Written questions by Miller.

What steps his Department is taking to reduce waiting times for Personal Independent Payment Tribunal response bundles.

Awaiting answer.

How many psychologists and psychiatrists have been (a) recently recruited and (b) are working in the NHS.

The number of psychologists and psychiatrists working in National Health Service trusts and other core organisations in England is published monthly by NHS England as part of their NHS Workforce Statistics Collection. This information includes data on the number of joiners, although it is not detailed enough to show how many psychologists and psychiatrists are newly recruited. It can also include people moving between NHS roles or training placements, so they may not show true new recruitment. The latest data is available at the following link within the file NHS HCHS Workforce Statistics, Trusts and core organisations - data tables, February 2026:https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/nhs-workforce-statistics/february-2026 The data includes staff employed by NHS trusts and other core NHS organisations and will therefore exclude staff directly employed by primary care, general practitioner surgeries, local authorities, and other providers such as community interest companies and private providers.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, in how many cases her Department applied mitigating measures permitting (a) appointment and (b) access for applicants for Developed Vetting in 2025 who were assessed by United Kingdom Security Vetting as (i) clearance approved with risk management measures and (ii) clearance (A) denied and (B) withdrawn.

I refer the Hon Member to the evidence provided to the Foreign Affairs Committee by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on 27 April, linked to below for ease: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/78/foreign-affairs-committee/news/213349/foreign-affairs-committee-publishes-fcdo-response-in-consultation-with-ian-collard/.

Which Government departments and agencies may apply mitigating or risk management measures following an assessment by United Kingdom Security Vetting of (a) clearance approved with risk management, and (b) clearance denied or withdrawn.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of recent planning reforms on the protection of Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 45684 on 7 May 2025.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the capacity of Natural England to identify and designate new Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Natural England (NE) receives an appropriate budget to carry out its duties and responsibilities in line with what is affordable and the priorities set out by the Secretary of State. Restoring nature is one of our top priorities. Protected sites, including Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), are the best existing areas for nature, where species can thrive and spread into the wider countryside, and they form the foundation of the Government’s commitment to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030. NE is adapting its protected sites work programme. It will focus on prioritising actions to deliver the Environment Act interim target for SSSIs and aligning its work with the objectives of the Environmental Improvement Plan 2025.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether Natural England has (a) paused and (b) delayed the designation of any Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Natural England has a rolling programme to keep under review places that may merit and benefit from designation as SSSIs.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many Sites of Special Scientific Interest have been designated in England in each of the last five years.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) designation is a two‑stage process. Sites are first notified, at which point they become legally protected. Notifications are then confirmed, usually within nine months, once any objections or representations have been considered. For the purposes of this answer, “designated” is taken to mean confirmed SSSI notifications. On that basis, the number of SSSIs designated in England, by calendar year, is as follows: YearNumber of SSSIs designated2021620221202312024020250 Confirmation often takes place in a year following notification, so notified and confirmed figures do not necessarily relate to the same sites.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what written records, including electronic communications such as emails, text messages and WhatsApp messages, her Department holds referring to an enquiry about a possible appointment for Matthew Doyle.

We do not routinely publish internal communications on personnel matters. I refer the Hon Member to the answers given on this matter by the Foreign Secretary in the most recent session of departmental oral questions on 21 April.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the planning system provides adequate protection for sites of ecological value prior to designation as Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and associated Planning Practice Guidance are material considerations in the planning process. The NPPF makes clear that planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by protecting and enhancing sites of geological value and soils. It also stipulates that development proposals should ensure that a site is suitable for its proposed use, taking account of ground conditions and any risks arising from land instability and contamination. Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, the government consulted on a new NPPF. The consultation on the revised Framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, included proposals in respect of sites of biodiversity value. We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Peter Mandelson had access to Top Secret and STRAP classified material between 20 December 2024 and 29 January 2025.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement made by the Prime Minister on 21 April, and his answers to the questions raised in response, including his commitment that the Government would continue to comply with the instructions of Parliament in the Humble Address of 4 February.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what is the estimated number of staff hours her Department has expended planning for the state visit to the US in April 2026.

This historic State Visit will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States and will reaffirm the vital and enduring UK-US relationship that is central to our shared prosperity, security and history.The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office does not hold a central record of the requested data. Planning for State Visits is undertaken as part of staff's normal duties and is delivered largely through existing departmental resources. The information could therefore only be collated and verified for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what is the estimated number of staff hours his Department has expended planning for the state visit to the US in April 2026.

This historic State Visit will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States and will reaffirm the vital and enduring UK-US relationship that is central to our shared prosperity, security and history.The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office does not hold a central record of the requested data. Planning for State Visits is undertaken as part of staff's normal duties and is delivered largely through existing departmental resources. The information could therefore only be collated and verified for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what is the estimated cost of her Department's planning for the state visit to the US in April 2026.

This historic State Visit will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States and will reaffirm the vital and enduring UK-US relationship that is central to our shared prosperity, security and history.The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office does not hold a central record of the requested data. Planning for State Visits is undertaken as part of staff's normal duties and is delivered largely through existing departmental resources. The information could therefore only be collated and verified for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

Commonwealth and Development, what is the estimated cost of her Department's planning for the state visit to the US in April 2026.

Awaiting answer.

Without revealing personal information, how many applicants for Developed Vetting in 2025 were assessed as (a) clearance approved, (b) clearance approved with risk management, and (c) clearance denied or withdrawn.

National Security Vetting (NSV) clearance applications, including Developed Vetting, are rigorously assessed within a robust governance framework. UKSV works closely with departmental vetting risk owners to balance operational demands with assured and effective national security safeguards. In line with the practice followed by successive administrations, the government does not otherwise comment on security matters. To reveal such details could prejudice national security and would provide insights into the scale and nature of the UK’s sensitive workforce and the thresholds of our security safeguards.

With reference to the Written Statement HCWS1471 of 26 March 2026 on Energy Infrastructure Planning – Botley West Solar Farm, what in his assessment of the Planning Inspectorate Examining Authority’s recommendation led him to seek further information from the applicant.

Under Section 53 of the Planning Act 2008, the Secretary of State may require further information from an applicant where this is considered necessary to inform the planning decision. Given the Secretary of State’s quasi-judicial role in taking decisions on applications for development consent for energy infrastructure proposals, it would not be appropriate for a Minister in this department to comment on specific matters related to the proposals, as this could be seen as prejudicing the decision-making process. All requests for further information, and responses to those requests, will be published on the Planning Inspectorate website for this case in the usual way.

With reference to the Written Statement HCWS1471 of 26 March 2026 on Energy Infrastructure Planning – Botley West Solar Farm, if he will publish the Planning Inspectorate Examining Authority’s report and recommendation in relation to that application.

In line with normal procedure under the 2008 Planning Act, the Planning Inspectorate Examining Authority’s report and recommendation of the proposed Botley West Solar Farm will be published after the conclusion of the decision-making phase of the development consent process. Once the decision has been taken, the report and its recommendation will then be published alongside the Secretary of State’s decision documentation on the Planning Inspectorate website.

Whether he plans to review Covid-19 vaccination eligibility and delivery arrangements for patients with confirmed upcoming immunosuppressive treatment, including chemotherapy.

The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The primary aim of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme remains the prevention of serious illness, resulting in hospitalisations and deaths, arising from COVID-19.The COVID-19 chapter of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Green Book on vaccination and immunisation sets out details of who may be vaccinated, including cases where a patient has upcoming immunosuppressive treatment, including chemotherapy. In these instances, it will be for their treating clinician to recommend whether a COVID-19 vaccine will be appropriate and when it should be given on a case-by-case basis. They will have the best knowledge of the patient and will need to be content that any prescriptions or treatments, including vaccinations, are clinically appropriate for the individual. Year-round pathways are in place locally to enable these vaccinations to be given when clinically indicated, including during or ahead of a course of chemotherapy.The JCVI continues to keep the COVID-19 vaccination programme under review, and the Government will respond to any additional JCVI advice in due course.

Which body is responsible for ensuring that community pharmacy delivery rules for Covid-19 vaccination are aligned with the clinical guidance set out in the Green Book.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is an independent expert committee which reviews the latest data on COVID-19 risks, vaccine safety, and effectiveness and advises the Government on eligibility for vaccination and immunisation programmes.Vaccination eligibility criteria are agreed by the Government in line with advice from the JCVI. Which groups are eligible for vaccination is communicated to commissioners and providers, including community pharmacies, by NHS England through operational guidance. The guidance issued for the recent autumn 2025 campaign is available at the following link:www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/flu-and-covid-19-seasonal-vaccination-programme-autumn-winter-2025-26/This guidance reflects the eligibility and clinical guidance set out in the COVID-19 Chapter of the UK Health Security Green Book on vaccination and immunisation, which is available at the following link:www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-the-green-book-chapter-14a