Written questions by Onwurah.

Who is responsible for the (a) national and (b) regional (i) adoption and (ii) spread of health innovation within the NHS; and what role the Health Innovation Network and Integrated Care Systems play in this process.

Under the NHS Act 2006, NHS England has a statutory duty to promote innovation in the provision of health services. The Health and Care Act 2022 extends this duty to each integrated care board (ICB), requiring them to promote innovation as part of their planning and commissioning responsibilities. Nationally, NHS England supports the adoption and spread of innovation through programmes such as the NHS Innovation Service, Clinical Entrepreneurs Programme, and the NHS Innovation Accelerator. NHS England also works alongside the Department and the Office for Life Sciences (OLS) to develop national policy and coordinate action to strengthen the health innovation ecosystem. Innovation is a central theme of both the 10-Year Health Plan and the Life Sciences Sector Plan. The latter sets out specific actions and assigns senior responsible officers across NHS England, the Department, OLS, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, reflecting the shared national responsibility for supporting innovation. Regionally, Health Innovation Networks (HINs), commissioned by NHS England and OLS, support the adoption and spread of innovations across England through, but not limited to, building capacity to serve integrated care system (ICS) needs, supporting ICSs with the roll-out of national innovation programmes, real-world evaluation, and supporting local-to-national adoption. Each HIN serves its local population but also works as part of a network to share learning and support the spread of innovation across England. Ultimately, ICBs and National Health Service providers are the commissioners of services. They decide whether to procure new products, services, or technologies based on local priorities, evidence of benefit, affordability, and alignment with system plans.

How the Ambitions framework aligns with the NHS 10 Year Health Plan in the context of (a) the shift to neighbourhood health services, (b) integrated care and (c) preventative models of care.

The Ambitions Framework aligns with the 10-Year Health Plan in several ways, including both the foundations on which the framework is built, and the associated six ambitions. For example, the shift to neighbourhood health services aligns to education and training, community partnerships, population-based needs assessment, continuity partnership, and compassionate and resilient communities referenced in the Ambitions Framework.Ambition 1, that each person is seen as an individual, specifically references integrated care as a key building block, with alignment also clear with regards to shared records, personalised care and support planning, access to social care, inclusion of specialist level care, and ensuring an overall system approach. Finally, preventative models of care for palliative care and end of life care are not curative, but improve quality of life, preventing avoidable escalations of need, including emergency care.Therefore, alignment between the 10-Year Health Plan and the Ambitions Framework can be seen in the specific reference to rehabilitative palliative care and further complemented through 24/7 access, using new technology and improved use of existing and new data. Importantly, the Ambitions Framework was first published in 2015 and is due to be refreshed in 2026, providing further opportunity to align where appropriate.

With reference to the ICJ Advisory Opinion entitled Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, published on 19 July 2024, if his Department will (a) bring forward proposals to prohibit trade with and (b) take steps to prevent (i) trade and (ii) investment relations that help to maintain Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The UK is fully committed to international law and respects the independence of the ICJ. We continue to consider the Court’s Advisory Opinion carefully, with the seriousness and rigour it deserves.Israeli settlements in Palestine are illegal under international law. Goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements are not entitled to tariff and trade preferences. The overseas business risk guidance on gov.uk states there are clear risks to UK operators related to economic and financial activities in the settlements. We advise that those contemplating any economic or financial involvement in settlements should seek appropriate legal advice.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits to (a) the environmental and (b) employment opportunities from introducing domestic aluminium rolling capacity.

To date, the Department for Business and Trade has not assessed the environmental and employment opportunities potentially derived from the introduction of a UK aluminium rolling mill.

Whether his Department plans to develop a national strategy to secure aluminium as a critical raw material for the economy.

Building on the UK Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre’s updated 2024 criticality assessment in which aluminium was designated a critical mineral due to supply chain risks and economic vulnerability, the Government has been working with industry to publish a new Critical Minerals Strategy this year. This will focus on securing vital materials for economic growth, national security, and the clean energy transition. The Strategy will refine our approach to domestic production and target UK strengths to support business resilience.

What assessment his Department made of the (a) economic and (b) environmental impact of exporting aluminium scrap from beverage packaging to countries outside the European Union.

The Department for Business and Trade has not conducted an assessment of the economic and environmental impacts of exporting aluminium scrap to non-EU countries.However, the Government recognises the importance of a circular economy for aluminium and is actively listening to the perspectives of all involved parties.

What discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on cooperation on aluminium scrap retention.

To date, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade and other ministers at the Department for Business and Trade have not held discussions with EU counterparts regarding co-operation on aluminium scrap retention.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of requiring Israeli exporters to demonstrate their goods are not produced in illegal settlements before being imported into the UK.

Israeli settlements in Palestine are illegal under international law. The UK Government encourages accurate labelling of goods in order to avoid misleading consumers and promote transparency, including those goods produced in illegal settlements in Palestine. Goods produced in these settlements are not entitled to benefit from preferential tariff treatment under the UK’s current trade agreements with the Palestinian Authority and Israel. Where there are doubts about the declared origin of goods, HMRC undertakes checks to verify the origin and ensure fiscal compliance.

When the Government plans to publish an updated strategy on violence against women and girls; and whether she plans to included policies on (a) improving access to sexual violence services and (b) support for child sexual abuse victims within that strategy.

This Government has been clear that the level of violence against women and girls (VAWG) in our country is intolerable, and we are treating it as the national emergency that it is.The new VAWG Strategy will set the direction for the next decade, driving forward the Government’s bold ambition to halve VAWG within ten years. This is a landmark commitment that demands a truly transformational approach. It’s vital we get it right. We’re working towards publication of the Strategy as soon as possible and I will continue to keep the House updated on its development and forthcoming publication.Support for victims of VAWG crimes will be a core part of the new Strategy. This includes victims of sexual violence and child sexual abuse and exploitation. Tackling child sexual abuse and exploitation will be covered in the VAWG Strategy, as well as being the subject of its own distinctive and transformative workstream specific to those horrendous crimes. That includes acting on the recommendations of both the IICSA and Baroness Casey Audit into the evil of grooming gangs and child sexual exploitation and abuse.Additionally, the Ministry of Justice has committed funding to the Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) Centre in 2025/26 to develop and deliver evidence-based training and resources for those working with victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and continues to invest in specialist sexual violence support services via the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund and ringfenced grants to Police and Crime Commissioners who allocate funds locally.

Innovation and Technology, when her Department plans to publish the Government Digital and AI Roadmap.

The Roadmap for a Modern Digital Government will be published this autumn.The roadmap will outline how the Blueprint for a Modern Digital Government, launched in January 2025, will be delivered, building a modern digital government that makes life easier, drives growth and delivers smarter, more efficient public services.

With reference to Action 10 on page 22 of the Life Sciences Sector Plan, published on 16 July 2025, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that musculoskeletal conditions are included in plans to increase investment in health research and development focused on primary and secondary prevention and multiple long-term conditions.

The Department funds research on health and social care through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health including a variety of musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions such as arthritis, including osteo, rheumatoid, psoriatic, juvenile arthritis, osteoporosis, and joint and back pain. This includes research on primary and secondary prevention of MSK and the interaction and co-concurrence of MSK with other long-term conditions. Current investments across the NIHR include:- the UK Musculoskeletal Translational Research Collaboration, which works across all sectors of the health and care system to collate expertise, resources, and to develop novel innovations to benefit those experiencing MSK related conditions, with further information available at the following link: https://www.nihr.ac.uk/about-us/what-we-do/infrastructure/translational-research-collaborations/musculosceletal;- the Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, which is evaluating new devices and surgical interventions, using large datasets to find new ways to identify and treat MSK conditions and testing new drug delivery systems to help treat MSK conditions, with further information available at the following link: https://oxfordbrc.nihr.ac.uk/research-themes/musculoskeletal/; and- a major research grant exploring whether long-term conditions such as arthritis can be predicted by a person’s level of inflammation. Predicting these conditions will enable better intervention, prevention, and treatment, with further information available at the following link: https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/NIHR205461.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 July 2025 to Question 67326 on Taxation, what reforms to the tax system are being considered to support (a) job creation and (b) economic participation in regions with persistently lower employment levels.

The OBR will produce a new forecast for the annual Budget, and the Chancellor will make decisions in the round based on that forecast. The Government is focused on unleashing the potential of people across all nations and regions of the UK and growing the economy – a key priority in the Plan for Change.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to (a) comply with the ICJ Advisory Opinion entitled Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, published on 19 July 2024 and (b) prevent (i) trade and (ii) investment relations that help to maintain Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The UK is fully committed to international law and respects the independence of the International Court of Justice. We continue to consider the Court's Advisory Opinion carefully, with the seriousness and rigour it deserves. The UK does not recognise the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including Israeli settlements, as part of Israel. Goods imported from the settlements are therefore not entitled to benefit from trade preferences under the UK-Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement. The UK also supports accurate labelling of settlement goods, so as not to mislead the consumer.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions his Department has had with Innovate UK on (a) when it plans to open the next Biomedical Catalyst grant awards and (b) steps being taken to ensure a wide range of biomedical businesses can apply for grants via that programme.

The Biomedical Catalyst has a suite of competitions designed to support small and medium sized businesses to progress projects at different stages of development.There is currently one grant opportunity open - Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst Accelerator – Hospital to Community - which closes on the 31st of October. The next round of industry-led R&D funding is under preparation and expected to be launched early Nov and open for 4 weeks.Innovate UK promotes R&D funding opportunities through social media and other communication channels. Biomedical Catalyst also utilises Business Connect services to engage with UK businesses by offering bespoke, sustained 1:1 support as well as providing advice and access to resources that can help promote Biomedical Catalyst, and support with applications and funding.

What recent progress her Department has made on increasing the availability of real time bus information in Newcastle.

The government is committed to delivering the better bus services that passengers deserve, and as part of this, is working closely with bus operators and local transport authorities to improve the information available to passengers about their bus services.The Bus Services (No.2) Bill’s information about local services provisions aim to enable public access to a new, central database of information, drawn from the existing bus registration process, and linked to the existing Bus Open Data Service (BODS). We hope that bringing these two data streams together will assist operators in complying with BODS obligations, leading to improved real time information about local bus services across the country. Bus operators are obliged to have working systems to provide real-time information for bus services in order to fulfil the requirements of the Public Service Vehicles (Open Data) (England) Regulations.In addition, as part of the Autumn 2024 Budget, the government confirmed investment of over £1 billion in 25/26 to support and improve bus services and to keep fares affordable. This includes £712 million for local authorities to support and improve bus services, of which the North East Combined Authority was allocated £23.7 million. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services can be used in whichever way they wish to deliver better services for passengers. This could include investing in technology to provide passengers with better real-time information.

What recent estimate he has made of the number of families that are affected by the two child benefit cap in (a) the UK, (b) the North East and (c) Newcastle upon Tyne.

Statistics about the policy that limits support in Universal Credit to a maximum of two children are published annually. The latest statistics, published in July 2025, include breakdowns by geography and ethnicity, and are available here:Universal Credit claimants statistics on the two child limit policy, April 2025 - GOV.UK

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the two child benefit cap on people by ethnicity.

Statistics about the policy that limits support in Universal Credit to a maximum of two children are published annually. The latest statistics, published in July 2025, include breakdowns by geography and ethnicity, and are available here:Universal Credit claimants statistics on the two child limit policy, April 2025 - GOV.UK

Pursuant to the Answer of 21 July 2025 to Question 68388 on Parking, when she plans to publish a response to the pavement parking consultation; and what assessment she has made of the adequacy of existing powers available to local authorities to (a) restrict and (b) enforce pavement parking.

The Department has been considering all the views expressed in response to the 2020 pavement parking consultation and is currently working through the policy options and the appropriate means of delivering them. We will announce the next steps and publish our formal response as soon as possible. In the meantime, local authorities can make use of existing powers to manage pavement parking, and it is up to them to decide where to restrict pavement parking and what enforcement is appropriate.

Media and Sport, how many and what proportion of full-time equivalent staff in her Department work on the (a) promotion and (b) preservation of industrial heritage; whether industrial heritage sites are eligible to apply for funding through Historic England; what criteria are used to assess such applications; and what proportion of the (i) £15 million allocated to the Heritage at Risk Fund and the (ii) £4.85 million allocated to the Heritage Revival Fund in 2025–26 will be directed towards industrial heritage projects.

Within the Department for Culture, Media & Sport there is a small team that oversees Historic England, a team delivering heritage policy, and a team leading on the designation of listed buildings and monuments. Whilst it does not have dedicated staff dealing specifically with industrial heritage, it is part of a wider workstream. Historic England, the government's statutory adviser on the historic environment, is responsible for managing and protecting heritage, including industrial heritage. The £15 million Heritage at Risk Capital Fund and the £4.85 million Heritage Revival Fund do not have a pre-allocated proportion for industrial heritage. Funding decisions are based on criteria including Heritage Significance, Level of Risk, Community Benefit, Financial Need, Project Viability.Industrial heritage sites can apply for Historic England funding, with sites such as Woodhorn’s Iconic Mining Heritage which received £997,265 Heritage at Risk Capital Funding and the Pump House, Ellesmere Port, which received £252,282 Heritage at Risk Capital Funding.

Media and Sport, whether the swing bridge is eligible for repair funding from the National Lottery.

The twelve National Lottery distributor bodies provide good cause funding to organisations independently of Government. Any specific questions on eligibility for projects should be directed to the relevant distributor.