Written questions by Maguire.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support chalk stream restoration in (a) Hogsmill River and (b) the rest of the South East.

The Environment Agency (EA) is working with the Chalk Stream Restoration Group, and other partners, to protect and restore chalk streams across the South East. For example, it is ensuring that water companies have ambitious but affordable programmes that address the threats to chalk streams, including restoring sustainable abstraction in chalk catchments and reducing the impacts of discharges from storm overflows. It also continues to work with partners to lead or support numerous chalk stream restoration projects. The Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) is a programme used to continuously improve the water industry and thus protect our water and waterbodies. There are 8 WINEP water quality actions that Thames Water will undertake in AMP8 (between 2025 and 2030) at Hogsmill. The EA have also been supporting species recovery of water voles on the Hogsmill.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of funding for the new hospital in Sutton, in the context of rising construction and building costs.

We have now put the New Hospital Programme on a sustainable footing, with a timeline that can be met, and a budget that is consistent with the fiscal rules under which the Government is operating. We are backing this plan with investment, which will increase to up to £15 billion over each consecutive five-year wave, averaging approximately £3 billion a year from 2030. The exact profile of funding will be confirmed in rolling five-year waves at regular Spending Reviews, as with all Government capital budgets in future. The cost estimates for schemes include the significant cost of inflation in recent years and use a construction specific index to inflate future costs.The final funding amount for the Specialist and Emergency Care Hospital in Sutton will be subject to the review and approval of a Full Business Case nearer to construction starting between 2032 and 2034, as is standard for large infrastructure projects.

Whether her Department plans to expand discretionary housing payments to (a) Surrey and (b) other areas with high rental inflation.

The Government announced through the Spending Review that Discretionary Housing Payments will be included in the new Crisis and Resilience Fund from April 2026. This will provide £842 million per year (£1 billion including Barnett consequential) to reform how crisis support is delivered locally. By combining Discretionary Housing Payments to create a single, streamlined fund, the Crisis and Resilience Fund will make it easier for local authorities to deliver joined-up support, whilst helping people to access the help they need when they need it. We will work closely with Local Authorities on the detailed design of the fund and will issue further information on our planned approach.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of nationalising Thames Water.

The Government has no plans to nationalise Thames Water or any other water company. It would cost billions of pounds and take years to unpick the current ownership model, slowing down our reforms and only worsening sewage pollution. However, this Government stands ready to intervene to ensure the continued provision of vital public services – through the use of a Special Administration Regime (SAR) – should this be required. A SAR is not a form of renationalisation.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a cross-sector taskforce led by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury to (a) assess the barriers people with cancer face when seeking travel insurance and (b) make recommendations on improving (i) transparency and (ii) access in the insurance market.

Treasury Ministers and officials regularly engage with a variety of stakeholders, including other departments and representatives of the insurance industry, on a range of issues. The Government recognises the important role of insurance products, including travel insurance, in building the financial resilience of consumers and protecting them when things go wrong. Insurers make commercial decisions about the terms on which they will offer cover following an assessment of the relevant risks. For example, a history of serious illness such as cancer, may increase the likelihood or severity of a claim, which in turn affects the premium an insurer decides to charge or whether they offer cover at all. However, the Government is determined that insurers should treat customers fairly and firms are required to do so under Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules. The FCA is the independent body responsible for regulating and supervising the financial services industry. The FCA requires firms to ensure their products offer fair value (i.e. if the price a consumer pays for a product or service is reasonable compared to the overall benefits they can expect to receive). In addition, since April 2021, the FCA has required firms offering travel insurance to signpost consumers to a directory of specialist providers if they are declined cover, offered cover with an exclusion, or charged a significantly higher premium based on their pre-existing medical conditions.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a right to be forgotten for people who have been out of cancer treatment for a significant period, in the context of the use of medical histories to determine (a) premiums and (b) acceptances for travel insurance.

Treasury Ministers and officials regularly engage with a variety of stakeholders, including other departments and representatives of the insurance industry, on a range of issues. The Government recognises the important role of insurance products, including travel insurance, in building the financial resilience of consumers and protecting them when things go wrong. Insurers make commercial decisions about the terms on which they will offer cover following an assessment of the relevant risks. For example, a history of serious illness such as cancer, may increase the likelihood or severity of a claim, which in turn affects the premium an insurer decides to charge or whether they offer cover at all. However, the Government is determined that insurers should treat customers fairly and firms are required to do so under Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules. The FCA is the independent body responsible for regulating and supervising the financial services industry. The FCA requires firms to ensure their products offer fair value (i.e. if the price a consumer pays for a product or service is reasonable compared to the overall benefits they can expect to receive). In addition, since April 2021, the FCA has required firms offering travel insurance to signpost consumers to a directory of specialist providers if they are declined cover, offered cover with an exclusion, or charged a significantly higher premium based on their pre-existing medical conditions.

When his Department plans to announce the (a) personnel requirements and (b) organisational design for (i) Op Courage and (ii) Op Restore.

Op RESTORE and Op COURAGE are established bespoke National Health Service commissioned services for veterans. There are currently no plans for announcements to be made about personnel requirements and organisational design for Op COURAGE and Op RESTORE.The new joint centre will take forward the Government’s ambitious reform agenda as set out in the Health Mission and Plan for Change, with more details to come when the 10-Year Health Plan is published.

What recent discussions he has had with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) insurance providers on helping to ensure that cancer patients are able to access affordable travel insurance.

Treasury Ministers and officials regularly engage with a variety of stakeholders, including other departments and representatives of the insurance industry, on a range of issues. The Government recognises the important role of insurance products, including travel insurance, in building the financial resilience of consumers and protecting them when things go wrong. Insurers make commercial decisions about the terms on which they will offer cover following an assessment of the relevant risks. For example, a history of serious illness such as cancer, may increase the likelihood or severity of a claim, which in turn affects the premium an insurer decides to charge or whether they offer cover at all. However, the Government is determined that insurers should treat customers fairly and firms are required to do so under Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules. The FCA is the independent body responsible for regulating and supervising the financial services industry. The FCA requires firms to ensure their products offer fair value (i.e. if the price a consumer pays for a product or service is reasonable compared to the overall benefits they can expect to receive). In addition, since April 2021, the FCA has required firms offering travel insurance to signpost consumers to a directory of specialist providers if they are declined cover, offered cover with an exclusion, or charged a significantly higher premium based on their pre-existing medical conditions.

How many former Armed Forces personnel have started the process of re-enlisting in each year since 2020.

It is taking time to collate and review the required information. I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

How long it takes on average to process applications for former Armed Forces personnel who apply for re-enlistment.

It is taking time to collate and review the required information. I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

How many former Armed Forces personnel have completed the process of re-enlisting in each year since 2020.

It is taking time to collate and review the required information. I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

How many people have claimed the re-joining Bounty in each year since 2020.

The Ministry of Defence is always seeking ways to incentivise Service, not all of which are financial. In recent years a variety of financial incentives of varying degrees have been made available for the recruitment of both Regular and Reserve personnel, including re-joiner payments to encourage ex-Regulars to rejoin either Regular or Reserve Service. Recent financial incentives have included a Royal Navy Recruit Bounty Scheme worth £500 and Army Reserve enlistment schemes worth between £500 and £1,200. Golden Hello payments of £100,000 for the recruitment of specialised doctors and £50,000 for specialised nurses are available. There are currently no live schemes for Reserve Service enlistment. The levels of financial incentive for both Regulars and Reserves vary by Service and by trade, but all were location agnostic; numbers of payments have varied according to need and have been generally successful in filling some important roles and trades. Information on the numbers of people who have claimed a financial incentive in each year since 2020 is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

What level of financial benefit is offered as part of the re-joining Bounty for former armed forces personnel rejoining the military.

The Ministry of Defence is always seeking ways to incentivise Service, not all of which are financial. In recent years a variety of financial incentives of varying degrees have been made available for the recruitment of both Regular and Reserve personnel, including re-joiner payments to encourage ex-Regulars to rejoin either Regular or Reserve Service. Recent financial incentives have included a Royal Navy Recruit Bounty Scheme worth £500 and Army Reserve enlistment schemes worth between £500 and £1,200. Golden Hello payments of £100,000 for the recruitment of specialised doctors and £50,000 for specialised nurses are available. There are currently no live schemes for Reserve Service enlistment. The levels of financial incentive for both Regulars and Reserves vary by Service and by trade, but all were location agnostic; numbers of payments have varied according to need and have been generally successful in filling some important roles and trades. Information on the numbers of people who have claimed a financial incentive in each year since 2020 is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

What financial schemes there are to incentivise former armed forces personnel to enlist in the Reserves.

The Ministry of Defence is always seeking ways to incentivise Service, not all of which are financial. In recent years a variety of financial incentives of varying degrees have been made available for the recruitment of both Regular and Reserve personnel, including re-joiner payments to encourage ex-Regulars to rejoin either Regular or Reserve Service. Recent financial incentives have included a Royal Navy Recruit Bounty Scheme worth £500 and Army Reserve enlistment schemes worth between £500 and £1,200. Golden Hello payments of £100,000 for the recruitment of specialised doctors and £50,000 for specialised nurses are available. There are currently no live schemes for Reserve Service enlistment. The levels of financial incentive for both Regulars and Reserves vary by Service and by trade, but all were location agnostic; numbers of payments have varied according to need and have been generally successful in filling some important roles and trades. Information on the numbers of people who have claimed a financial incentive in each year since 2020 is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with Ofwat on (a) the financial viability of water companies and (b) protections for consumers in the event of insolvency.

Ofwat is an independent regulator that monitors the financial position of water companies, taking action when companies need to strengthen their long-term financial resilience. For example, in March 2023, Ofwat utilised powers provided by the Environment Act 2021 to modify licences to prevent water companies paying dividends where financial resilience is compromised. In his first week in office, the Secretary of State met water companies’ chief executives, where they signed up to a tough set of initial measures for reform, including on putting customers and the environment at the heart of their businesses. The Secretary of State meets with stakeholders regularly such as Ofwat to discuss a range of issues. Records of these meetings are published on Defra: ministerial overseas travel, and meetings - GOV.UK.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of sewage spills on biodiversity in rivers in Surrey.

For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas. The Environment Agency assesses all reported sewage spills, considering impacts on water quality and ecology. For significant incidents, it may carry out enhanced monitoring, such as fish mortality counts and invertebrate surveys. Routine ecological monitoring across Surrey catchments, supported by Citizen Science, helps track river health, with targeted investigations used where deterioration is detected. As part of Price Review 24, Thames Water will undertake significant investment programme to improve the environment over the 2025-30 period. This includes £740.31 million to reduce storm overflow use and £1.2 billion to prevent nutrient pollution. Ofwat expects reduction of the storm overflows use by at least 29% over the next five years.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of community care staffing levels on hospital bed occupancy levels in Surrey.

No specific assessment has been made. Integrated care board are responsible for commissioning services to meet the needs of their local communities, including in Surrey, as they are best placed to take those decisions.The Government is committed to building a health service fit for the future. We will shortly publish a 10-Year Health Plan which will set out the radical reforms needed to make the National Health Service fit for the future. This will include a focus on shifting care from the hospital to the community, to bring care closer to where people live.

What steps he is taking to ensure that households on heat network schemes have access to the same consumer protections as people on standard tariffs.

DESNZ is introducing heat network regulation which aims to provide consumers with comparable protections to existing gas and electricity consumers.From 27 January 2026 Ofgem will formally commence their role as the market regulator, with powers to investigate high prices and enforce authorisation conditions. These conditions will include rules on treatment of vulnerable consumers, transparent billing and quality of service. The scope of Consumer protection is not limited to the item’s bellow, but includes powers to investigate unfair pricing, require suppliers to institute protections for vulnerable consumers, and establish guaranteed standards of performance to ensure that a minimum quality of service is provided at all timesIn addition, from 1 April 2025 heat networks consumers have been able to access support specific to heat networks from Citizens Advice or Consumer Scotland, and have had add access to the Energy Ombudsman’s Consumer Redress .

Whether he has had discussions with the British Standards Institution on the implications of Publicly Available Specification 63100:2024 for the installation of domestic battery storage systems; and whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the one metre clearance requirement in section 6.5.5 of that specification on the uptake in housing stock.

Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 63100:2024 is a standard and not part of government regulation. The content of the draft standard was publicly consulted on and considered by the PAS Steering Group, which included battery manufacturers with an interest in ensuring rules are not unduly restrictive with regards to sale and installation.

What steps his Department is taking to expedite the processing of applications under the Financial Recognition Scheme have been submitted by LGBTQ+ veterans.

As of 9 June 2025, the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme (FRS) had received 1,067 applications and 44 veterans had received payments. We have been prioritising payment to the elderly and those with serious health conditions to ensure they receive support as quickly as possible, with the first payments issued as planned within 15 weeks of the scheme going live to these prioritised groups. Some cases are more complex and require additional time due to the unique and individual circumstances involved. We envisage the scheme speeding up once the most complex cases are delt with. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) cannot provide figures on how many applications under the FRS have been processed as each is subject to ongoing assessments, which are lengthy and complex. We are committed to ensuring applications are processed as efficiently and compassionately as possible and we are actively identifying opportunities to streamline and automate processes to improve speed. Priority has been given to applicants with life-limiting health conditions and those aged 80 and over, reflecting our focus on the most vulnerable veterans. It is not yet possible to provide an average wait time for access to Service records, as each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. However, the MOD is closely monitoring this area to ensure timely and effective support for veterans engaging with the FRS. Since their appointment on 13 May 2025, the Independent Panel has made good progress with the first two sittings already taken place and two more scheduled for June to maintain momentum. Planning for further sittings in the coming weeks is underway. While no changes have been made to the Panel’s capacity at this stage, the MOD remains firmly committed to supporting LGBT veterans and is actively exploring options to ensure the Independent Panel remains appropriately resourced to meet the demand and sustain timely, compassionate decision-making.