Written questions by Tomlinson.

What steps he plans to take to help (a) improve pay and conditions for frontline social care workers and (b) ensure that social care policy adequately addresses the requirements of people with severe disabilities.

We are introducing the first ever Fair Pay Agreement to the adult social care sector so that care professionals are recognised and rewarded for the important work that they do. Fair Pay Agreements will empower worker representatives, employers, and others to negotiate pay, and terms and conditions in a responsible manner. This will help to address the recruitment and retention crisis in the sector, in turn supporting the delivery of high-quality care.We are making immediate improvements to improve the lives of people with severe disabilities, such as providing £711 million of funding to the Disabled Facilities Grant in 2024/25 and 2025/26, as we lay the foundations for a National Care Service.We will ensure that the needs and experiences of disabled people are at the heart of our future plans.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the introduction of the severity modifier by NICE in 2022 on the provision of life-extending treatment to those with incurable secondary breast cancer.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has been monitoring the impact of the severity modifier since it was implemented in 2022. Data up to March 2025 shows that the proportion of positive cancer recommendations is higher with the severity modifier (85%) than with the end-of-life modifier it replaced (75%). The proportion of positive recommendations for advanced cancer treatments is also higher with the severity modifier (81% compared to 69% with the end-of-life modifier).Since January 2022, NICE has recommended all but one of the treatments for breast cancer that it has assessed. This includes treatments for advanced breast cancer (such as Truqap and Korserdu), which are now available to eligible NHS patients.The severity modifier is therefore working as intended and there are currently no plans to adjust or change it in the near future. However, NICE has commissioned research on people’s attitudes to how the severity modifier should be applied that will inform future reviews of NICE’s methods.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the absence of legal requirement for local authorities to provide free transport for young people with SEND beyond the age of 16 on (a) parental employment and (b) the future employment prospects of those children.

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.Local authorities are responsible for transport to education and training for 16-19 year-olds. Post-16 transport guidance requires local authorities to make the necessary transport arrangements or provide financial support to ensure young people can participate in education or training. The needs of young people with SEND should be specifically considered and the arrangements put in place for each group must be documented in local authority transport policy statements.For example, in the constituency of Chipping Barnet, Barnet Council can offer alternative options where public transport is not appropriate, such as a personal transport allowance, independent travel training or bespoke options on a case-by-case basis.In addition to their statutory responsibilities, many local authorities offer some form of subsidised transport which, combined with the 16-19 bursary, has been intended to provide financial support to students from low-income households. These decisions are best made locally in consideration of local needs, the resources available and other local circumstances.

When he plans to restore Official Development Assistance to 0.7 percent of gross national income in the context of the Spending Review.

To enable the government to invest more in security and defence, while remaining committed to our fiscal rules, the Prime Minister has taken the difficult decision to reduce Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the equivalent of 0.3% of GNI by 2027. The Spending Review (SR) 2025 ODA settlement delivers on this. The government remains committed to returning spending on ODA to 0.7% of GNI when the fiscal circumstances allow. The government will continue to monitor future forecasts closely, and each year will review and confirm, in accordance with the International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Act 2015, whether a return to spending 0.7% of GNI on ODA is possible against the latest fiscal forecast.

What steps his Department is taking to help tackle regional disparities in the (a) distribution and (b) availability of essential medications.

Medicine supply chains are complex, global, and highly regulated, and there are a number of reasons why supply can be disrupted, many of which are not specific to the United Kingdom and outside of Government control, including manufacturing difficulties, access to raw materials, sudden demand spikes or distribution issues, and regulatory issues. We have drawn on up-to-date intelligence and data on the root causes of medicine supply issues, with manufacturing problems being the most dominant root cause.The resilience of UK supply chains is a key priority, and we are continually learning and seeking to improve the way we work to both manage and help prevent supply issues and avoid shortages. The Department, working closely with NHS England, is taking forward a range of actions to improve our ability to mitigate and manage shortages and to strengthen our resilience. As part of that work, we continue to engage with industry, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, and other colleagues across the supply chain as we progress work to co-design and deliver solutions. We have plans underway to increase the awareness of our work.The Department monitors and manages medicine supply at a national level so that stocks remain available to meet regional and local demand.

Whether she plans to introduce sign language into early years planning for deaf children.

High quality early years education is crucial to children’s development, health and life chances. The department is committed to ensuring that all children, including children with disabilities such as deafness, have the best possible start in life as part of the government‘s Plan for Change. A strong focus on communication in early years is good for every child. The early years foundation stage (EYFS) aims to ensure that all children have the skills and knowledge needed to thrive and to make a successful transition to later schooling.The EYFS Profile involves assessing a child’s development against 17 early learning goals (ELGs) across all seven areas of learning in the EYFS. In November 2024, the department published the updated EYFS Profile handbook, which can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-profile-handbook. This update included a change to allow a child’s established or preferred mode of communication, including non-speaking communication, such as signing, to be used for all of the ELGs, including the speaking ELG.The department has published resources, including a free online training module and special educational needs and disabilities assessment guidance, to help early educators to identify, assess and support children in their settings. Early years educators can choose to utilise many methods of communication, including signing, if they feel it would meet the needs of the children in their care.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) amending the Consumer Rights Act 2015 to include and (b) bringing into the scope of the Motor Ombudsman (i) small businesses run as limited companies and (ii) other small businesses; and what guidance he has issued to small businesses on their protections when purchasing faulty goods.

There are no current plans to amend the Consumer Right Act 2015 which focuses on transactions between businesses and consumers rather than between businesses. Under the Consumer Rights Act, consumers have several options when issues arise with goods and services. Within the initial 30 days, consumers can reject faulty items and claim a full refund.After the initial 30 days, consumers can request a repair or replacement for faulty goods.If goods are out of stock or a repair/replacement isn’t feasible (or the repair doesn’t fix the defect), consumers may be able to claim a partial or full refund. The Department for Business and Trade has announced that it will be launching the Business Growth Service later this year to improve and streamline the support services on offer to small businesses.

Media and Sport, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to ensure that generative AI developers are obliged to disclose the use of (a) creative writing and (b) other works in AI training.

Our consultation on the impact of AI on the copyright regime, which was published on 17 December and closed on 25 February, received over 10,000 responses. The consultation took views on a number of topics related to how AI interacts with copyright law, including transparency obligations on AI forms. We will now consider the full range of responses we have received and will continue to develop our policy approach in partnership with creative industries, media and AI stakeholders. No decisions will be taken until we are absolutely confident we have a practical plan that delivers for the creative industries.

What assessment he has made of the impact of employment contract non-compete clauses on (a) entrepreneurship and (b) economic growth.

A dynamic and entrepreneurial workforce is good for economic growth. There is evidence to suggest that non-compete clauses can act as a barrier to this innovation-driven growth, as they can prevent individuals from working for a competing business, or from applying their entrepreneurial spirit to establish a competing business.

Media and Sport, whether her Department is taking steps to (a) support the development of and (b) source external funding for the Directories Asset Mapping digital compendium of Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises.

The Department is not currently working on this project but my officials would welcome more information on the scheme, if the Honorable Member would like to share that.

Whether she plans to help reduce (a) inequalities in the admissions process to academically selective grammar schools and (b) disparities in access to tutoring for admission tests to those schools.

The admission authorities for grammar schools set their schools’ selection criteria. This government’s priority is ensuring high and rising standards across every school to secure a brilliant education for every child.

With reference to the document entitled CEF Funded Projects, published on 31 July 2024, how many projects his Department had funded in total through the Community Energy Fund by 31 December 2024; and if he will list each project funded between 1 August and 31 December 2024 broken down by (a) Local Net Zero Hub region, (b) community group and (c) grant value.

The Community Energy Fund enables both rural and urban communities across England to access grant funding to develop local renewable energy projects for investment. Projects funded by the Community Energy Fund are published on GOV.UK. This list will be updated in due course to include projects funded during the period from 1 August to 31 December 2024: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-net-zero-support-for-local-authorities-and-communities/local-net-zero-central-support-for-local-authorities-and-communities#community-energy.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2024 to Question 3369 on Iran: Political Prisoners, whether his Department has taken steps to hold Iran accountable following the executions of (a) Behrouz Ehsani, (b) Mehdi Hassani and (c) other people.

The UK opposes the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle. We have repeatedly called on the Islamic Republic to establish a moratorium on executions, including through a Human Rights Ambassadors joint statement at the Human Rights Council in October 2024. The UK also helped deliver a resolution on the human rights situation in Iran at the UN Third Committee in November 2024. In January, the Foreign Secretary raised human rights directly with his Iranian counterpart. We will continue to raise human rights issues directly with the regime, including through our Ambassador in Tehran.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of allowing people in (a) care homes and (b) hospitals to have visitors in all circumstances.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) Fundamental Standard on Visiting and Accompanying (Regulation 9A) came into force on 6 April 2024, and requires CQC registered care homes, hospitals, and hospices to facilitate visiting, unless there are exceptional circumstances which mean that it is not safe to do so.We continue to monitor the situation regarding visiting by looking at Capacity Tracker data and intel from sector partners. We will conduct a review of Regulation 9A from April 2025, 12 months on from the legislation coming into force, to assess whether the legislation has been effective in addressing concerns about visiting in health and care settings. Depending on the outcome of the review we will consider whether further action is needed.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of rodents on soy-based wiring and insulation used in vehicles.

The Department has made no assessment of the impact of rodents on automotive wiring using a soy-based insulation material. Although rodents have a propensity to chew both domestic and automotive wiring, there is little evidence beyond the anecdotal to suggest that this is increased for soy-based products. Individuals experiencing such an occurrence with their vehicle wiring should raise the matter with the manufacturer or report the matter to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency if it is considered a serious safety defect.

What steps she is taking to increase (a) awareness of the PASS CitizenCard and (b) the number of licensed premises that accept it as a suitable form of identification.

The Government supports the Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) and encourages all shops and licensed premises to accept PASS accredited cards as proof of age.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of introducing regulations similar to disabled parking on parent and child parking spaces.

The Department for Transport has no current plans to regulate the use of parent and child parking spaces, which typically operate in privately owned car parks such as supermarkets. The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019, for which the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has responsibility, places a duty on the Government to prepare a code of practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities. This government is determined to drive up standards in the private parking sector and will announce its plans for the new Code in due course.

Whether her Department plans to take steps to increase protection for victims of stalking when the perpetrator has a mental health condition.

This Government is fully committed to tackling stalking and doing all that it can to protect victims and robustly manage perpetrators.On 3 December, the Government announced a raft of new measures to tackle stalking by putting victims first and increasing the protections available to them. This includes plans to increase the use of Stalking Protection Orders (SPOs) by legislating to provide for the courts to impose them of their own volition on conviction or acquittal. Currently only the police can apply for an SPO to a magistrate's court.SPOs are an essential tool designed to protect victims of stalking at the earliest possible opportunity and address the perpetrator's behaviours before they become entrenched or escalate in severity. They allow positive requirements to be imposed and this can include the perpetrator attending mental health support, but also a perpetrator programme to address the root causes of their offending.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the new visa requirements for Colombian citizens on UK citizens who are intending to return to the UK with children born through surrogacy in Colombia.

The status of British Citizens is not affected by the reintroduction of a visa requirement for Colombian nationals. The new visa requirements introduced on 26 November 2024 relate to visitors and passengers in transit only. The visa requirements for those who intend to settle in the UK or enter for any other reason have not changed. Full consideration was given to the likely impact of the change on Colombian nationals. British Citizens who intend to return to the UK with a child born through surrogacy are advised to seek specialist immigration advice.

What steps she is taking to promote the inclusion of disabled students in schools; and if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of including in the national curriculum teaching about the life experiences of disabled people.

This government is committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools to break down barriers to education, alongside ensuring that special schools can support children with the most complex needs.The department will strengthen accountability on mainstream settings to be inclusive, including through Ofsted, support the mainstream workforce to increase their special educational needs and disabilities expertise, and encourage schools to set up resourced provision or special educational needs units to increase capacity in mainstream schools. This is being supported by an additional £740 million for high needs capital in 2025/26. Local authorities can use their high needs capital funding to deliver new places in mainstream and special schools, as well as other specialist settings. It can also be used to improve the suitability and accessibility of existing buildings. High needs funding will also increase by almost £1 billion in 2025/26, compared to 2024/25.The department has created an Expert Advisory Group for Inclusion, led by Tom Rees, to advise myself and my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education on how to drive inclusive education practice.Within a broad framework, set out in subject-specific programmes of study, schools currently have flexibility to organise the content and delivery of the curriculum to meet the needs of their pupils.The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE. The Review will ensure that the curriculum appropriately balances ambition, excellence, relevance, flexibility and inclusivity for all our children and young people.