Written questions by Shannon.

What steps is she taking to tackle racist attacks on community centres; and what discussions she has had with the devolved Administrations on this matter.

We have a strong legal framework in place to deal with the perpetrators of racist and other forms of hate crime and expect the perpetrators of these abhorrent offences to be brought to justice.

What mechanisms exist with her counterpart in the Northern Ireland Executive for (a) communication and (b) support to ensure immigration legislation is applied consistently.

Nationality, Immigration and Asylum are excepted matters under the Northern Ireland (NI) devolution settlement, and the Home Office works closely with the NI Executive on areas where Nationality, Immigration and Asylum matters impact on transferred matters that are the NI Executive’s responsibility.Everyone entering the UK, regardless of where they enter from, is required to meet UK immigration requirements. Anyone identified attempting to circumvent UK border controls is liable to be detained and, if they are not lawfully present within the UK, removed.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the devolved Administrations on improving water safety.

Defra works closely with the devolved Governments on a range of shared priorities and will discuss any relevant matters as necessary, including at meetings of the Interministerial Group (EFRA).

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking with her counterparts in the devolved Administrations to promote staycations.

While tourism in Wales, Scotland and Ireland is devolved to the respective Governments and tourism bodies, VisitBritain retains responsibility for marketing Great Britain on the international stage. Its GREAT-funded international marketing campaign launched at the beginning of this year. ‘Starring GREAT Britain’ uses the hook of Britain’s rich film and television history to encourage more international visitors to explore across Great Britain. Staycations are by definition the responsibility of the devolved Administrations.

How many people are currently being treated in hospital for (a) anorexia and (b) other eating disorders.

It is not possible to identify the number of people currently in receipt of hospital treatment for eating disorders such as anorexia, as hospital episode statistics data is collected several weeks in arrears.

What steps he is taking to promote public awareness of (a) sarcoma and (b) its symptoms.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given to the Hon. Member on 23 January 2025 to Question 24851.

What steps he is taking to encourage young girls to attend smear tests.

The NHS Cervical Screening Programme in England provides all women and people with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 64 years old with the opportunity to be screened routinely to detect human papillomavirus (HPV) infection or cervical abnormalities at an early, more treatable stage. The screening test does not look for cancer, but for HPV, which causes nearly all cervical cancers. As it takes approximately ten years for HPV to cause cancerous cells, it is rare for women below the age of 25 years old to develop cervical cancer. This is why the age limit is set as it is.NHS England launched its first ever cervical cancer elimination creative campaign and communications toolkit for Cervical Screening Awareness Week, which took place between 16 and 24 June 2025. The campaign included digital resources that create a strong sense of shared responsibility and aim to increase awareness of the elimination goal, educate the public, and build confidence in cervical screening. In March 2025, NHS England published its Cervical cancer elimination plan by 2040 – plan for England, setting out how the National Health Service will improve equitable uptake and coverage across cervical screening to meet the goal to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. NHS England will build on what is already working well to drive vaccination and screening uptake and coverage, focussing on five cross-cutting themes: increasing access; raising awareness; reducing inequalities; improving digital capabilities; and strengthening workforce capacity. Further information on the Cervical cancer elimination plan by 2040 – plan for England is available at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/cervical-cancer-elimination-by-2040-plan-for-england/ From early 2026, screening providers in the NHS Cervical Screening Programme in England will be able to offer HPV self-sampling kits to women if they have not attended their appointment for six months or more following routine invitation.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of trends in the level of the cost of travel insurance abroad for people diagnosed with cancer.

Insurers make commercial decisions about the terms on which they will offer cover following an assessment of the relevant risks. For example, the existence of pre-existing medical conditions may represent an increased risk. However, the Government is determined that insurers should treat customers fairly and firms are required to do so under Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules. The FCA requires firms to ensure their products offer fair value (i.e. if the price a consumer pays for a product or service is reasonable compared to the overall benefits they can expect to receive). The FCA is clear that it monitors firms to ensure they provide products that are fair value, and, where necessary, it will take action. It is worth noting that different insurers may take a different view of the relevant factors in determining the price of insurance based on their differing claims experience. Since some specialist travel insurers may be more equipped to provide cover for consumers with pre-existing medical conditions, the government would encourage consumers to shop around for the most suitable cover at the best price. To support consumers in accessing travel insurance, the FCA also requires travel insurers to signpost consumers to a directory of specialist providers if they are declined cover, offered cover with an exclusion, or charged a significantly higher premium based on their pre-existing medical conditions.

What steps he is taking to encourage young women to attend cervical cancer screenings.

The NHS Cervical Screening Programme in England provides all women and people with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 64 years old with the opportunity to be screened routinely to detect human papillomavirus (HPV) infection or cervical abnormalities at an early, more treatable stage. The screening test does not look for cancer, but for HPV, which causes nearly all cervical cancers. As it takes approximately ten years for HPV to cause cancerous cells, it is rare for women below the age of 25 years old to develop cervical cancer. This is why the age limit is set as it is.NHS England launched its first ever cervical cancer elimination creative campaign and communications toolkit for Cervical Screening Awareness Week, which took place between 16 and 24 June 2025. The campaign included digital resources that create a strong sense of shared responsibility and aim to increase awareness of the elimination goal, educate the public, and build confidence in cervical screening. In March 2025, NHS England published its Cervical cancer elimination plan by 2040 – plan for England, setting out how the National Health Service will improve equitable uptake and coverage across cervical screening to meet the goal to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. NHS England will build on what is already working well to drive vaccination and screening uptake and coverage, focussing on five cross-cutting themes: increasing access; raising awareness; reducing inequalities; improving digital capabilities; and strengthening workforce capacity. Further information on the Cervical cancer elimination plan by 2040 – plan for England is available at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/cervical-cancer-elimination-by-2040-plan-for-england/ From early 2026, screening providers in the NHS Cervical Screening Programme in England will be able to offer HPV self-sampling kits to women if they have not attended their appointment for six months or more following routine invitation.

What steps are being taken to support small businesses changing finance providers.

The Government is committed to ensuring the UK has a highly competitive and diverse banking sector, working in the interests of all consumers and businesses across the country. It is important that businesses shop around for their banking needs as this drives competition, improves choice and helps keep prices fair. There are a number of policies that help facilitate this: Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees and an annual turnover of less than £6.5m are already able to use the current account switch service – designed to make it easier to shop around for their business current account. The Commercial Credit Data Sharing scheme requires the UK’s largest banks to share credit information on small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) with other lenders through designated Credit Reference Agencies. This has helped lower the barriers to entry for new finance providers and improved credit scoring in the SME finance market, giving small businesses more choice when applying for finance. The Government will consult on enhancing the scheme later this year to ensure it continues to keep pace with market changes. The Government has also committed to consult on improving the Bank Referral Scheme. The scheme requires designated banks to refer SME business customers that they reject for finance, to platforms that can match the SME with alternative finance providers. The British Business Bank’s Finance Hub also provides independent and impartial information on different finance options for scale-up, high growth, and potential high growth businesses, as well as resources that support SMEs to innovate and become more sustainable Finally, in December 2024 the Secretary of State for Business and Trade also announced a new Business Growth Service (BGS) which will make it easier and quicker for businesses across the UK to get the help, support and advice they need to grow and thrive.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to help tackle digital skills inequalities.

In February we published a Digital Inclusion Action Plan, which outlines the first five actions we are taking over the next year to boost digital inclusion across the UK.These will be targeted at local initiatives for boosting digital skills and confidence, widening access to devices and connectivity, and supporting people in their communities. This includes increasing digital upskilling, and enhancing support for the Essential Digital Skills framework, which helps businesses and individuals obtain the necessary digital skills.Additionally, The Department will deliver a £187 million 'TechFirst' programme and a charter to deliver AI skills for 7.5 million workers.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of scrapping the High Income Child Benefit Charge.

While the government understands the concerns that have been raised about the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC), it is currently the best way to manage Child Benefit expenditure. By withdrawing Child Benefit from high-income families, the HICBC helps to ensure the sustainability of the public finances and protect our vital public services.

Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to keep children safe online.

Keeping children safe online is a priority for this government. Through the Online Safety Act, children already benefit from the protections of the illegal content duties, and later this month the child safety duties will come into force, providing additional protections. Once in force, services in-scope will be required to protect children from harmful content, including pornography, suicide and self-harm material.Ofcom – the regulator of the Act – has robust enforcement powers to use should services not comply with their duties. The government continues to consider all options in pursuit of child online safety building on provisions in the Act.

Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with Glastonbury organisers on comments made at the festival by Kneecap.

The Culture Secretary has made clear that previous comments made by Kneecap are appalling, and that celebrating and promoting prescribed terrorist organisations is a criminal offence. This Government unequivocally condemns threatening remarks made towards any individual, and political intimidation and abuse must have no place in our society.Following conversations between the Secretary of State and members of the Jewish community on concerns about imagery and slogans on display at the festival, DCMS officials have met with Glastonbury organisers for detailed discussions on their procedures to monitor imagery on site, and the due diligence processes undertaken for festival acts.

What steps she is taking to ensure children have access to drama education in schools.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.Drama is included in the current English national curriculum, compulsory up to age 16 (key stages 1 to 4). At key stage 4, all pupils in maintained schools have an entitlement to study an arts subject, including drama, if they wish.The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE. The Review seeks to deliver a rich, broad, inclusive and innovative curriculum, including drama. The final report and government response will be published this autumn.To help meet our ambitions for improved and more equitable arts education, we will be launching a new National Centre for Arts and Music Education, which will promote arts opportunities to children and young people, support excellent teacher training in the arts, and boost partnerships between schools and arts organisations.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of alcohol adverts on people with addictions.

The Department continues to monitor the emerging evidence about the impact of the advertising of alcohol products on people with addictions.To strengthen the evidence base on the impact of alcohol marketing on levels of consumption, the Department has commissioned a study to examine the causal association between alcohol marketing and alcohol related attitudes and consumption. The study, due to be completed in 2026, will examine exposure to alcohol marketing amongst higher-risk drinkers.

What steps he is taking to support people who served in Operation Banner.

We owe the people who served on Operation Banner a huge debt of gratitude. Their professionalism and in many cases personal sacrifices saved many lives and helped to bring about peace in Northern Ireland. I will continue to champion their cause as we deal with Northern Ireland’s legacy. We are working hard to ensure that veterans’ interests are fully considered in any future legislation on this matter. I am acutely aware of the impact that military service can have on veterans and their families. Where a veteran (or serving member of the Armed Forces) faces allegations arising from activities related to their duties, they are offered appropriate legal support at public expense. The Veterans Welfare Service (VWS), run by the Ministry of Defence, provides free one-to-one support for veterans or anyone supporting a veteran, and their families, with a national network of welfare managers across the UK and the Republic of Ireland. More broadly, in England, Op COURAGE provides support with mental health and wellbeing for veterans, and Op RESTORE is the veterans’ physical health and wellbeing service, with similar services available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Housing support is available across the United Kingdom via Op FORTITUDE, a single referral pathway connecting veterans with support

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department provides consular support for Christian missionaries in (a) Kenya and (b) other countries.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and our Embassies, High Commissions and consulates provide consular support to British nationals abroad in line with published guidance on gov.uk. In Kenya we have staff based in Nairobi who provide consular assistance to British nationals. We are contactable 24/7, 365 days a year, globally, whatever the purpose of travel.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of trials of a test designed to identify pregnant women at risk of miscarriage; and whether his Department plans to roll this out on the NHS.

The Government is committed to considering the latest research and evidence that will improve the experiences and outcomes for women at risk of miscarriage. The Department commissions research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR is currently funding a £1 million award focused on a device that delivers vital doses of progesterone to women with threatened miscarriage. If approved, this would become the world’s first drug-device combination product to treat threatened miscarriage. The new technology could help over 150,000 women in the United Kingdom who experience threatened miscarriage each year. Tommy’s National Centre for Miscarriage and Research at the University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire is piloting a new test to identify women with an abnormal womb lining that increases their risk of miscarriage. We will carefully consider the findings of this pilot when it concludes.

What leadership skills training is provided by the military to corporate leaders seeking assistance with upskilling their leadership teams.

The Ministry of Defence does not provide leadership training specifically for corporate leaders. There are some opportunities for industry partners to attend courses which include Leadership themes.