Written questions by Shannon.

When she expects HMRC to bring processing times for A1 forms back within service standards.

Due to increased demand for National Insurance services ahead of the 5 April 2025 deadline for making voluntary contributions, there have been delays in processing A1 applications. As of 2 December 2025:There are around 11,000 digital (online A1) applications outside of service level agreements (SLA). The average wait time is 7 months.Within the above 11,000 figure, there are approximately 4,240 digital (online) CA8421 applications which are outside of SLA. The average wait time is 7 months.There are around 1,300 postal applications outside of SLA. The average wait time is 7 months.Within the above 1,300 figure, there are approximately 430 postal CA8421 applications which are outside of SLA. The average wait time is 7 months. HMRC is aware of the impact of these delays on customers and is taking steps to improve processing times. HMRC is training 700 more National Insurance advisers and expect to meet their SLAs on this work by the end of December 2025. HMRC encourages customers to apply online for A1 certificates as these are quicker to deal with.

How many (a) online and (b) postal CA8421 certificate applications are currently overdue for processing and how long the backlog for applicants is for each.

Due to increased demand for National Insurance services ahead of the 5 April 2025 deadline for making voluntary contributions, there have been delays in processing A1 applications. As of 2 December 2025:There are around 11,000 digital (online A1) applications outside of service level agreements (SLA). The average wait time is 7 months.Within the above 11,000 figure, there are approximately 4,240 digital (online) CA8421 applications which are outside of SLA. The average wait time is 7 months.There are around 1,300 postal applications outside of SLA. The average wait time is 7 months.Within the above 1,300 figure, there are approximately 430 postal CA8421 applications which are outside of SLA. The average wait time is 7 months. HMRC is aware of the impact of these delays on customers and is taking steps to improve processing times. HMRC is training 700 more National Insurance advisers and expect to meet their SLAs on this work by the end of December 2025. HMRC encourages customers to apply online for A1 certificates as these are quicker to deal with.

How many (a) online and (b) postal A1 form applications are currently overdue for processing and how long the backlog for applicants is for each.

Due to increased demand for National Insurance services ahead of the 5 April 2025 deadline for making voluntary contributions, there have been delays in processing A1 applications. As of 2 December 2025:There are around 11,000 digital (online A1) applications outside of service level agreements (SLA). The average wait time is 7 months.Within the above 11,000 figure, there are approximately 4,240 digital (online) CA8421 applications which are outside of SLA. The average wait time is 7 months.There are around 1,300 postal applications outside of SLA. The average wait time is 7 months.Within the above 1,300 figure, there are approximately 430 postal CA8421 applications which are outside of SLA. The average wait time is 7 months. HMRC is aware of the impact of these delays on customers and is taking steps to improve processing times. HMRC is training 700 more National Insurance advisers and expect to meet their SLAs on this work by the end of December 2025. HMRC encourages customers to apply online for A1 certificates as these are quicker to deal with.

If she will ban the use of smart phones in schools.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only. Phones have no place in our schools, and leaders already have the power to ban phones. The department’s guidance on mobile phones in schools, published in February 2024, is clear that schools should prohibit the use of devices with smart technology throughout the school day, including during lessons, transitions and breaks. ​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.

How many diagnoses have been made for diabetes so far in 2025.

The information requested is available from the National Diabetes Audit which provides a count of the number of people with a general practice record of diabetes. The latest published data from the audit for April 2024 to March 2025 is available at the following link:https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/national-diabetes-audit/core-q4-24-25/national-diabetes-audit-nda-2024-25-quarterly-report-for-england-integrated-care-board-icb-primary-care-network-pcn-and-gp-practice

How many people are currently being treated for Mesothelioma.

The latest data for England from Cancer Waiting Times shows that for the month of September 2025 the number of people that started first or subsequent treatment for Mesothelioma after a decision to treat was 168, and the number of people that started their first treatment for Mesothelioma following referral was 107.We have now launched our first Men’s Health Strategy which includes targeted support to address health inequalities in ex-mining and industrial communities, who often face persistent respiratory and cardiovascular disease burdens. We will expand the existing Respiratory Pathways Transformation Fund initiative by investing an additional £1 million to develop targeted case-finding initiatives in former coalfield areas to help us to identify the individuals who need support to access appropriate local services.

How many people have received cochlear implants aged under 18 in each of the last 3 years.

The Department does not hold data on the number of people aged under or over 18 years old who have received cochlear implants in the last three years. However, the Hospital Episode Statistics provide a count of finished consultant episodes where there was any procedure of “cochlear implant”. The following table shows the count of finished consultant episodes where there was any procedure of “cochlear implant” for 2022/23, 2023/24, and 2024/25, broken down by age group:Age group2022/232023/242024/25Zero to 17 year olds44445546918 and over767923889Unknown555Total1,2161,3831,363 This data reflects the number of procedures, as individuals may have multiple admissions for the same procedure within a given period.

How many men between the age of 40 and 50 have been diagnosed with Prostrate cancer in England in each of the last 3 years.

Data on the number of prostate cancer diagnoses is publicly accessible, and the most recently published data is available at the following link:https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/cancer-registration-statistics/england-2023 The three most recently published years of data are 2021, 2022, and 2023. The number of men between the ages of 40 to 49 years old diagnosed with prostate cancer in each of those years is 401, 558, and 624 respectively.

How many people have received cochlear implants aged over 18 in each of the last 3 years.

The Department does not hold data on the number of people aged under or over 18 years old who have received cochlear implants in the last three years. However, the Hospital Episode Statistics provide a count of finished consultant episodes where there was any procedure of “cochlear implant”. The following table shows the count of finished consultant episodes where there was any procedure of “cochlear implant” for 2022/23, 2023/24, and 2024/25, broken down by age group:Age group2022/232023/242024/25Zero to 17 year olds44445546918 and over767923889Unknown555Total1,2161,3831,363 This data reflects the number of procedures, as individuals may have multiple admissions for the same procedure within a given period.

How many adults have received cochlear implants in each of the last 3 years.

The Department does not hold data on the number of people aged under or over 18 years old who have received cochlear implants in the last three years. However, the Hospital Episode Statistics provide a count of finished consultant episodes where there was any procedure of “cochlear implant”. The following table shows the count of finished consultant episodes where there was any procedure of “cochlear implant” for 2022/23, 2023/24, and 2024/25, broken down by age group:Age group2022/232023/242024/25Zero to 17 year olds44445546918 and over767923889Unknown555Total1,2161,3831,363 This data reflects the number of procedures, as individuals may have multiple admissions for the same procedure within a given period.

If he will issued sentencing guidelines for people convicted of supporting Hamas during university protests.

The Government is absolutely clear that support for proscribed organisations is unacceptable. Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000 (TACT) makes it an offence to invite support for; recklessly express support for; or arrange a meeting in support of a proscribed organisation. Section 13 of TACT makes it an offence to wear clothing or carry articles in public, which arouse reasonable suspicion that an individual is a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation, and publish an image of an item of clothing or other article, such as a flag or logo in the same circumstances. Proscription offences can carry a maximum penalty of up to 14 years in prison and/or an unlimited fine.While everyone is entitled to their political opinions, and higher education providers have duties to take reasonably practicable steps to secure freedom of speech and academic freedom within the law, any discussions and protests must be lawful. Inciting others to violence or terrorism is not protected speech. In these instances, we would expect university leaders to take robust action, particularly where there are concerns that a criminal act may have been committed, including reporting crimes to the police.The investigation and prosecution of criminal offences, including determining whether an offence has been committed or not, is a matter for the police and Crown Prosecution Service, which are operationally independent. Sentencing decisions in individual cases are a matter for the independent judiciary.Sentencing guidelines are developed by the Sentencing Council for England and Wales, in fulfilment of its statutory duty to do so. All sentencing courts in England and Wales must follow any sentencing guidelines which are relevant to the offender’s case, unless it is in the interests of justice not to do so (by virtue of section 59 of the Sentencing Code). The court must give reasons when departing from the guidelines.The Sentencing Council has issued a package of guidelines on terrorism offences, including the s.12 TACT offence of support of a proscribed organisation, which provide the Court with guidance on factors that should be considered, which may affect the sentence given. They set out different levels of sentence based on the harm caused and how culpable the offender is. The guidelines also include non-exhaustive lists of aggravating and mitigating factors which can result in an upward or downward adjustment in the sentence. The guidelines can be found online at the Council’s website: https://sentencingcouncil.org.uk/.

What steps her Department plans to take to help ensure young people with special educational needs have transition support post-secondary school.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only. Being supported towards greater independence and employability can be life-transforming for learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). All professionals working with them should share high aspirations and have a good understanding of what support is effective in enabling children and young people to achieve their ambitions. As set out in the SEND Code of Practice, all SEND learners should be prepared for adulthood. This means being prepared in the following four areas:Continuing in education and/or employment.Independent living.Participating in society.Health.The SEND Code of Practice is available in full at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-code-of-practice-0-to-25. Local authorities must plan early for transition, review and update education, health and care plans to reflect post-16 aspirations, consult with providers, secure named provision and ensure impartial advice and support to promote continued participation in education or training.

Whether he has had discussions with the European Union on barriers to selling poppies under the Windsor Framework.

The Government engages with the European Union on a range of issues on a regular basis. I can confirm that there are no barriers to selling poppies in respect of the Poppy Appeal under the Windsor Framework, and the Government has updated the relevant GOV.UK guidance to reflect this.

How many people have received liver transplants in each of the last 3 years in each region.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is the organisation responsible for organ donation in the United Kingdom, they also manage the NHS Organ Donor Register and National Transplant Register.NHSBT publishes an annual Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Activity Report which gives a comprehensive update about organ donors, transplant waiting lists, and transplant activity for the UK for the latest financial year. Section 8.4 of the report details liver transplant activity, data on transplants by country/National Health Service region of residence, in Table 8.8, and by transplant centre, in Table 8.9. NHSBT Annual Activity reports are available at the following link:https://www.odt.nhs.uk/statistics-and-reports/annual-activity-report/

How many people have received cornea transplants aged under 18 in each of the last 3 years.

In the last three years, there has been a total of 469 finished consultant episodes recorded where there was any procedure of ‘other corneal graft procedure’ for patients aged zero to 17 years old, when accounting for activity in English National Health Service hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the private sector. By year there were:195 in 2022/23;138 in 2023/24; and136 in 2024/25.This information has been gathered from the Hospital Episode Statistics dataset, which is published by NHS England.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to improve mental health awareness training for the agricultural sector.

This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only. Defra funds the Farmer Welfare Grant that includes a recipient consortium led by The Farmer Network that is delivering mental health first aid training to those who interact with farmers. Participants reported an almost 100% increase in their knowledge and confidence in discussing mental health. Another recipient, the Lincolnshire Rural Support Network are also delivering farmer specific mental health awareness and first aid sessions to the sector. Furthermore, the department is also increasing awareness of mental health training opportunities by signposting resources to our customers and supporting the rollout of training for our staff who directly engage with individuals in the sector.

What assessment she has made of trends in the level of waiting times for firearms licensing.

The issuing of firearms certificates, resourcing of firearms licensing teams and the efficiency of police forces is a matter for individual Chief Officers of Police and Police and Crime Commissioners. In the interests of consistency and transparency, the National Policing Chiefs Council Lead for Firearms Licensing has published performance data for firearms licensing teams in all forces. This includes performance against a target for forces to complete applications for the grant or renewal of firearm and shotgun certificates within four months, unless there are concerns about the suitability of the applicant.Working with the National Policing Chiefs Council Lead for Firearms Licensing, we continue to review the licensing performance of all forces and we will continue to engage with individual Chief Officers and Police and Crime Commissioners where there are specific concerns about any forces’ performance.

What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to increase levels of funding for veteran support centres in Northern Ireland.

VALOUR is a new national programme designed to make it easier for veterans across the UK to access the care and support they deserve. Led by the Office for Veterans' Affairs (OVA) within the Ministry of Defence, it aims to improve how services are coordinated at national, regional and local levels, ensuring veterans get the right support, in the right place, at the right time.A network of VALOUR recognised centres across the UK will facilitate access to multiple services for veterans in one place. £27 million in development funding for VALOUR recognised centres has been made available, with funds being issued on behalf of the OVA through the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. I encourage organisations in Northern Ireland to apply to for this funding.Veteran support organisations in Northern Ireland already benefit from other Government funding streams. Beyond the Battlefield has received £325,000 through the Veterans Capital Housing Fund and Reducing Veteran Homelessness Programme to support its wraparound care service and facilitate the provision of a 24/7 support network. The Northern Ireland Thrive Together Programme, meanwhile, which is led by Brooke House Health and Wellbeing Centre, has received a grant of £765,000 to support its Veterans' Pathway Project and the establishment of six locality-based hubs.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of trends in the level of global milk demand.

The Uk Agricultural Market Monitoring Group which was established by Defra and the Devolved Governments under the Devolution Framework is responsible for the oversight and monitoring of the UK agriculture market. This includes a review of prices, production, inputs and trade covering an assessment of current and future global demand for dairy products. The current position indicates broadly stable demand for dairy across the world alongside continued rising supply and falling prices.

What steps he is taking to raise awareness of the health impact of the long term use of marijuana.

The Department is committed to reducing the harm from all illicit drugs. Any illegal drug use, including cannabis, can be harmful, due to both the immediate side-effects and long-term physical and mental health problems. Cannabis use can contribute to and exacerbate existing mental health problems or can accelerate their development in people predisposed to mental health problems.Taking cannabis in any form is risky. For instance, vaping supposed tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) may increase the risk of users unwittingly consuming more dangerous substances like synthetic cannabinoids. Where there are incidents of synthetic cannabinoids in THC vapes, the local authority public health team and the police force should take action with partners to warn and protect their communities. The Department is tracking reports nationally and its regional teams are providing localised warnings and support.The Department has recently launched a media campaign to raise awareness of the risks posed by new drug trends and products, including the adulteration of ‘THC’ vapes with other drugs like synthetic cannabinoids. Furthermore, statutory guidance on relationships, sex, and health education requires all primary and secondary schools to ensure that pupils know the key facts and risks associated with alcohol and drug use, as well as how to manage influences and pressure, and keep themselves healthy and safe. The Department has worked with the Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education Association to develop lesson plans on alcohol and drugs and has commissioned an update of the resources to be published later this year.The Government will continue to work with our partners to discourage drug use and to alert people, particularly young people, to the potential dangers of cannabis. The Government has a drug information and advice service called Talk to FRANK, which aims to reduce drug misuse and its harms by increasing awareness, particularly for young people and parents. FRANK offers easy to read information on the risks of using cannabis and basic harm reduction advice. Information on cannabis is available at the following link:https://www.talktofrank.com/drug/cannabis(opens%20in%20a%20new%20tab)