Written questions by Maynard.

What steps he is taking to increase skills and training opportunities for HGV drivers.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer of 26 November to question 92492.

Whether he has met with the Chief Executive of the Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing to discuss the potential impact of gaps in community nursing services on levels of patient safety.

We welcome the Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing’s (QICN’s) continued engagement in informing planning and solutions to address capacity gaps, following our 10 Year Workforce Plan call for evidence. The Minister of State for Health is planning to meet the QICN.The Government recognises the essential role of district nurses and wider community nursing teams in delivering high-quality care closer to home, preventing avoidable hospital admissions, and supporting people to live well in their communities. We are committed to strengthening the community nursing workforce and ensuring services are equipped to meet rising demand and increasing clinical complexity.The Government is working with NHS England and professional organisations, including the QICN and the Royal College of Nursing, as we implement the ambition of the 10-year plan to deliver more care outside hospital and build neighbourhood teams. The 10 Year Workforce Plan and the Professional Strategy for Nursing and Midwifery will set out how we will build the multi-professional teams we need to deliver that ambition and ensure we have the workforce with the right skills to meet population need.

What number of pharmacy first consultations have been recorded for (a) April , (b) May and (c) June 2025.

As part of delivering the Pharmacy First service, pharmacy contractors receive a monthly fixed payment if they meet specific requirements, which include minimum activity levels.From June 2025, pharmacies delivering 20 to 29 consultations receive £500, while those with at least 30 consultations continued to receive £1,000 monthly. To make this change and facilitate more timely payments, the claim window for Pharmacy First was reduced from three months to one month. The new tier of payment supports pharmacies with lower potential for delivery and has increased the number of pharmacies qualifying for Pharmacy First fixed payments.This adjustment was agreed with the sector representative body, Community Pharmacy England, as part of negotiations for the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework for 2025/26. An article was published in May 2025 by NHS Business Services Authority providing advanced notice.For the clinical pathway element of the Pharmacy First service, 241,340 consultations were delivered in April, 242,077 consultations were delivered in May, and 254,692 consultations were delivered in June. In April, 3,996 contractors received the £1,000 fixed payment, in May 3,979 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment, and in June 4,051 contractors received the £1,000 fixed payment while 1,565 contractors received the £500 fixed payment.

What number of bonus payments to community pharmacies for reaching the 20 and 30 target for consultations were paid in (a) April, (b) May and (b) June 2025.

As part of delivering the Pharmacy First service, pharmacy contractors receive a monthly fixed payment if they meet specific requirements, which include minimum activity levels.From June 2025, pharmacies delivering 20 to 29 consultations receive £500, while those with at least 30 consultations continued to receive £1,000 monthly. To make this change and facilitate more timely payments, the claim window for Pharmacy First was reduced from three months to one month. The new tier of payment supports pharmacies with lower potential for delivery and has increased the number of pharmacies qualifying for Pharmacy First fixed payments.This adjustment was agreed with the sector representative body, Community Pharmacy England, as part of negotiations for the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework for 2025/26. An article was published in May 2025 by NHS Business Services Authority providing advanced notice.For the clinical pathway element of the Pharmacy First service, 241,340 consultations were delivered in April, 242,077 consultations were delivered in May, and 254,692 consultations were delivered in June. In April, 3,996 contractors received the £1,000 fixed payment, in May 3,979 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment, and in June 4,051 contractors received the £1,000 fixed payment while 1,565 contractors received the £500 fixed payment.

What assessment he has made of trends in the level of community pharmacies reaching the threshold for Pharmacy First bonus payments.

As part of delivering the Pharmacy First service, pharmacy contractors receive a monthly fixed payment if they meet specific requirements, which include minimum activity levels.From June 2025, pharmacies delivering 20 to 29 consultations receive £500, while those with at least 30 consultations continued to receive £1,000 monthly. To make this change and facilitate more timely payments, the claim window for Pharmacy First was reduced from three months to one month. The new tier of payment supports pharmacies with lower potential for delivery and has increased the number of pharmacies qualifying for Pharmacy First fixed payments.This adjustment was agreed with the sector representative body, Community Pharmacy England, as part of negotiations for the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework for 2025/26. An article was published in May 2025 by NHS Business Services Authority providing advanced notice.For the clinical pathway element of the Pharmacy First service, 241,340 consultations were delivered in April, 242,077 consultations were delivered in May, and 254,692 consultations were delivered in June. In April, 3,996 contractors received the £1,000 fixed payment, in May 3,979 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment, and in June 4,051 contractors received the £1,000 fixed payment while 1,565 contractors received the £500 fixed payment.

What form of impact assessment on pharmacies was carried out prior to changing the payment claim window for pharmacy first services from 3 months to five days.

As part of delivering the Pharmacy First service, pharmacy contractors receive a monthly fixed payment if they meet specific requirements, which include minimum activity levels.From June 2025, pharmacies delivering 20 to 29 consultations receive £500, while those with at least 30 consultations continued to receive £1,000 monthly. To make this change and facilitate more timely payments, the claim window for Pharmacy First was reduced from three months to one month. The new tier of payment supports pharmacies with lower potential for delivery and has increased the number of pharmacies qualifying for Pharmacy First fixed payments.This adjustment was agreed with the sector representative body, Community Pharmacy England, as part of negotiations for the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework for 2025/26. An article was published in May 2025 by NHS Business Services Authority providing advanced notice.For the clinical pathway element of the Pharmacy First service, 241,340 consultations were delivered in April, 242,077 consultations were delivered in May, and 254,692 consultations were delivered in June. In April, 3,996 contractors received the £1,000 fixed payment, in May 3,979 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment, and in June 4,051 contractors received the £1,000 fixed payment while 1,565 contractors received the £500 fixed payment.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of publishing criteria, thresholds and circumstances under which the Water Industry Special Administration Regime may be triggered.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 19 November 2025 to the hon. Member for Witney, UIN 90063.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has assessed Thames Water’s current financial position against the statutory criteria for triggering the Special Administration Regime under the Water Industry Act 1991.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 19 November 2025 to the hon. Member for Witney, UIN 90065.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with Ofwat on the adequacy of Thames Water’s compliance with its environmental and financial obligations under its operating licence; and whether Thames Water's performance meets any threshold for intervention under the Special Administration Regime (SAR).

Special administration is the ultimate enforcement tool in Ofwat’s regulatory toolkit, and as such the bar is set high. In determining whether to apply to the court for a Special Administration Regime, the Secretary of State would have regard to all the relevant facts and matters pertaining at the time, acting in accordance with applicable statutory duties.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that public, environmental and customer interests are considered in future uses of the Special Administration Regime for struggling utilities.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 19 November 2025 to the hon. Member for Witney, UIN 90065.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to publish guidance setting out how non-financial factors, such as environmental performance or repeated regulatory breaches, will be considered when determining whether to trigger special administration of a water company.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 19 November 2025 to the hon. Member for Witney, UIN 90063.

What steps they are taking to increase skills and training opportunities to become HGV drivers.

The government offers a range of skills training which can be used to support the HGV sector. This includes apprenticeships such as the Urban Driver and Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) driver C + E standards, Skills Bootcamps, and sector-based work academy programmes (SWAPs).

What assessment she has made of cost pressures for the haulage industry, ahead of the Budget.

The Government recognises the key role the haulage sector plays in the UK economy and regularly engages with its representatives. At Budget 2025, the Government announced continued support for people and businesses by extending the temporary 5p fuel duty cut until the end of August 2026. Rates will then gradually return to previous levels. The planned increase in line with inflation for 2026-27 will not take place, with the government uprating fuel duty rates by RPI from April 2027. This will save the average HGV driver £843 next year compared to previous plans. From 1 April 2026, Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) standard rates for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) and HGV levy rates will be uprated by RPI for 2026-27. Hauliers will not see a real-terms increase in VED or HGV levy liabilities, as rates have increased to keep pace with inflation only. The Government considers the impact of motoring taxes on the economy, including households and businesses, with decisions on rates made at fiscal events.

How many Pharmacy First consultations were recorded for (a) April, (b) May and (c) June 2025.

As part of delivering the Pharmacy First service, pharmacy contractors receive a monthly fixed payment if they meet specific requirements, which include minimum activity levels. From June 2025, pharmacies delivering 20 to 29 consultations receive £500, while those with at least 30 consultations continued to receive £1,000 monthly. To make this change and facilitate more timely payments, the claim window for Pharmacy First was reduced from three months to one. The new tier of payment supports pharmacies with lower potential for delivery and will increase the number of pharmacies qualifying for Pharmacy First fixed payments. This adjustment was agreed with the sector representative body, Community Pharmacy England, as part of negotiations for the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework for 2025/26. An article was published in May 2025 by NHS Business Services Authority providing advanced notice. For the clinical pathway element of the Pharmacy First service, 241,340 consultations were delivered in April, 242,077 consultations were delivered in May, and 254,692 consultations were delivered in June. In April, 3,996 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment, in May 3,979 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment, and in June 4,051 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment while 1,565 contractors received the £500 fixed payment.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of lowering the drug tariff claim window on the number of pharmacies qualifying for Pharmacy First bonus payments.

As part of delivering the Pharmacy First service, pharmacy contractors receive a monthly fixed payment if they meet specific requirements, which include minimum activity levels. From June 2025, pharmacies delivering 20 to 29 consultations receive £500, while those with at least 30 consultations continued to receive £1,000 monthly. To make this change and facilitate more timely payments, the claim window for Pharmacy First was reduced from three months to one. The new tier of payment supports pharmacies with lower potential for delivery and will increase the number of pharmacies qualifying for Pharmacy First fixed payments. This adjustment was agreed with the sector representative body, Community Pharmacy England, as part of negotiations for the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework for 2025/26. An article was published in May 2025 by NHS Business Services Authority providing advanced notice. For the clinical pathway element of the Pharmacy First service, 241,340 consultations were delivered in April, 242,077 consultations were delivered in May, and 254,692 consultations were delivered in June. In April, 3,996 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment, in May 3,979 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment, and in June 4,051 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment while 1,565 contractors received the £500 fixed payment.

If he will publish an impact assessment for the decision to change the payment claim window for Pharmacy First services.

As part of delivering the Pharmacy First service, pharmacy contractors receive a monthly fixed payment if they meet specific requirements, which include minimum activity levels. From June 2025, pharmacies delivering 20 to 29 consultations receive £500, while those with at least 30 consultations continued to receive £1,000 monthly. To make this change and facilitate more timely payments, the claim window for Pharmacy First was reduced from three months to one. The new tier of payment supports pharmacies with lower potential for delivery and will increase the number of pharmacies qualifying for Pharmacy First fixed payments. This adjustment was agreed with the sector representative body, Community Pharmacy England, as part of negotiations for the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework for 2025/26. An article was published in May 2025 by NHS Business Services Authority providing advanced notice. For the clinical pathway element of the Pharmacy First service, 241,340 consultations were delivered in April, 242,077 consultations were delivered in May, and 254,692 consultations were delivered in June. In April, 3,996 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment, in May 3,979 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment, and in June 4,051 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment while 1,565 contractors received the £500 fixed payment.

How many bonus payments were made to community pharmacies under the Pharmacy First scheme for reaching (a) 20-29 and (b) 30 or more clinical pathway consultations in (i) April, (ii) May and (iii) June 2025.

As part of delivering the Pharmacy First service, pharmacy contractors receive a monthly fixed payment if they meet specific requirements, which include minimum activity levels. From June 2025, pharmacies delivering 20 to 29 consultations receive £500, while those with at least 30 consultations continued to receive £1,000 monthly. To make this change and facilitate more timely payments, the claim window for Pharmacy First was reduced from three months to one. The new tier of payment supports pharmacies with lower potential for delivery and will increase the number of pharmacies qualifying for Pharmacy First fixed payments. This adjustment was agreed with the sector representative body, Community Pharmacy England, as part of negotiations for the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework for 2025/26. An article was published in May 2025 by NHS Business Services Authority providing advanced notice. For the clinical pathway element of the Pharmacy First service, 241,340 consultations were delivered in April, 242,077 consultations were delivered in May, and 254,692 consultations were delivered in June. In April, 3,996 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment, in May 3,979 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment, and in June 4,051 contractors received the £1000 fixed payment while 1,565 contractors received the £500 fixed payment.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has assessed Thames Water’s current financial position against the statutory criteria for applying to the High Court for a special administration order.

The law states that Special Administration can only be initiated if the company becomes insolvent or they are in such serious breach of their principal statutory duties or an enforcement order that it is inappropriate for the company to retain its licence. For a company to be considered insolvent means that it is either unable to or is likely to be unable to pay its debts. Thames Water has ongoing liquidity. We stand ready for all eventualities – including being ready to apply for a Special Administration Regime if necessary.

If he will extend intervention programmes aimed at preventing reoffending to people held in prisons on remand, pre-sentencing.

We are focused on expanding appropriate rehabilitative provision for remand prisoners to ensure consistency across the country. Probation Pre-Release Teams (PRTs) support probation practitioners in the community with pre-release planning and coordinate specialist resettlement services within the prison. PRTs support all people in prison including those who are on remand or those who are held outside of their local area.The scope of the Commissioned Rehabilitative Services (CRS) accommodation (men's) and CRS Women’s Services contracts have been extended to include those on remand. CRS does not offer intervention programmes but does offer practical support in relation to key offence related needs.This includes the provision of accommodation support for all individuals, and, for women, additional services which address Finance Benefit and Debt (FBD), Family and Significant Others and Social Inclusion. HMPPS is also preparing to recommission its rehabilitative services and we intend that future combined-pathway contracts for both men and women will continue to support both sentenced and unsentenced prisoners. These next generation of services for men in custody, including those on remand, will also include the Community Links and FBD.Accredited offending behaviour programmes are generally reserved for sentenced individuals, as remand periods and uncertain outcomes make it impractical to deliver these interventions before sentencing.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of removing prison officer roles from the Skilled Worker visa route on staffing levels in prisons.

I refer the Honourable Member to the answer given to Parliamentary Question 76286.