Written questions by Snowden.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will consider requiring insurers participating in the Flood Re scheme to include surface water flooding coverage as standard.

The Flood Reinsurance (Scheme Funding and Administration) Regulations 2015 define a “flood” as “water, from any source external to a building, which enters a building…at or below ground level, or above ground level, provided that part of the body of such water is at ground level; and does so with a volume, weight or force which is substantial and abnormal". Therefore, under this definition, surface water flooding is included as standard within the Flood Re scheme’s offer. Insurance companies can choose to cede the flood risk element of an eligible household policy to Flood Re if the Schemes premium for that is lower than they can otherwise offer. Flood Re does not have any involvement in or influence over individual insurers’ decisions to cede policies.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to bring schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 into force in England.

The Government is strongly committed to improving the implementation of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and we are looking at what additional steps might be taken to support this. Better delivery of SuDS may be achieved by continuing to improve the current planning policy-based approach and looking at ways of improving the approach to adoption and maintenance, rather than commencing schedule 3 to the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. A final decision on this matter will be made in the coming months. We have made some immediate changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to support increased delivery of SuDS. The NPPF now requires all development to utilise SuDS where they could have drainage impacts. These systems should be appropriate to the nature and scale of the proposed development. See paragraphs 181 and 182 of the NPPF. In June this year, the Government introduced new national standards, making clear that SuDS should be designed to cope with changing climatic conditions as well as delivering wider water infrastructure benefits in the form of flood prevention and storm overflow reduction, offering reuse opportunities, reducing run off, and helping to improve water quality, amenity, and biodiversity.

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that people prescribed weight loss medication also adopt lifestyle changes.

Weight loss medications (semaglutide, tirzepatide and liraglutide) are licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as clinically and cost-effective treatment options on the NHS for obesity. Both the license and NICE guidance for these medicines specify that they should be prescribed alongside a reduced calorie diet and physical activity. NICE guidance also states that healthcare professionals should arrange information, support, and counselling on additional diet, physical activity, and behavioural strategies when these medicines are prescribed.Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning health services within their area in line with local population need and taking account of relevant guidance. This includes services to support lifestyle changes alongside the prescription of these medicines. NHS England have however also made a central wraparound service available which ICBs can use to support primary care prescription of these medicines. This central service focuses on nutrition, physical activity and psychological support.Private prescribers do not have to follow NHS or NICE guidance. However, they are expected to take account of appropriate professional guidance. This includes guidance from the General Medical Council which encourages the prescription of medicines in accordance with the terms of their license unless the prescriber concludes that they should go outside of the licence for medical reasons.

What proportion of Prevent referrals from educational settings in the 2023-24 academic year led to Channel interventions; and how many and what proportion of those involved children below the age of 15.

Prevent is a national programme that aims to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. It works to ensure that people who are susceptible to radicalisation are offered appropriate interventions, and communities are protected against radicalising influences.The Home Office produces annual statistics setting out the number of individuals referred to Prevent, discussed at Channel Panel and adopted as a Channel case. Below are the latest published figures for the year ending March 2024. Referrals for the period April 2024 to March 2025 will be released later this year in the upcoming publication "Individuals referred to and supported through the Prevent Programme: to March 2025". As per official statistics guidelines under the Code of Practice for Statistics, we are unable to release these statistics ahead of the formal publication date. More information on this forthcoming publication will be pre-announced on the statistics release calendar which can be found on the GOV.UK website: Statistics release calendar (www.gov.uk).In the year ending March 2024, approximately 76% of referrals from the education sector involved individuals aged 15 and under. Of these, around 8% received Channel intervention - meaning they were formally adopted as Channel cases.This information, together with further information about Prevent referrals and Channel cases can be found on GOV.UK Individuals referred to and supported through the Prevent Programme statistics - GOV.UK.

Whether he will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) mobile or (b) school-based vaccination programmes as part of the catch-up campaign for chickenpox vaccination.

On 29 August 2025, the Government announced plans to introduce chickenpox (varicella) vaccination into the routine childhood immunisation schedule from 1 January 2026. Eligible children will receive a MMRV vaccine during routine GP appointments, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.The eligibility criteria, including which age groups will receive the vaccine, will be announced ahead of the programme launch.In line with the NHS vaccination strategy, NHS England are driving excellence in operational delivery by ensuring a high-quality core vaccination offer to eligible cohorts.

What discussions she has had with airlines operating from Manchester Airport on (a) the potential impact of European air traffic control delays on UK passengers and (b) steps to help mitigate these delays.

The UK is a member of EUROCONTROL, a Pan-European inter-governmental body, which is responsible for working with Member States and their Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSP’s) to ensure that the airspace across Europe is used efficiently. My department has and continues to engage with European states and industry to discuss air traffic control capacity and mitigations to delays which impact UK airspace users and passengers.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the readiness of NHS services in (a) Fylde and (b) Lancashire to deliver the chickenpox vaccine from January 2026.

On 29 August, the Government announced plans to introduce chickenpox vaccination into the routine childhood immunisation schedule from 1 January 2026, using the MMRV vaccine which protects against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox (varicella).The MMRV vaccine will be offered at GP practices as part of routine infant vaccination appointments.Any vaccination programme change carefully considers factors including National Health Service delivery and impact on other vaccination programmes.The Department, NHS England and the UK Health Security Agency work closely together to inform and educate the public and health professionals and ensure system readiness to maintain the high standards of the UK’s world-leading vaccination programmes, including in Fylde and Lancashire.

Whether her Department has considered the potential merits of implementing mandatory infrastructure audits for airports to prevent service disruption due to (a) fires and (b) other infrastructure incidents.

UK aviation operates in the private sector. It is therefore the responsibility of industry to ensure appropriate contingency plans are in place to ensure safety and minimise potential disruption. My officials will continue to regularly engage with the CAA and industry to ensure the aviation sector remains safe and resilient.’

Whether his Department has issued guidance to (a) schools and (b) colleges on the use of protein supplements by students engaged in sports programmes.

No specific guidance on the use of protein supplements has been issued to schools and colleges. However, the School Food Standards (SFS) are mandated to ensure that schools provide pupils with healthy food and drink options, enabling children to get the energy and nutrients they need across the school day. Protein supplements are not included under the SFS and so should not be provided by schools. Compliance with the SFS is mandatory for all maintained schools, academies and free schools, including sixth form colleges attached to secondary schools. Schools are encouraged to have a whole school approach to healthy eating, including local policies for food and drinks that can be brought onto the school site from home. School governing boards are responsible for setting their school food policies and ensuring compliance with the SFS. The National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2019 to 2023 reported that population level protein intakes exceed recommendations across all age and sex groups. As such, protein supplementation is largely unnecessary for the majority of the population, including children engaging in sports activities at school or college.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2025 to Question 62750 on Sharing Economy: Data Protection, how many people have been charged with the offence in the last 12 months.

The Home Office does not hold the information requested.

If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the safety requirements for mobility scooters operating on public highways.

The Department is committed to ensuring that users of powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters remain safe, mobile and independent. That is why on the 21st July we announced a review of the law covering powered mobility devices which we will consult on in due course. The safety of all users who rely on a powered mobility device, pedestrians and other road users will be a key consideration in the review.

What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of regulations to prevent pavement cycling.

Cycling on the pavement and on footpaths is an offence under Section 72 of the Highways Act 1835, other than in designated areas such as on bridleways and shared use paths. There are no plans to review the adequacy of this legislation and enforcement of cycling offences is a matter for the police.

Whether the UK Emergency Alert System has been (a) tested and (b) integrated with military contingency planning for civil emergencies.

Contingency plans for civil emergencies are cohered by the Cabinet Office on behalf of the Government. Defence support is integrated into those plans where required through the Military Aid to Civilian Authorities (MACA) process. Emergency Alerts are integrated within those plans by the Cabinet Office. The alert system has been tested, with the last test having taken place on 7 September 2025.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2025 to Question 62750 on Sharing Economy: Data Protection, what guidance is issued to forces investigating this crime.

As facilitation of Illegal working is a criminal offence, any investigation will be compliant with guidance, legislation and relevant codes of practice in place for investigators and prosecutors.

What assessment his Department has made of the energy efficiency of (a) standard domestic radiator systems, (b) under floor heating, (c) infrared panels and (d) other low-temperature heating solutions.

The energy efficiency of these products is covered within two ecodesign regulations, for ‘hydronic’ and ‘local’ space heating products. Work is ongoing to review the policy in respect of both regulations including assessing efficiency through market research and engagement with industry stakeholders. Preliminary research has identified significant potential for energy efficiency improvements across these product types. We intend to consult on proposals to reform local space heating regulations in due course. We consulted on proposals to increase the efficiency of hydronic space and combination heaters earlier this year and will publish a government response soon.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2025 to Question 62750 on Sharing Economy: Data Protection, what her policy is on the impact of committing this offence on the asylum applications of people seeking refugee status.

All foreign nationals, including asylum seekers, can and will face prosecution for criminal offences in the same way as any other individual in the UK, and their criminality is considered if convicted. Anyone convicted of a particularly serious crime resulting in a custodial sentence of 12 months or more, and who is considered a danger to the UK, will be denied the protection of asylum and will be considered for removal from the UK.

What estimate his Department has made of the potential savings to the public purse following the introduction of the chickenpox vaccine programme.

The chickenpox vaccination programme is considered cost-effective and is expected to relieve pressures on health services that currently result from treating cases of chickenpox, saving the NHS an estimated £15 million a year in costs.The vaccination programme forms part of the Government’s wider ambition to raise the healthiest generation of children ever as part of our Plan for Change, boosting the nation’s health and ensuring the future sustainability of the NHS as we shift the focus of healthcare from treatment to prevention.

What discussions she has had with the Civil Aviation Authority on the adequacy of fire safety infrastructure at airports.

UK aviation operates in the private sector. It is therefore the responsibility of industry to ensure appropriate contingency plans are in place to ensure safety and minimise potential disruption. My officials will continue to regularly engage with the CAA and industry to ensure the aviation sector remains safe and resilient.’

What steps she is taking to ensure cyclists are aware of their responsibilities under the Highway Code.

Cyclists have a duty to behave in a safe and responsible manner and to follow the rules set out in the Highway Code. The Department promotes safety advice for cyclists via the THINK! website which contains a variety of educational resources, and through social media channels and radio advertising. Specific examples of activity to promote knowledge of the Highway Code amongst cyclists include the THINK! campaign “Travel like you know them” administered by the Department for Transport, and the “Bikeability” cycle training programme funded by Active Travel England.

What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education on the ability of universities to deliver healthcare and medical training courses in the context of declining revenues.

The Department for Health and Social Care works closely with the Department for Education (DfE) on a wide range of matters, including healthcare education and training funding. Matters relating to the income of universities are the responsibility of DfE.Latest figures from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) for 2025 show that acceptances to undergraduate nursing and midwifery courses at English providers have increased by 2% when compared to the same point last year, and by 5% compared to pre-pandemic numbers in 2019. These are not final numbers. The UCAS Clearing cycle closes in October.