Written questions by Cooper.

Innovation and Technology, whether her Department has made an assessment how social media platforms could use in-built AI to detect and protect children against (a) cyberbullying and (b) online grooming.

The government takes tackling cyberbullying and online grooming extremely seriously.Under the Online Safety Act, services must put in place measures to mitigate the risk of illegal activity, including grooming, and protect children from harmful content, such as bullying.Ofcom recommends measures services can take to fulfil their duties in Codes of Practice, including using hash matching to detect and remove child sexual abuse material. Ofcom can introduce new measures in future iterations of the Codes.On 18 December, the government published its Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, including a world-leading ban on nudification apps. This government will not allow technology to be weaponised to humiliate and exploit women and girls.

What the cost to the public purse is of reducing the retail, hospitality and leisure multiplier by the maximum permitted by the Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Act 2025.

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base. At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties. To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years to protect ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. This means most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest. Without our support, pubs would have faced a 45% increase in the total bills they pay next year. Because of the support we’ve put in place, this has fallen to just 4%. More broadly, the Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto. The Government is doing this by introducing permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties, while ensuring that warehouses used by online giants will pay more. The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since COVID. Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit.

If she will hold discussions with Thameslink on taking steps to reduce reliance on rest-day working to operate timetabled passenger rail services.

Department Officials meet regularly with Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) to review performance and reliability, including driver resource considerations. The Department is supporting GTR in the recruitment of nearly 100 additional Thameslink drivers, which will assist in reducing reliance on rest day working.

What steps his department is taking to improve (a) awareness, (b) diagnosis and (c) treatment for, pulmonary hypertension.

NHS England commissions specialist services for both adults and children to diagnose and treat pulmonary arterial hypertension. Care is provided through a small number of specialised centres and shared care arrangements with other centres. High-cost drug treatments are delivering improvements in outcomes for this group of patients, as evidenced by the National Pulmonary Hypertension Audit. This audit is funded by NHS England, with further information available at the following link: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/clinical-audits-and-registries/national-pulmonary-hypertension-audit Clinical guidelines and pathways exist for the investigation of breathlessness, to support the recognition and diagnosis of this rare condition.

Whether his department are taking steps to support the use of the Play Well Toolkit in NHS healthcare settings.

The Department recognises the importance of supporting and maintaining children’s right to play in healthcare settings. Games and active play in all settings build social skills and promote children’s well-being.To support this, in June 2025 NHS England and Starlight, a national charity for children’s play in healthcare, co-published the Play Well Toolkit. The toolkit provides guidance on best practice, and includes a checklist to support the auditing, monitoring, and evaluation of services. NHS England is promoting the Play Well toolkit to managers of health play services across a wide range of settings, including community clinics, emergency departments, children’s hospices, and acute paediatric wards.

How many and what proportion of retail, hospitality and leisure businesses will be eligible to receive transitionary relief for business rates in 2026-27.

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties as they recover from the pandemic. To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government announced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years. This includes a redesigned transitional relief scheme which caps bill increases, and is worth £3.2 billion over the next 3 years, and a supporting small business (SSB) scheme capping bill increases for the smallest businesses losing some or all of their small business rates relief or rural rate relief worth over £500 million. The Government has gone further, by expanding this to ratepayers losing RHL relief to offer further support worth an additional £1.3 billion as they transition to permanently lower tax rates. As a result, over half of all ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. This means most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest. More broadly, the Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto. The Government is doing this by introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties, including pubs. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year, and will benefit over 750,000 properties. The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since Covid. Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit.

With reference to the letter from the Minister of State for Rail to the hon. Member for St Albans of 28 November 2025, reference MC/00054165 whether she has received representations from Govia Thameslink Railway on integrating CCTV at St Albans City station with the new system to facilitate ease of access for authorised police and rail industry personnel.

The rail CCTV connectivity project is in its start-up phase. It is being delivered by Network Rail, who will ensure improved connectivity to British Transport Police (BTP) will be prioritised at the stations with the greatest footfall and greatest crime. GTR already provides the BTP and other police forces with CCTV footage from its trains, stations and body worn cameras across its network, but this project will speed up that process.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 25 November to Question 92922 on Fly-tipping, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of a single responsible body to receive and investigate incidents of fly-tipping, as called for by the Hon. Member for St Albans and Hon. Member for Harpenden and Berkhamsted in their letter dated 19 September 2025.

We have not made an assessment of the potential merits of a single responsible body to receive and investigate incidents of fly-tipping. Local councils are responsible for tackling fly-tipping in their area and have a range of enforcement powers to help them do so. These include fixed penalty notices of up to £1000, seizing and crushing of vehicles and prosecution action. We encourage councils to make good use of their enforcement powers and are taking steps to develop statutory fly-tipping enforcement guidance to support councils to consistently, appropriately and effectively exercise these existing powers.  We are also conducting a review of council powers to seize and crush vehicles of fly-tippers, to identify how we could help them make better use of this tool. In our manifesto we committed to forcing fly-tippers to clean up the mess that they have created. We will provide further details on this commitment in due course. In the meantime, Defra continues to chair the National Fly-Tipping Prevention Group (NFTPG), through which we work with a wide range of interested parties such as local councils, the Environment Agency, National Farmers Union and National Police Chiefs Council, to promote and disseminate good practice with regards to preventing fly-tipping.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 November 2025 to Question 92918 on Business Rates, how many business premises (a) have been brought into paying business rates for the first time and (b) will pay more per year in business rates as a result of the revaluation since the Autumn Budget 2025.

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. RVs are re-assessed every three years. The most recent revaluation took effect from 1 April 2023 and was based on values as of 1 April 2021. The next revaluation will take effect from 1 April 2026 based on values of 1 April 2024. At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties, including those in the hospitality sector as they recover from the pandemic. To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government announced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years, including protection for ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. This means most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest. More broadly, the Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto. The Government is doing this by introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties, including pubs. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year, and will benefit over 750,000 properties. The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since Covid. Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 October to Question 77605 on Health Professions: Regulation, on what date he will publish a consultation on secondary legislation to modernise the General Medical Council’s regulatory framework which would enable them to consider fitness to practise concerns arising from allegations of sexual misconduct that are more than five years old.

The Government is committed to modernising the regulatory frameworks for all healthcare professionals in the United Kingdom.We aim to consult on secondary legislation to modernise the General Medical Council’s regulatory framework in early 2026 and to lay this legislation before Parliament in the same year. The Government will confirm a date for the public consultation in due course.We also plan to update the governing legislation for the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the Health and Care Professions Council within the current parliamentary period.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the reduction of the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure multiplier and the withdrawal of the capped Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief scheme on multiple retail and hospitality operators.

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base. At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties. To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years to protect ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. Most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest. The Valuation Office Agency has published statistics on changes in the rateable value of properties in the 2026 revaluation. More broadly, the Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto. The Government is doing this by introducing permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year, and will benefit over 750,000 properties.The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since COVID. The 40% RHL relief was forecast to cost £1.7 billion in 2025/26, less than the £2.1 billion we are spending on Transitional Relief and Supporting Small Business relief in 2026/27. Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit.The new RHL tax rates will be 5p below the national tax rates. Making the RHL tax rates even lower would have led to an even higher tax rate for high-value properties.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of reducing the RHL multiplier by 20p on the (a) public purse and (b) long term viability of the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure sectors.

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base. At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties. To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years to protect ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. Most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest. The Valuation Office Agency has published statistics on changes in the rateable value of properties in the 2026 revaluation. More broadly, the Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto. The Government is doing this by introducing permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year, and will benefit over 750,000 properties.The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since COVID. The 40% RHL relief was forecast to cost £1.7 billion in 2025/26, less than the £2.1 billion we are spending on Transitional Relief and Supporting Small Business relief in 2026/27. Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit.The new RHL tax rates will be 5p below the national tax rates. Making the RHL tax rates even lower would have led to an even higher tax rate for high-value properties.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 September 2025 to Question 69409 on Business Rates: Impact Assessments, if she publish sector-specific impact assessments for (a) hospitality, (b) retail and (c) leisure businesses with rateable values under £500,000 of the effect of the (i) withdrawal of Retail, Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) Relief, (ii) implementation of the 2026 VOA draft ratings list and (iii) the reduction of the RHL multiplier.

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base. At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties. To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years to protect ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. Most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest. The Valuation Office Agency has published statistics on changes in the rateable value of properties in the 2026 revaluation. More broadly, the Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto. The Government is doing this by introducing permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year, and will benefit over 750,000 properties.The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since COVID. The 40% RHL relief was forecast to cost £1.7 billion in 2025/26, less than the £2.1 billion we are spending on Transitional Relief and Supporting Small Business relief in 2026/27. Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit.The new RHL tax rates will be 5p below the national tax rates. Making the RHL tax rates even lower would have led to an even higher tax rate for high-value properties.

Whether she provides guidance to Train Operating Companies on the declassification of first class portions of services during periods of high demand.

The Secretary of State for Transport does not issue guidance to train operating companies on the declassification of first-class accommodation during periods of high demand. Decisions on whether to declassify first class accommodation are operational matters for individual train operating companies.

If she will publish copies of the redacted statements provided to opposition MPs each budget day in advance of the Chancellor’s statement to the House of Commons in each year since 1997.

Redactions to documents shared in confidence are made for reasons of market sensitivity. The full Budget documentation and the Chancellor’s speech are shared with all MPs as soon as the Chancellor finishes delivering the Budget speech.

What information her Department holds on the proportion of text redacted in statements provided to hon. Members from opposition parties in advance of the Chancellor’s statement on each Budget day since 1997.

Redactions to documents shared in confidence are made for reasons of market sensitivity. The full Budget documentation and the Chancellor’s speech are shared with all MPs as soon as the Chancellor finishes delivering the Budget speech.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a financial protection scheme for users of home learning providers which become insolvent.

Where an online home learning provider closes, parents and local authorities should work together to identify other suitable provision which is safe and meets the needs of the child. Home learning providers are often private providers and so are responsible for the financial management of their business.

On how many occasions DWP staff have failed to call Universal Credit customers or their appointees at the agreed appointment time in each month of the last 12 months.

The Department for Work and Pensions does not hold the requested information centrally, and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 November to Question 90360 on Business Rates, how many business premises (a) have been brought into paying business rates for the first time and (b) will pay more per year in business rates as a result of the revaluation, notwithstanding any reduction in the multiplier.

The Valuation Office Agency is responsible for compiling the non-domestic rating lists and setting the rateable value for each non-domestic property. Local billing authorities then use this information to calculate rates payable by using the multiplier set by government and applying any appropriate relief or discounts. Next year’s liability has not yet been confirmed. The Valuation Office Agency plans to publish draft valuations for the 2026 Rating List on 26 November 2025. Statistics will be published alongside this showing changes in rateable values between the 2023 and 2026 lists. The statistics will be updated to reflect any changes made when the compiled list is published on 1 April 2026.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has received any representations from (a) farmers, (b) other rural landowners and (c) other interested parties calling for a single responsible body to receive and investigate incidents of flytipping.

Defra not received any representations from farmers, other rural landowners and other interested parties calling for a single responsible body to receive and investigate incidents of fly-tipping. Local councils are responsible for investigating most fly-tipping incidents, including those on private land. Fly-tipping incidents can be reported by visiting the relevant local authority's website. Individuals can get help on identifying the relevant local authority webpage at https://www.gov.uk/report-flytipping.