Written questions by Johnson.

Media and Sport, which official documents can be used to prove a person's sex to participate in single sex sports.

We have always been clear that, when it comes to women's sport, biology matters. We will continue to support sports to develop policies that protect fairness and safety, particularly when it is not possible to balance those factors with inclusion. In terms of gender eligibility, National Governing Bodies set their own policies for who can participate in their sports in domestic competitions. Our Sports Councils produce guidance to provide domestic sports bodies with the framework and support to determine the right position for their sport. Our Sports Councils are consulting with legal experts to clarify whether the Supreme Court ruling affects the guidance. The outcome of this will feed into their timescale for a planned wider review of the guidance. In addition the Equalities and Human Rights Commission has confirmed their work to develop a revised Code of Practice which supports service providers, public bodies and associations to understand their duties under the Equality Act and put them into practice. Their revised code will incorporate the implications of the Supreme Court judgment. They hope to lay the revised code before Parliament before the summer recess.

What steps he is taking to reduce the number of cases of tuberculosis in Non-UK born individuals (a) visiting and (b) migrating to the UK.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS England’s collaborative Tuberculosis (TB): action plan for England, 2021 to 2026 aims to reduce the numbers of cases of TB in non-United Kingdom born individuals migrating to the UK. The plan is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tuberculosis-tb-action-plan-for-england/tuberculosis-tb-action-plan-for-england-2021-to-2026The UK pre-entry TB screening programme operates in 102 countries and is intended to reduce the importation of TB by screening applicants for long term visas, those greater than six months, from high TB incidence countries, those with more than 40 cases per 100,000 people. People are screened in line with the UK Technical Instructions, which are available at the following link:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5cd18ae5e5274a34ee7f0275/UK_tuberculosis_technical_instructions_version_7.pdfIdentifying the contacts of people with active TB allows people who would be at high risk of developing the disease to be treated before they become ill. Enhancing contact tracing is a key pillar of the national action plan.There is also NHS England’s Latent Tuberculosis Infection Testing and Treatment programme, for migrants from high TB burden countries within five years of entry to the UK. In 2023, 34,680 people were tested, an increase of over 100% compared with the pre- pandemic year of 2019.

If he will make it his policy for all patients with suspected measles to be sent an oral fluid kit.

In the UK, an appropriate test to confirm or discard cases is essential. As per the guidelines, all suspected measles cases reported to Health Protection Teams are sent an oral fluid kit for testing at the Virus Reference Department at UKHSA Colindale.The UK Health Security Agency publishes national clinical and public health guidelines for the management of all suspected measles cases at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-measles-guidelinesHigh quality surveillance is a fundamental component of the UK measles and rubella elimination strategy, which can be found at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/measles-and-rubella-elimination-uk-strategy Measles is a notifiable disease and healthcare professionals are legally required to report all suspected cases to their local Health Protection Team.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of uncollected rubbish on the risk of fire in Birmingham.

The Government has been supporting Birmingham City Council (BCC) in its efforts to address the backlog of waste that had been building up on the city’s streets. MHCLG has worked with a number of key Government Departments to provide support to BCC including engagement with both DHSC and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). UKHSA has been monitoring any potential health impacts and BCC have undertaken regular public health assessments lead by BCC’s Director of Public Health. UKHSA undertakes routine surveillance for leptospirosis infections in humans and publishes a quarterly report on the common animal-associated infections - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/common-animal-associated-infections-2024/common-animal-associated-infections-england-second-quarter-2024#leptospirosis The Council have reported that all on street waste and fly tipping waste has been cleared, waste estimated to be held at properties is now back to near normal levels. Around 100 to 120 Council waste collection vehicles are out daily collecting around 1,300 tonnes of waste. This is near normal levels of waste collection and normal household collection for all Birmingham residents has resumed. BCC will continue to assess levels of rubbish and their potential impact on the local area, and the government continues to monitor the situation on a daily basis.

What steps he is taking to increase public awareness of the risks of tuberculosis infection.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS England’s joint Tuberculosis (TB) Action Plan for England 2021 to 2026 contains actions to encourage the use of new tools to raise awareness of TB in at risk populations and the healthcare workforce. Full details are available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tuberculosis-tb-action-plan-for-england/tuberculosis-tb-action-plan-for-england-2021-to-2026.The UKHSA produced a TB stakeholder communications toolkit which is shared widely at a national and regional level, including by the British Chamber of Commerce. A copy of the toolkit is attached.The UKHSA continues to raise awareness through national, regional, and specialist media coverage, as well as through community engagement through our regional health protection teams. The UKHSA also commissioned a radio campaign for the Prison Radio Association to raise the prison population’s awareness of TB in England and Wales. Further campaigns are planned.The NHS England funded Getting It Right First Time TB report, published in March 2025, noted numerous examples of information for awareness-raising for the public from both national and locally developed sources, often in multiple languages. The report is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/girft-review-of-tuberculosis-national-report.pdf

Communities and Local Government, what meetings (a) she and (b) Ministers in her Department have had to discuss the potential spread of leptospirosis, in the context of the bin strikes in Birmingham.

The Government has been supporting Birmingham City Council (BCC) in its efforts to address the backlog of waste that had been building up on the city’s streets. MHCLG has worked with a number of key Government Departments to provide support to BCC including engagement with both DHSC and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). UKHSA has been monitoring any potential health impacts and BCC have undertaken regular public health assessments lead by BCC’s Director of Public Health. UKHSA undertakes routine surveillance for leptospirosis infections in humans and publishes a quarterly report on the common animal-associated infections - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/common-animal-associated-infections-2024/common-animal-associated-infections-england-second-quarter-2024#leptospirosis The Council have reported that all on street waste and fly tipping waste has been cleared, waste estimated to be held at properties is now back to near normal levels. Around 100 to 120 Council waste collection vehicles are out daily collecting around 1,300 tonnes of waste. This is near normal levels of waste collection and normal household collection for all Birmingham residents has resumed. BCC will continue to assess levels of rubbish and their potential impact on the local area, and the government continues to monitor the situation on a daily basis.

What steps he is taking to increase the uptake of measles vaccination.

The Department is working alongside its partners to increase vaccine uptake and coverage across all childhood vaccination programmes, including the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) programme.The National Health Service and general practices (GPs) have been sending reminders to the families of children who are not fully vaccinated, with GPs providing catch-up doses for any missed vaccinations.NHS England works with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and local health partners and communities to understand the needs of their populations, and to tailor immunisation programmes to meet the needs of under-vaccinated communities.Regional outbreaks of measles and overall increases in cases since autumn 2023 led to a renewed focus on MMR coverage and targeted catch-up activity, including an NHS campaign which ran from November 2023 until April 2024 and resulted in over 180,000 additional doses given. The UKHSA and NHS England ran a second wave of England-wide childhood immunisation campaigns targeted towards parents and carers of children in autumn 2024. The campaign reminded parents of the risks to their children due to missing out on protection against the serious diseases that are re-emerging in the country, with an urgent call to action to catch up on missed vaccinations.It is vitally important that everyone takes up the vaccinations they are entitled to, for themselves, their families, and wider society. The MMR vaccine is highly effective, safe, and is the best way to prevent measles.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that the rights of biological women are protected in female prisons.

We have a range of policies in place to ensure that the rights of female prisoners are protected.With regard to transgender prisoners, the Supreme Court ruling brings clarity and confidence for women and service providers.We inherited the current policy regarding allocation of transgender prisoners from the previous Government, and have not moved any transgender women into the women’s estate since taking office.Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, we will be reviewing the transgender prisoner allocation policy we inherited, as well as staff searching policy.

What recent meetings (a) he has had and (b) other Ministers in his Department have had on leptospirosis.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and ministers have had no recent meetings on leptospirosis. The UK Health Security Agency undertakes routine surveillance for leptospirosis infections in humans and publishes a quarterly report on the common animal-associated infections. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/common-animal-associated-infections-2024/common-animal-associated-infections-england-second-quarter-2024#leptospirosis

Whether she has made an estimate of the (a) number and (b) proportion of Disclosure and Barring Service certificates provided to employers which are (i) fake and (ii) falsified.

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is operationally independent from the Home Office and neither Home Office or DBS holds estimates on either the number or proportion of DBS certificates which are fake or falsified. However, the DBS does publish guidance to employers on how to check that a DBS certificate is genuine and what to do if they have concerns: DBS checks: guidance for employers - GOV.UK. DBS certificates include numerous security features which can be used to verify whether it has been counterfeited or altered. These include the certificate being produced on a uniquely sized paper stock, the presence of a crown seal watermark, and a complex design using specific inks. Employers should contact DBS directly if they have concerns about the authenticity of a DBS certificate.

What recent meetings (a) he has had and (b) Ministers in his Department have had on the prevention of tuberculosis.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) met with the previous Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health and Prevention in February 2025 to discuss tuberculosis (TB).UKHSA and NHS England’s joint plan, Tuberculosis action plan for England, 2021 to 2026, details actions to achieve a 90% reduction in people with TB by 2035. This is aligned with the World Health Organization’s elimination targets. Work to review and update the National Action Plan, including a call for evidence, is underway.The action plan is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tuberculosis-tb-action-plan-for-england/tuberculosis-tb-action-plan-for-england-2021-to-2026

What steps he is taking to the meet the World Health Organisation's target to end tuberculosis by 2035.

In September 2023, the United Kingdom reconfirmed its commitment to the fight against tuberculosis (TB), including to World Health Organization’s (WHO) elimination targets, at the United Nations high-level meeting on TB.The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS England’s joint Tuberculosis (TB): action plan for England, 2021 to 2026 outlines outcomes and indicators to achieve a 90% reduction in people with TB by 2035, aligned with the WHO’s elimination targets.The action plan includes measures to address TB prevention, detection, and control, as well as supporting the TB workforce. Measures include actions targeted at improving tracing of contacts of people with TB, treatment completion, and ensuring effective management of drug-resistant TB. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tuberculosis-tb-action-plan-for-england/tuberculosis-tb-action-plan-for-england-2021-to-2026.A pre-entry screening programme to detect active pulmonary TB has been in place since 2012. All migrants from high TB incidence countries arriving on visas for over six months are required to complete TB testing and, if necessary, treatment, before UK entry.There is also NHS England’s national Latent Tuberculosis Infection Testing and Treatment programme, for recent migrants from high incidence countries. Detection and treatment of latent infection prevents people from developing active TB. The UKHSA routinely undertakes whole genome sequencing of all TB strains through the National Mycobacterial Reference Service, to support treatment decisions based on resistance profiles and public health action with high resolution typing.Work has been initiated, including a call for evidence, to develop a joint UKHSA and NHS England action plan for 2026 to 2031.

What guidance her Department plans to provide to schools on ensuring that biological girls have access to female-only (a) spaces, (b) sports and (c) facilities.

Single-sex spaces based on biological sex are protected in law and will always be protected by this government.The department is currently reviewing the draft non-statutory guidance for schools and colleges on gender questioning children, in addition to reviewing the statutory guidance on relationships, sex and health education. The guidance on gender questioning children will reflect the legal protection for single-sex spaces and facilities in schools, as well as the Equality Act protection for single-sex sport in schools to ensure fairness and safety.​​My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, has been clear that children’s wellbeing must be at the heart of this guidance and, as such, the government is looking carefully at the consultation responses, discussing with stakeholders and considering the relevant evidence, including the final report of the Cass Review which was published post-consultation, before setting out next steps.

How many and what proportion of tuberculosis cases show evidence of (a) multi drug resistance and (b) rifampicin resistance.

Detailed analysis on drug resistance is published in the annual Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Microbiology England reports, with the most recent being from 2023. Rifampicin-resistant (RR) and multidrug resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) is reported in a single category, in line with World Health Organization’s categorisation. The full report is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tuberculosis-in-england-2024-report/tuberculosis-diagnosis-and-microbiology-england-2023.Definitive diagnosis of RR or MDR TB requires the TB bacteria to be isolated from culture. 71 people, or 2.4% of the 2,973 individuals with positive cultures, were diagnosed with RR or MDR TB in 2023. An additional 37 individuals were treated for RR or MDR TB in England in 2023 in the absence of a positive culture. Overall, 108 out of 4,855 people, or 2.2%, were treated for RR or MDR TB in 2023.The UK Health Security Agency routinely undertakes whole genome sequencing of all TB strains through the National Mycobacterial Reference Service, to support treatment decisions based on resistance profiles.

Media and Sport, whether she plans to review funding criteria for sports organisations that do not comply with the legal definition of sex as biological under the Equality Act 2010.

We have always been clear that, when it comes to women's sport, biology matters. We will continue to support sports to develop policies that protect fairness and safety, particularly when it is not possible to balance those factors with inclusion.In terms of gender eligibility, National Governing Bodies set their own policies for who can participate in their sports in domestic competitions. Our Sports Councils produce guidance to provide domestic sports bodies with the framework and support to determine the right position for their sport. Our Sports Councils are consulting with legal experts to clarify whether the Supreme Court ruling affects the guidance. The outcome of this will feed into their timescale for a planned wider review of the guidance.Alongside this, sports need to come up with approaches to ensure everyone has the opportunity to take part somehow - and I know that sporting bodies will be considering this in light of the Supreme Court decision.

How many biological men are in female prisons.

As per the latest published data on the placement of transgender prisoners (which covers transgender prisoners without gender recognition certificates, and is taken from a snapshot of the prison population on 31 March 2024), there were 2 or fewer transgender women housed within the women’s estate. This government inherited the policy regarding allocation of transgender prisoners from the previous government, and have not moved any transgender women into the women’s estate since taking office. Following the Supreme Court ruling in the For Women Scotland case, the Lord Chancellor has commissioned a review of transgender prisoner allocation policy.

Media and Sport, what guidance her Department plans to provide to sports governing bodies on maintaining female-only categories for biological women following the Supreme Court ruling of the definition of sex in the Equality Act 2010.

We have always been clear that, when it comes to women's sport, biology matters. We will continue to support sports to develop policies that protect fairness and safety, particularly when it is not possible to balance those factors with inclusion.In terms of gender eligibility, National Governing Bodies set their own policies for who can participate in their sports in domestic competitions. Our Sports Councils produce guidance to provide domestic sports bodies with the framework and support to determine the right position for their sport. Our Sports Councils are consulting with legal experts to clarify whether the Supreme Court ruling affects the guidance. The outcome of this will feed into their timescale for a planned wider review of the guidance.Alongside this, sports need to come up with approaches to ensure everyone has the opportunity to take part somehow - and I know that sporting bodies will be considering this in light of the Supreme Court decision.

What assessment he has made of the potential correlation between (a) age, (b) sex, (c) vaccine status, (d) ethnicity and (e) upper tier local authority area and trends in the level of (i) all people, (ii) children and (iii) adults with measles.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) monitors trends in measles epidemiology and publishes a monthly report of laboratory confirmed cases of measles by age, region, and upper-tier local authority, available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/measles-epidemiology-2023The UKHSA also publishes a quarterly report of laboratory confirmed cases of measles by age, region, vaccination status, and imported vs community acquired cases, available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/measles-mumps-and-rubella-lab-confirmed-cases-in-england-2024Between 1 January and 10 April 2025, there have been 213 laboratory confirmed measles cases reported in England. The number of laboratory confirmed measles cases by month of symptom onset in 2025 to date are: 89 in January; 67 in February; 54 in March; and three so far in April.The majority, 128 of 213, or 60%, of these cases were in children aged 10 years old and under, and 34%, or 72 of 213, were in young people and adults aged 15 years old and over. 24%, or 52, of these cases have been in London, 21%, or 44 cases, in the South West, and 17%, or 37 cases, in Yorkshire and Humber. 57 out of the 152 upper-tier local authorities have reported at least one confirmed case with symptom onset since January 2025, with the highest numbers reported in Bristol, at 34 of 213, or 16%, Leeds, at 29 of 213, or 14%, and Hertfordshire at 13 of 213, or 6%.Data on measles cases by ethnicity is monitored but is not routinely published.

What information his Department holds on the (a) vaccination status, (b) ethnicity, (c) travel history, (d) source of infection and (d) eligibility for NHS vaccine before infection diagnosed of children born in the UK that are aged between zero and five years old and have been diagnosed with tuberculosis.

Children are identified as a specific population group requiring actions in the joint UK Health Security Agency and NHS England plan, Tuberculosis (TB): action plan for England, 2021 to 2026, but there are no high-level indicators to report relating to TB in children as the number of infections and the rate of TB in children are low.Enhanced surveillance involving rigorous data collection is carried out for all individuals with TB. For specific population groups where TB is more common, for example, those who have a social risk factor, detailed data analysis is presented in the Annual Reports for Tuberculosis in England, which are available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tuberculosis-in-england-2024-report/tuberculosis-in-children-aged-0-to-17-years-england-2023Indicators to monitor actions are identified in the joint plan, which is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tuberculosis-tb-action-plan-for-england/tuberculosis-tb-action-plan-for-england-2021-to-2026In 2023, 102 out of 259, or 39.4% of, children under 18 years old notified with TB with a known country of birth, were born in the United Kingdom. In the group of children aged between zero and four years old, the proportion born in the UK was 80.4%, or 41 out of 51 individuals.Data on ethnicity are not reported separately for children due to small numbers. Information about travel history and source of infection is not available for this age group.Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination coverage for eligible children is captured as part of the Cover of Vaccination Evaluated Rapidly programme. The latest quarterly national data available is for infants at age three months for children, born between April and June 2024, and at age 12 months, born between July and September 2023. Measured at three months, coverage in England was 78.4% and measured at 12 months, it was 84.1%. The full data is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/cover-of-vaccination-evaluated-rapidly-cover-programme-2022-to-2023-quarterly-data/quarterly-vaccination-coverage-statistics-for-children-aged-up-to-5-years-in-the-uk-cover-programme-january-to-march-2023The eligibility criteria for BCG in the UK is a selective risk-based programme targeting children with a parent or grandparent born in a high incidence country or infants in areas of the UK with high TB incidence. Further information is available at the following link:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5b645a2140f0b66875559e93/_Greenbook_chapter_32_Tuberculosis_.pdf

What plans his Department has to ensure that biological women can access single-sex healthcare provision in NHS hospital wards.

We have always supported the protection of single-sex spaces based on biological sex. The Supreme Court ruling about the meaning of ‘sex’ in the Equality Acy 2010 case has provided much needed confidence and clarity to service providers.The National Health Service is reviewing its ‘delivering same-sex accommodation’ guidance and will ensure it reflects the Supreme Court ruling. Single-sex spaces are protected in law and will always be protected by the Government.