Written questions by Morgan.

What steps her Department is taking to provide guidance to bus manufacturers on the legislative requirements on size and location of wheelchair space, in the context of the consultation on the Public Service Vehicles Access Regulations.

The Government is committed to improving passenger transport services, so they are more inclusive and enable disabled people to travel safely, confidently and with dignity. As part of our broader mission to break down barriers to opportunity, we recognise that more needs to be done to ensure transport is accessible to all. Our Bus Services Act 2025 includes a comprehensive package of measures to improve the accessibility and inclusivity of local transport. This includes requiring local authorities to regularly review the accessibility of their bus networks through the development and publishing of a Bus Network Accessibility Plan. We are also providing nearly £700 million a year to local transport authorities through the Local Authority Bus Grant over the next three years to maintain and improve local bus services. These allocations include capital funding for most areas, which can be used to improve the accessibility of transport infrastructure. The Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations 2000 (PSVAR) set accessibility minimum standards for physical features on board buses and coaches designed to carry over twenty-two passengers and used on local or scheduled services. These include requirements for the size and location of the wheelchair space. In 2023 the Department undertook a Call for Evidence to understand the efficacy of PSVAR, and we continue to engage regularly with stakeholders, including local authorities, on the impact of the Regulations and how they can support accessible journeys sustainably. We will announce any next steps on PSVAR in the coming weeks. In March 2025, we launched the UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel. Over 12 months, this panel brought together industry experts and local leaders to support UK bus manufacturing, develop a pipeline of future bus orders to give better planning certainty to the sector, and to prioritise passenger-centric bus design. The last meeting of the Panel took place on 18 March, during which we secured agreement from Mayors on a set of commitments, including on adopting standards and driving continuous improvement on accessible and inclusive zero emission bus design.

When she plans to publish a response to her Department's consultation on Public Service Vehicles Access Regulations, which closed on 4 September 2023.

The Government is committed to improving passenger transport services, so they are more inclusive and enable disabled people to travel safely, confidently and with dignity. As part of our broader mission to break down barriers to opportunity, we recognise that more needs to be done to ensure transport is accessible to all. Our Bus Services Act 2025 includes a comprehensive package of measures to improve the accessibility and inclusivity of local transport. This includes requiring local authorities to regularly review the accessibility of their bus networks through the development and publishing of a Bus Network Accessibility Plan. We are also providing nearly £700 million a year to local transport authorities through the Local Authority Bus Grant over the next three years to maintain and improve local bus services. These allocations include capital funding for most areas, which can be used to improve the accessibility of transport infrastructure. The Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations 2000 (PSVAR) set accessibility minimum standards for physical features on board buses and coaches designed to carry over twenty-two passengers and used on local or scheduled services. These include requirements for the size and location of the wheelchair space. In 2023 the Department undertook a Call for Evidence to understand the efficacy of PSVAR, and we continue to engage regularly with stakeholders, including local authorities, on the impact of the Regulations and how they can support accessible journeys sustainably. We will announce any next steps on PSVAR in the coming weeks. In March 2025, we launched the UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel. Over 12 months, this panel brought together industry experts and local leaders to support UK bus manufacturing, develop a pipeline of future bus orders to give better planning certainty to the sector, and to prioritise passenger-centric bus design. The last meeting of the Panel took place on 18 March, during which we secured agreement from Mayors on a set of commitments, including on adopting standards and driving continuous improvement on accessible and inclusive zero emission bus design.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of a ban on colony cages on the agricultural land market.

In preparation for the recent consultation on laying hen cage reform, the Government carried out a general assessment of the potential impact of the proposed reforms to laying hen welfare policy on the competitiveness and viability of UK egg producers and, as part of the consultation, sought views on that assessment. The Government is now analysing the consultation responses and will publish a formal response in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of the amount of agricultural land egg producers will require to comply with the proposed ban on colony cages.

In preparation for the recent consultation on laying hen cage reform, the Government carried out a general assessment of the potential impact of the proposed reforms to laying hen welfare policy on the competitiveness and viability of UK egg producers and, as part of the consultation, sought views on that assessment. The Government is now analysing the consultation responses and will publish a formal response in due course.

(a) what the current level of the stockpile of MenB vaccine is and (b) whether her Department has assessed whether stockpiles are sufficient for the current meningitis B outbreak, including through modelling.

The risk of infection to the wider population remains low. A targeted vaccination programme has been extended to everyone who has been offered preventative antibiotic treatment as part of this outbreak. A single course of antibiotics is highly effective at reducing transmission. Immediately after the outbreak was identified, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) deployed 50,000 doses of stockpiled antibiotics to the local area to ensure rapid access for those at highest risk.UKHSA stock levels for a meningitis B vaccine are the equivalent to eleven months of use in the continued national immunisation programme. 26,500 vaccine doses have been delivered specifically in response to the outbreak in Kent and a further 30,000 doses have been released from future deliveries into UKHSA back to GSK for supply through the standard wholesaler market.UKHSA continues to work with local resilience partners to ensure effective distribution. We currently have limited data, and our understanding of the dynamics is still developing at pace, as this is an unprecedented situation.

What data his Department holds relating to the closure of air cadet squadrons due to insufficient electrical compliance documentation.

The Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC) are committed to providing a safe and high-quality environment for all members. Following a rigorous audit of statutory compliance records, activity has been temporarily suspended at several sites across the country. The suspensions were required to protect cadets and volunteers and continue to ensure compliance with safety, legal and operational duties. Work is ongoing to ensure these spaces are useable and safe as soon as possible. Suspension of activities at the sites does not equate to the closure of the Air Training Corps (ATC) Squadrons permanently. Whilst the work is being completed, RAFAC have worked closely with Cadet Force Adult Volunteers to identify and utilise temporary community facilities for use of Air Cadets Dedicated work is ongoing at pace to source further temporary spaces for the remaining Squadrons.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of improvements made since the passing of the Communications Act 2003 at delivering improved mobile phone signal to consumers.

The Communications Act 2003 has provided for a regulatory framework which has driven competition and investment and has delivered good outcomes for consumers and businesses.According to Ofcom’s 2025 Connected Nations report, 4G is available across 96% of the UK landmass and higher quality standalone 5G is available outside of 83% of UK premises.Through our Mobile Market Review Call for Evidence, we expect to gain detailed insights and evidence which will enable us to assess whether the regulatory framework needs to be updated. The Call for Evidence is open until 21 April.

If she will take steps to ensure that contingency funding linked to the Equitable Life Payment Scheme will be used to compensate Equitable Life policyholders.

The Equitable Life Payment Scheme has been fully wound down and closed since 2016. The only remaining part of the Payment Scheme in operation is the annual payments made to eligible With-Profit-Annuitants and the Scheme is on track to distribute the remainder of the £1.5 billion as planned. There are no plans to reopen any decisions relating to the Payment Scheme or review the £1.5 billion funding allocation previously made to it. Further guidance on the status of the Payment Scheme after closure is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equitable-life-payment-scheme#closure-of-the-scheme.

If she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the Equitable Members' Action Group’s analysis of Government spending on the compensation package for people affected by financial losses related to Equitable Life policies, published in January 2026.

The Equitable Life Payment Scheme has been fully wound down and closed since 2016. The only remaining part of the Payment Scheme in operation is the annual payments made to eligible With-Profit-Annuitants and the Scheme is on track to distribute the remainder of the £1.5 billion as planned. There are no plans to reopen any decisions relating to the Payment Scheme or review the £1.5 billion funding allocation previously made to it. Further guidance on the status of the Payment Scheme after closure is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equitable-life-payment-scheme#closure-of-the-scheme.

Whether his Department has previously undertaken emergency exercises for an outbreak of a meningococcal-type disease.

The Department undertakes a range of emergency preparedness and response exercises that test our capability to manage high‑consequence infectious disease outbreaks. These exercises routinely assess incident response structures, case management, contact tracing, vaccination strategies, and multi‑agency coordination. While exercises are not always designed around a specific pathogen, they ensure that systems and capabilities are in place to respond effectively to any severe infectious disease outbreak, including meningococcal‑type conditions.

What planning his Department has previously undertaken for a meningitis outbreak.

The Department undertakes a range of emergency preparedness and response exercises that test our capability to manage high‑consequence infectious disease outbreaks. These exercises routinely assess incident response structures, case management, contact tracing, vaccination strategies, and multi‑agency coordination. While exercises are not always designed around a specific pathogen, they ensure that systems and capabilities are in place to respond effectively to any severe infectious disease outbreak, including meningococcal‑type conditions.

How much of the money allocated to the Equitable Life compensation fund is expected to be retained by her Department, in the context of contingency funds.

The Equitable Life Payment Scheme has been fully wound down and closed since 2016. The only remaining part of the Payment Scheme in operation is the annual payments made to eligible With-Profit-Annuitants and the Scheme is on track to distribute the remainder of the £1.5 billion as planned. There are no plans to reopen any decisions relating to the Payment Scheme or review the £1.5 billion funding allocation previously made to it. Further guidance on the status of the Payment Scheme after closure is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equitable-life-payment-scheme#closure-of-the-scheme.

What steps he is taking to support residents in North Shropshire with the cost of purchasing liquefied petroleum gas to heat their homes.

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Chancellor has announced £53m for low-income families, who heat their homes with oil to help tackle surging prices, and households who use LPG are eligible to apply. In England, funding will be distributed by local authorities via the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF), which comes into effect from 1 April. More information can be found here: Over £50 million to help families struggling with soaring heating oil costs - GOV.UK.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that imported food products do not use British branding.

All food sold on the UK market, including that which is imported, must comply with UK food labelling rules. The fundamental principle of the UK’s food labelling rules is that information provided to the consumer must not mislead and must enable the safe use of food. Under existing rules, food that is not classed as UK origin cannot be sold or labelled as being British. Processed foods and composite foods manufactured in the UK are British products, but if these contain a primary ingredient that is not British then a British claim can only be made on the label if the label also highlights that the primary ingredient is not British. Food simply re-packaged in the UK, without any further processing, does not confer UK origin on it.

When her Department will confirm the funding allocations of the Road Investment Strategy 3.

The third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3) is due to be published later in March. It will confirm the funding and objectives for National Highways’ investment in the strategic road network over the five-year period from 2026/27 to 2030/31.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to accept the recommendation of the Farming Profitability Review to introduce a requirement that the use of British branding on country-of-original labelling for food projects is underpinned by robust assurance schemes.

The Government knows that many consumers value the opportunity to buy British and support their local food economy The Farming Profitability Review points to areas where additional assurance schemes and refreshed voluntary principles could add value. The Government remains committed to upholding high standards of food information, whether on food labels or within hospitality settings. The fundamental rule that food labelling should not mislead already provides assurance that non-British food products cannot be labelled (or implied e.g. by the use of a Union flag) as being British. Defra officials have been assessing the recommendations and as a part of this continue to look at how the origin for food products may be better highlighted to ensure consumers can make informed choices wherever they purchase food.

What assessment her Department has made of the National Highways' investigations into proposals to improve road safety at the Llynclys crossroads on the A483.

National Highways has assessed the safety performance of the 6-mile section of the A483 between Oswestry and the Welsh Border, which includes the Llynclys Crossroads. Improvements to the route are being considered for delivery as part of the Safety National Programme within RIS3, which is due to be published later in March.

Whether his Department has undertaken a risk assessment for changes to the GP contract regarding Advice and Guidance due to be implemented from 1 April 2026.

The Department has not undertaken a formal risk assessment for the changes made to the GP Contract regarding Advice and Guidance (A&G) due to be implemented from 1 April 2026. However, in developing this policy, the Department and NHS England have carefully considered the potential risks, benefits, and wider impact as part of the standard policy-development process.As part of the 2026/27 GP Contract, we are embedding the current A&G enhanced service funding within core practice funding. Practices will be required to use A&G prior to or in place of a planned care referral where clinically appropriate and to follow locally agreed referral pathways.Between April 2025 and December 2025, A&G has avoided 1.3 million patients being unnecessarily added to hospital waiting lists by providing them with expert advice in their community.

What discussions his Department has had with the Health Services Safety Investigations Body, Care Quality Commission, Healthwatch and Royal College of GPs on changes to the GP contract regarding Advice and Guidance.

In early 2026, we concluded the 2026/27 GP Contract consultation. This year, we expanded the consultation to engage with wider stakeholders, which were the General Practitioners Committee England, the Royal College of General Practitioners, National Voices, the Institute of General Practice Management, Healthwatch England, the NHS Confederation, and the National Association of Primary Care. The feedback we received from stakeholders across the system has been constructive and comprehensive, enabling us to refine proposals and address concerns while developing the final contract package. Embedding Advice and Guidance in the contract is about ensuring general practitioners and specialists can work together earlier and more consistently, so patients are directed to the most appropriate next step without unnecessary delay, whether that is a referral, diagnostics, or supported care in the community. Last year, we invested £80 million in Advice and Guidance. We are now embedding this money in core contract funding. As a result, since April 2025, we have avoided 1.3 million patients ending up on a waiting list. The Department has not discussed the changes to the GP Contract regarding Advice and Guidance with the Health Services Safety Investigations Body, and the Care Quality Commission.

Whether future NHS planning guidance will require ICBs to provide specialist rehabilitation and care for patients with spinal cord injury.

Spinal cord injury services in England are commissioned against the national service specification, which is published by NHS England, and is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/service-spec-spinal-cord-injury-services-all-ages.pdfThe specification sets out the mandated standards all commissioned providers are required to meet for patients. The specification provides detailed information on the pathway of care for spinal cord injury patients, including coordination with interdependent services.All providers are required to submit outcome data to the specialised services quality dashboard, with data available at the following link:https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.england.nhs.uk%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F06%2Fspecialised-services-quality-dashboards-metrics-metadata-2025-2026-v24.0.xlsx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINKThis data enables the monitoring of quality of care, including clinical outcomes, equitability of access and structure, and process measures. The data is linked to the national spinal cord injury registry, which provides audit data.The specific content of future National Health Service planning guidance will be determined and published in due course, but progress has been made on improving spinal cord injury services following the 2016 review through, for example, the development of the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) Programme for spinal services, which is driving service improvements and better care for patients with spinal cord injuries. GIRFT has worked with NHS trusts to showcase examples of best practice which other services can then learn from.More recently, in October 2025, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published new guidance on rehabilitation for chronic neurological disorders, which includes rehabilitation for spinal cord injury.