Written questions by Miller.

If he will ensure that the requirements of rural households are addressed in policies aimed at tackling potential increases in energy prices.

The Government recognises that families and businesses across the country will see the recent global events and once again be concerned about the impact on their energy bills. We continue to monitor the situation closely and we are looking at what further support may be needed. The measures taken in the Autumn Budget reduce the cost of electricity and therefore benefit all households with a domestic electricity meter, including those not on the gas grid. In addition, on 30 January, we announced the continuation of the Warm Home Discount scheme until 2030/31, providing around 6 million eligible households with the £150 rebate on their energy bills each winter. The Government understands that many households, particularly in rural and off gas grid areas, rely on heating oil as their primary source of heat. DESNZ is working closely with other Government Departments on the National Data Library (NDL) energy bill support ‘Kickstarter’ project to test how public sector data can be better joined up to improve access to Government programmes. The Kickstarter project will pave the way for better targeted help, ensuring those who are struggling to pay their bills get the support they need.

What assessment the Government has made of the differential impact of increases in energy prices on households in (a) rural and (b) urban areas.

The Government recognises that families and businesses across the country will see the recent global events and once again be concerned about the impact on their energy bills. We continue to monitor the situation closely and we are looking at what further support may be needed. The measures taken in the Autumn Budget reduce the cost of electricity and therefore benefit all households with a domestic electricity meter, including those not on the gas grid. In addition, on 30 January, we announced the continuation of the Warm Home Discount scheme until 2030/31, providing around 6 million eligible households with the £150 rebate on their energy bills each winter. The Government understands that many households, particularly in rural and off gas grid areas, rely on heating oil as their primary source of heat. DESNZ is working closely with other Government Departments on the National Data Library (NDL) energy bill support ‘Kickstarter’ project to test how public sector data can be better joined up to improve access to Government programmes. The Kickstarter project will pave the way for better targeted help, ensuring those who are struggling to pay their bills get the support they need.

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of current arrangements for cancer patients to receive a Covid-19 vaccination prior to the start of chemotherapy, in cases where the Green Book advises that vaccination should ideally be planned around upcoming immunosuppressive treatment and administered during periods of minimal immunosuppression to maximise immune response.

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.

What assessment her Department has made of the implications for its policies of evidence from the US Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network published on 2 March 2026 that UK resident individuals may have laundered the proceeds of corrupt oil sales in Venezuela through MBaer Merchant Bank.

The Government is committed to protecting the UK’s financial system and maintaining a robust anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing system. This involves identifying risks to the system, monitoring global developments, and working with international partners. The Government does not comment on assessments relating to specific firms. Where appropriate, the Government will act in response to individual cases and risks identified.

What assessment her Department has made of the implications for its policies of the notice issued on 2 March 2026 by the US Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network proposing that MBaer Merchant Bank be designated as an institution of primary money laundering concern.

The Government is committed to protecting the UK’s financial system and maintaining a robust anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing system. This involves identifying risks to the system, monitoring global developments, and working with international partners. The Government does not comment on assessments relating to specific firms. Where appropriate, the Government will act in response to individual cases and risks identified.

Media and Sport, whether it is the regulator for the activities of The Hurlingham Polo Association, which describes itself as the governing body for polo in the UK, Ireland and many other countries throughout the world.

Neither the Department for Culture, Media and Sport nor its arm’s length body Sport England are regulators of sport in England. National Governing Bodies of sport are independent of Government and are responsible for the rules and regulation of their sports. Sport England recognises the Hurlingham Polo Association as the National Governing Body for Polo in England.

Media and Sport, what scrutiny her department undertakes of the funding of sports associations, franchises and teams to assure itself that they are not associated with money laundering.

UK Sport and Sport England as arm's-length bodies of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport provide funding to a range of sporting organisations including National Governing Bodies, and have strict eligibility criteria for funding along with financial assurance.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions officials in her Department had with their counterparts in Washington DC on the use UK bases to launch air force attacks, share intelligence and contribute to targeting packages in Iran prior to 27 February 2026.

I refer the Hon Member to the public and parliamentary statements made by the Prime Minister on 28 February, 1 March, 2 March and 5 March, where he set out in depth the UK's position on this conflict, including our response to requests from the US administration.

With reference to his statement of 9 March 2026, Official Report, Column 76, on Middle East: Defence, which referred to the use of UK bases by United States forces for defensive purposes being spelled out in the agreement that the UK has with the US, whether he will publish the current agreement governing the use of UK military bases by the United States.

As announced by the Prime Minister on 1 March 2026, the Government agreed to a US request to use British bases for specific and limited defensive purposes. A summary of the Government’s legal position associated with this authorisation was published at the same time.

What steps he is taking to reform the family court.

Today, the Deputy Prime Minister announced national rollout of the Child Focused Model, formerly known as Pathfinder, over the next three years. We are investing £17 million next year to expand the model across courts in the North East, North West and East Midlands so more children and families can benefit.

Pursuant to the Answer of 16 February 2026 to Question 112094, to state the date by which the Government will initiate court proceedings if Roman Abramovich does not transfer the outstanding funds by 17 March.

The Government is determined to see the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club transferred to support the people of Ukraine, as Mr. Abramovich committed to at the time of the sale in 2022. Should Mr. Abramovich fail to transfer the proceeds in accordance with the terms of the licence issued by the UK government on 17 December 2025 we are fully prepared to go to court if necessary to enforce these previous commitments and ensure the proceeds are transferred into a new foundation for humanitarian purposes in Ukraine as soon as possible. It would not be appropriate to comment further on matters relating to potential litigation. The Government does not provide information that could prejudice potential legal proceedings or reveal legally privileged material.

When she plans to answer Question (a) 115147, (b) 115148 and (c) 115149 tabled by the hon. Member for Bicester and Woodstock on 23 February 2026.

The response to Written Parliamentary Question 115148 was published on 2 March 2026. The responses to Written Parliamentary Questions 115147 and 115149 were published on 31 March 2026.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when she plans to answer Questions (a) 114398, (b) 114399, (c) 114400, (d) 114401 and (e) 114402, tabled by the hon. Member for Bicester and Woodstock on 13 February 2026.

The Hon Member's questions were answered on 3 March 2026.

What assessment she has made of the impact on local authority finances of accumulated high needs Dedicated Schools Grant deficits ahead of the statutory override ending in 2027-28.

The department has set out plans for a reformed special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system in the recent Schools White Paper. The department's assessment of future SEND spending will be updated following the SEND consultation.We have set out plans to address high needs deficits up to the end of 2025/26, providing grants to cover 90% of each council’s deficit once they have produced and received approval for a strong plan to drive sustained and energetic action in accordance with our new system set out in the Schools White Paper, which will begin to improve outcomes for children and bring costs under control through effective early intervention stopping needs from escalating.For deficits that arise in 2026/27 and 2027/28, local authorities can expect that we will continue to take an appropriate and proportionate approach, though it will not be unlimited.From 2028/29, SEND spending will be covered by the overall government DEL budget, meaning local authorities are not expected to fund future SEND costs from general funds, once the Statutory Override ends at the end of 2027/28.

Whether she plans to cover the remaining local authority share of high needs Dedicated Schools Grant deficits beyond 2025-26.

The government has set out plans to address deficits up to the end of 2025/26, providing grants to cover 90% of each council’s deficit once they have produced and received approval for a strong plan to drive sustained and energetic action in accordance with our new system set out in the Schools White Paper.For deficits that arise in 2026/27 and 2027/28, local authorities can expect that the government will continue to take an appropriate and proportionate approach, though it will not be unlimited. Future support will take into account local authorities' successful delivery of their approved local special educational needs and disabilities reform plan.

What plans the Government has to help address local authority high needs Dedicated Schools Grant deficits ahead of the end of the statutory override in 2027-28.

The government has set out plans to address deficits up to the end of 2025/26, providing grants to cover 90% of each council’s deficit once they have produced and received approval for a strong plan to drive sustained and energetic action in accordance with our new system set out in the Schools White Paper.For deficits that arise in 2026/27 and 2027/28, local authorities can expect that the government will continue to take an appropriate and proportionate approach, though it will not be unlimited. Future support will take into account local authorities' successful delivery of their approved local special educational needs and disabilities reform plan.

What discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on funding arrangements for local authority high needs Dedicated Schools Grant deficits ahead of the end of the statutory override in 2027-28.

The government has set out plans to address deficits up to the end of 2025/26, providing grants to cover 90% of each council’s deficit once they have produced and received approval for a strong plan to drive sustained and energetic action in accordance with our new system set out in the Schools White Paper.For deficits that arise in 2026/27 and 2027/28, local authorities can expect that the government will continue to take an appropriate and proportionate approach, though it will not be unlimited. Future support will take into account local authorities' successful delivery of their approved local special educational needs and disabilities reform plan.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of changing the (i) interest rate, for example to CPI, for existing student loan borrowers and (ii) maximum period before student loans are written off for existing borrowers on the public finances.

Reducing the interest rate charged to existing student loan borrowers would lead to reduced future repayments due to some borrowers paying off their loans faster, and therefore represent a cost to the public purse.Increasing the maximum period before student loans are written off for existing borrowers would generate a saving for public finances due to additional repayments being made by borrowers who would otherwise have had their loans written off.Plan 5 loans were introduced by the previous government for new undergraduate students starting courses from the 2023/24 academic year onwards and, compared to the Plan 2 loans they replaced, combine reduced interest rates with a ten year extension to the loan repayment term and a lower repayment threshold. Impacts were published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-education-reform-equality-impact-assessment.

If she will make an estimate of the potential impact to the public pursue of (a) cancelling all outstanding student loan balances on existing borrowers; (b) cancelling all outstanding student loan balances for particular occupations for existing borrowers; and (c) cancelling all outstanding student loan balances for particular subjects studied, for existing borrowers.

Cancelling all outstanding student loan balances for existing student loan borrowers would lead to reduction of the fair value of the entire loan book to zero. The fair value of the student loan book, published in the most recent annual accounts, as at 31 March 2025 was £157.9 billion.The department has not estimated the impact to the public purse of cancelling all outstanding student loan balances for subsets of graduates who studied particular subjects or work in specific professions.

If she will make an estimate of the potential impact to the public purse of (a) changing the student loan repayment rates for existing borrowers and (b) changing the income threshold at which student loans are repaid for existing borrowers.

Reducing the repayment rate for existing student loan borrowers would reduce expected future repayments and therefore be a cost to the public purse. Increasing the income threshold at which student loans are repaid for existing borrowers would also reduce expected future repayments.To support the long-term sustainability of the student loan system, we announced at the Autumn Budget 2025 that the Plan 2 repayment threshold will be increased to £29,385 in April 2026 and then frozen at that level for three years beginning April 2027.