Written questions by Hayes.

What steps he is taking to improve stroke care in Lincolnshire.

The Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) is participating in a national improvement initiative called Clinically-Led workforcE and Activity Redesign (CLEAR), which focuses on using quality improvement methods to enhance all aspects of stroke care. CLEAR is a nationally funded project supported by regional and national stroke teams, as well as the regional Medical Director. Additional backing comes from the United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust. The initiative is examining stroke staffing models and care pathways throughout the entire patient journey. Its goal is to improve stroke services in Lincolnshire and to develop a toolkit and clinical model that can be adopted across the country. The project is scheduled for completion in August 2025.Lincolnshire is also actively addressing the key risk factors for stroke, with a strong focus on early detection and targeted intervention. The region is performing above both regional and national averages in identifying hypertension, the leading risk factor for stroke, and is recognised as an exemplar in this area. This success is driven by strong clinical engagement, the promotion of best practices, collaboration with Public Health England on the Know Your Numbers campaign, and more recently, participation in the Innovation for Healthcare Inequalities Programme, which aims to reduce health inequalities in detection and treatment. A similar proactive approach is being applied to cholesterol management. In the past year, two outreach nurses have been introduced dedicated to treating patients at the highest risk due to elevated lipid levels.Recent Quality and Outcomes Framework data for 2023/24 highlights Lincolnshire’s strong performance in atrial fibrillation (AF) detection and management. With a prevalence rate of 2.9%, Lincolnshire ranks sixth out of 42 ICBs, well above the national average of 2.18%. This reflects significant efforts in identifying and diagnosing AF, which is an essential step in enabling timely treatment and effective management. In terms of treatment, 91.99% of clinically indicated patients in Lincolnshire received appropriate care, compared to the national average of 89.76%, placing the region fourth among all ICBs. These achievements have been made despite a significant prevalence, meaning a high number of patients need to be followed up with a review each year.For patients who have suffered a stroke, there is the offer of a comprehensive range of rehabilitation services to support recovery and long-term care. The stroke unit at the United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust provides a community-based neuro-rehabilitation outreach team, delivering specialist, interdisciplinary assessments for adults with long-term neurological conditions or complex rehabilitation needs following major trauma. In addition, the NHS Lincolnshire ICB commissions a dedicated community stroke service, offering post-stroke support including occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and speech and language therapy. These services are continuously reviewed and developed to ensure they meet the evolving needs of patients.

What steps she has taken to support grammar schools in Lincolnshire.

The national funding formula, and wider education policies, support all state-funded schools equally, including grammar schools.

If she will take steps to delay the implementation of changes to Inheritance Tax for farmers by 12 months.

The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, and fixing the public finances. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free.These reforms were announced in October 2024 and will take effect in April 2026.

What estimate her Department has made of the male estate prison capacity in 2028.

This Government inherited a prison system in crisis due to the previous government only adding 500 places to the estate in 14 years. If our prisons collapse, courts are forced to suspend trials. The police must halt their arrests, crime goes unpunished, and we face the breakdown of law and order in this country.We are building the largest expansion of the prison estate since the Victorians, with 14,000 places by 2031. We have already delivered 2,400 places since taking office.But it is clear that given the rate of demand, we cannot build our way out of this. As the Lord Chancellor set out this week on current forecasts by early 2028, we will be 9,500 places short without further action.That is why she commissioned and published the Independent Sentencing Review to ensure that we never again run out of prison places and that there will always be space to lock up dangerous offenders.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to increase the number of apprenticeship starts in his Department.

We remain committed to supporting the use of apprenticeships across all Government Departments to break down barriers to opportunity. This includes supporting the Government's commitment to 2,000 digital apprenticeships through its TechTrack scheme by 2030 to improve digital skills and drive improvements and efficiency in public services.Additionally, a new cross-Government Level 3 apprenticeship programme in Business Administration, the 'Civil Service Career Launch Apprenticeship' (CLA), will see new apprentices kickstart their careers, across various departments, starting from January 2026.Moreover, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office are working on aligning our apprenticeship approach with our capability framework. For example, we are exploring new apprenticeship opportunities to scale our approach and build internal capability on Data and AI.

Which scientific methods will be used to strengthen the age verification process of asylum applicants.

The Government is committed to strengthening the age assessment process and continues to review all options for improving the accuracy and efficiency of the age assessment system.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed 10-year pathway to settlement on people nearing their five-year eligibility.

We will reform our settlement and citizenship rules by expanding the Points-Based System and increasing the standard qualifying period for settlement to ten years. Individuals will have the opportunity to reduce the qualifying period to settlement and citizenship based on contributions to the UK economy and society.We will be consulting on the earned settlement scheme later this year and further details on the proposed scheme will be provided at the time.

Whether the proposed 10-year pathway to settlement will apply retrospectively to migrants already legally residing in the UK.

We will reform our settlement and citizenship rules by expanding the Points-Based System and increasing the standard qualifying period for settlement to ten years. Individuals will have the opportunity to reduce the qualifying period to settlement and citizenship based on contributions to the UK economy and society.We will be consulting on the earned settlement scheme later this year and further details on the proposed scheme will be provided at the time.

What steps she is taking to increase the number of apprenticeship starts in her Department.

We remain committed to supporting the use of apprenticeships across all government departments to break down barriers to opportunity. This includes supporting the Government's commitment to 2,000 digital apprenticeships through its TechTrack scheme by 2030 to improve digital skills and drive improvements and efficiency in public services.Additionally, a new cross-Government Level 3 apprenticeship programme in Business Administration, the ‘Civil Service Career Launch Apprenticeship’ (CLA), will see new apprentices kickstart their careers, across various Departments, starting from January 2026.

What steps he is taking to increase the number of apprenticeship starts in his Department.

The Northern Ireland Office remains committed to supporting the use of apprenticeships across all government departments to break down barriers to opportunity. This includes supporting the Government’s commitment to 2,000 digital apprenticeships through its TechTrack scheme by 2030 to improve digital skills and drive improvements and efficiency in public services. Additionally, a new cross-Government Level 3 apprenticeship programme in Business Administration, The ‘Civil Service Career Launch Apprenticeship’ (CLA), will see new apprentices kickstart their careers, across various departments, starting from January 2026. As a department, the Northern Ireland Office annually recruits a Communication Apprentice through the Government Communications Service.

How many people exchanged a non-GB driving licence for a valid UK licence in each of the last three years.

The table below shows the number of applications to exchange a non-GB driving licence for a GB equivalent that were successful and those which were rejected for the period requested. YearNon-GB licences accepted for exchangeNon-GB licences Rejected for exchange2022146,67298,0062023137,662106,7622024117,72180,798

What steps she is taking to increase the number of apprenticeship starts in her Department.

We remain committed to supporting the use of apprenticeships across all government departments to break down barriers to opportunity. This includes supporting the Government's commitment to 2,000 digital apprenticeships through its TechTrack scheme by 2030 to improve digital skills and drive improvements and efficiency in public services.Additionally, a new cross-government Level 3 apprenticeship programme in Business Administration, the ‘Civil Service Career Launch Apprenticeship’ (CLA), will see new apprentices kickstart their careers, across various departments, starting from January 2026.In addition, my department continues to offer apprenticeship opportunities each year. Given the size of the Attorney General’s Office (approximately 60 staff) this number can vary. We currently have one apprentice.

How many people who applied to register a non-GB driving licence were rejected in each of the last three years.

The table below shows the number of applications to exchange a non-GB driving licence for a GB equivalent that were successful and those which were rejected for the period requested. YearNon-GB licences accepted for exchangeNon-GB licences Rejected for exchange2022146,67298,0062023137,662106,7622024117,72180,798

What steps he is taking to increase the number of apprenticeship starts in his Department.

The Armed Forces are the UK’s largest provider of apprenticeships, with over 23,000 personnel enrolled at any time and more than 95% of non-commissioned recruits offered trade-aligned apprenticeships. On average, 7.5% of personnel start an apprenticeship annually, with over 10% actively participating at any time. In the 2024 Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list, all three Services ranked in the top five, contributing 16% of all placements. Apprenticeships range from Level 2 (GCSE) to Level 6 (degree), supporting career-long development and professional development. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) plays a key role in developing new apprenticeship standards through ‘Trailblazer’ groups and collaborates with industry to ensure qualifications are relevant both within Defence and beyond. The MOD also actively promotes apprenticeships through networks like the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network and the 5% Club. The MOD has implemented several strategies to increase the number of apprenticeships starts among its civilian staff, offering a wide range of apprenticeship schemes ranging from GCSE to graduate level, across various professions and standards. Procurement has been brought in-house to collaborate with training providers. This partnership allows for a broader range of apprenticeship programmes in high-demand areas like Engineering, Digital, and Project Management. These schemes aim to attract individuals seeking to kickstart or advance their careers within the MOD.

What steps he is taking to increase the number of apprenticeship starts in his Department.

We remain committed to supporting the use of apprenticeships across the civil service to break down barriers to opportunity. This includes initiatives like supporting the Government’s commitment to 2,000 digital apprenticeships through its TechTrack scheme by 2030 to improve digital skills and drive improvements and efficiency in public services.Additionally, there is a new cross-Government Level 3 apprenticeship programme in Business Administration, the ‘Civil Service Career Launch Apprenticeship’ (CLA), which will see new apprentices kickstart their careers, across various departments, starting from January 2026.

What steps she is taking to increase the number of apprenticeship starts in her Department.

We remain committed to supporting the use of apprenticeships across all government departments to break down barriers to opportunity. This includes supporting the Government's commitment to 2,000 digital apprenticeships through its TechTrack scheme by 2030 to improve digital skills and drive improvements and efficiency in public services. Additionally, a new cross-Government Level 3 apprenticeship programme in Business Administration, The ‘Civil Service Career Launch Apprenticeship’ (CLA), will see new apprentices kickstart their careers, across various departments, starting from January 2026. Apprenticeships are available to new and existing Wales Office staff and my Department promotes these opportunities through Ministry of Justice (MoJ) intranet bulletins and Wales Office staff newsletters. When vacancies arise, the Department also considers if posts may be advertised as apprenticeships.

What steps she is taking to increase the number of apprenticeship starts in her Department.

As of January 2025, 6.9% of staff in the department are currently on an apprenticeship, which is above our target of 5%. To maintain and build on this, we continue to take the following steps: All Administrative Officer (AO) and Executive Officer (EO) recruitment is considered for a Level 4 Business Administration apprenticeship, ensuring that new entrants have the opportunity to develop their skills through apprenticeship routes.We participate annually in the Government Economic Service Degree Apprenticeship Programme (GESDAP) and actively advertise this opportunity across the department to encourage uptake.We continue to offer a wide variety of apprenticeships in areas such as finance, management, and data science, ensuring a broad range of opportunities for staff to develop their skills and progress their careers.Subject to a new approach to Apprenticeships which we anticipate from Skills England, we plan to review our current offering to focus on how we use a range of Apprenticeships to attract candidates and develop the skills of the future. Through these measures, the department remains committed to supporting staff development and increasing apprenticeship opportunities.

What steps he is taking to increase the number of apprenticeship starts in his Department.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero will shortly launch a Talent Strategy in which apprenticeships play a central role in building the delivery capability DESNZ needs to be a mission-focused department. The department has a well-established apprenticeship offer, with around 84 apprentices currently in post. As part of the Talent Strategy, we will increase the range and number of apprenticeships we offer by: launching a social mobility apprenticeship programme, focused on supporting actively unemployed individuals into employment through apprenticeshipsincreasing opportunities for school leavers, including participating in the new Careers Launch Apprenticeship programmeexpanding the apprenticeship offer by procuring new contracts in priority capability areas The Department has a core apprenticeship offer available to all staff and continues to onboard apprentices through centralised programmes run by the Civil Service Apprenticeship Unit and other initiatives. DESNZ is committed to creating early career opportunities for both current and new apprentices.

What steps he is taking to increase the number of apprenticeship starts in his Department.

We remain committed to supporting the use of apprenticeships across all Government departments, to break down barriers to opportunity. This includes supporting the Government's commitment to 2,000 digital apprenticeships through its TechTrack scheme by 2030, to improve digital skills and drive improvements and efficiency in public services. Additionally, a new cross-Government Level 3 apprenticeship programme in Business Administration, via the Civil Service Career Launch Apprenticeship, will see new apprentices kickstart their careers across various departments, starting from January 2026. In addition, in the Department we are committed to increasing the number of apprenticeship starts by working closely with our professions, promoting insight sessions, and sharing testimonials from current apprentices to highlight how apprenticeships support staff development. This promotes the value of apprenticeships, and how they support personal development and capability, to encourage uptake across the Department.

What steps she has taken to increase provision of legal aid in (a) Lincolnshire and (b) the East Midlands.

This Government recognises that legal aid is a vital part of the justice system. It enables those individuals, who need it most, to have access to publicly funded legal assistance in order to uphold their legal rights.We have recently consulted on uplifts to housing and immigration legal aid fees which would inject an additional £20 million into the sector each year once implemented.In December 2024, we announced that criminal legal aid solicitors will receive up to £92 million more a year, subject to consultation, to support the sustainability of the criminal legal aid market. The consultation is now live and closes on 4 July 2025. This funding is in addition to the £24 million increase we announced in November 2024 for criminal solicitors. This latest commitment reflects the vital work that is undertaken by those who provide criminal legal aid. We are committed to continuing to work with the criminal legal aid profession, on further opportunities to support the overall sustainability, diversity, and efficiency of the system.The Legal Aid Agency is responsible for commissioning legal aid services in England and Wales. Procurement for legal aid contracts is now operated under the ‘always on principle’ so that the procurement remains open during the life of the contract. This is a significant change from the previous approach where firms could only bid to join at the initial tender of what typically was a five-year contract term. This new approach enables new entrants to apply for a contract at any time and for existing providers to expand their services. It is a more flexible approach, removing hard deadlines and maximising the available supply of services.There is currently an adequate supply of services in Lincolnshire and the East Midlands across all categories of civil legal aid, and under the relevant criminal duty solicitor schemes serving the area.