Written questions by Morris.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to raise public awareness of the risks associated with football-related chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

Mitigating the causes and effects of head injuries in sport is of huge importance to the Government and we are taking steps to raise public awareness of the risks and to improve awareness of the causes and effects of concussion. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is developing an Action Plan on Acquired Brain Injury which will be published shortly. We do not hold information about, and are not in a position to estimate, the number of people at risk of developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy from participation in contact sports.

Media and Sport, if will make an estimate of the number of people at risk of developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy as a result of participation in contact sports.

Mitigating the causes and effects of head injuries in sport is of huge importance to the Government and we are taking steps to raise public awareness of the risks and to improve awareness of the causes and effects of concussion. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is developing an Action Plan on Acquired Brain Injury which will be published shortly. We do not hold information about, and are not in a position to estimate, the number of people at risk of developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy from participation in contact sports.

If he will extend the upper age limit beyond 74 years for routine invitations under the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme.

For screening programmes, the Government is guided by the independent scientific advice of the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC). It is only where the offer to screen provides more good than harm that a screening programme is recommended. The UK NSC makes its recommendations based on internationally recognised criteria and a rigorous evidence review and consultation process.The UK NSC considers all of the latest scientific evidence when reviewing the case for screening for different conditions. As the policy is based on the benefits and harms to whole populations, the screening decisions are based on the effect on the whole population, rather than individual circumstances. Where there is a lack of evidence, the committee cannot be confident that screening would benefit the population as a whole. In these circumstances, the proportionate approach is to screen within the range that has evidence to back the policy.The National Health Service bowel screening programme in England was recently extended from people aged 60 to 74 years old to people aged 50 to 74 years old. This aligns with the evidence of where the screening programme can do the most good with the least harm caused. Harm can include increased anxiety, misdiagnosis, over diagnosis, where unnecessary and invasive follow up tests are offered, or unnecessary treatment.The UK NSC is awaiting the results of the AgeX trial which is looking at extending the upper and lower age thresholds for breast screening.The UK NSC keeps these age brackets under review. The committee recognises that screening programmes are not static and that, over time, they may need to change to be more effective.In both bowel screening and breast screening, individuals can request to continue to receive testing beyond the upper age threshold.

Will he extend the upper age limit beyond 71 years for routine invitations under the NHS Breast Screening Programme.

For screening programmes, the Government is guided by the independent scientific advice of the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC). It is only where the offer to screen provides more good than harm that a screening programme is recommended. The UK NSC makes its recommendations based on internationally recognised criteria and a rigorous evidence review and consultation process.The UK NSC considers all of the latest scientific evidence when reviewing the case for screening for different conditions. As the policy is based on the benefits and harms to whole populations, the screening decisions are based on the effect on the whole population, rather than individual circumstances. Where there is a lack of evidence, the committee cannot be confident that screening would benefit the population as a whole. In these circumstances, the proportionate approach is to screen within the range that has evidence to back the policy.The National Health Service bowel screening programme in England was recently extended from people aged 60 to 74 years old to people aged 50 to 74 years old. This aligns with the evidence of where the screening programme can do the most good with the least harm caused. Harm can include increased anxiety, misdiagnosis, over diagnosis, where unnecessary and invasive follow up tests are offered, or unnecessary treatment.The UK NSC is awaiting the results of the AgeX trial which is looking at extending the upper and lower age thresholds for breast screening.The UK NSC keeps these age brackets under review. The committee recognises that screening programmes are not static and that, over time, they may need to change to be more effective.In both bowel screening and breast screening, individuals can request to continue to receive testing beyond the upper age threshold.

Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 4 February 2026 to Question 110748 on Football: Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, what mechanisms the Government uses to hold National Governing Bodies to account for player welfare where evidence links participation in football to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.

National Governing Bodies (NGBs), such as The Football Association, operate independently of Government. However, we absolutely expect NGBs, who are responsible for the regulation of their sports, to do all they can to protect their participants from harm, including in relation to head impact and injury. Mitigating the causes and effects of repetitive head impacts in sport is of huge importance to the Government. As part of our ongoing work in this area, we are actively discussing this issue with the football authorities and will be convening a Ministerial roundtable.

What steps he is taking to help mitigate potential job losses in the energy efficiency sector and associated supply chains following plans to close the Energy Company Obligation scheme.

We recognise that for those within the ECO supply chain, the decision to close the scheme presents immediate challenges. In the Warm Homes Plan, we committed to supporting the workforce to access opportunities through the £15bn funding and through regulations in the rented sector and for future homes which will support millions of households. We will engage the retrofit supply chain, housing associations and local authorities to agree an appropriate regime, in line with procurement law and their existing contractual arrangements, for awarding this new capital funding from April 2026. We have also established the Warm Homes Plan Workforce Taskforce, with the trade unions and the industry, to facilitate the transition to clean energy sectors. The Taskforce will consider how to build resilience in the workforce to meet evolving demand in the market, which includes assessing the knock-on effects of the ECO4 closure.

What delivery mechanisms will be used to implement the Warm Homes Scheme to ensure effective and timely delivery of funding.

The Warm Homes Agency will consolidate the existing delivery landscape and take on delivery of some of the existing schemes. The full scope of the Agency, including delivery mechanisms, is being finalised and will be confirmed in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Department for International Development commissioned a study on the value for money of people to people programmes in Israel and Palestine in 2021.

Value for money is embedded across all of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's work. We employ robust systems and frameworks, and constantly review our programmes, to ensure we achieve high standards of value for money and use UK taxpayers' money responsibly. We work with partners across the world to maximise impact and improve value for money. This includes leveraging both public and private finance to support our development objectives to deliver economies of scale and world class expertise to make UK taxpayers' money go further.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the value for money of the International Fund for Israeli-Palestinian Peace.

The conference which will support the establishment of an International Peace Fund for Israel and Palestine is not scheduled to take place until 12 March, but I can assure the Hon Member that we will assess the impact of our support for that fund in the usual way in due course.

How many inspections of Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels have been carried out by officials from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency since the updated Memorandum of Understanding was published in November 2024.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) as an organisation have been audited, inspected or surveyed approximately 30 times since the Memorandum of Understanding was updated in November 2024. This is a combination of RFA ship specific surveys and RFA organisational safety systems audits, capturing the holistic safety management of the RFA in accordance with Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Defence Maritime Regulator regulations.

What the (a) inspection dates and (b) deficiencies recorded were by officials from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency following inspection of Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels in each year since 2014.

Routine surveys and inspections of RFA vessels have been completed in accordance with statutory requirements and timeline. All corrective actions or deficiencies have been pursued by both the RFA and the appropriate regulators and certifying bodies. Deficiencies raised across all surveys are actioned as a matter of priority and evidenced to the appropriate regulatory body for closure within the agreed time frame.

Whether his Department applies the provisions of the Maritime Labour Convention to the (a) merchant navy seafarers and (b) vessels in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

The Ministry of Defence applies the Maritime Labour Convention in accordance with its application in UK Legislation. Where a Disapplication, Exemption or Derogation exists in UK legislation, then Secretary of State for Defence’s Policy on Health and Safety places the obligation on the Department to comply with outcomes at least as good as UK legislation. This is coupled with the Defence Maritime Regulator as an independent Health, Safety and Environmental protection regulator to implement independent assurance of the implementation of legislation such as the Maritime Labour Convention and Merchant Shipping Act 1995.

If he will make an estimate of the number of civilian seafarers in scope of the (a) Defence Maritime Regulator and (b) the Memorandum of Understanding between the MoD and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

As of the 6 February 2026, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary had 1,741 employees, who are under the scope of the dual regulatory requirements of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Defence Maritime Regulator.

How he plans to measure progress on increasing public sector insourcing.

This Government is committed to delivering the largest wave of insourcing in a generation. As part of this, we will introduce a ‘Public Interest Test’. This will be a game-changer - ending the culture of ‘outsourcing by default’. This will ensure contracting authorities are undertaking a holistic assessment of their services and identifying opportunities to insource contracts as they expire. Application of the Public Interest Test will be assessed through the usual contracting authority governance processes and, where applicable, Cabinet Office controls.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of the report by the Institute of Alcohol Studies entitled Now You See It, Now You Don't, published on 29 January 2026.

The Government recognises the harms associated with alcohol consumption and has taken crucial steps in the 10-Year Health Plan to support people to make healthier choices. There is a balance to be struck, and the Government continues to consider carefully what other measures might be needed to turn the tide on alcohol harms, while continuing to support economic growth.Currently, alcohol advertising and promotion in the UK is regulated primarily through the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), which administers the mandatory Advertising Codes, written by the Committee of Advertising Practice and the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP), across media through self-regulation for non-broadcast advertising and co-regulation, with Ofcom as a statutory backstop, for broadcast advertising. The ASA’s Advertising Codes contain specific rules about how alcohol can be advertised, as they recognise the social imperative of ensuring that alcohol advertising is responsible.The Department of Health and Social Care continues to work with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, as the lead Government department responsible for advertising, to consider if additional statutory restrictions on marketing and advertising are needed to reduce alcohol related harms.

Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to raise awareness of football related Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy caused by repetitive head impacts from heading a football.

The safety, wellbeing and welfare of everyone taking part in sport is absolutely paramount. National Governing Bodies are responsible for the regulation of their sports and for ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to protect participants from harm.Mitigating the causes and effects of head injuries in sport is of huge importance to the Government. The Secretary of State for Culture and I have met with affected family members and ex-footballers, including individuals associated with the Football Families for Justice organisation, to discuss player safety and welfare for those suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. We heard first-hand about players’ experiences and the views of the group on how safety and welfare at all levels of the sport could be improved.The Government remains committed to working with sports stakeholders to build on the positive work that is already taking place, including the UK Concussion Guidelines for Grassroots Sport, to ensure that everyone can take part in sport as safely as possible.

Media and Sport, if she will work with sports charities to create a national education programme and slogan to raise awareness of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy in football.

The safety, wellbeing and welfare of everyone taking part in sport is absolutely paramount. National Governing Bodies are responsible for the regulation of their sports and for ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to protect participants from harm.Mitigating the causes and effects of head injuries in sport is of huge importance to the Government. The Secretary of State for Culture and I have met with affected family members and ex-footballers, including individuals associated with the Football Families for Justice organisation, to discuss player safety and welfare for those suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. We heard first-hand about players’ experiences and the views of the group on how safety and welfare at all levels of the sport could be improved.The Government remains committed to working with sports stakeholders to build on the positive work that is already taking place, including the UK Concussion Guidelines for Grassroots Sport, to ensure that everyone can take part in sport as safely as possible.

Media and Sport, if she will have discussions with sports authorities on ensuring that (a) football-related Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy is recognised as a public health issue and (b) appropriate education and guidance is made available to players.

The safety, wellbeing and welfare of everyone taking part in sport is absolutely paramount. National Governing Bodies are responsible for the regulation of their sports and for ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to protect participants from harm.Mitigating the causes and effects of head injuries in sport is of huge importance to the Government. The Secretary of State for Culture and I have met with affected family members and ex-footballers, including individuals associated with the Football Families for Justice organisation, to discuss player safety and welfare for those suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. We heard first-hand about players’ experiences and the views of the group on how safety and welfare at all levels of the sport could be improved.The Government remains committed to working with sports stakeholders to build on the positive work that is already taking place, including the UK Concussion Guidelines for Grassroots Sport, to ensure that everyone can take part in sport as safely as possible.

What estimate her Department has made of the potential impact of the level of CPI inflation on the proposed change in tobacco duty on 1 October 2026.

The independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) are responsible for estimating the impact of Government policies on inflation. The OBR did not include an assessment on the contribution of tobacco excise duty to inflation in the November 2025 Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to help increase firefighter recruitment.

While the Government is committed to ensuring fire and rescue services have the resources they need to do their important work, is it individual fire and rescue authorities that are responsible for recruitment and decisions around deployment of resources. The provisional 2026-27 Settlement will make available almost £1.99bn in Core Spending Power for standalone Fire and Rescue Authorities in England, a 4.4% increase compared to 2025-26. By the end of the multi-year period (2026-27 to 2028-29), we will have provided a 12.6% increase compared to 2025-26. (NB: this excludes Greater Manchester and York and North Yorkshire mayoral authorities.)