Written questions by Anderson.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of her Department's proposed changes to the Universal Credit deductions priority order on the (a) volume and (b) timeliness of child maintenance payments.

The Fair Repayment Rate (FRR) was implemented as a permanent change on the 30 April 2025. This measure reduces the overall deductions cap from 25% to 15% of a customer's Universal Credit (UC) standard allowance. This will enable approximately 1.2 million UC households retain more of their award, on average £420 a year or £35 per month. The FRR will impact UC assessment periods that start on 30 April 25 or after. The FRR measure as an isolated change, would have reduced the current number of child maintenance deductions taken from a UC award, resulting in a negative impact on child poverty. Therefore, in addition to the FRR, the child maintenance deduction was moved higher up the regulated deductions priority order on the 30 April, and for a temporary period of one year. The reason for implementing the child maintenance deduction measure on a temporary basis is to enable the Department to gather further evidence on the impact the changes will have on UC households with a child maintenance deduction. This evidence will determine the future child maintenance deduction policy. Outturn data on the full impact of the change to the positioning of Child Maintenance is not yet available. However, modelling of the change by the Department estimates that it will increase the number of monthly Child Maintenance deductions collected from approximately 50,000 to approximately 60,000. This estimate was derived using UC household deductions data from May 2024, the latest available when the modelling was done. Actual figures may differ as a result of changes to the composition and characteristics of the UC caseload in the intervening time. Timeliness of payments are in line with existing processes: the Universal Credit (UC) deduction is transferred to Child Maintenance Service (CMS) CMS on the Saturday following the UC award payment date and immediately paid out the receiving parent. The payment is subject to usual bank processing and is received in the parent’s bank account in 3-5 working days.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of removing the Direct Pay option on levels of compliance with child maintenance payments among non-resident parents.

Reforms will introduce a single service where all payments will be monitored enabling the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) to identify missed, late, or partial payments in real time. This will enable swift enforcement action to restore compliance and increase the amount of money reaching children.We expect the reforms will make hidden non-compliance within Direct Pay visible, enabling the CMS to intervene earlier to ensure children receive the financial support they are entitled to.There is no evidence to suggest that cases currently working well under Direct Pay will cease to function. These families can move to a family-based arrangement or opt into Collect and Pay if they require the added security of enforcement.Where compliance cannot be achieved, the CMS has a range of strong enforcement powers that are designed to get money flowing quickly, prevent the build-up of arrears and ensure children get the financial support they deserve.

What estimate her Department has made of the number of current Direct Pay cases in (a) Milton Keynes and (b) Buckinghamshire that will transition to the Collect and Pay service following the implementation of child maintenance reforms.

Estimates of reform impacts are not available for local areas. Recent numbers of paying parents and arrangements in the Direct Pay service at regional level are available on Stat Xplore [Stat-Xplore - Table View]. There will be two clear options for parents following the planned reforms. One is to make a family-based arrangement, and the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) will provide parents with enhanced support to make and maintain these. Parents with a stable and compliant direct pay arrangement may well find this option meets their needs.Where a family-based arrangement is not appropriate, or for those who prefer to be part of the statutory system, the CMS will operate a single service based on the current Collect and Pay model where it manages all payments, with an improved ability to identify and act on non-compliance.As part of these reforms, we will halve the fees for those using the CMS, while maintaining a 20% fee for non-resident parents who refuse to pay up on time and in full. Parents currently in the Direct Pay system will have the choice of keeping their CMS case which will be moved to the new, improved service, giving them the peace of mind that payment will be monitored and any problems followed up, in return for a small fee – or have improved support to make and maintain a family-based arrangement.

What his Department's timetable is for the national rollout of self-sampling kits to people who have previously been less likely to have had cervical screening under the NHS Cervical Screening Programme.

NHS England will roll out human papillomavirus self-sampling from early 2026.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of self-sampling on levels of uptake for cervical screening among (a) socioeconomic and (b) ethnic groups.

The Department undertook an Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) into the introduction of human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling in under-screened populations, which will be published shortly. The findings of this EQIA, which considered national and international evidence, suggest that there is potential for HPV self-sampling for under-screened groups to improve participation in cervical screening by reducing some of the barriers to participation experienced by people with different protected characteristics, leading to improved participation and ultimately preventing more cervical cancers and associated deaths.The self-testing kits which detect HPV, which is a group of viruses that can lead to cervical cancer, allow women to carry out this testing in the privacy and convenience of their own homes.The programme specifically targets those groups consistently missing vital appointments, with younger women, ethnic minority communities facing cultural hurdles, people with a disability, and LGBT+ people all set to benefit.

What estimate his Department has made of the number of people from groups that have previously been less likely to have had cervical screening who will be offered self-sampling kits under the NHS Cervical Screening Programme in its first year in (a) Milton Keynes and (b) Buckinghamshire.

This information is not held at the requested geographical level.

What discussions he has had with NHS England on the steps it plans to take to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of self-sampling for cervical screening compared with clinician-taken samples.

The Department is guided on screening policy by the UK National Screening Committee. The committee is working with National Institute for Health and Care Research and NHS England to develop an In Service Evaluation that will evaluate the clinical effectiveness of self-sampling for cervical screening compared with clinician-taken samples, as well as looking at how self-sampling would impact the routine cervical screening programme if offered to all eligible women.From January 2026, screening providers in the NHS Cervical Screening Programme in England will be able to offer self-sampling kits to women if they have not attended their appointment for six months or more following routine invitation.Self-sampling will help detect high-risk human papillomavirus, prevent cancer, and save lives in those who currently do not access clinician led screening. However, for those attending clinician testing, a shift to self-sampling might result in a programme that is not yet proven to be of equal efficacy. Further studies to consider whether self-sampling could be used across the whole population are being developed.

Whether his Department has set specific targets for the number of (a) self-sampling cervical screening tests distributed and (b) samples received from self-sampling cervical screening tests among different (i) socioeconomic and (ii) ethnic groups.

Target setting is currently under consideration by NHS England.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the work of the London Coalition on Sustainable Sovereign Debt on the (a) accessibility and (b) resilience of sovereign borrowing frameworks in emerging markets.

The mission of the London Coalition on Sustainable Sovereign Debt is to work closely with the private sector to drive pragmatic, market-based solutions that support long-term, stable capital flows to emerging and developing economies (EMDEs) and improve outcomes in debt restructurings. By providing a formal platform for engagement with private creditors, across both bonded and non-bonded debt, the Coalition is advancing innovations in debt contracts, such as Natural Disaster Clauses (NDCs) and Majority Voting Provisions (MVPs), to promote transparency, orderly restructurings, and more resilient borrowing frameworks. Enhanced transparency, grounded in strong governance and comprehensive data reporting, strengthens creditworthiness, facilitating greater market access, and expedites restructurings, giving countries quicker access to fiscal space when needed. To further bolster resilience, the Coalition is advancing contractual innovations like NDCs, which allow for the temporary suspension of debt service repayments in response to exogenous shocks, supporting macroeconomic stability and fiscal flexibility. The UK’s approach to international sovereign debt extends beyond private sector engagement. The government is working through the G20 and the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable to promote transparent and sustainable lending practices. This includes encouraging the publication of self-assessments under the G20 Operational Guidelines for Sustainable Financing and advocating for a more responsive and effective Common Framework, including pushing to expand its coverage to middle income countries. Promoting debt sustainability for EMDEs is good for developing countries, creditors global prosperity. Tackling unsustainable debt is a key development priority for this government and a fundamental part of the international development toolkit. The UK’s Trade Strategy, published in June 2025, underlines our commitment to supporting developing economies, simplifying access to the UK market, and deepening partnerships with the Global South to diversify supply chains and support development.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the special measures on the competitiveness of other UK steel manufacturers not subject to intervention under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act.

The Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act gives the Government the power to direct British Steel, and its workforce, to keep the blast furnaces running safely. Our priorities remain continuing production, stabilising operations and remedying critical health and safety issues. Competition between British Steel and other UK producers is limited, as they typically manufacture different types of steel products and serve distinct markets. The intervention is narrowly targeted and temporary, aimed at safeguarding national capability rather than conferring a commercial advantage. An impact assessment will be published in due course, following Regulatory Policy Committee scrutiny.

Whether she plans to incorporate the findings of the London Coalition on Sustainable Sovereign Debt into (a) future international development and (b) trade policy frameworks.

The mission of the London Coalition on Sustainable Sovereign Debt is to work closely with the private sector to drive pragmatic, market-based solutions that support long-term, stable capital flows to emerging and developing economies (EMDEs) and improve outcomes in debt restructurings. By providing a formal platform for engagement with private creditors, across both bonded and non-bonded debt, the Coalition is advancing innovations in debt contracts, such as Natural Disaster Clauses (NDCs) and Majority Voting Provisions (MVPs), to promote transparency, orderly restructurings, and more resilient borrowing frameworks. Enhanced transparency, grounded in strong governance and comprehensive data reporting, strengthens creditworthiness, facilitating greater market access, and expedites restructurings, giving countries quicker access to fiscal space when needed. To further bolster resilience, the Coalition is advancing contractual innovations like NDCs, which allow for the temporary suspension of debt service repayments in response to exogenous shocks, supporting macroeconomic stability and fiscal flexibility. The UK’s approach to international sovereign debt extends beyond private sector engagement. The government is working through the G20 and the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable to promote transparent and sustainable lending practices. This includes encouraging the publication of self-assessments under the G20 Operational Guidelines for Sustainable Financing and advocating for a more responsive and effective Common Framework, including pushing to expand its coverage to middle income countries. Promoting debt sustainability for EMDEs is good for developing countries, creditors global prosperity. Tackling unsustainable debt is a key development priority for this government and a fundamental part of the international development toolkit. The UK’s Trade Strategy, published in June 2025, underlines our commitment to supporting developing economies, simplifying access to the UK market, and deepening partnerships with the Global South to diversify supply chains and support development.

Communities and Local Government, what criteria her Department plans to use to decide which equity and loan products the National Housing Bank offers to SME developers within its initial £16 billion capital allocation.

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 18 June 2025 (HCWS712).

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the lifting of local connection tests for the specified vulnerable groups on social housing demand and allocations in (a) Milton Keynes and (b) Buckinghamshire.

Regulations were laid on 19 June to ensure that young care leavers and victims of domestic abuse across England do not face unfair barriers to accessing social housing.My Department will be monitoring the impact at local authority level through the Local Authority Housing Statistics and the social housing lettings and sales data returns.We will not be able to assess the potential impact on (a) Milton Keynes or (b) Buckinghamshire specifically.

Communities and Local Government, what changes to Homes England’s structure or governance her Department is making to designate its subsidiary as a Public Financial Institution under the National Housing Bank proposal.

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 18 June 2025 (HCWS712).

What role the London Coalition on Sustainable Sovereign Debt will play in shaping the UK’s approach to sustainable debt financing in developing economies.

The mission of the London Coalition on Sustainable Sovereign Debt is to work closely with the private sector to drive pragmatic, market-based solutions that support long-term, stable capital flows to emerging and developing economies (EMDEs) and improve outcomes in debt restructurings. By providing a formal platform for engagement with private creditors, across both bonded and non-bonded debt, the Coalition is advancing innovations in debt contracts, such as Natural Disaster Clauses (NDCs) and Majority Voting Provisions (MVPs), to promote transparency, orderly restructurings, and more resilient borrowing frameworks. Enhanced transparency, grounded in strong governance and comprehensive data reporting, strengthens creditworthiness, facilitating greater market access, and expedites restructurings, giving countries quicker access to fiscal space when needed. To further bolster resilience, the Coalition is advancing contractual innovations like NDCs, which allow for the temporary suspension of debt service repayments in response to exogenous shocks, supporting macroeconomic stability and fiscal flexibility. The UK’s approach to international sovereign debt extends beyond private sector engagement. The government is working through the G20 and the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable to promote transparent and sustainable lending practices. This includes encouraging the publication of self-assessments under the G20 Operational Guidelines for Sustainable Financing and advocating for a more responsive and effective Common Framework, including pushing to expand its coverage to middle income countries. Promoting debt sustainability for EMDEs is good for developing countries, creditors global prosperity. Tackling unsustainable debt is a key development priority for this government and a fundamental part of the international development toolkit. The UK’s Trade Strategy, published in June 2025, underlines our commitment to supporting developing economies, simplifying access to the UK market, and deepening partnerships with the Global South to diversify supply chains and support development.

Communities and Local Government, what monitoring systems will be introduced to ensure consistent exemption of victims of domestic abuse and young care leavers from local connection tests in all English local authorities.

The department will monitor the implementation of the exemption of victims of domestic abuse and young care leavers from local connection tests for social housing in all English local authorities through the Local Authority Housing Statistics data collection.

What steps he is taking to ensure alignment between the special measures for British Steel and the UK’s obligations under international trade and subsidy control agreements.

During the development of the Special Measures Act my department ensured that the Government’s actions were and remain consistent with our obligations under international trade and subsidy control agreements. We remain mindful of those obligations as we work on determining the best long-term future for the company.

Media and Sport, with reference to her Department's press release entitled £380 million boost for creative industries to help drive innovation, regional growth and investment, published on 23 June 2025, how she plans to measure the regional economic impact of the fund.

The Sector Plan contains ambitious proposals to bolster growth in the creative industries across the UK. It includes a universal offer to drive growth in the creative industries in any place in the UK, outlining new measures to break down barriers such as access to finance, supply of skills, and new support to kickstart innovation. We've developed a detailed evaluation framework with both sector-wide and sub-sector specific metrics, including GVA growth, employment figures, export values, inward investment, business creation, and diversity of workforce. Progress will be reported annually to Parliament and the Creative Industries Council (CIC), with a major review at the midpoint. At a regional level, we will measure GVA in high potential places and their share of UK GVA. We will do this using published DCMS estimates of regional GVA and real terms changes in regional GVA. We also outline a number of metrics we will use to measure the economic impact of the CIs interventions nationally, such as an increase in business R&D expenditure and an increase in CIs exports. Where possible, we will aim to track these metrics on a regional level to ensure the economic benefits of this increased support are being felt in every community across the UK.

What governance arrangements will oversee the (a) reporting lines and (b) accountability mechanisms of the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce.

The Government is establishing a National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, chaired by my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, and made up of a panel of experts as well as family, charity, and staff representatives. Bringing family voices to the heart of this work, the taskforce will co-produce a national plan to drive improvements across maternity and neonatal care.The terms of reference are still under development with stakeholders and families, and will be released in due course.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Economic Prosperity Deal on the UK’s domestic beef sector and associated supply chains.

As part of the US deal, we have agreed new reciprocal market access on beef – with UK farmers given a guaranteed quota for 13,000 metric tonnes of beef exports at a very low tariff rate (for example, 4.4 cents per kg on many products). For the first time ever, this will open up exclusive access for UK beef farmers to the US market. This is a major opportunity for British farmers to sell their high-quality British beef to a market of over 300 million people, helping farmers grow their business.