Written questions by Betts.

Whether he plans to make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a Government-backed social care investment fund to offer low-cost loans to support the development of the (a) infrastructure and (b) services of not-for-profit care providers, including digital approaches to (i) social care services and (ii) back-office functions; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of capital investment in social care.

A Government-backed social care investment fund is not an idea that we are currently considering. Funding for adult social care is provided by central Government to local authorities through the Local Government Finance Settlement. The Spending Review allows for an increase of over £4 billion of funding available for adult social care in 2028/29 compared to 2025/26, to support the sector in making improvements. Local authorities have discretion over how to best use this funding in order to meet the diverse needs of all local people.We know that digital transformation has the potential to drive improvement in adult social care, improving experiences and outcomes for people seeking and receiving care. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is funding projects that support the adoption and use of advanced technologies in social care settings. DSIT’s £44 million 5G Innovation Regions Programme has funded ten regions across the United Kingdom to demonstrate the benefits of adopting technologies and solutions that rely on advanced connectivity services in a range of sectors, including health and social care.The Department has not carried out a specific assessment on the adequacy level of capital investment in social care.To build consensus on plans for a National Care Service, Baroness Casey is chairing an Independent Commission to shape the medium- and longer-term reforms needed, with phase 1 reporting next year. Details about how to engage with the Commission are available at the following link:https://caseycommission.co.uk/

With reference to his Department's report of 2020 entitled Assessing Risk of Harm to Children and Parents in Private Law Children Cases, what steps his Department is taking to implement recommendations from that report; and whether the Government has any plans for an alternative inquiry to take its place.

The Ministry of Justice and its partners are delivering a package of reforms aimed at improving how the family justice system supports children and families – including victims of domestic abuse. As part of this work we have already taken forward many of the actions it committed to following the Harm Panel report. This includes expanding the Pathfinder model which aims to improve the experience of children and families involved in private law proceedings. Through delivery of Pathfinder in ten court areas, we are learning a significant amount about how the family courts can operate in line with the principles for reform set out in the Harm Panel report. We are carefully monitoring these lessons ahead of further expansion. Alongside this, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s recent report on the Family Court Review and Reporting Mechanism pilot has made further recommendations, which the Government is now considering. In addition, following the recommendations of the Harm Panel report, we have completed a review of the presumption of parental involvement. The evidence from the review suggests that the presumption may feed into a pro-contact culture in the family courts, finding a high incidence of court-ordered contact between children and parents who have caused or posed a risk of harm. As part of our wider package of family court reforms, the Government announced on 22 October 2025 that we will repeal the presumption of parental involvement from the Children Act 1989 when Parliamentary time allows. The Government will also be publishing our new, cross-government Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy as soon as possible, which will set out the strategic direction and concrete actions to deliver on the Government’s ambition to tackle violence against women and girls. The Government therefore does not consider it necessary to establish an alternative inquiry at this time.

If he will consult people in South Yorkshire about the potential fluoridation of drinking water.

The 10-Year Health Plan for England confirmed that we will assess the feasibility of the further rollout of water fluoridation where oral health outcomes are worst.The National Dental Epidemiology Programme (NDEP) for England: oral health survey of 5 year old schoolchildren 2024 showed Yorkshire and the Humber to have the second highest prevalence of tooth decay by region in England.We are currently engaging with Yorkshire Water on whether water fluoridation arrangements would be operable and efficient. This requirement must be completed before any subsequent decision and public consultation to fluoridate drinking water in South Yorkshire.

Pursuant to the Answer of 15 September 2025 to Quesiton 76239 on East Midlands Railway: Rolling Stock, when she expects the new rolling stock to come into service.

We expect the first train to enter passenger service in 2025 and a phased roll-out continuing through 2026.

With reference to the press release entitled Rolls-Royce SMR selected to build small modular nuclear reactors, published on 10 June 2025, what estimate he has made of the proportion of reactors that will be produced in the UK.

Following a robust procurement based on fairness and transparency, Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) has selected Rolls-Royce SMR as its preferred bidder to partner with to deploy the UK's first SMRs, subject to final government approvals and contract signature. Further details will follow in due course, but the government's long-term ambition is to bring forward one of Europe's first SMR fleets, with GBE-N's ambition being to deliver over 70% UK content across the fleet.

Pursuant to the Answer of 15 September 2025 to Question 76240 on Sizewell C Power Station, what proportion of the forgings will be produced in the UK.

Sizewell C is committed to supporting the UK steel industry throughout the construction period. It is a signatory of the UK Steel Charter and remains committed to maximising UK steel within its construction plans.

Pursuant to the Answer of 15 September 2025 to Question 76241 on Borders: Personal Records, what the marginal difference is as a numerical value.

The marginal difference between the number of individuals recorded leaving the UK and the overall number of individuals who leave the UK cannot be quantified in a way suitable for publication.

With reference to the press release entitled Golden age of nuclear delivers UK-US deal on energy security, published on 15 September 2025, what estimate he has made of the proportion of components that will be produced in the UK.

The Government welcomes the recent announcements as part of the UK-US collaboration on advanced nuclear and opportunities it brings for energy security and industrial growth. The projects announced are privately led and individual supply-chain strategies are determined by the investors. Our forthcoming framework will lay out a pathway for privately led advanced nuclear projects in the UK, aiming to unlock private sector investment and accelerate deployment with Great British Energy-Nuclear having a role to play in assessing proposals including scrutinising supply-chain strategies. UKRI developed a methodology to assess how much could be delivered by the current UK supply-chain for a project, DESNZ are considering how this could be applied and adapted.

When the new Hitachi trains will be in service on Midland Mainline between Sheffield and London; and whether there will be improved (a) mobile and (b) wifi connectivity.

East Midlands Railway (EMR) is reaching an exciting new phase of its train replacement programme for the East Midlands, with the launch of its brand-new Aurora trains this year. This will see the major investment start delivering significant improvements in passenger experience, including improved mobile connectivity and faster Wi-Fi.

What proportion of castings and forgings for Sizewell C will be produced in the UK.

Sizewell C plans to award 70% of construction value to British businesses, and the supply chain is expected to include 3500 British companies, from all four parts of the UK. The project has already placed more than £4bn-worth of contracts with UK companies. Sizewell C will be a second of a kind project, as an above ground replica of Hinkley Point C. As well as the design, Sizewell C will replicate many aspects of Hinkley’s supply chain; this is expected to give greater certainty of cost and construction requirements, which will ultimately benefit UK taxpayers and consumers.

Pursuant to the Answer of 21 July 2025 to Question 67814 on Borders: Personal Records, whether her Department has an accurate count of the number of people leaving the UK.

As a consequence of the Common Travel Area arrangements, including travellers who leave the UK via the land border with Ireland, there is a marginal difference between the number of individuals recorded leaving the UK and the overall number of individuals who leave the UK.

Whether the forthcoming alcohol labelling regulations will include warnings on the link between alcohol and cancer.

In the 10-Year Health Plan, the Government committed to strengthen and expand on existing voluntary guidelines for alcohol labelling by introducing a mandatory requirement for alcoholic drinks to display consistent nutritional information and health warning messages.Departmental officials are progressing this work, and at the appropriate time we will consult with stakeholders on the best ways to communicate the necessary information on the health risks to consumers through alcohol labels. As we take forward this work, we will consider emerging evidence and practice from other countries, including Ireland.

What his planned timeline is for the implementation of mandatory health labelling on alcohol products in England; and whether he has made an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of delays to similar labelling legislation in Ireland.

In the 10-Year Health Plan, the Government committed to strengthen and expand on existing voluntary guidelines for alcohol labelling by introducing a mandatory requirement for alcoholic drinks to display consistent nutritional information and health warning messages.Departmental officials are progressing this work, and at the appropriate time we will consult with stakeholders on the best ways to communicate the necessary information on the health risks to consumers through alcohol labels. As we take forward this work, we will consider emerging evidence and practice from other countries, including Ireland.

Whether he plans to require that mandatory alcohol labels include a warning about the risk of cancer associated with alcohol consumption.

In the 10-Year Health Plan, the Government committed to strengthen and expand on existing voluntary guidelines for alcohol labelling by introducing a mandatory requirement for alcoholic drinks to display consistent nutritional information and health warning messages.Departmental officials are progressing this work, and at the appropriate time we will consult with stakeholders on the best ways to communicate the necessary information on the health risks to consumers through alcohol labels. As we take forward this work, we will consider emerging evidence and practice from other countries, including Ireland.

Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the effectiveness of alcohol advertising regulations in reducing (a) cancer and (b) other alcohol-related harms.

As highlighted in the Government’s ‘Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England’, the UK spends a greater proportion of its healthcare budget on diseases caused by excess alcohol consumption than the OECD average. To help tackle this, the Government has committed to introducing a mandatory requirement for alcoholic drinks to display consistent nutritional information and health warning messages to help consumers make more informed, healthier choices.

What cross-government work his Department is undertaking to prevent alcohol-related cancers.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Edinburgh South West on 28 July 2025 to Question 63912.

How many patients are in medical trials at (a) Sheffield Teaching Hospital Trust, (b) Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust and (c) Nottingham University Hospital Trust.

The Department funds research and research infrastructure via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), which supports patients and the public to participate in high-quality research. The NIHR Research Delivery Network (RDN) supports the delivery of health and social care research, including recruitment to clinical trials and other types of research study, in all National Health Service trusts in England.Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust currently has 57,581 participants enrolled in open studies on the NIHR RDN portfolio, with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust currently having 27,033 participants enrolled in such studies, and Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust with 51,654 participants. This data covers both interventional and observational studies eligible for NIHR support which are recruiting at the relevant trusts.

Communities and Local Government, whether the required infrastructure has to be provided before or in parallel with the development when releasing greenbelt land for development.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) published on 12 December 2024 makes clear that ‘Golden Rules’ should apply to major development including the provision of housing on land released from the Green Belt through plan preparation or review, or on sites in the Green Belt subject to a planning application. These ‘Golden Rules’ include necessary improvements to local or national infrastructure.The point at which infrastructure is delivered is a matter for local planning authorities and will depend on the nature of the site. Requirements can be set out as planning conditions or agreed through section 106 planning obligations.

Communities and Local Government, what is the role of the (a) planning inspector and (b) local planning authority in determining priority be given to brown field development when a local plan includes (a) brownfield and (b) greenfield sites.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes clear that planning policies and decisions should give substantial weight to the value of using suitable brownfield land within settlements for homes and other identified needs.It is for the decision maker, the local planning authority and/or an Inspector acting on behalf of the Secretary of State, to make planning decisions in accordance with the relevant local development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise.The NPPF is a material consideration, and it is for the relevant decision maker to decide the weight to give to relevant policies in light of the specific facts and circumstances of any given case.

What steps she is taking to improve (a) rail connections to Sheffield and (b) the tram network in that city in the next five years.

Improvements being considered are:Subject to the industry approval process, in 2026, as part of the East Coast Mainline timetable, Northern will look to implement an hourly Leeds to Sheffield semi-fast service. Similarly, CrossCountry is working to add services on their Newcastle to Reading route in future timetables. Responsibility for Sheffield Supertram sits with South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA). SYMCA were allocated £570 million from 2022/23 to 2026/27 of City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements funding for investment in local transport improvements. SYMCA have prioritised part of this funding towards Sheffield Supertram renewals. The recent Spending Review confirmed a Transport for City Regions (TCR) settlement of £1.5 billion for South Yorkshire from 2027/28 to 2031/32. SYMCA have indicated that they would allocate a significant amount of this funding to continue renewals to the tram network, providing a fleet of new, replacement vehicles, modernising tram stops, and maintenance to improve reliability. Decisions on how both CRSTS and TCR funding is spent are made locally, reflecting the principle that Mayors are best placed to understand the needs of their areas. My officials will continue to support SYMCA on any plans that they bring forward, including those involving light rail.