Written questions by Maguire.

How his Department guarantee safe services for patients when a Hospital Trust is regularly at OPEL 4.

The National Health Service’s operational pressures escalation levels (OPEL) framework provides a standardised approach to support an effective, integrated, and coordinated response to acute trust operational pressures. This includes the actions locally, regionally, and nationally that support the depressurising of services and ensure patient safety. Further information about the OPEL framework is published by NHS England at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/integrated-opel-framework-2024-to-2026/ NHS England’s national operations team actively monitors escalations and maintains oversight of organisations at OPEL Escalation Level 4. Where specific support is required, NHS England can enact collaboration with national subject matter experts, regional teams, and external agencies to adapt national policy or provide targeted intervention.

If his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of ensuring that NHS bank staff are offered the same discounted parking arrangements as other hospital employees.

Decisions on the provision of car parking are made locally by National Health Service organisations, including considering how they affect local recruitment and the retention of their staff. These decisions will need to reflect the local geography and environment, including travel distances.All NHS staff, regardless of their type of employment, are expected to be similarly treated by their employing NHS organisation. This includes where free parking is provided to staff working nights shifts.All NHS trusts are expected to follow the published NHS Car Parking Guidance. This states that car parking charges, where they exist, should be reasonable for the local area. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles

What support his Department has provided to Hospital Trusts that reach Opel 4.

The National Health Service’s operational pressures escalation levels (OPEL) framework provides a standardised approach to support an effective, integrated, and coordinated response to acute trust operational pressures. This includes the actions locally, regionally, and nationally that support the depressurising of services and ensure patient safety. Further information about the OPEL framework is published by NHS England at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/integrated-opel-framework-2024-to-2026/ NHS England’s national operations team actively monitors escalations and maintains oversight of organisations at OPEL Escalation Level 4. Where specific support is required, NHS England can enact collaboration with national subject matter experts, regional teams, and external agencies to adapt national policy or provide targeted intervention.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of hospital parking costs on (a) recruitment and (b) retention of NHS staff who commute long distances in (a) North Cornwall constituency and (b) other rural areas.

Decisions on the provision of car parking are made locally by National Health Service organisations, including considering how they affect local recruitment and the retention of their staff. These decisions will need to reflect the local geography and environment, including travel distances.All NHS staff, regardless of their type of employment, are expected to be similarly treated by their employing NHS organisation. This includes where free parking is provided to staff working nights shifts.All NHS trusts are expected to follow the published NHS Car Parking Guidance. This states that car parking charges, where they exist, should be reasonable for the local area. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles

If her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the Dartmoor Railway Line into (a) North Cornwall constituency, (b) Launceston and (c) Bude.

The Government recognises the transport challenges faced by rural communities, including those in North Cornwall. While there are currently no plans to reintroduce rail services to North Cornwall, we encourage local authorities and transport providers, including Great Western Railway, to explore opportunities for enhancing integrated transport links, particularly between rail and bus services. For example, the new £15million Okehampton Interchange station is due to open in 2026, funded by the Government's Levelling Up Fund. This station will become a hub for trains and buses, including enabling improved bus services to North Cornwall, and improved walking and cycling links.

If her Department will make an assessment of the adequacy of rail connectivity in North Cornwall constituency.

The Government recognises the transport challenges faced by rural communities, including those in North Cornwall. While there are currently no plans to reintroduce rail services to North Cornwall, we encourage local authorities and transport providers, including Great Western Railway, to explore opportunities for enhancing integrated transport links, particularly between rail and bus services. For example, the new £15million Okehampton Interchange station is due to open in 2026, funded by the Government's Levelling Up Fund. This station will become a hub for trains and buses, including enabling improved bus services to North Cornwall, and improved walking and cycling links.

Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of designating Cornish lobster as a protected product under the Protected Geographical Indication framework.

The Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) framework plays a vital role in championing food and drink products that are regionally distinct and nationally important, helping to preserve heritage, support rural economies, and promote high-quality British produce. A number of celebrated Cornish foods are already protected - Fal Oyster PDO, Cornish Sardines PGI, Cornish Clotted Cream PDO, Cornish Pasty PGI and Darnibole wine PDO.The designation process is producer-led. As with any prospective name, the Department would welcome an application to protect “Cornish Lobster”. The application would need to give evidence of widespread agreement amongst the lobster fishing fleet of its reputation, exactly what it is, how it is produced or caught and where it comes from. Should producers wish to pursue this, we will carefully consider their case in line with the established criteria under the UK GI schemes.More information, including how to apply can be found at Protected geographical food and drink names: UK GI schemes - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

What assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of UK-based live-streaming of child sexual abuse.

The Government is unequivocal in its commitment to protecting children from all forms of child sexual exploitation and abuse. This includes work to combat livestreamed abuse and ensuring that offenders cannot use technology to harm children with impunity.The UK has been reported as the third highest consumer of livestreaming and as such we are investing heavily into addressing this heinous crime. The UK is leading the way in supporting the building operational capabilities with other international law enforcement agencies to work together to pursue offenders and safeguard children. The NCA is leading a number of initiatives with industry and engagement with the financial sector to specifically prevent and detect livestreaming offending. This includes work to build on the UK-supported report by the Financial Action Taskforce (FATF) ‘Detecting, Disrupting and Investigating Online Child Sexual Exploitation’.We are also supporting our law enforcement partners as they continue to work tirelessly to prevent consumption. The Home Office invests in a network of Undercover Online Officers (UCOLs) in Regional Organised Crime Units, who deploy online to identify and pursue offenders seeking to sexually exploit children, including those who consume and facilitate livestreaming of child sexual abuse. Home Office funding also supports the National Crime Agency to use its unique capabilities to disrupt high harm offenders, including those based overseas who seek to livestream abuse.In addition to pursuing offenders, we are taking legislative action to protect children online. Through the Crime and Policing Bill, we will introduce a brand-new criminal offence criminalising AI Models which have been designed or adapted to produce child sexual abuse imagery as well as criminalising those who are administrators or moderators of child sexual abuse sites.The Online Safety Act introduces world-leading protections for children. It places robust duties on tech companies to prevent and swiftly remove illegal content, including child sexual abuse material, and to take proactive steps to protect children from harm. Ofcom, as the regulator, will have strong enforcement powers to ensure compliance.We also recognise the importance of device-level protections in preventing livestreaming abuse and we support the development and deployment of safety technologies that can help prevent abuse before it happens. This includes exploring the role of on-device tools that can detect and disrupt livestreamed abuse and other image-based harms, while respecting users’ privacy and maintaining end-to-end encryption.The Government continues to work closely with law enforcement, industry, and child protection experts to ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of efforts to tackle online child sexual abuse.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing (a) device-based and (b) operating system-based safeguards to prevent live-streamed child sexual abuse.

The Government is unequivocal in its commitment to protecting children from all forms of child sexual exploitation and abuse. This includes work to combat livestreamed abuse and ensuring that offenders cannot use technology to harm children with impunity.The UK has been reported as the third highest consumer of livestreaming and as such we are investing heavily into addressing this heinous crime. The UK is leading the way in supporting the building operational capabilities with other international law enforcement agencies to work together to pursue offenders and safeguard children. The NCA is leading a number of initiatives with industry and engagement with the financial sector to specifically prevent and detect livestreaming offending. This includes work to build on the UK-supported report by the Financial Action Taskforce (FATF) ‘Detecting, Disrupting and Investigating Online Child Sexual Exploitation’.We are also supporting our law enforcement partners as they continue to work tirelessly to prevent consumption. The Home Office invests in a network of Undercover Online Officers (UCOLs) in Regional Organised Crime Units, who deploy online to identify and pursue offenders seeking to sexually exploit children, including those who consume and facilitate livestreaming of child sexual abuse. Home Office funding also supports the National Crime Agency to use its unique capabilities to disrupt high harm offenders, including those based overseas who seek to livestream abuse.In addition to pursuing offenders, we are taking legislative action to protect children online. Through the Crime and Policing Bill, we will introduce a brand-new criminal offence criminalising AI Models which have been designed or adapted to produce child sexual abuse imagery as well as criminalising those who are administrators or moderators of child sexual abuse sites.The Online Safety Act introduces world-leading protections for children. It places robust duties on tech companies to prevent and swiftly remove illegal content, including child sexual abuse material, and to take proactive steps to protect children from harm. Ofcom, as the regulator, will have strong enforcement powers to ensure compliance.We also recognise the importance of device-level protections in preventing livestreaming abuse and we support the development and deployment of safety technologies that can help prevent abuse before it happens. This includes exploring the role of on-device tools that can detect and disrupt livestreamed abuse and other image-based harms, while respecting users’ privacy and maintaining end-to-end encryption.The Government continues to work closely with law enforcement, industry, and child protection experts to ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of efforts to tackle online child sexual abuse.

What steps her Department is taking to (a) prevent and (b) limit UK-based offenders from (i) creating demand for, (ii) accessing and (iii) viewing live-streamed child sexual abuse.

The Government is unequivocal in its commitment to protecting children from all forms of child sexual exploitation and abuse. This includes work to combat livestreamed abuse and ensuring that offenders cannot use technology to harm children with impunity.The UK has been reported as the third highest consumer of livestreaming and as such we are investing heavily into addressing this heinous crime. The UK is leading the way in supporting the building operational capabilities with other international law enforcement agencies to work together to pursue offenders and safeguard children. The NCA is leading a number of initiatives with industry and engagement with the financial sector to specifically prevent and detect livestreaming offending. This includes work to build on the UK-supported report by the Financial Action Taskforce (FATF) ‘Detecting, Disrupting and Investigating Online Child Sexual Exploitation’.We are also supporting our law enforcement partners as they continue to work tirelessly to prevent consumption. The Home Office invests in a network of Undercover Online Officers (UCOLs) in Regional Organised Crime Units, who deploy online to identify and pursue offenders seeking to sexually exploit children, including those who consume and facilitate livestreaming of child sexual abuse. Home Office funding also supports the National Crime Agency to use its unique capabilities to disrupt high harm offenders, including those based overseas who seek to livestream abuse.In addition to pursuing offenders, we are taking legislative action to protect children online. Through the Crime and Policing Bill, we will introduce a brand-new criminal offence criminalising AI Models which have been designed or adapted to produce child sexual abuse imagery as well as criminalising those who are administrators or moderators of child sexual abuse sites.The Online Safety Act introduces world-leading protections for children. It places robust duties on tech companies to prevent and swiftly remove illegal content, including child sexual abuse material, and to take proactive steps to protect children from harm. Ofcom, as the regulator, will have strong enforcement powers to ensure compliance.We also recognise the importance of device-level protections in preventing livestreaming abuse and we support the development and deployment of safety technologies that can help prevent abuse before it happens. This includes exploring the role of on-device tools that can detect and disrupt livestreamed abuse and other image-based harms, while respecting users’ privacy and maintaining end-to-end encryption.The Government continues to work closely with law enforcement, industry, and child protection experts to ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of efforts to tackle online child sexual abuse.

What estimate her Department has made of the cost to (a) implement and (b) administer the proposed changes to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief under the inheritance tax regime, including any (i) projected staffing, (ii) system and (iii) compliance costs; and whether this estimate will be published prior to the reforms taking effect in April 2026.

I refer to the answer given on 5 September 2025 to PQ UIN 70546.https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-08-29/70546

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will publish a list of schemes where fines levied against water companies (a) have been reinvested to clean up UK waters and (b) are programmed to be reinvested to clean up UK waters, since the spending review in October 2023.

In June this Government announced that fines and penalties levied against water companies for environmental breaches, will be reinvested into future local environmental projects across the country to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas. These could include local environmental programmes to address pollution and improve water quality. Further details about the projects and programmes to be funded will be confirmed in due course.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of allowing incidental off-sales of beer and cider from draught duty paid containers on pubs in rural communities.

Draught beer and cider now pay 13.9% less in duty than their packaged equivalents – an increase of over 50% on the previous draught discount of 9.2%. This took a penny of duty off a typical strength pint. The core objective of this relief is to recognise the cultural importance of pubs and other on-trade venues as community hubs and to encourage responsible drinking in supervised settings. To ensure this relief is targeted at the on-trade, it is prohibited to repackage products that have received Draught Relief for off-site consumption. It is the intention that beverages that are sold to be consumed off site should pay the full rate of duty like their equivalents sold in off-trade venues.

Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of the total amount received from water companies in (a) fines and (b) penalties since the Spending Review 2023; and what steps she has taken to ensure that the funds have been allocated to projects to improve water standards.

£109 million in fines and penalties has been applied against water companies since October 2023. This includes the £104.5 million fine issued by Ofwat to Thames Water for breaches of rules relating to the company’s wastewater operations. In June this Government announced that fines and penalties levied against water companies since October 2023, as well as future fines and penalties, will be reinvested into future local environmental projects across the country to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas. Further details about the projects and programmes to be funded by these water company fines onwards will be announced in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make it her policy to issue guidance for homeowners who discover bats in their property.

All bats, including their breeding sites and resting places, are protected under UK and international law. This strict legal protection makes it an offence to deliberately capture, injure, or kill bats; to damage or destroy a breeding or resting place; or to obstruct access to a resting or sheltering place. Guidance on what steps to take if you find bats in your home can be found at Bats: protection and licences - GOV.UK. Natural England are currently reviewing their existing guidance around bats to ensure it is up-to-date, accessible and easy to navigate - supporting both homeowners and bats.

What steps his Department is taking to increase the number of specialty training posts for UK-trained doctors.

As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan published in July, over the next three years we will create 1,000 new speciality training posts with a focus on specialities where there is greatest need.The 10-Year Health Plan also set out that we will work across government to prioritise United Kingdom medical graduates for foundation training, and to prioritise UK medical graduates and other doctors who have worked in the National Health Service for a significant period for specialty training.We will set out next steps in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that homeowners with bats on their property can conduct (a) urgent structural and (b) safety repairs while respecting bat conservation rules.

Defra is committed to ensuring that homeowners can maintain safe living environments while upholding England’s strong legal protections for bats. We continue to work with Natural England and conservation organisations to streamline licensing processes and provide clear guidance for property owners. In cases of genuine emergency - such as urgent structural issues or immediate safety risks - Natural England may expedite licence applications or provide urgent advice. We would therefore encourage homeowners in England to contact Natural England’s Wildlife Licensing Team directly to discuss the situation whilst ensuring legal compliance.

What recent estimate his Department has made of the number of (a) doctors completing GP training and (b) available GP posts.

NHS England produces regular forecasts of the numbers of doctors due to complete General Practitioner (GP) training. Latest data show that for 2025/26, 1,964 doctors completed GP training between 1 April and 21 August 2025 with a further 2,733 doctors forecast to complete GP training by 31 March 2026. Estimated completion dates are produced by GP educators based on doctors’ individual progress so are subject to change.As practices do not have fixed establishment positions against which they report vacancies, we do not collect and publish data on vacancies in general practice.The Government committed to recruiting over 1,000 recently qualified GPs in primary care networks (PCNs) through an £82 million boost to the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) over 2024/25, as part of an initiative to secure the future pipeline of GPs, with over 1,000 doctors otherwise likely to have graduated into unemployment in 2024/25. This funding has been continued into 2025/26.Data on the number of recently qualified GPs for which PCNs are claiming reimbursement via the ARRS show that, since 1 October 2024, over 2,000 GPs were recruited through the scheme. Several changes have been made to increase the flexibility of ARRS in 2025/26. This includes GPs and practice nurses included in the main ARRS funding pot, an uplift of the maximum reimbursable rate for GPs in the scheme, and no caps on the number of GPs that can be employed through the scheme.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that cancer early diagnosis targets are appropriate for blood cancers.

The Department remains committed to the early diagnosis of cancer and to improving outcomes for patients. However, we recognise that there is more to be done to ensure that patients with harder to stage cancers, such as blood cancer, receive fast and early diagnoses.There are no current plans to introduce a specific proxy staging measure or a corresponding national target to support the earlier diagnosis of blood cancers. However, to tackle late, emergency setting diagnoses of blood cancers, the National Health Service is implementing non-specific symptom (NSS) pathways for patients who present with symptoms such as weight loss and fatigue, which do not clearly align to a tumour type. There are currently 115 NSS services operating in England, with blood cancers being one of the most common cancer types diagnosed through these pathways.

Whether her Department plans to maintain the Financial Ombudsman Service’s remit when considering complaints.

The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) plays an important role in providing consumers with a cost-free and quick route to resolve disputes with financial services firms. My recent review of the FOS concluded that the framework in which it operates has resulted in it acting as a quasi-regulator in a small but significant minority of cases. That is why, as part of the Leeds Reforms, the Chancellor announced the most significant package of reforms to the FOS since its inception. The review concluded that the ‘fair and reasonable’ test should be retained and adapted, to align it with the overall regulatory approach for financial services and provide greater predictability and consistency to consumers and firms. The government is currently consulting on proposed legislation to adapt the ‘fair and reasonable’ test to make clear that, where conduct complained of is in scope of FCA rules, compliance with those rules will mean that a firm has acted fairly and reasonably. It also proposes a mechanism for the FOS to refer a case to the FCA where there is ambiguity about FCA rules, to request a view on how its rules are intended to be applied, to ensure consistent application of regulatory standards by the FOS. Regarding fraud, victims of fraud who wish to make a complaint about their financial services provider will continue to be able to bring complaints to the FOS, and the proposed changes to the legislative framework under which the FOS operates will not affect the FOS’s role in handling these complaints.