Written questions by Maguire.

What steps he is taking to ensure newly qualified nurses have pathways to gain clinical experience.

NHS England is working with employers, universities, and regional nursing leads to ensure that support is in place to help graduating nurses find a role as soon as possible after qualification and transition into the workplace.It is important that as part of their first roles, newly registered nurses are supported to embed their skills and integrate into their new team and place of work. Nursing preceptorships provide structured support for newly qualified nurses to do this as they transition into professional roles. The NHS England National Preceptorship Framework sets out that all newly qualified nurses should receive preceptorship in their first-year post-registration.

What mechanisms are in place to ensure (a) local community and (b) patient engagement in the (i) design and (ii) delivery of new NHS hospital infrastructure.

Hospital 2.0 is the New Hospital Programme’s (NHP) approach to standardising the design for future hospitals and has been designed and developed with people with lived and learnt experiences throughout the stages of the design process, from strategic outline business cases, early plans to commissioning, and full operationalisation. Stakeholders include National Health Service staff, NHS trusts, royal colleges, patients, and the public, as well as the supply chain. Over 1,300 clinicians, over 400 patients and lived experience partners, and 57 architects and designers have worked alongside subject matter experts to feed into the design process. This is to ensure that new hospitals will meet current and future healthcare needs, and that patients and staff are at the heart of its designs. The NHP works collaboratively with NHS England and trusts to ensure that the design of each hospital is right-sized for local circumstances and tailored to the needs of the local community. The NHP is currently embarking on another cycle of formal engagement workshops with key national stakeholders to showcase the current progress of Hospital 2.0 designs, with a workshop focussed on the patient and public perspectives. Outside the NHP, the majority of investment in new hospital infrastructure relates to works on part of a site or to renovation and maintenance, and so is subject to local design considerations. When healthcare services are relocated to a new site a formal process of consultation is followed. At a local level, integrated care boards are responsible for strategic infrastructure planning, managing the budget, and allocating funding according to local priorities in their area. Local systems have also developed infrastructure strategies to create a long-term plan for future estate requirements and investment for each local area and its needs.

What assessment her Department has made of the value for money of video call health assessments provided by Ingeus.

The department is committed to delivering health assessments that are accessible, efficient, and represent value for money. Video assessments, including those delivered by Ingeus, form part of a modernised service designed to improve flexibility and claimant experience. The department continues to monitor supplier performance and assess delivery models to ensure they meet contractual standards, providing a quality service to claimants and the best value for money for the taxpayer. To safeguard claimants, robust procedures are in place to mitigate the impact of any technical problems during video assessments. These may include prompt rescheduling of appointments or the consideration of an alternative assessment method if appropriate, ensuring that no claimant is disadvantaged due to circumstances beyond their control. The department remains focused on ensuring timely access to benefits for all eligible individuals. From the commencement of the Ingeus contract on 9 September 2024 to 21 July 2025, a total of 1,839 Work Capability Assessments for Employment and Support Allowance were completed via video. During the same period, 11 video assessment appointments were cancelled/rescheduled due to technical problems. These issues could include problems with broadband connectivity, DWP system issues such as the Medical Services Referral System (MSRS) or the Document Repository System (DRS) etc. Information on delays specifically caused by technical problems is not held.

What steps his Department is taking to increase the accessibility of band five nursing roles available to newly qualified nurses with (a) less than two years' experience, (b) between two and four years' experience and (c) over four years' experience.

Decisions about recruitment are a matter for individual National Health Service employers, who manage this at a local level to ensure they have the staff they need to deliver safe and effective care.NHS England is working with employers, universities, and regional nursing leads to ensure support is in place to help graduating nurses find a role as soon as possible after qualification and transition into the workplace.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that Employment and Support Allowance claimants do not (a) lose entitlement or (b) face delays in the processing of their claim due to technical failures during outsourced Work Capability Assessments made by video call.

The department is committed to delivering health assessments that are accessible, efficient, and represent value for money. Video assessments, including those delivered by Ingeus, form part of a modernised service designed to improve flexibility and claimant experience. The department continues to monitor supplier performance and assess delivery models to ensure they meet contractual standards, providing a quality service to claimants and the best value for money for the taxpayer. To safeguard claimants, robust procedures are in place to mitigate the impact of any technical problems during video assessments. These may include prompt rescheduling of appointments or the consideration of an alternative assessment method if appropriate, ensuring that no claimant is disadvantaged due to circumstances beyond their control. The department remains focused on ensuring timely access to benefits for all eligible individuals. From the commencement of the Ingeus contract on 9 September 2024 to 21 July 2025, a total of 1,839 Work Capability Assessments for Employment and Support Allowance were completed via video. During the same period, 11 video assessment appointments were cancelled/rescheduled due to technical problems. These issues could include problems with broadband connectivity, DWP system issues such as the Medical Services Referral System (MSRS) or the Document Repository System (DRS) etc. Information on delays specifically caused by technical problems is not held.

What estimate her Department has made of the annual cost of uprating State Pensions for armed forces veterans living overseas by inflation in each of the next three financial years; how many armed forces veterans who receive the State Pension live overseas; what the average weekly amount received is; what the average weekly amount received would have been if it had been uprated by inflation in each of the last five years; and if he will make an estimate of what the cost to the public purse would have been of uprating these pensions by inflation in the 2024-25 financial year.

As of the quarter ending November 2024, latest available data show there were around 1.1 million recipients of the GB State Pension living overseas. Source: DWP Stat-Xplore The Department does not hold data identifying armed forces veterans in receipt of the State Pension, whether in GB or overseas.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support local authorities in their efforts to identify and remove traces of toxic lead in soil.

Lead is a naturally occurring element in soils due to the weathering of rocks and minerals, and elevated concentrations can result from historical industrial activity. The Government recognises the importance of managing land contamination to protect human health and the environment. Under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, local authorities have a statutory duty to inspect their areas to identify contaminated land. Defra supports local authorities in fulfilling their duties through the Contaminated Land Statutory Guidance, which sets out the legal framework for risk assessment and decision-making under Part 2A. In addition, the Land Contamination Risk Management (LCRM) framework, recently updated by the Environment Agency, provides technical guidance on assessing, managing and remediating land contamination in line with current best practice.

When the first contract with a Russian uranium supplier was signed for Sizewell B; what the value is of that contract; whether his Department has considered cancelling that contract; and what alternative supplies of uranium there are that could replace the uranium contracted from Russia.

The procurement of nuclear fuel is a commercial matter for reactor operators. The Government works closely with these operators to ensure a secure and resilient supply of nuclear fuel but does not routinely collect information relating to the contracts held by UK operators. This is commercially sensitive, and disclosure would be at the discretion of the operator. The Government has already committed to removing any Russian fuel and uranium supply to the UK by 2030. All reactor operators must comply with UK domestic and international legal obligations, including any sanctions or trade measures in place against Russian-origin uranium.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has issued guidance on redress in circumstances where adding a storey to a property under permitted development regulations results in the blocking of the sun to pre-existing solar panels on an adjoining property.

My Department has not issued any such guidance.

Whether his Department has made a recent estimate of the cost to the public purse of bringing pensions for Gurkha soldiers who retired before 1997 in line with the standard British Army pension.

The Government remains committed to supporting Gurkhas and their families during and after their service with the British Army, as demonstrated by the increase in funding via the Gurkha Welfare Trust, including a £24 million uplift to the medical and healthcare Grant-in-Aid already in place and an extension in principle to that Grant in Aid beyond 2029. We continue to hold discussions with the Government of Nepal and Gurkha Veteran representatives about what more could be done to meet the welfare needs of Gurkhas Veterans and their families, in both the UK and in Nepal. I have met with the Nepali Ambassador H.E. Chandra Ghimire for a productive discussion, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening cooperation and addressing key concerns between Nepal and the UK. The Government view is that the Gurkha Pension Scheme is a fair scheme, and we are committed to providing Gurkha Veterans with a fair pension. The Gurkha Pension Scheme is different, but these differences are objectively and reasonably justified and reflect the circumstances of their service. One of the key differences is that those on the 1948 Gurkha Pension Scheme were paid an immediate pension after 15 years’ service, compared to after 22 years from the Armed Forces Pension.The lawfulness of the Gurkha Pension Scheme has been challenged in a number of judicial reviews since 2003, and the arrangements have been upheld as lawful by the Court of Appeal twice, and by the European Court of Human Rights. An estimate of the kind described has not been undertaken. However, it is the policy of His Majesty’s Government that improvements to public sector pensions in payment cannot be retrospectively applied. In this context, given that the Gurkha Pension Scheme is a closed scheme, this means that improvements to the pension terms cannot be made, because there are no active members to whom they could apply prospectively.

What information his Department holds on the proportion of imported uranium that originates from Russia.

The procurement of nuclear fuel is a commercial matter for reactor operators. The Government works closely with operators and the nuclear industry to ensure there is a secure, resilient supply for the UK fleet, but the requested information on the operators’ source of imported uranium is a commercial matter. Disclosure of this information is at the discretion of the responsible commercial entities. The Government has already committed to removing any Russian fuel and uranium supply to the UK by 2030. All reactor operators must comply with UK domestic and international legal obligations, including any sanctions or trade measures in place against Russian-origin uranium.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 July 2025 to Question 65492 on Iran: Nuclear Weapons, whether his Department has received information on the Iranian nuclear programme from (a) allies and (b) the International Atomic Energy Agency since August 2023.

The Government continues to work closely with our allies to monitor Iran’s nuclear programme, and is in regular contact with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)including through the UK’s permanent mission in Vienna. The IAEA issued its latest report on the status of Iran’s nuclear programme on 31 May 2025. This report confirmed that Iran had continued to expand its nuclear programme, including through accumulating a large stockpile of High Enriched Uranium. We are also concerned by the Iranian law proposing a suspension of cooperation with the IAEA. Iran must urgently resume cooperation with the IAEA to enable the Agency to verify Iran’s nuclear material as it is legally required to do under its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of suicide prevention training provided to ambulance staff.

Looking after the mental health of hard-working NHS staff is essential, and particularly so for ambulance staff as responders to emergency incidents. Ambulance Trusts and the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives have worked closely with NHS England to ensure there is a good range of health and wellbeing support available for staff. This includes an ambulance sector specific suicide prevention pathway to provide immediate support 24/7 for staff experiencing suicidal ideation. At a national level, ambulance staff have access to the SHOUT helpline for crisis support alongside the Practitioner Health service for more complex mental health wellbeing support, including trauma and addiction.We have also announced in the 10-Year Health Plan that we will roll out Staff Treatment Hubs to provide a high-quality occupational health service for all NHS staff, including support for mental health issues and back conditions, with both being significant causes of long-term sickness absence.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the public health risks associated with PFAS contamination in drinking water; and if he will publish a list of affected catchment areas in England and Wales.

Since August 2024, the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) guidance has set a guideline limit of 100 nanograms for the sum of 48 named PFAS. The limit was agreed with the UK Health Security Agency to be a robust level with an appropriate margin to ensure our drinking water is not a danger to human health. There is no evidence of PFAS above 100 nanograms in drinking water supplies. The DWI continues to monitor publications and advice provided by the World Health Organization and the UK’s Committee on Toxicity in relation to PFAS and will continue to act accordingly based on the scientific evidence as it emerges.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to remove physical checks for thoroughbred horses at the border.

Regarding the Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement, 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 Zone to reduce delays and paperwork at the border. The movement of live animals is within scope of the agreement and will be considered as part of this. Our aim is to start the detailed negotiations as soon as possible, as we want to see businesses benefit from removing barriers to trade. Regarding the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), we have been clear that compliance with the existing BTOM controls must continue until further notice, because the UK’s biosecurity and public health must continue to be protected. Where areas of the BTOM are yet to be delivered, we are in the process of reviewing our plans in response to the UK-EU Summit Common Understanding. We are aiming to share more detail on our approach soon. Please note that there are no plans to remove the border checks that currently apply to equines entering the UK from the Rest of the World. These checks remain a vital part of our commitment to safeguarding animal health and maintaining biosecurity.

Food and Rural Affairs, what progress he has made on the implementation of the Border Target Operating model for thoroughbred horses.

Regarding the Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement, 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 Zone to reduce delays and paperwork at the border. The movement of live animals is within scope of the agreement and will be considered as part of this. Our aim is to start the detailed negotiations as soon as possible, as we want to see businesses benefit from removing barriers to trade. Regarding the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), we have been clear that compliance with the existing BTOM controls must continue until further notice, because the UK’s biosecurity and public health must continue to be protected. Where areas of the BTOM are yet to be delivered, we are in the process of reviewing our plans in response to the UK-EU Summit Common Understanding. We are aiming to share more detail on our approach soon. Please note that there are no plans to remove the border checks that currently apply to equines entering the UK from the Rest of the World. These checks remain a vital part of our commitment to safeguarding animal health and maintaining biosecurity.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of suicide prevention training provided to fire and rescue staff.

The health and wellbeing of firefighters is of the utmost importance. The government recognises the risks that firefighters face and is grateful to them for their bravery. Fire and Rescue Authorities (FRAs) are ultimately responsible for the health and wellbeing of firefighters and the government-issued National Framework directs that all Fire and Rescue Authorities should have a people strategy which sets out the mental and physical health and wellbeing support available to firefighters. National organisations such as The Fire Fighters Charity and Mind also offer valuable support to individuals and services. Their resources can assist Fire and Rescue Authorities in developing local approaches to managing mental health risks and promoting the wellbeing of their workforce. The health and wellbeing support provided by Fire and Rescue services is considered by the fire inspectorate (His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services) in the course of their work.

What assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of air quality in classrooms in Surrey.

The department has not assessed the air quality of classrooms in Surrey.The department regularly reviews its guidance to ensure that it aligns with best practice and industry standards in order to deliver high-quality school environments.Between January 2022 and April 2023, the department provided over 9,000 air cleaning units to over 1,300 settings that had been identified with poor ventilation. The department has published guidance on how to use CO2 monitors and air cleaning units, which can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-co-monitors-and-air-cleaning-units-in-education-and-care-settings.

What steps she is taking to improve the air quality of classrooms.

The department has not assessed the air quality of classrooms in Surrey.The department regularly reviews its guidance to ensure that it aligns with best practice and industry standards in order to deliver high-quality school environments.Between January 2022 and April 2023, the department provided over 9,000 air cleaning units to over 1,300 settings that had been identified with poor ventilation. The department has published guidance on how to use CO2 monitors and air cleaning units, which can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-co-monitors-and-air-cleaning-units-in-education-and-care-settings.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the merits of (a) incentivising GPs nearing retirement to remain in the profession and (b) incentivising retired GPs to return to practice.

We will publish a 10 Year Workforce Plan to create a workforce ready to deliver a transformed service. They will be more empowered, more flexible and more fulfilled.The 10 Year Workforce Plan will ensure the National Health Service has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the best care for patients, when they need it.From now on, we will ensure that staff will be better treated, have better training, more fulfilling roles, and hope for the future, so they can achieve more.