Written questions by Spencer.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation entitled Livestock feed controls review for England and Wales.

The joint Defra and Welsh Government consultation on proposed changes to the current Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) related livestock feed controls opened on 4th February and will close on 1st April 2025. Online engagement is an efficient and transparent means for sharing proposals and gathering feedback from groups and individuals affected by or interested in proposed changes. It is part of a wider engagement process. Defra and the Welsh government have emailed key stakeholders and asked them to share the consultation. Responding on Citizen Space is encouraged as it facilitates analysis of responses. People who are unable to respond to the consultation online can request a printed copy of the consultation and reply by post. We consider accessibility by ensuring all consultations are compliant with the Disability and Equality Act 2010 and accessible to people with disabilities as defined by the Act.

If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the DHSC group accounting manual 2025 to 2026 consultation exercise, published on 7 February 2025.

The Department launched the consultation, Changes to the DHSC Group Accounting Manual 2025 to 2026, on the GOV.UK website on 7 February 2025, with further information available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/changes-to-dhsc-group-accounting-manual-2025-to-2026In accordance with the Government’s Publishing Accessible Documents guidance, the consultation document is published in Hypertext Markup Language format to enhance readability and ease of navigation. The digital survey for submitting responses is also hosted on an accessible platform.Due to the length and technical nature of the accompanying Group Accounting Manual, it is provided as a Portable Document Format to preserve formatting and technical content. Users who require the document in an accessible format, for use with screen readers, can request a copy by emailing publications@dhsc.gov.uk.For any queries related to the consultation, users are encouraged to contact the relevant sector leads, whose details are available on the GOV.UK website.There has been no change in Government policy on ensuring the accessibility of consultations. We continue to follow the same approach as the previous administration to ensure accessibility standards are maintained.We are carefully considering the best approach to making future consultations accessible to people who are digitally excluded.

If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation entitled Implementing the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), published on 7 February 2025.

The Department for Transport published a consultation on implementing the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) in December 2024. There are multiple ways to respond to the consultation: by online form, downloadable form, email and post. Tagged PDF files have been provided and users can also request alternative versions if the files are not suitable for their needs, to support accessibility.

If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on the Draft National Policy Statement for nuclear energy generation.

The Department launched the consultation ‘Draft National Policy Statement for nuclear energy generation (EN-7)’ on 6 February 2025, with more information available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/draft-national-policy-statement-for-nuclear-energy-generation-en-7 (opens in a new tab) As per the department's accessible documents policy, the consultation document is published on GOV.UK and provided as both a tagged PDF and HTML so screen readers can understand the page structure. The digital survey for users to respond to the consultation is also hosted on an accessible platform. Users of assistive technology (such as screen readers) can request a copy of the consultation in an accessible format by emailing alt.formats@energysecurity.gov.uk. Users who have queries on the consultation can also contact nuclearnps.consultation@energysecurity.gov.uk.

If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the Review of the Fuel Poverty Strategy: consultation document, published on 7 February 2025.

The department launched the consultation ‘Review of the Fuel Poverty Strategy’ on 7 February 2025, with more information available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/review-of-the-fuel-poverty-strategy(opens in a new tab) As per the department's accessible documents policy, the consultation document is published on GOV.UK and provided as both a tagged PDF and HTML so screen readers can understand the page structure. The digital survey for users to respond to the consultation is also hosted on an accessible platform. Users of assistive technology (such as screen readers) can request a copy of the consultation in an accessible format by emailing alt.formats@energysecurity.gov.uk. Users who have queries on the consultation can also contact fuelpovertyconsultation@energysecurity.gov.uk.

If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on the Use of reasonable force and other restrictive interventions guidance: proposed amendments.

Consultation documents set out, within the first few pages, alternative ways that respondents can obtain copies in alternative formats, and how to respond through methods other than the online system.The department can be contacted by post or email to request an alternative format of the form. For people who do not have easy access to digital devices, these consultations run for 12 weeks to give sufficient opportunity to respond if digital access is not readily available.The government takes a digital-by-default approach to communication and participation but aims to mitigate risks faced by those considered to be digitally excluded.

If she will make an assessment with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology of the adequacy of the accessibility of the consultation entitled Improving the way Ofsted inspects education, published on 3 February 2025.

This is a matter for His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver. I have asked him to write to the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge directly and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on Implementing the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation.

The Department for Transport published a consultation on implementing the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) in December 2024. There are multiple ways to respond to the consultation: by online form, downloadable form, email and post. Tagged PDF files have been provided and users can also request alternative versions if the files are not suitable for their needs, to support accessibility.

If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on Shaping the national cancer plan.

The National Cancer Plan will have patients at its heart, and reducing inequalities in cancer diagnosis and outcomes is a key priority for the plan. We are committed to engaging with patient groups and all communities to ensure the consultation process is inclusive and that we hear and learn from different voices to shape the long-term vision for cancer. Alongside the call for evidence, we will carry out targeted engagement with partners and patient groups representing different communities to get their input throughout this process.

If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes.

The department launched the consultation ‘Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes’ on 7 February 2025, with more information available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/improving-the-energy-performance-of-privately-rented-homes-2025-update (opens in a new tab) As per the department's accessible documents policy, the consultation document is published on GOV.UK and provided as both a tagged PDF and HTML so screen readers can understand the page structure. The digital survey for users to respond to the consultation is also hosted on an accessible platform. Users of assistive technology (such as screen readers) can request a copy of the consultation in an accessible format by emailing alt.formats@energysecurity.gov.uk. Users who have queries on the consultation can also contact PRSMEESConsultation@energysecurity.gov.uk.

If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on the UK Internal Market Act 2020.

The consultation on the UK Internal Market Act 2020 follows the UK Government Consultation principles (Consultation principles: guidance - GOV.UK).The consultation is available in HTML format to provide greater accessibility for users and all pages can be printed in an accessible format.Alternative methods of completing the consultation are available including online, via email and via post. The Department can provide hard copies of the consultation document upon request.

If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation entitled School accountability reform.

Consultation documents set out, within the first few pages, alternative ways that respondents can obtain copies in alternative formats, and how to respond through methods other than the online system.The department can be contacted by post or email to request an alternative format of the form. For people who do not have easy access to digital devices, these consultations run for 12 weeks to give sufficient opportunity to respond if digital access is not readily available.The government takes a digital-by-default approach to communication and participation but aims to mitigate risks faced by those considered to be digitally excluded.

What steps she is taking to provide parliamentary scrutiny of Government involvement in amendments to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill by hon. Members not on the bill committee.

While the Government have a neutral position on the principles of the Bill, we have a responsibility to ensure that any Bill passed by the House is workable and operable. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was passed by the House at Second Reading, and the Government has therefore been in discussion with the Member in charge about the Bill’s deliverability and the overall coherence of the statute book.The Member in charge has tabled amendments based on these discussions. It is for the Committee to decide whether to accept each amendment. As with any Public Bill Committee, any Member can table amendments to the Bill during the Committee’s consideration, and Members not appointed to the Committee are free to observe the Committee’s proceedings (although only Members of the Committee can speak or move tabled amendments). Following the Committee stage, the whole House will have a further opportunity to scrutinise the Bill at Report stage.

If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on Multinational Top-up Tax and Domestic Top-up Tax: Supplementary draft guidance.

As with all government consultations, paper copies and alternative formats are available free of charge on request. There has been no change to policy on ensuring the accessibility of government consultations, and the approach followed by this administration remains consistent with the approach followed under the previous administration.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on Funding arrangements for the Homelessness Prevention Grant from 2026-27 onwards.

The department issued an open consultation on Funding arrangements for the Homelessness Prevention Grant from 2026/27 onwards.Details of how to respond, including by post, can be found under the ‘Basic Information’ section of the consultation document.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on Land use in England.

The Land Use Consultation will run for 12 weeks, closing on the 25th of April with the Government aiming to publish the final Land Use Framework later this year. The consultation is the start of a national conversation on how we best use our land, this will involve regional workshops as well as roundtables with key stakeholder groups. These activities will shape the future Land Use Framework, alongside the responses to the consultation which can be sent in writing to the following address: Land Use ConsultationThird Floor, Mallard House,Kings Pool, 1-2 Peasholme Green,York,YO1 7PX

If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on Franchising in higher education.

The department’s consultation on franchising in higher education (HE) offers different alternatives to respond in order to meet the range of accessibility needs.There is an option to respond via post by using a printed copy of the consultation document, for those who cannot respond online. A print-ready copy of the consultation document is also available to download on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/franchising-in-higher-education.The consultation document also sets out that if anyone is having any difficultly responding online, they can contact the department using the contact details provided in the consultation document to request assistance or an alternative option to respond.

What steps she is taking to improve accessibility at railway stations in Runnymede and Weybridge constituency.

We are carefully considering the best approach to the Access for All programme. Since April 2024, 19 stations have been completed with a further 8 due to be completed by April 2025. This will be the most stations completed in one year since the programme started in 2006. We will shortly be updating MPs and other stakeholders on our approach to Access for All. This Government is committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognises the social and economic benefits this brings to communities.

What steps she is taking to ensure that (a) schools and (b) educators are adequately (i) informed and (ii) prepared for national curriculum reform.

The independent Curriculum and Assessment Review is being undertaken in close consultation with education professionals, and will pay attention to the practicalities of implementation and the avoidance of unintended consequences and additional workload for staff.It will seek evolution not revolution and seek to identify and focus on addressing the most significant and pressing issues facing curriculum and assessment without destabilising the system.The review group will publish an interim report in early spring setting out its interim findings and confirming the key areas for further work and will publish its final report with recommendations this autumn. The department will take decisions on what changes to make to the curriculum, and the practicalities and timing of the reforms, in light of these recommendations.The department will ensure that we give schools, colleges and teachers sufficient time to plan and prepare for changes, particularly where they are significant. We will also consider how the reformed curriculum would affect schools as we develop it, to support innovation and implementation.The review’s terms of reference are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/curriculum-and-assessment-review.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 23 January 2025 to Question 24940 on Bridges: Runnymede and Weybridge, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the response of the Environment Agency to public safety concerns.

The Environment Agency (EA) prioritises public safety across all of the activities it carries out and also the assets it is responsible for. The towpath bridges that are currently closed will remain closed until the recommended refurbishment works have been completed. The EA are aware that the safeguarding measures at Bridge 142 have been repeatedly vandalised and EA staff have regrettably experienced hostility. They are, however, regularly checking the bridge’s signage and security fencing when it is safe to do so and have commissioned a more robust security measure that will be more resilient to vandalism. The EA is doing everything it can to address public safety across its assets.