Written questions by Jones.

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

The government has supported Lonza’s plans to relocate and expand their Centre of Excellence for biologic molecules to Thames Valley Park, Berkshire. More broadly the government has published Invest 2035: the UK’s modern industrial strategy to drive long-term sustainable, inclusive and secure growth – securing investment into crucial sectors of the economy including life sciences. By ensuring the NHS works hand-in-hand with life sciences companies and research institutions, we will drive the development of new treatments and help grow our industries across every region of the UK.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support the screen and creative industries in (a) Berkshire and (b) the UK.

Our creative industries showcase the best of our creativity and culture to the world and drive both regional and national growth. They employ over 2 million people, are worth over £124 billion to the UK economy and have seen GVA growth twice that of the national rate. We will ensure that the sector can continue to drive growth, boost opportunities and help people to fulfil their creative potential across the UK, including in Berkshire. Our support includes:almost doubling studio capacity through funding for the British Film Commission of £6million over four years, which includes support for Shinfield and Bray studios in Berkshire;expanding the global reach of independent content through the £28 million UK Global Screen Fund;the screen sector tax relief (for film, high-end TV, animation, children’s TV, and video games) which supported over £10 billion of production for over 1000 projects between July 2023 and June 2024; and£13.4 million funding between 2022 and 2025 for the UK Games Fund to support independent video games studios and graduate talent.We’re also supporting the next generation of indie films with the introduction of the Independent Film Tax Credit, which will allow eligible films to apply for tax reliefs of 53% on qualifying expenditure up to £15 million, creating jobs and growth.Opportunities to drive growth exist across the whole of the UK and in places such as Berkshire, which has benefited from the £56 million Creative Industries Clusters programme. This funded the StoryFutures Cluster bringing together creative businesses and universities to provide a research platform to develop cutting edge technologies. We will be launching the next wave of the Clusters programme next year.Finally, the British Film Institute has committed £34.2 million National Lottery funding over 2023-2026 for education and skills programmes. This includes £8.1 million to develop skills clusters, one of which has been set up in Berkshire, led by Resource Productions, the University of Reading, and Shinfield Studios.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to encourage schools to participate in the school milk subsidy scheme.

The long-standing School Milk Subsidy Scheme was accessed by over 11,000 schools in England in the last school year. Any school wishing to participate can access information about the Scheme here. The scheme is voluntary and it is a matter for individual schools as to whether they wish to participate in it.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of train toilet provision on the Waterloo-Reading line.

Department officials work closely with South Western Railway to ensure that adequate toilet facilities are provided to passengers on trains and at stations wherever possible, and I will ensure that officials raise this matter with South Western Railway. I am pleased to say that South Western Railway will be introducing brand new Class 701 trains with fully accessibly toilets, and will continue to roll these out, including on the Waterloo to Reading line as soon as possible.

If he will make it his policy to change the the entitlement to Nursery Milk Scheme from ending at age five to the end of the academic year.

The Nursery Milk Scheme allows early years childcare settings, such as childminders and nurseries, to reclaim the cost of providing one-third of a pint of milk to children under five years old, who attend their childcare setting for at least two hours per day. Schools are also allowed to claim under this scheme in respect of pupils under the age of five years old. There are no current plans to extend the Nursery Milk Scheme to the end of the academic year.From the age of five years old onwards, pupils eligible for benefits-based free school meals are eligible for free school milk. In addition, the school milk subsidy scheme subsidises the cost of milk and certain milk products for children in primary and secondary schools, including those over five years old. This means that participating schools can sell the products in schools at a lower price. More information on this scheme is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/school-milk-subsidy-scheme#:~:text=The%20school%20milk%20subsidy%20scheme,eligible%20milk%20products%20or%20yoghurts

What steps he is taking to ensure that funding for the Nursery Milk Scheme reflects the retail cost of milk.

The Nursery Milk Scheme allows early years childcare settings registered with the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills to reclaim the cost of providing one-third of a pint of milk to children in their care, who are under the age of five years old and who attend the childcare setting for at least two hours per day. The scheme’s legislation allows childcare settings to reclaim the cost of the funds they have spent on milk, and the amount they can claim is not tied to a specific retail price of milk.

What assessment she has made of school compliance with school food standards to provide milk for pupils entitled to free school meals.

Under the School Food Standards, schools must ensure milk is available to all pupils who want it during school hours. Section 512ZB (3) of the Education Act 1996 sets out the requirement that milk must be provided free of charge to pupils eligible for free school meals. Compliance with the School Food Standards is mandatory for all maintained schools, academies and free schools. Governors have a responsibility to ensure compliance and should appropriately challenge the headteacher and senior leadership team to ensure the school is meeting its obligations.