Written questions by Shannon.

What steps he is taking to help ensure that primary care staff delivering the Steps to Safety domestic abuse project are supported with effective referral routes to (a) other parts of the NHS and (b) specialist domestic abuse voluntary sector organisations.

As part of the cross-Government Violence Against Women and Girls strategy, the Department has committed to roll-out a domestic abuse and sexual violence referral service, Steps to Safety, across integrated care boards. This will ensure that general practices (GPs) in every area of England can connect victims and survivors with specialist services. The ambition is that by 2029 there will be national provision of Steps to Safety which will include:training to all staff in the GPs so they can identify and respond to domestic abuse and sexual violence;a specialist support worker linked to a group of practices to support GP staff and support and advocate for victims; andclear links with local specialist domestic abuse voluntary sector services to refer people into.

Whether his Department is taking steps to provide network of support to GPs for enquiring about domestic abuse.

As part of the cross-Government Violence Against Women and Girls strategy, the Department has committed to roll-out a domestic abuse and sexual violence referral service, Steps to Safety, across integrated care boards. This will ensure that general practices (GPs) in every area of England can connect victims and survivors with specialist services. The ambition is that by 2029 there will be national provision of Steps to Safety which will include:training to all staff in the GPs so they can identify and respond to domestic abuse and sexual violence;a specialist support worker linked to a group of practices to support GP staff and support and advocate for victims; andclear links with local specialist domestic abuse voluntary sector services to refer people into.

Media and Sport, whether she has plans to financially aid or support local leisure facilities, and is this doable with local government making cuts to services.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring public access to leisure facilities which are vital 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, we committed another £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 the public leisure sector, sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what communities need, before setting out further plans on how future funding will be allocated.

What his planned timetable is for the implementation of the Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework in (a) community care, (b) primary care, and (c) secondary care.

The Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework (CVD MSF) will be published later this year.The Department and NHS England are working together to deliver the CVD MSF, and as part of this, are considering how the modern service framework can be implemented in the community, as well as parts of primary and secondary care.Wide engagement with stakeholders is underway to co-produce the CVD MSF, ensuring that experts, people, and communities are at the heart of its development.

When he expects to publish the Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework; and if he will set out the planned timetable for its implementation.

The Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework (CVD MSF) will be published later this year.The Department and NHS England are working together to deliver the CVD MSF, and as part of this, are considering how the modern service framework can be implemented in the community, as well as parts of primary and secondary care.Wide engagement with stakeholders is underway to co-produce the CVD MSF, ensuring that experts, people, and communities are at the heart of its development.

Media and Sport, how the monies raised through the statutory gambling levy is being allocated; and if they will publish a breakdown of spending by (a) prevention, (b) treatment, (c) innovation and (d) research into gambling-related harms.

This year the statutory levy has raised just under £120 million, which will be ringfenced solely for the use of tackling gambling-related harm. Details on how this has been allocated are available in this Written Ministerial Statement.DCMS will publish an Annual Report setting out each year how levy funds have been spent. We expect the first Annual Report to be published this summer.

What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the UK-UAE Illicit Finance Partnership Agreement.

The UK–UAE Illicit Finance Partnership is overseen at Ministerial level, including through an annual Illicit Finance Ministerial Dialogue which reviews effectiveness.The UK-UAE Illicit Finance Dialogue in September 2025 was successful in reaffirming both countries' commitment to tackling illicit finance flows, strengthening joint efforts across operational, policy, and strategic outcomes in the Partnership.

What steps she is taking to protect businesses and investors from fraud where individuals found liable by UK courts are resident overseas.

The Government is committed to tackling fraud, a key aspect in ensuring that the UK is a strong place for investment. As detailed in Economic Crime Plan 2023-2026, the Government is working to strengthen international standards and build partnerships with overseas financial centres to reduce the threat international illicit finance, including fraud, poses to the UK. Agencies including HMRC, the Serious Fraud Office, and the National Crime Agency collaborate with overseas partners on this. The upcoming Fraud Strategy will detail the Government’s plans to prevent fraud and protect the public beyond 2026.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the trends in the level of the tv license.

As of 1 April 2026, the annual cost of the colour TV licence will increase by £5.50, in line with CPI inflation. This uplift will provide the BBC with a stable financial footing to continue delivering for audiences and supporting the wider creative industries.Under the 2022 Licence Fee Settlement, the cost of the licence fee was frozen for two years and then required to increase annually in line with CPI inflation until the end of the current Charter Period (2027). The Culture Secretary committed to increasing the licence fee in line with CPI annually for the remainder of this Charter Period in a Written Ministerial Statement in 2024.As part of the Charter Review, the government is looking at a range of options to ensure the BBC’s funding model is sustainable while also being fair and affordable for households.

What progress he has made on meeting the 18-week treatment target in the Elective Reform Plan.

The Elective Reform plan set out that the Government is committed to returning to the National Health Service constitutional standard that 92% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to consultant-led treatment, by March 2029. Additionally, NHS England’s Operational Planning Guidance for 2025/26 set a target that 65% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks by the end of March 2026.To achieve this, we expect the size of the total waiting list to reduce and have already made significant progress. As of December 2025, the waiting list had reduced by over 330,000 since the Government came into office. This is despite 31.7 million referrals onto the waiting list. Performance against the referral to treatment standard had improved by 2.7% over the same period, reaching 61.5%.This has been supported by the delivery of 5.2 million additional appointments between July 2024 and June 2025 compared to the previous year, more than double the Government’s pledge of two million. This marked a vital first step towards delivering the constitutional standard.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to tackle economic drivers of conflict in the world.

The UK is working closely with international financial institutions (IFIs) to better understand economic drivers of conflict, including enhancing the use of analytics to anticipate potential conflict, and ensuring timely, effective and conflict sensitive interventions.The World Bank and other IFIs, working as effectively as possible with other actors such as the United Nations, the private sector, civil society and governments, bring valuable expertise and investment to address key drivers of fragility and conflict, improving employment and livelihoods, natural resource management, access to essential services and governance. This is why the UK put our critical influence and Board position at the World Bank to improve their focus and strategy on fragile and conflict-affected states, which enables stronger delivery at scale in these countries.

Media and Sport, whether any further financial support is planned for individuals in the culture and arts sector.

The Government believes that British artists and creators are second-to-none and is committed to giving them security and a regulatory and fiscal environment where creativity can flourish. Arts Council England, a Department for Culture, Media and Sport arm’s length body, receives grant-in-aid funding and money from National Lottery Good Causes to enable it to fund individuals and organisations in the culture and arts sector.Arts Council England currently provides a number of funds open to individuals including National Lottery Project Grants and Developing Your Creative Practice. Arts Council England expects to launch the next round of Developing Your Creative Practice in April 2026. Between rounds of Developing Your Creative Practice, Arts Council England introduced dedicated R&D funding for individuals, as part of the National Lottery Project Grants under £30,000 strand.

How much (a) his Department and (b) NHS England have spent on (i) Part IX, Value-Based Procurement and (ii) the MedTech Commercial Strategy reforms.

The Department and NHS England have spent:£1,067,157.34 directly on Part IX of the Drug Tariff, including VAT where applicable. This covers the period 2024/25 and planned spend up until the end of the 2025/26 financial year;£225,189 on Value Based Procurement during the current financial year, including VAT where applicable. This figure includes planned spend up until the end of the 2025/26 financial year. No spend on Value Based Procurement was identified during the 2024/25 financial year; and£120,000 planned direct spend for the Medtech Commercial Strategy, including VAT where applicable. This includes planned spend up until the end of the 2025/26 financial year.These figures do not include the Department and NHS England staff time.

How many people living in England are (a) blind and (b) partially sighted, broken down by age.

The specific data requested is not held centrally, however the Registered Blind and Partially Sighted People data collection provides national statistics on individuals in England with a Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI) who are on local authority registers. A CVI formally certifies someone as sight impaired or as severely sight impaired. The latest figures are from 2022/23 and can be found at the following link:https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/registered-blind-and-partially-sighted-people/registered-blind-and-partially-sighted-people-england-2022-23As of 31 March 2023, there were 268,500 people registered as blind and partially sighted in England. The following table shows the number of people registered as blind/severely sight impaired, as of 31 March 2023, broken down by age:0 to 45 to 1718 to 4950 to 6465 to 7475 and over4203,73018,53019,72515,10075,810 In addition, the following table shows the number of people registered as partial sight/sight impaired persons, as of 31 March 2023, broken down by age:0 to 45 to 1718 to 4950 to 6465 to 7475 and over4305,92017,65016,92014,11580,150

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the long-term financial and psychological impact of blood cancer on patients.

It is a priority for the Government and the National Health Service to support people who are living with cancer, and for those people who have been through cancer treatment.Through the National Cancer Plan, we will improve experiences and outcomes for people living with and beyond cancer. Every cancer patient will receive a tailored support plan, covering treatment, mental health, and employment support. Every patient will also have a named neighbourhood care lead to coordinate their care and support after treatment. We will support patients to stay in and return to work through Health and Growth Accelerators and a new employer collaborative, in partnership with cancer charities, the NHS, and the Government.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of age-based eligibility criteria for free school milk on (a) educational and (b) health inequalities.

The Nursery Milk Scheme (NMS) is a statutory scheme which allows early years childcare settings to reclaim the cost of providing one-third of a pint of milk per day to children under the age of five years old who attend a setting for two or more hours per day.The NHS Business Services Authority, which delivers the NMS on behalf of the Department, does not hold data relating to the number of children who became ineligible for free milk as a result of the age eligibility cut-off of the NMS.There are no plans to extend eligibility for the NMS to cover children until the end of the academic year, during which they reach their fifth birthday. However, the School Food Standards provide that milk must be available in schools for those who want it at least once a day during school hours. Separate legislation allows pupils who are eligible for free school meals to continue to receive free milk at school after the age of five years old. Free school meal eligibility will be expanded from September 2026 to more disadvantaged children, leading to higher attainment, improved behaviour, and better outcomes. As eligibility widens, more children will be able to access free milk.

How many children became ineligible for free school milk as a result of the age eligibility cut-off of the Nursery Milk Scheme in the last 12 months.

The Nursery Milk Scheme (NMS) is a statutory scheme which allows early years childcare settings to reclaim the cost of providing one-third of a pint of milk per day to children under the age of five years old who attend a setting for two or more hours per day.The NHS Business Services Authority, which delivers the NMS on behalf of the Department, does not hold data relating to the number of children who became ineligible for free milk as a result of the age eligibility cut-off of the NMS.There are no plans to extend eligibility for the NMS to cover children until the end of the academic year, during which they reach their fifth birthday. However, the School Food Standards provide that milk must be available in schools for those who want it at least once a day during school hours. Separate legislation allows pupils who are eligible for free school meals to continue to receive free milk at school after the age of five years old. Free school meal eligibility will be expanded from September 2026 to more disadvantaged children, leading to higher attainment, improved behaviour, and better outcomes. As eligibility widens, more children will be able to access free milk.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending the free school milk entitlement through the Nursery Milk Scheme to the end of the academic year in which a child turns five.

The Nursery Milk Scheme (NMS) is a statutory scheme which allows early years childcare settings to reclaim the cost of providing one-third of a pint of milk per day to children under the age of five years old who attend a setting for two or more hours per day.The NHS Business Services Authority, which delivers the NMS on behalf of the Department, does not hold data relating to the number of children who became ineligible for free milk as a result of the age eligibility cut-off of the NMS.There are no plans to extend eligibility for the NMS to cover children until the end of the academic year, during which they reach their fifth birthday. However, the School Food Standards provide that milk must be available in schools for those who want it at least once a day during school hours. Separate legislation allows pupils who are eligible for free school meals to continue to receive free milk at school after the age of five years old. Free school meal eligibility will be expanded from September 2026 to more disadvantaged children, leading to higher attainment, improved behaviour, and better outcomes. As eligibility widens, more children will be able to access free milk.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the the potential merits of using the private rented sector to fulfil the statutory duty to homeless households.

High-quality accommodation in the private rented sector plays an important role in councils discharging their homelessness duties. In England in 2024/25, 52,870 households had their prevention or relief duty ended with accommodation secured in the private rented sector, and 4,070 households had their main duty ended having accepted a private rented sector offer.

Whether he will review the mileage allowance for health and social care staff.

Mileage rates for Agenda for Change staff and resident doctors in England are set out in the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service (TCS) Handbook, also known as the Agenda for Change handbook. The TCS is maintained by the NHS Staff Council. Mileage reimbursement rates in England are reviewed twice a year in April and November.The outcome of the last review in November 2025 resulted in reimbursement rates reducing due to sustained decreases in fuel prices for the 12-month period ending in October 2025. Reimbursement rates dropped to 56 pence per mile for the first 3,500 miles claimed before dropping to 21 pence per mile thereafter. The revised rates apply to mileage incurred from 1 January 2026 onwards.