Written questions by Stafford.

What guidance NHS England has issued on covid booster vaccination for patients who are (a) immunosuppressed and (b) on long-term steroid therapy; and what steps his Department is taking to help ensure clinically vulnerable people are offered protection against (i) Stratus and (ii) other circulating covid variants.

The COVID-19 vaccine is offered to those in the population most vulnerable to serious outcomes from COVID-19 and who are therefore most likely to benefit from vaccination. For autumn and winter 2025/26, the COVID-19 vaccination is offered to:- residents in a care home for older adults;- all adults aged 75 years old and over; and- persons aged six months and over who are immunosuppressed, as defined in tables three and four of the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book, which is available at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68b5be03536d629f9c82a97d/Green-book-chapter-COVID-19_1_9_25.pdf.NHS England, in partnership with the UK Heath Security Agency and the Department, has developed a suite of communications resources to encourage eligible people to get their autumn and winter vaccinations. As part of this, NHS England has produced a variety of posters and digital-screens, as well as a factsheet specifically designed for pharmacies to support conversations with individuals about eligibility for a COVID-19 vaccine.National invitations are designed to supplement local invitations, to ensure the National Health Service reaches as many people as possible who may be eligible. For COVID-19 vaccinations, everyone aged five to 74 years old whose NHS record suggests they may be immunosuppressed due to a medical condition or treatment, and all those eligible by age, are contacted.Eligible people are able to book via the National Booking Service or by calling 119. For those that are uncertain, they can book an appointment and discuss their eligibility with a clinician at the appointment.

Whether his Department plans to publish a winter preparedness analysis for 2025-26 defining eligibility for covid boosters.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is an independent expert committee which reviews the latest data on COVID-19 risks, vaccine safety, and effectiveness and advises the department on the approach to vaccination and immunisation programmes. The JCVI published advice for future COVID-19 vaccination campaigns in autumn 2025 and spring 2026 in November 2024, and published advice for autumn 2026 and spring 2027 in July 2025. The Government accepted JCVI advice for autumn 2025 in June 2025. The Government is considering the JCVI’s advice for 2026 and spring 2027 carefully and will respond in due course.The primary aim of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme remains the prevention of serious disease, involving hospitalisations and deaths, arising from COVID-19. The JCVI assessment indicates that the oldest age cohorts and individuals who are immunosuppressed are the two groups who continue to be at higher risk of serious disease.Therefore, in autumn 2025, a COVID-19 vaccination is being offered to:- adults aged 75 years old and over;- residents in a care home for older adults;- individuals aged six months and over who are immunosuppressed, as defined in the ‘immunosuppression’ sections of tables 3 or 4 in the COVID-19 chapter of the UK Health Security Agency Green Book.The National Health Service is preparing earlier and more robustly for winter this year, with rigorous stress testing of local plans, closer working with local partners, and a far earlier kick-off of winter preparations. Vaccinations have been ramped up across the board for flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus so families can protect themselves and others. This includes the surge capacity and escalation plans in place across all NHS and urgent care services. As set out in the 2025/26 Urgent Emergency Care Plan, the NHS is focusing on improvements that will see the biggest impact on urgent and emergency care performance this winter. The 2025/26 Urgent Emergency Care Plan is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/urgent-and-emergency-care-plan-2025-26/

Innovation and Technology, if her Department will take steps to review its guidance for (a) local authorities and (b) telecommunication operators entitled Code of Practice for Wireless Network Development in England, published in March 2022.

The department published the Code of Practice for Wireless Network Development in England to provide guidance to local authorities and network operators on siting, design and community engagement for wireless infrastructure installations.The department regularly engages with local authorities and network operators in relation to telecommunications infrastructure deployments and encourages operators to follow the Code of Practice for Wireless Network Development.This autumn we will publish a call for evidence to assess the merits of planning reform for the telecoms sector.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with UK-based Nepali community leaders on recent violence in that country.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office expressed the UK Government's continued support for democracy and fundamental freedoms in Nepal in response to recent incidents of violence and restrictions on peaceful protest in Nepal. Our Ambassador in Kathmandu also reiterated the UK's commitment to democratic principles, the rule of law, and the protection of free speech and peaceful assembly. The UK continues to encourage all parties in Nepal to uphold these values and to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve tensions peacefully. Our Strengthening Foundations of Federalism in Nepal programme (2019-2025) promotes inclusive decision-making processes and capacity of local governments and state-citizen engagement. We remain committed to working with Nepal to promote democratic governance, uphold civil liberties, and support inclusive development.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made representations to her Nepalese counterpart on support for (a) democracy and (b) free speech in that country.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office expressed the UK Government's continued support for democracy and fundamental freedoms in Nepal in response to recent incidents of violence and restrictions on peaceful protest in Nepal. Our Ambassador in Kathmandu also reiterated the UK's commitment to democratic principles, the rule of law, and the protection of free speech and peaceful assembly. The UK continues to encourage all parties in Nepal to uphold these values and to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve tensions peacefully. Our Strengthening Foundations of Federalism in Nepal programme (2019-2025) promotes inclusive decision-making processes and capacity of local governments and state-citizen engagement. We remain committed to working with Nepal to promote democratic governance, uphold civil liberties, and support inclusive development.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department supports democracy in Nepal.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office expressed the UK Government's continued support for democracy and fundamental freedoms in Nepal in response to recent incidents of violence and restrictions on peaceful protest in Nepal. Our Ambassador in Kathmandu also reiterated the UK's commitment to democratic principles, the rule of law, and the protection of free speech and peaceful assembly. The UK continues to encourage all parties in Nepal to uphold these values and to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve tensions peacefully. Our Strengthening Foundations of Federalism in Nepal programme (2019-2025) promotes inclusive decision-making processes and capacity of local governments and state-citizen engagement. We remain committed to working with Nepal to promote democratic governance, uphold civil liberties, and support inclusive development.

What steps his Department is taking to prepare for potential flu outbreaks in winter 2025-26.

We have done more than ever to prepare for winter this year with the development and better testing of winter plans. This includes surge capacity and escalation plans for urgent and emergency care.The flu vaccination programme began on 1 September 2025 for children and pregnant women. Adults aged over 65 years old, those with long term health conditions, and frontline health and social care workers will start from 1 October 2025. Further details of the plans for this year, including actions to reduce the effects of flu on demand for services, are set out in the Urgent and Emergency Care Plan for 2025/26, which is available at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/urgent-and-emergency-care-plan-2025-26/ On 16 September, the Secretary of State addressed a gathering of Chief Executives and undertook a joint visit with the NHS England Chief Executive to set out how winter preparations were being strengthened. A further meeting with Chief Executives on 3 November also focused on winter planning.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of (a) the Energy Profits Levy and (b) other carbon-related taxes in preventing climate related damage.

The Energy Profits Levy (EPL) was introduced as a temporary additional surcharge on profits generated from oil and gas exploration and production activities in the UK, in response to extraordinary global circumstances. The EPL has already raised over £11bn since its introduction to date. From 1 November 2024 the government introduced changes to the EPL, including increasing the rate by 3 percentage points to 38% and extending it to 31 March 2030. We also removed the EPL’s core investment allowance, which was unique to oil and gas and not available to any other sector, and retained the decarbonisation allowance in the EPL regime to support the sector to decarbonise. The Government sees the tax system as one important lever to further environmental and climate objectives by encouraging behaviour change and supporting greater investment in cleaner technologies. The government ensures the tax system supports climate goals through measures such as the Carbon Price Support and Climate Change Levy.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to raise concerns with the Indian authorities about the increasing use of controversial anti-apostasy laws to target (a) Christian and (b) Muslim minority communities across the country.

The UK Government is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief globally, including in India. We are aware of concerns regarding the use of anti-conversion laws in India and their impact on religious minorities, particularly Christian and Muslim communities. Dialogue concerning this is an important aspect of the UK-India relationship. Our diplomatic network across India monitors developments closely and regularly meets with religious representatives from different faith communities.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that high-emission industries contribute fairly to funding climate recovery and adaptation.

The UK Emissions Trading Scheme ensures that high-emitting sectors like power pay a fair price for the emissions they produce. ETS participants must buy allowances to cover their emissions, with revenues supporting government priorities including climate change mitigation and adaptation. The carbon price faced by businesses covered also drives them to invest in decarbonising their operations – over half say it has prompted them to invest in decarbonisation. We are expanding the scheme to the energy from waste and maritime sectors.

What assessment he has made of the extent to which oil and gas companies operating in the UK contribute to the costs of climate-related damage.

The North Sea Transition Authority enforces compliance with the North Sea Transition Deal to ensure the oil and gas sector halves its emissions by 2030 and achieves net zero emissions by 2050, in line with the UK’s carbon budget. The targets will be achieved through initiatives including the industry’s Methane Action Plan which includes a 50% methane reduction target by 2030. The Government also published in June supplementary environmental impact assessment guidance. The guidance marks a step forward in ensuring the full environmental impact of oil and gas extraction - including end use emissions - is considered for offshore projects.

Communities and Local Government, if his Department will respond to the correspondence of 16 July 2025 from the hon. Member for Farnham and Bordon regarding the Woolmead site in the Farnham and Bordon constituency.

A response to the hon. Member was issued on 20 October 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he plans to take to adjust the council tax system to account for differing property market values in rural areas.

All councils are responsible for setting their own level of council tax to meet their specific service requirements. The government annually publishes data on the council tax levels set by different local authorities across the country. This is available here. The Government will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the system and consider options for reform where there is clear evidence that change would deliver better outcomes for residents and councils alike.

Whether she plans to expand financial education into the primary school curriculum.

I refer the hon. Member for Farnham and Bordon to the answer of 9 April 2025 to Question 43513.

Communities and Local Government, whether the Government plans to publish updated comparative data on average council tax payments (a) per dwelling and (b) per capita across local authorities.

The Department publishes council tax per dwelling for each billing authority in England annually in March. We do not publish council tax per capita.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential role of (a) German-style Fertighäuser and (b) other prefabricated or modular housing to help tackle housing shortage.

The government wants to see greater adoption of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) as part of our Plan for Change commitment to deliver 1.5 million safe and decent homes in this Parliament.MMC is key to boosting productivity in the construction sector – helping deliver homes faster, with improved energy performance, and creating new offsite jobs in the construction sector.We have already acted through our planning reforms to provide the certainty developers and manufacturers need to invest in MMC; provided an additional £700 million of support through the Home Building Fund to help manufacturers looking to grow and expand; and published the Publicly Available Specification (PAS-8700) for residential MMC.We will set out further details in the Long-Term Housing Strategy shortly.

What recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of financial education since it became part of the secondary curriculum in 2014.

I refer the hon. Member for Farnham and Bordon to the answer of 9 April 2025 to Question 43513.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the level of variation in council tax per dwelling between rural and urban local authorities; and what steps he is considering taking to ensure that households in rural areas are not subject to higher tax burdens due to property valuation and banding distributions.

All councils are responsible for setting their own level of council tax to meet their specific service requirements. The government annually publishes data on the council tax levels set by different local authorities across the country. This is available here. The Government will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the system and consider options for reform where there is clear evidence that change would deliver better outcomes for residents and councils alike.

What training and resources are provided to teachers to enable effective delivery of financial education in schools.

I refer the hon. Member for Farnham and Bordon to the answer of 7 January 2025 to Question 21190.

What steps she is taking to ensure that financial education is delivered consistently across all schools.

I refer the hon. Member for Farnham and Bordon to the answer of 9 April 2025 to Question 43513.