Written questions by Stephenson.

What estimate she has made of the potential impact of changes to the VAT status of independent schools on the number of children enrolled in state schools in September 2025.

HM Treasury published a Tax Information and Impact Note on applying VAT to independent school fees, which includes the government’s estimates of the number of pupils expected to enter the state sector as a result of this policy. This is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-on-private-school-fees/applying-vat-to-private-school-fees#who-is-likely-to-be-affected.

How many people have been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain subsequent to having been convicted of an offence in the UK since 4 July 2024.

The information requested is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2025 to Question 62017 on Housing, whether his Department has made an estimate of the potential impact of Part O on internal temperatures.

Part O of the Building Regulations, which aims to address the risk of overheating in new residential buildings, came into force in June 2022. A transition period was put in place to minimise disruption to projects that were already underway and to allow industry time to adapt to the new Part O requirement. As a result, not all developments were immediately subject to the Part O requirement and the Department’s understanding of the impact of Part O is still developing.However, as part of the Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation, we sought evidence on whether Part O is appropriate or whether it requires amendment. As mentioned in response to Question 62017, the Government will set out the evidence it received on Part O during this consultation and its response to this later this year, when the Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation response will be published.

With reference to the OECD Economic Outlook, Volume 2025 Issue 1, published on 3 June 2025, whether she has made an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the OECD's growth forecast for the UK in 2025.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an independent international organisation. As part of ongoing engagement with many different stakeholders relevant to the conduct of economic and fiscal policy, the Government engages regularly and constructively with the OECD, and values their independent advice and forecasting in the Economic Outlook. The OECD's Interim Economic Outlook will publish updated forecasts on 23 September 2025.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to provide capital funding to local authorities on an annual basis.

The government has taken steps towards the simplification of capital local growth funding by consolidating the Levelling Up Fund, Town Deals and Simplification Pathfinders Pilot Fund into a single Local Regeneration Fund - providing greater flexibility and supporting local leaders to drive growth. The Fair Funding Review 2.0 set out our plans to consolidate revenue grants in at least four “thematic pots” from 2026/27. We will set out details of the revenue grants that will be consolidated, and our future plans for capital funding, at the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of granting National Trail status to the Icknield Way.

The Government remains committed to enhancing access to nature and will continue to work closely with Natural England, National Trails UK and relevant partners to understand and respond to the needs of our National Trails. We currently have no plans to create any new National Trails. We will be completing the King Charles III England Coast Path and Coast to Coast in 2026, as well as developing the nine new national river walks.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the press release entitled Fairer funding for councils across the country in major reform, published on 20 June 2025, what steps he is taking to ensure the effectiveness of the formula used by his Department to calculate levels of funding based on rural deprivation.

This government is absolutely committed to tackling the issues that matter to rural communities. The Fair Funding Review 2.0 ran from 20 June to 15 August 2025, and proposed reforming the local government funding system. The updated assessment which was consulted on more effectively captures variations in demand for services within a local authority. It also proposed to continue to apply Area Cost Adjustments to account for the different costs faced in delivering services, including in rural and urban areas. We will ensure our approach is informed by the latest data and evidence. We are currently considering responses to the consultation and will publish our response in the autumn.

How many visas have been issued where the National Health Service is the sponsoring employer since July 2024; and how many of those visa holders are still employed by the NHS.

The information requested is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost. Official statistics published by the Home Office are kept under review in line with the code of practice for statistics, taking into account a number of factors including user needs, the resources required to compile the statistics, as well as quality and availability of data. You may be interested to note, information on sponsored work visas by occupation and visa route are published in table ‘Occ_D02’ of the sponsored work visas by occupation and industry dataset in the Immigration System Statistics. This does not provide a sponsor breakdown. Information on Grants of extensions of stay in the UK, by previous category of leave are published in table ‘Exe_D02’ of the Extensions data tables in the Immigration System Statistics. This does not provide a breakdown of social care visa holders that have transferred to another visa type.

How many visas have been issued where a public sector body is the sponsoring employer since July 2024; and how many of those visa holders are still employed by those bodies.

The information requested is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost. Official statistics published by the Home Office are kept under review in line with the code of practice for statistics, taking into account a number of factors including user needs, the resources required to compile the statistics, as well as quality and availability of data. You may be interested to note, information on sponsored work visas by occupation and visa route are published in table ‘Occ_D02’ of the sponsored work visas by occupation and industry dataset in the Immigration System Statistics. This does not provide a sponsor breakdown. Information on Grants of extensions of stay in the UK, by previous category of leave are published in table ‘Exe_D02’ of the Extensions data tables in the Immigration System Statistics. This does not provide a breakdown of social care visa holders that have transferred to another visa type.

How many and what proportion of social care visa holders have transferred to another visa type since July 2024.

The information requested is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost. Official statistics published by the Home Office are kept under review in line with the code of practice for statistics, taking into account a number of factors including user needs, the resources required to compile the statistics, as well as quality and availability of data. You may be interested to note, information on sponsored work visas by occupation and visa route are published in table ‘Occ_D02’ of the sponsored work visas by occupation and industry dataset in the Immigration System Statistics. This does not provide a sponsor breakdown. Information on Grants of extensions of stay in the UK, by previous category of leave are published in table ‘Exe_D02’ of the Extensions data tables in the Immigration System Statistics. This does not provide a breakdown of social care visa holders that have transferred to another visa type.

What proportion of student visa holders attending universities are in the (a) top and (b) bottom quartile of education standards.

The department does not hold data on the proportion of student visa holders attending English universities who are in the top and bottom quartile of education standards. This data is not reported to the department by universities.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an estimate of the number and proportion of planning permissions granted since July 2024 that have led to house building starts.

The Department does not collect data on the time taken between the granting of planning permission for a residential development and the start of housebuilding within the development.The information that the Department routinely collects on house building starts does not include the date on which planning permission for the development was granted.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an estimate of the average time since planning was granted for house building starts in each of the last five years.

The Department does not collect data on the time taken between the granting of planning permission for a residential development and the start of housebuilding within the development.The information that the Department routinely collects on house building starts does not include the date on which planning permission for the development was granted.

What the maximum distance a patient should be from a (a) neighbourhood health centre and (b) GP surgery is under the 10 Year Health Plan.

There is no centrally stipulated limit on the distance a patient should be from a general practice surgery or a neighbourhood health centre (NHC). Integrated care boards are required to commission services that meet the reasonable needs of the population they serve.The Government has committed to deliver a NHC in every community across the country over the course of the 10-Year Health Plan. The Department is currently determining how best to trial NHCs, including identifying potential site locations.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2025 to Question 61248 on Green Belt: Maps, whether local authorities will be required to publish a map of grey belt areas within their areas during the local plan process.

It is for individual local planning authorities to undertake the necessary assessments to identify if land is grey belt, either through plan making or through considering specific applications that come forward. Similarly, it is for authorities to determine whether and how to evidence, justify, amend, and set out Green Belt boundaries through the preparation or updating of statutory plans.

Communities and Local Government, if he will require New Towns Development Corporations to produce a design code for new towns.

The government has been clear that the next generation of new towns must be well-connected, well-designed, sustainable, and attractive places where people want to live and have all the infrastructure, amenities, and services necessary to sustain thriving communities. Building on lessons learned from past initiatives, the New Towns Taskforce developed draft placemaking principles. These were set out in the Taskforce’s interim update on the new towns programme which can be found on gov.uk here. They highlighted the importance of long-term vision and stewardship, as well as the central role of local communities in shaping the place they live in. Importantly, the principles also include a 40% affordable housing target, with an emphasis on homes for social rent. The Taskforce has now submitted its final report to the government. This includes its final recommendations on design and placemaking. The government will now take a short period to consider carefully the Taskforce's recommendations and we will then publish both the report and a formal response.

If she will make an assessment of the value for money of the (a) economic growth contribution and (b) research output provided by each university.

The department recognises the vital role universities play in driving economic growth, producing world-leading research, and delivering value for money to students. Frameworks like the Research Excellence Framework (REF) and Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) help ensure accountability for public research funding and demonstrate the quality and value of the research and knowledge exchange delivered by UK universities.For each £1 of publicly funded research income, the UK higher education (HE) sector’s research and knowledge exchange activities generate approximately £9.9 in economic impact across the UK (2021/22). For every £1 of public funding for its teaching activities, the UK HE sector generates approximately £13 in economic impact from these activities across the UK (2021/22).For students, the Office for Students (OfS) monitors outcomes including continuation, completion, progression and graduate earnings, helping ensure that public investment in HE delivers high quality outcomes for both individuals and society.The department continues to work closely with the OfS and other bodies to support universities in delivering positive impacts for students and the wider economy.

Whether she has made an assessment of the value for money to students of each UK university.

The department recognises the vital role universities play in driving economic growth, producing world-leading research, and delivering value for money to students. Frameworks like the Research Excellence Framework (REF) and Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) help ensure accountability for public research funding and demonstrate the quality and value of the research and knowledge exchange delivered by UK universities.For each £1 of publicly funded research income, the UK higher education (HE) sector’s research and knowledge exchange activities generate approximately £9.9 in economic impact across the UK (2021/22). For every £1 of public funding for its teaching activities, the UK HE sector generates approximately £13 in economic impact from these activities across the UK (2021/22).For students, the Office for Students (OfS) monitors outcomes including continuation, completion, progression and graduate earnings, helping ensure that public investment in HE delivers high quality outcomes for both individuals and society.The department continues to work closely with the OfS and other bodies to support universities in delivering positive impacts for students and the wider economy.

How often her Department checks that UK visa holders are living at the address provided.

Home Office decision makers can make enquiries as part of the visa consideration process to confirm that a person is intending to stay at the address provided in their application. Customers are encouraged to update their personal details, including their home and postal address, in their UKVI account. There is no routine check to confirm whether UK visa holders are living at the address previously provided.

With reference to page 34 of his Department's policy paper entitled 10 Year Health Plan for England: fit for the future, published on 3 July 2025, what the outcome will be if a patient and care team do not agree on the contents of a care plan.

Our 10-Year Health Plan will ensure that people with complex needs are supported to be active participants in their own care. As part of this, 95% of people with complex needs or long-term conditions will have an agreed personalised care plan by 2027. We recognise that care plans should be developed collaboratively between patients and care teams. Reaching agreement is essential, as a lack of consensus can lead to delays in care and reduced patient engagement.Patients have the right to autonomy over decisions about their own care, and both clinical and personal aspects should be approached as shared decisions. Where disagreements arise, particularly those relating to funding, can be escalated to the integrated care board for resolution.Work is currently underway to determine how care plans will be delivered, including escalation routes if agreement can’t be made.