Written questions by Maguire.

What steps his Department is taking to improve the UK’s space funding model.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to developing the Defence Space Portfolio and wider space requirements to harness space for national and military advantage. The recent publication of the Strategic Defence Review served to reinforce the importance of the domain and the need to invest appropriately. The level of investment is being tested and confirmed against current and future requirements through the development of the Defence Investment Plan which will provide the strategic capability direction for the next decade. Defence and other Government Departments will ascertain space synergies, create a common demand signal with which to develop investment options for both the military and national advantage. Aligned to the Own, Collaborate, Access framework, the most effective mix of sovereign owned, collaboration with allies, and access though existing and new partnerships will be determined with which to deliver Defence and wider UK needs.

What support he is providing to international medical and humanitarian partners to help with child amputees and life-altering injuries resulting from explosive weapons in conflict.

The Government recognises the appalling toll that explosive weapons in conflict zones exact on children. We recognise that children are among the most vulnerable in any crisis, suffering not only immediate physical harm but also enduring emotional and psychological trauma with lifelong consequences.The Department has three strands of work which support those who have been injured in this way. First, we have partnered with the David Nott Foundation to support the delivery of life-saving medical training to Ukrainian clinicians under the International Medical Partnership initiative. Second, with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, we work closely with UKMed, a frontline medical age charity, who run clinical support programmes in both Ukraine and Gaza with National Health Service clinicians volunteering to provide life-saving medical aid to people affected by the conflict. Third, the Government has medically evacuated a small number of children from Gaza for specialist treatment in the United Kingdom.

Whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Education on the establishment of a Space Skills Taskforce.

No meetings have so far taken place, however, developing the United Kingdom's Space sector is an important part of this Government's commitment to supporting jobs, security and prosperity for our country as shown in the Defence Space Strategy. The Space Ministerial Forum has met 3 times since it was set up in early 2025.

Whether his Department is taking steps to ensure that general practitioners receive (a) training on (i) early symptoms and (ii) risk factors of mouth cancer and (b) update National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines to allow direct referral to secondary care.

We know that more needs to be done to improve outcomes for patients with mouth cancer. That is why we are investing an additional £889 million in general practices (GPs), bringing total spend on the GP Contract to £13.2 billion in 2025/26. This will help to ensure we have a well-trained and well-equipped primary care service that can take the time to provide quality care to patients around the country, including those with mouth cancer.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is an independent body and is responsible for making decisions on whether its guidance should be updated in the light of new evidence.NICE guidelines represent best practice and healthcare professionals are expected to take them fully into account in making decisions on the care and treatment of individual patients. NICE currently has no plans to update the guideline that covers the assessment and management of mouth cancer. It will be reviewed if there is new evidence that is likely to change the recommendations.

What assessment the Government has made of the potential merits (a) introducing free dental care and (b) ensuring access to dental rehabilitation for mouth cancer patients.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 November 2025 to Question PQ89333.

If she will model the potential impact of (a) single 32 tonne drum mixers against (b) 38.4 tonne volumetric concrete mixers on bridges.

On 18 March 2025 the Department published a National Highways commissioned study on the load impacts of volumetric concrete mixers on bridges alongside the outcome of a call for evidence that ran in October-December 2023. This can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/volumetric-concrete-mixers-review The report compared the forces exerted by higher weight VCMs to the standard model used for assessing bridges and found the load effects from these VCMs to be up to 17% higher than those complying with weight limits. This would put significant strain on existing bridges. 32 tonne drum mixers operate within the assessment load models.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of banning on 5-axel 44 tonne volumetric concrete mixers on (a) UK manufacturers, (b) road miles, (c) road wear and (d) levels of pollution.

The Department ran a call for evidence from October to December 2023 seeking views on three potential options on weight limits for volumetric concrete mixers (VCMs). The outcome of this review was published on 18 March 2025. This can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/volumetric-concrete-mixers-review The following factors were considered: reduction in payload per journey, increased waste, and increased vehicle mileage.Some VCM operators have argued that heavier VCMs could reduce overall trips and emissions, however, the increased road and bridge damage would result in more frequent repairs, offsetting these potential benefits.As part of its consideration of the evidence, the Department for Transport also assessed the potential environmental impacts in accordance with the Environment Act 2021 which requires Ministers of the Crown to have ‘due regard’ to the environmental principles policy statement when making policy.

What assessment her Department has made on the potential impact of banning volumetric concrete mixers above 32 tonnes on levels of employment.

The Department has not made a specific assessment of the potential impact on levels of employment. The outcome of my Department’s review into volumetric concrete mixers (VCMs) was published on 18 March 2025. This can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/volumetric-concrete-mixers-reviewVCMs will continue to be permitted on our roads, but as planned, a temporary weight limit exemption for this type of vehicle (via vehicle special orders) will end on 31 March 2028, after which VCMs must operate at the legal weight limits applicable to other heavy good vehicles. This is not a ban or change in policy.

What steps his Department is taking to reduce waiting times for the (a) diagnosis and (b) treatment of ovarian cancer.

We are committed to reducing waiting times for diagnosis and treatment of cancer, including for ovarian cancer. We will support the National Health Service to increase capacity to meet the demand for diagnostic services through investment in new magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography.The Government is investing an extra £26 billion in the NHS and opening up community diagnostic centres (CDCs) at evening and weekends, to help diagnose cancer earlier. We are now delivering additional checks, tests and scans at 170 CDCs.Furthermore, NHS England has completed the national roll-out of Non-Specific Symptom pathways to support faster diagnosis of cancer in patients who present with symptoms that do not align with a single cancer site.We have exceeded our pledge to deliver an extra two million appointments, having now delivered over five million more appointments as the first step to ensuring earlier and faster access to treatment.The National Cancer Plan will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, as well as speeding up diagnosis and treatment, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology, and improving this country’s cancer survival rates.Our goal is to reduce the number of lives lost to cancer over the next ten years. To do this, we will deliver targeted improvements and interventions, drive research and innovation, focus on prevention, and ensure patients have access to the latest treatments and technology.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has had recent discussions with her EU counterparts on the potential introduction of multiuse pet passport for UK pets that are valid for travel to the EU.

As announced at the UK-EU Leaders' Summit on 19 May 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area, which will mean taking pets on holiday into the EU will become easier and cheaper. Instead of getting an animal health certificate each time you travel, owners will be able to get a multiuse pet passport valid for travel to the EU. In the meantime, owners will still need an Animal Health Certificate for their dog, cat or ferret if they are travelling from Great Britain to an EU country.

Whether the National Cancer Plan will commit to producing symptom awareness campaigns.

Early diagnosis is a key focus of the National Cancer Plan, which will be published in the new year. It is a priority for the Government to support the National Health Service to diagnose cancer as quickly as possible, and to treat it faster, and to improve outcomes.NHS England runs Help Us Help You campaigns in England to increase knowledge of cancer symptoms and to address barriers to acting on them, to encourage people to come forward as soon as possible to see their general practitioner. The campaigns focus on a range of symptoms, as well as encouraging body awareness, to help people spot symptoms across a wide range of cancers at an earlier point.The National Cancer Plan will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, including speeding up diagnosis and treatment, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology, and ultimately drive up this country’s cancer survival rates.

What his timeline is for the reform of the regulation of healthcare professionals.

The Government is committed to modernising the regulatory frameworks for all healthcare professionals in the United Kingdom.As a first step, we aim to consult on secondary legislation to modernise the General Medical Council’s (GMC) regulatory framework in early 2026 and to lay this legislation before Parliament in the same year. We also plan to deliver legislation for the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the Health and Care Professions Council within the current parliamentary period.We will take forward legislative change within this Parliament to introduce a statutory barring system for senior National Health Service leaders and will set out further detail regarding this when we consult on the GMC Order in early 2026.

When he will publish further guidance on the regulation of NHS managers.

The Government is committed to modernising the regulatory frameworks for all healthcare professionals in the United Kingdom.As a first step, we aim to consult on secondary legislation to modernise the General Medical Council’s (GMC) regulatory framework in early 2026 and to lay this legislation before Parliament in the same year. We also plan to deliver legislation for the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the Health and Care Professions Council within the current parliamentary period.We will take forward legislative change within this Parliament to introduce a statutory barring system for senior National Health Service leaders and will set out further detail regarding this when we consult on the GMC Order in early 2026.

Whether his Department plans to (a) fund and (b) implement a national awareness campaign for mouth cancer to help improve (i) early detection and (ii) public understanding of the disease.

NHS England runs campaigns, most recently in early 2025, to increase knowledge of cancer symptoms and to address barriers to acting on them, to encourage people to come forward as soon as possible if they notice a change in their health. The campaigns have focused on recognising a range of symptoms, as well as encouraging general body awareness, to help people spot symptoms across a wide range of cancers at an earlier point. This has included symptoms of mouth cancers in wider campaign messages. In addition, NHS England is working in partnership with major supermarket chains to include messages about common cancer symptoms on the packaging of relevant products. This has included specific messaging on mouth cancer symptoms on toothpaste and mouthwash packaging. NHS England and other National Health Service organisations, nationally and locally, publish information on the signs and symptoms of many different types of cancer, including mouth cancer. This information can be found at sources like the NHS.UK website, which is available at the following link: https://www.nhs.uk/

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of further funding for Family Hubs to restore integrated early support for children and families.

Ensuring every child has the best start in life and the chance to achieve and to thrive, are the foundation stones of the government’s Opportunity Mission.The government has committed to provide funding for all local authorities to deliver Best Start Family Hubs, backed by over £500 million, to help families in every part of the country. The rollout will deliver up to 1,000 Best Start Family Hubs nationwide by the end of 2028, reaching an estimated additional 500,000 children.As of March 2025, there are over 600 Family Hubs across the 88 funded local authorities.

What steps he is taking to support the implementation of innovative (a) diagnostic tools and (b) tests to help improve the speed of diagnosis of less survivable cancers.

The Department is carrying out work to assess the barriers of effective adoption and to improve the way diagnostic tools, including those using artificial intelligence (AI), are deployed across the National Health Service in England.The NHS Cancer Programme’s Innovation Open Call is held to identify and support the most promising innovations and has funded cancer diagnostic innovations in areas including medical devices, in vitro diagnostics, digital health solutions, behaviour interventions, artificial intelligence, robotics, and new models of care.There are also initiatives to improve the identification of cancer symptoms, including for less survivable cancers, in primary care. This includes Jess’s Rule, which supports clinicians to rethink their assessments when patients have presented three times with the same symptoms or concerns. Jess’s Rule was developed through a process of engagement with leading clinicians and charities.The Department has been working with members of the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce as part of the development of the National Cancer Plan to identify how to improve diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes for less survivable cancers, which includes lung, pancreatic, liver, brain, oesophageal, and stomach cancer.

What steps his Department is taking to improve (a) HPV vaccination and (b) cervical screening rates.

While uptake rates in England remain high by international standards, in recent years adolescent vaccine coverage for the human papillomavirus (HPV) has fallen due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. National Health Service commissioned School Aged Immunisation Service providers have robust catch-up plans in place for the adolescent vaccination programme based on population need, to offer vaccination to those young people who may have missed out during the initial offer.The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) publishes and provides a range of supporting materials to health professionals on both the 12 and 13 year old HPV offer, and the vaccine programme for those at higher risk. The UKHSA also works closely with charities and academics to develop resources that can be used to raise awareness of HPV and the importance of vaccination, including for boys.NHS England has improved digital communications on vaccinations, including by expanding the NHS App, and has improved access to the HPV vaccine outside of schools through community clinics at convenient times and locations.In March 2025, NHS England published the Cervical cancer elimination by 2040 – plan for England, setting out how the NHS will improve equitable uptake and coverage across HPV vaccination and cervical screening to meet the goal to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. Further information on the Cervical cancer elimination by 2040 – plan for England is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/cervical-cancer-elimination-by-2040-plan-for-england/In June 2025, NHS England launched the cervical cancer elimination campaign and toolkit for stakeholders, to increase awareness of the elimination target by 2040, educate the public about HPV, and build confidence in the HPV vaccine and cervical screening.

If he will take steps to prioritise the the implementation of NHS England’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Plan.

The 10-Year Health Plan for England: Fit for the Future, restates the National Health Service’s aim to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 through improved uptake of cervical screening and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Delivering the plan and making progress towards committed targets is a key priority for NHS England, working with the Department, providers, and wider health system partners.NHS England continues to develop its strategy, building on the strong foundations of both school-based programmes, ensuring as many young people as possible take up the offer of HPV vaccination, and cervical screening offered by local general practices (GPs) and other venues. Key activities to increase equitable HPV vaccine and screening uptake include:- all children, both boys and girls aged 12 to 13 years old, or those in Year 8, being offered the HPV vaccine. Vaccinating boys not only helps to protect girls, it also directly benefits them, as HPV vaccination helps to protect boys from HPV related cancers, such as head, neck, and genital cancers. NHS England is taking a multi-pronged approach to improving HPV vaccine uptake. This includes improvements in School Age Immunisations Service provider delivery, investing in better digital services and data, improving access to vaccination services in supplementary settings, and continuing to deliver clear public health messaging;- ensuring appropriate follow-up for those who have not yet been vaccinated, as NHS England has launched the GP HPV campaign, which went live from July 2025. GPs have been asked to invite unvaccinated individuals aged 16 to 24 years old for their HPV vaccine as a requirement of the GP Contract. The campaign runs until 31 March 2026;- NHS England working with the Department and the UK Health Security Agency to develop options for HPV catch-up vaccination through community pharmacies from 2026;- improving confidence in vaccinations, by working with Government partners to deliver improved campaigns that raise awareness of vaccination;- indicating our intention to transform our approach to cervical screening for under-screened women or people with a cervix in July 2025. From early 2026, they will receive home testing kits, starting with those that are the most overdue for screening. This will help to tackle deeply entrenched barriers that keep some away from life-saving screening;- the Digital Transformation of Screening programme, which is leading an ambitious, end-to-end transformation of screening services, and which is being rolled out in a test and learn way. New digital services will support screening participants to manage their screening appointments via the NHS App as well as delivering new, artificial intelligence ready services for staff, freeing up their time to focus on care;- taking insight driven approaches to addressing inequalities using both data and behavioural insights to target communications and activities to increase uptake and coverage;- sharing good practice among regions, integrated care boards, and providers, with NHS England having developed a central online resource which includes information on reducing inequalities and supporting equalities, and where all information can be readily accessed by NHS organisations and providers;- NHS England launching our first ever cervical cancer elimination creative campaign and communications toolkit for Cervical Screening Awareness Week, from 16 to 24 June 2025. This will continue to be developed;- engaging and maintaining relationships with stakeholders, which will be central to the ongoing delivery of the Cervical Cancer Elimination plan, and ultimately the elimination of cervical cancer in England; and- carrying out screening in any primary care setting, including sexual health clinics, rather than just at GPs. This includes evenings and on weekends.

Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department will take steps to create new river trails for multi-use access.

The Government recognises the importance of supporting access to nature, including along our rivers. We are actively engaging with stakeholders to identify suitable locations for the nine new national river walks. Wherever possible, we aim to incorporate multi-user access to ensure inclusivity.

If he will make it his policy to recruit an additional 1,000 health visitors a year.

The Government is committed to raising the healthiest generation of children ever. To achieve this, we must ensure that families have the support they need to give their babies and children the best start and the building blocks for a healthy life.As set out in the Plan for Change and the Best Start in Life strategy, the Government has committed to strengthening health visiting services so that all families have access to high-quality, personalised support.The 10-Year Health Plan for England includes a commitment to develop a new Professional Strategy for Nursing and Midwifery for all nurses, midwives, and nursing associates in England. The strategy will set out a long-term professional direction of travel up to 2040 and will be published by the end of the financial year.In addition, we will publish a 10 Year Workforce Plan in spring 2026 to create a workforce ready to deliver a transformed service. The plan will ensure the National Health Service has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients when they need it.