Written questions by Stafford.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential cost-effectiveness of NHS insourcing as a means to reduce elective waiting lists.

The Government supports efforts to utilise National Health Service capacity out of hours and over weekends, where it is a cost-effective and sustainable means of delivering additional activity. The most cost-effective route to do this is best determined at a local level, where integrated care boards and trusts can evaluate the options available to them.We recognise insourcing as an opportunity to maximise productivity and efficiency and published guidance in 2024 to promote the effective utilisation of their services, available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/guidance-for-trusts-on-the-use-of-insourcing/The guidance is clear that, to promote value for money being achieved, arrangements should be at or below the unit prices set out in the NHS payment scheme. The guidance also asks all trusts to ensure that appropriate due diligence is undertaken before utilising insourcing solutions, including ensuring pay rates are at or below NHS England’s agency price caps.This guidance sits alongside the Insourcing of Clinical Services Framework Agreement, published by NHS Shared Business Services, which supports local NHS organisations with the timely procurement of services, and which is available at the following link:https://www.sbs.nhs.uk/services/framework-agreements/insourcing-of-clinical-services/We have set clear elective priorities for the system in the Elective Reform Plan and 2025/26 Planning Guidance, including that every trust will need to deliver a minimum 5% improvement by March 2026. We expect trusts to be using all levers to deliver this.

What estimate his Department has made of the number of procedures deliverable per £1 million of Departmental spend via (a) NHS internal delivery, (b) outsourcing and (c) insourcing.

The National Health Service’s national cost collection gives a national average unit cost of £751 across all planned procedures within outpatients, day cases, and elective inpatient settings in 2023/24. This is the equivalent to 1,331 procedures per £1 million. Further information on the NHS’s national cost collection is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/costing-in-the-nhs/national-cost-collection/Prices for individual procedures are set out in the NHS Payment Scheme. How the procedures are delivered is a local decision, to reflect local population need and to allow for the greatest opportunity to deliver value for money in local budgets. The Department does not hold a national estimate by procedure of care delivered through insourcing or outsourcing. However, NHS guidance for both insourcing and outsourcing makes clear the expectation that services are contracted at or below the unit prices set out in the NHS Payment Scheme.

What steps his Department is taking to support NHS Trusts to use existing estate and equipment for insourced clinical activity during off-peak hours.

The Government supports efforts to utilise National Health Service capacity out of hours and over weekends, where it is a cost-effective and sustainable means of delivering additional activity. The most cost-effective route to do this is best determined at a local level, where integrated care boards and trusts can evaluate the options available to them.We recognise insourcing as an opportunity to maximise productivity and efficiency and published guidance in 2024 to promote the effective utilisation of their services, available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/guidance-for-trusts-on-the-use-of-insourcing/The guidance is clear that, to promote value for money being achieved, arrangements should be at or below the unit prices set out in the NHS payment scheme. The guidance also asks all trusts to ensure that appropriate due diligence is undertaken before utilising insourcing solutions, including ensuring pay rates are at or below NHS England’s agency price caps.This guidance sits alongside the Insourcing of Clinical Services Framework Agreement, published by NHS Shared Business Services, which supports local NHS organisations with the timely procurement of services, and which is available at the following link:https://www.sbs.nhs.uk/services/framework-agreements/insourcing-of-clinical-services/We have set clear elective priorities for the system in the Elective Reform Plan and 2025/26 Planning Guidance, including that every trust will need to deliver a minimum 5% improvement by March 2026. We expect trusts to be using all levers to deliver this.

Whether she plans to provide additional (a) resources, (b) teacher training and (c) curriculum support to improve media literacy education in schools.

Media literacy is covered in the citizenship, relationships, sex and health education and computing curriculums.The department funds the National Centre for Computing Education, which provides teachers with continuing professional development and resources to support the teaching of computing. This includes units on messaging in digital media, the credibility of sources, and identifying ‘fake’ news and edited images, supporting the teaching of artificial intelligence (AI) and media literacy.In 2024, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) provided £0.5 million to scale up two programmes, to provide media literacy support to teachers, children aged 11 to 16, parents/carers and other professionals working with families.The Educate against Hate website also hosts a series of online media literacy resources which seek to help young people evaluate the validity of information. This can be accessed at: https://www.educateagainsthate.com/.The independent Curriculum and Assessment Review’s interim report notes the rise of AI and trends in digital information and that it is necessary that the curriculum keep pace with these changes, including a renewed focus on digital and media literacy and critical thinking skills. The interim report is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/curriculum-and-assessment-review-interim-report. The Review’s final report and recommendations will be published in autumn with the government’s response.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for her policies of the report entitled Mobile homes: The impact of a change in the maximum park home sale commission, published in June 2022.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 44299 on 16 April 2025.

Whether she is taking steps to ensure that information and communications technology literacy forms part of the national curriculum following the Curriculum and Assessment Review.

The independent Curriculum and Assessment Review’s interim report notes the rise of artificial intelligence and trends in digital information and that it is necessary that the curriculum keep pace with these changes, including a renewed focus on digital and media literacy and critical thinking skills. The interim report is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/curriculum-and-assessment-review-interim-report. The Review’s final report and recommendations will be published in autumn with the government’s response.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Hongkongers who (a) arrived in the UK on British National (Overseas) visas and (b) have subsequently become UK citizens receive consular protection in (i) Hong Kong and (ii) mainland China.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) provides consular assistance to British nationals abroad. This includes BN(O)s who, under the Memoranda to the Joint Declaration, are eligible for consular assistance in third countries, but not in Hong Kong, Macao or mainland China. If individuals have formally renounced Chinese citizenship, it's advised that they carry clear evidence they have done so. We advise seeking legal advice where appropriate for individual cases. Individuals should also familiarise themselves with the FCDO's Travel Advice.

Whether she has had discussions with the Civil Aviation Authority on unpaid compensation payments for (a) British Airways and (b) Norse Atlantic passengers.

The Department expects all airlines to ensure passengers receive the best possible service, including timely payment of compensation where it is due. The Department regularly engages with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on a range of matters. As the independent regulator for aviation, the CAA is responsible for ensuring airlines comply with their legal obligations towards passengers, including those relating to compensation.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring airlines operating in UK airports to be members of the Civil Aviation Authority approved alternative dispute resolution scheme.

Air passenger rights remain a priority, and the Department will continue to consider opportunities to ensure passengers are provided with the highest level of protection possible.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2025 to Question 32890 on Homes for Ukraine Scheme, whether her Department plans to publish eligibility criteria for Ukrainian nationals resident in the UK wishing to transition to alternative routes to settlement after the expiry of the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the absence of a bespoke long-term route on Ukrainians in the UK.

We recognise the Ukrainian government’s desire for the future return of its citizens to Ukraine. It is important our approach respects these wishes.This is why our offer of temporary sanctuary under the Ukraine Schemes does not lead to settlement in the UK. Similarly, time spent in the UK with permission granted under the Ukraine Schemes cannot be relied upon towards the continuous qualifying period for the purposes of a Long Residence application.Those granted permission under one of the Ukraine Schemes, which provide full rights to work and study, can apply to switch into other visa routes for which they qualify even if their visa does not normally allow them to do so. The link to the page providing further guidance for Ukrainian nationals who are in the UK with a visa is here: Ukrainian nationals in the UK: visa support - GOV.UK.We keep the Ukraine schemes under continuous review in line with the ongoing conflict.

What steps her Department is taking to support to the victims of the Safe Hands Funeral Plan.

I refer the honorable member to my response to UIN 39592.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) banning the use of Bovaer and (b) allowing the use of Kelp.

The Food Standards Agency has advised milk from cows given Bovaer is safe to drink. Bovaer has undergone a rigorous safety assessment and is approved for use in Great Britain. Regulation of feed additives and materials, such as Kelp, is the responsibility of the Food Standards Agency. Both synthetic and natural feed products must be demonstrated as safe for use to be added to the GB Register of Feed Materials.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make it his policy to not provide Official Development Assistance to countries that have higher (a) gross domestic product and (b) purchasing parity power than the UK.

Decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used are being worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review. We plan to publish final 2025/26 ODA programme allocations in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Annual Report & Accounts this summer.All UK ODA spending is consistent with the international rules agreed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's Development Assistance Committee. Under these rules, ODA can only be provided to countries with a per capita Gross National Income of less than US$13,845 in 2022.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many applications have been received from commercial laying hen and pullet keepers for the Laying Hen Housing for Health and Welfare Grant in England.

The deadline for online applications was the 18 September 2024. The Rural Payments Agency received 103 applications. The deadline for full applications is 28 April 2026. As of 22 April 25, one full application has been received. Checks to confirm eligibility against the requirements of the Laying Hen Housing for Health and Welfare Grant will be completed as part of full application process.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of ground rent costs on the ability of long-term leaseholders to sell their leased properties.

The government remains firmly committed to its manifesto commitment to tackle unregulated and unaffordable ground rents, and we will deliver this in legislation.

What the qualification requirements are for Personal Independence Payment assessors.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has set clear requirements on the professions, skills, experience, and training of health professionals (HPs) that assessment suppliers use to carry out assessments. The Personal Independence Payment Assessment Guide (PIPAG) states all HPs recruited for the delivery of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments (or any parts of these) must meet the following requirements:Be an occupational therapist, nurse, physiotherapist, paramedic, doctor, pharmacist or by exception, another registered healthcare professional, providing the requirements set out within the PIPAG are met, the individual continues to satisfy quality and probation processes, and only by individual, prior, written agreement with the DWP.Be fully registered with the relevant licensing bodyHave no sanctions attached to registration unless: they relate to disability, or the HP is a doctor who has an approved practice setting (APS) (as defined by the General Medical Council from time to time) requirement on the grounds that they have not had their first revalidation post qualification as a doctorIn individual cases, the requirement for HPs not to have any sanction attached to registration may be waived subject to prior written agreement with DWP (no waiver is required in relation to any sanction relating to disability or an APS requirement)Have at least 1 year’s post full registration experience (this refers to either UK registration or equivalent overseas registration for non-UK HPs) or less than 1 year’s post full registration experience by individual, prior, written agreement with the DWP.Have passed a Disclosure and Barring Service check at the appropriate level.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to encourage Forestry England to introduce disabled parking spaces in the Bourne Woods car park, Surrey.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 11 November 2024, UIN 12353.

With reference to her Department's reports entitled Roadside Vehicle Noise Measurement - Phase 2 Final Report, published August 2021, and Work Order T0218 Roadside Vehicle Noise Measurement – Phase 3 Parts A to C, published March 2024, what assessment she has made of noise camera trials in (a) controlled and (b) real-world conditions in (i) detecting and (ii) identifying excessively noisy vehicles.

The Department conducted controlled and real-world trials of noise camera technology between April 2022 and February 2023. Reports of these trials, including detailed assessment of the technology’s performance and potential merits, were published on 17 March 2024.Overall, the trials demonstrated that noise cameras currently have the potential to detect and identify excessively noisy vehicles, but only when accompanied by human review of the recorded evidence, which is likely to lower the cost effectiveness of deploying the technology in many circumstances.

What discussions she has had with UK-based private lenders on debt cancellation for lower-income countries.

Supporting developing countries to tackle unsustainable debt is a key development priority of this government. The UK government is working closely with borrowers, official and private creditors, and the IMF and World Bank, to strengthen the wider debt architecture and provide timely and coordinated restructurings for countries where needed, to support holistic debt sustainability for low-income countries. The Paris Club, and now the G20 as part of its commitment to coordinate on debt treatments under the Common Framework, are clear on our collective expectation that private creditors must participate in restructurings on terms at least as favourable as those provided by sovereign creditors. In working with the private sector, the government has focussed on enhancing a market-based approach. This includes working with private sector creditors to strengthen contracts underpinning debt issuance to ensure private sector participation in debt restructuring, building on IMF evidence that suggests this approach is working well. Recognising the importance of the private sector in debt discussions and drawing on the expertise of the City of London, we have set up the London Coalition on Sustainable Sovereign Debt, which I will co-chair and which will consider non-bonded debt issues among others. The Coalition will leverage London’s role as a financial services hub by bringing together government and private sector stakeholders to drive solutions for more sustainable sovereign debt financing in developing economies.

What plans she has to (a) bring forward legislative and (b) amend existing legislation to tackle noise pollution caused by (i) motorcycles and (ii) modified vehicle exhaust systems.

The Department does not have plans to amend existing vehicle noise legislation.The Department takes the impact of noise pollution on health, wellbeing and the natural environment seriously. Strict noise regulations for motorcycles are harmonised at an international level and require vehicles to demonstrate compliance before being placed on the market. Replacement exhaust systems that are to be used on the road must also meet strict noise limits that are aligned with those of the original vehicle.The police have powers to deal with noisy vehicles on an ongoing basis. Under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 they can take action if they suspect a vehicle is being driven in a manner that makes excessive noise which is avoidable through reasonable driver care. In the same Regulations, vehicle exhaust systems are required to be maintained in good working order and not altered so as to increase noise.