Written questions by Morris.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2025 to Question 34243, Prisons: Education, whether it is her expectation that private-sector providers of prison education will apply directly to relevant public-sector pension schemes to seek admitted body status as a result of new Prison Education Service contracts.

It is the expectation that private-sector providers of prison education will apply directly to relevant public-sector pension schemes to seek admitted body status. The Department will collaborate with suppliers to achieve admittance to relevant pension schemes.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 4 July 2025 to Question 64014 on Food Supply, by what metrics his Department (a) measures and (b) forecasts annual domestic food production.

Defra produces a comprehensive set of metrics to measure annual domestic food production but does not produce forecasts of domestic food production. These statistics cover a wide range of indicators, including: Arable & Horticultural crop areasCrop yieldsVolume of production and value of crops, fruit and vegetables, red meat, poultry, dairy, and eggsVolume of production of dairy and egg productsImports and exports of agricultural commoditiesTotal domestic uses of these commoditiesLivestock populations, including the breeding population, of cattle, pigs, sheep, and poultryProduction to Supply ratios of all major agricultural commodities These metrics are publicly available in either the annual publication "Agriculture in the United Kingdom" at Agriculture in the United Kingdom - GOV.UK or on the Food & Farming Statistics publication page at Food, Farming and Bio-security statistics - GOV.UK.

What is the eligibility criteria for local authorities to qualify to be a pilot area for a financial allowance for kinship carers.

All local authorities are eligible to apply for the Kinship Allowance Pilot, except for those which have received a section 114 notice and/or already offer a regular financial allowance that matches the National Minimum Allowance (NMA) to kinship carers with legal orders.Local authorities remain eligible to apply if they pay a financial allowance that matches the NMA, but one of the following applies:Deductions are applied to the financial allowance, such as means testing.Financial support is provided for a limited duration.Financial support is only provided to some of the cohort. Local authorities will be ineligible to apply for the kinship allowance pilot if all the following conditions are met:They provide a weekly financial allowance for all Special Guardianship Orders and Child Arrangements Orders, granted through either private or public law.The allowance is equal to or greater than the Fostering NMA.The allowance is paid continuously until the child turns 18.The allowance is not subject to any deductions or limits, such as means testing or time cap. Further information can be found online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-to-become-a-kinship-allowance-pilot-provider.

If he will discuss the position of contractor employees at Wood Group with trade union signatories to the Energy Services Agreement.

Ministers and officials regularly engage with trade union representatives to discuss a variety of issues.

When he plans to respond to the consultation entitled Building the North Sea’s energy future which closed on 30 April 2025.

DESNZ is currently analysing the responses received. We will publish a government response setting out our next steps in due course.

What recent assessment he has made of the viability of the Wood Group’s North Sea oil and gas contracts.

Wood Group’s North Sea oil and gas contracts are a commercial matter for the company.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) strengthen national food security and (b) increase levels of domestic food production.

Food security is national security. We need a resilient and healthy food system, that works with nature and supports British farmers, fishers and food producers. The Government’s commitment to farming and food security remains steadfast which is why the government is investing £2.7 billion a year into sustainable food production and nature’s recovery, with funding for our Environmental Land Management schemes increasing by 150%. Work is underway to develop an ambitious new food strategy to set the food system up for long term success. The strategy will deliver wide ranging improvements to ensure it is able to feed the nation, realise its potential for economic growth, protect the planet, and nourish individuals. We work closely with the Cabinet Office and other Lead Government Departments ensuring food supply is fully incorporated as part of emergency preparedness, including consideration of dependencies on other sectors.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed changes to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief on levels of food production.

The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, and fixing the public finances. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free. The reforms are expected to result in up to 520 estates claiming agricultural property relief, including those also claiming business property relief, paying more inheritance tax in 2026-27. Almost three-quarters of estates claiming agricultural property relief, including those that also claim for business property relief, will not pay any more tax as a result of the changes in 2026-27, based on the latest available data. The Government will invest more than £2.7 billion a year in sustainable farming and nature recovery in England from 2026-27 until 2028-29. This will boost productivity and protect the natural ecosystems underpinning food production and broader economic activity, which will support food and economic security.

If she will clarify whether people in receipt of legacy benefits who are migrated to Universal Credit through the managed migration process will be treated as new claimants for the purposes of the health-related element changes proposed in the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill.

The Department plans to complete migration of ESA claimants to UC by March 2026. As part of this ESA claimants will be migrated to the UC Health Element. To protect any claimants who have not migrated by April 2026 we intend to mirror as closely as possible the changes made in UC in the ESA rates. Changes to the “support component” and the two disability premia (severe and enhanced disability premium rates) will reflect changes to UC LCWRA rates for existing claimants. Including these commensurate measures aims to give fair treatment for all customers moving onto UC from income related ESA, regardless of their point of migration.

How many Personal Independence Payment claimants are veterans with service-related health conditions in the latest period for which data is available.

The Department does not centrally hold data on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants’ previous occupation, so we are not able to determine which claimants are veterans.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that armed forces veterans with service-related health conditions are appropriately identified for additional support under the proposed changes to the Universal Credit health element.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is carefully considering the implications for veterans and their families in the welfare Green Paper consultation, and is actively engaging with Armed Forces groups to ensure that veterans with service-related health conditions are appropriately identified and supported under the proposed changes to the Universal Credit (UC) health element. As part of welfare reform, the DWP has committed to a dedicated consultation process with Armed Forces stakeholders. This includes direct meetings with service charities and veterans' organizations to assess the potential impact of the changes, particularly on Early Service Leavers and those medically discharged from service Additionally, the DWP continues to support veterans through the Armed Forces Champions network within Jobcentre Plus. These champions are trained to understand the unique challenges faced by the Armed Forces community and help ensure that veterans receive tailored support, including assistance with benefit claims and employment services The department also utilises service medical board evidence to streamline the assessment process for veterans applying for Universal Credit, reducing the need for face-to-face assessments where appropriate.

What the average processing time is for forensic analysis of (a) fingerprints and (b) DNA testing in criminal investigations.

Individual forces would hold data on fingerprint processing times.The Forensic Capability Network holds data on contractual compliance levels for DNA testing conducted on behalf of policing by the commercial sector.

If she will investigate the destruction of documents by Northumbria Police on (a) 29 and (b) 30 April 2024 relating to the 1984 miners’ strike and Orgreave.

Police forces are independent of government and decisions concerning the management of their records are for them to make in accordance with their respective review, retention and disposal policies. However, the Government expects any such decisions to be made in accordance with relevant legislation and national guidance.Further details about the Government’s manifesto commitment for an investigation or inquiry into the events at Orgreave will be made available in due course.

With reference to the Government's 2024 election manifesto's commitment to hold an investigation or inquiry into events at Orgreave on 18 June 1984, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to (a) preserve and (b) protect from destruction all (i) documents and (ii) records held by (A) police forces and (B) relevant public bodies relating to those events.

Police forces are independent of government and decisions concerning the management of their records are for them to make in accordance with their respective review, retention and disposal policies. However, the Government expects any such decisions to be made in accordance with relevant legislation and national guidance.Further details about the Government’s manifesto commitment for an investigation or inquiry into the events at Orgreave will be made available in due course.

Whether Northumbria Police sought (a) permission, (b) guidance, and (c) clearance from her Department prior to the destruction of (i) documents and (ii) records on 29 and 30 April 2024 relating to (A) events at Orgreave on 18 June 1984 and (B) the 1984-85 miners’ strike.

Police forces are independent of government and decisions concerning the management of their records are for them to make in accordance with their respective review, retention and disposal policies. However, the Government expects any such decisions to be made in accordance with relevant legislation and national guidance.Further details about the Government’s manifesto commitment for an investigation or inquiry into the events at Orgreave will be made available in due course.

What steps her Department is taking to reduce the time taken to process forensic evidence in criminal investigations.

Individual forces would hold data on fingerprint processing times.The Forensic Capability Network holds data on contractual compliance levels for DNA testing conducted on behalf of policing by the commercial sector.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure timely access to emergency hyperbaric oxygen therapy for patients in the North East.

NHS England is committed to ensuring equitably accessible, high-quality services, for anyone who requires hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). This will be achieved through the commissioning of six geographically dispersed services across England. Three preferred providers have been identified to date, and a further procurement exercise will take place to identify the three remaining centres.The contract for HBOT services, also known as recompression, was reviewed in 2024, as existing contract terms expired. This included an update of the service specification using the published full methods process, and a public consultation on the proposal to reduce the number of commissioned providers in England from eight to six centres. Further information on the service specification, the published full methods process, and the consultation is available, respectively, at the following three links:https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-services-all-ages-Service-specification-January-2025.pdfhttps://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/methods-national-service-specifications/https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/reviewing-hyperbaric-oxygen-services-consultation-guide/#:~:text=Background-,Background,Manual%20of%20Prescribed%20Specialised%20ServicesThe updates to the specification seek to ensure timely access to treatment for the most acutely unwell patients with the specification requiring:the delivery of care that is integrated with other services, including the emergency department, critical care, and other healthcare professionals as required; andfacilities should be capable of receiving patients in any diagnostic category who may require advanced life support either immediately or during HBOT.The geographical scope of the six services will ensure that there are no more than four hours travelling time by road from coastal locations, from the furthest borders, or between neighbouring commissioned HBOT centres, which is in line with good practice guidelines. The published Equality and Health Inequalities Impact Assessment sets out an evaluation, including access to services and where appropriate action was taken to ensure fair access to any patient who requires this service. Further information on the Equality and Health Inequalities Impact Assessment is available at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2.1-Hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-equality-and-health-inequalities-impact-assessment.pdf

What steps NHS England took to consult with(a) diving organisations, (b) local health trusts and (c) emergency services in the North East it decided to decommission hyperbaric chamber services in the north of England.

NHS England has not decided to decommission hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) services in the North of England.NHS England undertook stakeholder testing and a public consultation on the revised service specification for HBOT services. The main impact of the proposals was the reconfiguration of the number of commissioned HBOT centres in England, from eight centres to six.The review was led by the chair of the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Clinical Reference Group and the lead commissioner for the service, and was supported by a Specification Working Group (SWG). Membership of the SWG included a patient representative, clinical leads from current commissioned providers, consultants in public health, and members of the British Hyperbaric Association. Specialist advice was sought on relevant inter-dependent services including adult critical care, HM Coastguard, adult critical care transfer services, and children’s services.Stakeholder testing on the revised service specification took place from 8 June 2024 to 25 June 2024. 14 responses were received, six of which were on behalf of organisations and eight from individuals. Public consultation was carried out from 13 September to 12 October 2024. A total of 923 individuals responded to the public consultation, from across all regions and devolved nations of the United Kingdom.NHS England actively encourages individuals and organisations to register as stakeholders to ensure a full range of views are included in any service developments. Stakeholders can register their interest in services commissioned by NHS England on their website, which includes a special interest group for HBOT.Any individuals or organisations who sign up are kept informed when NHS England engages on potential changes to the way that these services are commissioned. NHS England also encourages stakeholders to cascade invitations to provide feedback across their networks.

What steps he is taking to ensure that (a) divers and (b) other emergency patients in the North East have access to hyperbaric oxygen therapy within clinically recommended times after October 2025.

NHS England is committed to ensuring equitably accessible, high-quality services, for anyone who requires hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). This will be achieved through the commissioning of six geographically dispersed services across England. Three preferred providers have been identified to date, and a further procurement exercise will take place to identify the three remaining centres.The contract for HBOT services, also known as recompression, was reviewed in 2024, as existing contract terms expired. This included an update of the service specification using the published full methods process, and a public consultation on the proposal to reduce the number of commissioned providers in England from eight to six centres. Further information on the service specification, the published full methods process, and the consultation is available, respectively, at the following three links:https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-services-all-ages-Service-specification-January-2025.pdfhttps://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/methods-national-service-specifications/https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/reviewing-hyperbaric-oxygen-services-consultation-guide/#:~:text=Background-,Background,Manual%20of%20Prescribed%20Specialised%20ServicesThe updates to the specification seek to ensure timely access to treatment for the most acutely unwell patients with the specification requiring:the delivery of care that is integrated with other services, including the emergency department, critical care, and other healthcare professionals as required; andfacilities should be capable of receiving patients in any diagnostic category who may require advanced life support either immediately or during HBOT.The geographical scope of the six services will ensure that there are no more than four hours travelling time by road from coastal locations, from the furthest borders, or between neighbouring commissioned HBOT centres, which is in line with good practice guidelines. The published Equality and Health Inequalities Impact Assessment sets out an evaluation, including access to services and where appropriate action was taken to ensure fair access to any patient who requires this service. Further information on the Equality and Health Inequalities Impact Assessment is available at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2.1-Hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-equality-and-health-inequalities-impact-assessment.pdf

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of removing hyperbaric oxygen therapy services from the North East on (a) Levels of patient safety and (b) treatment outcomes.

NHS England has not decided to remove hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) services in the North East.Due to current contract terms expiring, NHS England conducted a re-procurement of the service in line with Provider Selection Regime regulations. NHS England was only able to award contracts that met the quality requirements of the tender. The Intention to Award Notice, issued on 14 May 2025, confirmed that NHS England was only able to award three of the six available lots. For those lots where no preferred provider was identified, including the North-East, a further procurement exercise will take place. Interim contract arrangements will be put in place in these areas to ensure continued service provision in line with the commissioning intentions of equitably accessible, high-quality care for any patient who requires HBOT. The intention to award notice is available at the following link:https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021325-2025?origin=SearchResults&p=1The geographical scope of the six services will ensure that there are no more than four hours travelling time by road from coastal locations, from the furthest borders, or between neighbouring commissioned HBOT centres, which is in line with the optimal time to treatment set out in good practice guidelines. Further information on the configuration of service modelling can be found in the published public consultation documents, available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/reviewing-hyperbaric-oxygen-services-consultation-guide/The published Equality and Health Inequalities Impact Assessment, which sets out the evaluation of the impact of the changes on access to services, is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2.1-Hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-equality-and-health-inequalities-impact-assessment.pdf