Written questions by Jones.

Whether he plans to make the strengthening of UK climate commitments a priority during the negotiation of free trade agreements.

This Government is committed to being an international leader on environmental issues, including tackling climate change, achieving net zero and delivering growth.The FTAs with Australia, New Zealand and CPTPP include binding commitments such as non-derogation from their environmental laws, and affirm international environment and climate commitments including the Paris Agreement. The UK is committed to promoting high environmental standards and deepening cooperation with trade partners on climate and environment issues.

Which stakeholders his Department plans to consult during the development of his proposed trade strategy.

We recognise the importance of stakeholder engagement, which will play a crucial role in the development of the trade strategy. We will share further details on stakeholders' involvement in due course.

What steps he is taking to tackle the redevelopment of the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

We are reviewing the New Hospital Programme (NHP) in order to put it on a sustainable footing, which will include a realistic timetable for delivery and clarity on the funding required. As set out in the Terms of Reference for the review, the new hospital scheme for the Royal Berkshire Hospital is in the scope of the review. The review will feed into the spending review process, where decisions will be taken in the round, and the Government will confirm the outcome as part of that process. Further information on the Terms of Reference is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-hospital-programme-review-terms-of-referenceWhile the review is taking place, we are continuing to support all schemes within the NHP. Up to the end of the 2023/24, the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust has been provided with over £20 million in funding to progress their new hospital scheme.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of a temporary blue badge scheme for those experiencing temporary disability as a result of illness or injury.

The Blue Badge scheme is primarily about helping people with a long-term disability, that affects their capacity to access the goods and services they need to use. Anyone may be entitled to a badge if they meet the eligibility criteria. The Department has issued local authorities with advice on how they could use existing powers to provide locally determined parking concessions within their areas. For example, some local authorities grant parking concessions to assist their elderly residents. The same powers could be used to help those with temporary disabilities. The guidance is available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/people-with-severe-temporary-impairments-advice-to-local-authorities.

What discussions he has had with Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust on improving access to ADHD medication in Wokingham.

The Department monitors and manages medicine supply at a national level so that stocks remain available to meet regional and local demand. Information is not collected on a local level.The Department has been working hard with industry and NHS England to help resolve supply issues with some attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medicines, which are affecting the United Kingdom and other countries around the world. As a result of intensive work, some issues have been resolved and all strengths of lisdexamfetamine, atomoxetine capsules, and guanfacine prolonged-release tablets are now available.We are continuing to work to resolve supply issues where they remain, for methylphenidate prolonged-release tablets. We are engaging with all suppliers of methylphenidate prolonged-release tablets to assess the challenges faced and their actions to address them. We are also directing suppliers to secure additional stocks, expedite deliveries where possible, and review plans to further build capacity to support continued growth in demand for the short and long-term. We anticipate intermittent regional supply disruptions to continue, and we expect supply to improve in the UK from October 2024.In parallel, the Department has worked with specialist clinicians, including those within the National Health Service, to develop management advice for NHS clinicians to consider prescribing available alternative brands of methylphenidate prolonged release tablets or available alternative ADHD medicines. We would expect ADHD service providers and specialists to follow our guidance, which includes offering rapid response to primary care teams seeking urgent advice or opinion for the management of patients, including those known to be at a higher risk of adverse impact because of these shortages.To aid ADHD service providers and prescribers further we have widely disseminated our communications, and continually update a list of currently available and unavailable ADHD products on the Specialist Pharmacy Service website, helping ensure that those involved in the prescribing and dispensing of ADHD medications can make informed decisions with patients.

If she will make make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the amount of time before a driving theory test expires.

It is important road safety knowledge and hazard perception skills are up-to- date at the critical point a person drives unsupervised for the first time.The maximum duration of two years between passing the theory test and a subsequent practical test is in place to ensure a candidate’s road safety knowledge and ability to identify developing hazards is current. This validity period is set in legislation and the Government has no current plans to lay further legislation to extend it. Ensuring learner drivers have current relevant knowledge and skills is a vital part of the learning to drive process as new drivers are disproportionately casualties on our roads. Learners therefore need to pass another theory test if their two-year theory test certificate expires.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a a long-term cancer strategy.

Lord Darzi’s report has set out the scale of the challenges we face in fixing the National Health Service, and the need to improve cancer waiting time performance and cancer survival. In particular, he has highlighted the need to improve the number of patients starting their treatment within 62 days of referral and to increase the number of patients diagnosed at an earlier stage.Improving 62-day performance and early diagnosis are already key priorities for NHS England. Lord Darzi’s report will inform our ten-year plan to reform the NHS, which includes further details on how we will improve cancer diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. The Government will set out any further priorities on cancer and health in due course.

If she will consider including carbon capture, utilisation and storage and hydrogen infrastructure in the green plant and machinery exemption from business rates.

On 4 October 2024 the government announced funding of up to £21.7 billion over 25 years in two ground-breaking CCUS projects in Teesside and Merseyside. These green energy clusters are set to secure the UK’s leadership in clean technology and create thousands of jobs.The exception for green plant and machinery is available for qualifying plant and machinery that is used in onsite renewable energy generation and storage. Further information on the eligibility criteria can be found in the regulations. The Valuation for Rating (Plant and Machinery) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (legislation.gov.uk) The government keeps the tax system under review.

What steps his Department is taking to support the construction industry in (a) Berkshire and (b) the UK.

Our priorities to support growth and investment in the construction sector across the UK include: maximising economic benefits of HMG investment in construction and infrastructure; helping industry become more productive and sustainable, encouraging adoption of new technologies, decarbonisation and greater investment in its workforce; working to improve the business environment including payment practices; and supporting trade and investment in construction products and services. The Government is working with the construction industry to build capacity and capability to deliver its infrastructure and built environment commitments. The introduction of Skills England will be crucial to providing high quality training for construction workers.

Communities and Local Government, when she plans to publish her Department's devolution framework for England.

The devolution framework will be published alongside the English Devolution White Paper in due course.

What steps he is taking to increase job creation in ports.

Our mission to drive growth in the economy will bring with it increasing trade in high-value goods, and our mission to become a clean energy superpower will boost jobs within and around ports engaged in helping to deliver offshore wind and other clean energy development. Investment in ports and supply chains has been identified as a priority area for the newly established National Wealth Fund (NWF), which has allocated £7.3 billion of additional capitalisation to the UK Infrastructure Bank.

What recent estimate she has made of when the Covid Counter-Fraud Commissioner will be appointed.

The job advert closed on 30th September and shortlisted candidates will be interviewed.

How many civil servants will support the Covid Counter-Fraud Commissioner.

The Commissioner will be supported by a small team of experts from HM Treasury, the Public Sector Fraud Authority, the Government Commercial Function and the Department of Health and Social Care. The Commissioner will have access to experts and resources across HMT, PSFA and DHSC. The Commissioner will come up with a workplan and will be supported with the resources necessary to deliver the workplan.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of non-mayoral devolution agreements.

The English Devolution White Paper will set an ambitious new framework for English devolution, moving power out of Westminster and back to those who know their areas best.This Government believes that the benefits of devolution are best achieved through the establishment of combined authorities or combined county authorities supported by a mayor. We want every part of England to take its place on the Council of Nations and Regions, with strong and effective partnerships in place with councils and other partners to deliver the missions we have set out to transform the country. Non-mayoral devolution can however be an important step for areas to see early benefits from devolution in the short-term, including on adult skills, as they assess all options to unlock deeper devolution across England.

Communities and Local Government, what plans she has for local growth plans in areas (a) with and (b) without local devolution agreements; and how she expects such plans to align with the plans of (i) upper-tier local authorities and (ii) local economic partnerships.

Economic growth is the number one mission of this Government. The Government has committed to delivering productivity growth in every part of the country, making everyone, not just a few, better off. As part of this, Government will work in partnership with local leaders to develop ambitious, long-term Local Growth Plans reflecting their local strengths and opportunities to support the national growth mission and new Industrial Strategy.The Deputy Prime Minister has written to the 11 MCAs and the GLA to invite them to begin the LGP process.

Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to support the telecommunications industry in (a) Berkshire and (b) the UK.

This government is committed to supporting the telecommunications industry.We aim to deliver nationwide gigabit connectivity by 2030 and foster a competitive and business-friendly environment. Today, 85% of UK premises and over 90% of premises in Berkshire can access gigabit-capable networks. Our ambition is for all populated areas to have high-quality standalone 5G by 2030. We are committed to ensuring we have the right policy and regulatory framework to support investment and competition. We have invested £36 million to establish 5G Innovation Regions to drive adoption and investment.Up to £100 million in funding is being provided for future telecoms technologies.

Whether funding is available to help with building repairs for Grade II listed hospitals.

Currently, there are no national programmes providing funding specifically to Grade II listed hospitals and the Department does not keep records of which hospitals or buildings on hospital sites fit this criterion.It is the legal responsibility of National Health Service organisations to maintain their estates and they are expected to use existing capital budgets and assets to maximum effect, prioritising and delivering locally to maintain and repair NHS buildings, including Grade II listed buildings, as and when appropriate.In support of this, we are providing £4.2 billion for this financial year to upgrade, maintain, provide equipment to, and modernise NHS buildings in accordance with regional priorities.

Whether she plans to update the document entitled Future of Freight: a long-term plan.

The cross-modal freight sector is vital for the UK's economic prosperity, security, and well-being. An efficient logistics sector supports all other sectors of the economy and facilitates international trade through import, export, and market access.We do not plan to update the previous ‘Future of Freight: a long-term plan’ document, but the Government is committed to working with the sector and will set out its concrete next steps in this area as soon as possible.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of a western rail link to Heathrow Airport.

The Government is considering its position on future rail investment in the context of our critical missions and the availability of public finances.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to bring forward legislative proposals on banning the import of dogs with cropped ears.

Ear cropping has rightly been banned in the UK for over 15 years. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is an offence in England and Wales to carry out a non-exempted mutilation e.g., where a surgical procedure is not carried out for medical purposes, such as the cropping of a dog’s ears. While the practice is illegal in the UK, we recognise that the current legislative framework can be abused by traders who import these dogs from abroad. As outlined in our manifesto, the Government is committed to ending puppy smuggling. We will clamp down on unscrupulous traders who prioritise profit over welfare. We are considering the most effective ways to deliver this and will be setting out next steps in due course.