Written questions by Sollom.

What steps her Department has taken to improve accessibility to online banking for blind and partially sighted people.

Awaiting answer.

When he plans to announce Music and Dance Scheme funding for the 2026-27 academic year; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of a lack of announcement on potential funding on schools' ability to plan for future cohorts.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the exclusion of recording studios from the lower Retail, Hospitality and Leisure business rates multipliers on the recording studio sector.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the Civil Service Pension Scheme MP casework sessions in Parliament.

Awaiting answer.

What components are included in the Government's estimate of around £2 billion for the cost of Financial Assistance Scheme pre-1997 indexation; and whether that figure includes (a) arrears, (b) indexation at a CPI cap above 2.5%, and (c) post-1997 assistance costs.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment she has made of the impact of Teachers’ Pension Scheme contribution rates on the ability of post-1992 higher education institutions to compete with pre-92 institutions for staff.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of offering funding support for those universities affected by the costs of the Teachers Pension Scheme contributions, in line with support provided for further education colleges and schools.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of calculating Motability mileage on an individualised basis, taking into account needs as assessed in Social Care and Support Plans.

Awaiting answer.

Whether his Department plans to include kidney disease as a priority condition within the National Service Framework programme announced in the NHS 10 Year Health Plan; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the plan's commitments on prevention and long-term conditions extend to people living with chronic kidney disease.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of surgery and GLP-1 medication as treatments for Lipoedema.

The Department has not made any assessment of the potential role of GLP-1 medications in reducing inflammation and pain associated with lipoedema. Newly licensed medicines are appraised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which is the independent body responsible for developing evidence-based guidance for the National Health Service on which new medicines represent a clinically and cost-effective use of resources. NICE only makes recommendations on medicines within their licensed indications, and there is no GLP1 inhibitor with a United Kingdom marketing authorisation for use in the treatment of lipoedema. If a manufacturer applies for a UK marketing authorisation it may then be considered for evaluation by NICE.In the absence of NICE guidance, clinicians are able to prescribe a medicine if they consider it appropriate for their patients, subject to funding being available. NHS commissioners are expected to make funding decisions based on an assessment of the available evidence.NICE HealthTech guidance recommends that liposuction, a surgical procedure, for chronic lipoedema should only be used in research, as evidence on its safety and efficacy is inadequate. NICE will review the guidance when results from the LIPLEG trial in Germany are published.

What steps his Department has taken to implement the NHS Accessible Information Standard effectively.

Awaiting answer.

What steps his Department is taking to improve NHS diagnosis and treatment pathways for lipoedema.

The refreshed Women’s Health Strategy will play a central role in improving outcomes for women living with long‑term conditions like lipoedema by addressing the systemic barriers that have historically contributed to delayed diagnosis, variability in care, and poorer health experiences.In the National Health Service, lipoedema is often treated within lymphoedema services. This is because the care and support offered by lymphoedema services closely match what most people with lipoedema need. These services provide the core conservative treatments for both conditions, including compression therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, skin care, movement and exercise support, and self‑management advice. These approaches are central to the management of lipoedema and are already well‑established within lymphoedema teams.We recognise the need to improve awareness and understanding of lipoedema. To support earlier, more accurate diagnosis, the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has worked in partnership with Lipoedema UK to develop a dedicated e‑learning module for general practitioners, covering the presentation, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of lipoedema in primary care. This resource is freely available to RCGP members.Access to specialist assessment and treatment for lipoedema is commissioned locally by integrated care boards, which are best placed to understand local population need. Treatment options may include compression therapy, simple lymphatic drainage, self‑management support and, in severe cases, consideration of liposuction in line with interventional procedures guidance published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Clinicians may offer treatment where appropriate, using their professional judgment and taking advice published by NICE into account.

With reference to her Department's consultation document entitled Assistive software funded through Disabled Students’ Allowance, published on 26 March 2026, whether an Impact Assessment has been conducted on the potential impact of the proposed changes to Disabled Students’ Allowance support for assistive software.

The anecdotal feedback referenced in the consultation document reflects issues raised through routine engagement activities, including meetings and discussions with delivery partners, sector bodies and other stakeholders. It would not be appropriate to identify individual contributors, and no quantified count of cases has been compiled. No assessment has yet been made of the extent to which students feel overwhelmed by the volume of recommended support because the department is currently gathering the evidence that would be required to support such an assessment.The rationale underpinning the proposed policy position that assistive software is widely available is explained in the consultation document, which is available here: https://consult.education.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowance-team/assistive-software-funded-through-disabled-student/supporting_documents/assistive_software_funded_through_dsa_consultation_march_2026pdf.It also sets out proposals relating to considerations around the accessibility and suitability of commonly available software for students with different disabilities. Decisions on how it would be determined that a student’s disability-related needs cannot be met by such software before specialist provision is funded would be made following the conclusion of the consultation process.An initial equality impact assessment of the proposed changes is included in the consultation document, and the department intends to develop and refine this further as the consultation progresses.

With reference to page 11 of her Department's consultation document entitled Assistive software funded through Disabled Students’ Allowance, published on 26 March 2026, what evidence underpins the statement that anecdotal feedback has indicated students are being recommended excessive assistive software, including the stakeholders or sources that provided this anecdotal feedback and the number of cases that contributed to this assessment; and what assessment her Department has made of the extent to which students feel overwhelmed by the volume of recommended support.

The anecdotal feedback referenced in the consultation document reflects issues raised through routine engagement activities, including meetings and discussions with delivery partners, sector bodies and other stakeholders. It would not be appropriate to identify individual contributors, and no quantified count of cases has been compiled. No assessment has yet been made of the extent to which students feel overwhelmed by the volume of recommended support because the department is currently gathering the evidence that would be required to support such an assessment.The rationale underpinning the proposed policy position that assistive software is widely available is explained in the consultation document, which is available here: https://consult.education.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowance-team/assistive-software-funded-through-disabled-student/supporting_documents/assistive_software_funded_through_dsa_consultation_march_2026pdf.It also sets out proposals relating to considerations around the accessibility and suitability of commonly available software for students with different disabilities. Decisions on how it would be determined that a student’s disability-related needs cannot be met by such software before specialist provision is funded would be made following the conclusion of the consultation process.An initial equality impact assessment of the proposed changes is included in the consultation document, and the department intends to develop and refine this further as the consultation progresses.

With reference to page 11 of her Department's consultation document entitled Assistive software funded through Disabled Students’ Allowance, published on 26 March 2026, what evidence supports the proposed policy position that assistive software is readily available to students; what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the accessibility and suitability of commonly available software for students with different disabilities; and if she will set out how it will be determined that a student’s disability-related needs cannot be met by assistive software before specialist provision is funded.

The anecdotal feedback referenced in the consultation document reflects issues raised through routine engagement activities, including meetings and discussions with delivery partners, sector bodies and other stakeholders. It would not be appropriate to identify individual contributors, and no quantified count of cases has been compiled. No assessment has yet been made of the extent to which students feel overwhelmed by the volume of recommended support because the department is currently gathering the evidence that would be required to support such an assessment.The rationale underpinning the proposed policy position that assistive software is widely available is explained in the consultation document, which is available here: https://consult.education.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowance-team/assistive-software-funded-through-disabled-student/supporting_documents/assistive_software_funded_through_dsa_consultation_march_2026pdf.It also sets out proposals relating to considerations around the accessibility and suitability of commonly available software for students with different disabilities. Decisions on how it would be determined that a student’s disability-related needs cannot be met by such software before specialist provision is funded would be made following the conclusion of the consultation process.An initial equality impact assessment of the proposed changes is included in the consultation document, and the department intends to develop and refine this further as the consultation progresses.

What data her Department holds on the cost of overpayments by the Student Loans Company to students; the reasons for the overpayments being made; and the cost of the overpayment per reason.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

What is the cost of (a) overpayments per academic year by the Student Loans Company to students and (b) reclaimed overpayments per academic year by the Student Loans Company since 2000.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

What is the policy rationale for treating Indefinite Leave to Remain applications as withdrawn if an applicant leaves the UK while a decision is pending; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of this policy on young dependants.

In-country immigration routes, and any associated in country appeals rights, are designed to operate while the applicant remains physically present in the UK.Where an applicant leaves the UK before a decision is made, the application can no longer be considered on the basis on which it was made and is therefore treated as withdrawn.This approach maintains the distinction between in country and overseas routes, ensuring consistency with section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971 (which can extend a person’s right to remain in the UK whilst their current visa has expired but they have an outstanding valid application under consideration) and aligns appeal rights with the appropriate procedural framework.Applicants have the ability to apply for priority services if they know travel is likely to be imminent, alternatively if a person has an urgent need to travel outside the UK and do not wish their application to be treated as withdrawn, they can contact the UK Visas and Immigration hotline and we will consider whether expedition of the decision can be made on a case-by-case basis.

What steps his Department is taking to address the shortage of anaesthetists across the UK.

Next steps on delivery of the 10-Year Health Plan’s commitment to create 1,000 new specialty training posts over the next three years with a focus on specialties where there is the greatest need will be set out in due course.Alongside this, the Government will publish a 10 Year Workforce Plan later this spring. It will set out a clear roadmap to improve working lives in the National Health Service, providing better treatment of staff, higher-quality training, and more fulfilling roles.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 January 2026 to Question 101943 on Anaesthetics: Recruitment, what steps his Department has taken to increase anaesthetist training posts available to start in 2026.

Next steps on delivery of the 10-Year Health Plan’s commitment to create 1,000 new specialty training posts over the next three years with a focus on specialties where there is the greatest need will be set out in due course.Alongside this, the Government will publish a 10 Year Workforce Plan later this spring. It will set out a clear roadmap to improve working lives in the National Health Service, providing better treatment of staff, higher-quality training, and more fulfilling roles.