Written questions by George.

What recent guidance his Department has issued to (a) Jobcentre Plus and the (b) National Careers Service on advising graduates entering occupations with high task exposure to AI.

There are no departmental operational instructions or guidance which refer to graduates entering occupations with high task exposure to AI.

Food and Rural Affairs, when she plans to publish the updated cross-government contingency plan for outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza; and whether that plan includes arrangements for (a) local authority resourcing and (b) mutual aid.

The UK contingency plan for exotic notifiable diseases of animals explains how UK Governments and departments work together in responding to exotic animal disease outbreaks. It is updated every year, with the next update due later this autumn. The plan also outlines the arrangements of support and resources made available for Local Authorities at times of disease outbreak. This support also includes the provision of Mutual Aid agreements. This could involve the facilitation and co–ordination of arrangements with Local Resilience Forums, with additional support provided where the local response has been or may be overwhelmed.

Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of national and regional carcass disposal capacity available for use during an avian influenza outbreak in 2025–26.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has contracts in place to manage carcass transport and disposal during disease outbreaks such as avian influenza. The Agency works with contractors across Great Britain which currently have sufficient disposal capacity based on current planning assumptions.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of wild bird and mammal surveillance for highly pathogenic avian influenza on UK coastlines; and whether she plans to increase funding for carcass testing in 2025–26.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) avian influenza national reference laboratory carries out year-round surveillance for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in dead wild birds and influenza of avian origin in wild mammals. Including surveillance in marine mammals in coordination with APHA’s Diseases of Wildlife Scheme (DoWS) and the UK Cetacean Stranding Investigation Programme. The results of which can be viewed on APHA’s interactive map and data dashboard. The thresholds for collection for wild birds for HPAI surveillance and case definition for influenza of avian origin in mammals are regularly reviewed, together with the need for additional targeted surveillance at discrete locations or in specific populations, including coastal locations to align with the sensitivity of surveillance required.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator for supporting producers with (a) non-compliant and (b) missing written milk purchase contracts under the regulations.

The Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator (ASCA) is responsible for enforcing regulations developed under the Agriculture Act 2020 'Fair Dealing' powers (section 29). Regulations introduced using these powers promote fair contractual dealing and contribute to a more equitable relationship between producers and purchasers. To date, the powers have been used to create the Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2024 (FDOM24) and the Fair Dealing Obligations (Pigs) Regulations 2025 (FDOP25). The ASCA can investigate relevant complaints around compliance with these regulations, including ensuring parties agree a written contract as mandated by the FDOMM24. The ASCA also aims to be a convener across supply chains, working with producers and purchasers to improve business relationships and behaviours around contracts.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 February 2025 to Question 29583 on Apprentices: Artificial Intelligence, what funding her Department has provided to support adult AI literacy and reskilling programmes through (a) pilots via Skills England and (c) adult education providers in the 2025-26 financial year.

We fund post-16 education, training and qualifications through 16-19 funding, the Adult Skills Fund and apprenticeships. This can support people at all stages of their lives to train and reskill in a range of sectors – including in response to changes in technology such as AI. Skills England will provide the single authoritative voice on the country’s current and future skills needs, and co-design new approaches with industry and regional partnersto improve the skills of our workforce, collaborating with a wide range of interestedparties across the skills system. We are investing £187 million to bring digital and AI learning into classrooms and support over 4,000 graduates, researchers, and innovators in areas like AI, cyber security and computer science. We will also train 7.5 million UK workers in essential AI skills by 2030 through our new industry partnership with major tech players. Skills England is working with DSIT to mobilise the government-industry partnership that will deliver on this commitment.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 February 2025 to Question 29583 on Apprentices: Artificial Intelligence, whether she will plans to evaluate the outcome of adult AI literacy and reskilling programmes by (a) occupation and (b) region.

We fund post-16 education, training and qualifications through 16-19 funding, the Adult Skills Fund and apprenticeships. This can support people at all stages of their lives to train and reskill in a range of sectors – including in response to changes in technology such as AI. Skills England will provide the single authoritative voice on the country’s current and future skills needs, and co-design new approaches with industry and regional partnersto improve the skills of our workforce, collaborating with a wide range of interestedparties across the skills system. We are investing £187 million to bring digital and AI learning into classrooms and support over 4,000 graduates, researchers, and innovators in areas like AI, cyber security and computer science. We will also train 7.5 million UK workers in essential AI skills by 2030 through our new industry partnership with major tech players. Skills England is working with DSIT to mobilise the government-industry partnership that will deliver on this commitment.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator has (a) received information on purchasers not explaining variable price changes within seven days of a price review and (b) taken steps to ensure producers receive (i) timely and (ii) transparent pricing information.

Under the Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2024, purchasers must explain variable price changes within 7 days of a price review. The Regulations now apply to all milk purchase contracts. Breaches can be reported to the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator (ASCA). Whilst it is not appropriate to provide the details of any live investigations, to date, ASCA has received 1 formal complaint about a non-compliant milk contract (currently under investigation). ASCA has also received a number of informal ‘in confidence’ concerns raised by producers across a range of issues. Where able to do so without revealing the identity of a producer, ASCA will raise these concerns directly with a milk purchaser.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure timely public health messaging on avian influenza in coastal tourist areas during periods of increased seabird mortality.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have a range of communication messages ready for use for avian influenza.For coastal tourist areas, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has created guidance relating to wild birds. Guidance relating to reporting dead wild birds is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/report-dead-wild-birdsIn addition, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ guidance on the removal and disposal of dead wild birds is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/removing-and-disposing-of-dead-wild-birds#removing-dead-wild-birds-on-public-land-private-land-and-managed-estatesThe UKHSA has also published broader public health guidance on the general risk, not specific to wild birds, which is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/avian-influenza-bird-flu-advice-for-the-public-on-staying-safe/avian-influenza-bird-flu-advice-for-the-public-on-staying-safe-by-minimising-contact-with-wild-birdsLand managers and local authorities are also able to use a range of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ communication messages, including posters, to spread these messages, with further information available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/avian-influenza-bird-flu-posters-for-land-managers

Food and Rural Affairs, on how many occasions the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator has undertaken enforcement action when a purchaser has not provided a compliant written milk contract.

Under the Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2024, purchasers must explain variable price changes within 7 days of a price review. The Regulations now apply to all milk purchase contracts. Breaches can be reported to the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator (ASCA). Whilst it is not appropriate to provide the details of any live investigations, to date, ASCA has received 1 formal complaint about a non-compliant milk contract (currently under investigation). ASCA has also received a number of informal ‘in confidence’ concerns raised by producers across a range of issues. Where able to do so without revealing the identity of a producer, ASCA will raise these concerns directly with a milk purchaser.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions her Department has had with the UK’s trading partners on certification and surveillance requirements to enable the use of avian influenza vaccination in poultry while maintaining export access.

The joint industry and cross-government highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) Vaccine Taskforce has published a report proposing a number of next steps to close critical knowledge gaps before publishing a final recommendation. These actions include exploring a targeted turkey vaccination trial, proactive engagement with trading partners, and working to build surveillance and laboratory capacity. Defra and the Devolved Governments, working with industry, will give careful consideration to these in determining next steps.

Innovation and Technology, what recent assessment she has made of regional occupational AI exposure; and whether her Department plans to publish (a) maps and (b) targets based on this data.

We want to ensure that people have access to good, meaningful work. AI will impact the labour market and the Government is working to harness its benefits in terms of boosting growth, productivity, living standards, and worker wellbeing, while mitigating the risks.DSIT has not made a recent assessment of regional occupational AI exposure, but the Department for Education published an analysis in 2023, The impact of AI on UK jobs and training, and we are currently considering our approach to updating this analysis.DSIT is working across government to plan for different scenarios, and is monitoring data to track and prepare for these. The Get Britain Working White Paper sets out how we will address key challenges and that includes giving people the skills to get those jobs and spread opportunity across the UK to fix the foundations of our economy to seize AI’s potential.

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 June 2025 to Question HL8737, what assessment her Department has made since 2022 of changes in online job advert volumes by Standard Occupational Classification groups ranked by AI exposure; and whether analysis using the ONS job advert data will be published disaggregated by exposure quintile.

No such assessment has been made.

What assessment she has made of NHS and UKHSA laboratory surge capacity for testing suspected human infections with avian influenza in 2025–26.

While specific surge-throughput figures for 2025/26 are not published, the Department, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), and NHS England continue to work together to ensure sufficient laboratory capacity, clear escalation routes, and rapid confirmatory testing for suspected human infections.Where avian influenza is clinically suspected, testing is delivered through National Health Service medical microbiology services across England’s pathology networks, with confirmatory testing undertaken within the UKHSA’s laboratory system.The UKHSA is the Government’s standing capability for developing and delivering diagnostic testing for emerging infectious diseases. Molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the primary method for detecting avian influenza A in human samples. Building on the capability scaled during the COVID-19 response, much of the PCR infrastructure, such as analyser platforms and containment spaces, and some of the workforce resilience has been retained across NHS laboratories, with further efforts under way to enhance resilience specifically within the UKHSA’s laboratory network, some of which are shared facilities with the NHS.The UKHSA is currently developing additional capacity at Porton Down and other UKHSA laboratories. This aims to surge capacity to 25,000 PCR tests per day within a six-week timeframe. The UKHSA also has 47,600 multiplex lateral flow device tests available, which test for influenza A, influenza B, and COVID-19, with a further stock of 49,950 undergoing quality control.

What recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for (a) Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and (b) Health and Social Care on funding requirements for avian influenza preparedness and response in 2025–26.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer holds regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on a range of issues.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposed changes to disability payments on the proportion of Universal Credit claimants who will enter employment.

The DWP is working with the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to assess the employment impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper. The OBR will publish their estimate of the impacts alongside the Autumn Budget.

What discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of the Universal Credit Bill on disabled people.

We want disabled people, where they can, to be able to thrive in work. The current system traps people out of work, so the UK, uniquely in the G7, still has a lower employment rate than before the pandemic. The Bill removes work disincentives, increasing the Universal Credit Standard Allowance above inflation for the first time ever.

What steps she is taking through the criminal justice system to help tackle violence against women and children.

The scale of violence against women and girls in our country is intolerable and this Government is treating it as the national emergency that it is. The Government was elected with a landmark mission to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) in a decade. We are aiming to publish our new, cross-government strategy later this year. We will use a wide variety of tools to target perpetrators and tackle the root causes of abuse and violence. The Ministry of Justice has already taken action by:Launching a pilot of Domestic Abuse Protection Orders in selected areas, to strengthen protections for victims by consolidating the strongest elements of existing protective measures into a single, flexible order.Preparing for the introduction of free Independent Legal Advisors for victims of adult rape this year, to help victims understand and uphold their legal rights through the criminal justice process.Introducing new criminal offences which capture creating sexually explicit deepfakes, and spiking.Announcing family court reforms, such as expanding our Pathfinder programme in the family court, improving the experience of domestic abuse victims and their children at court.Commissioning the Independent Review of Criminal Courts to improve court timeliness - including for victims of VAWG.

How many UK universities that are registered with the Office for Students publish the (a) quantity and (b) type of contact hours for courses advertised to prospective students.

The Office for Students (OfS) does not routinely collect or publish data on the number of registered higher education providers that disclose the quantity and type of contact hours for courses advertised to prospective students.However, all registered providers are expected to comply with consumer protection law, including providing clear and accurate information to students about their courses. The Competition and Markets Authority has issued guidance to support providers in meeting these obligations, which includes transparency around contact hours and modes of delivery. The OfS expects providers to have due regard to this guidance as part of their registration conditions.Where students believe that information provided has been misleading or insufficient, they are encouraged to raise concerns through their provider’s complaints process and can escalate complaints to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education if necessary. Additionally, any students, staff or members of the public who feel a university is not meeting the OfS’ registration requirements may submit a notification to the OfS.

What criteria his Department uses to decide whether to grant a request from a foreign government for training for their armed forces by the British armed forces.

The provision of training to a foreign military is assessed on a case-by-case basis and kept under review. This is underpinned by a robust process that considers strategic alignment, risks, opportunities, and compliance with International Humanitarian Law.