Written questions by McMurdock.

What steps he is taking to help increase the number of (a) nursing and (b) residential home placements.

Local authorities are best placed to understand and plan for the needs of their population. That is why, under the Care Act 2014, local authorities are tasked with the duty to shape their care market and to commission a range of high-quality, sustainable, and person-centred care and support services to meet the diverse needs of all local people.In performing that duty, a local authority must have regard to current and likely future demand for such services and consider how providers might meet that demand. This includes ensuring sufficient rehabilitation and recovery capacity to support timely and safe discharge for people with more complex needs, including those who may require a new nursing or residential home placement where appropriate.The Government is making over £4.6 billion of additional funding available for adult social care in 2028/29 compared to 2025/26, to support the sector in making improvements. Additionally, through the Better Care Fund, over £9 billion is provided for 2025/26 for the National Health Service and local authorities to work jointly towards agreed goals on reducing discharge delays.

Pursuant to his Department’s press release entitled Patients to benefit from improved access to dental appointments, published on 21 February 2026, how many additional urgent appointments each high street dentist will be required to provide.

The Government is committed to ensuring people can access urgent dental care when they need it. Over the past year, integrated care boards (ICBs) have been commissioning additional urgent dental appointments and there is now an urgent care safety net available in all areas of the country.We are broadening the scope of the commitment to deliver additional appointments so that they can be used for more patients, not just those who meet the clinical criteria for “urgent” care. This will allow ICBs to use the extra commissioned capacity more flexibly and deliver more appointments, ensuring resources reach those who genuinely need treatment. Each ICB is responsible for commissioning dental services in their area from local providers.We will ensure a continued urgent care safety net by requiring, from April 2026, high street dentists to deliver 8.2% of their total contract value as urgent or unscheduled care.The Mid and South Essex ICB, which includes the South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency, delivered 53,376 additional courses of treatment in the first seven months of this financial year, from April to October 2025, compared to the corresponding months of the year before the general election.

With reference to his Department’s press release entitled Patients to benefit from improved access to dental appointments, published on 21 February 2026, how many additional urgent appointments will be available in (a) Basildon and (b) Thurrock as a result of the broadening of the scope of the target.

The Government is committed to ensuring people can access urgent dental care when they need it. Over the past year, integrated care boards (ICBs) have been commissioning additional urgent dental appointments and there is now an urgent care safety net available in all areas of the country.We are broadening the scope of the commitment to deliver additional appointments so that they can be used for more patients, not just those who meet the clinical criteria for “urgent” care. This will allow ICBs to use the extra commissioned capacity more flexibly and deliver more appointments, ensuring resources reach those who genuinely need treatment. Each ICB is responsible for commissioning dental services in their area from local providers.We will ensure a continued urgent care safety net by requiring, from April 2026, high street dentists to deliver 8.2% of their total contract value as urgent or unscheduled care.The Mid and South Essex ICB, which includes the South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency, delivered 53,376 additional courses of treatment in the first seven months of this financial year, from April to October 2025, compared to the corresponding months of the year before the general election.

What steps he is taking to help reduce avoidable demand on Accident and Emergency departments.

The Government recognises that urgent and emergency care performance has fallen short in recent years. We are committed to restoring accident and emergency waiting times to the NHS Constitutional standard and reducing accident and emergency demand.Our Urgent and Emergency Care Plan for 2025/26 sets out clear actions to deliver improvements this winter and beyond. We are aiming for 78% of patients to be seen in four hours this year, meaning over 800,000 people will receive more timely care.We are investing £250 million into expanding same day and urgent care services, helping avoid unnecessary admissions to hospital and supporting faster diagnosis, treatment, and discharge for patients.In the longer-term, our 10-Year Health Plan will increase the urgent care capacity outside hospital through new neighbourhood health services, reducing demand pressures on accident and emergency.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with Ofcom on a) harassment, b) grooming and c) image misuse linked to publicly accessible profiles of children under age 13.

The government engages closely with Ofcom on the implementation and enforcement of the Online Safety Act, including regular discussions on risks to children.The Act has strong protections for children. The Act requires in-scope services to protect children from illegal content and criminal activity, including illegal harassment and bullying, grooming, sexual exploitation and abuse and offences relating to sexual images.Last month, Ofcom announced the fast-tracking of decisions on proactive technology requirements, such as using hash matching to block illegal intimate images.

What proportion of a) GP consultations and b) Accident and Emergency attendances in England were assessed as i) avoidable, ii) non-urgent and iii) more appropriately managed in alternative settings in the latest year for which figures are available.

NHS England publishes monthly data on General Practice Appointments, including the approximate length of time between appointments being booked and taking place, including same day appointments, for instance for patients needing more urgent care. However, this can’t be used as a proxy for avoidable, non-urgent, or if a particular patient would be more appropriately managed in alternative settings. In the 12-months to December 2025, 44% of all appointments were delivered on the same day and 88% of appointments not usually booked in advance were delivered within two weeks of booking.General practices (GP) are independent businesses that hold contracts with the National Health Service to provide essential services. The contracts are clear that patients must be offered an assessment of need or signposting to a different service on the day they contact their practice. The 2026/27 GP Contract makes it explicit that any requests identified as clinically urgent, as determined by the GP, must be dealt with on the same day. The Emergency Care Data Set is the national data set for urgent and emergency care, published by NHS England. In 2024/25, 25,822,265 patients attended accident and emergency departments, excluding planned follow ups, with data being published at the following link: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/hospital-accident--emergency-activity/2024-25 Of these, approximately 8%, or approximately two million, were recorded as non-urgent. However, this does not mean they were necessarily avoidable or could have been managed in alternative settings. We are taking action to reduce pressures on emergency departments and working to ensure patients are seen and treated in the most appropriate setting. This includes: encouraging the use of alternative community services before attending accident and emergency; expanding urgent care access in primary, community, and mental health settings, including more support from Urgent Community Response teams; and increasing the use of virtual wards.

Innovation and Technology, what plans she has to publish annual data on media literacy levels among children and young people.

Ofcom has a duty to promote and research media literacy under the Communications Act 2003, as clarified by the Online Safety Act 2023. As part of this, Ofcom publishes research on children’s media use, attitudes and understanding, including its annual Children and Parents: Media Use and Attitudes report.The government has no current plans to publish a separate dataset on media literacy levels among children and young people. We draw on Ofcom’s evidence to inform policy and commission additional research where appropriate. DSIT works closely with Ofcom to share insights, coordinate activity, and ensure research is proportionate and avoids duplication.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability of affordable community spaces for charities and voluntary organisations in a) Essex and b) South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.

Responsibility for the provision and management of community buildings and spaces sits primarily with local authorities and local partners, who are best placed to understand local need and demand. The Department engages more broadly with councils in Essex and the voluntary and community sector through cohesion projects and policy initiatives that can support community infrastructure and resilience, for example, through the Common Ground Awards. This is a capital grant programme that funds voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations in England to improve or equip community spaces that bring people together from different backgrounds. The awards support small-scale building works or equipment purchases to strengthen social cohesion and help communities connect and share space. The Department does not hold data on the number of a) community centres, b) halls and c) shared civic spaces which have closed in the last 3 years. Through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, we are, however, introducing a new community right to buy that will empower communities to take ownership of valued community spaces and protect them for the benefit of the wider community.

Communities and Local Government, what data his Department holds on the number of a) community centres, b) halls and c) shared civic spaces that have closed in the last three years.

Responsibility for the provision and management of community buildings and spaces sits primarily with local authorities and local partners, who are best placed to understand local need and demand. The Department engages more broadly with councils in Essex and the voluntary and community sector through cohesion projects and policy initiatives that can support community infrastructure and resilience, for example, through the Common Ground Awards. This is a capital grant programme that funds voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations in England to improve or equip community spaces that bring people together from different backgrounds. The awards support small-scale building works or equipment purchases to strengthen social cohesion and help communities connect and share space. The Department does not hold data on the number of a) community centres, b) halls and c) shared civic spaces which have closed in the last 3 years. Through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, we are, however, introducing a new community right to buy that will empower communities to take ownership of valued community spaces and protect them for the benefit of the wider community.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to Answer of 17 February 2026 to Question 111407, whether the consultation will include policy proposals relating to the visibility of children’s a) profile images and b) public biographical information.

Our landmark consultation on measures to protect children and enrich their online wellbeing launched on 2nd March. This is open to the public, industry and civil society to respond to. We have also published parent and child versions to ensure all voices are reflected.Measures in the consultation include implementing a minimum age to access certain social media and gaming platforms and limiting children’s access to ‘risky’ functionalities like livestreaming, location sharing and connecting with strangers. Respondents have the opportunity to list any other features they think should be age-restricted, which could include children’s public profile images and biographical information.The consultation closes on 26 May. We will respond by the summer.

What proportion of people in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency have not achieved a grade 4 in a) English and b) Maths by age 19.

The official statistics release 'Level 2 and 3 attainment age 16 to 25' includes numbers and proportions of those achieving GCSE English language and maths by age 19 for those who were recorded in mainstream state-funded schools in year 11, the final year of secondary school. The latest data available is for the 2023/24 academic year, available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/level-2-and-3-attainment-by-young-people-aged-19/2023-24.For South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency, the figures for those who have not achieved a grade 4 in a) English language and b) maths are provided in the table below.YearSouth Basildon and East ThurrockEnglandAcademic year the young person turned 19Number in mainstream state-funded schools in year 11Proportion not achieved GCSE English language by 19Proportion not achieved GCSE maths by 19Proportion not achieved GCSE English language by 19Proportion not achieved GCSE maths by 192023/241,03823.7%30.2%17.1%21.0%2022/231,05225.0%27.4%15.9%19.2%

Pursuant to Answer of 2 February 2026 to Question 109496 on Iron and Steel: Imports, what recent steps he has taken to help increase the availability of UK-produced (a) crude, (b) semi-finished and (c) finished steel.

This government has committed up to £2.5 billion to the sector, in addition to the £500m for Port Talbot and a £400 million increase to the investment at Sheffield Forgemasters, as well as cutting electricity costs, changing procurement rules and working to protect our industry from unfair competition.The steel strategy, to be published in early 2026, will set out a vision for a competitive sector with increased UK based production.These measures benefit producers across the steel supply chain, although in many cases production of crude, semi-finished and finished steel will exist within the same company and site.

Pursuant to Answer of 12th January 2026 to Question 102595 on Logistics: Young People, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Freight Workforce Group for increasing employment in the logistics industry.

The Freight Workforce Group brings together government and industry representatives to monitor workforce trends across the freight and logistics sector and provides a structured forum for employers of all sizes, including small and medium-sized enterprises, to share evidence on skills gaps, barriers to employment and emerging labour market pressures. The Group has been effective in establishing a shared understanding of current employment levels and where action is required across government and industry to support the sector. The Group has identified the need to support more young people into the sector and to build resilience in its workforce and improve employment levels generally by recruiting from under-represented groups. As a result, industry members of the Group have taken the lead in developing guidance aimed at providing the necessary tools and advice to employers to take steps to make this happen. This will be published by the Department in due course.

What estimate she has made of the proportion of the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline funding that will be provided to (a) Essex and (b) South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.

Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline funding is not allocated based on local authorities or constituencies. Rather, investments are made on schemes which deliver the greatest value for money for the national network and are most aligned to the Government’s priorities.

What recent steps she has taken to support the wellbeing of seafarers.

My Department works domestically and internationally to improve seafarer welfare. The UK takes a leading role at the IMO to secure greater protections for seafarers, including at recent meetings on seafarer fatigue and working hours. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency enforces seafarer welfare, including the Seafarers’ Wages Act 2023 which requires seafarers working on international services calling frequently at UK ports to be paid at least the equivalent to UK National Minimum Wage. The Government has also legislated through the Employment Rights Act 2025 to provide for a mandatory seafarers’ charter to protect those working aboard international services frequently calling at UK ports.

What steps she is taking to help ensure that HGV drivers can take rest breaks with appropriate facilities.

Through the HGV parking and driver welfare match funding grant scheme the Department for Transport and industry partners are projected to deliver up to £35.7m of joint investment to enhance truck stops across England. This significant investment is in addition to joint investment by National Highways and industry of up to a further £30 million, aimed at improving lorry parking facilities along the strategic road network. The scheme is supporting operators across 30 counties in England to improve driver facilities such as security measures, toilets, showers, refreshment facilities and increasing lorry parking spaces.

Whether he is taking steps to help reduce levels of imports of Chinese-produced steel.

We seek to protect our steel industry from the impacts of unfair trading practices and global overcapacity, using trade remedies such as anti‑dumping and anti‑subsidy measures alongside the steel safeguard.We are prioritising the development of a robust, evidence-based and effective measure to ensure our domestic sector remains protected following the expiry of the safeguard at the end of June 2026.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to his letter to council leaders on 16 February 2026, whether he has also received legal advice on proceeding with the local elections in Basildon in 2027.

I refer hon. Members to the Secretary of State’s Written Ministerial Statement made on 23 February (HCWS1349). It is a longstanding principle that government does not comment on or publish legal advice.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to his letter to council leaders on 16 February 2026, whether legal advice was considered when the 2025 local elections were postponed.

I refer hon. Members to the Secretary of State’s Written Ministerial Statement made on 23 February (HCWS1349). It is a longstanding principle that government does not comment on or publish legal advice.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to his letter to council leaders on 16 February 2026, whether he plans to publish the legal advice cited in that letter.

I refer hon. Members to the Secretary of State’s Written Ministerial Statement made on 23 February (HCWS1349). It is a longstanding principle that government does not comment on or publish legal advice.