Written questions by Downie.

What requirements to differentiate between male and female physiology car manufacturers must fulfil in safety testing.

For the majority of vehicle safety testing, it is not necessary to differentiate between male and female physiology to deliver the desired outcome. For example, where a force is required on a brake control or to release a seat belt buckle, that force will be set well within the physical capabilities of most males and females. However, there are some contexts in which differing injury thresholds between the sexes is important. For this reason, the latest international vehicle regulation covering frontal impact protection uses crash test dummies representative of both male and female occupants. The Government is currently considering mandating this regulation as part of an extensive package of vehicle safety measures.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of differences in approved medicines on (a) men and (b) women.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is responsible for approving medicines in the United Kingdom before they are made available to the wider public. This involves a rigorous assessment using data from clinical trials to assess safety and efficacy.If data suggests that a medicine may have a different effect on men and women, this is considered within the assessment process. Every medicine is assessed on a case-by-case basis, as several factors may impact the performance of a specific product.Post authorisation, where there is identified or potential differences between men and women in safety or effectiveness, this can be monitored in the risk management plan. The agency keeps the safety and effectiveness of all medicines under continual monitoring in all populations. Should any differences in outcomes between men and women be identified, the agency will take appropriate regulatory action.

What testing requirements are in place in the approval process to identify the different impacts of medicines on men and women.

As part of the approval process for new drugs, the impact of sex, on men versus women, is assessed on pharmacokinetics, or exposure, pharmacodynamics, and overall efficacy and safety. The data is assessed in terms of whether any dose adjustments are warranted. Data in pregnant and breast-feeding women is also required where relevant.

How many medicinal approvals used female physiology as a baseline for testing in each of the last five years.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency does not capture this information in a searchable format, however this information would be available in Public Assessment Reports and summaries of product characteristics, where relevant. These documents are available at the following link:https://products.mhra.gov.uk/

What training is provided to NHS staff to highlight the differences in symptoms of a heart attack between men and women.

Guidance for National Health Service staff is available through the British Heart Foundation, and specific learning sessions are available to support training, with further information on both available, respectively, at the following two links:https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/heart-attack/signs-and-symptoms-of-heart-attacks-in-womenhttps://www.chsselearning.org.uk/hearte/15-womens-health/NHS England has been cognisant of gender differences when running public campaigns, and as such has ensured clear messaging on atypical symptoms in women. This has been represented through sharing patient stories within campaign material, highlighting the differences in gender symptoms. Further information on NHS England’s public campaign is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/2023/08/nhs-launches-lifesaving-campaign-to-help-people-spot-a-heart-attack/

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 January 2024 to Question 21874 on Motor Vehicles: Lighting, when the independent research started; which organisation is undertaking the work; and if she will publish the terms of reference for the research.

The research started in October last year and is being carried out by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL). There are no plans to publish the Terms of Reference for the research, but further details can be found on the TRL website. https://www.trl.co.uk/news/trl-works-with-dft-to-understand-more-about-the-causes-of-glare

How much funding the Government has provided for endometriosis research in each of the last five years; and what proportion of Government-funded medicinal research that accounts for.

The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The following table shows how much funding the NIHR has awarded for endometriosis research, as well as that spend as a percentage of total urogynaecology research spend, for each year from 2019/20 to 2023/24:Financial yearSpendProportion of total urogynaecology spend2019/20£493,9458.9%2020/21£554,15110.5%2021/22£973,08916.8%2022/23£1,360,61424.9%2023/24£1,325,32921.9%This information reflects in-year payments to 10 research awards that were active during this time period. It does not reflect the total award value. The total award value for these awards, across their full duration, is £7,714,953.In addition, between 2019/20 and 2023/24, there were 18 awards with relevance to endometriosis active on UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) portfolio. These awards had a total value of £8.43 million. The following table shows the in-year expenditure for this research, for each year from 2019/20 to 2023/24:Financial yearIn year spendPercentage of spend versus UKRI research base outturn2019/20£585,662<1%2020/21£683,812<1%2021/22£1,017,417<1%2022/23£1,264,127<1%2023/24£1,589,230<1%The remaining spend is slated for future financial years.

Whether his Department provided evidence to the Strategic Defence Review.

On 30 July 2024, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) was invited, alongside other Government Departments, to provide written evidence to the Strategic Defence Review (SDR).DBT responded to that call for evidence on 23 September 2024. The findings of the SDR are due to be published in 2025.

How often Royal Navy vessels have been tasked to shadow Russian navy ships near the UK in each of the last five years.

The Royal Navy continuously monitor UK waters and are ready to respond to the presence of Russian vessels. Specific detail cannot be confirmed for reasons of safeguading national security.

When he last had discussions with his Finnish counterpart on Russian shadow fleet aggression in the Baltic Sea.

The Secretary of State for Defence contacted his Finnish counterpart immediately following the incident damaging the Estlink 2 undersea cable between Finland and Estonia on Christmas Day. They also discussed the incident when they met at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting at Ramstein Air Base on 9 January. Acting as framework nation for the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), we have activated a JEF Response Option, known as NORDIC WARDEN, which will harness AI to track potential threats to undersea infrastructure and monitor the Russian shadow fleet, sending out real-time warnings of suspicious activity to JEF nations as well as NATO. This JEF activity reinforces existing and planned NATO responses.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help tackle the threat from the Russian shadow fleet in the (a) Baltic and (b) North Sea.

Our oil-related sanctions are having a significant impact, with Russia forced to shoulder a 25 percent reduction in oil and gas revenues from January to October 2024, compared to the same period in 2022. Where Russia has sought to circumvent those sanctions, we have taken robust action. We have now sanctioned 93 shadow fleet oil tankers; and we are exposing malign maritime practices by requesting proof of insurance from suspected shadow vessels passing through the English Channel - an approach partners along the Baltic route will now replicate. We continue to step up our efforts, working closely with Nordic-Baltic partners and others, to ensure our sanctions' effectiveness and impact. We continue to keep further measures on oil and gas under active review.

What steps NATO is taking to defend the High North.

As a leading European Ally in NATO, the UK will defend and support our High North and Arctic Allies should the need arise, and contest malign and destabilising behaviours and activity in the region which threatens our interests, the interests of our Allies, and the stability of the region. We work with regional Allies and partners – including through NATO, the Joint Expeditionary Force, the Northern Group and the Arctic Security Forces Roundtable – to align policy, activity and capability where possible and across all domains. NATO is accelerating the Alliance’s ongoing military transformation to strengthen its collective deterrence and defence posture, with operational plans which cover every inch of Allied territory. This includes Allied territory in the High North. Allies will maintain a coherent Defence posture, presence and profile in the region.

What steps he is taking to help protect sub-sea cables in the North Sea from the Russian shadow fleet.

The UK Government constantly monitors and regularly assesses the security of critical national infrastructure, including energy and telecommunications assets. Following the incident damaging the Estlink 2 undersea cable between Finland and Estonia on 25 December, the UK – as framework nation for the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) – activated NORDIC WARDEN which will harness AI to track potential threats to undersea infrastructure and to monitor the movements of the Russian shadow fleet, sending out real-time warnings of suspicious activity to JEF nations and to NATO, in support of NATO activity to help protect critical undersea infrastructure. Our adversaries should be in no doubt of our steadfast determination and formidable ability to protect the UK and our interests. We have led the way in pursuing Russia's shadow fleet of vessels, sanctioning more oil tankers than any other nation and spearheading a 49-nation 'Call to Action' against the fleet.

Whether he has offered support to Finland in protecting sub-sea cables in the Baltic Sea.

Following recent damage to the Estlink2 undersea cable in the Baltic sea, the UK – acting as framework nation for the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) – has activated a JEF Response Option (JRO), known as NORDIC WARDEN, which will harness AI to track potential threats to undersea infrastructure and monitor the Russian shadow fleet, sending out real-time warnings of suspicious activity to JEF nations as well as NATO. This demonstrates both the UK and JEF nations’ commitment to assuring critical undersea infrastructure and responding to potential threats.

Communities and Local Government, when she plans to announce the outcome of the consultation on cultural funding for the City of Dunfermline.

The consultation for this funding launched on 31 October with a deadline for responses by 13 December. Returns are being carefully considered. In line with our expectations that the process would take approximately 12 weeks, we hope to communicate a decision to Fife Council and other consultees by the end of January.

He last had discussions with NATO allies on protecting sub-sea cables in the (a) Baltic and (b) North Sea.

Recent incidents of damage to sub-sea cables underlines the importance of partners continuing to work together on shared challenges in the region. The Government regularly discusses strengthening NATO’s protection of critical undersea infrastructure in engagements with fellow Allies. The Defence Secretary directly engaged with affected Allies following reported damage to a major undersea cable in the Baltic Sea on 25 December 2024. The Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) also activated a JEF Response Option (JRO), known as NORDIC WARDEN, which will harness AI to track potential threats to undersea infrastructure and monitor the Russian shadow fleet, sending out real-time warnings of suspicious activity to JEF nations as well as NATO. This JEF activity reinforces existing and planned NATO responses.

What assessment she has made of the safety of LED headlights on (a) cars and (b) other vehicles.

National collision statistics, which can record headlamp dazzle as a contributory factor, do not show any discernible trend to suggest that advances in lighting technology are contributing negatively to road vehicle collisions. However, noting increased public concern, Government has commissioned independent research to better understand the root causes of headlamp glare and develop potential countermeasures. This work is underway and is due to deliver in summer 2025.

When he last had discussions with his NATO counterparts on protecting the High North.

Engagement with NATO Allies is central to our approach to defend and deter in the Arctic and High North. Secretary of State for Defence and Defence Ministers regularly engage with their NATO counterparts, including High North countries to discuss how to strengthen deterrence and defence in the region, through NATO, the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) and bilaterally.

What forces are committed to defending the High North.

The UK is committed to maintaining a coherent Defence posture, presence, and profile in the High North region. The Royal Marines have conducted annual exercises with Norway for over 50 years to hone their extreme cold weather warfighting skills, supported by assets from Joint Aviation Command. In the last 18 months, P8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft, and the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers, have all operated in the region. During Exercise STEADFAST DEFENDER, the Royal Navy was at the heart of this maritime exercise with HMS Prince of Wales, demonstrating the importance of interoperability. The UK also conducted Icelandic Air Policing with F-35 jets. In 2025, the UK will continue to develop our already close relationships with our Allies and partners in the High North, as part of NATO, Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) and bilaterally. Furthermore, we will continue our profile in the region with Air, Maritime and Land assets operating under NATO and Sovereign command.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help tackle the threat from the Russian shadow fleet.

Our oil-related sanctions are having a significant impact, with Russia forced to shoulder a 25 percent reduction in oil and gas revenues from January to October 2024, compared to the same period in 2022. Where Russia has sought to circumvent those sanctions, we have taken robust action. We have now sanctioned 93 shadow fleet oil tankers; and we are exposing malign maritime practices by requesting proof of insurance from suspected shadow vessels passing through the English Channel - an approach partners along the Baltic route will now replicate. We continue to step up our efforts, working closely with Nordic-Baltic partners and others, to ensure our sanctions' effectiveness and impact. We continue to keep further measures on oil and gas under active review.