Written questions by Jogee.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether closer co-operation on chemical regulations was discussed at the UK-EU Summit on 18 May 2025.

Co-operation with the EU on chemical regulations is provided for under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

Food and Rural Affairs, what his Department's policy is on the registration dates for industry under UK REACH.

We are aware of stakeholder concerns about the feasibility of these dates and will provide further information in due course.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to ensure that (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency and (b) other communities have access to covered tennis facilities to enable year-round play.

The Government is determined to ensure that everyone has access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities. That is why we have committed at least £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 - 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.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure more students from less affluent areas are taught by trained maths teachers.

Recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers is critical to the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity. This is why the government’s Plan for Change has committed to recruiting an additional 6,500 new expert teachers in secondary and special schools and in our colleges, over the course of this Parliament.The department has announced an initial teacher training financial incentives package for the 2025/26 recruitment cycle worth £233 million, including bursaries worth £29,000 tax-free and scholarships worth £31,000 tax-free mathematics.For 2024/25 and 2025/26, mathematics teachers in the first five years of their careers who choose to work in disadvantaged schools will also receive a targeted retention incentive worth up to £6,000 after tax.Our High Potential Initial Teacher Training (HPITT) programme, delivered by Teach First, specifically supports schools in disadvantaged communities to recruit the teachers they need. Over the last three cohorts in 2022, 2023 and 2024, an average of 82% of HPITT participants across all subjects have been placed in disadvantaged schools.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will publish his Department's strategy for (a) the chemicals industry and (b) chemicals management.

The Chemicals industry is noted as a key foundational sector within the Industrial Strategy which helps underpin almost all other manufacturing sectors, including priority sectors such as Advanced Manufacturing. Delivery of a Chemicals Strategy to establish a regulatory approach and priorities for the sustainable use of chemicals was a commitment included in the Environment Improvement Plan (EIP) 2023. Defra’s future approach to chemicals management will be set out in the revised EIP, which will be published later in 2025.

Media and Sport, what proportion of dormant assets funds will be allocated to youth services.

In November 2024, the government announced an even split of £350m between the four Dormant Assets causes. Since then an additional £90m has been split between Youth and Financial Inclusion.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of removing the Universal Credit health element on claimants under the age of 22.

As part of the Pathways to Work Green Paper consultation, the Government invited views on the proposal to raise the minimum age for accessing the Universal Credit (UC) health element to 22. The consultation closed on 30 June, and we are now considering responses. No final decisions have been made.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure that Homes England will take a strategic approach to affordable rural housing delivery by embedding the needs of the countryside at all levels of the agency.

I refer the hon. Members to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 2 July (HCWS771).We are giving further consideration to how policy can better promote rural affordable housing as part of our work to produce a set of national policies for decision making this year.

What steps she is taking to ensure that people with mental health conditions are not disproportionately disadvantaged by the proposed reforms to PIP.

As I set out in the House of Commons on 1 July 2025, the Government has listened to the concerns raised by Members from across the House about the proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Clause 5 of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill would have amended the legal framework underpinning PIP assessments, specifically by implementing a new requirement that claimants must score a minimum of four points in at least one daily living activity to be eligible for the daily living component of PIP. In light of the concerns raised, I confirmed during the debate that clause 5 would be removed from the Bill in Committee.(Hansard, 1 July, col 219) Any changes to PIP eligibility will come after a comprehensive review of the benefit, which I shall lead, co-produced with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, clinicians, experts, MPs and other stakeholders, so a wide range of views and voices are heard. This review aims to ensure that the PIP assessment is fair and fit for the future.

Media and Sport, what plans she has to invest in (a) tennis, (b) padel and (c) court-base sports in the 2025-2026 financial year.

The Government is determined to ensure that everyone has access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities. That is why we have committed at least £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 - 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.

Media and Sport, what plans she has to continue funding tennis facilities following the conclusion of the Park Tennis Project.

The Government is determined to ensure that everyone has access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities. That is why we have committed at least £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 - 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 his Department had with the Paymaster General regarding UK-EU trade and environmental standards prior to the UK-EU summit in London on 18 May 2025.

Ministerial colleagues have had and maintain regular discussions with the Cabinet Office and other relevant departments on UK-EU trade and environmental standards.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of increasing the breadth of subjects students study at A-Level on (a) life chances, (b) employability and (c) the economy.

High and rising school standards are at the heart of the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give children and young people the best life chances. The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE.The Review aims to ensure that the assessment system captures the strengths of every child and young person and the breadth of curriculum and prepare children with the skills for future life and work.The independent Review’s interim report sets out that many areas of the curriculum and assessment system are working well, including A levels.During the panel’s next phase of work, it is addressing subject-specific challenges, aiming to ensure a rich, broad, inclusive and innovative curriculum that readies young people for life and work.The Review’s final report and recommendations will be published in autumn, at which point the government will respond.

Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to respond to the consultation on the UK REACH Alternative Transitional Registration model (ATRm) for chemicals.

Defra will set out its approach to chemicals regulation in due course. This will include explaining what approach is being taken towards the UK REACH alternative transitional registration model (ATRm), which was subject to public consultation in 2025.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the current maths curriculum in the context of increasing demand for data skills.

​High and rising standards across education, from early years to adulthood, are the key to unlocking stronger outcomes and a better future for children and young people. Our new regional improvement for standards and excellence (RISE) teams are now working closely with schools, including Maths Hubs to sharing best practice and put in place targeted plans to drive-up performance in schools needing extra support.The department funded, school-led network of Maths Hubs across both primary and secondary schools, focusses on reducing attainment gaps by providing school-to-school support with mathematics subject knowledge and pedagogy training for teachers. In addition, the department funds the Maths Champions programme working with early years settings to boost young children’s basic number skills, and the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme supporting disadvantaged students with an aptitude for mathematics to go on to further study.The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE. The Review is closely examining the key challenges to attainment for young people and the barriers which hold children back from the opportunities and life chances they deserve, to help us ensure high standards for all. The Review’s interim report, published in March, recognised the need for the curriculum to respond to social and technological change, including to consider what opportunities might be offered around the rise of artificial intelligence and trends in digital information demand.Please note that in the context of international standings in PISA tests, this response extends only to England as education is a devolved matter.

What steps her Department is taking to reduce the gap between the lowest and highest achievers in GCSE maths performance.

​High and rising standards across education, from early years to adulthood, are the key to unlocking stronger outcomes and a better future for children and young people. Our new regional improvement for standards and excellence (RISE) teams are now working closely with schools, including Maths Hubs to sharing best practice and put in place targeted plans to drive-up performance in schools needing extra support.The department funded, school-led network of Maths Hubs across both primary and secondary schools, focusses on reducing attainment gaps by providing school-to-school support with mathematics subject knowledge and pedagogy training for teachers. In addition, the department funds the Maths Champions programme working with early years settings to boost young children’s basic number skills, and the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme supporting disadvantaged students with an aptitude for mathematics to go on to further study.The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE. The Review is closely examining the key challenges to attainment for young people and the barriers which hold children back from the opportunities and life chances they deserve, to help us ensure high standards for all. The Review’s interim report, published in March, recognised the need for the curriculum to respond to social and technological change, including to consider what opportunities might be offered around the rise of artificial intelligence and trends in digital information demand.Please note that in the context of international standings in PISA tests, this response extends only to England as education is a devolved matter.

What steps her Department is taking to improve the UK’s PISA mathematics performance.

​High and rising standards across education, from early years to adulthood, are the key to unlocking stronger outcomes and a better future for children and young people. Our new regional improvement for standards and excellence (RISE) teams are now working closely with schools, including Maths Hubs to sharing best practice and put in place targeted plans to drive-up performance in schools needing extra support.The department funded, school-led network of Maths Hubs across both primary and secondary schools, focusses on reducing attainment gaps by providing school-to-school support with mathematics subject knowledge and pedagogy training for teachers. In addition, the department funds the Maths Champions programme working with early years settings to boost young children’s basic number skills, and the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme supporting disadvantaged students with an aptitude for mathematics to go on to further study.The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE. The Review is closely examining the key challenges to attainment for young people and the barriers which hold children back from the opportunities and life chances they deserve, to help us ensure high standards for all. The Review’s interim report, published in March, recognised the need for the curriculum to respond to social and technological change, including to consider what opportunities might be offered around the rise of artificial intelligence and trends in digital information demand.Please note that in the context of international standings in PISA tests, this response extends only to England as education is a devolved matter.

Whether he has made an assessment of trends in the level of violence against women in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) the rest of Europe.

Violence against women and girls is a national emergency and last year seven women were killed in Northern Ireland. Through my ongoing engagement with organisations working to support victims and survivors and tackle this societal issue, it is clear that there are additional challenges unique to the Northern Ireland context. I welcome the Northern Ireland Executive’s Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls that places the overall emphasis on prevention, tackling the root causes, and stopping the violence before it starts.

Whether people who are in receipt of the Universal Credit health element who were not also in receipt of the Personal Independence Payment daily living component prior to the Work Capability Assessment being abolished will automatically lose their entitlement to the Universal Credit health element once the Work Capability Assessment is abolished.

Our Pathways to Work Green Paper set out why we are scrapping the Work Capability Assessment (WCA). We want to end the binary categorisation of groups and labelling as either ‘can or can’t work’. Instead, any extra financial support for health conditions in UC will be assessed via a single assessment – the PIP assessment – and be based on whether someone is receiving any Daily Living award in PIP, not on capacity to work. This will de-couple access to the health element in from work status, so people can be confident that the act of taking steps towards and into employment will not put their benefit entitlement at risk. We are considering how any change of this kind could affect individuals who currently meet limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) criteria due to non-functional special circumstances; for example, those affected by cancer treatment, people with short term conditions that get better, women with a high-risk pregnancy and those currently classed as having substantial risk. Individuals in these categories may not be eligible for PIP, and therefore the UC health element, in the reformed system. In the reformed system these groups will still be eligible for UC and for the proposed new higher rate Unemployment Insurance if they meet relevant eligibility criteria. Individuals who are nearing the end of their life with 12 months or less to live will continue to be able to access PIP through the existing fast track route (Special Rules for End of Life (SREL) to ensure we protect those who are nearing the end of their life, irrespective of the duration of their illness. Further details on these changes will be set out in a White Paper in the Autumn.

If his Department will support the (a) rollout and (b) expansion of testing for (i) hepatitis B, (ii) hepatitis C, (iii) HIV, (iv) other precursor conditions to less survivable cancers and (v) NHS England’s risk-stratified Community Liver Health Check programme.

Testing for hepatitis B, C, and HIV is available through a variety of routes including, primary care, sexual health services and targeted testing to reach groups most at risk of infections. NHS England’s opt-out testing programme operates at several emergency departments and tests all adults blood test for hepatitis B, C, and HIV, unless they opt out. NHS England is exploring whether funding can be identified to allow the programme to continue beyond the current financial year.The Department supports testing for precursor conditions to less survivable cancers through several programmes. The NHS Cancer Programme works to detect more hepatocellular carcinomas, namely liver cancer, at an early stage. Six-monthly liver ultrasound surveillance for patients with cirrhosis or advanced fibrosis is carried out to identify liver cancers earlier. In 2025/26, community liver health checks will continue to be rolled out across 20 areas to identify patients with cirrhosis or advanced fibrosis.To speed up diagnosis of cancer, a full roll-out of non-specific symptom pathways has been achieved in England. These introduce a diagnosis route for patients displaying symptoms not aligned to specific cancers. This programme has provided funding to Cancer Alliances in 2023/24 and in 2024/25 to invest in local liver surveillance programmes.