a clinically-led, evidence-based framework to support sustained improvement in patient and carer outcomes, including reducing both inequality and unwarranted variation. The MSF will also provide the framework against which palliative care and end-of-life care will be improved across all settings, including hospital and community, through neighbourhoods. Areas of action will be identified for those commissioning and delivering services with associated performance and outcome metrics to support system accountability.As part of the MSF, we will consider contracting and commissioning arrangements. The MSF will seek to embed palliative care and end-of-life care within a strategic commissioning model that is centred on population need. Integrated care boards (ICBs) will be directed to move to sustainable contracting of hospice and other services based on population needs assessments. Further direction to ICBs will be set out in the MSF interim update.We have been engaging with a range of stakeholders, from approximately 70 organisations, to inform the MSF’s development. This includes the Ambitions Partnership and organisations representing the hospice sector. As there are approximately 170 adult and 40 children’s hospice in England, we have asked independent hospice stakeholders to engage via their membership organisations, Hospice UK and Together for Short Lives. We are also undertaking engagement with integrated care systems through National Health Service regional teams.Department and NHS England officials will continue to engage closely with stakeholders on the development of the final MSF. Future opportunities for stakeholder engagement will be communicated via our regional NHS England teams, NHS Alliance, and Ambitions Partnership.We have supported the hospice sector in England with a £125 million capital funding boost for adult and children and young people’s hospices to ensure they have the best physical environment for care.

Communities and Local Government, what consultation his Department has undertaken with representatives of residential boat communities on the development of national planning policy.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, how her Department oversees Enforcement action taken by the Environment Agency in relations Extended Producer Responsibility.

Defra officials are working closely with the Devolved Governments and the national regulators, including the Environment Agency (EA), to ensure that robust plans are in place to scrutinise the accuracy of submissions and to bring into compliance those producers that have not yet registered or reported data. This is supported by more than doubling the number of EA compliance officers working on pEPR. Since the 1 October 2025 submission deadline, the EA and other regulators tracked down and brought more than 2,000 businesses into compliance.

Food and Rural Affairs, what guidance has been issued to the Environment Agency on distinguishing between household and non-household packaging, particularly where products are primarily used in the on-trade.

Under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024, the regulators, including the Environment Agency, have a statutory duty to issue guidance for producers about the evidence which may be used to demonstrate that the household packaging conditions are met. Defra officials work closely with the regulators to ensure that we are aware of any issues and challenges, including where any future amendments to the pEPR regulations might be needed.

Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment he has made of whether the National Planning Policy Framework adequately reflects the housing and planning needs of residential boaters; and whether he plans to issue guidance to local planning authorities on making provision for residential boating communities in local plans.

Awaiting answer.

What estimate she has made of the number of deportation or removal cases in which claims made under Articles 2, 3 or 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights have delayed or prevented removal action in each of the last five years; what assessment she has made of the impact of those cases on public confidence in the immigration system; and whether she plans to review the role of domestic courts and tribunals in immigration and asylum proceedings.

We are committed to the European Convention on Human Rights. However, to retain public confidence in our policies on irregular migration, asylum and criminal justice, the European Convention on Human Rights and other instruments must evolve to face modern challenges.We are grateful for the vital work undertaken by the FTT-IAC and the Government continues to invest in its capacity through funding additional sitting days and judicial recruitment. However, the scale and nature of the current immigration and asylum appeals caseload cannot be sustainably managed within its existing limits. As previously announced, the Government will establish a new independent appeals body which will offer increased capacity and an enhanced ability to prioritise cases in the public interest.The information requested on numbers of deportation or removal cases is not centrally held and could only be collected and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

What assessment he has made of whether the current adult education funding model provides fair and equitable access to funding opportunities for small and medium-sized training providers; what assessment he has made of the impact of funding concentration among large national providers on competition, learner choice and innovation; and whether he plans to review current procurement and commissioning processes to ensure high-quality local providers are not excluded from accessing public funding opportunities.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to update the classification criteria for household and non-household packaging under Extended Producer Responsibility to better reflect real-world usage and distribution.

Defra is working closely with stakeholders to assess all options to amend the household packaging definition (regulation 8) in the packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) regulations. This includes both sector-based interim measures, as well as a long-term solution that addresses all affected sectors. We understand that this is a high priority issue for stakeholders and will provide an update as soon as possible.

Communities and Local Government, what consideration he has given to whether residential boaters constitute a distinct housing group for the purposes of national planning policy.

Awaiting answer.