Written questions by Mayer.

Whether her Department plans to review the definitions of (a) pre-booked and (b) on-demand coach services.

The Department recognises the important role the coach sector plays in connecting people across the country. Coaches are operated on a commercial basis providing services for leisure, business, education and private hire. The Government has no plans to review the definitions of pre-booked or on-demand services because, as private businesses, decisions such as the types of services they offer are for the operators concerned.

What discussions her Department has had with National Grid on resilience in the rail sector.

Network Rail, as the owner and operator of Great Britian’s railway infrastructure, is responsible for ensuring the resilience of the railway. Network Rail and National Grid are actively engaged in discussions about the rail sector's resilience, including issues related to power supply, climate change adaptation, and infrastructure improvements. These discussions involve stakeholders from across the industry to ensure a collaborative approach to addressing challenges and opportunities to grow, expand and improve the resilience of the railway network to meet the needs of passengers and freight users.

What was the total cost to the public purse was of British transport police offices in the last financial year (a) based at rail stations (b) not based at rail stations.

The British Transport Police do not hold data separating the costs for station-based and non-station-based offices. The British Transport Police operate from 141 properties split between railway stations and commercial buildings close to the railway. In the financial year 24/25, the total cost of British Transport Police’s estate including all running, maintenance, general improvement, and asset replacement costs was approximately £26.8m. In addition, as part of BTP’s cost reduction measures there was a one-off cost of £10.2m to relocate the British Transport Police Force Headquarters, which is anticipated to save £1.4m a year. 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.

What steps her Department is taking to consult with young people with autism during the development of the Youth Employment Strategy.

We know that young people with autism can face significant barriers to seeking and remaining in employment. We have ambitious plans to better support our young people to lead fulfilling lives and careers as set out in the Get Britain Working white paper and Pathways to Work green paper. The government is committed to consulting with stakeholders, including young people with health conditions and those who are neurodivergent. We will run a series of collaboration committees with a wide range of stakeholders. We are also in the process of establishing the Disability Advisory Panel to connect the Department to more voices and perspectives and improve how we collaborate with disabled people. The Disability Advisory Panel will be a strategic advisory panel consisting of up to 12 disabled people and individuals with long-term health conditions, supporting on longer-term strategic aims and specific policy design. We will finalise the workplan together with the Chair and Panel. The Youth Advisory Guarantee Panel as part of the Youth Guarantee is being shaped and informed by the voices and lived experiences of young people, including autistic and neurodiverse young people, building on the Youth Voice Forum, established in collaboration with the Department for Education, Youth Futures Foundation and Youth Employment UK. In addition, in January 2025, we launched an independent panel of academics with expertise and experiences of neurodiversity to advise employers and government on boosting neurodiversity awareness and inclusion at work. This will build on the work of the independently led Buckland Review which focused more specifically on autism employment. The panel will report in the summer.

What recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the HGV parking and driver welfare match funding grant scheme.

The HGV Parking Matched Funding Grant Scheme (MFGS) was launched in 2022 to fund investment in HGV driver welfare facilities, lorry parking provision, site security, and decarbonisation. These priorities were identified through the National Survey of Lorry Parking (2022) and aim to improve the working conditions of HGV drivers. My department has commissioned an independent evaluation of the scheme, to consider the application and delivery process, the role of the scheme in improving lorry driver facilities in England and the impact of the site improvements for drivers.

Whether her Department plans to develop a zero-emission coach travel roadmap to 2050.

We have no current plans to draft a roadmap. The Government is working with the sector to fully decarbonise the coach fleet. We are pleased to see the progress that has been made so far, particularly as long distance zero emission coaches have only been on the market since 2024. We expect to see the numbers of zero emission coaches on UK roads continue to grow as more coach operators opt for them on commercial grounds. We also welcome that some coach operators are starting to use charging infrastructure at bus depots and strongly encourage this shared use of facilities.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a Skills Bootcamp course to support the attainment of Category D coach licences.

The government is giving local areas greater control of Skills Bootcamps in line with its commitment to devolution.As national contracts come to an end, the government will fund Skills Bootcamps entirely through funding Mayoral Strategic Authorities and local areas directly.Local areas will be able to choose which Skills Bootcamps they offer based on the needs of their local employers and economy. This could include Skills Bootcamps to support the attainment of Category D coach licences.

Media and Sport, what estimate her Department has made of the economic contribution of coach travel to the tourism sector.

Coaches play a vital role in the tourism sector, providing transportation for millions of people every year to experience local attractions, scenic destinations such as coastal towns, or embark on excursions, often at budget-friendly rates. According to research published by the Confederation of Passenger Transport in 2024, coaches facilitate 450 million journeys each year and coach passengers spend £8.3 billion every year in local economies.The government remains committed to collaborating with stakeholders to strengthen our partnerships and encourage sustainable growth within the sector, including coach travel.

How many families will be impacted by the reduction in the number of compulsory branded items of school uniform in (a) Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard constituency, (b) Bedfordshire and (c) the East of England.

The department published its latest research on the cost of school uniform in September 2024, which surveyed parents and carers of children aged 4 to 16 attending state-funded schools in England. The research is published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-school-uniforms-survey-2023.The data were sampled to be representative of the population at primary and secondary level. Nationally, the department estimates that the new limit on compulsory branded uniform will reduce school uniform costs for around 4.2 million children. The aggregate savings to parents with children in primary school is around £21 million per year, and for those with children in secondary school is around £52 million per year. We estimate that some families will save over £50 per child on the back to school shop.The sample size was not large enough to make robust comparisons at a regional or local level.

What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on promoting the (a) mental, (b) physical and (c) wellbeing aspects of (i) walking and (ii) cycling.

Ministers in the Department for Health and Social Care and the Department for Transport have discussed promoting the mental, physical, and wellbeing benefits of walking and cycling. The departments work together to align active travel with health objectives, such as reducing physical inactivity and health inequalities, and improving air quality. We are considering together how to incorporate health into the upcoming Integrated National Transport Strategy and Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to (a) improve toy safety and (b) protect children’s health.

Government is committed to ensuring that only safe products can be sold. Under the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011, all toys placed on the market must meet essential safety requirements. Following the Government Response to the Product Safety Review, government intends to perform sector reviews of product regulation and will also consider how cross-cutting hazards may impact consumer safety.Government recently introduced the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill. The Bill powers will allow us to reflect modern supply chains and create a proportionate regulatory framework to ensure UK consumers are protected from risk, regardless of product origin or where purchased.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to make it mandatory for drivers to report collisions with cats.

Although there is no obligation to report all animal deaths on roads, drivers should, if possible, make enquiries to ascertain the owner of domestic animals, such as cats, and advise them of the situation. Since June 2024, all cats in England over 20 weeks of age must be microchipped and registered on a compliant database, unless exempt or free-living. This will make it easier for National Highways and local authorities to reunite cats and dogs with their keeper.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the risk of harm to marine mammals from (a) discarded and (b) lost (i) ropes, (ii) fishing lines, (iii) nets and (iv) other fishing equipment.

The Government is committed to taking action to tackle Abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) to reduce the risk to all marine life, including marine mammals. We are working domestically to tackle plastic pollution from fishing and aquaculture gear across the full lifecycle and therefore reduce the risks to wildlife. We supported the development of a circular gear design standard under the European standards body, and are working with the administrations in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales and industry, to develop UK-wide solutions for the collection and recycling of end-of-life gear. This is a transboundary issue and global action is needed. Internationally, the UK has called for plastic pollution treaty under negotiation to include specific provisions to address harmful forms of plastic pollution, including fishing and aquaculture gear. We believe that measures need to address the full lifecycle of gear, from design to end-of-life management. We are also working with other countries at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to strengthen the requirements under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) on the marking of fishing gear and the reporting of fishing gear losses.

What discussions she has had with Great British Railways on the timetable for procuring a ticketing platform.

My department is working on plans for GBR’s future ticketing platform. It will go live once GBR is established. We will provide further details in due course.

If she will issue guidance to local transport authorities on the applicability of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme to concessionary fares to limited stop stage carriage bus services.

The Department has published guidance to assist Local Authorities in how to administer the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS). This includes guidance on which services are eligible under the ENCTS in accordance with the ‘Travel concessions (eligible services) (amendment) order 2009’.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that the Environment Agency has sufficient (a) resource, (b) legal expertise and (c) access to court time to enforce environmental protection laws.

Environment Agency (EA) funding and resource is closely monitored to ensure that the agency can carry out its duties and functions effectively. EA funding is currently being reviewed in line with Defra’s departmental Spending Review process. The EA has specialist legal expertise in the enforcement and prosecution of environmental crime including water company failures. The EA has very recently increased the number of specialist prosecuting lawyers dealing with pollution cases. The EA has exactly the same access to court time as other prosecuting authorities.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in (a) India, (b) Pakistan and (c) international organisations on the potential impact of violence in Kashmir on women.

The UK Government is taking all the steps we can to ensure that heightened tensions do not lead to escalation. We encourage all to commit to effective channels of engagement to safeguard stability in the region. Alongside international partners, the UK is continuing to engage in dialogue in pursuit of long-term regional stability. On Sunday 27 April, the Foreign Secretary spoke both to Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar and with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Dar. We encourage all parties to take a measured approach. We are committed to promoting human rights in the region and will monitor any potential risks to communities, including those most vulnerable.

Whether her Department (a) issues guidance and (b) requires mandatory training for police officers on the link between violence against (i) women and girls and (b) animals.

Domestic abuse can affect all parts of a victim’s life and relationships including, for example, through threats and harm to pets as a means of control. The Domestic Abuse Statutory Guidance that accompanies the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 provides an explanation of the different characteristics of domestic abuse and includes reference to how pets can be used by perpetrators.We are working with the new National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and Public Protection to build on and enhance police training in tackling VAWG, including ensuring it is up to date to equip officers with knowledge on emerging issues and using the latest research to improve how it is delivered. This will mean training is strengthened at each level, from the front line to senior leadership.The new National Centre, in which we are investing £13.1 million, will help deliver our manifesto commitment for strengthened specialist training for officers across the country ensuring they offer consistent protection for victims and relentlessly pursue perpetrators.

Whether his Department provide guidance on the handover of patient care between GPs and (a) dentists and (b) eye clinics.

The Department supports effective patient care handovers between general practitioners (GPs), dentists, and eye clinics through existing frameworks. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) 2018 guideline Emergency and acute medical care in over 16s: service delivery and organisation, code NG94, recommends structured handovers using tools like SBAR, or Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation, for clear communication during care transitions that are applicable to these settings. The NICE’s 2015 guideline Medicines optimisation: the safe and effective use of medicines to enable the best possible outcomes, code NG5, advises sharing accurate medicine information when patients move between different providers.For dentists, the NICE’s 2015 guideline Suspected cancer: recognition and referral, code NG12, supports GP referrals for suspected oral cancer requiring clear communication. NHS England’s dental policies promote collaboration between GPs and dentists that are reinforced by the General Dental Council’s standards on documentation.For eye clinics, NHS England’s Eye Care Digital Playbook encourages secure communication for handovers between GPs, optometrists, and eye services. Referral guidance ensures GPs provide comprehensive patient details.

Representing the House of Commons Commission, from which countries' waters fish served on the Parliamentary Estate originated in the last 12 months.

The following fish products originate from the countries and regions listed below: Anchovies In Oil, TurkeyBream, TurkeyCod, Scotland/Iceland/Norway/FAO 27Cod Skrei, NorwayColey, UKCrab Meat Brown Pasteurised, UKCrab Meat White Pasteurised, UKCrab Meat White Pasteurised, UKHaddock, Iceland/NorwayHake, South coast/Scotland/FAO 27Hake Frozen, South Africa/FAO 27Halibut, NorwayJohn Dory F, UKKippers Fillets Frozen, UKKippers Whole, FAO 27Mackerel, Scotland/South Coast/UK/SpainMackerel Smoked, UK/FAO 27Mackerel Smoked Frozen, UKMonkfish Tails, UKPlaice, South coast/Shetlands/UK/FAO 27Pollock, UKPrawns In Brine, EUPrawns Peeled Frozen, FAO 27Prawns King Raw Frozen, IndiaPrawns Black Tiger Frozen, VietnamRoll Mops Tub, FAO 27 IVSalmon, Norway/ScotlandSalmon Gravadlax, UKSalmon Smoked, UKSardines, South CoastScampi Breaded Frozen, UKSea Bass, TurkeySole Lemon, South coast/Shetlands/UK/IcelandTrout Rainbow, Wiltshire/Hampshire/UKTrout Sea, Norway/Scotland/UKTuna Frozen, Sri Lanka/Indian Ocean