Written questions by Maguire.

If his Department will make an assessment of the impact of Surrey ICB suspending ADHD and autism assessments for people using providers under the NHS Right to Choose pathway on support for adults and children with ADHD and autism.

The Government has recognised that, nationally, the demand for assessments for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays for accessing such assessments. The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan will make the National Health Service fit for the future and recognises the need for early intervention and support.It is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) in England to make appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to autism and ADHD assessments, in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.The Medium-Term Planning Framework, published 24 October, was explicit that ICBs and providers are expected to optimise existing resources to reduce long waits for autism and ADHD assessments and improve the quality of assessments by implementing existing and new guidance, as published.In April 2023, NHS England published a national framework and operational guidance to help ICBs and the NHS to deliver improved outcomes for people referred to an autism assessment service. NHS England has continued to support services to identify challenges and how they might overcome these.  NHS England also established an ADHD taskforce to better understand the challenges affecting those with ADHD, including in accessing timely and equitable access to services and support. We are pleased that the final report was published on 6 November, and we are carefully considering its recommendations.

What assessment has been made of the impact of Surrey ICB suspending ADHD and autism assessments for people using providers under the NHS Right to Choose pathway on wait times for adults and children to receive care for their ADHD or autism.

The Government has recognised that, nationally, the demand for assessments for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays for accessing such assessments. The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan will make the National Health Service fit for the future and recognises the need for early intervention and support.It is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) in England to make appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to autism and ADHD assessments, in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.The Medium-Term Planning Framework, published 24 October, was explicit that ICBs and providers are expected to optimise existing resources to reduce long waits for autism and ADHD assessments and improve the quality of assessments by implementing existing and new guidance, as published.In April 2023, NHS England published a national framework and operational guidance to help ICBs and the NHS to deliver improved outcomes for people referred to an autism assessment service. NHS England has continued to support services to identify challenges and how they might overcome these.  NHS England also established an ADHD taskforce to better understand the challenges affecting those with ADHD, including in accessing timely and equitable access to services and support. We are pleased that the final report was published on 6 November, and we are carefully considering its recommendations.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to protect green belt land being reclassified as grey belt.

The government is committed to preserving Green Belts which have served England's towns and cities well over many decades, not least in terms of checking the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas and preventing neighbouring towns merging into one another. However, we know that there are simply not enough sites on brownfield land registers to deliver the volume of homes that the country needs each year, let alone enough that are viable and in the right location. The government’s new approach to the Green Belt, including prioritising the release of lower quality grey belt land and introducing ‘golden rules’ to ensure development benefits communities and nature, is set out in the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) published on 12 December. On 27 February, Planning Practice Guidance was published to assist local authorities and other decision-makers, and to support a consistent approach to determining whether land is grey belt. It can be found on gov.uk here. This new guidance will support authorities in producing Local Plans, while also making sure that planning applications and development on suitable grey belt land can proceed in the short-term in areas without an up-to-date plan. The government has also provided 133 local planning authorities with £70,000 of pump priming funding each to contribute towards the costs of carrying out Green Belt reviews in their areas.

Communities and Local Government, what information his Department holds on the number of homes in (a) Surrey and (b) England have been built on land classified as grey belt land.

My Department does not hold the requested information. It is for individual local planning authorities to undertake the necessary assessments to identify if land is grey belt, either through plan making or through considering specific applications that come forward.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of extending the Winter Fuel Payment to anyone with a terminal illness regardless of age.

We understand that pensioner circumstances may be complex and variable. However, Winter Fuel Payments remain a simple scheme to provide a modest lump sum payment to the majority of pensioners quickly and automatically, without the need for claim. The Department supports people nearing the end of life through the Special Rules for End of Life. These enable people who are nearing the end of their lives to get faster, easier access to certain benefits, without needing to attend a medical assessment, serve waiting periods and in most cases, receive the highest rate of benefit. For many years, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Special Rules have applied to people who have six months or less to live but they have now been changed so they apply to people who have 12 months or less to live.

If his Department will instruct health providers to update outdated or unclear information on hormone replacement therapy treatments for menopause.

Setting guidance for the treatment of individual conditions falls to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), who produce guidance for the National Health Service and wider health and care system. NICE guidelines are evidence-based recommendations for health and care in England and Wales. They help health and social care professionals to prevent ill health, promote good health, and improve the quality of care and services.NICE clinical guidelines are intended for health and social care professionals, commissioners, patients, and carers to help them make informed decisions on the appropriate treatment and care.When put into practice, NICE guidelines have the potential to effectively target health and care resources to significantly improve patient outcomes, in line with the best available evidence of clinical and cost-effectiveness. Although healthcare professionals and commissioners are not legally obliged to follow NICE guidelines, they are expected to take them into full account when making decisions on treatment and care for patients. The most recent guidance, last updated November 2024, is available at the following link:https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23Generally, providers rely on a range of professional organisations to keep their practice up to date, and they need to work within a scope of practice which includes being up to date and which is assessed through appraisal. In addition to NICE, they would look to the British Menopause Society, the College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, the Royal College of General Practitioners, or the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Further information on the British Menopause Society is available at the following link:https://thebms.org.uk/

What steps his Department is taking to improve respiratory health and care.

The Government has committed to delivering three big shifts that our National Health Service needs to be fit for the future: from hospital to community; from analogue to digital; and from sickness to prevention. All of these are relevant to improving respiratory health in all parts of the country.Through the community diagnostic centres, we are building capacity for respiratory testing and enabling people to get tested for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) closer to home. Earlier diagnosis of conditions will help prevent deterioration and improve survival rates.We are also focused on expanding capacity and improving quality in pulmonary rehabilitation delivery to support patients living with respiratory conditions.We are also taking action to reduce the causes of respiratory conditions such as enabling a smoke free generation and cross Government action to improve air quality.

What steps his Department is taking to reduce the 130,000 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease hospital admissions made each year.

Smoking is the number one preventable cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will be the biggest public health intervention since the indoor smoking ban in 2007 and will help deliver our ambition for a smoke-free United Kingdom.Poor air quality can exacerbate COPD. To address this, the Department of Health and Social Care is working across the Government with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to tackle air pollution, and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to fix housing and reduce damp and mould. Infections can also exacerbate COPD, so the National Health Service is running winter vaccine campaigns against respiratory infections including COVID-19, flu, and pneumococcal disease.To enable faster diagnosis and earlier access to treatment, access to spirometry tests in community diagnostic centres (CDCs) is growing and will continue to do so as more sites come online. The first five months of 2025/26 saw an increase in CDC spirometry testing of approximately 2,000 tests per month more than in the previous year.Pulmonary rehabilitation is a key intervention to improve the health of people with COPD and reduce pressure on NHS hospitals. NHS England has published commissioning standards for pulmonary rehabilitation, setting out the benchmarks that high-quality services should aim for. This includes reducing health inequalities and ensuring equitable access.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of expanding the eligibility for the Severe Conditions Criteria in Universal Credit to include someone with a life-limiting, progressive condition who currently meets the criteria for Limited Capability for Work.

The Severe Conditions Criteria (SCC) have been in place since September 2017 to protect those who we do not expect will ever be able to work, due to a severe lifelong health condition or disability that is not expected to improve, from having to undergo reassessment which is unlikely to lead to a change in outcome. To meet the SCC, a person must demonstrate that their level of functional impairment will always meet the threshold of limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA). Their condition must be a recognised medical diagnosis that is lifelong without any realistic prospect of recovery of function. When the Universal Credit Act 2025 comes into force on 6 April 2026, Universal Credit (UC) claimants who already meet SCC and those who meet SCC in the future (along with existing LCWRA claimants) will receive the higher rate of LCWRA, and will see their combined UC standard allowance and LCWRA element increase at least in line with inflation every year for the next four years. Those who meet SCC will also be exempt from reassessment. An individual who meets the Limited Capability for Work criteria, but not LCWRA, whilst not able to work currently, is considered able to take steps to prepare themselves for work in the future. It would not be appropriate for someone with SCC to be placed in this group as people with SCC are not expected to be able to work again. We believe that the SCC capture those who we want to protect, and there is no intention to widen the criteria any further.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that undeveloped countryside is not listed as grey belt.

The government is committed to preserving Green Belts which have served England's towns and cities well over many decades, not least in terms of checking the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas and preventing neighbouring towns merging into one another. However, we know that there are simply not enough sites on brownfield land registers to deliver the volume of homes that the country needs each year, let alone enough that are viable and in the right location. The government’s new approach to the Green Belt, including prioritising the release of lower quality grey belt land and introducing ‘golden rules’ to ensure development benefits communities and nature, is set out in the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) published on 12 December. On 27 February, Planning Practice Guidance was published to assist local authorities and other decision-makers, and to support a consistent approach to determining whether land is grey belt. It can be found on gov.uk here. This new guidance will support authorities in producing Local Plans, while also making sure that planning applications and development on suitable grey belt land can proceed in the short-term in areas without an up-to-date plan. The government has also provided 133 local planning authorities with £70,000 of pump priming funding each to contribute towards the costs of carrying out Green Belt reviews in their areas.

What assessment has been done on the impact of energy bills in the event of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme being scaled back.

The Government is committed to ensuring that the costs of the UK’s transition to Net Zero are fair and affordable, and the potential impacts on consumers are being fully considered. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is not funded by a levy on energy bills and will be funded as part of the Warm Homes Plan. As set out in the Budget, the Government will provide an additional £1.5bn for those in fuel poverty, exceeding the £13.2bn commitment set out in the manifesto. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme has a committed budget of £295 million for this financial year, and has been extended to 2030, with funding increasing each year. Further details will be set out soon. On 18 November, the Government published the response to a recent consultation providing detail on amendments to the scheme which will be implemented from next year. These changes are designed to increase access, stimulate further demand, and enhance existing consumer protections

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of increasing the use of private high street eye care providers to treat conditions such as glaucoma to relieve pressure from the NHS.

We recognise the vital contribution that high street eye care providers make in maintaining the nation’s eye health.Integrated care boards are responsible for assessing the health needs of their local population and for commissioning primary and secondary eye care services to meet them. This could include the commissioning of community-based glaucoma services, such as glaucoma referral filtering or glaucoma monitoring schemes.The Getting It Right First-Time programme is currently developing best practice guidance for glaucoma services to support the adoption of high standards across the pathway, from detection onwards.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure no one is denied treatment outright because of their cleft.

Patients born with cleft should have care plans tailored to meet their individual needs, with support from multi-disciplinary teams where necessary. Access to dental care is an important part of this and we recognise that some groups of patients may find it difficult to access. We have asked integrated care boards to commission extra urgent dental appointments and are also committed to reforming the dental contract, with a focus on matching resources to need and improving access.

If his Department will ensure cleft training is embedded in undergraduate dental education and ongoing professional development.

I refer the Hon. Member to the response I gave to the Hon. Member for Yeovil on 20 November 2025 to Question 90537.

If his Department will guarantee lifelong NHS dental care for people born with a cleft.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for Eastleigh on 21 November 2025 to Question 89684, and to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for Yeovil on 21 November 2025 to Question 90538.

How his Department plans to meet its target of 9.3 million heat pumps by 2035.

The government will continue to provide financial support to households through our support schemes and by growing the market for green finance, and we will set out more details in the Warm Homes Plan. The government is supporting supply chain growth through the reformed Clean Heat Market Mechanism, investing in manufacturing capacity through the Heat Pump Investment Accelerator, and helping installers train through the Heat Training Grant. Our expectation is that the vast majority of heating system replacements will be with heat pumps and other low-carbon technologies, as these become the natural, affordable choice for consumers at the point of replacing an existing heating appliance at the end of its life.

If his Department will protect the Boiler Upgrade Scheme through any changes to the Warm Home Plan.

Through the Warm Homes Plan, the Government is making the biggest ever capital investment in home retrofit with an additional £1.5bn of new funding announced in the budget to tackle fuel poverty, in turn exceeding our manifesto commitment of £13.2bn. Further details will be set out soon. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme has a committed budget of £295 million for this financial year, and has been extended to 2030, with funding increasing each year.On 18 November, the Government published its’ response to a consultation on potential changes to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, providing detail on amendments to the scheme which will be implemented from next year. These changes are designed to increase access, stimulate further demand, and enhance existing consumer protections.

What criteria was used to determine which conditions should receive a modern service framework under the NHS 10-year health plan; and whether respiratory health meets these criteria.

As announced in the 10-Year Health Plan, as well as an overall quality strategy, the National Quality Board is overseeing the development of a new series of service frameworks to accelerate progress in conditions where there is potential for rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity.Early priorities include cardiovascular disease, severe mental illness, and the first ever service framework for frailty and dementia. The Government will consider other long-term conditions with significant health and economic impacts for future waves of modern service frameworks.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department plans to participate in the 22nd Meeting of States Parties to the Antipersonnel Mine Ban Convention.

Yes. The UK will serve in the role of Vice-President during the meeting, as well as having a role on the Committee reviewing requests by States Parties to extend their mine clearance obligations under Article 5 of the Convention.

Innovation and Technology, if the Prime Minister will appoint a space minister in the Ministry of Defence to lead cross-government space policy.

My noble friend Baroness Lloyd of Effra is the Minister responsible for leading cross government civil space policy.