Written questions by Snowden.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the accessibility of GP appointment systems for patients who do not have access to the internet.

We understand that not all patients have access to or want to use online services. The GP Contract is clear that patients should always have the option of telephoning or visiting their practice in person, and all online tools must always be provided in addition to, rather than as a replacement for, other channels for accessing a general practice (GP).The 2026/27 GP Contract includes a new requirement for practices to enable online appointment requests throughout the duration of core opening hours, which will ease the pressure on phone lines for people who prefer to telephone.The Office for National Statistics’ Health Insight Survey from March 2026 shows that 73.7% of patients reported it was “easy” to contact their GP, up from 60.9% in July 2024.

What steps he is taking to ensure named day Written Parliamentary Questions are answered in a timely manner.

Parliament has a right to scrutinise Ministers, and hold the Government to account. I expect Hon. Members to receive timely and helpful responses to their questions.I have written to all Members of Cabinet and spoken with Departmental Parliamentary Clerks and Departmental Permanent Secretaries to remind departments and Ministers about the importance of providing full and helpful responses to parliamentary questions.In addition, the House of Commons Procedure Committee monitors departmental performance in responding to Written Parliamentary Questions (WPQs). The Committee is currently undertaking an inquiry into WPQs to which the Government has provided written evidence (available at: https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/161782/pdf/), and their sessional reporting continues to be an effective tool to hold Departments to account.Further to the question the Hon. Member raised with me at Business Questions on 26 March, I have pursued the matter with the Cabinet Office, and have been informed that the Hon. Gentleman has received the response that he sought.I continue to encourage Hon. Members to raise any specific issues they may have with myself or my office.

What steps hon. Members can take to seek answers to Named Day parliamentary questions in instances where those questions are not answered by the day named in the question.

Parliament has a right to scrutinise Ministers, and hold the Government and public bodies to account. I expect Hon. Members to receive timely and helpful responses to their questions.The House of Commons Procedure Committee monitors departmental performance in responding to Written Parliamentary Questions (WPQs). The Committee is currently undertaking an inquiry into WPQs to which the Government has provided written evidence (available at: https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/161782/pdf/), and their sessional reporting continues to be an effective tool to hold Departments to account.Further to the question the Hon. Member raised with me during the Business Question on Thursday 26 March 2026, I raised the matter with the Cabinet Office and have been informed that the Hon. Member has now received a response.

Representing the House of Commons Commission, how many times the Government has failed to answer a named day written parliamentary question on time during this session for which the latest data is available.

The Procedure Committee takes the lead in the monitoring of Government responses to written parliamentary questions, including the timeliness of responses to named day questions. The Committee is currently analysing departments’ performance in responding to written parliamentary questions during the current session and will publish its report containing the relevant data in due course.

Whether the Government plans to reintroduce grant schemes for the insulation and cladding of park homes.

The Warm Homes Plan, the biggest investment in home upgrades ever, aims to provide an offer for every type of household, including park homes. Residents can apply for support via the Warm Homes: Local Grant, which provides grant support for a range of upgrades to low-income homes, including insulation. Government is also working with the finance sector to make a range of low-cost finance solutions available to homeowners, with Government backing a total loan portfolio of £2 billion, including up to £1.7 billion from our new Warm Homes Fund. Additionally, all eligible households in England and Wales can benefit from the expanded Boiler Upgrade Scheme, funded with £2.7 billion to 2030.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that residents of park homes are eligible for energy efficiency support schemes.

The Government’s Warm Homes Plan (WHP) is the biggest ever investment in home upgrades and includes an offer for every household. Park home residents may be eligible for support with home upgrades through the Warm Homes: Local Grant. Additionally, all eligible households in England and Wales can benefit from the expanded Boiler Upgrade Scheme, funded with £2.7 billion to 2030. We are also working with the finance sector to make a range of low-cost finance solutions available to homeowners, with Government backing a total loan portfolio of £2 billion, including up to £1.7 billion from our new Warm Homes Fund.

Whether he has assessed the adequacy of financial support for residents of park homes in relation to heating costs.

The government has acted quickly to provide £53m in timely, targeted support to low-income households struggling with the rising price of heating oil and at risk of losing access to heating and hot water.

When he intends to respond to the written question 111923.

A response has been issued here.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on coordinating policy relating to the evacuation of pets during international emergencies.

During international emergencies Defra officials work closely with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to coordinate policy and manage live operational issues, including in relation to emergency pet movements.

What steps his Department is taking to protect young people in (a) Fylde and (b) Lancashire from Meningitis B.

Meningococcal disease is an uncommon but serious disease caused by meningococcal bacteria. The MenACWY vaccine offers good protection against several strains of meningococcal disease and is routinely offered to teenagers in school years 9 and 10. However, it does not protect against all strains. Other strains, such as Meningitis B (MenB), can circulate among young adults. From 2015, the MenB vaccine has been available on the National Health Service as part of routine childhood immunisations, but most students would not be vaccinated.The importance of raising awareness in parents, teenagers, and other adults about the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia remains key. There are a range of resources developed by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), co-branded with the NHS, that set out these key messages and their importance, such as the teenage guide to immunisation. The guide is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immunisations-for-young-peopleThe UKHSA collaboratively produces a university vaccine communications toolkit. This is shared with the distribution lists of Universities UK and the Association of Managers of Student Services in Higher Education, and is available at the following link:https://find-public-health-resources.service.gov.uk/University%20vaccine%20communications%20toolkit/UNI24In addition, United Kingdom guidance on the public health management of meningococcal disease provides clear advice on the management of confirmed and probable cases of invasive meningococcal disease, including MenB, to minimise onward transmission and further associated cases. This guidance is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/meningococcal-disease-guidance-on-public-health-management

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department plans to introduce temporary or emergency exemptions to existing rules preventing pets from travelling on evacuation flights.

All relevant requests for consular assistance are considered on a case by case basis, depending on the circumstances.

Whether her Department plans to explicitly recognise the role of school milk provision within the revised School Food Standards.

The department is committed to raising the healthiest generation ever and are continuing our work to revise the School Food Standards. We are engaging experts across the sector and are developing our plans to consult on the changes.We know milk is excellent for children’s growth and development. Regulation 9 of the School Food Standards states that lower fat milk or lactose reduced milk must be available to children who want it for drinking at least once a day during school hours. Under Section 512ZB (3) of the Education Act 1996, it is also a legislative requirement that milk is provided free of charge to pupils who meet the free school meal criteria.

What assessment he has made of the time taken to implement pension recalculations required following the judgment in McCloud v Lord Chancellor across public service pension schemes.

Scheme managers of the individual public service pension schemes are responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of the McCloud remedy to affected members. This is a complex and wide-ranging exercise and I acknowledge that some schemes have not made as much progress as we’d wish. I have written to scheme managers to remind them of their responsibilities to implement the remedy as quickly as possible and ensure that scheme members and the Pensions Regulator are kept informed of progress and plans. I can confirm that schemes pay interest to members on amounts owed as a result of the remedy.

Whether interest will be paid on delayed pension payments owed to retired members of public service pension schemes due to delays in implementing the McCloud remedy.

Scheme managers of the individual public service pension schemes are responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of the McCloud remedy to affected members. This is a complex and wide-ranging exercise and I acknowledge that some schemes have not made as much progress as we’d wish. I have written to scheme managers to remind them of their responsibilities to implement the remedy as quickly as possible and ensure that scheme members and the Pensions Regulator are kept informed of progress and plans. I can confirm that schemes pay interest to members on amounts owed as a result of the remedy.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the written answer of 19 September 25 to question 75415 on XL Bully dogs, what progress has been made on developing a withdrawal scheme for dogs previously exempted as XL Bully type.

The Government is continuing to develop a withdrawal scheme so that owners who no longer believe that their dog is an XL Bully type can apply to have their certificate of exemption withdrawn.The Government does not have a definitive timeline for when this process will be available. Officials are working diligently to develop the withdrawal scheme as soon as possible and further details will be shared once finalised.

How many members of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme who retired since 2020 have not yet received the full rectified pension payment owed to them following the McCloud remedy.

Recalculating retired members’ benefits is a complex process. For members retiring, these cases are relatively straightforward as no benefits are already in payment. For retired members, additional complications around tax, interest rules and system functionality required extensive consultation.Capita, the Teachers’ Pensions Scheme administrator, are processing Remediable Service Statement (RSS) choices, aiming to complete payments as quickly as possible.Of the members who have retired since 2020 who have received and returned their RSS, 4,176 are awaiting payment as of 17 March 2026.The issuing and payment of members’ RSS choices is a high priority. The department is continually exploring ways to improve payment times with Capita, which includes recruiting additional staff and automating functions wherever possible. Members’ original pension benefits will continue to be paid until their choice has been implemented.

How many members of the NHS Pension Scheme who retired since April 2021 are awaiting revised pension calculations or backdated payments as part of the McCloud remedy.

The Department recognises the importance of providing NHS Pension Scheme members certainty about when they will receive their McCloud Remediable Service Statements.The current number of members who have retired since April 2021 and are awaiting a Remediable Service Statement that will show their choice of pension benefits is 209,989.The current number of members who have received their Remediable Service Statements and have made their choice and are awaiting backdated payments is 116.An independent review of the NHS Business Service Authority’s revised plans for the delivery of the McCloud remedy for NHS Pension Scheme members is ongoing. The independent review team is expected to assess this revised delivery plan shortly. Subject to the review team's assurance, we intend to issue new deadlines for the administration of remedy statements and update the House in May 2026.In the meantime, the authority continues to provide Remediable Service Statements to affected members, prioritising those who may be most affected by the discrimination highlighted by the McCloud judgment. Additionally, members who meet specific criteria can request to receive a prioritised Remediable Service Statement. More information is available at the following link:https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/public-service-pensions-remedy-mccloud/making-your-decision-about-your-nhs-pension-benefitsThe Government is committed to ensuring that affected members are not subject to financial disadvantage due to these delays. Pension arrears arising from the McCloud remedy are paid with 8% interest, and a compensation scheme is available for members who have experienced other direct financial losses.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of licencing practices for charity fundraisers to effectively tackle the use of aggressive tactics to raise money in public areas.

The vast majority of charities carry out collections to support their vital work in a responsible way and in line with the law and the Code of Fundraising practice. However, DCMS supports local authorities in taking action against fraudulent collections and unlawful behaviour, and to make enforcement easier, simpler and more cost effective.In the recently announced action plan on social cohesion, we have announced that we will increase fines and strengthen local authorities’ enforcement powers to tackle unlicensed street fundraising.

What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of police powers to help prevent charity fundraisers using aggressive tactics to raise money in public areas.

Police forces have a range of statutory and common law powers to deal with matters in public places. These include common law powers to prevent a breach of the peace, which allow officers to intervene where there is a reasonable belief that harm may occur to a person or property, or where public order is threatened.Charitable fundraising is a legitimate means of raising money for relevant causes. All fundraising activity must be conducted lawfully and in a way that does not cause harm, intimidation, or public disorder. Where behaviour crosses the threshold into unlawful activity or risks a breach of the peace, the police are able to take appropriate action using their existing powers.

Whether his Department plans to establish a national clinical pathway for the diagnosis and management of craniocervical instability in patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Decisions on the development of clinical pathways, the commissioning of services, and the configuration of specialist diagnostics remain the responsibility of local integrated care boards, which are best placed to assess local population needs and ensure access to appropriate expertise and investigations.For patients with suspected craniocervical instability (CCI), the National Health Service already supports clinical assessment through neurology, neurosurgery, rheumatology, and specialist pain services, depending on presenting symptoms and co‑existing conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). Where clinically appropriate, patients may be referred for imaging through NHS diagnostic pathways, in line with national evidence‑based guidance. Specialist review is arranged based on the judgement of the responsible NHS clinicians.Access to magnetic resonance imaging and other diagnostic imaging continues to expand through the Government’s wider programme of community diagnostic centres, which is increasing capacity across England and supporting earlier identification of complex conditions, such as CCI, as part of the 10‑Year Health Plan.For these reasons, the Department has no current plans to establish a national clinical pathway specifically CCI, including in patients with EDS.