Written questions by Maguire.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the timeline for the New Hospital Programme; and what steps he is taking to ensure that programme meets revised completion targets.

The review of the New Hospital Programme (NHP) has provided a credible plan and timeline to deliver the schemes, as set out in the NHP Plan for Implementation published in January 2025 on the GOV.UK website, and which is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-hospital-programme-review-outcomeWe are working at pace to ensure that the seven hospitals built wholly or primarily from reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in the NHP will be replaced as quickly as possible, to protect patient and staff safety.The NHP continues to work with trusts in the programme to progress their schemes in line with the timelines set out in the published Plan for Implementation.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to prevent eutrophication in waterways.

Eutrophication from excess nutrient pollution is a key pressure affecting our rivers, lakes, and seas. As part of Price Review 24 final determinations, Ofwat has allowed £4.795 billion of investment to improve water quality by reducing phosphorus pollution in England and Wales. We will also require water companies to upgrade 440 wastewater treatment works by 2030, to meet strict phosphorus targets, reducing harmful nutrient pollution from treated wastewater. We have committed to a rapid review of the Environmental Improvement Plan which will set out how Defra will deliver our legally binding targets. The levels of nitrogen losses from agriculture are unacceptable. That is why we are focused on working with farmers across the country to reduce pollution and clean up our waters. Regulations are in place to address nitrogen and wider pollution from agriculture and the Environment Agency conducts over 4,000 inspections nationally each year to support farmers to comply.

Whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the potential impact of the replacement of the Work Capability Assessment with a new system based on Personal Independence Payment criteria on veterans.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are the lead Department regarding welfare reform. DWP and Ministry of Defence (MOD) officials continue to work closely to ensure that where DWP benefits interface with the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and War Pension Scheme, they are taken into consideration as work on welfare reform continues. The Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper was published on 18 March 2025. This consultation sets out our vision, strategy, and proposals to reform health and disability benefits and employment support. It builds upon the foundations laid by the Get Britain Working White Paper in November 2024 and marks an important staging post in our journey of reform. The Government is committed to ensuring that the views and voices of disabled people, people with health conditions, and veterans are at the heart of everything we do. The Government recognises that service-related mental health conditions can differ significantly in presentation and impact from civilian experiences. It is essential that any future processes for assessment and support reflect that distinction and provide compassionate, informed, and appropriate care for veterans. We strongly encourage veterans and support organisations to engage with the consultation, so their voices are clearly heard. Veterans who are resident in England can access specialist care for physical and mental health conditions via Op RESTORE and Op COURAGE respectively. Alternative provision is available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as responsibility for health is devolved. Veterans UK, which is part of the Ministry of Defence, provides free support for veterans and their families, including a helpline, Veterans Welfare Service, Defence Transition Services and injury/bereavement compensation scheme payments. I am committed to working together with colleagues in the DWP to ensure that our reforms result in a system that is fair, supportive, and responsive to the real needs of veterans.

With reference to the Carer's Trust press release entitled Carers Trust launches landmark young carers covenant to transform the lives of over one million children, published on 13 March 2024, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of requiring (a) schools and (b) colleges to have a (i) young carers lead and (ii) policy to improve educational opportunities for young carers.

The government is committed to helping all young people, including young carers, thrive in education. We continue to work closely across government to strengthen the visibility and support of young carers both at home and in educational settings.Young carers as a specific group were added to the school census in the 2022/23 academic year, allowing schools to identify their students who are providing care for the first time. The census data is creating a new evidence base on the educational outcomes of young carers across England, shining a light on how many young carers are in our schools and the impact that caring can have on their education.The government recognises the importance of encouraging schools and local authorities to work closely with young carers and their families to identify their needs and provide tailored support, ensuring they do not miss out on vital educational opportunities.The statutory guidance ‘Keeping children safe in education’ requires designated safeguarding leads to undergo training to provide them with the knowledge and skills to carry out their role. This includes having a good understanding of, and an alertness to, the needs of young carers.The Children’s Social Care National Framework provides clarity on the outcomes that leaders and practitioners should achieve when supporting children, young people, and families, including young carers. The framework emphasises the importance of multi-agency collaboration, which includes schools as key partners in supporting the wellbeing and educational outcomes of children, particularly those involved with social care services and young carers. This includes drawing on the expertise of virtual school heads, designated safeguarding leads and designated teachers.Since 2021 virtual school heads have had a non-statutory, strategic duty to promote the educational outcomes of all children with a social worker, including young carers whose families receive, or have received, social services support, enabling earlier intervention to address the educational barriers these children can face. The department is now making this role statutory through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which will enable local authorities to prioritise these children’s educational outcomes, ensuring they receive the support they need to succeed in education.

Whether his Department plans to implement the recommendations of the Quinquennial Review of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme 2023.

The Department continues to work to implement the accepted Quinquennial Review recommendations. A progress update will be published over the course of the year.

How many applications to the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) have there been in each year since 2015; and how many were successful for each year.

In financial year 2023-24, 9,545 initial injury/illness claims were registered under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS). Of which, 2,454 have been awarded either a lump sum payment or a lump sum payment and a guaranteed income payment as at 31 March 2024. The attached supporting table shows the number of initial injury/illness claims registered and awarded under the AFCS from 1 April 2015 to the 31 March 2024 by financial year in which the initial claim was registered.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of lowering the Oil Price Cap on Russia’s revenue generation through seaborne oil exports.

The UK is committed to maintaining the efficacy of the price cap and to adapting it as necessary and practicable, subject to thorough impact assessments and alongside our international partners, to further our objectives of constraining Russian oil revenues. This is why the UK has publicly called on partners to tighten the Oil Price Cap as part of our wider efforts to increase economic pressure on Russia.In tandem, the UK continues to directly target shadow fleet vessels and entities that seek to undermine UK sanctions and facilitate the trade and transportation of Russian oil and oil products. Since Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has sanctioned 133 vessels and 28 entities and individuals linked to Russia’s shadow fleet.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a requirement for maritime insurers to verify with bank statements whether the oil price for Russian exports was paid below the price cap.

The UK, alongside G7+ Oil Price Cap (OPC) Coalition partners, keeps the efficacy of the OPC under constant review, whilst working closely with industry to aid compliance and ensure that any changes to the measure are implementable – as evidenced by the February 2024 updates to the OPC compliance regime and the OPC industry advisory on falsified certificates of origin, published in November 2024.The UK is committed to continuing to adapt the OPC as necessary and practicable, alongside our international partners, to further our objectives of constraining Russian oil revenues.

Whether his Department's policy on the call-out time for reservists has changed in the last six months; and what the minimum notice period is before deployment.

In developing and maintaining our Reserves mobilisation policy, ensuring that the process is optimal for Defence, the Employer and the Reservist continue to be at the forefront of our thinking. The Ministry of Defence’s Reserves mobilisation policy has not changed over the last six months. While all Reservists are technically on immediate notice for call out, when circumstances permit, it is Defence policy that they, and their employers, will, wherever possible, be given a minimum of 28 days’ formal notice after receiving the call-out notice to report to a mobilisation centre for contingency operations and 90 days’ notice for pre-planned operations.

What her planned timeline is for reviewing her proposed changes to the Personal Independence Payment assessment process.

In the Pathways to Work Green Paper we announced plans to launch a review of the PIP assessment, which I shall lead. To make sure we get this right, we will bring together a range of experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience to consider how best to do this and to start the process as part of preparing for a review. We will provide further details about the timing of the review as plans progress.

What guidance is available for councils contracting private security firms to patrol town centres.

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is a Home Office arm’s length body established by the Private Security Industry Act 2001 (PSIA) as the regulator of the private security industry.The SIA publishes guidance for buyers of private security which is available at: Do you buy security?.Complaints or concerns about the SIA, or about private security companies, or people working in the private security industry, can be raised at: Complaints procedure - Security Industry Authority - GOV.UK, Report a Crime or Concern.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of proposed reforms to Personal Independence Payment on households with (a) one and (b) more than one young carer.

Information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper will be published in due course, and some information was published alongside the Spring Statement. These publications can be found in ‘Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper’.A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of removing return tickets on disabled people.

We will carefully consider and give due to regard to any equality considerations as we move to improve fares and ticketing for passengers. To ensure disabled passengers are not disadvantaged, they can get a one third discount on their fares with a Disabled Persons' Railcard.

Whether her Department plans to review the Child Maintenance Service threshold for assessing (a) inheritance and (b) other non-earned income.

Information about the paying parent's gross income is taken directly from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for the latest tax year available. This allows calculations to be made quickly and accurately. Any income subject to income tax, including bonuses and overtime received by an employed paying parent, is included within their gross weekly income when calculating a child maintenance liability.The Department has been conducting a review of the child maintenance calculation to make sure it is fit for purpose and reflects today’s social trends. The review will also consider the treatment of unearned income and assets within the automatic calculation. Unearned income and assets can still be captured through the current variation process up until changes are introduced.

Whether his Department is conducting or plans to commission research into the long-term health impacts of explosive exposure for military personnel.

Ministry of Defence (MOD) officials reviewed with interest the recent British Journal of Urology International research letter on a potentially increased risk of bladder cancer in military personnel exposed to explosive ordnance. This is a complex scientific area, and the MOD has referred this matter to the Independent Medical Expert Group (IMEG) for their independent medical advice. The possible link between exposure to explosives and an increased risk of bladder cancer among military personnel will be discussed by the IMEG at their June 2025 meeting.

What steps her Department is taking to support people with the police complaints process.

The statutory police complaints process allows members of the public to raise concerns or express dissatisfaction with the police. They can do so directly to their local police force or via the online portal on the website of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The IOPC has a phone line for the public to ask for assistance on making their complaint. The most serious and sensitive matters are investigated independently by the IOPC, but all complainants have a right to an independent review if their complaint is dealt with first by the police force. The IOPC run targeted campaigns to build awareness among specific groups, including women and girls, about how to access the police complaints system.The Government keeps the police complaints system under review to ensure that it is fit for purpose. In October last year, the Home Secretary announced a package of reforms to improve public confidence in police accountability. This includes amendments in the Crime and Policing Bill, to put the victims right to review on a statutory footing for complainants who want to challenge a decision by the IOPC not to refer a case to the Crown Prosecution Service.

If he will make an estimate of the current number of hospital beds occupied by patients who are medically fit for discharge.

Data collections that monitor the number of patients who are medically fit for discharge but who are not discharged are available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/discharge-delays/acute-discharge-situation-report/

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department plans to expand the designation of vessels considered part of Russia’s shadow fleet.

The Prime Minister has been clear that we must strengthen economic pressure on the Kremlin. The UK has led international efforts to disrupt Russia's shadow fleet, which it spent over $10 billion to purchase. We have sanctioned 129 oil tankers under this government with many ships left idling outside ports, costing Putin and his war effort millions in wasted funds. We have also spearheaded a 49-nation 'Call to Action' against the shadow fleet condemning the risks that it poses to the environment, maritime safety and security, and adherence to international maritime law. We do not comment on future designations as this could affect their impact.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 February 2025 to Question 27962 on Police: Workplace Pensions, whether she plans to calculate the cost of allowing police survivors who (a) remarry and (b) cohabit after losing a spouse who had a pre-2006 police pension scheme to retain their full pension entitlement.

The 1987 Police Pension Scheme provides a pension for the widow, widower or civil partner of a police officer who dies. In common with most other public service pension schemes of that time, these benefits cease to be payable where the widow, widower or civil partner remarries or cohabits with another partner. With the introduction of the 2006 and 2015 police pension schemes, all eligible police officers were able to join a pension scheme that provides life-long survivor benefits for spouses, civil partners and unmarried partners, including those who remarry or cohabit after losing a spouse.From 1 April 2015, the 1987 Police Pension Scheme was amended to allow widows, widowers and civil partners of police officers who have died as a result of an injury on duty to receive their survivor benefits for life regardless of remarriage, civil partnership or cohabitation.There are no plans at this time to make any further changes to benefits accrued in the 1987 police scheme.

If he will make an assessment of the merits of reintroducing the requirement for companies to report their charitable donations.

The requirement for companies to disclose charitable donations in their annual reports was removed in 2013. This decision followed a consultation in which two-thirds of respondents supported its removal, after an impact assessment found no evidence that the requirement increased levels of charitable giving. Removing reporting that is redundant or duplicative is consistent with our ongoing Non-Financial Reporting Review that aims to streamline and modernise non-financial reporting requirements. A consultation will be published at the end of this year offering respondents an opportunity to comment on non-financial reporting requirements relevant to the Annual Report.