Written questions by Thomas.

Food and Rural Affairs, what contingency plans her Department has made help ensure suppliers are protected in the event that Thames Water enter Special Administration Regime.

The Government will always act in the national interest. While the company is stable, we stand ready for all eventualities – including being ready to apply for a Special Administration Regime if necessary. In the event of a Special Administration Regime, the Special Administrator must ensure that a water company’s statutory functions continue to be provided – continuing the provision of water and wastewater services. We would also expect the Special Administrator to prepare key communications - including to their suppliers should a SAR be required.

Who in the new Defence Reform Quad structure is responsible for ensuring that new commercial technologies are adopted by the armed forces.

Adoption and integration of new commercial technologies is a collaborative process between the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group and the Armed Forces. The Military Strategic Headquarters, on behalf of Chief of Defence Staff, sets the design of the integrated force and the NAD Group are responsible for planning, resourcing and integrating applicable technology to deliver capability to the Armed Forces to meet the design.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposed reforms to zero-hours contracts on businesses whose sales are significantly affected by (a) the weather and (b) other unpredictable factors.

The government has published a comprehensive assessment of the potential impacts from the zero hours contract measures in the Employment Rights Act 2025. These assessments include consideration of increases in labour costs and the subsequent effects, as well as setting out the sectors most likely to be impacted by the measures.

What discussions his Department has had with businesses on maintaining flexible staffing arrangements in the context of the Employment Rights Act 2025.

The Government is improving flexibility and security for workers while supporting a flexible, responsive labour market that drives economic growth. This includes reforms on flexible working, agency work and zero hours contracts. Across each of these areas, engagement with businesses and trade bodies has been core to policy development. We are also continuing to gather views from businesses through our current public consultations on Improving Access to Flexible Working and Modernising the Agency Work Regulatory Framework.

What steps his Department are taking to help support hospitality businesses in managing cost pressures from energy costs.

The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently. The creation of Great British Energy will help us to harness clean energy with less reliance on volatile international energy markets and help in our commitment to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030. In the short-term, the Government wants to provide businesses with better protection from being locked into unfair and expensive energy contracts, and more redress when they have a complaint. That’s why the Government has decided to regulate Third-Party Intermediaries (TPIs), such as energy brokers. This will improve consumer outcomes and enhance consumer protections for non-domestic consumers, particularly charities and small businesses. Regulation will be introduced once parliamentary time allows.

What assessment he has made of the impact of food inflation on hospitality businesses.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that in the 12 months to January 2026 CPI food and non-alcoholic beverages price inflation stood at 3.6%, down from 4.5% in the 12 months to December 2025. Overall CPI inflation was 3.0% in the 12 months to January 2026, compared with 3.4% in the 12 months to December 2025, and remains 1 percentage point above the Bank of England's 2% target.We are committed to ensuring that regulation works better for food businesses. The new Food Inflation Gateway will assess the impact of proposed Government regulations on food businesses and food prices; while also giving firms a single, clearer line of sight on upcoming regulatory changes so they can plan with greater confidence.In addition, the Government has introduced a series of measures to help ease cost pressures across the sector, including permanently lower business rates multipliers for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties. We will continue to work closely with the sector and across Government to support resilience and help hospitality businesses navigate ongoing cost challenges.

What steps he is taking to help increase public awareness of Martha's Rule.

NHS England has undertaken extensive work to develop, test, and rollout communication products in relation to Martha’s Rule. This includes public communication materials for hospitals that have implemented Martha’s Rule to ensure inpatients, and their families and carers, are aware of and informed about this important patient safety initiative. NHS England is considering plans for a wider communications campaign once Martha’s Rule is fully implemented in all relevant settings, later in 2026/27. This will take account of feedback in relation to the communication materials produced so far.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential benefits of removing the three-year statue of limitations for offences under Part 1 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

The Government is extending the statute of limitations period for bringing proceedings for offences under Part 1 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008, Section 90(2).This change aims to give the Care Quality Commission more time to gather evidence, conclude investigations, and prosecute where appropriate.By extending the period in which proceedings can be brought, the Department seeks to encourage learning from failures in care and provide greater assurance and confidence for families seeking justice. The change will support the ambitions of the 10-Year Health Plan to improve quality of care generally.

Who is the responsible Minister for the Team Plymouth partership.

The responsible Minister for the Team Plymouth partnership is the Minister of State in the House of Lords, my noble. Friend, The Lord Coaker.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to help ensure that parking companies (a) behave appropriately towards their customers and (b) have adequate ticketing practices.

The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the government to prepare a code of practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities. The government launched a consultation on 11th July 2025 which outlined its proposals for raising standards and protecting motorists. All of the responses are now being analysed and the government will publish a response in due course.

What steps he is taking to (a) encourage homeowners to make sustainable upgrades to properties and (b) make those improvements more affordable.

The government is committed to making the consumer journey easier for homeowners. The government's home retrofit tool on GOV.UK (www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency), provides tailored recommendations for home improvements. A phoneline service is available on 0800 098 7950. As part of the Warm Homes Plan, the government has committed an initial £3.4 billion over the next 3 years towards heat decarbonisation and household energy efficiency. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) offers an up-front grant to help replace existing fossil-fuel heating with more efficient, low-carbon heating systems. The department has also launched the Warm Homes: Local Grant (WH:LG) to support low-income homeowners in England. Officials are exploring the role of incentives and private finance for households to support homeowners with the upfront costs.

Whether staff in his Department have access to information about claimants' known (a) disabilities and (b) mental health conditions when the claimant contacts his Department by phone.

Claimants who make an application for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), or whose entitlement is being reviewed, are required to provide all relevant evidence relating to their health condition—whether that be a physical disability, mental health condition, or both. This evidence is essential for determining their entitlement to benefit.All decisions made regarding a claimant’s entitlement are recorded on the PIP Computer System (PIPCS). Staff deployed to our telephone lines, who handle customer calls, have access to PIPCS. They are able to:View the claimant’s health conditions to support the customer appropriately during the call.Update the system with any changes to the customer’s circumstances.This ensures that customer interactions are informed, accurate, and that any updates are promptly reflected in the system.

Whether staff in his Department receive trauma-informed training.

Trauma informed learning is available to all DWP staff.

Whether he plans to expand support available through the Warm Homes Grant.

We are working across government on a comprehensive Warm Homes Plan for households to cut energy bills for good. We are investing £13.2 billion in the Warm Homes Plan up to 2030, in line with the Manifesto commitment. We will publish more details on allocations to individual schemes soon. The Warm Homes Plan will include targeted support for the most vulnerable to help slash fuel poverty. The government is already supporting the installation of energy efficiency measures through schemes including the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (WH:SHF) and Warm Homes: Local Grant (WH: LG).

What support is available for (a) parents and (b) children who receive diagnoses of neurodevelopmental conditions.

It is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) in England to make appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including pre-and-post diagnostic support for neurodevelopmental conditions, in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan will make the National Health Service fit for the future and it recognises the need for early intervention and support. The Government is supporting inclusive environments and earlier intervention for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) through the Early Language Support for Every Child and the Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools programmes. In addition, through local commissioning, the Government will ensure that Neighbourhood Health Services work in partnership with family hubs, schools, nurseries, and colleges to offer timely and joined-up support to children, young people, and their families, including for those with SEND.NHS England commissions Autism Central, a peer education programme, which aims to make it easier for parents and carers to learn more about autism and the services available to them.NHS England also established an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) taskforce to better understand the challenges affecting those with ADHD, including in accessing services and support. An interim report was published on 20 June, with the final report expected later in the year, and we will carefully consider its recommendations.

What steps he is taking to reduce wait times for people requiring new wheelchairs.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for the provision and commissioning of local wheelchair services.NHS England supports ICBs to commission effective, efficient, and personalised wheelchair services. Since July 2015, NHS England has collected quarterly data from clinical commissioning groups, now ICBs, on wheelchair provision, including waiting times, to enable targeted action if improvement is required.NHS England is taking steps to reduce regional variation in the quality and provision of National Health Service wheelchairs, and to support ICBs to reduce delays in people receiving timely intervention and wheelchair equipment. This includes publishing a Wheelchair Quality Framework on 9 April 2025, which sets out quality standards and statutory requirements for ICBs, such as offering personal wheelchair budgets. The framework is available at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/wheelchair-quality-framework/

What additional support is available to (a) parents and (b) carers of children awaiting neurodevelopmental assessment.

It is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) in England to make appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including pre-and-post diagnostic support for neurodevelopmental conditions, in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan will make the National Health Service fit for the future and it recognises the need for early intervention and support. The Government is supporting inclusive environments and earlier intervention for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) through the Early Language Support for Every Child and the Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools programmes. In addition, through local commissioning, the Government will ensure that Neighbourhood Health Services work in partnership with family hubs, schools, nurseries, and colleges to offer timely and joined-up support to children, young people, and their families, including for those with SEND.NHS England commissions Autism Central, a peer education programme, which aims to make it easier for parents and carers to learn more about autism and the services available to them.NHS England also established an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) taskforce to better understand the challenges affecting those with ADHD, including in accessing services and support. An interim report was published on 20 June, with the final report expected later in the year, and we will carefully consider its recommendations.

Whether he has had discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence on the prescription of Fampridine as a treatment for MS.

Ministers and departmental officials have regular discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on a range of issues, including in relation to its guidelines.NICE’s guideline on the diagnosis and management of multiple sclerosis in adults, published in June 2022, recommends that fampridine should not be offered to treat mobility issues in people with multiple sclerosis as it is not found to be a cost-effective treatment.

What assessment she has made of the challenges faced by military families when applying for school places (a) during school holiday periods and (b) other times outside of the normal admissions cycle.

The department is committed to supporting the education of service children. Families of UK service personnel can be subject to frequent moves, often requiring them to apply for school places outside the normal admissions round.The School Admissions Code requires admission authorities to allocate school places in advance of a service family moving into the area, where certain conditions are met.Children eligible for the Service Pupil Premium can be prioritised in oversubscription criteria, and service pupils can be admitted as exceptions to the infant class size limit, outside the normal admissions round. Publicly-funded boarding schools must give second highest priority to service children who qualify for Ministry of Defence assistance with boarding fees.Through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, we are taking further steps to support children having difficulty securing school places in-year by giving local authorities improved levers to secure places for children quickly and efficiently.

What steps he is taking to help ensure that parents with children in hospital have access to care close to their home.

On 3 July 2025, the Government published the 10-Year Health Plan, setting out its vision for a Neighbourhood Health Service to bring care into local communities, transform access to health services, and prevent unnecessary hospital admissions. This will mean millions of patients, including children with complex and chronic needs, are treated and cared for closer to their home.The Government aims to establish a Neighbourhood Health Centre in every community by 2035, building care closer to where children live, learn and play. We have launched the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme, which will support systems across the country to test new ways of working, share learning, and scale what works. This Programme will inform future strategy and policy development, and outcome metrics will be rigorously monitored.