Written questions by Rosindell.

What steps he has taken to work with relevant authorities to reduce instances of infant deaths in (a) Romford constituency and (b) England.

The Office of Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), within the Department, has looked in detail at the drivers of infant mortality. Most infant deaths occur in the first four weeks of life. The leading causes of death are prematurity and congenital abnormalities, and a large proportion of these deaths are preventable. This work has been used to drive work through regional teams working with integrated care systems and local authorities to target specific interventions.In London, the OHID regional team has developed, with partners, an infant mortality reduction action plan, setting out 10 recommendations, based on the best available data and evidence. The OHID London is working with all London local authorities and the National Health Service to implement the action plan, including working with Havering and Romford. Learning from infant deaths is being shared across London to identify opportunities to avoid future infant deaths and address potentially modifiable causes wherever possible.The local authority, the acute hospital trust, primary care, and the integrated commissioning board are coordinating efforts in Romford and Havering to reduce infant mortality, working in partnership with the OHID London, NHS England, and the Greater London Authority.The Department continues to work across directorates, and with NHS England and other Government departments to maximise opportunities to improve pre-conception health and the wider building blocks of health that contribute to infant deaths.

How many offensive weapons were seized by the Metropolitan Police in Romford constituency in 2024.

The Home Office does not hold the information requested.The Home Office collects and publishes data on the number of stop and searches that resulted in an offensive weapon or firearm being found in each Police Force Area, as part of the annual Stop and search, arrests and mental health detentions’ statistical publication.The latest data, covering the period up to the end of March 2024, can be found in table SS_45:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66f2e4a17da73f17177640ed/stop-search-data-tables-summary-mar24.odsHowever, this dataset only covers weapons found through stop and search, so should not be used to infer the total number of weapons seized by the Metropolitan Police.

What steps he has taken to work with relevant authorities to reduce alcohol related deaths in (a) Romford constituency and (b) England.

In 2023, there were 8,274 alcohol-specific deaths, namely deaths wholly due to alcohol, in England, which was an increase of 63.8% from 5,050 deaths in 2006 and a 4.6% increase since 2022. The majority of these deaths are caused by alcohol-related liver disease.The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) has an action plan to reduce drug and alcohol-related deaths, which is being reviewed in light of the recent Office for National Statistics data to ensure that it is grounded in the latest understanding of the drivers of drug and alcohol related deaths and responding to these. In 2024, the Department of Health and Social Care published guidance for local authorities and their partnerships on how to review adult drug and alcohol-related deaths and near-fatal overdoses to prevent future deaths. Additionally, OHID has published the document, Commissioning Quality Standard: alcohol and drug services, providing guidance for local authorities to support them in commissioning effective alcohol and drug treatment and recovery services.The Department of Health and Social Care will soon publish the UK clinical guidelines on alcohol treatment which will include recommendations on developing effective, accessible and inclusive services. The aim of the guidelines is to promote and support good practice and improve quality of service provision, resulting in better outcomes. The Department of Health and Social Care continues to work with all local areas to address unmet need and drug and alcohol misuse deaths, and to drive improvements in continuity of care. This includes the Unmet Need Toolkit which can be used by local areas to assess local need and plan to meet it.The Department of Health and Social Care is continuing to invest in improvements to local drug and alcohol treatment services. Funding for drug and alcohol treatment services is provided through the public health grant. In addition to the Public Health Grant, the Department allocated local authorities £267 million in 2024/25 to improve the quality and capacity of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery. An additional £105 million from the Department of Health and Social Care, Department for Work and Pensions, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is improving treatment pathways and recovery, housing and employment outcomes for people affected by drug and alcohol use. The London Borough of Havering Council was allocated £626,673 of targeted funding in 2024/25 for drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services through a combination of grants.

What steps he has taken to work with relevant authorities to reduce bowel cancer deaths in (a) Romford constituency and (b) England.

The National Health Service in England has been gradually reducing the age for bowel screening from 60 years old down to 50 years old, since 2021/22. The extension to 50 years old is expected to be completed by 31 March 2025.We will improve NHS cancer waiting time performance across the country, so that patients, including those with bowel cancer, are diagnosed and treated faster. The NHS is prioritising the roll-out of additional diagnostic capacity, delivering the final year of the three-year investment plan for establishing community diagnostic centres, with capacity prioritised for cancer diagnostics.

Whether he has taken steps to promote the use of the Ulster-Scots dialect.

The Northern Ireland Executive is responsible for implementing the provisions of the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022, including those provisions which allow for the establishment of an Irish Language Commissioner and a Commissioner for the Ulster Scots and the Ulster British tradition. In May 2023, the Government commenced the provisions in the Act required for the Executive Office to begin to progress work in relation to these appointments. The Government expects the Executive Office will make an announcement in due course regarding next steps on implementation of the legislation. This week, the Government commenced Section 5 of the Act which places a duty on the Department of Education in Northern Ireland to encourage and facilitate the use and understanding of Ulster Scots in the education system My officials continue to work closely with the Northern Ireland Executive on this, and I look forward to implementation of the Act which will enshrine respect and tolerance for Northern Ireland’s traditions.

Whether he plans to take steps with the Northern Ireland Executive to support the use of Ulster-Scots.

The Northern Ireland Executive is responsible for implementing the provisions of the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022, including those provisions which allow for the establishment of an Irish Language Commissioner and a Commissioner for the Ulster Scots and the Ulster British tradition. In May 2023, the Government commenced the provisions in the Act required for the Executive Office to begin to progress work in relation to these appointments. The Government expects the Executive Office will make an announcement in due course regarding next steps on implementation of the legislation. This week, the Government commenced Section 5 of the Act which places a duty on the Department of Education in Northern Ireland to encourage and facilitate the use and understanding of Ulster Scots in the education system My officials continue to work closely with the Northern Ireland Executive on this, and I look forward to implementation of the Act which will enshrine respect and tolerance for Northern Ireland’s traditions.

What steps he has taken to work with relevant authorities to support new parents in (a) Romford constituency and (b) England.

In London, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), within the Department, and NHS England’s London regional teams work together to champion and embed a focus on giving every child the best start in life, providing support to National Health Service organisations, local government, and wider partners to deliver joined up services for babies and families. This includes focused work on infant feeding, perinatal mental health, addressing inequalities in maternity care and outcomes, and developing the health visiting workforce in London.In Havering, the local authority has developed an online family services hub to help new parents in Romford find and access locally available services and support, and an online gateway for early years health and other professionals to access, enabling them to better advise, support, and refer new parents into the local offer.A £126 million funding boost in 2025/26 will help set up every child for the best start in life by strengthening and joining up family services and improving support through pregnancy and early childhood. This will fund a network of family hubs with Start for Life services, which support the period from conception to the age of two years old, in 75 local authorities in England with high levels of deprivation.

What recent discussions he has had with his Republic of Ireland counterpart on military cooperation on the island of Ireland.

The Secretary of State for Defence wrote to the new Tánaiste following his appointment in January 2025, congratulating him on his appointment, and the Chief of Defence Staff visited Ireland on 12 and 13 February, where he met the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces and Secretary General of the Department of Defence.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing the range of NHS-funded vaccinations available in community pharmacies.

The Government recognises that, alongside a core offer of vaccination in general practices, a wider delivery of vaccination services, including through sexual health services, maternity services, schools-based vaccination teams, health visitors, and community pharmacies, is helpful in driving increased uptake of vaccination, especially in areas of increased deprivation.Currently, NHS England commissions the Community Pharmacy Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Advanced Service and the COVID-19 Vaccination National Enhanced Service on a national level. Both services are delivered extensively in community pharmacies.The Government is looking to expand the number of vaccines offered in community pharmacies across the country through local, targeted vaccination programmes. This has already started, with NHS England commissioning community pharmacies in the East of England to help deliver year-round respiratory syncytial virus vaccination programmes for pregnant women, to protect newborns, and adults aged 75 to 79 years old. Eligible patients can book an appointment via the National Booking System or walk into a participating pharmacy to receive the vaccine.The Department will keep the scope of vaccinations available in community pharmacies under review and consider whether any expansion to the current offer provides both increased health protection benefits and value for money to the taxpayer.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to ban the (a) importation and (b) sale of dogs with (i) cropped ears and (ii) docked tails for cosmetic reasons.

The Government recently announced its support for the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, a Private Members’ Bill sponsored by the hon. Member for Winchester. The Bill will give the Government powers to prevent the supply of low-welfare pets to the United Kingdom. We will use these powers to prohibit the import of puppies and kittens under six months old, dogs and cats which have been subject to non-exempted mutilations such as cropped ears, docked tails and declawing, and heavily pregnant dogs and cats. We are fully supportive of this Bill and would like to see it pass through both Houses as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to ban the importation of deliberately mutilated cats.

The Government recently announced its support for the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, a Private Members’ Bill sponsored by the hon. Member for Winchester. The Bill will give the Government powers to prevent the supply of low-welfare pets to the United Kingdom. We will use these powers to prohibit the import of puppies and kittens under six months old, dogs and cats which have been subject to non-exempted mutilations such as cropped ears, docked tails and declawing, and heavily pregnant dogs and cats. We are fully supportive of this Bill and would like to see it pass through both Houses as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to restrict the sale of cats online.

Defra endorses the Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) to combat growing concerns regarding the irresponsible advertising of pets for sale, rehoming, and exchange. PAAG has been engaging with online marketplaces in the UK to help them distinguish appropriate adverts from those that should be removed. Defra has also backed a set of Advertising Standards developed by PAAG, which several of the UK’s largest classified websites have agreed to meet.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to increase the age from which puppies can be imported to six months.

The Government recently announced its support for the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, a Private Members’ Bill sponsored by the hon. Member for Winchester. The Bill will give the Government powers to prevent the supply of low-welfare pets to the United Kingdom. We will use these powers to prohibit the import of puppies and kittens under six months old, dogs and cats which have been subject to non-exempted mutilations such as cropped ears, docked tails and declawing, and heavily pregnant dogs and cats. We are fully supportive of this Bill and would like to see it pass through both Houses as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

Whether she has had discussions with the Transport Commissioner for London on reducing the levels of particulate pollution on the London Underground.

Ministers and officials have regular conversations with Transport for London (TfL) on a variety of issues. However transport in London is devolved to the Mayor, and TfL is responsible for maintaining operations and ensuring health and safety is considered on its network.

Communities and Local Government, if she will bring forward legislation to allow wheelchair users who have been (a) trapped insider their homes or (b) left outside to claim compensation from freeholders for lift malfunction.

The government recognises the importance to wheelchair users of having properly functioning lifts in residential blocks.Landlords are responsible for maintaining lifts and for carrying out periodic thorough inspections to ensure those lifts operate safely.Landlords who breach the terms of their lease may be challenged by leaseholders in the courts.Leaseholders may also challenge the reasonableness of service charges where work is carried out to a poor standard and can apply to the First-tier Tribunal to appoint a manager in cases of serious management failure.The government has no plans to introduce a statutory compensation scheme.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to make it a criminal offence to (a) intentionally or (b) recklessly (i) disturb or (ii) harass seals.

Defra’s Marine and Coastal Wildlife Code for England provides advice and guidance to help people visit the coast responsibly and minimise disturbance to marine wildlife, including seals.We continue to consider the evidence for legislative change. This includes the proposals submitted by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee to the previous Government for amending the lists of species afforded protection by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, including seals.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of community pharmacy on access to primary care.

Pharmacies play a vital role in our healthcare system, and the Government recognises the integral role they play within our communities, as an easily accessible front door to the National Health Service, staffed by highly trained and skilled healthcare professionals. The Department is committed to expanding the role of pharmacies and better utilising the skills of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. That includes making prescribing part of the services delivered by community pharmacists as we shift care from hospital to the community.There is an ongoing global supply problems that continues to impact medicine availability. The Department understands how frustrating and distressing this can be for patients, and we are working closely with industry, the NHS, manufacturers, and other partners in the supply chain to resolve issues as quickly as possible, to make sure patients can access the medicines they need. We recognise this pressure on community pharmacy teams and are working with Community Pharmacy England to support private contractors to deliver quality NHS services. Employers clearly have a key role in supporting their staff, and a number of resources are available from organisations such as Pharmacist Support, for free and confidential advice and support for mental health and wellbeing.

What assessment he has made of the impact of medicines shortages on the wellbeing of community pharmacy teams.

Pharmacies play a vital role in our healthcare system, and the Government recognises the integral role they play within our communities, as an easily accessible front door to the National Health Service, staffed by highly trained and skilled healthcare professionals. The Department is committed to expanding the role of pharmacies and better utilising the skills of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. That includes making prescribing part of the services delivered by community pharmacists as we shift care from hospital to the community.There is an ongoing global supply problems that continues to impact medicine availability. The Department understands how frustrating and distressing this can be for patients, and we are working closely with industry, the NHS, manufacturers, and other partners in the supply chain to resolve issues as quickly as possible, to make sure patients can access the medicines they need. We recognise this pressure on community pharmacy teams and are working with Community Pharmacy England to support private contractors to deliver quality NHS services. Employers clearly have a key role in supporting their staff, and a number of resources are available from organisations such as Pharmacist Support, for free and confidential advice and support for mental health and wellbeing.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to publish a national beaver reintroduction strategy.

This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only. Defra will continue to work with Natural England to develop our approach to beaver reintroductions and management in England. Further information on this will be published in due course.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Royal Navy’s land-attack missile capability.

The Royal Navy has a potent land attack capability, equipped to strike from above, on, and beneath the water. This includes Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles launched from the Astute Class Submarines, Paveway IV precision guided bombs carried by the F-35B aircraft and the Naval Strike Missile, which is being fitted to surface ships.The Strategic Defence Review, announced in July 2024, will comprehensively evaluate all aspects of defence, including the Royal Navy's land attack capability.