Written questions by Sollom.

What assessment his Department has made of the impact of recent divestments made by the life sciences industry on local economies across England, including St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire constituency.

We do not hold specific data on the impact of recent divestments on local economies, including in St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire, specifically.We know this has been a challenging time for the life sciences sector, with commercial uncertainty and global competition driving recent divestment decisions. To address this, the Government has agreed a landmark trade deal with the United States which makes the United Kingdom the only country in the world to secure a zero percent tariff on pharmaceutical exports to the US, and preferential terms for medical technology exports. The Government is further securing the confidence of the pharmaceutical industry by committing to invest approximately 25% more in innovative, safe, and effective treatments, which will be the first major increase in over two decades.We will continue to work with industry to deliver our Life Sciences Sector Plan, improve the commercial environment, and bring the benefits of a growing life sciences sector to local economies across the country.

What steps his Department is taking to reverse the long-term decline in the amount spent on medicines as a percentage of the NHS budget.

We continue to support the United Kingdom’s world leading life sciences sector through investment, innovation and reform as set out in our Life Sciences Sector Plan and 10-Year Health Plan, through which we committed to accelerating growth in net spend on innovative medicines to unlock the potential for patients.As announced as part of our world-leading agreement with the United States, we will increase the amount which the UK pays for life-changing medicines by 25% through changes to the way that medicines are evaluated by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), including an increase to the NICE cost-effectiveness threshold. In this way, we are increasing the value that we place on innovations that deliver improvements to patient health, ensuring faster patient access for vital medicines for cancer, rare diseases and other conditions.We are giving a clear signal that we want to bring innovative medicines to National Health Service patients, encouraging the life sciences industry to prioritise the UK as an early launch market, and help get the newest available treatments to those who need them.

What involvement (a) her Department and (b) the Office for Students have had in discussions between universities and their commercial lenders on (i) university debt arrangements, (ii) financial sustainability and (iii) lending terms since 2022.

The department does not intervene directly in negotiations between universities and banks. As independent institutions, universities are responsible for managing their own finances. We do of course regularly meet both with providers and banks to discuss the finances of higher education institutions. However, it is important these discussions are kept confidential. The processes and protocols of the Office for Students (OfS) are a matter for them. In the first instance, providers should speak to the OfS where they have identified financial risk.

On how many occasions (a) her Department and (b) the Office for Students has participated in discussions with commercial lenders on university (i) debt arrangements and (ii) financial sustainability since 2022.

The department does not intervene directly in negotiations between universities and banks. As independent institutions, universities are responsible for managing their own finances. We do of course regularly meet both with providers and banks to discuss the finances of higher education institutions. However, it is important these discussions are kept confidential. The processes and protocols of the Office for Students (OfS) are a matter for them. In the first instance, providers should speak to the OfS where they have identified financial risk.

What protocols exist for (a) her Department and (b) the Office for Students when approached by (i) universities and (ii) lenders regarding (A) university financial difficulties, (B) debt arrangements and (C) lending terms.

The department does not intervene directly in negotiations between universities and banks. As independent institutions, universities are responsible for managing their own finances. We do of course regularly meet both with providers and banks to discuss the finances of higher education institutions. However, it is important these discussions are kept confidential. The processes and protocols of the Office for Students (OfS) are a matter for them. In the first instance, providers should speak to the OfS where they have identified financial risk.

How many state school students took four A levels including maths, further maths, and at least one subject qualifying for the high value course premium in each of the last five years; and what proportion of those students were female.

The data requested is below. Time PeriodSexNumber of StudentsProportion (%)2023/24Male5,11974.82023/24Female1,72225.22022/23Male4,12174.22022/23Female1,43025.82021/22Male3,80073.92021/22Female1,34526.12020/21Male4,32873.92020/21Female1,52826.12019/20Male3,70273.92019/20Female1,30526.1 Notes about the data:Includes state-funded students who ended 16-18 study in the reported year (for example, 2023/24).Includes students who entered for at least four A levels, one being A level mathematics, one being A level further mathematics and at least one other A level being eligible for the high value courses premium.Discounting rules apply (in other words, where students have multiple entries in the same subject, the best result is included).

How many state school students took the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in each of the last five years; and what proportion of those students were female.

The data requested is below. Data relating to 2024/25 will be available in February 2026. The number and proportion of state-funded student entries for international baccalaureate by sex Time PeriodSexNumber of State-Funded StudentsProportion (%)2023/24Female76455.92023/24Male60244.12022/23Female66155.82022/23Male52444.22021/22Female77257.32021/22Male57442.62020/21Female76359.52020/21Male51940.52019/20Female73758.52019/20Male52241.5*Source: A level and other 16 to 18 results*Coverage: All institutions, England To note regarding the data:Includes entries from students at state-funded schools and colleges who ended 16-18 study in the reported year (for example, 2023/24).Discounting rules apply (in other words, where students have multiples entries in the same subject, the best result is included).The sex of one of the 21/22 entrants was unknown and has not been captured by the data.

When he expects the data on incidence of corridor care to be published by NHS England.

The Government is committed to tackling the unacceptable practice of corridor care in our National Health Service. Our Urgent and Emergency Care Plan, published in June 2025, sets out steps we are taking, including the commitment to publish data on the prevalence of corridor care.NHS England has been working with trusts since 2024 to put in place new reporting arrangements related to the use of temporary escalation spaces, to drive improvement. The data quality is currently being reviewed, and the information will be published shortly.

What guidance his Department has given to integrated care boards on covering redundancy programme costs.

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement of the abolition of NHS England, we are clear on the need for a smaller centre, as well as scaling back integrated care board (ICB) running costs and NHS provider corporate cost reductions in order to reduce waste and bureaucracy.Funding agreements have been agreed with His Majesty’s Treasury to enable redundancies to be funded within the Department for Health and Social Care’s (DHSC’s) Spending Review settlement. In 2025/26 and beyond, DHSC will continue to operate within its funding settlement and will not overspend its budget in order to fund redundancies, nor cut any investment to the frontline. The precise split between financial years and organisations is being worked through as operational delivery planning progresses.

Whether integrated care boards will be given additional one-off funding for redundancy programmes to meet the 50% cost reduction target.

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement of the abolition of NHS England, we are clear on the need for a smaller centre, as well as scaling back integrated care board (ICB) running costs and NHS provider corporate cost reductions in order to reduce waste and bureaucracy.Funding agreements have been agreed with His Majesty’s Treasury to enable redundancies to be funded within the Department for Health and Social Care’s (DHSC’s) Spending Review settlement. In 2025/26 and beyond, DHSC will continue to operate within its funding settlement and will not overspend its budget in order to fund redundancies, nor cut any investment to the frontline. The precise split between financial years and organisations is being worked through as operational delivery planning progresses.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of its targeted support to help SMEs offer apprenticeships.

Small businesses are a vital part of our economy and apprenticeship system. They provide valuable opportunities in priority sectors for young people and apprentices from disadvantaged areas. The government engages with small employers regularly to promote apprenticeships. During National Apprenticeship Week 2025, we held a round table with small and medium employers and other key partners to better understand the challenges they are facing in recruiting apprentices. This insight allows us to better target engagement activities with small businesses. The government pays the full training costs for young apprentices under 22 and eligible apprentices aged 22-24 undertaking apprenticeships with non-levy paying employers, also paying £1,000 to both employers and providers for apprentices aged 16-18, and for eligible apprentices aged 19-24.

What recent discussions he has had with small businesses on the apprenticeship system.

Small businesses are a vital part of our economy and apprenticeship system. They provide valuable opportunities in priority sectors for young people and apprentices from disadvantaged areas. The government engages with small employers regularly to promote apprenticeships. During National Apprenticeship Week 2025, we held a round table with small and medium employers and other key partners to better understand the challenges they are facing in recruiting apprentices. This insight allows us to better target engagement activities with small businesses. The government pays the full training costs for young apprentices under 22 and eligible apprentices aged 22-24 undertaking apprenticeships with non-levy paying employers, also paying £1,000 to both employers and providers for apprentices aged 16-18, and for eligible apprentices aged 19-24.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of fully funding apprenticeships for under-22s in SMEs on apprenticeship starts.

Small businesses are a vital part of our economy and apprenticeship system. They provide valuable opportunities in priority sectors for young people and apprentices from disadvantaged areas. The government engages with small employers regularly to promote apprenticeships. During National Apprenticeship Week 2025, we held a round table with small and medium employers and other key partners to better understand the challenges they are facing in recruiting apprentices. This insight allows us to better target engagement activities with small businesses. The government pays the full training costs for young apprentices under 22 and eligible apprentices aged 22-24 undertaking apprenticeships with non-levy paying employers, also paying £1,000 to both employers and providers for apprentices aged 16-18, and for eligible apprentices aged 19-24.

What steps he has taken to help increase awareness amongst employers of the incentives available to hire apprentices, including National Insurance relief when hiring apprentices under 25.

The government offers a range of financial support to help employers to take on apprentices. In addition to the National Insurance exemptions for apprentices under 25, the government pays £1,000 to employers that take on apprentices under 19 or eligible 19 to 24-year-olds.An incentive payment of up to £2,000 has also been introduced to employers who take on foundation apprenticeships, on the seven apprenticeships that launched in August 2025. Apprenticeships and the financial support available for employers are promoted through multiple channels, including social media and email and telephone marketing campaigns. In addition, the government facilitates and funds the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network (AAN) which comprises 2,500 employers and apprentices who volunteer to promote the benefits of apprenticeships.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure state school pupils can access International Baccalaureate programmes.

I refer the hon. Member for St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire to the answer of 24 October 2025 to Question 83028.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of reducing funding for International Baccalaureate qualifications on the range of (a) subjects and (b) educational choices available to state school pupils.

I refer the hon. Member for St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire to the answer of 24 October 2025 to Question 83028.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of reducing funding for International Baccalaureate qualifications on state schools.

I refer the hon. Member for St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire to the answer of 24 October 2025 to Question 83028.

What steps her Department is taking to support access to a broad curriculum for state pupils.

​The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE. The Review wants to ensure a rich, broad, inclusive and innovative curriculum that readies young people for life and work. It is also looking closely at the key challenges to attainment for young people, and the barriers which hold children back from the opportunities and life chances they deserve.​The Review’s final report and recommendations will be published shortly with the government’s response.

With reference to the Consumer Rights Act 2015, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of Ryanair's proposed requirement for all passengers to have digital boarding passes on (a) pensioners and (b) other passengers who do not possess a smartphone.

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, airlines must ensure that their terms and conditions are fair, transparent, and do not place certain consumers at an unfair disadvantage. The CAA is responsible for ensuring airline compliance with the Consumer Rights Act 2015. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) conducted a review of airline contract terms in 2019, including those relating to online check-in and the issuing of boarding passes. The review concluded that while online check-in requirements can be legitimate, such terms must be clearly communicated and any associated fees should be proportionate. Ryanair continues to require all passengers to check in online. According to their new digital boarding pass policy, passengers without access to a smartphone can obtain a boarding pass for free at the airport as long as they have checked-in online.

Whether his Department is taking steps to support the creation of neighbourhood-level respiratory diagnostic hubs.

Neighbourhood level respiratory diagnostic hubs support our vision of delivering more diagnostics and care outside of hospitals and in communities. Respiratory diagnostic hubs have been piloted and developed in many parts of England, and this learning will be informing the development of more neighbourhood health services.Community diagnostic centres (CDCs) are also supporting this vision, as 170 CDCs are now operational across England. All standard model CDCs are required to offer a range of diagnostic tests that support the diagnosis of respiratory conditions, including spirometry and lung function tests.CDCs offer local populations a wide range of diagnostic tests, including respiratory diagnostic services, closer to home and with greater choice on where and how they are undertaken, reducing the need for hospital visits and speeding up diagnosis, whilst also reducing pressure on hospitals.We are continuing to invest in expanding diagnostic capacity in the National Health Service, including through increasing CDC capacity. As set out in the Elective reform Plan, we plan to build up to five more CDCs in 2025/26, alongside increasing the operating hours of existing sites so that more offer services 12 hours a day, seven days a week.Integrated care boards (ICBs) play a vital role in commissioning and shaping diagnostic services to meet the needs of their local populations. Addressing the earlier diagnosis and treatment of their populations with respiratory conditions is a significant priority for ICBs.ICBs are responsible for commissioning Local Enhanced Services, including respiratory diagnostics, which are not agreed nationally and can vary in scope and funding to fit local needs.Activity and waiting times for the main respiratory tests are not included in the National Diagnostic Activity and Waiting Times Collection. However, NHS England’s National Diagnostic Programme undertakes an annual snap-shop data collection in respiratory diagnostics to understand levels of activity and waiting times for a range of respiratory tests within trusts across England.NHS England’s Respiratory Programme, in collaboration with national stakeholders, has also developed a standardised spirometry data capture template. This tool is designed to support ICBs in consistently recording and reporting spirometry activity, enabling improved oversight, service planning, and equitable access to respiratory diagnostics.