Written questions by McMurdock.

Communities and Local Government, if he will publish his Department's analysis of any legal obligations owed by the Government to proceed with mayoral elections in (a) Greater Essex and (b) other areas in which 2026 inaugural mayoral elections were cancelled.

The Government has announced that it is minded to hold inaugural mayoral elections for the four Devolution Priority Programme places that are also undertaking local government reorganisation in May 2028 rather than May 2026, so that areas can complete the reorganisation process before Mayors take office. This decision has been taken because devolution is strongest when it is built on strong foundations. The establishment of the Greater Essex Combined County Authority would be done via secondary legislation and this legislation would set out the date of the first mayoral elections, subject to the approval of both Houses of Parliament and the consent of the constituent councils.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the draft Statutory Instrument, The Public Order Act 2023 (Interference With Use or Operation of Key National Infrastructure) Regulations 2025 on animal welfare.

The Statutory Instrument to amend the Public Order Act 2023 does not alter the Government’s commitment to phasing out animal testing or maintaining high standards of animal welfare. All establishments licensed under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) will remain subject to its full requirements. ASPA provides a robust regulatory framework that protects animals in science, including compliance checks and audits by the Home Office.It is anticipated that amendments to the Public Order Act can help to safeguard animal welfare through enabling scientific establishments to continue their operations in compliance with ASPA without disruptions which could put at risk their activity to protect animals.The Animals in Science Regulation Unit conducts announced and unannounced audits to ensure establishments comply with licence conditions, the Code of Practice, and ASPA. The Home Office has published guidance on administering and enforcing ASPA, alongside a Code of Practice that sets standards for the care and accommodation of animals used for scientific purposes.The UK’s legal framework already requires that animals are only used in science where no validated alternatives exist. The Government is accelerating efforts to develop and adopt these alternatives. In November 2025 the Government published a strategy setting out a long-term vision for a world where the use of animals in science is eliminated except in exceptional circumstances, by creating a research and innovation system that drives the development and validation of alternative methods.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Statutory Instrument, The Public Order Act 2023 (Interference With Use or Operation of Key National Infrastructure) Regulations 2025, on her Department's plans to phase out animal testing.

The Statutory Instrument to amend the Public Order Act 2023 does not alter the Government’s commitment to phasing out animal testing or maintaining high standards of animal welfare. All establishments licensed under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) will remain subject to its full requirements. ASPA provides a robust regulatory framework that protects animals in science, including compliance checks and audits by the Home Office.It is anticipated that amendments to the Public Order Act can help to safeguard animal welfare through enabling scientific establishments to continue their operations in compliance with ASPA without disruptions which could put at risk their activity to protect animals.The Animals in Science Regulation Unit conducts announced and unannounced audits to ensure establishments comply with licence conditions, the Code of Practice, and ASPA. The Home Office has published guidance on administering and enforcing ASPA, alongside a Code of Practice that sets standards for the care and accommodation of animals used for scientific purposes.The UK’s legal framework already requires that animals are only used in science where no validated alternatives exist. The Government is accelerating efforts to develop and adopt these alternatives. In November 2025 the Government published a strategy setting out a long-term vision for a world where the use of animals in science is eliminated except in exceptional circumstances, by creating a research and innovation system that drives the development and validation of alternative methods.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the level of net migration in the year ending 2025 on (a) overall population growth and (b) population density in major towns and cities.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 8th of December is attached.

What steps she is taking to reduce immigration.

In July we began implementing the first set of reforms outlined in the Immigration White Paper. These reforms represent a fundamental shift in the UK’s approach to immigration, focusing on higher skills, lower numbers and tighter controls. Our approach will end the UK’s reliance on overseas recruitment and ensure the system better supports investment in the domestic workforce.We are now delivering on further commitments from the White Paper, with a range of changes to immigration rules laid on 14 October – focusing on tightening the system further and attracting highly skilled talent to the UK to boost the economy. The changes will come into effect over the following months.This Government is pursuing a comprehensive plan to tackle illegal immigration, through targeted enforcement against the small boat gangs, stronger action alongside our international partners to prevent Channel crossings, increasing the removal of people with no right to be in the UK, cracking down further on illegal working, and continuing our efforts to clear the asylum backlog and end the use of hotels by the end of this Parliament.The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act received Royal Assent on 2 December 2025. The Act provides new tools, powers and offences aimed at strengthening cross-system working and enabling earlier, more far-reaching interventions against organised immigration crime and serious organised crime.Furthermore, on 17 November, this Government published a statement entitled “Restoring Order and Control” which set out significant reforms to the UK’s asylum and illegal migration system. The statement outlined the current challenges, the Government’s objectives, and a comprehensive package of measures to restore order, control, fairness and public confidence in the system. In July we began implementing the first set of reforms outlined in the Immigration White Paper. These reforms represent a fundamental shift in the UK’s approach to immigration, focusing on higher skills, lower numbers and tighter controls. Our approach will end the UK’s reliance on overseas recruitment and ensure the system better supports investment in the domestic workforce.

Pursuant to the answer of 3 December 2025 to Question 94583 on Public Bodies: Fines, whether her Department plans to ringfence fines against NHS trusts for health-related spending.

Income from fines, whether imposed by the courts or regulators, is in the most part returned to the Consolidated Fund and this income is not disaggregated by source.

Innovation and Technology, what plans she has to publish its comparative assessment of the UK’s space sector performance relative to other G7 countries, including trends in a) sector growth and b) global market share over the past three years.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) performs comparative analysis of the UK’s space sector relative to other countries to be used in the formulation of policy and advice to ministers. The data used to produce the analysis is commercially sensitive, and therefore there are no current plans to publish this assessment.

Pursuant to the answer of 3 December 2025 to Question 94583 on Public Bodies: Fines, how much revenue has been generated for (a) the consolidated fund and (b) enforcing bodies due to fines against NHS trusts since 2020.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has criminal enforcement powers to fine a health or social care provider where they identify a breach of regulations. The CQC can directly serve a fixed penalty notice to a provider, or a fine may be issued by the court following prosecution brought by the CQC.No fines as a result of CQC enforcement activity are retained by the CQC. Any fixed penalty paid to the CQC is not retained but must be passed on by the CQC to my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. The CQC transfers the penalties received to the Department of Health and Social Care on a quarterly basis.  The money raised by court fines is paid to HM Treasury.The following table shows the fines served by the court following prosecution brought by the CQC against National Health Service trusts since 2020:Financial yearNHS Trust NameFine amount2020/21Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust£1,600.002021/22East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust£733,000.002021/22The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust£2,533,332.002021/22United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust£100,000.002022/23The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust£800,000.002022/23The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust£533,334.002022/23The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust£200,000.002022/23Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn NHS Foundation Trust£60,000.002022/23Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust£800,000.002022/23University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust£200,000.002024/25Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust£140,000.002024/25Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust£60,000.002024/25Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust£100,000.002024/25Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust£300,000.002024/25Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust£100,000.002024/25Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust£300,000.002024/25Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust£100,000.002024/25Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust£700,000.002025/26University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust£200,000.00Note: where an NHS trust is fined more than once in a given fiscal year, the fines relate to individual cases.

Whether his Department has recently proposed measures to ensure that fines against NHS trusts are ringfenced for spending on health matters.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has criminal enforcement powers to fine a health or social care provider where they identify a breach of regulations. The CQC can directly serve a fixed penalty notice to a provider, or a fine may be issued by the court following prosecution brought by the CQC.Any fixed penalty paid to the CQC is not retained but must be passed on by the CQC to my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. The CQC transfers the penalties received to the Department on a quarterly basis.The size of the fine following prosecutions brought by the CQC is a decision made by the court and is informed by sentencing guidelines. The CQC does not have influence over this decision. The money raised by court fines is paid to HM Treasury.The Department has not recently proposed any measures to change this.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the new local plan-making system on protections for Green Belt land.

The new plan-making system is designed to ensure that local plans are faster to prepare and simpler for end users to access and understand. The government's approach to Green Belt in England, including the circumstances in which it should be reviewed, is set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). It is for local planning authorities to set out policies for Green Belt in their local plans in accordance with national policy in the NPPF. This remains unchanged in the new local plan-making system. When local planning authorities submit their local plan for examination, they are required to submit any supporting documents that they consider are relevant and necessary to support the examination of their plan. This might include supporting documents that form part of their evidence base. In order to deliver the homes and growth the country needs, we expect all local planning authorities to make every effort to get up-to-date local plans in place as soon as possible. As a government, we have made a clear commitment to achieving universal local plan coverage. To that end, we have been clear that we intend to drive local plans to adoption as quickly as possible. The government is committed to taking tough action to ensure local authorities have up-to-date local plans in place. The law provides intervention powers for the government to take action to ensure that plans are progressed. Any decisions taken in relation to intervention in plan-making are considered on a case-by-case basis and take into account local circumstances.

What measures she will use to evaluate the effect of the National Year of Reading 2026 on closing the gender attainment gap.

Reading for pleasure brings a range of benefits, including strong links with attainment. However, research by the National Literacy Trust shows that in 2025, just one in three children aged 8 to 18 reported enjoying reading, with teenage boys regularly reporting the lowest levels of reading enjoyment.That is why the department is launching the National Year of Reading, a UK-wide campaign to address the steep decline in reading enjoyment amongst children, young people and adultsGrounded in existing evidence and new research by an external research agency, the campaign is designed to deliver meaningful impact during 2026 and beyond.The impact of the National Year of Reading will be measured through an independent external evaluation. The evaluation will examine how the campaign influences reading behaviours, connects with audiences and shapes attitudes towards reading, particularly among the campaign’s priority audiences: teenage boys, early years children, and families from disadvantaged communities. It will also assess the wider impact on the literacy sector and the foundations for long-term change. The findings will be published in 2027.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the draft Statutory Instrument, The Public Order Act 2023 (Interference With Use or Operation of Key National Infrastructure) Regulations 2025 on the availability of public information on animal testing.

Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy, and we will always defend that right. But, where disruption from protest risks undermining our sovereign capability to prepare and respond to a pandemic, we must take action to protect key infrastructure and supply chains.The Life Sciences industry is of vital importance to this country. The sector provides crucial research to further medical capabilities in the UK and plays a central role in our pandemic preparedness capabilities. During the Covid-19 pandemic, our national response depended on having the tools and expertise to rapidly develop new vaccines and treatments.On 11 November, the OLS published a strategy setting out the steps that the Government will take over the next 5 years towards achieving a world where the use of animals in science is eliminated in all but exceptional circumstances. Until that goal can be achieved, the immediate and critical issue remains that the sector is being targeted by protestors who oppose current clinical research methods.That is why the Government is taking the proportionate step to amend section 7 of the Public Order Act 2023. This change will extend the definition of Key National Infrastructure within the Act to include the Life Sciences sector. The offence within the Act of interference with the use or operation of Key National Infrastructure will apply to the Life Sciences sector in addition to the existing sectors covered under section 7(6) of the Act. In turn, this change will reduce supply chain interference, protect the sector’s ability to operate in the UK, and ultimately support the UK’s pandemic preparedness and national health resilience.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the draft Statutory Instrument, The Public Order Act 2023 (Interference With Use or Operation of Key National Infrastructure) Regulations 2025 on the right to protest against animal testing.

Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy, and we will always defend that right. But, where disruption from protest risks undermining our sovereign capability to prepare and respond to a pandemic, we must take action to protect key infrastructure and supply chains.The Life Sciences industry is of vital importance to this country. The sector provides crucial research to further medical capabilities in the UK and plays a central role in our pandemic preparedness capabilities. During the Covid-19 pandemic, our national response depended on having the tools and expertise to rapidly develop new vaccines and treatments.On 11 November, the OLS published a strategy setting out the steps that the Government will take over the next 5 years towards achieving a world where the use of animals in science is eliminated in all but exceptional circumstances. Until that goal can be achieved, the immediate and critical issue remains that the sector is being targeted by protestors who oppose current clinical research methods.That is why the Government is taking the proportionate step to amend section 7 of the Public Order Act 2023. This change will extend the definition of Key National Infrastructure within the Act to include the Life Sciences sector. The offence within the Act of interference with the use or operation of Key National Infrastructure will apply to the Life Sciences sector in addition to the existing sectors covered under section 7(6) of the Act. In turn, this change will reduce supply chain interference, protect the sector’s ability to operate in the UK, and ultimately support the UK’s pandemic preparedness and national health resilience.

Communities and Local Government, whether local planning authorities will be required to publish assessments of Green Belt and Grey Belt release as part of their evidence base during plan preparation.

The new plan-making system is designed to ensure that local plans are faster to prepare and simpler for end users to access and understand. The government's approach to Green Belt in England, including the circumstances in which it should be reviewed, is set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). It is for local planning authorities to set out policies for Green Belt in their local plans in accordance with national policy in the NPPF. This remains unchanged in the new local plan-making system. When local planning authorities submit their local plan for examination, they are required to submit any supporting documents that they consider are relevant and necessary to support the examination of their plan. This might include supporting documents that form part of their evidence base. In order to deliver the homes and growth the country needs, we expect all local planning authorities to make every effort to get up-to-date local plans in place as soon as possible. As a government, we have made a clear commitment to achieving universal local plan coverage. To that end, we have been clear that we intend to drive local plans to adoption as quickly as possible. The government is committed to taking tough action to ensure local authorities have up-to-date local plans in place. The law provides intervention powers for the government to take action to ensure that plans are progressed. Any decisions taken in relation to intervention in plan-making are considered on a case-by-case basis and take into account local circumstances.

Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to intervene in local plans that release large amounts of green belt land.

The new plan-making system is designed to ensure that local plans are faster to prepare and simpler for end users to access and understand. The government's approach to Green Belt in England, including the circumstances in which it should be reviewed, is set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). It is for local planning authorities to set out policies for Green Belt in their local plans in accordance with national policy in the NPPF. This remains unchanged in the new local plan-making system. When local planning authorities submit their local plan for examination, they are required to submit any supporting documents that they consider are relevant and necessary to support the examination of their plan. This might include supporting documents that form part of their evidence base. In order to deliver the homes and growth the country needs, we expect all local planning authorities to make every effort to get up-to-date local plans in place as soon as possible. As a government, we have made a clear commitment to achieving universal local plan coverage. To that end, we have been clear that we intend to drive local plans to adoption as quickly as possible. The government is committed to taking tough action to ensure local authorities have up-to-date local plans in place. The law provides intervention powers for the government to take action to ensure that plans are progressed. Any decisions taken in relation to intervention in plan-making are considered on a case-by-case basis and take into account local circumstances.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to prevent local authorities from reclassifying green belt land as grey belt to meet housing targets.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 26507 on 5 February 2025 and UIN 43157 on 7 April 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the amount of available brownfield land to meet local housing needs.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 84470 on 30 October 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of speeding up local plan adoption on annual housing supply in each of the next five years.

My Department has made no such assessment as we do not forecast or project housing delivery for individual local planning authorities. We expect the new plan-making system to have a positive impact on housing supply by helping ensure there is a more sustainable pipeline of land for development.

Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to issue additional guidance to ensure local communities have sufficient opportunity to challenge grey belt land designations.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 26507 on 5 February 2025 and UIN 43157 on 7 April 2025.

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 December 2025 to Question 94070, when the independent investigation will be published.

An independent investigation has been launched to tackle the persistently high numbers of young people out of work, education and training. Led by former Health Secretary Alan Milburn, the review will examine why increasing numbers of young people are falling out of work or education before their careers have begun. The review will be taken forward in two distinct phases: a discovery phase; and a solution phase. The discovery phase will conclude by Spring 2026, at which point the Author is expected to produce, and submit to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, an interim review. The review will then continue into the solution phase, with the Chair providing a full and final review by Summer 2026.