Written questions by Jogee.

Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to protect children in a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and b) Staffordshire from becoming victims of indecent deepfakes.

The Government is committed to tackling the atrocious harm of child sexual exploitation and abuse.UK law is clear – creating, possessing, or distributing child sexual abuse images, including those that are AI generated, is already illegal, and the Online Safety Act requires services to proactively identify and remove such content.We are taking further action in the Crime and Policing Bill. We are introducing an offence to criminalise AI models which have been optimised to create child abuse material and have tabled amendments to support the stringent testing of AI systems for child sexual abuse material risks.

What priorities the Government has for the G20 Summit in Johannesburg.

The Prime Minister updated the House on 25 November about his attendance at the G20 Summit, where he advanced an agenda for shared global growth and strengthened partnerships that deliver for the British people.

What steps she is taking to deliver clearer, cheaper and more accountable local police oversight in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (b) Staffordshire.

The Government announced on 13 November that it plans to abolish Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) at the end of their current term of office in May 2028, subject to legislation.PCC functions will transfer to Mayors of Combined Authorities, where possible, and to elected council leaders where it is not. Where there are no confirmed plans for a Mayor, as is the case in Staffordshire, we will create new Policing and Crime Boards to bring local council leaders together to oversee the force in their area, supported by an appointed day to day Policing and Crime lead.We estimate that at around £100m will be saved in this Parliament as a result of these governance reforms. Once delivered, we expect they will achieve savings to the Home Office of around £20m a year, enough to fund around 320 extra police constables.

What steps she is taking to break down the barriers to opportunity in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (b) Staffordshire.

The department is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity for children and young people in both Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire. Our approach is rooted in evidence and targeted investment to ensure every child has the best start in life.‘Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life’, sets out the immediate steps to deliver on our commitment to have a record proportion of children starting school ready to learn. The strategy is backed by close to £1.5 billion over the next three years to make early education and childcare more accessible and affordable, improve quality in the early years and reception, and expand and strengthen family services. In October this year, Staffordshire received a development grant of £262,449.In Staffordshire, we have funded eight schools to establish new breakfast clubs from this term, two of which are in Newcastle-under-Lyme, improving readiness to learn. Alongside this, we have supported the opening of eight new or expanded school-based nurseries, increasing access to high-quality early years provision.We have worked in partnership with local authorities and schools to improve attendance at schools in Staffordshire and Newcastle-under-Lyme, tackling the biggest barrier to children achieving at school. We are working in close partnership with Staffordshire County Council to deliver ambitious targets for raising attainment, particularly for disadvantaged pupils as they begin statutory education so more children achieve a good level of development. Through the regional improvement for standards and excellence (RISE) programme, we are supporting 12 schools across the county to enable young people to achieve and thrive. These measures form part of a wider strategy to reduce inequalities and ensure that children in Newcastle-under-Lyme and across Staffordshire can access the opportunities they deserve.

If he will make a comparative assessment of the adequacy of funding for research and innovation for (a) less survivable cancers and (b) other cancer types.

Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why the Department invests £1.6 billion each year on research through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Cancer is one of the largest areas of spend at over £141.6 million in 2024/25, reflecting its high priority.These investments are pivotal to informing efforts to improve cancer prevention, treatment, and outcomes. An example of this investment is the Imperial College London research on breath tests to detect less survivable cancers, with further information available at the following link:https://imperialbrc.nihr.ac.uk/2023/06/05/imperial-led-uk-cancer-breath-tests-reach-final-stages/Another example of Government investment was the launch of the NIHR’s national Brain Tumour Research Consortium in September 2024, which is bringing together researchers from a range of different disciplines and institutions with the aim of making scientific advances in how we prevent, detect, manage, and treat rare and less-survivable brain tumours in adults and children.The NIHR continues to welcome funding applications for research into less common cancers and other cancer types. The forthcoming National Cancer Plan will include further details on how the National Health Service will improve diagnosis and outcomes for all cancer patients in England, including for less common cancers, and other cancer types.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the (a) number of referrals and (b) time taken to treat people with heart valve disease in each region.

Cutting elective care waiting times, including for cardiology services, is a key priority for the Government. The national waiting list for cardiology services has fallen by 59,307 since this Government came into office, with an increase in the proportion waiting less than 18 weeks, from 60.2% to 62.4%. But we know there is much more work to be done.Cardiology is identified as a top priority for reform in our Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025. Specific actions being taken to reform cardiology include increasing specialist input earlier in care pathways, developing standard pathways for common outpatient presentations such as palpitation, and increasing timely access to cardiac diagnostic tests, including through “straight to test” pathways.To accelerate progress towards the Government’s ambition to reduce premature deaths from heart disease and stroke by 25% within a decade, we will publish a new cardiovascular disease modern service framework in 2026. The Department and NHS England are engaging widely throughout its development to ensure that we prioritise ambitious, evidence-led, and clinically informed approaches to prevention, treatment, and care.My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced £600 million in the October statement to reduce diagnostic waiting lists, supporting new and expanded community diagnostic centres (CDCs), upgraded hospital diagnostic equipment, and digital diagnostic capabilities. NHS England's digital investments, including using artificial intelligence for cardiac imaging, have accelerated cardiology test reporting. From July 2024 to September 2025, CDCs performed 312,049 echocardiography and 281,869 electrocardiography tests, with many centres adopting innovative cardiac pathways to speed diagnosis and treatment, including for women.The Government is committed to prioritising women’s health as we build a National Health Service fit for the future. We know that women deserve better, which is why we are delivering our commitment that never again will women’s health be neglected. The 2022 Women’s Health Strategy identified many important issues, including cardiology, which remain valid, so we now need to align the strategy with the 10-Year Health Plan and identify areas where we need to go further. That is why we are updating the Women’s Health Strategy, to assess the progress that has been made so far and to continue progressing delivery.

What steps he is taking to ensure access to (a) diagnostic and (b) treatment options for women with heart valve disease.

Cutting elective care waiting times, including for cardiology services, is a key priority for the Government. The national waiting list for cardiology services has fallen by 59,307 since this Government came into office, with an increase in the proportion waiting less than 18 weeks, from 60.2% to 62.4%. But we know there is much more work to be done.Cardiology is identified as a top priority for reform in our Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025. Specific actions being taken to reform cardiology include increasing specialist input earlier in care pathways, developing standard pathways for common outpatient presentations such as palpitation, and increasing timely access to cardiac diagnostic tests, including through “straight to test” pathways.To accelerate progress towards the Government’s ambition to reduce premature deaths from heart disease and stroke by 25% within a decade, we will publish a new cardiovascular disease modern service framework in 2026. The Department and NHS England are engaging widely throughout its development to ensure that we prioritise ambitious, evidence-led, and clinically informed approaches to prevention, treatment, and care.My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced £600 million in the October statement to reduce diagnostic waiting lists, supporting new and expanded community diagnostic centres (CDCs), upgraded hospital diagnostic equipment, and digital diagnostic capabilities. NHS England's digital investments, including using artificial intelligence for cardiac imaging, have accelerated cardiology test reporting. From July 2024 to September 2025, CDCs performed 312,049 echocardiography and 281,869 electrocardiography tests, with many centres adopting innovative cardiac pathways to speed diagnosis and treatment, including for women.The Government is committed to prioritising women’s health as we build a National Health Service fit for the future. We know that women deserve better, which is why we are delivering our commitment that never again will women’s health be neglected. The 2022 Women’s Health Strategy identified many important issues, including cardiology, which remain valid, so we now need to align the strategy with the 10-Year Health Plan and identify areas where we need to go further. That is why we are updating the Women’s Health Strategy, to assess the progress that has been made so far and to continue progressing delivery.

What plans her Department has to limit access to resources provided by Oak National Academy and funded by the Government through geo-blocking.

The department is keeping the geo-restriction of Oak National Academy’s (Oak) resources under review. Oak does not promote or market its resources overseas.The department recently completed a new market impact assessment (MIA) of Oak, which was published in September 2025, and is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/oak-national-academy-independent-review-and-market-impact-assessment.

What discussions she has had with publishers on the potential impact of free access overseas to UK-government funded educational resources from Oak National Academy on their exports.

The department is keeping the geo-restriction of Oak National Academy’s (Oak) resources under review. Oak does not promote or market its resources overseas.The department recently completed a new market impact assessment (MIA) of Oak, which was published in September 2025, and is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/oak-national-academy-independent-review-and-market-impact-assessment.

What steps his Department is taking to (a) promote earlier detection of mouth cancer, (b) ensure (i) dentists, (ii) GPs and (iii) other frontline health professionals are trained to identify early warning signs and (c) reduce the time taken to (A) diagnose and (B) refer patients for treatment for mouth cancer.

We know that cancer incidence, including mouth cancer incidence, is increasing. We know that more needs to be done to improve outcomes for patients with mouth cancer, including raising awareness of signs and symptoms and focusing on prevention, such as the introduction of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.Our forthcoming National Cancer Plan will have patients at its heart, and it will include further details on how we will speed up diagnosis and treatment, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology, and ultimately drive up this country’s cancer survival rates.To support earlier and faster cancer diagnosis, we are now delivering additional checks, tests and scans at 170 community diagnostic centres.Additionally, to help increase early detection of cancer, the Government has recently launched Jess’s Rule, an initiative that asks general practitioners (GPs) to think again if, after three appointments, they have been unable to diagnose a patient, or their symptoms have escalated.We are also investing an additional £889 million in general practice, bringing total spend on the GP Contract to £13.2 billion in 2025/26. This will help to ensure we have a well-trained and well-equipped primary care service that can take the time to provide quality care to patients around the country.Dentists and other dental professionals, including hygienists, routinely check the soft tissues of a patient’s mouth for signs of cancer during dental visits and as part of the check-up will make an assessment and record an individual’s oral cancer risk. Dentists will prioritise patients at a higher risk of oral cancer for more frequent recall and review in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of trends in the level of mouth cancer in the last ten years.

We know that cancer incidence, including mouth cancer incidence, is increasing. We know that more needs to be done to improve outcomes for patients with mouth cancer, including raising awareness of signs and symptoms and focusing on prevention, such as the introduction of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.Our forthcoming National Cancer Plan will have patients at its heart, and it will include further details on how we will speed up diagnosis and treatment, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology, and ultimately drive up this country’s cancer survival rates.To support earlier and faster cancer diagnosis, we are now delivering additional checks, tests and scans at 170 community diagnostic centres.Additionally, to help increase early detection of cancer, the Government has recently launched Jess’s Rule, an initiative that asks general practitioners (GPs) to think again if, after three appointments, they have been unable to diagnose a patient, or their symptoms have escalated.We are also investing an additional £889 million in general practice, bringing total spend on the GP Contract to £13.2 billion in 2025/26. This will help to ensure we have a well-trained and well-equipped primary care service that can take the time to provide quality care to patients around the country.Dentists and other dental professionals, including hygienists, routinely check the soft tissues of a patient’s mouth for signs of cancer during dental visits and as part of the check-up will make an assessment and record an individual’s oral cancer risk. Dentists will prioritise patients at a higher risk of oral cancer for more frequent recall and review in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to provide humanitarian support to the Government of Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa.

The welfare and security of British nationals is our highest priority. We have 24/7 consular support in place for those affected by Hurricane Melissa, and the UK is in close contact with travel companies who are working to restore flights for holidaymakers and British nationals. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has chartered a limited number of flights from Jamaica for British nationals who are unable to fly home commercially. British nationals in Jamaica are encouraged to register their presence via the "Register Your Presence" link on our Travel Advice for Jamaica to allow the FCDO to share important updates, including information on UK government charter flights.The UK has been steadfast in its commitment to provide support to Jamaica's recovery. We are mobilising emergency humanitarian assistance to support regional efforts to recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.  This includes providing emergency supplies such as shelter kits, water filters, and blankets, and deploying a team of humanitarian specialists to ensure critical supplies reach the hardest-hit communities. The UK is working with the Jamaican authorities and its international partners, including the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and UN agencies, to ensure humanitarian assistance is delivered to the worst affected areas and meets the immediate needs of the most vulnerable.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to provide consular support to UK nationals in Jamaica who are impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

The welfare and security of British nationals is our highest priority. We have 24/7 consular support in place for those affected by Hurricane Melissa, and the UK is in close contact with travel companies who are working to restore flights for holidaymakers and British nationals. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has chartered a limited number of flights from Jamaica for British nationals who are unable to fly home commercially. British nationals in Jamaica are encouraged to register their presence via the "Register Your Presence" link on our Travel Advice for Jamaica to allow the FCDO to share important updates, including information on UK government charter flights.The UK has been steadfast in its commitment to provide support to Jamaica's recovery. We are mobilising emergency humanitarian assistance to support regional efforts to recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.  This includes providing emergency supplies such as shelter kits, water filters, and blankets, and deploying a team of humanitarian specialists to ensure critical supplies reach the hardest-hit communities. The UK is working with the Jamaican authorities and its international partners, including the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and UN agencies, to ensure humanitarian assistance is delivered to the worst affected areas and meets the immediate needs of the most vulnerable.

Media and Sport, whether she plans to increase the provision of (a) indoor and (b) covered tennis facilities in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

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 UK following the Spending Review. This commitment includes a £5 million investment to grassroots basketball facilities in England in 2026/27. We are now working closely with other 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, the National Governing Body for tennis and padel, along with representatives from other court-based sports, to discuss this. 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 in the Lawn Tennis Association, which receives up to £10.2 million for five years from 2022 to 2027 to invest in community tennis and padel initiatives in England that will benefit as many people as possible.

Media and Sport, what plans her Department has to support the development of (a) affordable and (b) accessible padel courts in (i) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (ii) England.

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 UK following the Spending Review. This commitment includes a £5 million investment to grassroots basketball facilities in England in 2026/27. We are now working closely with other 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, the National Governing Body for tennis and padel, along with representatives from other court-based sports, to discuss this. 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 in the Lawn Tennis Association, which receives up to £10.2 million for five years from 2022 to 2027 to invest in community tennis and padel initiatives in England that will benefit as many people as possible.

Media and Sport, how much funding she plans to allocate to (a) tennis, (b) padel and (c) other court-based sports, in the context of the £5 million allocated to basketball in 2026-27.

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 UK following the Spending Review. This commitment includes a £5 million investment to grassroots basketball facilities in England in 2026/27. We are now working closely with other 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, the National Governing Body for tennis and padel, along with representatives from other court-based sports, to discuss this. 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 in the Lawn Tennis Association, which receives up to £10.2 million for five years from 2022 to 2027 to invest in community tennis and padel initiatives in England that will benefit as many people as possible.

Media and Sport, what plans she has for funding (a) tennis and (b) padel facilities in (i) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (ii) Staffordshire.

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 UK following the Spending Review. This commitment includes a £5 million investment to grassroots basketball facilities in England in 2026/27. We are now working closely with other 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, the National Governing Body for tennis and padel, along with representatives from other court-based sports, to discuss this. 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 in the Lawn Tennis Association, which receives up to £10.2 million for five years from 2022 to 2027 to invest in community tennis and padel initiatives in England that will benefit as many people as possible.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the (a) humanitarian, (b) security and (c) political situation in Sudan.

I refer the Hon. Member to the response provided to the Urgent Question on Sudan: Protection of Civilians on 30 October.

How many people were (a) committed to prison and (b) given suspended committal orders for non-payment of council tax in 2024.

In 2024, there were 0 people committed to prison, and 19 given suspended committal orders for non-payment of council tax.Non-payment of council tax is not a criminal offence and cannot attract a custodial sentence. However, under the committal to prison process, a court order can provide for someone to be committed to prison for not paying a debt.Committal to prison can only ever be the last resort for non-payment of council tax. Before a magistrates’ court commits someone to prison for failure to pay their council tax, it must have issued a “liability order” and the local authority must have (at least) tried and failed to take control of the debtor’s goods and sell them to recover the debt. Councils have additional powers of enforcement under a liability order, including deduction from earnings, deduction from benefit, charging orders on the property, and bankruptcy. If a council applies for committal to prison, the court must inquire into the debtor’s means, and the council must satisfy the court that there is no other effective method of collection and that failure to pay is due to wilful refusal or culpable neglect. This is to prevent persons who are genuinely unable to pay their council tax from being committed to prison. Where that is the case courts have the power to remit the debt.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the impact of the plastic waste export regime on recycling figures in a) Newcastle-under-Lyme, b) Staffordshire and c) England.

Waste plastic can generally only be exported from the UK for recycling. Where the UK cannot currently recycle materials economically, including plastic waste collected in Newcastle Under-Lyme, Staffordshire, and the wider country, exports can help ensure those materials are recycled rather than landfilled. No specific assessment has been made of the adequacy of the impact of the plastic waste export regime on recycling figures in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire or England.