Written questions by Kirkham.

Whether his Department considers clinical nursing care delivered in education settings to constitute NHS healthcare for which Integrated Care Boards hold commissioning responsibility under existing statutory duties.

The Government is committed to delivering the healthiest generation of children ever.  The National Health Service is responsible for meeting the health needs of children and young people diagnosed with an illness or medical condition, including long term conditions.On 5 February Standardising community health services – core component descriptions was published, and is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/standardising-community-health-services-core-component-descriptions/It includes the core components of a special school nursing service and community children's nursing service. This document is primarily to support integrated care boards’ strategic commissioning of Community Health Services.Within this document, NHS England outlines the core responsibilities of these services, including their role in supporting children with medical conditions to access education settings.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that contracts for Trinity House multi-function vessels are awarded to UK shipyards.

Trinity House is the contracting authority for this contract. It is following the requirements of the Procurement Act 2023 which include a fair, open and transparent competition allowing all eligible suppliers to compete on an equal basis. This competition is the perfect opportunity for UK yards to demonstrate their strengths, skills and competitiveness on an international stage. Regardless of which supplier is ultimately awarded the contract, this programme will also generate significant value for the UK through ongoing maintenance, support services and sub-contracting opportunities. We are continuing to support the growth of the UK shipbuilding industry through the excellent work of the National Shipbuilding Office.

Food and Rural Affairs, when she plans to publish the response to the Stage 3 consultation on managing bottom trawl fishing in 41 English marine protected areas.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Ely and East Cambridgeshire on 13 November 2025, PQ 88509.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of using empty school classrooms for health services.

As set out in our Education Estates Strategy, to support strategic planning at a local level, we will work with the sector to develop a decision-making framework for the use of mainstream school space through demographic change.This will ensure that we are balancing the opportunities created by the current fall in birth rates, including delivery of priorities such as support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and Best Start Family Hubs, with a collective view on the long-term risks. This will be informed by new pathfinders to pilot flexible use of surplus spaces for join up with Best Start Family Hubs, housing, neighbourhood health service and youth centres and will build on the success of the school-based nursery programme, which is delivering thousands of nursery places to support children to get the best start in life.

When the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation will next consider the potential merits of offering the Meningitis B vaccine to teenagers on the NHS.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) meningococcal sub-committee have met several times over 2024 and 2025 to discuss the meningococcal vaccination programme. In June 2025, the sub-committee noted that when available, they would like to review a model evaluating the impact of the Meningitis B (MenB) vaccination when given in a teenage programme in a two-dose schedule, including impact on meningococcal disease and gonorrhoea.In 2013, the JCVI advised that the cost-effectiveness of an adolescent MenB vaccination programme would be dependent on the impact of the vaccine on protection against meningococcal carriage, which was uncertain at the time. Since this advice was published, the JCVI has continued to review the MenB vaccination programme. Recent evidence, discussed by the JCVI meningococcal sub-committee in March 2025, indicated that MenB vaccination in adolescents has little to no effect on meningococcal carriage.

What steps his Department is taking to help prevent teenagers and young adults from contracting Meningitis B.

Meningococcal disease is rare, and the incidence has declined over the last two decades following the introduction of vaccines targeting meningococcal disease including the MenACWY teenage vaccination programme.There is no current Meningitis B (MenB) vaccination programme for teenagers and young adults.The importance of raising awareness in parents, teenagers and other adults about the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia remains key. There are a range of resources developed by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), co-branded with the National Health Service, that set out these key messages and their importance, such as the teenage guide to immunisation. The guide is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immunisations-for-young-peopleThe UKHSA collaboratively produces a university vaccine communications toolkit. This is shared with the distribution lists of Universities UK and the Association of Managers of Student Services in Higher Education (AMOSSHE), and is available at the following link:https://find-public-health-resources.service.gov.uk/University%20vaccine%20communications%20toolkit/UNI24In addition, United Kingdom guidance on the public health management of meningococcal disease provides clear advice on the management of confirmed and probable cases of invasive meningococcal disease, including MenB, to minimise onward transmission and further associated cases. This guidance is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/meningococcal-disease-guidance-on-public-health-management

How many women have been affected by faulty PIP breast implants in Truro and Falmouth constituency.

The Breast and Cosmetic Implant Registry (BCIR), set up in 2016, collects all implant data, and explant data where possible.Practically, it is always difficult and often impossible to identify a model and product code on an explant. If explanted devices, or patients undergoing explant, cannot be linked to data collected at time of implant, then this often reduces explant data to 'patient, surgeon, location, date'. This in turn makes it impossible to monitor trends in explant/failure.NHS England is in the process of clarifying and mandating the detail required in the BCIR and other device-related collections. This will place a greater responsibility on trusts to either identify a device at the point of explant, or to identify the device from internal trust records created during the same patient's implant procedure.This will only be possible if the implant and explant are performed at the same trust. It is then the intention of NHS England to provide the same matching service for implant/explant where the trusts differ.This solution will, when implemented, give a full, proactive picture of device longevity/risk, for the purposes of research and surveillance, alongside the existing ability to identify patients affected by a device recall notice.Alongside this work, as part of the its reforms to the Medical Devices Regulations 2002, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has introduced updated requirements for the post-market surveillance of medical devices, including implants, enabling both the manufacturer and the MHRA to identify issues with medical devices more easily and where necessary, for the MHRA to take fast action to safeguard public health.Later this year, the MHRA intends to introduce a requirement for clinicians to provide patients with an implant card and information regarding any warnings, precautions, or measures to be taken by the patient or healthcare professional. This will strengthen transparency and support patients in understanding their implants.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with her Nigerian counterpart on attacks on civilians in Benue and Nasarawa states. Nigeria.

I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement of 27 November 2025.

What steps his Department will take to ensure high levels of UK content in tidal stream projects.

The Government continues to engage with the tidal stream industry to support high levels of UK content in projects, which currently stands at around 80 per cent, including through the Marine Energy Taskforce’s sub group on supply chains.

What steps are being taken to encourage the use of a surgical robot in Cornwall, in the context of it being the only region in England and Wales without one.

Our 10-Year Health Plan commits to expanding surgical robot adoption over the next decade. We recognise the importance of ensuring equitable access and we will establish national registries for robotic surgery data from 2029 and develop telesurgery networks to support geographical equity of access to robotic assisted surgery.Decisions on the procurement of robotic‑assisted surgery are made locally by NHS trusts and integrated care boards, in line with local need and national guidance. The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) has a robotic surgery programme as a commitment in their refreshed 10-year strategy, which was approved at the RCHT Board on 8 January 2026.

When guidance on clinical delegation will be published.

The regulators of registered healthcare professionals, including the General Medical Council (GMC) and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), are independent of the Government, are directly accountable to Parliament, and are responsible for operational matters concerning the discharge of their statutory duties. The United Kingdom’s model of healthcare professional regulation is founded on the principle of regulators operating independently from the Government.The GMC has published the guidance ‘Delegation and referral’ while the NMC has published its guidance ‘Delegation and accountability’. Both regulators expect their registrants to follow the appropriate guidance when delegating clinical work.

When draft updated statutory guidance on supporting pupils with medical conditions will be published.

The government has committed to ensuring that schools are equipped to support pupils with medical conditions effectively and inclusively. The current statutory guidance, ‘Supporting pupils at school with medical conditions,’ will be updated to reflect best practice and recent developments.We intend to consult later this year on revised guidance. This consultation will seek views from schools, parents, health professionals, and other stakeholders on proposals to strengthen how schools meet their duties, including improvements to allergy safety and broader medical condition management.Our aim is to ensure that every child can access education safely and confidently, regardless of their health needs.

Communities and Local Government, for what reason he proposes the inclusion of holiday lets within the Energy Performance Certificate regime; and whether sector-specific data, including occupancy patterns, energy consumption profiles, and seasonal variations, has been analysed prior to progressing towards regulation.

EPCs help owners better understand the energy performance of their buildings and identify opportunities to improve them. We consulted on proposals to regulate short-term rental properties to have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) at the point of being let, irrespective of whether the occupier is responsible for energy costs, to provide clarity on existing guidance for when furnished holiday lets require EPCs.The impact assessment published alongside our consultation (accessible here: Reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings regime: impact assessment) considered the effects of our proposals for short-term and holiday lets. We are analysing responses to the consultation, including from the short-term let sector, and will publish the Government’s response to the consultation in due course.

How many and what proportion of children's homes that are privately owned and operated.

As at 31 March 2025, 84% (3,360) of all children’s homes were privately owned and operated. Ofsted publish annual data on children’s social care in England. This includes data on the number of homes and the different types of social care providers. The latest data is available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/childrens-social-care-in-england-2025. The government is taking forward work to reshape the children’s social care placement’s market, including increasing the number of foster carers so that more children can be looked after in family-based environments and encouraging more non-profit, local authority, and social investment backed providers to enter the market.

Whether the dependents of doctors eligible for the earned settlement scheme will be able to qualify for faster settlement routes.

The earned settlement model, proposed in A Fairer Pathway to Settlement, is currently subject to a public consultation, running until 12 February 2026. A Fairer Pathway to Settlement proposes a reduction in qualifying period for settlement for those in public service occupations. However, full details of the earned settlement scheme, including treatment of dependants, will be finalised following that consultation.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of changing the inflation indexation calculation for the Renewable Obligation (RO) and Feed-in Tariffs (FiT) schemes from the Retail Price Index (RPI) to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) on existing renewable-energy system owners.

The Government has consulted on proposed changes to how support provided through the Feed-in Tariffs and Renewable Obligation schemes is adjusted for inflation. The consultation was accompanied by an analytical annex which set out the potential impacts of the policy. Updated analysis will be published alongside the Government Response next year.

What the sum of money was resulting from a) deductions and b) sanctions applied to Universal Credit claims in Truro and Falmouth constituency in the most recent 12 months for which data is available.

a) The Deductions policy in Universal Credit (UC) is to support customers by providing a repayment method for arrears of essential services, such as, housing, electricity, and gas and enable customers with a child maintenance liability meet their obligation to make child maintenance payments. The deductions policy also enables obligations, such as, paying Court Fines and Council Tax arrears to be enforced when other repayment methods have failed, or are not cost effective, and ensures that benefit debt is recovered in a cost-effective manner.From April 2025 the Government introduced the Fair Repayment Rate which reduced the level of deduction taken from Universal Credit from 25% to 15%, and meant that 1.2m households retained on average £420 per year enabling these UC households to have more of their award to meet their day-to-day needs.Universal Credit deductions statistics are published quarterly with the latest figures available in table 6, row 491 in Universal Credit deductions statistics, September 2024 to August 2025, supplementary data tables, at Universal Credit statistics, 29 April 2013 to 9 October 2025 - GOV.UKb) The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Whether he has assessed the potential merits of introducing paid bereavement leave.

The loss of a loved one is one of the hardest things a person can experience. This is why we have introduced a new right to bereavement leave in the Employment Rights Bill which will be available to those grieving the loss of a loved one, including pregnancy loss before 24 weeks. The Bill deals with the introduction of leave only, and we are consulting further on the detail of the entitlement to ensure it supports employees while remaining proportionate for employers. It will remain at employers' discretion to offer pay, as many already do.

What progress she has made on the automatic registration of eligible children for free school meal entitlements.

This government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity and tackling child poverty. Introducing a new eligibility threshold for free school meals so that all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit will be eligible for free school meals from September 2026 will make it easier for parents to know whether they are entitled to receive free meals. This new entitlement will mean over 500,000 of the most disadvantaged children will begin to access free meals, pulling 100,000 children out of poverty. The department is also rolling out improvements to the Eligibility Checking System which will make it easier for local authorities, schools and parents to check if children are eligible for free meals.

With reference to his Department's policy paper on the UK methane action plan, published on 29 October 2025, what his planned timeline is for implementing a transitional support mechanism for landfill gas to energy operators supported by the RO scheme.

Government is aware that support under the Renewables Obligation (RO) scheme will end for existing landfill gas generators from April 2027, which could affect the commercial viability of these generators. We recognise the importance of providing commercial clarity to the sector and will provide an update in the new year. That is why, as set out in the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan, Government is exploring the implementation of long-term methane capture schemes, with suitable transitional arrangements. We recognise the importance of providing commercial clarity to the sector and will provide an update in the new year.