Written questions by Costigan.

What steps his Department is taking to help prevent the causes of (a) heart disease and (b) stroke.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heart disease and stroke, is a leading cause of avoidable disability and premature death in the United Kingdom. This is why the Government has set a goal for fewer lives being lost to the biggest killers, including from CVD, and why the NHS England Long Term Plan (2019) sets out a number of actions that aim to help prevent up to 150,000 heart attacks, strokes, and dementia cases by 2029.The Government continues to support the delivery of the NHS Health Check programme, England’s CVD prevention programme, to people aged 40 to 74 years old. This programme identifies people at risk of CVD, supports people to reduce their risk, and prevents approximately 400 heart attacks or strokes each year. To improve access and engagement with the life-saving programme, we are developing a digital NHS Health Check which will be ready for testing in early 2025 and will enable people to undertake a check at home. We are also trialling the delivery of heart health checks to over 130,000 people in workplaces across the country.Community pharmacies also provide a free blood pressure check service for anyone over 40 years old. In cases where this results in a high reading, pharmacists can make sure people receive the right National Health Service support to reduce their blood pressure and risk of death or serious disability.We are also taking action on primary prevention to tackle the behavioural risk factors for heart disease and stroke such as smoking and obesity. Action includes introducing the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, implementing the advertising regulations for less healthy food and drink on television and online, and empowering councils to block the development of new fast-food shops outside schools.We know there is more to do to prevent the causes of CVD, including heart disease and stroke. The Department and NHS England are working together to achieve the Government’s ambition for fewer lives lost to the biggest killers, including CVD, and we will share more in due course.

What steps she is taking to integrate active travel with public transport networks.

The Government agrees on the importance of a properly integrated transport system, and will be saying more on this in due course in a new Integrated Transport Strategy. The Government agrees on the importance of integrating active travel networks with public transport networks, to make it easier for people to walk and cycle to bus, tram and train stations. Active Travel England works with local authorities to help design and deliver high-quality networks that are properly integrated with other local transport services. The Department has also published guidance for local authorities on both the design of cycle infrastructure (LTN 1/20) and on bus user priority (LTN1/24), with the latter including advice on matters such as mobility hubs and other interchanges.

What plans he has to ensure that the National Care Service supports the needs of people from diverse (a) cultural and (b) linguistic backgrounds.

The Government is committed to building a National Care Service based on clear, consistent national standards, that will improve the quality of care. On 10 October 2024, recognising the central role of our care workforce, we took a critical step, introducing the legislation that will establish the first ever Fair Pay Agreement for care professionals.We will set out the next steps in due course for a process that engages with adult social care stakeholders, including cross-party members and a diverse range of people with lived experience of care, to build consensus towards a National Care Service.

If she will issue guidance to train operating companies on the use of private prosecutions for contraventions of conditions of carriage.

We expect operators to ensure their policy on ticketing is clear and fair for passengers at all times and have instructed an urgent review of the cases in question, with a view to resolving them.Ticketing has become far too complicated, which is why we plan to simplify it as part of the biggest overhaul of our railways in a generation.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential environmental benefits of increasing active travel.

The Government recognises the environmental benefits from increasing active travel including improved air quality and reduced transport carbon emissions. The Department has published a range of reports which outline the environmental benefits from investment in active travel schemes and programmes.

If she will hold discussions with the Secretary of State for Justice on the use of courts by train operating companies to pursue private prosecutions for the misapplication of railcards on fares under £12.

We expect operators to ensure their policy on ticketing is clear and fair for passengers at all times and have instructed an urgent review of the cases in question, with a view to resolving them.Ticketing has become far too complicated, which is why we plan to simplify it as part of the biggest overhaul of our railways in a generation.

What his timeline is for implementation of a National Care Service.

The Government is committed to building a National Care Service based on clear, consistent national standards, that will improve the quality of care. On 10 October 2024, recognising the central role of our care workforce, we took a critical step, introducing the legislation that will establish the first ever Fair Pay Agreement for care professionals.We will set out the next steps in due course for a process that engages with adult social care stakeholders, including cross-party members and a diverse range of people with lived experience of care, to build consensus towards a National Care Service.

What progress he has made on implementation of a National Care Service.

The Government is committed to building a National Care Service based on clear, consistent national standards, that will improve the quality of care. On 10 October 2024, recognising the central role of our care workforce, we took a critical step, introducing the legislation that will establish the first ever Fair Pay Agreement for care professionals.We will set out the next steps in due course for a process that engages with adult social care stakeholders, including cross-party members and a diverse range of people with lived experience of care, to build consensus towards a National Care Service.

What steps he is taking to ensure that (a) disabled and (b) elderly people are consulted before delivery of a National Care Service.

The Government is committed to building a National Care Service based on clear, consistent national standards, that will improve the quality of care. On 10 October 2024, recognising the central role of our care workforce, we took a critical step, introducing the legislation that will establish the first ever Fair Pay Agreement for care professionals.We will set out the next steps in due course for a process that engages with adult social care stakeholders, including cross-party members and a diverse range of people with lived experience of care, to build consensus towards a National Care Service.

What steps his Department is taking to improve care for families after (a) pregnancy loss and (b) the death of a baby.

The Government is committed to delivering compassionate care for women, and supporting parents who have experienced any type of baby loss. Many trusts have specialist bereavement midwives, who are trained to care for and support parents and families who have suffered the loss of their baby. All trusts are signed up to The National Bereavement Care Pathway, which acts as a set of standards and guidance that trusts should follow when a patient has suffered a baby loss. Baby Loss Certificates are now available for all historic and future pregnancy losses, should parents wish to record and receive a certificate to recognise their loss.Paid Parental Bereavement Leave was introduced in 2020. This entitlement is available to parents who lose a child under 18 years old, including where a baby is stillborn after 24 weeks of pregnancy.Following the death of a baby, there are a number of different investigation and review routes available depending on the age of the baby and the circumstances surrounding the death. These include the Maternity and Newborn Safety Investigations Programme, the Perinatal Mortality Review tool, and the Child Death Review process. These reviews aim to provide answers for bereaved parents about why their baby died and learning for the healthcare system.

What steps he is taking to tackle staffing shortages in the care sector.

The adult social care workforce is growing, with Skills for Care data showing that in 2023/24 there were 1.705 million filled posts, an increase of 70,000 since 2022/23. Whilst this represents an improvement, the Government recognises the scale of reforms needed to make the adult social care sector attractive, to support sustainable workforce growth, and to improve the retention of the workforce.On 10 October 2024, recognising the central role of our amazing care workforce, we took a critical step, introducing the legislation that will establish the first ever Fair Pay Agreement for care professionals. Fair Pay Agreements will empower worker, employer, and other sector representatives to negotiate pay, terms, and conditions in a regulated and responsible manner. Fair Pay Agreements will help to address the recruitment and retention crisis in the sector, in turn supporting the continued delivery of high-quality care.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help (a) support British farmers to negotiate contracts with retailers and (b) preserve traditional farming methods.

The Government will deliver a resilient and healthy food system, with a new deal that ensures fairness in the supply chain across all sectors. Where farmers sell directly to retailers, their agreements will be covered within the scope of the sectoral regulations that we are introducing through powers in the Agriculture Act 2020. Farmers should always receive a fair price for their products and the Government is committed to tackling contractual unfairness wherever it exists Farmers are not only an important part of our local economies and communities, they play a crucial role in tackling biodiversity loss; improving water and air quality and improving our resilience to climate change. To us, food security is national security, and so it is important that we have a resilient and healthy food system that works with nature and supports British farmers. We understand the importance of, and need for, continuity when it comes to traditional farming practices for certain landscapes. This government will work with the sector to optimise schemes, including the methods and actions they fund, making sure that they work for all farmers whilst delivering food security and nature recovery in a just and equitable way.

What steps she is taking to work with local authorities to encourage greater uptake of (a) walking, (b) cycling and (c) other active travel modes in (i) urban and (ii) rural areas.

Active Travel England (ATE) works with all combined authorities and local authorities in England, providing funding and support with the intention being to encourage greater uptake of active travel. ATE is assuring the design quality of around £2 billion of active travel schemes and is working with authorities to boost officer capability to design schemes that improve safety of cyclists and pedestrians. This is being done through the provision of training and the development of specific guidance – including a rural design guide and a best practice guide to community consultation and engagement. In addition to this, local authorities receive support through national training and engagement programmes, including Bikeability cycle training, Walk to School Outreach and Big Bike Revival. As a statutory consultee in the planning system, ATE provides advice to local authorities on all planning applications for new development exceeding 150 dwellings, 7,500sqm of non-residential floorspace or 5 hectares in size. For applications outside of ATE’s remit, the agency has produced toolkits and guidance that can be used by local authorities to deliver improvements in active travel provision as part of new developments.

If he will make an assessment of the the potential merits of creating a national strategy to reduce alcohol harm.

Under our Health Mission, the Government is committed to prioritising preventative public health measures to support people to live longer, healthier lives. The Department will continue to work across Government to understand how best to reduce alcohol-related harms.

What percentage of people choose cycling as a mode of transport for commuting to work in (a) England, (b) the borough of Ealing and (c) Ealing Southall constituency.

The Department holds information on the proportion of people in employment using a bicycle as their usual mode to commute to work by region of residence. In 2022, 3.6% of people in employment living in England used a bicycle as their usual mode to commute to work. For those in employment who live in one of the Outer London boroughs 3.1% of people used a bicycle as their usual mode to commute to work. The department does not hold equivalent estimates for individual boroughs or constituencies.

What steps his Department is taking to improve maternity services.

The Government recognises the significant issues within maternity services. We are determined to ensure all women and babies receive safe, personalised, and compassionate care.We are committed to providing support to trusts failing on maternity care, which includes tailored support for those trusts to make rapid improvements using hands-on intensive support through the Maternity Safety Support Programme.We are working to address workforce issues, including committing to recruit thousands of new midwives. NHS England is boosting the midwifery workforce through undergraduate training, apprenticeships, postgraduate conversion, return to midwifery programmes, and international recruitment.We are continuing to work with the National Health Service as it delivers its three-year maternity and neonatal plan to grow our maternity workforce, develop a culture of safety, and ensure all women, babies and families receive more equitable care.

Media and Sport, If she will meet visual effects workers to discuss the role of visual effects in the creative industry.

Yes, because the government is committed to supporting the UK’s visual effects (VFX) industry. VFX is a part of the screen sector that is always on the cutting edge of innovation and creativity, and the UK is home to some of the world’s best VFX talent.The government does and will continue to engage with both sector organisations such as the UK Screen Alliance and with individual VFX studios, to support and champion our award winning VFX talent and make the UK an attractive place to do business.We will work to ensure that the VFX industry remains competitive and with international reach, so that it is able to provide high quality jobs and to fulfil its potential as a key part of the creative industries and the wider UK economy.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending the Opening School Facilities funding programme beyond March 2025.

This government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity to enable every child to achieve and thrive, including through expanding access to sport and physical activity. This will support our cross-government missions and help to raise the healthiest and happiest generation of children ever. Funding beyond 31 March 2025 is subject to the next government Spending Review taking place this autumn. The outcome of the review will be communicated in due course.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of maternity pay for people with (a) twins and (b) multiples.

We want new mothers to be able to take time away from work. Statutory Maternity Pay and Maternity Allowance rates are reviewed annually and were raised again by 6.7% in April 2024 from £172.48 to £184.03. Maternity pay is primarily a health and safety provisions for pregnant working women. It is not intended to replace a woman's earnings completely, nor is it intended to assist with the costs associated with the birth of a new child or children. Rather it provides a measure of financial security to help pregnant working women take time off work in the later stages of their pregnancy and in the months following childbirth. Statutory Maternity Pay and Maternity Allowance are not paid in respect of each child but in respect of each pregnancy. The qualifying conditions for both are generally based on a woman's recent employment and earnings. Maternity pay represents only one element of state-funded support available to new families in the first years of their child’s life. Depending on individual circumstances, additional financial support, for example Child Benefits and Sure Start Maternity Grant, may also be available. In terms of wider support for parents, the Government committed [ in its manifesto] to review parental leave to ensure that it best supports working families. Further details of the review will be announced in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of a deposit return scheme on levels of (a) litter and (b) public disamenity caused by litter; and if he will make an estimate of the monetary value of that impact.

Across the UK, it is estimated that approximately 4 billion plastic and 2.5 billion metal drinks containers are not recycled every year – a significant amount being littered. Once the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers is introduced, the Deposit Management Organisation will be required to reach a collection rate of 90% of DRS containers in year 3 of the scheme. Further details, including monetary analysis on the reduction of disamenity of litter, will be provided in the DRS Final Impact Assessment. This will be published when the Statutory Instrument is laid in Parliament.