Written questions by Robertson.

What steps his Department is taking to help reduce the backlog of people waiting for elective mental health care.

Patients have been let down for too long whilst they wait for the care they need. Currently, the elective waiting list stands at 7.48 million patient pathways, with over six million people waiting. We are committed to putting patients first, making sure that patients are seen on time, and ensuring that people have the best possible experience during their care.As set out in the Government’s Plan for Change, we will ensure that 92% of patients return to waiting no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment by March 2029, a standard which has not been met consistently since September 2015. This includes those patients waiting for mental health services where the referral is made to a medical consultant-led mental health service.The majority of National Health Service mental health care is outside the scope of the elective waiting list and the referral to treatment 18-week constitutional standard. With regard to mental health care more broadly, we know that too many people with mental health issues are not getting the support or care they need, which is why we will fix the broken system to ensure that mental health is given the same attention and focus as physical health, so that people can be confident in accessing high quality mental health support when they need it. We will recruit an additional 8,500 mental health workers to reduce delays and provide faster treatment which will also help ease pressure on hospitals. We will also ensure every young person has access to a mental health professional at school, and will set up Young Futures hubs in every community, offering open access mental health services for young people.

Food and Rural Affairs, how much his Department spent on consultancy work undertaken by McKinsey and Company as part of its Arm’s Length Body Transformation Programme; and if he will publish the (a) reports and (b) recommendations made by McKinsey and Company on that work.

This information is in the public domain and can be accessed through here. The cost towards “ORGANISATIONAL STRATEGY WORK” for McKinsey was £403,385. Defra does not plan to publish the McKinsey report and its recommendations, as it relates to work under the previous Government.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of precedents for unilateral environmental measures in trade agreements on the sandeel fishing ban within the Trade and Cooperation Agreement arbitration process.

The arbitration process pertaining to the dispute brought by the EU against the UK prohibition of fishing for sandeel, and our consideration of the issues, is presently ongoing. We will fully consider the tribunal’s report and the impacts of it in due course.

What steps his Department is taking to help the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence develop guidance on mild cognitive impairment.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) develops its guidance independently, on the basis of an assessment of the available evidence.To support timely decision making regarding the use of disease-modifying dementia treatments (DMDTs) in the National Health Service, and to facilitate the development of useful and useable NICE guidance, the NICE’s Health Technology Assessment Innovation Laboratory identified the key issues that might arise during the evaluation of DMDTs and concluded that the NICE’s current approach and methods are appropriate for evaluating these treatments.The NICE is currently evaluating two new licensed disease-modifying treatments for treating mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease, and has been unable to recommend them in its draft guidance. However, the NICE has not yet published final guidance and will take the comments received in response to its draft guidance fully into account in developing its final recommendations.A number of other disease-modifying treatments for dementia are in late-stage development and are expected to come to market in the next few years. To prepare for the new generation of dementia treatments in development, NHS England is working to ensure the diagnostic and treatment capacity, clinical pathway redesign, and investment are in place to support the adoption of any new licensed and NICE recommended treatments as soon as possible.

Whether his Department plans to implement a commission lead review on dementia diagnostics.

Lord Darzi’s independent review showed that a timely diagnosis is vital to ensuring that a person with dementia can access the advice, information, care, and support that can help them to live well and remain independent for as long as possible.The 10-Year Health Plan will address the challenges diagnosed by Lord Darzi, and set the vision for what good joined-up care looks like for people with a combination of complex health and care needs. It will set out how we support and enable health and social care services to work together better to provide that joined-up care.The Government is launching an independent commission into adult social care as part of our critical first steps towards delivering a National Care Service. The commission, which is expected to begin in April 2025, will form a key part of the Government’s Plan for Change, recognising the importance of adult social care in its own right, as well as its role in supporting the National Health Service.It is a once in a generation opportunity to transcend party politics and engage in genuine debate on how we can deliver a National Care Service, ensuring all voices are heard, and putting the voices of those with lived experience at the heart of the conversation.

What steps his Department is taking to (a) future proof diagnostic systems and (b) improve access to subtype diagnoses in systems.

The Darzi Report highlights the significant underinvestment of capital in the National Health Service, with outdated scanners, too little automation, and a failure to enter the digital era. Patients have been let down for too long whilst they wait for the care they need, including diagnostic testing, which is key to the majority of elective and cancer pathways.Currently, the elective waiting list stands at 7.48 million patient pathways, with over six million people waiting. The Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, sets out the reforms needed to return to the 18-week Referral to Treatment (RTT) constitutional standard by March 2029, a standard which has not been met consistently since September 2015. This will include ensuring the diagnostic capacity needed to deliver on the standard.The Elective Reform Plan commits to transforming and expanding diagnostic services and speeding up waiting times for tests, a crucial part of reducing overall waiting times and returning to the RTT standard. This includes investment in Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs), expanding the number of CDCs operating seven days a week and 12 hours a day, as well as the tests they offer. We will also develop and roll out Straight to Test pathways, reducing the time taken for patients to receive a test, as well further improvements to the NHS’ digital capabilities. An investment of approximately £1.5 billion, as announced in the Autumn Budget, will enable diagnostics services to build on these foundations in 2025/26, to ensure diagnostic services are fit for the future. This will ensure that patients receive the diagnostic care where and when they need it, including for subtype diagnoses.

What steps he is taking to (a) invest in diagnostic infrastructure and (b) reduce waiting times.

The Darzi Report highlights the significant underinvestment of capital in the National Health Service, with outdated scanners, too little automation, and a failure to enter the digital era. Patients have been let down for too long whilst they wait for the care they need, including diagnostic testing, which is key to the majority of elective and cancer pathways.Currently, the elective waiting list stands at 7.48 million patient pathways, with over six million people waiting. The Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, sets out the reforms needed to return to the 18-week Referral to Treatment (RTT) constitutional standard by March 2029, a standard which has not been met consistently since September 2015. This will include ensuring the diagnostic capacity needed to deliver on the standard.The Elective Reform Plan commits to transforming and expanding diagnostic services and speeding up waiting times for tests, a crucial part of reducing overall waiting times and returning to the RTT standard. This includes investment in Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs), expanding the number of CDCs operating seven days a week and 12 hours a day, as well as the tests they offer. We will also develop and roll out Straight to Test pathways, reducing the time taken for patients to receive a test, as well further improvements to the NHS’ digital capabilities. An investment of approximately £1.5 billion, as announced in the Autumn Budget, will enable diagnostics services to build on these foundations in 2025/26, to ensure diagnostic services are fit for the future. This will ensure that patients receive the diagnostic care where and when they need it, including for subtype diagnoses.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to make local councils aware of the High Street Rental Auctions scheme.

The government continues to work with local councils to support the implementation of the High Street Rental Auction powers.In November I wrote to the leaders and chief executives of every local authority in England notifying them of the commencement date for the powers and inviting them to be early adopters. We have since announced three initial early adopter areas (Bassetlaw, Darlington and Mansfield) and are supporting them closely, along with other councils actively developing plans for using the powers.The department has hosted a national showcase event and five webinars raising awareness, promoting the funding support and toolkits available to local authorities to assist delivery. On 2 December, the department published technical guidance and prospectuses explaining what funding is available and how councils can apply.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to (a) help prevent land banking by developers and (b) ensure that land earmarked for housing development is used to increase the supply of affordable housing.

The government wants to see homes built faster and we recognise the frustrations that stalled or delayed sites can cause to communities.Once housebuilders have been granted permission for residential development, meeting local housing needs and preferences, we expect to see them built out as quickly as possible.Local planning authorities already have powers to issue a completion notice to require a developer to complete their development if it is stalled. If they fail to do so, the planning permission for the development will lapse.The revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December includes policies designed to support increased build out rates, including the promotion of mixed tenure development.In addition, our New Homes Accelerator aims to unblock and accelerate the delivery of housing developments that have for various reasons become delayed, or which are not progressing as quickly as they could be.To enhance transparency and accountability in respect of build out rates, the government intend to take steps to implement build out reporting following technical consultation.We also intend to provide local planning authorities with powers to decline to determine planning applications submitted by developers who have failed to implement previous permissions.

How many staff are employed to (a) process and (b) issue project licences for experiments using animals regulated by the Animal Welfare (Scientific Experiments) Act 1986.

The number of staff that are employed to process and issue project licences in the Home Office Regulator, under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, are published in the Regulator’s annual report accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/animals-in-science-regulation-unit-annual-reports. At the end of 2023 the total number of Inspector staff in the Regulator was 17.The Regulator is undertaking a structured programme of reforms. This will increase the total number of Inspectors to 22 by end of 2025. The Regulator will then operate a flexibly resourced licensing function and allocate resource according to demand.

What discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the UK’s compliance with the Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU in relation to the ban on sandeel fishing.

Paragraph 21.27 of Erskine May states:“By long-standing convention, observed by successive Governments, the fact of, and substance of advice from, the law officers of the Crown is not disclosed outside government. This convention is referred to in paragraph [5.14] of the Ministerial Code [updated on 6 November 2024]. The purpose of this convention is to enable the Government to obtain frank and full legal advice in confidence.”This is known as the Law Officers’ Convention and it applies to your questions.

What assessment she has made of the likely outcome of the arbitration on the sandeel fishing ban; and what steps she is taking to prepare for an unfavourable outcome.

Paragraph 21.27 of Erskine May states:“By long-standing convention, observed by successive Governments, the fact of, and substance of advice from, the law officers of the Crown is not disclosed outside government. This convention is referred to in paragraph [5.14] of the Ministerial Code [updated on 6 November 2024]. The purpose of this convention is to enable the Government to obtain frank and full legal advice in confidence.”This is known as the Law Officers’ Convention and it applies to your questions.

What assessment she has made of the compatibility of the terms of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the UK's ban on sandeel fishing.

Paragraph 21.27 of Erskine May states:“By long-standing convention, observed by successive Governments, the fact of, and substance of advice from, the law officers of the Crown is not disclosed outside government. This convention is referred to in paragraph [5.14] of the Ministerial Code [updated on 6 November 2024]. The purpose of this convention is to enable the Government to obtain frank and full legal advice in confidence.”This is known as the Law Officers’ Convention and it applies to your questions.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the ban on sandeel fishing on the ecology of seabird populations.

The UK Government published its assessment of the ecosystem risks and benefits of a full prohibition of industrial sandeel fishing in the UK waters of the North Sea in 2023. This report, which is publicly available, includes an assessment of the impacts and benefits accruing to seabirds and other marine life. In March 2024, and following separate public consultations, the UK and Scottish Governments closed English Waters of the North Sea and all Scottish Waters to sandeel fishing. The closure shields sandeel as an essential food source for threatened seabird populations (such as kittiwakes and puffins), commercially valuable fish (such as haddock and whiting) and for marine mammals (such as porpoise and minke whales). The UK will continue to support the ongoing monitoring of sandeel stocks in the North Sea. We will work with ICES to ensure that sufficient data are available to provide stock status information for sandeel stocks and to ensure that multispecies/ecosystem models for the North Sea still have appropriate levels of information. The EU has raised a dispute that the UK’s decision to prohibit fishing for sandeel within UK waters is not compliant with the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). The UK is defending its decision. We anticipate the tribunal will deliver its report by April 2025. UK officials continue to engage with representatives of all Coastal States, including the EU, on fisheries management measures and policy.

Food and Rural Affairs, what indicators will be used to monitor the potential impact of the ban on sandeel fishing on (a) the recovery of seabird populations and (b) broader marine biodiversity.

The UK Government published its assessment of the ecosystem risks and benefits of a full prohibition of industrial sandeel fishing in the UK waters of the North Sea in 2023. This report, which is publicly available, includes an assessment of the impacts and benefits accruing to seabirds and other marine life. In March 2024, and following separate public consultations, the UK and Scottish Governments closed English Waters of the North Sea and all Scottish Waters to sandeel fishing. The closure shields sandeel as an essential food source for threatened seabird populations (such as kittiwakes and puffins), commercially valuable fish (such as haddock and whiting) and for marine mammals (such as porpoise and minke whales). The UK will continue to support the ongoing monitoring of sandeel stocks in the North Sea. We will work with ICES to ensure that sufficient data are available to provide stock status information for sandeel stocks and to ensure that multispecies/ecosystem models for the North Sea still have appropriate levels of information. The EU has raised a dispute that the UK’s decision to prohibit fishing for sandeel within UK waters is not compliant with the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). The UK is defending its decision. We anticipate the tribunal will deliver its report by April 2025. UK officials continue to engage with representatives of all Coastal States, including the EU, on fisheries management measures and policy.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the EU on (a) environment policy and (b) sandeel fishing.

The UK Government published its assessment of the ecosystem risks and benefits of a full prohibition of industrial sandeel fishing in the UK waters of the North Sea in 2023. This report, which is publicly available, includes an assessment of the impacts and benefits accruing to seabirds and other marine life. In March 2024, and following separate public consultations, the UK and Scottish Governments closed English Waters of the North Sea and all Scottish Waters to sandeel fishing. The closure shields sandeel as an essential food source for threatened seabird populations (such as kittiwakes and puffins), commercially valuable fish (such as haddock and whiting) and for marine mammals (such as porpoise and minke whales). The UK will continue to support the ongoing monitoring of sandeel stocks in the North Sea. We will work with ICES to ensure that sufficient data are available to provide stock status information for sandeel stocks and to ensure that multispecies/ecosystem models for the North Sea still have appropriate levels of information. The EU has raised a dispute that the UK’s decision to prohibit fishing for sandeel within UK waters is not compliant with the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). The UK is defending its decision. We anticipate the tribunal will deliver its report by April 2025. UK officials continue to engage with representatives of all Coastal States, including the EU, on fisheries management measures and policy.

Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will maintain its policy of a ban on the industrial fishing of sandeels in negotiations with the European Union on fisheries access post-2026.

The UK Government published its assessment of the ecosystem risks and benefits of a full prohibition of industrial sandeel fishing in the UK waters of the North Sea in 2023. This report, which is publicly available, includes an assessment of the impacts and benefits accruing to seabirds and other marine life. In March 2024, and following separate public consultations, the UK and Scottish Governments closed English Waters of the North Sea and all Scottish Waters to sandeel fishing. The closure shields sandeel as an essential food source for threatened seabird populations (such as kittiwakes and puffins), commercially valuable fish (such as haddock and whiting) and for marine mammals (such as porpoise and minke whales). The UK will continue to support the ongoing monitoring of sandeel stocks in the North Sea. We will work with ICES to ensure that sufficient data are available to provide stock status information for sandeel stocks and to ensure that multispecies/ecosystem models for the North Sea still have appropriate levels of information. The EU has raised a dispute that the UK’s decision to prohibit fishing for sandeel within UK waters is not compliant with the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). The UK is defending its decision. We anticipate the tribunal will deliver its report by April 2025. UK officials continue to engage with representatives of all Coastal States, including the EU, on fisheries management measures and policy.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will publish his Department’s assessment of the potential risks of continued sandeel fishing for (a) biodiversity and (b) marine ecosystems.

The UK Government published its assessment of the ecosystem risks and benefits of a full prohibition of industrial sandeel fishing in the UK waters of the North Sea in 2023. This report, which is publicly available, includes an assessment of the impacts and benefits accruing to seabirds and other marine life. In March 2024, and following separate public consultations, the UK and Scottish Governments closed English Waters of the North Sea and all Scottish Waters to sandeel fishing. The closure shields sandeel as an essential food source for threatened seabird populations (such as kittiwakes and puffins), commercially valuable fish (such as haddock and whiting) and for marine mammals (such as porpoise and minke whales). The UK will continue to support the ongoing monitoring of sandeel stocks in the North Sea. We will work with ICES to ensure that sufficient data are available to provide stock status information for sandeel stocks and to ensure that multispecies/ecosystem models for the North Sea still have appropriate levels of information. The EU has raised a dispute that the UK’s decision to prohibit fishing for sandeel within UK waters is not compliant with the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). The UK is defending its decision. We anticipate the tribunal will deliver its report by April 2025. UK officials continue to engage with representatives of all Coastal States, including the EU, on fisheries management measures and policy.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will list the (a) bilateral and (b) multilateral forums through which his Department is engaging with the European Commission in relation to the UK’s sandeel fishing ban.

The UK Government published its assessment of the ecosystem risks and benefits of a full prohibition of industrial sandeel fishing in the UK waters of the North Sea in 2023. This report, which is publicly available, includes an assessment of the impacts and benefits accruing to seabirds and other marine life. In March 2024, and following separate public consultations, the UK and Scottish Governments closed English Waters of the North Sea and all Scottish Waters to sandeel fishing. The closure shields sandeel as an essential food source for threatened seabird populations (such as kittiwakes and puffins), commercially valuable fish (such as haddock and whiting) and for marine mammals (such as porpoise and minke whales). The UK will continue to support the ongoing monitoring of sandeel stocks in the North Sea. We will work with ICES to ensure that sufficient data are available to provide stock status information for sandeel stocks and to ensure that multispecies/ecosystem models for the North Sea still have appropriate levels of information. The EU has raised a dispute that the UK’s decision to prohibit fishing for sandeel within UK waters is not compliant with the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). The UK is defending its decision. We anticipate the tribunal will deliver its report by April 2025. UK officials continue to engage with representatives of all Coastal States, including the EU, on fisheries management measures and policy.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of suspending participation in the arbitration mechanism of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement in disputes over sustainable fishing policies on (a) trade and (b) legal outcomes.

The EU has raised a dispute that the UK’s decision to prohibit fishing for sandeel within UK waters is not compliant with the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). The UK is defending its decision. The dispute proceedings are ongoing.