Written questions by Mierlo.

What assessment she has made of the fairness of calculating student loan interest at RPI rather than CPI.

Interest rates are set in legislation in reference to the Retail Price Index (RPI) from the previous March, not the Consumer Price Index (CPI), and are applied annually on 1 September until 31 August. This ensures that over a period of years, interest rates on student loans have been consistently linked to a widely recognised and adopted measure of inflation.The Office for National Statistics has undertaken a substantial programme of work over the past two years to enhance how inflation is measured. The Office for Budget Responsibility has confirmed that, from 2030 at the earliest, movements in RPI will be aligned with CPI as viewed here: https://obr.uk/box/the-long-run-difference-between-rpi-and-cpi-inflation/.A full equality impact assessment of how the student loan reforms may affect graduates, including detail on changes to average lifetime repayments under Plan 5, was produced and published in February 2022 and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-education-reform-equality-impact-assessment.

What steps he is taking with the national literacy trust to deliver the national year of reading 2026.

This government has committed to strong foundations in reading and writing for all children and the National Year of Reading 2026 is an important part of our strategy for delivering on this commitment.The National Year of Reading is a UK-wide campaign to address the steep decline in reading enjoyment amongst children, young people and adults. It is a department led initiative, in collaboration with the National Literacy Trust, who will lead the delivery of the campaign, working alongside a range of partners.It includes a major physical and online marketing campaign, as well as exciting events, resources and activities in communities, libraries, schools and early years settings throughout the year.More information will be added to the website in the coming months. Anyone interested in the campaign can sign up to the website: www.goallin.org.uk.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of clause 9 (c)(5) of the Bathing Water (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2025 on public information on water quality.

Regulation 9 of the Bathing Water (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2025 amends Regulation 15A of the Bathing Water Regulations 2013 and requires the appropriate Minister to prepare and publish a report on the bathing season or seasons for that year. It broadly makes the same provision for publication of annual reports as under the previous Regulation 15A but with consequential changes to reflect that there will be a discretion to set different bathing seasons under amendments made by Regulation 5 of the 2025 Regulations. There is no change in the frequency of reports (annual) nor in the content of the reports required.

Food and Rural Affairs, what her planned timetable is for the (a) development and (b) completion of the 25-year farming roadmap.

The Farming Roadmap will be published next year and will set the course of farming in England for the next 25 years. It will respond to the Farming Profitability Review (which will be published this December, ahead of Christmas) and will set out the Government’s long-term vision for agriculture and provide farmers with the certainty they need to plan for the future.

What steps she is taking to tackle the theft of (a) farm equipment and (b) livestock.

We will be implementing the Equipment Theft Act, making it harder for criminals to sell on stolen vehicles and equipment and assisting the police with identifying the owner. The Act’s secondary legislation will require forensic marking to be applied to new All-Terrain Vehicles and for the details to be registered on a property database, for forensic marking to be applied to all new GPS units for use in agricultural and commercial settings, and for the details to be registered on a property database. This provides an important additional tool to help police identify if an item is stolen and to return it to its rightful owner. Additionally, the Crime and Policing Bill introduces a new power for the police to enter and search premises to which items have been electronically tracked by GPS or other means, which will help the police in tackling stolen equipment and machinery. This financial year we have provided the first Home Office funding since 2023 for the National Rural Crime Unit. The NRCU, takes the lead on improving co-ordination and partnership working, which provides police forces with specialist operational support in their responses to rural crime, such as the theft of farming machinery and livestock theft. We have also worked closely with the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) to deliver the new Rural and Wildlife Crime strategy which has just recently been published (25th November). The strategy sets out operational and organisational policing priorities in respect of tackling crimes that predominantly affect rural communities, including theft of farming machinery and livestock theft as priority areas of focus for policing.

What steps his Department is taking to (a) reduce the time taken for and costs associated with Court of Protection applications for care decisions and (b) ensure families have access to clear, publicly available guidance on those processes.

HMCTS is working to increase overall system capacity to decrease processing times across all types of applications. Measures taken include a targeted action plan to allocate additional administrative resources in response to higher demand, as well as training and upskilling new staff. Additional judicial sitting days have been added to support performance improvement. HMCTS is also working on improvements to the new case management system, to help reduce overall end-to-end processing times.Guidance on the court process is publicly available on GOV.UK. In addition, online application forms which assist users with ‘in application’ guidance and prompts are also available for some types of applications.

What estimate he has made of the current costs of energy per Kw/h compared to other European countries.

The Department publishes bi-annual statistical tables comparing the UK’s gas and electricity prices to the price of countries in the European Union. International energy price comparison statistics - GOV.UK These are provided in pence per kWh and are aggregated by consumption bands both including and excluding taxes. Separate tables are provided for domestic and non-domestic consumers. The prices are derived by taking the total of the monetary value of energy consumed divided by the total volume of energy. Therefore, these are representative of average prices and are not disaggregated by unit rate and standing charge.

What steps is he taking to ensure the transition to green energy is cost efficient for (a) his department with i. transmission systems, ii. distribution systems and iii. energy sources, and (b) consumers with i. heat pumps, ii. EV chargers and iii. insulation.

Network regulation is a matter for Ofgem, who regulates network operators through a price control process. Government supports Ofgem in developing a price control that delivers the transition to clean energy, while maximising value for money for consumers. Ofgem has a duty to protect the interests of consumers, whilst maintaining the financial stability and resilience of the transmission and distribution network operators. As all households move towards clean heat technologies, low income and fuel poor households will need more support to enable them to make greener choices. Government is focused on incentivising moves to cleaner, affordable heating and making this attractive and easy for the public. Our Warm Homes Plan will support investment in heat pumps and other energy efficiency upgrades to help cut bills.

What steps he is taking to ensure that local authorities have a clear process to follow for shared ownership and community benefit clean energy planning permission.

In the Clean Power Action Plan, we made it clear that where communities host clean energy infrastructure they should feel tangible and enduring benefit of doing so. Shared ownership plays a key role in ensuring all communities can share the benefits from the transition to net zero 2050.We are in the process of reviewing responses to our recent working paper and will continue to explore the role of local authorities in community benefit funds and shared ownership opportunities.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Clean Power plan for helping those in fuel poverty and those currently using gas boilers in transitioning to clean greener energy.

We recognise that we need to support households struggling with bills whilst we transition to clean power by 2030. This is why we delivered the Warm Home Discount to around 3 million eligible low-income households last winter. On 19 June 2025, we announced that we are expanding the Warm Home Discount to around an additional 2.7 million households. This means that from this winter, around 6 million low-income households will receive the £150 support to help with their energy bills. We are also delivering improvements to home energy efficiency through a number of schemes including the Warm Homes: Social Housing Decarbonisation, Warm Homes: Local Government and the continuation of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which is supporting thousands of households to upgrade their heating systems. As more homes are made energy efficient this will reduce carbon emissions, reduce overall energy demand and reduce energy bills for consumers.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps is she taking to ensure there is adequate funding and checks at border security for veterinary and meat imports to protect the farming industry against importing issues like foot and mouth disease or African Swine Fever.

Border checks undertaken by competent authorities are an important element of the system designed to manage biosecurity risks. The SPS controls at the border on EU goods implemented under the Border Target Operating Model provide assurance that the underlying systems of controls are working as intended. This includes import conditions, certification signed by veterinarian authorities in exporting countries, risk assessments, border checks, and other intelligence led controls. Defra is working with the Home Office and Border Force and has provided significant funding for Dover Port Health Authority (DPHA) to ensure operations around detecting illegal meat imports are as effective as possible. Defra has committed £3.1m for DPHA to work in partnership with Border Force in seizing meat smuggled via the Port of Dover in 2025/26, additional to over £9m of funding provided to date. Defra is considering the recommendations in the EFRA Committee’s report on meat smuggling. For Defra’s full response to the EFRA committee report, please see here. Defra publishes assessments of the risk of animal diseases entering Great Britain through trade in animal products here.

Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to involve Oxfordshire residents in the decision-making process on local government reorganisation, including how communities will be consulted before final decisions are made.

On 5 February, the government issued invitations to councils in two-tier areas in England and neighbouring unitary councils to prepare proposals for local government reorganisation. In that invitation, we set out that any proposals involving boundary change or affecting wider public services would need a strong justification on public services and financial sustainability grounds, recognising the additional costs and complexities of implementation. We also asked that areas demonstrate how the local community has been engaged in developing proposals.Proposals for unitary local government in Oxfordshire are due by 28 November. The government will decide which, if any, of those proposals to implement after a statutory consultation, to which the constituents of Oxfordshire will be able to respond. Decisions on the most appropriate option for each area will be judgements in the round, having regard to the statutory guidance and the available evidence.

Communities and Local Government, what steps are being taken to support young people living in supported housing to move on.

We have invested over £1 billion in homelessness and rough sleeping services this year, which can be used flexibly to address a range of local needs, including support for young people. The Spending Review protects this record level of investment to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping for the next three years.For young people ready to live independently, we are delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation, backed by the £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme. We are also reforming the private rented sector to give more security to tenants, bringing an end to rental bidding, outlawing discrimination against prospective tenants with children or those who receive social security benefits; and preventing landlords from demanding large amounts of rent in advance.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of using closed mineral extraction sites to aid flood alleviation, rather than infilling with waste.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) requires that planning authorities should provide for restoration and aftercare of mineral sites at the earliest opportunity to be carried out to high environmental standards. This should include, through provision of a landscape strategy, restoration conditions and aftercare schemes as appropriate. Responsibility for the restoration and aftercare of mineral sites, including financial responsibility, lies with the mineral site operator and, in the case of default, with the landowner. A revised NPPF was published in December 2024. The government will consider whether further changes are necessary to manage flood risk when we consult on planning reform, including national policy related to decision making.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the implications of any local government reorganisation model in Oxfordshire that would involve changes to existing district boundaries.

On 5 February, the government issued invitations to councils in two-tier areas in England and neighbouring unitary councils to prepare proposals for local government reorganisation. In that invitation, we set out that any proposals involving boundary change or affecting wider public services would need a strong justification on public services and financial sustainability grounds, recognising the additional costs and complexities of implementation. We also asked that areas demonstrate how the local community has been engaged in developing proposals.Proposals for unitary local government in Oxfordshire are due by 28 November. The government will decide which, if any, of those proposals to implement after a statutory consultation, to which the constituents of Oxfordshire will be able to respond. Decisions on the most appropriate option for each area will be judgements in the round, having regard to the statutory guidance and the available evidence.

Pursuant to the answer of 5 November 2025 provided to question 86540, how many new radiotherapy treatment machines will be provided to a) Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (b) Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

As part of the Government’s £70 million investment in new radiotherapy treatment machines, the Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust will receive one LINAC radiotherapy machine to replace an existing machine. The Oxford University Hospitals Trust will not receive any new radiotherapy machines from this investment. Responsibility for investing in new radiotherapy machines remains with local systems.NHS Trusts which have radiotherapy treatment machines were invited to apply last year to replace a machine, with funding coming from the £70m investment. Machine allocation was based on various criteria such as the age of the machine being replaced, the proportion of older machines in use within the trust, and the trust’s performance on radiotherapy.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the £2.61 meal rate paid to Oxfordshire schools for providing universal infant free school meals, taking into account rising (a) food, (b) energy and (c) staff costs.

This government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity and tackling child poverty. We spend around £600 million per year ensuring close to 1.3 million additional infants enjoy a free, healthy and nutritious meal at lunchtime following the introduction of the universal infant free school meal (UIFSM) policy in 2014.The department has not made a formal assessment of UIFSM funding for Oxfordshire schools, but we meet regularly with the sector, including school food caterers, and draw on these insights to inform our policy thinking.

Pursuant to the answer of 8 October 2025 provided to question 76507, (i) how many NICE Technology Appraisal approved therapies are not being provided in contravention of obligations by a) Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust b) Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and c) Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust and (ii) what the names of these therapies are.

The information requested is not held centrally.

If she will make an assessment of (a) the potential merits of establishing a regulatory framework for the registration and road use of three- and four-wheeled electric bicycles, (b) the adequacy of road safety standards to ensure that these vehicles can operate safely alongside other road users and (c) the potential impact of the wider adoption of properly regulated three- and four-wheeled e-bikes on the environment, accessibility and congestion.

The existing regulatory framework for electric cycles is comprised of the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983 and the Pedal Cycle (Construction and Use) Regulations 1983. These regulations apply to cycles with two or more wheels and are therefore applicable to three and four-wheeled electric cycles.These cycles must be constructed to meet the standards in the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008. European Standard EN15194 is the industry standard which can contribute to meeting these regulations. No assessment concerning the environment, accessibility or congestion is planned in respect of these cycles.

Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to ensure Henley and Thame constituency has 99% gigabit coverage by 2032.

As part of Project Gigabit, Gigaclear is delivering a contract across South Oxfordshire to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to premises not included in suppliers’ commercial rollout plans. Approximately 3,300 premises in Henley and Thame constituency are currently included in this contract, which is expected to complete by 2026.Additionally, approximately 250 premises within the constituency are included in a Project Gigabit contract being delivered by CityFibre covering Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and East Berkshire. This contract is currently expected to complete by 2029.We will aim to cover the remaining premises that are not currently included in Project Gigabit or suppliers’ commercial delivery plans as far as possible as funding becomes available, in line with the objective of achieving nationwide gigabit coverage by 2032.