Written questions by Dinenage.

What guidance his Department provides to integrated care boards on costs that may be excluded from costs associated with a self-funded course of treatment.

Where a patient opts to pay for private care, their entitlement to National Health Services remains and may not be withdrawn. However, the NHS should not subsidise private care. Therefore, it is important that there is as clear a distinction as possible between private care and NHS-funded care.In 2009, the Department published guidance on NHS patients who wish to pay for additional private care, setting out the interaction between NHS care and private care. Local systems are expected to uphold this when caring for patients who have used private healthcare, including self-paying for their care.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 March 2026 to Question 114810 Neurodiversity: Mental Health Services, what weight was given to the autism assessment cost data in the Realist evaluation of Autism ServiCe Delivery (RE-ASCeD) paper in determining guide prices.

The Realist evaluation of Autism ServiCe Delivery (RE-ASCeD) paper was considered as part of the development of guide prices for 2026/27. Specifically, the amount of professional time linked to an average assessment and the evidence of increased cost for children and young people over adult assessment. During the process of determining guide prices, NHS England considered that the costs reported would have changed since publication of the NHS England commissioned RE-ASCeD evaluation, due to various reasons, including changes in practice. As a result, NHS England did not use these costs directly to inform the guide prices, but noted some of the helpful components such as the amount of professional time linked to an average assessment and the evidence of increased cost for children and young people over adult assessments. We reflected that practices have changed over time and therefore not all elements of the RE-ASCeD evaluation remain relevant. Whilst we did not consider the hourly rates within the evaluation, we continued to be guided by optimal assessment pathway practice as outlined in the National Autism Framework and Operational Guidance from 2023 and current National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.

How he is working with the DSMA to prevent the inadvertent disclosure of information from HMNB Portsmouth by the media which would improve an adversary’s knowledge and understanding of the UK’s military plans.

The Ministry of Defence has frequent contact with the Defence and Security Media Advisory Committee during which specific matters are discussed in confidence, with impartial advice provided to the Department and to the media.

If he will consult with young women and specialist women and girls’ organisations to develop a Young Women's Strategy.

I refer the honourable Member to the answer I gave on 14 April to Questions 124155, 124156 and 124157.

What plans his department has to develop a Young Women’s Strategy.

I refer the honourable Member to the answer I gave on 14 April to Questions 124155, 124156 and 124157.

What assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the recommendations of the Women's Justice Board report entitled Women’s Justice Board recommendations for reducing women’s imprisonment.

I refer the honourable Member to the answer I gave on 14 April to Questions 124155, 124156 and 124157.

Innovation and Technology, if she will meet with the PPA to discuss cookie exemptions for publishers.

The ICO will formally deliver their recommendations on exemptions to Government in the coming weeks. Following this, the government will continue to engage with the publishing and advertising sector to assess the evidence for new exemptions.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the changes to EU customs duties for small parcels on the magazine media sector.

The EU’s changes to customs duties for small parcels remain at the proposal stage, although interim measures have started to be introduced by some Member States. This Government is engaging with relevant UK business representative organisations and industry stakeholders to consider the potential implications. To support preparedness, the Department is working with other departments to develop new online resources to help businesses, particularly SMEs understand and navigate any new requirements.

Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 on trends in the number of sporting and cultural events in the UK.

DCMS officials engage with the sector on the impacts of regulation. DCMS will continue to engage with DHSC on the removal of exemptions for temporary sporting and cultural events to ensure impacts to event delivery are mitigated as far as possible in line with the policy recommendations from the Manchester Arena Inquiry.

If his Department will publish an impact assessment of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 on the number of sporting and cultural events; and if he will make a statement.

The de minimis assessment for the regulation amendment was published alongside the draft statutory instrument and explanatory memorandum, and is available at the following link:https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2026/9780348279955/resourcesHouse debates on the statutory instrument are expected to commence soon.

What definition his Department uses for a sporting or cultural event as set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Regulations 2026.

Sports and cultural events can cover a variety of activities, sizes, and attendee numbers, so there is no one specific definition within the Care Quality Commission’s regulation. However, where treatment of disease, disorder, or injury (TDDI) care is deemed necessary, the amendment will mean an event organiser is safe in the knowledge that the TDDI care acquired through a provider is regulated.This activity covers a treatment that is provided by, or under the supervision of, a defined list of healthcare professionals or by a multi-disciplinary team that includes a listed healthcare professional, or is provided by, or under the supervision of, a social worker where the treatment is for a mental disorder, or by a multi-disciplinary team that includes a social worker where the treatment is for a mental disorder, for a disease, disorder, or injury. TDDI covers a wide range of treatments. It includes examples such as:emergency treatment;ongoing treatment for long-term conditions;treatment for a physical or mental health condition or learning disability;giving vaccinations or immunisations; and/orpalliative care.

Pursuant to the House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee's 54th Report's chapter on Instruments on Interest, what assessment has his Department made of the adequacy of the Care Quality Commission to register the potential 1000 providers in scope of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 between 7 September 2026 and 6 December 2027.

The Department, in consultation with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), has agreed that there will be a phased approach to implementing the updated regulations. This is so:providers have sufficient time to prepare to submit their CQC registration applications and ensure compliance with the regulations;to prevent undue disruption to the events sector; andto allow the CQC time to prepare for the receipt of additional registration applications and to enable them to process those applications in a timely manner whilst at the same time fulfilling their existing regulatory obligations.The CQC will produce guidance that sets out the date that providers would have to apply to be registered by. This aims to prevent a backlog caused by last-minute applications.For applications received on or by this date that are fully complete at the time of submission to allow for validation, the CQC will take all reasonable steps to undertake assessment and advise providers of the outcome of their application on or before December 2027.Following the Penny Dash Review, the CQC accepted the high‑level recommendations, including stabilising its regulatory platform and improving the registration experience for providers. The Department meets the CQC regularly to discuss the progress of its improvements.

What size by attendance of sporting or cultural events are within the scope of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Regulations 2026.

For providers of treatment of disease, disorder, or injury (TDDI), regulatory obligations do not vary by event type or the number of attendees. Restricting Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulation to larger events would risk unregulated providers operating at events where attendance is higher than anticipated and would create gaps in oversight at smaller events that may also require TDDI services.The level of risk associated with an event cannot be determined by attendance figures alone. Event organisers are expected to draw on risk assessments, advice from Statutory Advisory Groups, and sector guidance such as the Purple and Green Guides to identify the appropriate level of event healthcare provision. If, following this process, an organiser determines that first aid is sufficient for a small event, this position is unaffected. First aid does not fall within the definition of TDDI and will remain outside CQC regulation.

Whether his Department is responsible for reforming the regulation of funeral directors.

The Department of Health and Social Care will lead on co-ordinating cross‑government work to raise standards in relation to the care and treatment of the deceased, supported by the Department of Business and Trade, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Communities and Local Government, what his timetable is for (a) responding to the consultation on the private parking code of practice and (b) laying the code before Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

The Government is considering carefully the consultation findings and intends to lay the Code in autumn 2026.

Whether his Department is responsible for reforming the regulation of funeral directors.

The Department of Health and Social Care will lead on co-ordinating cross-Government work to raise standards in relation to the care and treatment of the deceased, supported by the Department of Business and Trade, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 February 2025 to Question 27053 on Cancer: Health Services, how much funding his Department (a) has allocated and (b) plans to allocate to increase maximise radiotherapy productivity through AI.

The Department recognises the potential for artificial intelligence (AI) to support productivity and efficiency in radiotherapy services, for example by assisting clinicians with aspects of treatment planning such as contouring. The Department has not allocated ring‑fenced funding specifically for the purpose of increasing radiotherapy productivity through AI. Decisions on the adoption of AI technologies in radiotherapy are taken locally by National Health Service organisations, which may choose to invest in products that meet clinical safety, regulatory, and value‑for‑money requirements.Nationally, the Department and NHS England have focused AI investment on priority areas such as diagnostics, including cancer imaging, where there is clear evidence of benefit to patient pathways. Any future funding decisions for AI in health and care, including potential investment related to radiotherapy, will be considered as part of Spending Review processes.

Pursuant to the Answer of 16 March 2026 to Question 114815 on Administration of Estates: Correspondence, what proportion of reviews of the state pension record of the deceased were completed within (a) 15 days where there was a surviving spouse or civil partner of a customer over the State Pension age, (b) 20 days where there was no surviving spouse or civil partner of a customer over the State Pension age and (c) over 8 weeks where the customer was over the State Pension age in each of the last three years.

The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the exemption for temporary cultural and sporting events from laws mandating that medical providers be CQC registered for sporting events on the finances of that organisation.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given on 31 March 2026 to Question 120609.

Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with sporting (a) bodies, (b) venues and (c) events organisers on proposed changes to the role of the Care Quality Commission.

The Manchester Arena Inquiry Volume Two report recommended the government make changes to the law to enable the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to regulate event healthcare at sporting venues and gymnasiums and under temporary arrangements at sporting and cultural events to ensure public safety. The government and CQC has engaged a range of stakeholders within the health, sports and events sector. The government has also held a public consultation which fed into the development of these regulatory changes. The government and CQC continues this engagement, where the CQC will also develop further guidance for Treatment of Disease, Disorder, or Injury providers to support registering with the CQC.DCMS officials regularly engage with the sector on the impacts of regulation, and will continue to do so with DHSC on the removal of exemptions for temporary sporting and cultural events, to ensure impacts to event delivery are mitigated as far as possible in line with the policy recommendations from the Manchester Arena Inquiry.