Written questions by Mayer.

What steps her Department is taking to reduce the incidence of assaults on bus drivers; and what recent discussions she has had with (a) operators, (b) trade unions and (c) local transport authorities on this matter.

The Government is committed to ensuring the safety of bus drivers and is taking steps to reduce the incidence of assaults. The Bus Services (No.2) Bill includes measures setting requirements for mandatory training for staff including drivers and those who deal directly with the travelling public or with issues related to the travelling public. This training will be on preventing and/or responding to incidents of violence against women and girls as well as anti-social behaviour incidents that potentially affect the personal safety of any passenger, member of the public, or staff. This measure will also extend requirements for relevant bus staff to undertake training relating to disabled passengers. The Department engages regularly with bus operators, trade unions and Local Transport Authorities across the full range of measures contained in the Bill. This will continue as the guidance around this training is developed. The Bill also provides Local Transport Authorities with the power to create byelaws and deploy officers who can deal with low level anti-social behaviour and fare evasion on the bus network. Officers will have the power to issue fines, ask people to leave the vehicle, bus station or shelter and, if necessary, to remove them if they refuse to do so.

If she will update the delivery plan for Highways England 2020-2025.

National Highways published its Delivery Plan for the Interim Period, April 2025 to March 2026, on its website on Thursday 17th July 2025.https://nationalhighways.co.uk/media/2k0f3ya4/interim-period-delivery-plan-2025-26.pdfThe Department will publish the third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3) by the end of March 2026. Following this, National Highways will produce its next Delivery Plan covering 2026-2031.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the performance of guided busways as a type of rapid transit on (a) journey time reliability, (b) passenger growth and (c) modal shift from private vehicles.

The Government welcomes steps to improve the reliability and frequency of local bus services, including reducing journey times, for example through bus priority and busway schemes. Local transport is devolved, and local transport authorities are responsible for the design and delivery of the optimal mass transit solution for their particular local challenges. At the Autumn 2024 Budget, the Government confirmed over £1 billion to support and improve bus services, including £712 million allocated to local authorities in England outside London in 2025/26. Central Bedfordshire Council have been allocated £3 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to deliver better bus services can be used in whichever way they wish to improve services for passengers, including expanding services and improving reliability, or implementing bus priority measures.

What steps he is taking to improve childhood vaccination coverage rates in (a) Bedfordshire, (b) the East of England and (c) the UK.

Together with the National Health Service and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), we are taking action to improve uptake of childhood immunisation rates in Bedfordshire, the East of England and across England.We have set out actions to improve uptake across England in our 10-Year Health Plan as well as our strategy for Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life. Putting these plans into action, we have recently launched a campaign to promote awareness and confidence in vaccination. This will run throughout the year. We are also exploring new ways of delivering vaccinations including health visits and community pharmacy, with pilots for administering vaccinations as part of health visits starting from January 2026. We are also working with families and schools to improve the consent process to help children get vaccines at school and, during 2026-27, we will give parents access to their child’s vaccination health record via the My Vaccines hub on the NHS App.Regions and local areas are taking tailored and targeted action to improve immunisation rates and ensure that vaccination services best meet the diverse needs of their local populations.In the East of England, further measures include a trailblazing community and school age immunisation service in which the school vaccination provider also delivers catch-up in community clinics for all childhood vaccines; a dedicated call / recall telephone call centre focussed on measles, mumps and rubella vaccines; and regular training sessions for primary care nurses as well as a local enquiries inbox.In Bedford and Central Bedfordshire, more local activity includes a new community vaccinations hub at Bury Park, Luton; a new initiative at Bedfordshire Hospitals Foundation Trusts to invite children attending hospital appointments for vaccination if needed; work with specialist health inclusion health visitor teams to improve uptake in the Gypsy Roma Traveller community; home visits for some families who require vaccines delivered at home; work with SEND schools where pupils may have missed childhood vaccinations; and monthly monitoring of individual GP practice uptake rate with targeted support to practices with lower uptake.

What estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of extreme weather related to climate change since 1 January 2020.

The UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) Health Effects of Climate Change report estimated that heat-related mortality from climate change and related socio-economic change in England could cost approximately £6.8 billion per year in the 2020s, rising to £14.7 billion per year in the 2050s.The Department is supporting the improvement of National Health Service sites in order to reduce these impacts by investing £30 billion over the next five years in maintenance and repair, alongside £5 billion which has been allocated specifically to address the most critical building issues.For estimating future costs of extreme weather, decisions on key Government spending are subject to clear requirements through the Green Book. This includes supplementary guidance which covers the impacts of climate change, and which is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/green-book-supplementary-guidance-environment This ensures that policies, programmes, and projects are resilient to the effects and future costs of climate change, and that such effects are being taken fully into account when appraising policy options.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 17 September 2025 to Question 76124 on Planning: Empty Property, if his Department will make an assessment of the adequacy of existing national planning policy and guidance in relation to meanwhile use.

My Department has no plans to make such an assessment. The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987, as amended, groups common uses of land and buildings into classes. The uses within each class are, for planning purposes, considered to be broadly similar to one another, providing flexibility to change use within a use class. There are also a range of nationally set permitted development rights which allow for the temporary change of use of buildings between different use classes. Guidance on these is set out at gov.uk.

What estimate his Department has made of the costs to his Department of extreme weather events related to climate change on the level of economic growth since 1 January 2020; and what steps he is taking to help reduce those costs through (a) adaptation and (b) resilience measures.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has not made an assessment of the financial cost to the Department (either in terms of physical damage, disruption to operations or employee productivity) of extreme weather events during the period in question. Officials are working with GIAA and their ongoing cross government review of compliance with Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and we will consider their recommendations when these are published. The Government Property Agency manages the department's estate and has responsibility for relevant climate change risk assessments and adaptation plans. Since October 2023, the Department has supported eligible SME businesses to deal with the impacts of extreme weather events on their premises via the Business Recovery Grants scheme. This formed part of the Government’s wider support package to communities under the Flooding Recovery Framework. Prior to the creation of DBT in April 2023, the scheme was operated by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). DBT does not hold data on the schemes managed by BEIS prior to October 2023. More broadly, DBT is working to deliver on its commitments under the Third National Adaptation Plan - supporting businesses to adapt to the risks of climate change and take advantage of future opportunities for economic growth. This has informed our priorities under the Industrial Strategy, Trade Strategy and Plan for Small Business. DBT will also be working closely with Defra as they develop the Government's approach to the Fourth National Adaptation Programme, which will apply from 2028, following recent advice from the CCC that the government should prepare for 2°C of warming by 2050).

What estimate her Department has made of the potential economic impact of extreme weather events related to climate change on the level of economic growth since 1 January 2020; and what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help reduce those costs through (a) adaptation and (b) resilience measures.

The Government recognises that preparing for the future means adapting to the effects of climate change. Without action, extreme weather, flooding, coastal erosion and other climate hazards will pose greater risks to lives, livelihoods and people’s wellbeing. The Office for Budget Responsibility’s latest Fiscal Risks and Sustainability report estimates the potential fiscal costs to the UK from climate damage across a range of warming scenarios. Their analysis includes both direct costs in response to physical damages and indirect costs arising from additional demands on public services. Estimates show that without action, physical damages from climate change could lower GDP by around 5% by the early 2070s under a below 3°C scenario. The UK’s Third Climate Change Risk Assessment also provides an evaluation of the climate risks facing the UK, with impacts across infrastructure, health and the economy. As set out at Phase 2 of the Spending Review, the Government is investing in climate adaptation to protect the economy from the impacts of climate change, confirming investment of £4.2 billion over three years (2026-27 to 2028-29) to improve flood resilience. The Government is committed to strengthening the nation’s resilience. A 10 Year Strategy, published on 19 June 2025, set out its plan to review existing resilience standards across critical national infrastructure sectors by the end of 2026, and then to update these standards where existing standards do not provide the coverage necessary to ensure resilience and underpin growth. The Government is also exploring how stronger adaptation objectives can be set to improve preparedness for the impacts of climate change. This will inform the fourth National Adaptation Programme, due in 2028.

What estimate she has made of the cost to her Department of extreme weather related to climate change since 1 January 2020.

The government’s third UK Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA3), published in 2021 under the UK Climate Change Act 2008, includes a Monetary Valuation of Risks and Opportunities assessment of the current and future costs of climate change to the UK. A 2022 study from LSE’s Grantham Institute estimates that with current policies, the total UK cost of climate damage is equivalent to 1.1% of GDP currently.For estimating future costs of extreme weather, decisions on key government spending are subject to clear requirements through the Green Book. This includes supplementary guidance which covers the impacts of climate change, i.e. accounting for the effects of climate change. This ensures that policies, programmes and projects are resilient to the effects and future costs of climate change, and that such effects are being taken fully into account when appraising policy options.

Pursuant to the Answer of 15 September to Question 73453 on Tourist Attractions: Animals, whether his Department has made an assessment of the adequacy of existing regulatory frameworks governing travel companies that market or sell tickets to animal-based tourist attractions.

The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 may apply. Goods or services sold in the UK must adhere to consumer regulations, like the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.Defra is engaging with tourism industry and animal welfare groups on the delivery of the Animals (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023 and will set out next steps.Reputable tour operators should not offer activities that support poor animal welfare. The Association of British Travel Agents, a government approved body, has published guidelines and a list of activities which they classify as unacceptable.

Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of extreme weather related to climate change since 1 January 2020.

The government’s third UK Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA3),published in 2021 under the UK Climate Change Act 2008, includes a Monetary Valuation of Risks and Opportunities assessment of the current and future costs of climate change to the UK. A 2022 study from the London School of Economics’ Grantham Institute estimates that with current policies, the total UK cost of climate damage is equivalent to 1.1% of GDP currently. For estimating future costs of extreme weather, decisions on key government spending are subject to clear requirements through the Green Book. This includes supplementary guidance which covers the impacts of climate change, i.e. accounting for the effects of climate change. This ensures policies, programmes and projects are resilient to the effects and future costs of climate change, and that such effects are being taken fully into account when appraising policy options. The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has not estimated the costs of extreme weather related to climate change in our policy remit. MHCLG’s emergency response and recovery planning considers a suite of risks covered by the National Security Risk Assessment. Risks of which those associated with climate change form a part.

What estimate he has made of the costs to his Department of climate-related extreme weather since 1 January 2020.

The third UK Climate Change Risk Assessment published in 2021 included an analysis of the current and future costs of climate change to the UK and highlighted the climate-change related risks to our energy infrastructure. Government works closely with the energy industry to put plans in place to mitigate, and respond to all crises, including incidents resulting from climate-related extreme weather. The costs of responding to the network impacts of severe weather events are primarily managed by network operators. We are taking steps to future-proof the energy system including funding research to understand emerging climate risks to energy assets and infrastructure, and how best to enhance system resilience.

Pursuant to the National Infrastructure Service and Transformation Authority's document entitled NISTA Annual Report 2024-2025, published on 11 August 2025, what estimate she has made of the forecast underspend on (a) the TransPennine Route Upgrade and (b) the East-West Rail project in (i) 2025–26, (ii) 2026–27 and (iii) 2027–28.

The Spending Review, announced on 11 June 2025, saw an average annual funding increase for improvements to the railway over the next four years, with £10.2bn provided for rail enhancements in the period. This included funding to continue to deliver at pace on East West Rail and the TransPennine Route Upgrade, for which the capital budgets are held and managed at portfolio level. There is no forecast underspend against budget for these projects at this time and information on the projects within the portfolio will continue to be reported to NISTA to support the

If she will make an estimate of the potential renewable power generation capacity of Network Rail’s estate.

In May 2020 Network Rail carried out a survey and analysis of its land estate to assess the potential suitability for renewable energy generation. It was determined that there is potential capacity of 188 MWp across 34 potential sites.Network Rail purchases electricity for the railway and is committed to transitioning to renewable energy for both the electricity it uses for its own operations, and the electricity to power trains. Network Rail already generates some of this electricity on the rail estate and is continuing the roll out of new renewable energy generation assets on the estate.The government is committed to establishing Great British Energy and significantly increasing the amount of renewable energy generation in the UK by 2030.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of asking the National Screening Committee’s to review the evidence on risk-stratified screening.

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) already consider risk stratification in screening programmes.Last year the National Health Service moved from annual diabetic retinopathy testing for all people over 12 years of age with diabetes, to every two years for lower risk individuals. This followed a UK NSC recommendation.This year, the NHS adopted the UK NSC’s recommendation to move from age-based screening intervals in the cervical screening programme to risk-based intervals. Women with a positive HPV test (high-risk) are screened annually while the general population of women ages 25 – 64 will be screened every five years. The UK NSC are also working with Australian researchers to determine whether HPV vaccination status should be a risk stratification screening consideration.The UK NSC is considering risk stratification in breast screening. Work is underway with researchers to look at whether women with denser breasts should have a different screening approach, and consideration is being given to whether certain genetic mutations may require further stratification in the breast screening programme.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to his Department's Pride in Place Programme phase 2 methodology note, published on 25 September 2025, if he will publish the scores of the ranked list of neighbourhoods in England.

On 25 September the Government announced its flagship Pride in Place Programme, supporting up to 244 of Great Britain’s most in need neighbourhoods with up to £20 million each over the next decade. This will serve as the cornerstone of this Government’s support for communities, incorporating the existing 25 trailblazer areas announced at Spending Review and the 75 Plan for Neighbourhoods programme areas that were announced in March.New areas across England were selected using a robust, metrics-based methodology based on deprivation (the Index of Multiple Deprivation) and community need (the Community Needs Index) to identify areas with the poorest social and economic outcomes. We’re working closely with devolved governments to make sure funding supports local priorities everywhere. Further details on our approach in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will follow.In the place selection methodology note, we list areas by the number of neighbourhoods they have that will receive funding as part of this programme – as per column 2. This gives an indication of the neighbourhoods/areas that have gained the most as part of this programme.The full list of areas and place selection methodology is in the methodology note: Pride in Place Programme Phase 2: Methodology note.

What estimate she has made of the costs to her Department of climate-related extreme weather since 1 January 2020.

The department does not hold data on the historical costs of climate-related extreme weather. Education settings are not required to report such incidents, and responsible bodies are responsible for the repair and maintenance of their estates through the normal funding channels provided by the department, such as the Schools Condition Allocation and Condition Improvement Fund.

Media and Sport, what estimate she has made of the cost to her Department of climate -related extreme weather since 1 January 2020.

The government’s third UK Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA3), published in 2021 under the UK Climate Change Act 2008, includes a Monetary Valuation of Risks and Opportunities assessment of the current and future costs of climate change to the UK, including in relation to cultural heritage, where the estimated costs are currently unknown.The Third National Adaptation Programme (NAP3) sets out the actions that government and arm’s length bodies will take to adapt the country to the impacts of climate change from 2023 to 2028, including risks to cultural heritage (H11) which represents DCMS sectors. For estimating future costs of extreme weather, decisions on key government spending are subject to clear requirements through the Green Book. This includes supplementary guidance which covers the impacts of climate change, i.e. accounting for the effects of climate change. This ensures that policies, programmes and projects are resilient to the effects and future costs of climate change, and that such effects are being taken fully into account when appraising policy options.

Whether he has made an assessment of the readiness of integrated care boards to assume responsibility for commissioning vaccination and immunisation services.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Leicester East on 29 September 2025 to Question 76374.

What data her Department holds on the scale of ride sharing car services.

The Department does not hold any data on the scale of ride sharing car services. However, to help better understand the scale of usage I have commissioned officials to consider how we can support and promote the use of car club and car-sharing schemes, starting with a roundtable of industry stakeholders.