Written questions by Brewer.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 11 July 2025 to Question 66043, what steps her Department is taking to develop its understanding of the risks posed to young people by artificial intelligence on social media platforms; and what further measures are being considered to help tackle AI‑generated harms, including their potential impact on young people’s wellbeing.

Children have the strongest protections under the Online Safety Act. Its duties apply to AI-generated content in the same way as other content, requiring regulated services to tackle illegal AI content and protect children from harmful AI content on their platforms.In March, the Government launched a consultation and National Conversation on children’s digital wellbeing, seeking views on harms (and mitigations) linked to AI chatbots and social media. This closes on 26 May.The government is also strengthening the criminal law, through the Crime and Policing Bill we will criminalise deliberately modifying or adapting AI models to generate child sexual abuse material, and bring unregulated AI chatbot services into scope.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 22 July 2025 to Question 68225, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward further legislative proposals on animal sentience in addition to the provisions of the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022; and what steps his Department is considering to help increase animal sentience protections.

The Department published the Animal Welfare Strategy on 22 December 2025. The Strategy sets out the priority issues Government will address, focusing on the changes and improvements it aims to achieve by 2030. The Animal Welfare Strategy will deliver further ambitious improvements for sentient animals, including through legislation where necessary. While the Government has no immediate plans to bring forward additional legislation on animal sentience beyond the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022, it will keep the legislative framework under review as the Strategy is delivered and consider further action where appropriate.

Pursuant the Answer of 22 July 2025 to Question 68230, what recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of making misogyny a hate crime; and what impact the cross‑Government Strategy on violence against women and girls has had on the Government’s policy on this matter.

The Government has tabled an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill to extend the aggravated offences in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to cover hostility relating to disability, sexual orientation, transgender identity and sex.This makes clear, in law, that offences motivated by hostility towards a victim’s sex or presumed sex will be treated just as seriously as those motivated by hostility towards the other range of protected characteristics in the hate crime regime.This approach complements our wider mission to tackle violence against women and girls, set out in Freedom from Violence and Abuse: a cross-cutting strategy, published 18 December 2025.The VAWG Strategy makes it clear that tackling misogyny, both online and offline, is central to our mission to halve VAWG within a decade and that achieving this requires a whole‑society approach. We are therefore working across government, public services, the private sector and charities to deliver our ambitions.

When the consultation on the Marriage Act 1949 reforms will be launched; how long it will run; and what steps will be taken to ensure the broad engagement with all stakeholders including couples and celebrants.

The Government announced on 2 October 2025 that we intend to reform weddings law when parliamentary time allows, taking forward the two key elements from the Law Commission report. We will move to a more flexible system that gives couples greater choice over where and how they marry and simplify the legal framework so that it is fairer, more consistent and reflects modern society, while continuing to protect the dignity of marriage.Ahead of these reforms, we will be undertaking a public consultation early this year. This consultation will seek views from wide range of stakeholders, including members of the public, couples, celebrants, and others to ensure broad engagement by those affected by and interested in weddings law.

Whether his Department has taken steps to implement the Law Commission’s July 2022 recommendations on weddings law reform in England and Wales; and whether his Department has published any progress reports.

The Government announced on 2 October 2025 that we intend to reform weddings law when parliamentary time allows, taking forward the two key elements from the Law Commission report. We will move to a more flexible system that gives couples greater choice over where and how they marry and simplify the legal framework so that it is fairer, more consistent and reflects modern society, while continuing to protect the dignity of marriage.Ahead of these reforms, we will be undertaking a public consultation early this year. This consultation will seek views from wide range of stakeholders, including members of the public, couples, celebrants, and others to ensure broad engagement by those affected by and interested in weddings law.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the difficulty in selling retirement flats on families inheriting properties; and whether he plans to take steps to support people affected.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 95245 on 5 December 2025.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of high strength retail sold magnets, including those imported outside of the UK and EU regulatory frameworks, on the safety and functioning of cerebrospinal fluid shunts.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for ensuring that medicines, medical devices, and blood components for transfusions on the market in the United Kingdom are safe, effective, and manufactured to the highest standards of quality. The Medical Devices Regulations 2002 (MDR 2002) established the statutory framework that medical devices, including cerebrospinal fluid shunts, must meet in order to comply with these standards.The manufacturer is legally responsible for obtaining the necessary certification, registering their medical devices with the MHRA, the UK Competent Authority, and undertaking post-market surveillance. Higher risk medical devices are assessed and approved by Approved Bodies, for UKCA marking, or Notified Bodies, for CE marking. Manufacturers consider anticipated conditions within intended environments of use, such as those with high magnet fields, for instance magnetic resonance imaging, when designing and manufacturing devices. As part of meeting the requirements of the MDR 2002, manufacturers must provide instructions for use, including implant cards and implant information, any special operating instructions, any warnings and/or precautions to take, and precautions to be taken as regards exposure, in reasonably foreseeable environmental conditions, to magnetic fields.The MHRA has published guidance on how electromagnetic interference can affect several types of medical devices that have electrical or electronic systems and mitigation steps. This guidance is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electromagnetic-interference-sources/electromagnetic-interference-sources

What funding has been specifically allocated to the rollout of fracture liaison services beyond the investment in DEXA scanners announced in May 2025; and what assessment he has made of whether that funding is sufficient to meet the 2030 coverage target.

Awaiting answer.

Pursuant to the Answer of 21 November 2025 to Question 90566, on Fraud: Disclosure of Information, whether she plans to publish the names of banks and other organisations that fail to prevent fraud or fail to reimburse victims of fraud.

We work closely with the financial sector to disrupt fraud at its source and prevent financial exploitation. As part of the Strategy, the Government will work with industry to develop new metrics to better measure fraud origination, harm and outcomes. This will improve transparency and accountability across the ecosystem and ensure metrics focus on reducing the level and impact of fraud.Data has also shown that banks are increasingly compensating victims following the introduction of mandatory reimbursement through the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023. In the first year of the Authorised Push Payment (APP) reimbursement scheme (from 7th October 2024), 88% of eligible losses were reimbursed, with £173 million returned to victims (APP scams reimbursement dashboard for Q3 2025 | Payment Systems Regulator).The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) published their third APP scams performance report in February, covering 2024 before the mandatory reimbursement requirement. The report show the sending fraud rates and reimbursement rates of the 14 biggest banks in the UK, putting a spotlight on firms that are the highest receivers of fraud: 2024 APP scam performance data – before the reimbursement requirement was implemented.

What work her Department has undertaken to date on the development of the Fraud Strategy; and what the planned timeline is for its completion and publication.

The ‘Fraud Strategy 2026-2029: Disrupting crime, supporting economic resilience and delivering justice’ was published on Monday 9 March 2026 and is available on gov.uk athttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fraud-strategy-2026-to-2029

What assessment his Department has made of the availability of learning‑disability nursing training places in regions where provision is determined solely by university education providers; and what assessment he has made of the impact of learner demand and provider capacity on access to such training in areas including North East Hampshire.

No assessment has been made. Undergraduate training places for nurses, including learning disability nurses, are not centrally commissioned by the Government. Instead, they are determined by local employers and education providers who decide the number of learners they admit based on learner demand and provider capacity.In Spring 2026, NHS England will convene a national Learning Disability Nursing Education and Training Steering Group, bringing together a range of stakeholders to oversee key strategic priorities for the Learning Disability Nursing profession. These priorities include stabilising and growing education provision and fostering collaboration across higher education institutions.

Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason her Department is not considering providing financial support to homeowners for the treatment or removal of Japanese knotweed; and what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of current guidance available to homeowners for managing this species.

The treatment or removal of Japanese knotweed is the responsibility of the homeowner and Defra has no plans to offer financial support. Defra has not reviewed its current guidance, as no new evidence has emerged that would make a further review necessary. Existing guidance on preventing spread and treatment — most recently updated in February 2026 — remains in place.

What plans his Department has to ensure that charges for medical evidence letters, certificates, and reports are fair and proportionate for patients in financial hardship or vulnerable groups; and what assessment his Department has made of the impact of such charges on patient access to essential documentation.

There are some medical evidence letters, certificates, or reports that general practices (GPs) may charge for, and others that they must not charge patients for. The legislation that sets this out is the General Medical Services and Personal Medical Services Regulations, which form the basis of the GP Contract with the National Health Service. There is no statutory limit to the level of such fees as this is outside of core NHS work.The Professional Fees Committee of the British Medical Association (BMA) suggests guideline fees for such services to help doctors to set their own professional fees.We recognise that there are concerns about some fees GPs charge for letters and the consistency of those charges, as well as the additional burden these requests can place on GPs. Where GPs charge for that evidence, these charges should be clear, fair, and consistent. Where possible and appropriate, we would encourage people to use alternative evidence.We are continuing to work across the Government to cut red tape and improve ways of working, including work to improve the patient experience, such as removing the need to request unnecessary medical evidence where possible.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of providing financial support to homeowners for the treatment or removal of Japanese knotweed; and what consideration her Department has given to the environmental impact of this species.

The treatment or removal of Japanese knotweed is the responsibility of the homeowner and Defra has no plans to offer financial support. Defra has not reviewed its current guidance, as no new evidence has emerged that would make a further review necessary. Existing guidance on preventing spread and treatment — most recently updated in February 2026 — remains in place.

What further steps his Department plans to take to reduce waiting times for people seeking psychological therapy to support their employment efforts; and what assessment his Department has made of whether additional measures are required to further reduce waiting times for psychological therapy services.

We recognise that some people experience long waits to access National Health Service mental health support, including psychological therapies that help people stay in, or return to, work. NHS Talking Therapies are the main national psychological therapy service for people with common mental health conditions. While the NHS is meeting the national access and waiting time standards of at least 75% of people starting treatment within six weeks of referral and at least 95% within 18 weeks, we know that waits within pathways, including between the first and second appointment, can be significant in some areas.Meeting national access standards is important, but we recognise that this alone will not address all delays experienced within psychological therapy pathways. Reducing waiting times requires a sustained and more systematic approach that focuses on increasing capacity, improving flow through services, and better integration with wider support, such as for people whose mental health is affecting their ability to work. That is why, for example, we have recruited over 8,000 additional mental health workers since July 2024.We are also strengthening NHS Talking Therapies with a greater focus on reducing waits within pathways, improving completion rates, and supporting better mental health and employment outcomes. This is supported by enhanced NHS England oversight to ensure funding is used to increase capacity and reduce waiting times.Progress on access and waiting times is monitored through existing NHS Talking Therapies national access standards and routine performance management. We have no plans to set additional targets specifically for employment related access to psychological therapies beyond the existing standards.

Pursuant UIN 87565 what steps his Department is taking to address the challenges it has identified in the interaction between Universal Credit and Housing Benefit for young people in supported accommodation, and whether a timetable has been set for considering potential reforms.

As confirmed at Autumn Budget, we will be introducing new earned income disregards for those in receipt of Housing Benefit and live in Supported Housing and Temporary Accommodation. This will help smooth the transition between the Universal Credit and Housing Benefit, and reduce the financial cliff edge for individuals in Supported Housing and Temporary Accommodation as they move into work or increase their hours. This will require legislative changes and be accompanied by IT changes made to local authority IT systems. In preparation for this, we have already begun engagement with stakeholders to ensure that the implementation meets the needs of those affected. This is accompanied by clear communications to support local authorities, housing providers and third sector organisations to ensure that eligible customers are aware of and able to utilise this change. The new disregards will be in place from Autumn 2026.

What assessment his Department has made, in consultation with the Health and Safety Executive, of the potential impact of the Construction Industry Training Board levy on health and safety outcomes in the construction sector; what consideration his Department has given to the potential impact of the Construction Industry Training Board levy on the profitability of construction firms; and what factors have informed the decision not to undertake an assessment of those impacts following the transfer of responsibility for the Board on 16 September 2025.

Meeting the skills needs of the construction workforce is vital to delivering the Government’s Plan for Change and the Industrial Strategy. An independent review of the Industry Training Boards (ITBs) was carried out by Mark Farmer in 2023, which considered their role and impact. This review highlighted the ITBs’ important role in developing industry skills, raising competency and improving productivity. It also identified a strong case for reform to ensure the ITBs are equipped to meet the workforce challenges facing the construction and engineering construction sectors.The Department for Work and Pensions is considering reforms to the ITBs in line with the recommendations of this review. This includes launching a consultation on 23 March 2026 seeking views on a proposal to bring together the Construction Industry Training Board and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board together in a single body, to enhance their impact and efficiency in meeting employers’ skills needs.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 November 2025 to Question 90565, on Fraud: Disclosure of Information, for what reason her Department has not made a specific assessment of the potential merits of creating a national online crime agency.

As part of our new Fraud Strategy, we are establishing a new Online Crime Centre (OCC), backed by over £30 million of investment.Led by the Home Office and the NCA, and working closely with the City of London Police, the OCC will unite UK policing, the UK Intelligence Community (including GCHQ, the National Cyber Security Centre and the National Cyber Force) alongside private sector partners from the financial, telecommunications, technology, and cyber industries.The OCC will initially focus on fraud and high-volume cyber crime, by enabling data sharing, trend analysis and intelligence development across partners. Using this enhanced intelligence, the OCC will work nationally and internationally with its participating partners to deliver high-impact law enforcement interventions. It will also use this intelligence to reduce harm, undermine the tools and services used by offenders, support recovery, and prevent repeat victimisation.As set out in the Police Reform White Paper, overall responsibility for fraud will, in due course, transfer to the new National Police Service.

What action his Department plans to take to reduce waiting times for psychological therapy to support employment, and what targets or timetable have been set for improving access.

We recognise that some people experience long waits to access National Health Service mental health support, including psychological therapies that help people stay in, or return to, work. NHS Talking Therapies are the main national psychological therapy service for people with common mental health conditions. While the NHS is meeting the national access and waiting time standards of at least 75% of people starting treatment within six weeks of referral and at least 95% within 18 weeks, we know that waits within pathways, including between the first and second appointment, can be significant in some areas.Meeting national access standards is important, but we recognise that this alone will not address all delays experienced within psychological therapy pathways. Reducing waiting times requires a sustained and more systematic approach that focuses on increasing capacity, improving flow through services, and better integration with wider support, such as for people whose mental health is affecting their ability to work. That is why, for example, we have recruited over 8,000 additional mental health workers since July 2024.We are also strengthening NHS Talking Therapies with a greater focus on reducing waits within pathways, improving completion rates, and supporting better mental health and employment outcomes. This is supported by enhanced NHS England oversight to ensure funding is used to increase capacity and reduce waiting times.Progress on access and waiting times is monitored through existing NHS Talking Therapies national access standards and routine performance management. We have no plans to set additional targets specifically for employment related access to psychological therapies beyond the existing standards.

What challenges his Department has identified in reducing waiting times for psychological therapy, and what assessment has been made of how these affect access for people seeking support to stay in or return to work.

Support to improve employment outcomes is embedded within NHS Talking Therapies services. Employment advisers are available in all NHS Talking Therapies services in England and work alongside therapists to provide tailored employment support alongside psychological therapy. In general, people referred for employment support should be able to access this within four weeks, and where appropriate, employment support can be provided alongside therapy, or earlier where there is an urgent work‑related issue.For people with more severe mental illness, we are also expanding Individual Placement and Support, so that 73,500 people can access this evidence‑based programme by March 2028. More widely, we recognise that the fit note process is not working as effectively as it should in supporting people to manage health conditions at work. Through initiatives such as the WorkWell Primary Care Innovation Fund, local areas are piloting improved ways of connecting people to appropriate work and health support, helping to support earlier returns to work and reduce avoidable pressure on psychological therapy services. Wider work to better join up health and employment support includes initiatives such as Health and Growth Accelerators, with further information available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/news/funding-boost-to-support-patients-to-stay-in-and-return-to-workWe keep waiting times for psychological therapies under regular review through national performance oversight and engagement with NHS England and local systems. This includes assessing whether further system‑level measures are required where waits remain longest and understanding how these affect people’s ability to stay in, or return to, work.