Written questions by MacDonald.

Whether he has had recent discussions with (a) his counterparts in the devolved Administrations and (b) professional bodies on the potential merits of amending pension rules to help (i) reduce burnout and (ii) improve retention among healthcare professionals.

In common with the pension schemes for National Health Service workforces in Scotland and Northern Ireland, the NHS Pension Scheme for England and Wales provides a good pension for retirement. The scheme also offers a partial retirement option which allows older NHS staff to draw down part of their pension and continue working in a more flexible way, either with a reduction in hours or a change in responsibilities.While no specific discussions have been held recently on amending pension rules, the Government continues to work closely with the devolved administrations and professional bodies through the NHS Pension Scheme Advisory Board to ensure the scheme supports the retention of experienced and skilled NHS staff.The health and wellbeing of NHS staff is a top priority. Employers across the NHS in England have their own arrangements in place for supporting their staff, including occupational health provision, employee support programmes, and health and wellbeing guardian roles. At a national level, NHS England has made available additional support. This includes a focus on healthy environments, tools and resources to support line managers, and emotional and psychological health and wellbeing support.

What discussions he has had with (a) the devolved Administrations and (b) professional bodies on the potential use of immigration policy to help improve (i) support for and (ii) levels of retention among healthcare professionals.

Officials from the Department have regularly met their counterparts in the devolved administrations to discuss and update on the development of the 10 Year Plan in England. The Government is committed to making the National Health Service the best place to work, by supporting and retaining our hardworking and dedicated healthcare professionals. NHS England is leading work nationally through its retention programme to drive a consistent, system-wide approach to staff retention across NHS trusts. This ensures trusts have access to proven retention strategies, data-driven monitoring, and can foster a more stable, engaged, productive, and supported workforce.In terms of support, local employers across the NHS have in place arrangements for supporting staff, including occupational health provision, employee support programmes, and a focus on healthy working environments. At a national level, NHS England has made available additional emotional and psychological health and wellbeing support. They have also set out a roadmap for the NHS and partner organisations to work together to develop and invest in occupational health and wellbeing services for NHS staff.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps his Department is taking with international counterparts to highlight the issue of forced deportations of Ukrainian children.

The UK continually raises the forced deportation of Ukrainian children with international counterparts. We are an active member of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian children, and continue to raise this issue in multilateral fora, including the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the UN and the Human Rights Council. The UK has funded 'Save Ukraine', a non-governmental organisation which helps to return Ukrainian children, and 'Bring Kids Back UA' through The Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine. In March, I met with representatives from both organisations, alongside Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa and senior officials from the Ministry of Justice, to discuss child deportation.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent estimate he has made of the (a) number and (b) location of re-education camps for deported Ukrainian children in Russia.

According to the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab, around 8,000 Ukrainian children have been sent to re-education camps in illegally annexed Crimea and mainland Russia. We note, with concern, reports that Ukrainian children have also attended so-called recreation camps in Belarus. We call upon Belarus to ensure that no Ukrainian children are forcibly transferred to, or via, it's territory and upon Russia to return all of Ukraine's children to Ukraine and to their families. In March, I met with representatives from 'Save Ukraine' and 'Bring Kids Back', alongside Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa and senior officials from the Ministry of Justice, to discuss child deportation. We will continue to play our full part in international efforts to reunite these children with their families and to pursue justice for them all.

Whether he has had recent discussions with (a) his counterparts in the devolved Administrations and (b) professional bodies on the potential merits of amending tax policy to help (i) reduce burnout and (ii) improve retention among healthcare professionals.

There have been no recent discussions with counterparts in the devolved administrations or professional bodies about the merits of amending pension tax policy. Tax policy is a matter for my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. In the last few years there have been significant increases in the allowances for tax-free pension saving, incentivising senior doctors and other health professionals to continue their National Health Service work.

What discussions he has had with (a) the devolved Administrations and (b) professional bodies on the potential use of professional regulation to help improve (i) support for and (ii) levels of retention among healthcare professionals.

Officials from the Department have regularly met their counterparts in the devolved administrations to discuss and update on the development of the 10 Year Plan in England. The Government is committed to making the National Health Service the best place to work, by supporting and retaining our hardworking and dedicated healthcare professionals. NHS England is leading work nationally through its retention programme to drive a consistent, system-wide approach to staff retention across NHS trusts. This ensures trusts have access to proven retention strategies, data-driven monitoring, and can foster a more stable, engaged, productive, and supported workforce.In terms of support, local employers across the NHS have in place arrangements for supporting staff, including occupational health provision, employee support programmes, and a focus on healthy working environments. At a national level, NHS England has made available additional emotional and psychological health and wellbeing support. They have also set out a roadmap for the NHS and partner organisations to work together to develop and invest in occupational health and wellbeing services for NHS staff.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to encourage UK companies to reduce levels of deforestation caused by overseas supply chains.

We recognise the urgency of taking action to ensure that UK consumption of forest risk commodities is not driving deforestation. The Government will set out its approach to addressing UK consumption of forest risk commodities in due course.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of removing VAT exemptions for private (a) first-class and (b) business-class flights on Aviation Industry’s Carbon Footprint.

The principal tax on the aviation sector is Air Passenger Duty (APD), which is expected to raise £4.7 billion in 2025-26. APD aims to ensure that airlines make a fair contribution to the public finances. The Government has put in place a wide range of measures to support the decarbonisation of the aviation sector, including the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), support for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and development of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) through the International Civil Aviation Organization.

What assessment her Department has made of the merits of the application of National Insurance contributions to tips paid by card.

The method of payment of a tip does not determine whether National Insurance is due. National Insurance is not due on tips paid directly to the worker, or where the employer has no influence in the allocation of the tips. If an employer is involved in deciding how tips are shared out, then the payment may be liable for National Insurance. If it is not a voluntary payment, then National Insurance is due.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the merits of exempting tips paid by card from National Insurance contributions.

The method of payment of a tip does not determine whether National Insurance is due. National Insurance is not due on tips paid directly to the worker, or where the employer has no influence in the allocation of the tips. If an employer is involved in deciding how tips are shared out, then the payment may be liable for National Insurance. If it is not a voluntary payment, then National Insurance is due.

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2025 to Question 56574 on Ukraine: Vehicles, whether her Department has made an assessment of trends in the number of vehicles collected under the ULEZ scrappage scheme that have been donated to Ukraine.

Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London and Transport for London and they were responsible for the ULEZ scrappage scheme. 680 vehicles were donated to Ukraine through the scheme before it closed in September 2024.

What financial steps his Department is taking to support seasonal businesses in Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire constituency.

Seasonal businesses in Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire can benefit from a range of British Business Bank programmes for example, through the Start Up Loans programme, in addition, the Investment Fund for Scotland also provides debt and equity funding to businesses across Scotland to help them grow and invest.The BBB's website hosts a 3-step Finance Finder that can help businesses understand the options available to them, while Help to Grow: Management provides practical training to enhance small business productivity and growth.

What discussions his Department has had with the Federation of Small Businesses on the impact of increased employer National Insurance Contributions.

This government regularly engages with stakeholders including the Federation of Small Businesses to discuss the potential impacts of relevant policies.In taking difficult decisions to address issues with public finances, the Government increased employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) while lowering the per-employee threshold. Government has protected small businesses by raising the Employment Allowance from £5,000 to £10,500. Consequently, 865,000 employers will pay no NICs this year, and over half will gain or see no change. While addressing fiscal challenges, the measure will help to alleviate the burden on the smaller businesses.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with relevant stakeholders on levels of sustainability of the capercaillie population.

Capercaillie are native to Scotland. As nature conservation is a devolved issue the sustainability of the capercaillie population is a matter for the Scottish Government.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on support for farmers in Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire constituency.

Defra and the other UK nations work closely together through the consensus-based and well-established governance arrangements we have set up and operate under the Agricultural Support Framework. The regular meetings established under this Framework provide an opportunity for Defra and Scottish Government officials to meet regularly and discuss emerging issues, share good practice, and proactively discuss and coordinate policy innovation. No specific points regarding support for farmers in Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire constituency have been raised in these forums. It is for the devolved governments to allocate their funding in devolved areas as they see fit and they are accountable to their respective legislatures for their decisions. This is a key principle of devolution, and we are respecting that.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking ahead of COP30 to strengthen legislation aimed at preventing UK companies from contributing to deforestation.

We recognise the urgency of taking action to ensure that UK consumption of forest risk commodities is not driving deforestation. The Government will set out its approach to addressing UK consumption of forest risk commodities in due course. We are committed to ensuring that any regulatory framework is robust, proportionate and effective in addressing deforestation in UK supply chains.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help farmers protect livestock from predation.

There are various lethal and non-lethal approaches available to farmers to help them protect their livestock from predation. Under the Environmental Land Management standalone Capital Grants scheme, the item ‘FG1: Fencing’ primarily provides funding for farmers to install fencing to control livestock and protect environmental features but it can help to protect livestock from predators. Defra announced in February that the scheme will re-open in summer 2025 and we will confirm the precise date in due course. While some predators such as wild birds of prey are afforded legal protection in England, a farmer, as an authorised person, may carry out activities to prevent serious damage to livestock from listed species of corvids under Defra’s general licence 42 (GL42: general licence to kill or take certain species of wild birds to prevent serious damage - GOV.UK). Farmers are also free to lethally control certain mammalian predators such as fox and weasel to protect their livestock, providing they comply with animal welfare legislation. Aside from wild predators, the Government is supporting a Private Members’ Bill introduced by the hon. Member for Chester South and Eddisbury which will introduce new measures to tackle the serious issue of livestock worrying.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the RTS switch-off on consumers in Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire constituency.

The Department and Ofgem have been clear that they expect energy suppliers to promptly arrange suitable replacement metering solutions for their remaining RTS customers. Suppliers should sufficiently resource themselves to ensure they have installer workforce capacity to replace RTS meters in rural and remote areas including Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire. This could involve measures such as deploying roaming teams of installers in areas with low installer capacity. Ofgem has consulted on plans to ensure that suppliers must take all reasonable steps to provide an energy tariff that leaves all their customers ‘no worse off’ than before once their RTS meter is replaced.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that consumers are not disadvantaged by the RTS switch-off scheduled for 30 June 2025.

DESNZ has stepped in to ensure there will be a managed and more controlled start of the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) phase out from 30 June. People with an RTS meter will not face any unexpected disruption to their heating or hot water at the end of the month. We urge any customers yet to arrange a replacement for their RTS meter to get in touch with their supplier as soon as possible.

What steps his Department is taking to increase care home capacity.

Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities are tasked with the duty to shape their care markets to meet the diverse needs of all local people. This includes commissioning a diverse range of care and support services that enable people to access quality care.Care Quality Commission registration data, showing the number of care homes and number of total beds, remains stable and in line with historic trends. The latest data for June 2025 is available via the Care Directory with Filters at the following link:https://www.cqc.org.uk/about-us/transparency/using-cqc-dataTo support local authorities, the Market Sustainability and Improvement Fund (MSIF) will provide over £1 billion to local authorities in England for adult social care over 2025/26. The MSIF can be used flexibly by local authorities, based on their areas’ needs, to target increasing fee rates paid to adult social care providers, increasing adult social care workforce recruitment and retention, and/or reducing waiting times for care.The 2025 Spending Review also allows for an increase of over £4 billion of funding for adult social care in 2028/29 compared to 2025/26. This includes additional grant funding, growth in other sources of income available to support adult social care, and an increase to the National Health Service contribution to adult social care via the Better Care Fund, compared to 2025/26.