Written questions by MacDonald.

What discussions her Department has had with the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Education on teaching the importance of early detection of testicular cancer to young people.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.It is important to educate people about the causes and symptoms of cancer and the department is supportive of efforts to do this at an early age.The revised relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) statutory guidance was published on 15 July. Cancer awareness and other specific cancer-related content is included. At secondary school, as part of the ‘Health protection and prevention, and understanding the healthcare system’ topic, pupils are taught the importance of taking responsibility for their own health and the benefits of regular self-examination and screening.Schools may also teach about cancer awareness in other areas of the national curriculum. For example, the secondary science curriculum ensures pupils are taught about non-communicable diseases, such as cancer, and the impact of lifestyle factors on the incidence of these diseases. Furthermore, in design and food technology, schools highlight the importance of nutrition and a healthy diet.

What discussions her Department has had with the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Education on teaching the importance of early detection of breast cancer to young people.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.It is important to educate people about the causes and symptoms of cancer and the department is supportive of efforts to do this at an early age.The revised relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) statutory guidance was published on 15 July. Cancer awareness and other specific cancer-related content is included. At secondary school, as part of the ‘Health protection and prevention, and understanding the healthcare system’ topic, pupils are taught the importance of taking responsibility for their own health and the benefits of regular self-examination and screening.Schools may also teach about cancer awareness in other areas of the national curriculum. For example, the secondary science curriculum ensures pupils are taught about non-communicable diseases, such as cancer, and the impact of lifestyle factors on the incidence of these diseases. Furthermore, in design and food technology, schools highlight the importance of nutrition and a healthy diet.

Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to help improve enforcement where employers (a) delay and (b) withhold data in response to subject access requests.

The ICO can and does take action against organisations, as a result of people’s complaints about their right of access to personal data. Information about the ICO’s enforcement action is available at: https://ico.org.uk/action-weve-taken/.A requester may also apply for a court order requiring an organisation to comply with a subject access request or to seek compensation. It is a matter for the court to decide, in each particular case, what action to take.The ICO is currently consulting on changes to how it handles complaints, with a view to improving data protection compliance. The consultation closes on 31 October: https://ico.org.uk/about-the-ico/ico-and-stakeholder-consultations/2025/08/ico-consultation-on-draft-changes-to-how-we-handle-data-protection-complaints/.

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of NHS diagnostic services in helping to prevent avoidable deaths.

NHS England places the utmost importance on optimising the performance of diagnostic services in support of improved patient outcomes. Integrated care boards and trusts are being supported to improve diagnostic performance, including through capital investment, with the aim to significantly shorten long waits for diagnostic tests, reducing the risk of avoidable harm while patients are waiting for them.Where evidence of patient harm emerges, NHS England has taken a proactive approach to addressing the lessons from any incidents and supporting providers to make the necessary changes. An example of this is NHS England’s response in addressing the systemic failings highlighted by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s report Unlocking Solutions in Imaging, published July 2021, and subsequent investigations by the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch. In this case, NHS England formed a dedicated board to review the recommendations and oversee changes, which included:the publication of the Radiology lifecycle by the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) in February 2025 outlining the roles and responsibilities of clinicians at each stage of the imaging journey, with further information available at the following link: https://www.rcr.ac.uk/media/4mnpxmhw/rcr-publications-radiology-lifecycle-guidance.pdf;the establishment of national standards for reporting turnaround times, published August 2023, with further information available at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/diagnostic-imaging-reporting-turnaround-times/;the development of a culture of continuous learning through network and regional Radiology Events and Learning Meetings, or REALMS. The RCR launched an online learning hub, REAL online, in 2023, which is an interactive learning resource for radiologists. Further information is available at the following link: https://www.rcr.ac.uk/cpd-and-events/radiology-events-and-learning-real/; andinvestment in improvements in digital interoperability and connectivity through national capital to support faster, more reliable access to imaging data across the system.My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care often meets with families who have faced failings in their care whilst using the National Health Service. It is important to learn from the experiences of patients and families to improve care in the NHS and learn from any failings.

What steps his Department is taking to alert householders of the potential dangers from spray foam insulation.

Under the conditions of government energy efficiency schemes the government does not specify which types of insulation are appropriate for a particular property. They require that each must be assessed individually by a qualified professional to establish what is best on a property-by-property basis. Any measures fitted under government schemes must be fitted to the highest standards with issues promptly and properly rectified. Installations of any insulation under current Government schemes must be installed in accordance with the PAS 2030 and PAS 2035 standards. In any instance where insulation is installed improperly under a government-backed scheme, consumers may be entitled to remediation by their installer or, failing that, the insurance-backed guarantee.

What steps he is taking to support people to remove spray foam insulation from their homes.

Any measures fitted under government schemes must be fitted to the highest standards with issues promptly and properly rectified. Consumers are entitled to repair work by the original installer or, failing that, they can use their guarantee provided on installation. TrustMark can support them through this process. The Government recognises that the consumer protection system that we inherited needs reform, we will press ahead with a sweeping overhaul through the Warm Homes Plan.

What estimate his Department has made of the total value of community benefit payments from renewable energy infrastructure to communities in (a) the UK, (b) Scotland and (c) the Highland Council area in 2024.

The Department does not hold data on the value of community benefits payments made by onshore and offshore renewables across Great Britain. Community benefit schemes are administered by the projects themselves and provided voluntarily. We have however, recently publishing a Working Paper on mandatory community benefits and responses to this will help inform our evidence base. The Scottish Government maintains a public register of projects that includes detailed information on community benefit schemes operating across Scotland.

What discussions her Department has had with the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Education on the allocated number of domestic places at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Education and training is a devolved matter. This means that the Scottish Government set education and training policy in Scotland, including the policy to limit the number of publicly funded undergraduate places available to Scottish-domiciled students. Students from the rest of the UK are not subject to the same recruitment caps as Scottish students.Higher education providers are independent from government and are responsible for their own admissions decisions. The number of places available for students from the rest of the UK is managed separately by institutions who will set recruitment targets in line with their own institutional strategy.

What discussions her Department has had with the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Education on the allocated number of domestic places at the University of Stirling.

Education and training is a devolved matter. This means that the Scottish Government set education and training policy in Scotland, including the policy to limit the number of publicly funded undergraduate places available to Scottish-domiciled students. Students from the rest of the UK are not subject to the same recruitment caps as Scottish students.Higher education providers are independent from government and are responsible for their own admissions decisions. The number of places available for students from the rest of the UK is managed separately by institutions who will set recruitment targets in line with their own institutional strategy.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has had discussions with the Electoral Commission on donations made through UK-registered companies (a) owned and (b) controlled by foreign nationals.

Stakeholders have raised concerns for more than a decade that our legal framework regulating political donations makes it too easy for determined actors to facilitate illegal donations, allowing foreign states to influence politics and decision-making in the UK. That is why, as pledged in our manifesto, we are strengthening the rules around donations to political parties. In July, we published our Strategy for Modern Elections which set out a number of reforms to political donations rules. These changes will mean greater transparency in political funding, stronger protections against foreign or illicit influence, and increased public confidence in the integrity of our democratic institutions. This includes a measure which will ensure that in future, ‘shell companies’ will not be permitted to make political donations to UK political parties. In the development of these reforms we have worked and continue to work closely with the Electoral Commission, and considered relevant analysis. We will legislate to bring forward these reforms as soon as parliamentary time allows.

What steps her Department is taking to help support employees with invisible disabilities to access adjustments under the Equality Act 2010.

Employers are crucial in enhancing employment opportunities and supporting disabled people and those with health conditions to thrive in the workforce. All employers have a duty under the Equality Act 2010(opens in a new tab) to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ in the workplace where a disabled person would otherwise be put at a substantial disadvantage compared with their colleagues. The Equality and Human Rights Commission is responsible for enforcing the Equality Act and providing guidance on reasonable adjustments. In our Get Britain Working White Paper, published November 2024, we committed support for employers to recruit, retain and develop staff. As part of that, the Secretaries of State for Work and Pensions and Business and Trade have asked Sir Charlie Mayfield to lead ‘Keep Britain Working’, an independent review to consider how best to support and enable employers to recruit and retain more people with health conditions and disabilities, promote healthy workplaces, and support more people to stay in or return to work from periods of sickness absence. Sir Charlie Mayfield will deliver a final report with recommendations in the autumn. In January this year, we launched an expert academic panel to advise us on boosting neurodiversity awareness and inclusion at work. The panel will consider the reasons why neurodivergent people have poor experiences in the workplace, and a low overall employment rate, making their recommendations later this autumn. There are a range of existing initiatives that already provide support. The Disability Confident Scheme encourages employers to create disability inclusive workplaces and to support disabled people to get work and get on in work. The scheme covers all disabilities, including hidden disabilities. It provides employers with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to attract, recruit, retain and develop disabled people in the workplace and to take positive action to address the issues disabled employees face.

What discussions her Department has had with the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Education on the allocated number of domestic places at the University of St. Andrews.

Education and training is a devolved matter. This means that the Scottish Government set education and training policy in Scotland, including the policy to limit the number of publicly funded undergraduate places available to Scottish-domiciled students. Students from the rest of the UK are not subject to the same recruitment caps as Scottish students.Higher education providers are independent from government and are responsible for their own admissions decisions. The number of places available for students from the rest of the UK is managed separately by institutions who will set recruitment targets in line with their own institutional strategy.

What discussions her Department has had with the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Education on the allocated number of domestic places at the University of Edinburgh.

Education and training is a devolved matter. This means that the Scottish Government set education and training policy in Scotland, including the policy to limit the number of publicly funded undergraduate places available to Scottish-domiciled students. Students from the rest of the UK are not subject to the same recruitment caps as Scottish students.Higher education providers are independent from government and are responsible for their own admissions decisions. The number of places available for students from the rest of the UK is managed separately by institutions who will set recruitment targets in line with their own institutional strategy.

What discussions her Department has had with the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Education on the allocated number of domestic places at the University of Glasgow.

Education and training is a devolved matter. This means that the Scottish Government set education and training policy in Scotland, including the policy to limit the number of publicly funded undergraduate places available to Scottish-domiciled students. Students from the rest of the UK are not subject to the same recruitment caps as Scottish students.Higher education providers are independent from government and are responsible for their own admissions decisions. The number of places available for students from the rest of the UK is managed separately by institutions who will set recruitment targets in line with their own institutional strategy.

What discussions her Department has had with the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Education on the allocated number of domestic places at the University of Aberdeen.

Education and training is a devolved matter. This means that the Scottish Government set education and training policy in Scotland, including the policy to limit the number of publicly funded undergraduate places available to Scottish-domiciled students. Students from the rest of the UK are not subject to the same recruitment caps as Scottish students.Higher education providers are independent from government and are responsible for their own admissions decisions. The number of places available for students from the rest of the UK is managed separately by institutions who will set recruitment targets in line with their own institutional strategy.

What plans he has to improve healthcare provision for people with Friedreich’s Ataxia.

The Government is committed to improving the lives of those living with rare diseases, such as Friedreich’s ataxia. The UK Rare Diseases Framework sets out four priorities collaboratively developed with the rare disease community. These are: getting a final diagnosis faster; increasing awareness of rare diseases among healthcare professionals; better coordination of care; and improving access to specialist care, treatments, and drugs. We published the annual England Rare Diseases Action Plan in February 2025, where we reported on the steps we have taken to advance these priorities.NHS England has revised the national service specification for specialised neurology following extensive consultation. The service specification was published on 13 August 2025 and includes guidance on both specialised and core neurology services. The specification includes an Annex which provides greater clarity for neurology sub-specialties, including the categories of both movement disorders and neurogenetics into which Friedreich’s Ataxia would fall.Additionally, the national specialised commissioning neurology transformation programme has developed guidance as part of an integrated care system toolkit, specifically to support the implementation of the service specification. Every specialised neurology centre could and should see patients with Friedreich’s Ataxia.

Communities and Local Government, what estimate she has made of the value of political donations received by UK political parties from UK-registered companies with beneficial owners based outside the UK since 2019.

Stakeholders have raised concerns for more than a decade that our legal framework regulating political donations makes it too easy for determined actors to facilitate illegal donations, allowing foreign states to influence politics and decision-making in the UK. That is why, as pledged in our manifesto, we are strengthening the rules around donations to political parties. In July, we published our Strategy for Modern Elections which set out a number of reforms to political donations rules. These changes will mean greater transparency in political funding, stronger protections against foreign or illicit influence, and increased public confidence in the integrity of our democratic institutions. This includes a measure which will ensure that in future, ‘shell companies’ will not be permitted to make political donations to UK political parties. In the development of these reforms we have worked and continue to work closely with the Electoral Commission, and considered relevant analysis. We will legislate to bring forward these reforms as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of reasonable adjustment processes for employees with (a) neurodivergent and (b) mental health conditions.

Employers are crucial in enhancing employment opportunities and supporting disabled people and those with health conditions to thrive in the workforce. All employers have a duty under the Equality Act 2010(opens in a new tab) to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ in the workplace where a disabled person would otherwise be put at a substantial disadvantage compared with their colleagues. The Equality and Human Rights Commission is responsible for enforcing the Equality Act and providing guidance on reasonable adjustments. In our Get Britain Working White Paper, published November 2024, we committed support for employers to recruit, retain and develop staff. As part of that, the Secretaries of State for Work and Pensions and Business and Trade have asked Sir Charlie Mayfield to lead ‘Keep Britain Working’, an independent review to consider how best to support and enable employers to recruit and retain more people with health conditions and disabilities, promote healthy workplaces, and support more people to stay in or return to work from periods of sickness absence. Sir Charlie Mayfield will deliver a final report with recommendations in the autumn. In January this year, we launched an expert academic panel to advise us on boosting neurodiversity awareness and inclusion at work. The panel will consider the reasons why neurodivergent people have poor experiences in the workplace, and a low overall employment rate, making their recommendations later this autumn. There are a range of existing initiatives that already provide support. The Disability Confident Scheme encourages employers to create disability inclusive workplaces and to support disabled people to get work and get on in work. The scheme covers all disabilities, including hidden disabilities. It provides employers with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to attract, recruit, retain and develop disabled people in the workplace and to take positive action to address the issues disabled employees face.

Communities and Local Government, what recent steps her Department has taken to help strengthen safeguards against foreign interference in UK political funding.

Stakeholders have raised concerns for more than a decade that our legal framework regulating political donations makes it too easy for determined actors to facilitate illegal donations, allowing foreign states to influence politics and decision-making in the UK. That is why, as pledged in our manifesto, we are strengthening the rules around donations to political parties. In July, we published our Strategy for Modern Elections which set out a number of reforms to political donations rules. These changes will mean greater transparency in political funding, stronger protections against foreign or illicit influence, and increased public confidence in the integrity of our democratic institutions. This includes a measure which will ensure that in future, ‘shell companies’ will not be permitted to make political donations to UK political parties. In the development of these reforms we have worked and continue to work closely with the Electoral Commission, and considered relevant analysis. We will legislate to bring forward these reforms as soon as parliamentary time allows.

What steps he is taking to improve the enforcement of legal protections for women returning to work after maternity leave.

Women returning from maternity, adoption, or six continuous weeks of shared parental or neonatal leave are entitled to enhanced redundancy protection. However, the government is strengthening legal protections, as we know this group continues to face a particular risk to their job security.We'll make it unlawful to dismiss pregnant women, mothers on maternity leave, and mothers returning to work for a six-month period - except in specific circumstances. This starts with the Employment Rights Bill, with protections in force from 2027. From April 2026, the Fair Work Agency will strengthen the enforcement of rights, with women expected to particularly benefit.