Written questions by Mierlo.

What steps he is taking to ensure that women with polycystic ovary syndrome receive (a) timely and (b) equitable access to fertility assessment and treatment under NHS pathways.

Funding decisions for health services in England are made by integrated care boards (ICBs) and are based on the clinical needs of their population. We expect ICBs to commission fertility services in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines ensuring equal access to fertility treatment across England.The NICE fertility guideline includes information on what advice and treatment should be offered to women with ovulation disorders, including polycystic ovary syndrome.NICE is currently reviewing the fertility guidelines and will consider whether the current recommendations for access to National Health Service funded treatment are still appropriate. A consultation on revised guidelines was published on 10 September.NICE is the independent body responsible for translating evidence into authoritative evidence-based guidance for the health and care system on best practice. NICE has been asked to develop a clinical guideline on the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome and is now planning its development. The guideline will cover the assessment and treatment of infertility for people with suspected or confirmed polycystic ovary syndrome, including in vitro fertilisation and in vitro maturation.The Government recognises that fertility treatment across the NHS in England is subject to variation in access. Work continues between the Department and NHS England to better understand the offer around NHS-funded fertility services. This work will take time to develop, however the Department is keen to ensure there will be stakeholder engagement during this process beginning in the new year.

What guidance his Department provides to ICBs to ensure that patients are informed of local IVF eligibility criteria at the point of referral to fertility services.

Funding decisions for health services in England are made by integrated care boards (ICBs), and we expect ICBs to commission fertility services in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. No guidance has been provided by the Department to the ICBs regarding the information provided to patients at the point of referral to fertility services.As part of the Women’s Health Strategy for England, we published data showing how many in vitro fertilisation cycles are funded by the NHS in each area of England, to promote more transparency about what services commissioners are offering. This data is reviewed and updated periodically and was last updated on 11 September 2025. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-funded-ivf-in-england/nhs-funded-in-vitro-fertilisation-ivf-in-england

What recent data his Department holds on the number of NHS-funded IVF cycles provided in each Integrated Care Board area.

Funding decisions for health services in England are made by integrated care boards (ICBs), and we expect ICBs to commission fertility services in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. No guidance has been provided by the Department to the ICBs regarding the information provided to patients at the point of referral to fertility services.As part of the Women’s Health Strategy for England, we published data showing how many in vitro fertilisation cycles are funded by the NHS in each area of England, to promote more transparency about what services commissioners are offering. This data is reviewed and updated periodically and was last updated on 11 September 2025. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-funded-ivf-in-england/nhs-funded-in-vitro-fertilisation-ivf-in-england

What steps she is taking to ensure that automated systems used by public bodies do not misclassify Irish citizens as requiring EU settled status documentation.

The automated systems used by public bodies are the responsibility of the relevant organisation. Where a public body carries out automated checks with the Home Office, such checks will generally confirm whether the person holds a valid immigration status. The Home Office does not provide information or advice on what immigration status or documentation a person is required to hold as part of those checks. Irish citizens are treated as settled in the UK and are not required to hold an immigration status.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of national funding allocations to Integrated Care Boards to support the delivery of levels of IVF treatment recommended by NICE.

No assessment has been made. Funding decisions for health services in England are made by integrated care boards (ICBs) and are based on the clinical needs of their population. We expect ICBs to commission fertility services in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines, ensuring equal access to fertility treatment across England.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of IVF age limits on women who delay starting families for (a) educational, (b) career and (c) financial reasons.

The Government recognises that fertility treatment across the National Health Service in England is subject to variation in access. Work continues between the Department and NHS England to better understand the offer around NHS-funded fertility services. This work will take time to develop, and the Department is keen to ensure there will be stakeholder engagement during this process, beginning in the new year.Funding decisions for health services in England are made by integrated care boards (ICBs) and are based on the clinical needs of their population. We expect ICBs to commission fertility services in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, ensuring equal access to fertility treatment across England.NICE develops its guidelines independent of the Government, based on the best available clinical evidence. The age limits recommended by NICE are informed by the chance of a live birth following in vitro fertilisation treatment falling with rising female age.NICE is currently reviewing the fertility guidelines and will consider whether the current recommendations for access to NHS-funded treatment are still appropriate. A consultation on revised guidelines was published on 10 September.

What steps he is taking to ensure that Integrated Care Boards implement National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance on access to NHS-funded IVF treatment.

The Government recognises that fertility treatment across the National Health Service in England is subject to variation in access. Work continues between the Department and NHS England to better understand the offer around NHS-funded fertility services. This work will take time to develop, and the Department is keen to ensure there will be stakeholder engagement during this process, beginning in the new year.Funding decisions for health services in England are made by integrated care boards (ICBs) and are based on the clinical needs of their population. We expect ICBs to commission fertility services in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, ensuring equal access to fertility treatment across England.NICE develops its guidelines independent of the Government, based on the best available clinical evidence. The age limits recommended by NICE are informed by the chance of a live birth following in vitro fertilisation treatment falling with rising female age.NICE is currently reviewing the fertility guidelines and will consider whether the current recommendations for access to NHS-funded treatment are still appropriate. A consultation on revised guidelines was published on 10 September.

What discussions she has had with police forces on the potential impact of the Malicious Communications Act 1988 on the right to peaceful protest.

The right to protest is a fundamental part of our democratic society, and people are free to express their views peacefully within the law. The Home Office continues to engage regularly with policing partners on the application of legislation in the context of public order and freedom of expression.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to reduce delays in the property buying process.

On 6 October 2025, the government published a consultation on proposals to improve to the home buying and selling process. It can be found on gov.uk here.

What recent discussions he has had with NHS England on Innovative Medicines funding for givinostat.

Department officials have regular discussions with NHS England on a number of topics, including funding for innovative medicines.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) makes recommendations for the National Health Service on whether new licensed medicines should be routinely funded by the NHS independently, based on an assessment of their costs and benefits. The NHS in England is legally required to fund medicines recommended by NICE, normally within three months of the publication of final guidance.NICE is currently evaluating givinostat for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and, following a call for evidence, its Appraisal Committee will meet to consider its recommendations on 23 October 2025. NICE currently expects to publish final guidance in January 2026.If recommended by NICE in draft guidance, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has been clear that NHS England should aim to work with the pharmaceutical company, Italfarmaco, to provide early interim funding for givinostat through the Innovative Medicines Fund, which has made available £340 million of ringfenced funding for the NHS to fund early access to medicines. This could potentially speed up access to givinostat by up to five months.To avoid the possibility of creating a way to circumvent the appraisal process, NHS England is unable to fund givinostat prior to the publication of draft NICE guidance that recommends the treatment.

Media and Sport, if she will hold discussions with Ofcom on the effectiveness of the regulatory principles used to determine if an investigation should be carried out into comments made by media outlets.

Ofcom, by law, carries out its investigations independently of the Government. Ofcom is accountable to Parliament, and the standards and objectives which underpin Ofcom’s rules and procedures are set out in legislation. Decisions over whether or not to investigate particular media outlets, and how they do that, are rightly a matter for Ofcom.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the appointment of Immigration Adjudicators on the asylum backlog.

The Home Secretary confirmed in a statement to the House of Commons on 1 September that further information regarding Tribunal system reforms will be provided in due course. The statement can be accessed here: Borders and Asylum - Hansard - UK Parliament.

What funding she has allocated to tackle the asylum case backlog.

The Home Office does not have a separately identifiable budget for tackling the asylum case backlog. All costs involved are scored against Home Office business-as-usual budgets that cover all asylum cases regardless of age. You may find Home Office annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK useful, more specifically, the latest 2025 report and the accompanying core data table.You can also see Migration transparency data - GOV.UK, table ASY_04 of Immigration and Protection data which contains information on the cost of asylum.

What discussions he has had with Immigration and Asylum Tribunal Judges on the introduction of independent adjudicators to hear asylum appeals.

It is standard practice not to comment on the specifics of discussions between ministers and the judiciary.As would be expected, the Lord Chancellor has regular meetings with the Lady Chief Justice and other senior judges.In line with constitutional conventions, discussions with the judiciary do not cover the merits of policy proposals and are limited to technical matters relating to the operation of the courts and the wider administration of justice.

What plans her Department has to ensure that funding through the School Rebuilding Programme is spent in line with (a) net zero standards and (b) sustainability goals.

The department commits to a wide range of actions in our Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy, including a requirement that all new school buildings we deliver are net-zero carbon in operation and are adapted to climate change. The strategy can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sustainability-and-climate-change-strategy.All schools funded through the School Rebuilding Programme (SRP) have been designed to meet this standard, supporting the UK’s 25-year Environment Plan by requiring all projects to increase their level of greening in support of biodiversity net gain. The design principles of our output specification for SRP will ensure sites are more resilient to the impact of climate change and buildings delivered will achieve net zero carbon in operation.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that management companies are maintaining newly built developments to agreed standards.

Estate management companies will usually agree standards for maintaining newly built developments with the developer at the time that the site is handed over to them. Where these standards are replicated in the agreement between the estate manager and the homeowner, failure to deliver services to this standard may be a breach of contract . In such instances, homeowners are able to make an application to the County Court to seek resolution. In some instances, standards may be set through planning conditions and a failure to meet them may also be a breach of planning control. Local planning authorities have a wide range of enforcement powers, with strong penalties for non-compliance, which they can use where development is not maintained in accordance with the planning permission granted. It is for authorities to decide how and when they use their powers depending on the circumstances of each case. The government remain committed to protecting residential freeholders on private and mixed-tenure housing estates from unfair charges. This year we will consult on implementing the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act’s new consumer protection provisions for the up to 1.75m homes that are subject to these charges, and bring these measures into force as quickly as possible thereafter. These include ensuring that homeowners who pay an estate management charge have better access to information they need to understand what they are paying for, the right to challenge the reasonableness at the First-tier Tribunal (in England), and to go to the tribunal to appoint a substitute manager. The government is determined to end the injustice of ‘fleecehold’ entirely and we will consult this year on legislative and policy options to reduce the prevalence of private estate management arrangements, which are the root cause of the problems experienced by many residential freeholders.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to assist local planning authorities in holding management companies to account for the maintenance of (a) roads and (b) public spaces under their remit.

Estate management companies will usually agree standards for maintaining newly built developments with the developer at the time that the site is handed over to them. Where these standards are replicated in the agreement between the estate manager and the homeowner, failure to deliver services to this standard may be a breach of contract . In such instances, homeowners are able to make an application to the County Court to seek resolution. In some instances, standards may be set through planning conditions and a failure to meet them may also be a breach of planning control. Local planning authorities have a wide range of enforcement powers, with strong penalties for non-compliance, which they can use where development is not maintained in accordance with the planning permission granted. It is for authorities to decide how and when they use their powers depending on the circumstances of each case. The government remain committed to protecting residential freeholders on private and mixed-tenure housing estates from unfair charges. This year we will consult on implementing the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act’s new consumer protection provisions for the up to 1.75m homes that are subject to these charges, and bring these measures into force as quickly as possible thereafter. These include ensuring that homeowners who pay an estate management charge have better access to information they need to understand what they are paying for, the right to challenge the reasonableness at the First-tier Tribunal (in England), and to go to the tribunal to appoint a substitute manager. The government is determined to end the injustice of ‘fleecehold’ entirely and we will consult this year on legislative and policy options to reduce the prevalence of private estate management arrangements, which are the root cause of the problems experienced by many residential freeholders.

What steps he is taking to ensure medicine shortages do not impact clinicians' ability to prescribe medicines that are best suited to the patient.

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. In August, the Government published a policy paper, ‘Managing a robust and resilient supply of medicines’, which outlines the steps the Department and NHS England are taking to enhance resilience in our supply chains. 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 these actions. While we cannot always prevent supply issues from occurring, we have a range of well-established processes and tools to manage them when they arise and mitigate risks to patients. These include close and regular engagement with suppliers, use of alternative strengths or forms of a medicine to allow patients to remain on the same product, expediting regulatory procedures, sourcing unlicensed imports from abroad, adding products to the restricted exports and hoarding list, use of Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs), and issuing National Health Service communications to provide management advice and information on the issue to healthcare professionals including pharmacists, so they can advise and support their patients.

What steps he is taking to decrease the level of the impact of medicine shortages on patients.

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. In August, the Government published a policy paper, ‘Managing a robust and resilient supply of medicines’, which outlines the steps the Department and NHS England are taking to enhance resilience in our supply chains. 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 these actions. While we cannot always prevent supply issues from occurring, we have a range of well-established processes and tools to manage them when they arise and mitigate risks to patients. These include close and regular engagement with suppliers, use of alternative strengths or forms of a medicine to allow patients to remain on the same product, expediting regulatory procedures, sourcing unlicensed imports from abroad, adding products to the restricted exports and hoarding list, use of Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs), and issuing National Health Service communications to provide management advice and information on the issue to healthcare professionals including pharmacists, so they can advise and support their patients.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to improve transparency in the purchasing property process.

On 6 October 2025, the government published a consultation on proposals to improve to the home buying and selling process. It can be found on gov.uk here.The consultation includes proposals to require sellers and estate agents to provide upfront property information. This might include information relating to leasehold terms, property condition, and purchasing chains.Under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, property listings must already not omit information that the average consumer needs to make an informed transactional decision.