Written questions by Maguire.

How many sponsor licenses for care homes and care agencies have been revoked in a) 2022, b) 2023, c) 2024, and d) 2025 by county.

Data on revocations of sponsor licences for care homes by county is not available from published statistics and could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.The route to challenge any revocation decision is through the civil courts and determinations relating to sponsor compliance action can be found in published determinations handed down by the Judiciary.

What steps her Department plans to take with (a) the Department for Health and Social Care and (b) local authorities to help ensure that immigration reforms support (i) recruitment to social care vacancies and (ii) the implementation of statutory duties under the Care Act 2014.

The Government published the Immigration White Paper ‘Restoring Control over the Immigration System last year which announced the intention to end overseas recruitment for social care visas. The new Immigration Rules which prohibit overseas recruitment took effect in July 2025, however transitional arrangements exist for individuals already in the UK to switch into the route. The transitional arrangements are due expire in 2028 but will be subject to regular review. The Home Office continues to work closely with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) funded Regional Partnerships to support care workers, who have been impacted by exploitative employers. DHSC are funding 15 regional hubs in England, made up of Local Authorities and Directors of Adult Social Services, working together to support displaced workers into new roles within the care sector. These regional hubs have received £12.5 million this financial year to support them to prevent and respond to unethical practices in the sector. The Government remains committed to supporting Health & Care visa holders who wish to pursue a career in the adult social care sector.

What estimate she has made of the number of people subject to the loan charge who will have their cases settled following the independent review of the loan charge.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answers I gave on 9 February 2026 to UIN 109841, 109843 and 109842.

What assessment her Department has made of the value-for-money of the loan charge.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answers I gave on 9 February 2026 to UIN 109841, 109843 and 109842.

What assessment her Department has made of the (a) effectiveness of the loan charge and (b) adequacy of HMRC’s approach to dealing with disguised remuneration schemes.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answers I gave on 9 February 2026 to UIN 109841, 109843 and 109842.

How many outstanding Loan Charge cases she expects will be settled as a result of the McCann Review.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answers I gave on 9 February 2026 to UIN 109841, 109843 and 109842.

What assessment has her Department made of the value-for-money to the taxpayer of the Loan Charge.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answers I gave on 9 February 2026 to UIN 109841, 109843 and 109842.

What assessment has her Department made of the effectiveness of (a) the Loan Charge and (b) HMRC’s approach to dealing with disguised remuneration schemes.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answers I gave on 9 February 2026 to UIN 109841, 109843 and 109842.

What discussions her Department has had with schools on the effectiveness of the three-item cap on branded uniform.

Whilst many schools are taking action to reduce costs, too many families still tell us that the cost of school uniform remains a financial burden. ​This is why we have introduced legislation to limit the number of branded items of uniform and PE kit that schools can require.When determining the level at which to set the limit, we considered the available evidence and engaged with a range of stakeholders, including schools, to ensure we struck the right balance between reducing costs for parents and recognising the benefits that some branded items can bring to school life.The majority of primary schools, and nearly a third of secondary schools, already successfully operate within the proposed limit. It is therefore right that schools currently asking for large numbers of compulsory branded items are required to remove them.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of paying GPs a bonus to prescribe patients weight loss drugs on savings to the NHS over a (a) one, (b) five year and (c) 10 year period.

The 2026/27 GP Contract introduces new incentives through the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) for general practitioners to prescribe weight loss drugs. At this stage, the Department has not made quantified estimates of net costs to the National Health Service over one-, five- or ten-year periods specifically attributable to these QOF indicators. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s technology appraisal considered the clinical effectiveness and cost‑effectiveness of tirzepatide at a population level, and the QOF changes are intended to support appropriate implementation of that guidance. QOF is an established lever for supporting the roll out of evidence-based care in general practice. Data gathered through QOF this year will be used to understand the impact of the new QOF obesity indicators on patient pathways and service use, and this evidence may inform future assessment of costs and benefits over time.

What information her Department holds on the number of animals that have been used for animal testing in each year since 2022.

The Home Office publishes annual statistics on the use of animals in science which contain information on the number of procedures conducted each year. The number of procedures is not equal the number of animals that have been used in procedures that year because some animals may be used more than once in certain circumstances.The published annual statistics are available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/animals-in-science-statisticshttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/replacing-animals-in-science-strategy/replacing-animals-in-science-a-strategy-to-support-the-development-validation-and-uptake-of-alternative-methods

What steps her Department is taking to support Ofsted in processing the backlog of applications for the a) registration and b) inspections of residential family centres.

Twenty Residential Family Centres have been registered by Ofsted since 1 April 2025, with three registrations rejected following a registration visit. Ofsted undertake a range of checks as part of the registration process, including ensuring Residential Family Centres have the correct planning permission and staff teams in place. While efficiencies in handling applications are necessary, they must not come at the expense of the scrutiny needed to ensure safe, high-quality provision. Residential Family Centres are inspected once in every three-year period.Between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026, Ofsted forecast to complete 54 full inspections, and have completed 56. In addition, two Residential Family Centres had their inspections brought forward into the previous inspection year due to identified concerns.

If her Department will review best practice guidance for play-based learning for five to seven year-olds.

I refer the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell to the answer of 23 March 2026 to Question 117074.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of removing Sport England as a statutory planning consultee on the future provision of playing fields, pitches and community sports facilities.

I refer the hon. Members to the answers given to Questions UIN 103087 on 13 January 2026, and UIN 112696 on 2 March 2026.

Communities and Local Government, what timetable his Department has set for laying secondary legislation relating to deferment and capitalisation rates under the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 103549 on 14 January 2026 and to the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 27 January 2026 (HCWS1278).

Communities and Local Government, what transitional arrangements apply to leaseholders pursuing enfranchisement claims while awaiting implementation of the new valuation framework.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 103549 on 14 January 2026 and to the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 27 January 2026 (HCWS1278).

What steps his Department is taking to help support community pharmacies from the potential impact of changes to the living wage, national insurance and business rates.

The Government recognises that pharmacies are an integral ‘front door’ to the National Health Service, staffed by highly trained and skilled healthcare professionals.In 2025/26, funding for the core community pharmacy contractual framework has been increased to £3.073 billion. This represents the largest uplift in funding of any part of the NHS, over 19% across 2024/25 and 2025/26. Additional funding is also available, for example for pharmacies delivering Pharmacy First consultations and flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.The Department will shortly consult with Community Pharmacy England on any proposed changes to reimbursement and remuneration of pharmacy contractors for 2026/27. As part of this we will consider financial pressures on the sector.

With reference to the National Cancer Plan, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that there will be enough pathologists to support the Plan’s delivery.

The National Cancer Plan sets out how we will strengthen the cancer workforce, including for diagnostics, such as pathology. The plan sets out sustainable workforce growth, focused not on simply expanding numbers but on ensuring staff are properly trained, supported, and able to work at the top of their skills.The plan sets out how we will support pathologists to work more efficiently through a £604 million investment in digital diagnostics, including digital pathology, and £96 million in the automation of histopathology, as well as further investment in digital technology and artificial intelligence. Expansion of advanced clinical practice for scientists will also improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the pathology workforce as a whole.The 10 Year Workforce Plan will be published in spring, setting out further action to create a workforce able to deliver the transformed service set out in the 10-Year Health Plan.

What assessment her Department has made of the impact of changes to Indefinite Leave to Remain criteria on the number of staff in the social care sector.

The earned settlement model, proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, announced changes to the mandatory requirements and qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain. It was subject to a public consultation, which ran until 12 February 2026.As part of this consultation, we are seeking views on the potential impact of the proposed changes on different groups, including those working in sectors such as social care. Details of the earned settlement model will be finalised following the consultation.The final proposals will also be subject to full economic and equality impact assessments, which we have committed to publish in due course.

What assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of including social care roles within any public service concession.

The earned settlement model, proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, announced changes to the mandatory requirements and qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain. It was subject to a public consultation, which ran until 12 February 2026.As part of this consultation, we are seeking views on the potential impact of the proposed changes on different groups, including those working in sectors such as social care. Details of the earned settlement model will be finalised following the consultation.The final proposals will also be subject to full economic and equality impact assessments, which we have committed to publish in due course.