Written questions by Cooper.

What assessment has been made of the potential impact of debt on the prevalence of mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.

The Government recognises that financial circumstances are an important factor influencing mental health. Evidence, including findings from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey: Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, England, 2023/24, shows a clear association between problem debt and poor mental health outcomes, with people experiencing problem debt being around twice as likely to have a common mental health condition, including anxiety and depression. Financial pressures can contribute to psychological distress, particularly where they exacerbate existing vulnerabilities or create feelings of insecurity, but they are one of a number of interrelated factors affecting mental health. The Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey: Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, England, 2023/24 is available at the following link:https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/adult-psychiatric-morbidity-survey/survey-of-mental-health-and-wellbeing-england-2023-24The Government has announced plans for a new cross-Government mental health strategy for England, which will set a new direction for the mental health system so that it responds earlier, intervenes before distress escalates, and supports people to stay active and participate in education, work, family, and community life. Through the strategy, we will work across the Government and with partners to ensure people experiencing both mental health challenges and financial difficulty can access timely support. This includes improving access to NHS Talking Therapies, integrating employment and financial guidance into services, and promoting schemes such as Breathing Space, which provides protections for people in problem debt.We know that financial difficulty and economic adversity are also risk factors for suicide. Through delivery of the Suicide Prevention Strategy for England, we are improving the support available for people most at risk of suicide.

What assessment they have made of the adequacy of Statutory Sick Pay in meeting essential living costs for low-income workers.

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is designed to provide a minimum level of support and financial security for employees when they are unable to work due to sickness whilst also balancing the cost to employers. The government has made key changes to SSP, which came into force last month. Through the Employment Rights Act, we have removed the Lower Earnings Limit for SSP. Previously employees had to earn at least £125 per to week to be eligible to receive SSP from their employer, the removal of the Lower Earnings Limit has meant this threshold no longer applies. This means up to 1.3 million more employees will be covered, supporting low-income workers and those who work for more than one employer. We have also removed the waiting period, so people can access sick pay from their first day of sickness absence. These changes will mean that employees receive around an extra £400 million a year in sick pay.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will review the decision not to permit close relatives of deceased members of the Women’s Land Army to apply for and receive the Women’s Land Army and Women’s Timber Corps commemorative badge on their behalf.

The Women’s Land Army and Women’s Timber Corps Scheme, announced to Parliament on 6 December 2007, recognises the women who served in the Land Army and Timber Corps during the Second World War making a critical contribution to the war effort. The Scheme was designed so that medals could be worn by surviving veterans and the families of deceased veterans as a visible reminder of the significant role these women played in the war effort. Applications are welcome from family members for posthumous awards for those veterans who died on or after 6 December 2007 (the opening of the Scheme).

What estimate his Department has made of (a) the number and (b) cost of clinical negligence claims associated with the use of corridor care in hospitals.

NHS Resolution (NHSR) manages clinical negligence and other claims against the National Health Service in England. NHSR does not hold the information in the format requested.

What steps he is taking to reduce the impact of energy bills on levels of personal debt.

The affordability crisis is the biggest issue facing families across the country. At the Autumn Budget we committed to taking money off energy bills to tackle the cost of living. The Government is working closely with Ofgem, energy suppliers and consumer groups to develop a range of interventions to reduce energy debt and ensure consumers have access to effective debt advice.

What assessment his Department has made of the implications for public health policy of the Health Foundation’s findings on the decline in healthy life expectancy in the UK.

Awaiting answer.

Whether the contract for the National school breakfast club programme prohibits the use of ultra-processed cereals and breads; and if she will set out the nutritional and processing specification of that contract.

The National School Breakfast Programme (NSBP) is an inherited scheme from the previous government and the contract will end in July 2026. The contract with the supplier Family Action stipulates that all food available for schools to purchase must meet the School Food Standards, which already restrict foods high in fat, salt and sugar, as well as low-quality reformed or reconstituted foods. To ensure quality and nutrition in meals for the future, we are revising the School Food Standards and are engaging with experts across the sector.This government is committed to delivering a free breakfast club in every state-funded school with primary-aged pupils in England. All NSBP schools with primary-aged pupils will have the opportunity to transition onto the free breakfast clubs programme from September 2026. NSBP secondary schools will be provided with continued support at an equivalent value to what they receive on the NSBP for the 2026/7 academic year. Further details for secondary schools will follow shortly.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a maximum five per cent threshold for ultra-processed foods (Nova Group 4) in the updated School Food Standards.

The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition has considered the impact of processed foods on health in 2023 and 2025, and recommends that on balance, most people are likely to benefit from reducing their consumption of processed foods high in energy, saturated fat, salt and free sugars and low in fibre.The School Food Standards already restrict foods high in fat, salt and sugar, as well as low-quality reformed or reconstituted foods, but to ensure quality and nutrition in meals for the future, we are revising the School Food Standards. We are engaging experts across the sector, such as nutritionists, and are developing our plans to consult on the changes.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to assist British nationals who have overstayed their visas abroad, particularly in countries where the process for obtaining exit permits is complex.

Each country is responsible for their own immigration rules and we cannot interfere in their policies or procedures. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice provides up to date information on the most common entry and exit requirements, with further guidance published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/support-for-british-nationals-abroad. When appropriate, the FCDO will signpost British nationals to local authorities to help resolve any immigration issues.

What assessment has been made of the potential merits of extending VAT exemption on defibrillators to include purchases of units installed in private homes.

The Government currently provides VAT reliefs to aid the purchase of defibrillators. For example, when an Automated External Defibrillator is purchased with funds provided by a charity and then donated to an eligible body, no VAT is charged. Furthermore, all state schools in England have been fitted with AEDs. Tax breaks reduce the revenue available for vital public services and must represent value for money for the taxpayer. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations. A key consideration for any potential new VAT relief is whether savings would be passed on to the consumer. Evidence suggests that businesses only partially pass on any savings from lower VAT rates.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support the independent scrutiny of Official Development Assistance.

In relation to all the questions raised by the Hon Member on 28 January, I refer her to Baroness Chapman's appearance before the International Development Committee on 20 January, where she addressed these issues at length. We will set out any further plans in this area in the context of Official Development Assistance funding allocations up to 2028-29, decisions on which will be announced in the coming months.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to help facilitate independent scrutiny of Official Development Assistance across Government departments.

In relation to all the questions raised by the Hon Member on 28 January, I refer her to Baroness Chapman's appearance before the International Development Committee on 20 January, where she addressed these issues at length. We will set out any further plans in this area in the context of Official Development Assistance funding allocations up to 2028-29, decisions on which will be announced in the coming months.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of independent scrutiny on value for money across the aid programme.

In relation to all the questions raised by the Hon Member on 28 January, I refer her to Baroness Chapman's appearance before the International Development Committee on 20 January, where she addressed these issues at length. We will set out any further plans in this area in the context of Official Development Assistance funding allocations up to 2028-29, decisions on which will be announced in the coming months.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what her long-term plans are for the Independent Commission for Aid Impact, particularly in relation to its mandate and resourcing.

In relation to all the questions raised by the Hon Member on 28 January, I refer her to Baroness Chapman's appearance before the International Development Committee on 20 January, where she addressed these issues at length. We will set out any further plans in this area in the context of Official Development Assistance funding allocations up to 2028-29, decisions on which will be announced in the coming months.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to maintain public confidence in the value for money and accountability of UK aid spending.

In relation to all the questions raised by the Hon Member on 28 January, I refer her to Baroness Chapman's appearance before the International Development Committee on 20 January, where she addressed these issues at length. We will set out any further plans in this area in the context of Official Development Assistance funding allocations up to 2028-29, decisions on which will be announced in the coming months.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the research report by the Irish Economic and Social Research Institute entitled Childhood gambling experiences and adult problem gambling, published in June 2024.

The Government recognises the importance of using impartial, accurate and up-to-date research on gambling behaviour and harms, including relevant evidence from jurisdictions similar to Great Britain. We are committed to ensuring that policy decisions are guided by the best available evidence from a broad range of reliable sources.We note the findings of the report titled ‘Childhood gambling experiences and adult problem gambling’.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to safeguard children and young people from gambling, including in later life, through the regulation of advertising, marketing and product design.

There are already a wide variety of measures in place to protect children and young people from being exposed to gambling advertising, marketing and products.For example, gambling advertising must not be targeted at children, through ensuring that it does not appear in media created for children or for which children make up 25% or more of the audience. In May last year, we introduced a £2 maximum stake limit on online slots for 18-24 year olds, who can be particularly vulnerable to harms associated with high stakes play. We also welcome the commencement of the Premier League’s ban on front-of-shirt sponsorship by gambling firms by the end of the 2025/26 season.However, we recognise that children and young people’s exposure to gambling is an important issue. We remain committed to strengthening measures to protect those at risk of gambling harm and will continue to work with industry and gambling harm campaigners. We will also redouble our efforts to work across government and with tech platforms to address illegal gambling advertising, which poses the most risk for children and young people.

How his Department plans to work with the NHS and other public health bodies to improve support and treatment for those affected by gambling harm.

In April 2025, the statutory levy on gambling operators came into effect to fund the research, prevention, and treatment of gambling-related harm across Great Britain. In its first year, the levy has raised nearly £120 million, with 50% allocated to gambling harms treatment and support services, and 30% allocated to gambling harms prevention activity.Commissioners under the levy, including NHS England, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) within the Department, and appropriate bodies in Scotland and Wales, are working collaboratively on the development of their treatment and prevention programmes, drawing on expertise from across the system.NHS England continues to work at pace to take on commissioning responsibility for the full treatment pathway in England, from referral and triage through to aftercare, from 1 April 2026. NHS England intends to launch a grant scheme for voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) treatment and support services to access 2026/27 funding in February, ensuring that those affected by gambling-related harms can continue to access services whilst integrated care boards look to implement longer-term commissioning arrangements. The shift to a shared commissioner for National Health Service and VCSE-led services will allow for improved service integration, data sharing, and patient outcomes.OHID will employ a ‘test and learn’ approach during the transition to the new levy system, to better-understand what interventions are most effective in preventing gambling harms at a local, regional, and national level.

What steps her Department is taking ensure education on gambling harm is provided by organisations independent of the gambling industry; and whether targeted interventions are planned to educate children on gambling harms.

The updated Relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education (RSHE) guidance is clear that children and young people should be taught about the risks associated with gambling, including the accumulation of debt. This guidance can be read in full here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education.Content is taught at both primary and secondary education and in reviewing the guidance, the department worked with ‘Gambling With Lives’ as part of the stakeholder engagement process.Schools have flexibility over how they teach issues and the materials they use, however the guidance is clear that schools should check that external resources are accurate and unbiased.As part of the statutory gambling levy prevention programme, the Gambling Harms Prevention Grant Fund was launched this month. This may include education programmes and interventions for children and young people, and competing organisations will be required to sign up to demonstrate their commitment to moving towards a new public health approach, independent of industry funding.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with relevant stakeholders on Official Development Assistance allocations.

We are working through detailed decisions on how the Official Development Assistance budget will be used from 2026/27 to 2028/29, informed by internal and external consultation and impact assessments. We plan to publish indicative allocations for the next three years in the coming months.