Written questions by Taylor.

What steps he is taking to improve access to healthcare services in Hertfordshire.

The Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) is responsible for improving access to healthcare services in Hertfordshire. NHS England has informed us that the ICB is delivering its responsibility to improve support for those in mental health crisis through the launch of a Mental Health Urgent Care Centre, providing a more appropriate and therapeutic environment at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage. The ICB has also increased children and young people’s mental health access by 44% year-on-year, according to the latest data. According to NHS England’s assessment, people across Hertfordshire now have significantly improved access to blood pressure checks across a range of settings, including general practice, community pharmacy, some dental and optometry sites, outpatient departments, and through community services. A purpose-built theatre suite is set to open at St Albans City Hospital in Spring 2025. The ICB states that this will provide non-complex orthopaedic, hip and knee surgery, spinal injections, and ear, nose and throat procedures for approximately 4,400 patients per year, from across the ICB’s area. The 10-Year Health Plan will consider the change needed to meet the three Health Mission goals, those being: a fairer system where everyone lives well for longer; a National Health Service that is there when people need it; and fewer lives lost to the biggest killers.

What steps she is taking to help tackle antisocial behaviour in Hertfordshire.

Tackling anti-social behaviour is a top priority for this Government, and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission.That’s why this Government will put thousands of new neighbourhood police and community support officers into local communities across the country, so residents know they will have someone to turn to when things go wrong.We will crack down on those causing havoc on our high streets by introducing tougher powers, including new Respect Orders to tackle repeat offending, and we will give the police stronger powers to crack down on the antisocial use of dangerous and deafening off-road bikes.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of trends in the level of funding in his Department's statistics entitled Adult Social Care Activity and Finance Report, England, 2023-24, published on 31 October 2024.

The Adult Social Care Activity Report is published annually by NHS England. This statistics publication is the main data source for our analysis of adult social care expenditure. It includes statistics about overall levels of spending and breaks these down by setting, primary support reason, and age group. It also includes statistics about the unit costs of different types of adult social care.

What steps he is taking to engage with people affected by the ban on LGBT people serving in the British Armed Forces prior to the start of discussions on a financial settlement.

The Government has engaged with people affected by the Ban throughout the response to the Independent Review; the response can be viewed at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/lgbt-veterans-independent-review-government-response. Defence has worked closely with key stakeholders on the design of the scheme, enabling the voices of the veterans to be heard. Indications of interest were invited through the application process for non-financial restorative measures, aiding Defence in understanding more about the affected community and ensuring that the scheme considers the needs of the community. Further information regarding the restorative measures can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/lgbt-veterans-apply-for-restorative-measures. I recently held a briefing in which I welcomed questions and listened to the concerns of veterans directly from their MPs. This Government is committed to holding a Parliamentary debate to ensure Parliamentary scrutiny is given to the design of the scheme and that all veterans concerns may be represented. Further information about available support and next steps can be found at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/lgbt-veterans-support-and-next-steps

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to unlock the £2.5 billion worth of funds resulting from the Sale of Chelsea football club to be used for humanitarian ends for Ukrainian people effected by conflict in Ukraine.

This government is working hard to ensure the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea FC reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine as quickly as possible, in line with the UK's unilateral declaration. The government is fully committed to that position, as part of our iron-clad support for Ukraine. UK officials continue to hold discussions with Mr Abramovich's representatives, experts and international partners, and we are doubling down on our efforts to reach a resolution.

Whether his Department allows the transfer of (a) retired, (b) surplus civilian (i) vehicles and (ii) vehicle fleets from the UK to support military units in Ukraine.

The Ministry of Defence has prioritised its support to Ukraine, including establishing processes to ensure equipment that is retiring, or is surplus to UK military requirements, is considered for donation to Ukraine. Similarly, the Ministry of Defence has enabled the transfer of donated equipment e.g. vehicles, to Ukraine from private organisations, or Other Government Departments such as the Home Office. We will continue to support and enable donations of equipment.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of Russia's policies on the (a) granting of Russian citizenship to Ukrainian children and (b) placement of Ukrainian children in foster families.

The UK is appalled by reports that Ukrainian children living under Russian occupation and Ukrainian children who have been forcibly deported to Russia are being forced to take Russian citizenship, as well as subsequent reports that these children are being adopted into Russian families. The UK was pleased to participate in the most recent meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children on 1 October. We will continue to raise Russia's attempts to erase the Ukrainian identity of these children at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the UN and the Human Rights Council.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his international counterparts on returning Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia.

The UK continues to track Russia's deportation of Ukrainian children, which is a clear violation of international law. We were pleased to see another group of children returned via Qatari mediation in September, and are grateful for Qatar's continued engagement on this issue. The UK participated in the most recent meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children on 1 October and continues to work closely with the Ukrainian government on this issue. We have also raised Russia's deportation of Ukrainian children at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the UN and the Human Rights Council.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking as penholder on Sudan to help find a diplomatic solution to the conflict in that country.

The UK uses its position as penholder on Sudan at the UN Security Council to call for coordinated, international action to bring an end to the conflict. On 18 September, the UK called an urgent council session to address escalation in El Fasher, where we called on the Rapid Support Forces to halt its siege of the area and reiterated our calls to both warring parties to return to negotiations in good faith. The UK will have the Security Council Presidency in November where Sudan will feature on the agenda. We look forward to the Secretary-General's recommendations on Protection of Civilians and will work closely with the UN, Council Members, and international partners to build momentum towards their implementation.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the level of Official Development Assistance spending on refugee costs in the UK.

My Rt Hon. Friend the Home Secretary is committed to bringing order to the asylum system and has taken steps to unblock the backlog of claims. Official Development Assistance spending on demand-driven refugee costs is within international rules set by the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee. My Rt Hon. Friend the Chancellor will set out the Government’s spending plans, including ODA, at the Budget.

What steps he is taking to support people and organisations wishing to donate and deliver vehicles to Ukraine.

We welcome support for Ukraine from across civil soceity. In coordination with the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Business and Trade (DBT) cohere donation offers from Industry and assists companies in achieving this goal. DBT regularly meets with defence and security trade associations to discuss requirements, based on Ukraine’s specific requests for equipment.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help protect civilians from harm in non-regime held areas of (a) north-east and (b) north-west Syria; and if he will hold discussions with (i) the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead and (ii) Syrian civil society organisations on this matter.

The UK supports those in need across northern Syria, working with partners to improve humanitarian co-ordination and access to enhance crisis preparedness. In the North East, we provide assistance to communities and IDP (internally displaced persons) camps to help vulnerable women and children and support early recovery and resilience building. In the North West, we support partners to deliver agricultural and livelihoods opportunities, as well as education services.The UK Envoy for Syria and FCDO officials regularly meet with Syrian civil society organisations, most recently on 9 October. On 30 September, I raised security and stability challenges in Syria at a Ministerial meeting of the Global Coalition against Daesh.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for asylum accommodation policy of using the overseas development budget to help fund asylum accommodation.

The growth of asylum accommodation spending has led to difficult cuts to other UK aid programmes. This Government is committed to rebuilding Britain’s reputation on international development. The Home Secretary is committed to bringing order to the asylum system and has taken steps to unblock the backlog of claims, which will help reduce costs.