Written questions by Gosling.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of burial sites on downstream water quality during heavy rainfall.

Awaiting answer.

With reference to the NHS's document entitled Neighbourhood health centre guidance for regions and integrated care boards published on 16 April 2026, whether physiotherapists are included in the community health team.

Awaiting answer.

What proportion of senior NHS leadership roles are held by Allied Health Professionals; and what steps he is taking to increase that proportion.

Awaiting answer.

What steps his Department plans to take to retain the chief allied health professions officer role following the abolition of NHS England.

Awaiting answer.

Whether (a) physiotherapists, (b) occupational therapists, (c) nurses, (d) pharmacists, and (e) other healthcare professionals who have been eligible to issue fit notes since July 2022 will be issuing fit notes as part of the new fit note pilot schemes.

Awaiting answer.

What recent steps his Department has taken to rectify poor quality works undertaken as part of the Energy Company Obligation 4 scheme.

Awaiting answer.

Whether his Department has considered the potential merits of legislating to allow for community access to adrenaline.

Awaiting answer.

Whether his Department has considered exempting information on how to use adrenaline devices from restrictions only allowing medical professionals to access information about prescription medicines.

Awaiting answer.

If his Department will update Schedule 17 of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 to allow for use of adrenaline nasal sprays.

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking with international partners to help tackle alleged human rights violations against members of the Baháʼí community in Iran, including reports of mistreatment, torture and lack of access to adequate medical treatment for those detained as prisoners.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of current entry requirements for the armed forces reserve; and whether his Department plans to review entry requirements for the armed forces reserves.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) continually assesses the entry requirements for Reserve recruitment and is actively streamlining joining processes, along with many other aspects of the Reserves, to ensure they support national resilience. This Government has taken several actions to set conditions of growth and utility of the Reserves workforce such as the Pan Defence Skills Framework, the Armed Forces Recruitment Service and the ZigZag career pilot. Through the Armed Forces Bill 2026, Reserves measures seek to significantly expand the UK's Strategic Reserve and modernise mobilisation. The Strategic Defence Review has set a path for the next decade and beyond to transform Defence and it will end the hollowing out of our Armed Forces. We are committed to the Strategic Defence Review recommendation to increase the number of Active Reserves to increase by 20% when funding allows.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a permanent exemption to Jury service for people suffering from lifelong or degenerative conditions.

The Government has not made a specific assessment of introducing a permanent exemption for people with lifelong or degenerative conditions. Jury service is an important civic duty, and the Government is committed to ensuring that disability is never a barrier to serving.People with these conditions who feel unable to undertake jury service may apply to be excused, with each application considered carefully on a case-by-case basis.Where a person wishes to serve, His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service will make reasonable adjustments to accommodate their needs whenever possible, so they can participate fully at no personal cost.

What the planned timeline is for publishing the next iteration of the taxonomy being developed as part of the ongoing reforms to Drug Tariff Part IX.

The final draft, version 1.2, of the Part IX Drug Tariff (Med Tech in the community) Wave 1 categorisation was developed in collaboration with an Expert Reference Group and updated in line with stakeholder feedback over four iterations. The final version was published in October 2025 and can be found on the NHS Business Services Authority Website at the following link:https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/manufacturers-and-suppliers/drug-tariff-part-ix-informationThe Department is currently recruiting Independent Assessment Panels (IAPs) for Wave 1 and has agreed to ask them to review late feedback received from a company on the eye drops category. This is due to take place in February 2026 and will not require further input from industry as it has already been circulated for comment by them.The Department has also offered to review Drug Tariff Committee feedback regarding the categorisation of medical devices that fall into waves 2 to 4.The categorisation for waves 2 and 3 is currently being reviewed, and the Department expects to share the updated versions in early 2026 well in advance of the projected launch of waves 2 and 3 in 2027 and 2028 respectively. There are no confirmed plans for reviewing wave 4 at this time. The earliest launch would be in January 2029. All dates are subject to the outcome of the review of wave one.The Department recognises that the categorisation is not stagnant and may need further amendments as medical devices continue to evolve and the IAPs are stood up. Companies can suggest further amendments when they apply to Part IX of the Drug Tariff or through the Drug Tariff Committee.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact on community preparedness for anaphylaxis following new MHRA-approved adrenaline delivery formats with different usability and stability characteristics.

Officials at the Department, in discussion with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, are in the early stages of considering if potential amendments to Schedule 17 of the Human Medicines Regulations (HMRs) 2012 are required to reflect the availability of new adrenaline delivery technologies.No specific assessment has been made of the potential impact on community preparedness for anaphylaxis. However, should amendments to the HMRs be required, then the Government will conduct a public consultation to ensure that the views of stakeholders are carefully considered, prior to any changes being made.If changes are made to the HMRs, all relevant guidance will be updated to reflect this change.

What discussions he has had with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency on ensuring that regulations governing community access to emergency adrenaline remain aligned with innovation in (a) device design and (b) stability.

Officials at the Department, in discussion with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, are in the early stages of considering if potential amendments to Schedule 17 of the Human Medicines Regulations (HMRs) 2012 are required to reflect the availability of new adrenaline delivery technologies.No specific assessment has been made of the potential impact on community preparedness for anaphylaxis. However, should amendments to the HMRs be required, then the Government will conduct a public consultation to ensure that the views of stakeholders are carefully considered, prior to any changes being made.If changes are made to the HMRs, all relevant guidance will be updated to reflect this change.

Whether his Department plans to review its guidance entitled Using emergency adrenaline auto-injectors in schools, published 20 September 2017, to reflect advances in authorised adrenaline delivery technologies.

Officials at the Department, in discussion with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, are in the early stages of considering if potential amendments to Schedule 17 of the Human Medicines Regulations (HMRs) 2012 are required to reflect the availability of new adrenaline delivery technologies.No specific assessment has been made of the potential impact on community preparedness for anaphylaxis. However, should amendments to the HMRs be required, then the Government will conduct a public consultation to ensure that the views of stakeholders are carefully considered, prior to any changes being made.If changes are made to the HMRs, all relevant guidance will be updated to reflect this change.

When he expects to publish the outcome of the Treasury’s review into the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme Investment Reserve; and if he will ensure that Members of Parliament are informed ahead of the Budget.

The Department is engaging with HM Treasury with a view to agreeing a way forward on the transfer of the reserve to members. The Government is aiming to reach agreement on an outcome that can be implemented later this year which will benefit scheme members.

What assessment he has made of the potential economic merits to Nuneaton constituency of returning the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme Investment Reserve to members.

As at 30 October 2024, there were 171 members of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme in Nuneaton. Any transfer of the reserve would be used to enhance member benefits.

What recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Victims’ Right to Review scheme.

The Victims’ Right to Review (VRR) Scheme is an important safeguard in England and Wales which enables victims to seek a review of certain CPS decisions not to start a prosecution or to stop a prosecution.Access to the VRR Scheme has been deliberately designed to be as simple as possible, with no reasons or justification for requesting a review required.To ensure victims are aware of their entitlements, in all correspondence where a decision is taken to stop a case, and the victim is eligible to request a review under the VRR scheme, information is provided about the VRR scheme and how it can be accessed.The CPS also has published and keeps under regular review guidance which sets out how the scheme works, including what decisions can be reviewed, who can request a review, how to request a review and the stages of review.The CPS publishes data showing the number of VRR requests it received and the total number of decisions which were overturned as a result.In addition to the VRR scheme, there is also a VRR pilot being trialled by CPS West Midlands which was launched in June 2025. Under the pilot, survivors of rape or serious sexual abuse will be offered the right to request a review by a different prosecutor before their case is dropped. The results of this pilot will soon be evaluated.

What assessment his Department has made of the level of need for additional (a) physiotherapists and (b) rehabilitation support workers in (i) the NHS and (ii) independent sectors.

The Department has made no specific assessment of the additional need for physiotherapists and rehabilitation support workers in the National Health Service and independent sectors.The Department will publish a 10 Year Workforce Plan to create a workforce ready to deliver a transformed service. They will be more empowered, more flexible, and more fulfilled. The 10 Year Workforce Plan will ensure the NHS has the right people are in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients, when they need it.