Written questions by Brown-Fuller.

What steps he is taking to (a) increase NHS winter capacity in Chichester constituency for the 2025-26 winter period and (b) enhance public awareness of winter illness prevention.

The National Health Service is already preparing for winter this year with the development and better testing of winter plans. This includes the surge capacity and escalation plans in place across all NHS and urgent care services including Chichester.The UK Health Security Agency publishes the Adverse Weather and Health Plan for England, which sets out a framework for action to protect the population from harm to their health from adverse weather including excess cold.On 20 October 2025, the Department will launch a multimedia campaign encouraging flu vaccination among people with long-term health conditions. This follows September 2025 campaigns promoting vaccination for pregnant women and children of pre-school and school age.

Whether his Department plans to review the NHS Car Parking Guidance.

The Department currently has no plans to review National Health Service car parking guidance. Free hospital car parking is available to groups that are most in-need, including disabled people, frequent outpatient attenders, the parents of sick children staying overnight, and staff working night shifts.

What steps he is taking to reduce delays in NHS ophthalmology services.

We have committed to ensuring that 92% of all patients, across specialties, wait no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment (RTT) by March 2029. As a first step, we have delivered a reduction in the waiting list by over 206,000, having now delivered 5.2 million additional appointments, compared to the previous year. This is more than double our pledge of 2 million extra appointments.In ophthalmology, the current national waiting list stands at 593,646 pathways, with 69.8% of those having waited 18 weeks or less. This marks a 16,630 reduction in the ophthalmology waiting list, and a 3.7 percentage point improvement in patients waiting 18 weeks or less than in June 2024. In June 2024, the ophthalmology waiting list stood at 610,276 pathways, with 66.1% of patients waiting 18 weeks or less.Ophthalmology is the largest outpatient speciality, with over 9.7 million outpatient attendances across 2024/25. Reforms to outpatient care outlined in our Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, are already reducing delays in National Health Service ophthalmology services. We are reducing missed appointments through enhanced two-way communication between hospitals and patients. We are using AI prediction to reduce missed appointments and increasing the use of remote monitoring and patient-initiated follow up where appropriate, to offer patients more flexibility over their care.We will improve the IT connectivity between primary and secondary eye care services, to improve the referral and triage of patients and enable a more integrated approach to delivering eye care. The 10-Year Health Plan will also support more eye care services being delivered in the community, to help create capacity in secondary care by shifting care away from hospitals.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential benefits of creating NHS-approved meal planning kits.

The Department for Health and Social Care and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, alongside other Government departments, are funding research on recipe boxes through the SALIENT food systems trials. The trial is partnering with a commercial recipe box company to understand whether recipe box subscriptions can lead to healthier dietary quality, are feasible and acceptable across the population, and can improve users’ capabilities to prepare food that they value. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.salientfoodtrials.uk/Government dietary advice is encapsulated in the UK national food guide, the Eatwell Guide, which shows how to construct a healthy balanced diet and guides food and drink choices. The guide is aimed at the general population and can be used flexibly regardless of budget or personal dietary requirements. The Department promotes the guide’s principles through platforms such as the NHS.UK website and social marketing campaigns, including Healthier Families and Better Health. Further information about the respective campaigns is available at the following links:https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/The Healthier Families website also contains a selection of healthy recipes for those who are looking for further support in planning healthier meals.

What steps her Department is taking to help tackle the use of smartphones by pupils in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools.

Mobile phones have no place in our schools.Schools should prohibit the use of mobile phones and other smart technology with similar functionality to mobile phones throughout the school day, including during lessons, the time between lessons, breaktimes and lunchtime, as set out in the ‘Mobile phones in schools’ guidance, published in 2024.The department expects all schools to take steps in line with this guidance to ensure mobile phones do not disrupt pupils’ learning.Research from the Children’s Commissioner, with responses from nearly all schools and colleges in England, shows that the overwhelming majority of schools, 99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools, already have policies in place that limit or restrict the use of mobile phones during the school day.

What steps he is taking to (a) improve access to migraine (i) diagnoses and (ii) treatment, (b) increase the availability of long-term specialist care for migraine patients and (c) raise awareness of migraine amongst primary care clinicians.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline, Headaches in over 12s: diagnosis and management, sets out best practice for healthcare professionals in the care, treatment, and support of people who suffer from headaches, including migraine. It aims to improve the recognition and management of headaches and migraine.NICE updated its guideline in June 2025. Updates included a change to the strength of recommendations on treatments for migraine prevention to better reflect the balance between their benefits and harms, and incorporation of relevant technology appraisal guidance for treating and preventing migraine with or without aura.At the national level, there are several initiatives supporting service improvement and better care for patients with migraine, including the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) Programme for Neurology and the RightCare Headache and Migraine Toolkit. The GIRFT programme published a National Speciality Report, which makes several recommendations in relation to improving recognition and diagnosis of migraine by general practitioners. Additionally, the RightCare Toolkit sets out key priorities for improving care for patients with migraine, which includes correct identification and diagnosis of headache disorders.The Royal College of General Practitioners has developed two e-learning modules about migraine and cluster headaches, which aim to raise awareness amongst primary care clinicians about the different types of migraine and their associated symptoms, and how to differentiate.Over the last four years, a new class of drugs, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitors, has been made available on the National Health Service for the prevention and treatment of episodic and chronic migraines. On 15 May 2024, Atogepant became the latest CGRP inhibitor recommended by NICE for use as a preventive medication for the treatment of migraine.A key priority for the Government is to cut waiting lists, including for patients with migraine. We have committed to achieving the NHS Constitutional standard that 92% of patients should wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to treatment by March 2029, including in neurology services. We have reduced the elective waiting list by over 206,000 since July 2024. Between July 2024 and June 2025, we have delivered 5.2 million additional appointments, many of which will have been for patients with migraine.

Whether he plans to (a) review and (b) update NHS Continuing Healthcare.

I have asked my officials to work with partners including NHS England to review how National Health Service Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is being implemented and explore how this could be improved.The Department continues to work with our partners to deliver CHC policy effectively and to ensure that people who are eligible receive it in a timely manner. Integrated care boards, who are responsible for the implementation of CHC with oversight from NHS England, must continue to have regard to our statutory guidance, the National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded Nursing Care. This is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-framework-for-nhs-continuing-healthcare-and-nhs-funded-nursing-care

If she will increase the number of motorcycle test centres.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) keeps the network of its driving test centres under regular review, including those that deliver practical motorcycle tests. There are currently no plans to increase the overall number of driving test centres. DVSA has plans in place to train more motorcycle examiners with the view to increase the volume of motorcycle tests available from the current locations.

With reference to HM Treasury’s consultation on the tax treatment of online gambling, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of harmonising remote betting and gaming duties on (a) turnover in horserace betting, (b) receipts to the Horserace Betting Levy, (c) employment across the racing and racecourse sectors, and (d) Exchequer revenues.

The Government consultation on proposals to simplify the current gambling tax system by merging the three current taxes that cover remote (including online) gambling into one closed on 21 July 2025. Responses are now being analysed and a response to the consultation will be published at Autumn Budget 2025.If any changes are made to gambling duties at a future Budget following the consultation, they will be accompanied by a Tax Information and Impact Note which will set out the expected impacts.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of paying the shortfall when employers are found to have unlawfully failed to contribute to their employee's pensions.

Under the Pensions Act 2008, every employer in the UK must automatically enrol their eligible workers into a qualifying workplace pension scheme and pay the correct pension contributions into that scheme. The independent Pensions Regulator (TPR) has a statutory objective to maximise and enforce employer compliance with Automatic Enrolment obligations. In addition, pension scheme trustees and scheme managers also have a duty to monitor and report material payment failures to TPR. If an employer has failed to provide the correct pension contributions, they are required under Section 38 of the Pensions Act 2008 to address this and make good any shortfall TPR data shows employer compliance is high, with 97% making timely and accurate contributions. If an employee has concerns regarding their workplace pension, such as unpaid contributions, they should raise this with their employer in the first instance. An individual can report their employer to TPR if it is not complying with the law and/or make a complaint to The Pensions Ombudsman (TPO) who can investigate the complaint and provide a remedy if the employer is found to be at fault. TPO, in collaboration with MoneyHelper and TPR, has published a factsheet for customers about this: Workplace pensions – unpaid pension contributions | The Pensions Ombudsman

Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of harmonising remote betting and gaming duties on (a) prize money, (b) racecourse finances, (c) funding for (i) equine welfare and (ii) veterinary research supported by the Horserace Betting Levy and (d) participation and attendance for British horseracing; and what steps she is taking to help protect the sector.

The Government recognises the significant contribution that racing makes to the nation’s economy and sporting landscape.Future proposals on gambling duties are a matter for HM Treasury. Should changes to the tax regime be announced in the Autumn Statement, we expect them to be accompanied by tax and impact notes from HM Treasury, as is standard practice.Horseracing is the only sport in receipt of a direct government-mandated levy which helps to drive improvements in the sport. In financial year 24/25, the Levy raised £108 million for the purposes of supporting horse breeds, advancing veterinary science & education within the industry and facilitating general improvements to the sport.

What progress her Department has made on tackling delays in processing valuations by the teachers' Pension Scheme; and whether her Department is taking steps to put special measures in place for teachers who are unable to finalise divorce settlements until these valuations are made.

As at 4 September 2025, the number of unresolved cash equivalent transfer value (CETV) cases has been reduced to 433 from 3,062 at the end of October 2024. This includes recent CETV applications and as such there will always be a number of outstanding CETV cases at any given time.The scheme administrator is now working through the most complex cases for members who have retired. These cases can currently only be processed clerically and the estimated calculation times are between 20 and 65 hours per case. Therefore, the department is funding IT changes for the scheme administrator that are expected to significantly reduce calculation times.This issue remains a top priority for the department and the scheme administrator, and the above actions are currently expected to result in the delayed CETVs being fully cleared by spring 2026.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to encourage the use of UK-based (a) civil and (b) software engineers by local authorities.

Local authorities are independent employers responsible for the management and organisation of their own workforces.

How many applications for hormone replacement therapy implant licenses were received by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency in the last six months; and what steps he is taking to help ensure an ongoing supply of hormone replacement therapy implant products.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is an executive agency of the Department and regulates medicine, medical devices, and blood components for transfusion in the United Kingdom, with responsibility for ensuring that medicines meet appropriate standards of safety, quality, and efficacy.The MHRA has not received any licence applications in the last six months for a new hormone replacement therapy (HRT) implant product. The MHRA has been working closely with the current importers of the product and is also looking to encourage other applications for a licenced medicinal product. The importer Smartway has assured that there are over 13 months of product in the UK based on the currently available stocks and usage rates.Oestrogen and testosterone HRT implants are not licenced in the UK. The Department is working closely with the MHRA to ensure safe access to these products. The Department has also reached out to specialist importers who can source unlicensed medicines in order to find alternative sources of both HRT implants for UK patients. The Department will continue to work closely with the MHRA and the National Health Service to ensure suitable alternatives are available for patients.

If she will make an assessment of the potential (a) impact of the Lifetime ISA price cap on prospective first-time buyers in the South East and (b) merits of introducing regionalised property caps on Lifetime ISAs.

Data from the latest UK House Price Index shows that while the average price paid by first-time buyers has increased, it is still below the LISA property price cap in all regions of the UK except for London, where the average price paid is affected by boroughs with very high property values.HMRC commits to publishing all research in their Annual Report and Accounts. The findings from all strands of research on the LISA will be published in due course.The Government keeps all aspects of savings tax policy under review.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending (a) free and (b) discounted bus travel to people under the age of 22; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure that young people in rural areas are not excluded from (i) education, (ii) employment and (c) family and community life due to the (A) rising cost of bus fares and (B) reduction of local services.

The government knows how important affordable and reliable bus services are in enabling people to get to education, work and access vital services. On 1 January, we introduced a £3 cap on single bus fares in England outside London to help passengers continue to access cheaper bus services and better opportunities. At the Spending Review we announced the cap would be extended until March 2027.The majority of bus services operate on a commercial basis by private operators, and any decisions regarding the level at which fares are set outside the scope of the £3 bus fare cap are commercial decisions for operators. Bus operators can choose to offer discounted fares for young people, and in the year ending March 2025, youth discounts were offered by at least one commercial bus operator in 73 out of 85 local authority areas in England outside London. The government introduced the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill on 17 December as part of our ambitious plan for bus reform. The Bill will put passenger needs, reliable services and local accountability at the heart of the industry by putting the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England, including in rural areas. The Bill includes a measure on socially necessary services so that local authorities and bus operators have to have regard for alternatives to changing or cancelling services. In addition, we have confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country, of which West Sussex Council was allocated £9.6 million.  Local authorities can use this funding to introduce new bus routes, make services more frequent, protect crucial bus routes and introducing new fares initiatives, including for young people, to reduce the cost of bus travel further. The government reaffirmed its commitment to investing in bus services long-term in this Spending Review. On 11 June, the government confirmed additional funding per year from 2026/27 to maintain and improve bus services, including extending the £3 bus fare cap until March 2027.

What steps he is taking to expand access to weight loss medications through the NHS.

Until recently, the newest obesity medicines liraglutide, under various brand names, semaglutide, under the brand name Wegovy, and tirzepatide, under the brand name Mounjaro, have only been available via the National Health Service through specialist weight management services which are mainly hospital-based. From 23 June, tirzepatide has started to become available in primary care, meaning it can be prescribed by general practitioners, or other competent prescribers. NHS England’s phased rollout within primary care will prioritise those with the greatest clinical need. Approximately 220,000 people are expected to benefit in the first three years of implementation. As part of the rollout plans, the NHS will look at different service models, including digital and community options. New approaches might enable access to be expanded more quickly. Progress will be reviewed in three years, and the roll out will be sped up if possible. In addition, the 10-Year Health Plan sets out our ambition to build on these plans by testing innovative models of delivering weight loss services and treatments to patients. On 12 August we announced an £85 million competition to fund the design and delivery of new community and primary care weight management pathways to support access to interventions such as weight loss medications. We expect tens of thousands of patients to directly benefit from increased access to interventions, such as GLP-1s. This will generate new evidence to inform the future commissioning and rollout of tirzepatide.

If she will (a) limit and (b) regulate the (i) number and (ii) frequency of (A) pleasure and (B) display flights by small aircraft above National Landscapes that are home to protected wildlife.

The Air Navigation Guidance 2017 states that National Parks and Areas of Natural Beauty are designated areas with specific statutory purposes to ensure their continued protection in relation to landscape and scenic beauty. Given the finite amount of airspace available, it will not always be possible to avoid overflying these areas, and there are no legislative requirements to do so. When airspace changes are being considered, the guidance states that local circumstances, including community views on specific areas that should be avoided, should be taken into account where possible. This applies to controlled airspace, although most pleasure flights by small aircraft use uncontrolled airspace, which does not contain restrictions for flying over National Parks and Areas of Natural Beauty. However, all airspace users must follow the Rules of the Air 2007.

Whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of the differing compensation payments for infected blood scandal victims based on whether they contracted HIV or Hepatitis C.

The impact of a Hepatitis infection can range from very mild to very severe, including liver failure and death as a direct result of the infection. In its second interim report, the Infected Blood Inquiry recommended that the compensation scheme should reflect the different impacts of infection by developing severity bandings. The Expert Group provided the Government with clinical advice on the distinctions between these impacts. This meant the Government could set severity bands for Hepatitis infections based on clear clinical markers. As set out in the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Regulations 2025, where someone’s experience of Hepatitis, whether it is historic or in the present day, has been more severe, they will receive more compensation. In its Additional Report, published 9 July, the Inquiry stated that “that tiers are relevant to Hepatitis in a way in which they are not in cases of HIV.”

What assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of safety regulations for the use of (a) limonene and (b) linalool in consumer products.

Limonene and linalool are used in various consumer products including cosmetics and household cleaners. The use of these chemicals in cosmetics is regulated by the UK Cosmetic Regulation and both chemicals are currently included in the list of restricted ingredients for use in cosmetics.Both chemicals are also found in household cleaners, which are regulated by the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR). These regulations require that only safe products can be sold.The government is confident that the current restrictions are sufficient to ensure that products are safe. However, we keep our regulations under review to ensure that products remain safe.