Written questions by Khan.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to increase the recycling rate of glass beverage containers.

This Government has set ambitious recycling targets under the packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) regulations, with annual increases to glass packaging. The packaging recycling target for glass in 2025 is 74% and will increase to 85% by 2030. Modulation of pEPR fees, which will be introduced from year two of the scheme, will be used to disincentivise packaging formats that are not readily recyclable by placing higher fees on these packaging materials.The Government has also introduced the Simpler Recycling reforms, which will ensure that every household and workplace (businesses and relevant non-domestic premises like schools and hospitals) across England will be able to recycle the same materials, including glass.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that reductions in the adult skills fund allocations does not disproportionately impact (a) people in receipt of benefits and (b) young people not in education, employment or training.

We are facing a challenging fiscal context. Fixing the foundations of the economy will take time, and tough decisions are needed across the public sector to get our finances under control to ensure we deliver on our priorities through our Plan for Change. It is against this backdrop that the decision was made to make a small reduction to the Adult Skills Fund (ASF).We have launched a Youth Guarantee of support for all 18 to 21-year-olds to access training, an apprenticeship, or help to find work and prevent them from becoming excluded from education or work at a young age. £45 million has been allocated to eight Mayoral Strategic Authority Trailblazers to develop the Youth Guarantee. We will work with local areas on future expansion.Currently 62% of the ASF is devolved to nine Mayoral Strategic Authorities and the Greater London Authority. These authorities are responsible for the provision of ASF to their learners and the department is responsible for the remaining ASF.In non-devolved areas, learners claiming benefits or who earn less than £25,000, are eligible for full funding. This supports social mobility by enabling individuals to move into employment or progress further in their career.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of trends in the levels of recycling rates for (a) plastic, (b) metal and (c) glass beverage containers.

Defra has not made an assessment of trends in the levels of recycling rates for plastic, metal and glass beverage containers.However, Defra’s Impact Assessment for the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) uses external estimates of the recycling rates for beverage containers made of specific materials for specific years –https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukia/2024/217/pdfs/ukia_20240217_en.pdfDefra more routinely publishes annual statistics on the total amount of UK packaging waste that is recycled broken down by material types. The following table shows the amount of packing waste recycled by material types for 2023. The amount of recycled packaging is based on tonnages reported by accredited reprocessors and exporters under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations. Table1: Packaging waste and recycling, split by material, UK 2023 (thousand tonnes and % rate)MaterialPackaging waste arisingTotal recycledAchieved recycling rateMetal77455171.2%— of which: Aluminium27716258.6%— of which: Steel49738978.3%Paper and cardboard5,4223,98073.4%Glass2,6801,81867.8%Plastic2,2591,18652.5%Wood1,50466844.4%Other* materials2300.0%Total 12,6628,20464.8%Notes* ‘Other’ includes materials such as cloth, corks, gel, glue, hessian sacks and wax used as packagingArisings estimates made at point of manufacture.UK packaging waste figures by material types for 2012 to 2023 can be found in the UK statistics on waste dataset: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-waste-data.

If she will make a comparative assessment of the level of wages for a (a) school teacher and (b) college teacher.

The government’s role in relation to pay and conditions across schools and colleges differs.The statutory requirements for teachers' pay and conditions within maintained schools in England are set out in the school teachers’ pay and conditions document. This is updated each year, based on recommendations from the independent School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB).This year, the department announced a 4% pay award to school teachers and leaders, accepting in full the STRB’s pay recommendation. Combined with last year’s 5.5% award, this above-inflation pay award means school teachers will see an increase in their pay of almost 10% over two years.In 2023/24, the median full-time equivalent (FTE) average salary for teaching staff on permanent or fixed term contracts in secondary schools was £48,773.The further education (FE) sector does not have a pay review body and government does not set or recommend pay and this remains the sole responsibility of providers themselves.Alongside the 2025/26 school teacher pay award, we have announced an investment of £160 million in the 2025/26 financial year, to support colleges and other 16-19 providers with key priorities, including recruitment and retention.Additional funding of over £30 million will also be provided for 16-19 provision in schools. This funding comes from within the overall funding envelope of £615 million for 2025/26 announced alongside the 2025/26 school teachers’ pay award.In 2023/24, the median FTE average salary for teaching staff on permanent or fixed term contracts in general FE colleges was £36,300 and £47,100 in sixth form colleges.The school and FE pay figures are sourced from different datasets and recorded differently which may make it difficult to make direct comparisons.

What the average time is for a patient to receive a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) following initial contact with their GP for respiratory illness symptoms in (a) Greater Manchester ICB and (b) England in weeks.

Respiratory disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a clinical priority and the National Health Service is investing in the provision of more and better rehabilitation services for respiratory patients. This has the objective of improving outcomes for people with COPD through early diagnosis including via spirometry tests, and through increased access to treatments.The NHS RightCare COPD pathway has been rolled out nationally and defines the optimal service for people with COPD. Furthermore, the National Respiratory Audit Programme aims to improve quality of care, services, and clinical outcomes for patients with asthma and COPD, by collecting and providing data on a range of indicators and pulmonary rehabilitation activity.A national programme of work is underway to support systems with improving access to Pulmonary Rehabilitation for the eligible population; increase capacity of provision to reduce waiting lists; and improve the quality and consistency of rehabilitation programmes through accreditation. Pulmonary rehabilitation is effective for people with COPD, improving exercise capacity or increased quality of life in 90% of patients who complete a programme.Within NHS Greater Manchester, action being taken to address COPD includes:- improving equity of access to diagnostic spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide, particularly for disadvantaged population groups;- increasing capacity and reducing waiting times for pulmonary rehabilitation services;- increasing vaccination uptake and focusing on secondary prevention of pneumonia;- running smoking cessation services; and- introducing a respiratory standard to improve quality in general practice in managing COPD.This standard utilises a tool to identify patients with COPD who are at the highest risk and asks practices to do an enhanced review and management of these patients to help manage their COPD better.Data on the average time to diagnosis of COPD following patient contact with their general practitioner (GP) is not available. COPD diagnosis typically involves a spirometry test, and data related to such tests may be available at the level of individual GP practices and secondary care providers but is not yet routinely collected in national datasets or in Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board. Furthermore, the test is also used in the diagnosis of other respiratory conditions, not just COPD.

What steps he is taking to identify (a) undiagnosed patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and (b) COPD patients who are managed in primary care that should have their management escalated to specialist care in Greater Manchester ICB.

Respiratory disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a clinical priority and the National Health Service is investing in the provision of more and better rehabilitation services for respiratory patients. This has the objective of improving outcomes for people with COPD through early diagnosis including via spirometry tests, and through increased access to treatments.The NHS RightCare COPD pathway has been rolled out nationally and defines the optimal service for people with COPD. Furthermore, the National Respiratory Audit Programme aims to improve quality of care, services, and clinical outcomes for patients with asthma and COPD, by collecting and providing data on a range of indicators and pulmonary rehabilitation activity.A national programme of work is underway to support systems with improving access to Pulmonary Rehabilitation for the eligible population; increase capacity of provision to reduce waiting lists; and improve the quality and consistency of rehabilitation programmes through accreditation. Pulmonary rehabilitation is effective for people with COPD, improving exercise capacity or increased quality of life in 90% of patients who complete a programme.Within NHS Greater Manchester, action being taken to address COPD includes:- improving equity of access to diagnostic spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide, particularly for disadvantaged population groups;- increasing capacity and reducing waiting times for pulmonary rehabilitation services;- increasing vaccination uptake and focusing on secondary prevention of pneumonia;- running smoking cessation services; and- introducing a respiratory standard to improve quality in general practice in managing COPD.This standard utilises a tool to identify patients with COPD who are at the highest risk and asks practices to do an enhanced review and management of these patients to help manage their COPD better.Data on the average time to diagnosis of COPD following patient contact with their general practitioner (GP) is not available. COPD diagnosis typically involves a spirometry test, and data related to such tests may be available at the level of individual GP practices and secondary care providers but is not yet routinely collected in national datasets or in Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board. Furthermore, the test is also used in the diagnosis of other respiratory conditions, not just COPD.

When he plans to publish a new Carbon Budget Delivery Plan.

We will deliver an updated plan by 29 October 2025.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the (a) transition to and (b) commencement of Great British Railways on the level of funding for British Transport Police.

The British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set currently set by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA). It is the executive non-departmental public body that oversees the Force and is their employer. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals from the Force and views from industry. We anticipate that the level of funding for the BTP during the transition to and commencement of Great British Railways will similarly balance the needs of the industry and the force against public sector affordability.

What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the level of funding for the British Transport Police.

The British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA). It is the executive non-departmental public body that oversees the Force and is their employer. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals from the Force and views from industry. Set against a backdrop of wider public sector efficiencies and affordability by the rail industry it has agreed a budget increase for the financial year 2025/26 of 5.9%. BTP work closely with BTPA and industry operators to make final resourcing decisions with their agreed budget.The cost of policing the rail network in Great Britain is primarily covered through the funding agreements that the British Transport Police Authority holds with Network Rail, the rail operators and Transport for London.

When the final report of the Curriculum and Assessment Review will be published; how she plans to implement recommendations from that review; and how she plans to protect the mental health of children and young people in future reforms.

The interim report sets out the Review’s interim findings and confirms the key areas for future work, but there is more to do before publication of the final report. The Review is now carrying out a further investigation into specific policy and subject issues, working closely with the sector and building on the body of evidence gathered so far.The Review’s final report and recommendations will be published in autumn, at which point the government will respond.The Review takes place in the context of an education system facing considerable challenges and staff shortages. The Review recognises the inevitable trade-offs that will be faced in delivering high standards and a broad and balanced curriculum within this context.The department will give schools, colleges and teachers sufficient time to plan and prepare for changes, particularly where they are significant.We will also consider how to best support schools to access the resources, training and networking they need. For example, we will consider the role of Oak National Academy, subject associations or the new Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence teams.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the risk of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

It is the UK government's long-standing position that any formal determination as to whether genocide has occurred is a matter for a competent court, and not for governments or non-judicial bodies. The International Court of Justice case on genocide is ongoing, and we support the independence of the court. Our approach to genocide determination does not prevent us from taking action to call out and seek to address risks of atrocities. We have been clear that we strongly oppose the expansion of Israel's operations in Gaza, that Israel must do much more to protect civilians, that Palestinian territory must not be reduced nor subjected to any demographic change and that Israel must immediately lift its block on aid. Ministers have raised these issues with Israeli government counterparts, and we have repeatedly made our position clear through joint statements with partners and at the UN Security Council.

Whether her Department has held recent discussions with (a) financial institutions, (b) remittance service providers and (c) other relevant stakeholders on taking steps to reform remittances.

The government recognises that improved cross-border payment services, including remittances, would have widespread benefits for citizens and economies worldwide. The government works with UK and international partners, including under the G20 Roadmap for Enhancing Cross-Border Payments, to seek to deliver faster, cheaper, more transparent and more inclusive cross-border payments and remittances. Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-giftsand-overseas-travel

What steps her Department is taking to support the decarbonisation of heavy duty vehicles.

The Government is committed to decarbonising heavy-duty vehicles, and is supporting this through programmes such as the Plug-in Truck Grant, the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme, further funding for the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas programme, and a bus decarbonisation measure in the Bus Services Bill, which is currently going through Parliament.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that the rapid charging fund is used effectively.

A reliable, accessible and visible public charging network to support EV drivers on long journeys is essential. The market has changed significantly since the previous government announced the Rapid Charging Fund in 2020, including increased private sector investment in infrastructure, a changed regulatory environment, and improvements in battery technology. There are now over 5,250 open-access, rapid and ultra-rapid chargepoints within 1 mile of the Strategic Road Network (England’s motorways and major A roads). We will ensure taxpayers' money is used as efficiently as possible to make the transition to electric vehicles a success. The Rapid Charging Fund pilot was launched in 2023 to better understand where to target government support. We will apply learning from the pilot and continue working with industry to inform future policy to boost charging infrastructure on the Strategic Road Network.

If her Department will review emission standards for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in line with EU ratings.

The current emission standard for cars and vans in Great Britain is known as Euro 6d. Under the Windsor Framework, Northern Ireland applies the EU standard, known as Euro 6e. The Department for Transport plans to consult soon on a proposal to update the required emission standard for new cars and vans, including plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, in line with Euro 6e.

What recent assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing a zero emission vehicle mandate for heavy duty vehicles.

The Government believes that more needs to be done to decarbonise the road freight sector. We are currently considering our regulatory approach for decarbonising new non-zero emission heavy goods vehicles and look forward to engaging the sector on this in due course.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of classifying thermal storage heaters as energy saving materials.

The Government is committed to improving the quality and sustainability of our housing stock. Installations of qualifying energy-saving materials (ESMs) in residential accommodation and buildings used solely for a charitable purpose benefit from a temporary VAT zero rate until March 2027, after which they will revert to the reduced rate of VAT at five per cent. The Government assesses whether to add ESMs to this relief by evaluating them against the following principles: the primary purpose of the technology must be to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, and relieving the technology of VAT must be cost effective and align with broader VAT principles.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to include provisions for prevention programmes for young people at risk of homelessness in her planned homelessness strategy.

Homelessness levels are far too high. This can have a devastating impact on those affected, including young people. To reduce the numbers of people experiencing homelessness, we must stop people reaching crisis point by preventing homelessness before it happens. Youth homelessness will be considered as part of our long-term, cross-government strategy to get us back on track to ending homelessness for good.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of increasing funding for ADHD services.

The ongoing Spending Review, which will be announced at my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Budget on 11 June, will set budgets for all areas of health.

What steps he plans to take to reduce waiting times for ADHD diagnoses.

It is the responsibility of the integrated care boards (ICBs) in England to make appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessments, in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.NHS England has established an ADHD taskforce which is working to bring together those with lived experience with experts from the National Health Service, education, charity, and justice sectors to get a better understanding of the challenges affecting those with ADHD, including timely and equitable access to services and support, with the report expected in the summer.For the first time, NHS England will publish management information on ADHD prevalence and waits at a national level on 29 May 2025, as part of its ADHD data improvement plan, and will soon release technical guidance to ICBs to improve the recording of ADHD data, with a view to improving the quality of ADHD waits data. NHS England has also captured examples from ICBs who are trialling innovative ways of delivering ADHD services, and is using this information to support systems to tackle ADHD waiting lists and to provide support to address people’s needs.