Written questions by Kearns.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 27 May 2025 to Question 53184 on Housing: Disability, on what date her Department will set out its policies on accessible new build housing.

As per the answer to Question UIN 53184 on 27 May 2025, the government will shortly set out its policies on accessible new build housing, reinforcing our commitment to ensuring everyone has access to a safe, suitable home.

Communities and Local Government, when she expects councils to receive feedback on their local government reorganisation plans.

On 3 June I updated the House to confirm that my Department had provided individual written feedback to each area on the interim plans for local government reorganisation that they submitted by 21 March 2025. Areas have been encouraged to share that feedback with MPs and I also published a summary of the feedback to support all areas in progressing their proposals and in the interests of transparency.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a mandatory Code of Ethical Practice for pre-1997 members of pension schemes, that promotes (a) transparency, (b) fairness and (c) accountability in managing discretionary pension increases.

It is important that trustees make transparent and fast decisions about discretionary indexation. Defined Benefit Schemes are regulated by The Pensions Regulator (TPR) which has set out that trustees should consider the situation of those members who would benefit from a discretionary increase and whether the scheme has a history of making such awards. Most schemes do pay some pre-1997 indexation, because of scheme rules or as a discretionary benefit. Analysis published last year by the Pensions Regulator shows that as of March 2023, only 17 per cent of members of private sector defined benefit pension schemes do not receive any pre-1997 indexation on benefits. This information can be found at: https://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/en/document-library/research-and-analysis/data-requests#f3a5fe60511a445f91112bd7dd8a64ae The Government’s upcoming pension reforms on the use of surpluses in defined benefit schemes will make it easier for individual schemes to make decisions that improve outcomes for both sponsoring employers and members, which could include discretionary benefit increases. These changes will be taken forward through the Pension Schemes Bill. TPR will be producing further guidance on surplus sharing once the legislation is in place.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress his Department has made on negotiations on Gibraltar-EU relations.

The UK Government is working with the Government of Gibraltar to conclude a UK-EU Treaty in respect of Gibraltar which protects sovereignty and UK military autonomy, and which secures Gibraltar's future prosperity. The Foreign Secretary and I are working side by side with Gibraltar's Chief Minister and are in close and regular contact with our negotiating counterparts. The Foreign Secretary met EU Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič on 19 May. They reiterated their determination to agree a Treaty. The UK Government is steadfast in its support for Gibraltar and will only agree to terms with which the Government of Gibraltar is content.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of requiring mandatory quotas of disability accessible housing for new developments.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework that was published on 12 December 2024 requires local planning authorities to assess the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community, including those of disabled people, and to reflect this in planning policies. Where an identified need exists, plans are expected to help bring forward an adequate supply of accessible housing. This can include setting out the proportion of new housing to be delivered to the M4(2) accessible and adaptable standard. The government will shortly set out its policies on accessible new build housing, reinforcing our commitment to ensuring everyone has access to a safe, suitable home.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when Ministers from his Department last raised the bombing of British doctors working with Medical Aid for Palestine with their Israeli counterparts.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office will continue to raise aid worker safety in Gaza with our Israeli counterparts. Last month, the Foreign Secretary drew attention to the deadly situation on the ground for humanitarians with Israel's Foreign Minister Sa'ar. Gaza is the deadliest place to be an aid worker with at least 430 humanitarians killed since the start of the conflict.On 23 April, working alongside France and Germany the UK urged Israel to protect medical personnel and premises in the course of their military operations. They must allow the urgent healthcare needs of the population to be met. More recently on 13 May at the United Nations Security Council, the UK called a meeting on the humanitarian situation in Gaza and expressed outrage at recent attacks on humanitarians and medical staff.Israel must do all they reasonably can to prevent harm to medical personnel and premises in the course of their military operations. Through our engagements, we will continue to press Israel to protect medical staff and premises.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when the investigation into the killing of three British aid workers in April 2024 by an Israeli drone will conclude.

The strike on the World Central Kitchen convoy killing British citizens John Chapman, James Henderson, and James Kirby was an appalling injustice. In November last year, the Foreign Secretary met with their families and was moved by their dedication to serving others.We continue to press Israel to swiftly conclude the Military Advocate General's consideration of events on 1 April 2024, including determining whether criminal proceedings should be initiated. We expect those responsible to be meaningfully held to account. Israel must ensure lessons are learned to deliver lasting safety improvements for aid workers on the ground.Gaza is the deadliest place for humanitarians. It is completely unacceptable that at least 430 aid workers have been killed since the conflict began.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what date a Minister from his Department last discussed the killing of British aid workers by an Israeli drone in April 2024 with their Israeli counterparts.

The Foreign Secretary and I regularly raise the status of Israel's Military Advocate General's consideration of the Israeli strike that killed three British aid workers in April 2024. We continue to press Israel at the highest levels for the Military Advocate General's consideration to be completed swiftly, including determining whether criminal proceedings will be initiated. We expect those responsible to be meaningfully held to account.Last month the Foreign Secretary raised the World Central Kitchen incident and the status of the Military Advocate General's consideration with Israel's Foreign Minister Sa'ar. The Foreign Secretary pressed Minister Sa'ar to provide a response.We will continue to urge Israel to swiftly conclude the Military Advocate Generals' consideration of the incident.

Communities and Local Government, whether housing associations can evict existing tenants in order to house illegal immigrants.

A housing association can only end a tenancy following the relevant specific legal procedure. For example, if they have a legal reason to do so as set out in the grounds for possession in law, such as rent arrears or antisocial behaviour.

Food and Rural Affairs, when the next deer management strategy will be published.

We recognise new and existing woodlands are under pressure from increasing damage caused by over-foraging of young trees and woodland flora by wild deer. We are considering how to go further to reduce these impacts and will provide an update in due course. Defra provides a range of grant support to individuals and for projects, to help landowners and managers tackle deer impacts. We have also invested in relevant research and provide guidance and in-person advice, including via dedicated Deer Officers within the Forestry Commission.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending disability living allowance for children up to the age of 25.

Through our Green Paper, Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working, we are consulting on raising the age at which young people move from Disability Living Allowance for children (DLAc) to the adult disability benefit Personal Independence Payment (PIP). The aim of this proposed change is to better align the age at which young people first claim adult disability benefits with other key milestones in the transition to adulthood. It also aims to reduce pressure on still relatively young people going through adult PIP assessments.The consultation question asks if the age for young people to move from claiming DLAc to PIP should be 18, and if not, at what age this should happen. We encourage the public to respond to the consultation. More details can be found at Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper - GOV.UK.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has concluded investigations into how British doctors working with Medical Aid for Palestine were bombed by Israel in January 2024.

We expect Israel to investigate all attacks against humanitarians and medical staff fully and transparently. We also expect that those responsible are meaningfully held to account.Attacks on hospitals and medical facilities are deeply distressing. We remain gravely concerned by the lack of adequate medical care in Gaza; nearly all Gaza's hospitals are damaged or partly destroyed according to the World Health Organisation. We have made clear that this is unacceptable.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of allowing British students who obtain a medical degree abroad to be treated the same as domestic students when applying for jobs in the NHS.

Subject to their registration status, British students who have obtained a medical degree abroad are able to apply for jobs in the National Health Service on the same basis as United Kingdom medical graduates.Following completion of a medical degree, in order to be eligible for full registration with the General Medical Council (GMC), UK medical graduates must undertake and complete the first year of the UK Foundation Programme, a work-based training programme that will be their first job as a doctor in the NHS.Some individuals who have obtained a medical degree abroad, which may include British citizens, will already hold or expect to hold full registration with the GMC due to the level of experience working in clinical settings that they have obtained. These individuals would not need to, and would not be eligible to, apply to the UK Foundation Programme, and instead can consider applying for jobs as a fully registered doctor. In these instances, they should liaise with the GMC to confirm which jobs they are eligible to apply for.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of expanding the eligibility criteria of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund to include all poultry.

Grants for Animal Health and Welfare items remain focused on the most commonly farmed species: pigs, dairy cows, beef cattle, laying chickens, broiler chickens and sheep. No new assessment was conducted on expanding eligibility to additional species for this round of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF). Productivity and slurry items offered as part of FETF remain available to all eligible poultry keepers.

Whether her Department plans to fund accessibility improvements at train stations.

Since its launch in 2006, the Access for All programme has delivered step free upgrades at more than 260 station across Britain. The government is committed to continuing to improve the accessibility of the railway.

What steps her Department is taking to help protect (a) farming and (b) food production sites from illegal drone flying by vegan activists.

The Home Office, working closely with policing, has built a national counter-drone capability to equip police with the capabilities they need to detect and mitigate the illegal or malicious use of drones. These capabilities comprise a range of specialist equipment, vehicles, and personnel to ensure a flexible and effective response across UK policing to any potential drone-related incident.The public should report any suspicious drone activity by calling 101. They should explain the situation to the call handler, identifying the time and location of the drone. In an emergency, the public should call 999.Flying a drone safely and within regulations by an appropriately registered pilot is legal in the UK. The Drone and Model Aircraft Code, which gives guidance on the circumstances in which drone flying is and is not illegal, is available from the Civil Aviation Authority’s website.

Whether existing Personal Independence Payment claimants of pension age who request a change of circumstances review from November 2026 will be required to score at least four points in one daily living activity in order to (a) maintain and (b) increase the daily living element of the benefit.

In the Pathways to Work Green Paper we announced that we will introduce a new eligibility requirement to ensure that only those who score a minimum of four points in at least one daily living activity will be eligible for the daily living component of PIP. This requirement will need to be met in addition to the existing PIP eligibility criteria. Our intention is that the changes will apply to new claims and award reviews from November 2026, subject to parliamentary approval. In keeping with existing policy, people of state pension age are not routinely fully reviewed and will not be affected by these changes. All claimants are required to notify the Department of any change to their circumstance, be that an improvement or deterioration in their needs. Upon notification of a change, a Case Manager will consider what further action might be required to ensure the claimant is receiving the correct level of support.

Whether existing Personal Independence Payment claimants of pension age with a planned award review from November 2026 will be required to score at least four points in one daily living activity in order to maintain their award.

In the Pathways to Work Green Paper we announced that we will introduce a new eligibility requirement to ensure that only those who score a minimum of four points in at least one daily living activity will be eligible for the daily living component of PIP. This requirement will need to be met in addition to the existing PIP eligibility criteria. Our intention is that the changes will apply to new claims and award reviews from November 2026, subject to parliamentary approval. In keeping with existing policy, people of state pension age are not routinely fully reviewed and will not be affected by these changes. All claimants are required to notify the Department of any change to their circumstance, be that an improvement or deterioration in their needs. Upon notification of a change, a Case Manager will consider what further action might be required to ensure the claimant is receiving the correct level of support.

What meetings her Ministers have held with (a) religious or faith-based bodies and (b) their representatives on the proposed duty to report child abuse legislation in the Crime and Policing Bill.

Ministers have met with a number of interested Parliamentarians to discuss clauses 45-54 of the Crime and Policing Bill, including a member of the Lords Spiritual. We will continue to engage with faith groups that and other organisations to help them manage the implementation of the new duty.The duty will apply to individuals undertaking relevant activity with children, including in religious and faith-based settings. There are no exceptions made within the law on the basis of how and where disclosures are received.

Whether the proposed duty to report child abuse in the Crime and Policing Bill would apply to all (a) religious and (b) faith-based bodies.

Ministers have met with a number of interested Parliamentarians to discuss clauses 45-54 of the Crime and Policing Bill, including a member of the Lords Spiritual. We will continue to engage with faith groups that and other organisations to help them manage the implementation of the new duty.The duty will apply to individuals undertaking relevant activity with children, including in religious and faith-based settings. There are no exceptions made within the law on the basis of how and where disclosures are received.