Written questions by Mohamed.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact on disabled adults and their families when placements are made far from their home communities.

Decisions about care placements are made locally, based on individual assessments of need and personal circumstances. Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities are tasked with the duty to shape their care markets and commission services to meet the diverse needs of all local people. This includes commissioning a variety of different providers and specialist services that provide genuine choice to meet the needs of local people, and that offer quality and value for money.There is no single national assessment of the impact of out‑of‑area placements on disabled adults and their families. However, local authorities should engage with people who draw on care and support, and their families and carers, to inform commissioning decisions and to consider the outcomes which matter to them. This is reflected in the Care and Support Statutory Guidance, which supports local authorities to fulfil their Care Act duties, including expectations around involvement and co‑production with people who draw on care and support and their families.

What guidance his Department provides to local authorities on accepting complaints relating to the treatment of vulnerable adults raised by (a) relatives, (b) carers, (c) friends and (d) other third parties.

Anyone who is concerned that an adult with care and support needs is at risk of, or experiencing abuse or neglect, can contact the safeguarding adults team at the relevant local authority to raise a safeguarding enquiry.Where a local authority has reasonable cause to suspect that an adult in the local authority’s area has needs for care and support, whether or not the authority is meeting any of those needs, and appears to be at risk of, or experiencing abuse or neglect, and is unable to protect themselves as a result of those needs, the local authority must carry out a safeguarding enquiry.Under section 68 of the Care Act 2014, local authorities must provide an independent advocate for adults involved in safeguarding enquiries when they would otherwise struggle to understand, retain, use, or weigh information, or to communicate their views.

What local authority adult safeguarding procedures are required to accept concerns raised by individuals acting on behalf of adults who lack the capacity or ability to complain themselves.

Anyone who is concerned that an adult with care and support needs is at risk of, or experiencing abuse or neglect, can contact the safeguarding adults team at the relevant local authority to raise a safeguarding enquiry.Where a local authority has reasonable cause to suspect that an adult in the local authority’s area has needs for care and support, whether or not the authority is meeting any of those needs, and appears to be at risk of, or experiencing abuse or neglect, and is unable to protect themselves as a result of those needs, the local authority must carry out a safeguarding enquiry.Under section 68 of the Care Act 2014, local authorities must provide an independent advocate for adults involved in safeguarding enquiries when they would otherwise struggle to understand, retain, use, or weigh information, or to communicate their views.

If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of local authority complaints policies in meeting the needs of adults with severe learning disabilities.

The Local Authority Social Services and National Health Service Complaints (England) Regulations 2009 require local authorities that provide adult social care services to have complaints procedures that follow a certain process. They should work with the person raising the complaint to try and resolve it.If someone is not satisfied with the outcome of their complaint to the local authority, then the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) can investigate individual concerns. The LGSCO is the independent complaints lead for adult social care and investigates complaints from those receiving social care. Details of how to complain to the LGSCO can be found at the following link:https://www.lgo.org.uk/make-a-complaintThere is also a help and advice line available via telephone on 0300 061 0614, or one can write to The Local Government Ombudsman, PO Box 4771, Coventry, CV4 0EH.

Whether his Department collects data on the number of adults with learning disabilities placed outside their local area by local authorities.

The Department does not collect data specifically on the number of adults with learning disabilities who are placed outside their local authority area. However, national statistics on adults with learning disabilities receiving long-term support are published annually in the Adult Social Care Activity Report. Where out-of-area placements are made, local authorities have a duty under the Care Act 2014 to ensure that, among other things, decisions are based on a consideration of each individual's needs and preferences.

Media and Sport, if she will hold discussions with relevant stakeholders on the adequacy of public swimming pool provision and the long-term sustainability of access to swimming pools for residents in Dewsbury and Batley constituency.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring public access to swimming facilities, which are great spaces for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy, and which play an important role within communities. The ongoing responsibility of providing access to public leisure facilities lies at local authority level, with funding levels set as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement. The Government encourages local authorities to make investments which offer the right opportunities and facilities for the communities they serve, investing in sport and physical activity with a place-based approach, to meet the needs of individual communities. The local Active Partnership for the constituency, Yorkshire Sport Foundation is best placed to provide guidance on how to access support for swimming pools. I would be happy to ask my officials to facilitate a conversation with the Yorkshire Sport Foundation and relevant stakeholders, if that would be helpful.

If she will commission an independent review into how student finance products, including Plan 2 loans, are communicated to prospective students, with particular regard to transparency and informed consent.

Plan 2 student loans were devised by previous administrations and students in England starting degrees under this government have different arrangements. Since the 2023/24 academic year, new students in England receive their loans on Plan 5 terms and conditions, not on Plan 2 terms. As Plan 2 loans are not available for prospective students in England, there is no impact on existing borrowers.Students sign the terms and conditions of student loans before any money is paid to them. Student loans already contain borrower protections. For example, repayments are linked to income, not to the amount borrowed or interest applied. Repayments are made at a constant rate of 9% above the earnings threshold. Borrowers earning under the earnings threshold are not required to make repayments. Any outstanding loan, including interest built up, is cancelled at the end of the loan term with no detriment to the borrower, and debt is never passed on to family members or descendants.Student finance and higher education funding is a complex, interconnected system, and we are considering a range of options to make the system fairer. However, funding arrangements must be considered to ensure they are fiscally responsible.

Whether the Government plans to introduce any additional safeguards to ensure that changes to student loan repayment terms do not have retrospective adverse impacts on existing borrowers.

Plan 2 student loans were devised by previous administrations and students in England starting degrees under this government have different arrangements. Since the 2023/24 academic year, new students in England receive their loans on Plan 5 terms and conditions, not on Plan 2 terms. As Plan 2 loans are not available for prospective students in England, there is no impact on existing borrowers.Students sign the terms and conditions of student loans before any money is paid to them. Student loans already contain borrower protections. For example, repayments are linked to income, not to the amount borrowed or interest applied. Repayments are made at a constant rate of 9% above the earnings threshold. Borrowers earning under the earnings threshold are not required to make repayments. Any outstanding loan, including interest built up, is cancelled at the end of the loan term with no detriment to the borrower, and debt is never passed on to family members or descendants.Student finance and higher education funding is a complex, interconnected system, and we are considering a range of options to make the system fairer. However, funding arrangements must be considered to ensure they are fiscally responsible.

What steps he is taking to ensure that individuals found responsible for abusive conduct towards vulnerable adults cannot work in publicly funded social care services.

The intention of Care Quality Commission (CQC) Regulation 19 Fit and proper persons employed of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 is to make sure providers only employ 'fit and proper' staff who are able to provide care and treatment appropriate to their role and to enable them to provide the regulated activity.To meet this regulation, providers must operate robust recruitment procedures, including undertaking any relevant checks. They must have a procedure for ongoing monitoring of staff to make sure they remain able to meet the requirements, and they must have appropriate arrangements in place to deal with staff who are no longer fit to carry out the duties required of them.In addition, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check must be undertaken prior to the recruitment of all care workers. If an individual has been barred, then they will be added to the Adults’ Barred List. If they knowingly engage, or seek to engage, in regulated activity with a vulnerable group from which they are barred then they would be committing a criminal offence, punishable by imprisonment and/or a fine. The same is true for employers who knowingly employ somebody who is on the barred list.

Communities and Local Government, what role the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman plays in reviewing complaints relating to the treatment of disabled people by local authorities.

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman investigates complaints from residents, including disabled residents, about maladministration by local authorities and adult social care providers. The Ombudsman published an updated Complaint Handling Code last year. The Code sets out standards on how to implement fair, effective and transparent complaint handling processes, to ensure that residents’ concerns are properly heard and responded to, and to support councillors in properly scrutinising how their organisation learns from its mistakes to improve service delivery. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) are assessing how local authorities in England are meeting the full range of their duties under Part 1 of the Care Act 2014, including considering complaints procedures as part of its wider evaluation of leadership. The assessments identify local authorities’ strengths and areas for improvement, facilitating the sharing of good practice and helping us to target support where it is most needed. If the CQC identifies a local authority has failed or is failing to discharge its duties under the Care Act to an acceptable standard, the Secretary of State has powers to intervene.

Communities and Local Government, what mechanisms exist for oversight of local authority complaints procedures relating to adult social care.

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman investigates complaints from residents, including disabled residents, about maladministration by local authorities and adult social care providers. The Ombudsman published an updated Complaint Handling Code last year. The Code sets out standards on how to implement fair, effective and transparent complaint handling processes, to ensure that residents’ concerns are properly heard and responded to, and to support councillors in properly scrutinising how their organisation learns from its mistakes to improve service delivery. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) are assessing how local authorities in England are meeting the full range of their duties under Part 1 of the Care Act 2014, including considering complaints procedures as part of its wider evaluation of leadership. The assessments identify local authorities’ strengths and areas for improvement, facilitating the sharing of good practice and helping us to target support where it is most needed. If the CQC identifies a local authority has failed or is failing to discharge its duties under the Care Act to an acceptable standard, the Secretary of State has powers to intervene.

What vetting procedures apply to individuals employed in adult social care roles involving contact with vulnerable adults.

The intention of Care Quality Commission (CQC) Regulation 19 Fit and proper persons employed of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 is to make sure providers only employ 'fit and proper' staff who are able to provide care and treatment appropriate to their role and to enable them to provide the regulated activity.To meet this regulation, providers must operate robust recruitment procedures, including undertaking any relevant checks. They must have a procedure for ongoing monitoring of staff to make sure they remain able to meet the requirements, and they must have appropriate arrangements in place to deal with staff who are no longer fit to carry out the duties required of them.The CQC can assess compliance with these regulations through assessment and monitoring activity. Where a breach of regulation or non-compliance is identified, The CQC can take regulatory action.An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check must be undertaken prior to the recruitment of all care workers. In line with the CQC guidance for DBS checks, staff working with vulnerable adults can only start work before a DBS certificate is received if they have had a DBS Adult First Check, are appropriately supervised, and do not escort people away from the premises unless accompanied by someone with a DBS check.

Whether Local Authorities have the right to move adults with disabilities to residential care away from their families and against the wishes of the individual and/or their families.

Under section 9(5) of the Care Act 2014, local authorities are required to involve the adult concerned and, where appropriate, their carers, family members, or others with an interest in their welfare, when carrying out a needs assessment and considering how care and support needs should be met.Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities are also tasked with the duty to shape their care markets to meet the diverse needs of all local people. This includes commissioning a diverse range of care and support services that enable people to access quality care.Local authorities should engage with people who draw on care and support, and their families and carers, to inform commissioning decisions and to consider the outcomes which matter to them. This is reflected in the Care and Support Statutory Guidance, which supports local authorities to fulfil their Care Act duties, including expectations around involvement and co‑production with people who draw on care and support and their families.Under the Health and Care Act 2022, the Care Quality Commission has a statutory duty to assess how well local authorities are delivering their adult social care duties.

What estimate he has made of (a) the number of people waiting for glaucoma follow-up appointments and (b) the length of time they are waiting for such appointments.

The Department does not hold data on either the number of people waiting for a glaucoma follow-up appointment or the length of waiting time for any such glaucoma follow-up appointment. Therefore, no current estimate has been made.Data is published on ophthalmology waiting times from referral to treatment, but this is not broken down by condition and does not cover follow up appointments that occur after a patient’s first definitive treatment.As of January 2026, the waiting list for ophthalmology stands at 602,163, with 69.8% of those having waited less than 18 weeks from referral to treatment.

What steps he is taking to help deliver more glaucoma services in communities.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for Battersea on 18 March 2026 to Question 119439.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2026 to Question 105213 on India: Armed Conflict, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of her recent discussions on freedom of religion or belief for Muslim communities in India.

Protecting religious minorities and promoting Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in any country is a long‑term process that requires a strategic and persistent approach. We continue to track these issues closely and engage wherever possible to promote religious freedom and tolerance. We will continue these efforts and keep the House updated as this work progresses.

Media and Sport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of public swimming pool provision in England; and what steps are being taken to ensure long‑term sustainable access to swimming facilities.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring public access to swimming facilities, which are great spaces for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy, and which play an important role within communities. The ongoing responsibility of providing access to public leisure facilities lies at local authority level, with funding levels set as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement. The Government encourages local authorities to make investments which offer the right opportunities and facilities for the communities they serve, investing in sport and physical activity with a place-based approach, to meet the needs of individual communities. In June last year, we committed £400 million to transform sports facilities, including public leisure, across the whole of the UK over the next four years, supporting the Government's Plan for Change. We are working closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what communities need, before setting out further plans on how future funding will be allocated.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that the grassroots sport fund provides targeted support for swimming pools in areas with limited access to aquatic facilities.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring public access to swimming facilities, which are great spaces for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy, and which play an important role within communities. The ongoing responsibility of providing access to public leisure facilities lies at local authority level, with funding levels set as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement. The Government encourages local authorities to make investments which offer the right opportunities and facilities for the communities they serve, investing in sport and physical activity with a place-based approach, to meet the needs of individual communities. In June last year, we committed £400 million to transform sports facilities, including public leisure, across the whole of the UK over the next four years, supporting the Government's Plan for Change. We are working closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what communities need, before setting out further plans on how future funding will be allocated.

Media and Sport, what support is available to assist swimming pools with (a) energy efficiency upgrades and (b) operating costs.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring public access to swimming facilities, which are great spaces for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy, and which play an important role within communities. The ongoing responsibility of providing access to public leisure facilities lies at local authority level, with funding levels set as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement. The Government encourages local authorities to make investments which offer the right opportunities and facilities for the communities they serve, investing in sport and physical activity with a place-based approach, to meet the needs of individual communities. In June last year, we committed £400 million to transform sports facilities, including public leisure, across the whole of the UK over the next four years, supporting the Government's Plan for Change. We are working closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what communities need, before setting out further plans on how future funding will be allocated.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill's incident reporting criteria for capturing novel failure modes arising from autonomous or adaptive machine learning systems in critical national infrastructure.

The Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill makes vital updates to the Network and Information Systems (NIS) Regulations 2018 to ensure that providers of the UK’s essential services are reporting more forms of harmful cyber incident to their regulators. Where these incidents meet the threshold of a reportable incident, they will need to be reported to the relevant regulator regardless of the cause. This will include incidents caused by the failure of autonomous or adaptive machine learning systems within a regulated entity’s network and information systems.