Written questions by Hayes.

What steps he is taking to reduce accident and emergency waiting times at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kings Lynn.

The Government has committed to supporting the NHS to improve performance across the country including in Kings Lynn. This includes returning NHS standards to those set out in the NHS Constitution, including that 95% of patients attending accident and emergency departments are admitted, transferred, or discharged within four hours.As a first step, my Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care appointed Professor Lord Darzi to lead an independent investigation of the NHS’ performance. The investigation’s findings were published on 12 September and will feed into the Government’s work on a 10-year plan to radically reform the NHS and build a health service that is fit for the future.

How many people are in receipt of the Warm Home Discount in South Holland and the Deepings constituency.

The most recent published statistics on Warm Home Discount can be found here: Warm Home Discount statistics, 2023 to 2024 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Table 5 shows that 5,733 households in South Holland and The Deepings received Warm Home Discount in the 2023-24 scheme year, making up approximately 11.6% of the overall number of households in the constituency.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the introduction of VAT on private school fees on faith schools.

On 29 July, the Government announced that, as of 1 January 2025, all education services and vocational training provided by a private school in the UK for a charge will be subject to VAT at the standard rate of 20 per cent. This will also apply to boarding services provided by private schools. A technical note setting out the details of the policy has been published online here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-on-private-school-fees-removing-the-charitable-rates-relief-for-private-schools(opens in a new tab).Draft VAT legislation was also published alongside this technical note, forming a technical consultation, which closed on 15 September. As part of this technical consultation, the Government engaged with a broad range of stakeholders.Whilst developing these policies, the Government has carefully considered the impact that they will have on pupils and their families across both the state and private sector, as well as the impact they will have on state and private schools. Following scrutiny of the Government's costings by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), details of the Government’s assessment of the expected impacts of these policy changes will be published at the Budget on 30 October in a Tax Information and Impact Note.

What steps she is taking to help increase the (a) availability and (b) affordability of childcare in South Holland and the Deepings constituency.

It is the government’s ambition that all families have access to high quality, affordable and flexible early education and care to improve the life chances for every child and the work choices for every parent.From September 2024, eligible working parents of children age nine months and above have been able to access 15 hours childcare a week for 38 weeks a year. From September 2025, this entitlement will be extended to 30 hours a week. The department is also growing the provision of wraparound childcare, which is before and after school provision, for primary school children.In 2024/25, the department expects to provide over £1.7 billion to support local authorities and providers deliver the childcare expansion. This will rise to over £4.1 billion in 2027/28. By the same year, we expect to be providing over £8 billion every year overall on new and existing early years entitlements.For Lincolnshire County Council, the hourly rate for three to four year olds for 2024/25 is £5.47, which is an increase of 5.2% on 2023/24. For 2 year olds, this rate is £7.61 per hour and for under 2s, £10.36 per hour.In addition to the entitlements, parents may also be eligible for childcare support through Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit Childcare. Parents can check what childcare support they are entitled to via the Childcare Choices website, which is accessible at: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.The department has regular contact with each local authority in England on their sufficiency of childcare and any issues they are facing, including supporting them through our childcare delivery support contract where appropriate.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will introduce a horticulture strategy.

The Government appreciates and values the vital work of the horticulture industry and recognises its role in maintaining a secure food supply.As part of our mission-driven Government, and in partnership with the sector, we are considering how we can achieve our ambitious, measurable and long-term goals for the sector, including how to recognise the sector’s diversity and specialist needs.

What recent assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of trends in the number of young people not in education, employment or training in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire.

The department does not hold information on young people who are not in education, employment or training specific to either South Holland and the Deepings and Lincolnshire. Based on data published by the Department for Education, the proportion of 16-17 year olds not in employment, education or training for Lincolnshire is below average in England and can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/participation-in-education-training-and-neet-age-16-to-17-by-local-authority” Under our plan to get Britain Working, the new Youth Guarantee will ensure that all young people aged 18-21 in England can access quality training opportunities, an apprenticeship or employment support. This will sit alongside; a new national jobs and careers service to help get more people into work, work health and skills plans for the economically inactive, and the launch of Skills England to open new opportunities for young people. We will set out further detail in the upcoming ‘Get Britain Working’ White Paper.

Innovation and Technology, how many (a) full-time and (b) full-time equivalent staff are employed by the National Security and Online Information Team.

Previous (but not quite the same question) 16125-6 Dan Jarvis - NSOIT staffing & Publication.docxAlso see response to similar question answered by Minister Clark

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department plans to take to upgrade sewage infrastructure in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire.

For too long, investment has not kept pace with the challenges of an ageing infrastructure system, a rapidly growing population, and climate change. Water companies are now expected to deliver £88 billion of investment between 2025 and 2030 across England and Wales. This will improve more than 2,500 projects to reduce spills from storm overflows and upgrades to over 1,500 wastewater treatment works.Sewage infrastructure upgrades are the responsibility of the water company. As part of the Environment Act 2021, a duty exists for water companies in England to produce Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans (DWMPs).

Media and Sport, whether Ministers in her Department have met representatives of Arden Strategies since 5 July 2024.

Neither the Secretary of State nor other DCMS ministers have held meetings with representatives of Arden Strategies in their ministerial capacity to date. Ministers attend non-governmental events which Arden Strategies representatives may also attend.

What steps she is taking to ensure that Skills England delivers value for money.

Skills England will bring together key partners to meet the skills needs of the next decade and break down barriers to opportunity. It will play a critical part in the government’s mission to drive growth across the country, supporting people to get better jobs and improve their standard of living. The skills system makes a significant contribution to enhancing productivity, and improvements in effectiveness can deliver major positive economic returns. Skills England is currently set up in shadow form in the department with plans to be fully established next year in accordance with Cabinet Office and HM Treasury processes, which includes an assessment of value for money. Both in shadow form and when fully established, Skills England will be subject to all necessary assessments and transparency to ensure it provides value for money for the taxpayer.

How many full-time equivalent GPs were working in South Holland and the Deepings constituency on 7 October 2024.

As of 31 August 2024, the latest period for which data is available, South Holland and the Deepings constituency had 44 full-time equivalent (FTE) fully qualified general practitioners and 70 FTE doctors in general practice, including trainees.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help reduce the risk of flooding in (a) Lincolnshire and (b) the Fens.

Protecting communities from flooding is a key priority for this Government, and that is why we have launched a Flood Resilience Taskforce. It will provide oversight of national and local flood resilience and preparedness ahead of and after the winter flood season. It met for the first time on 12 September to discuss preparation for the winter ahead. Since 2010, the Environment Agency (EA) has invested over £332 million in flood schemes in Lincolnshire, better protecting over 83,000 properties. The Fens 2100+ is a £9.8 million programme to develop a Fens-wide flood resilience investment strategy that achieves long-term value for money and generates regional and national benefits. This investment strategy will be completed in 2025 and is being developed with Flood Risk Management Authorities to assist them in planning their flood risk management activities for the next 20-25 years and beyond. This includes taking forward a ‘Sustainable Recovery Pilot’ project in the Witham Fens in Lincolnshire, which is looking at managing flooding differently, building on risk management authorities’ day to day activities, to help this area of fenland be more resilient and aid quicker recovery from flooding. The EA is developing a vision for the future use of Crowland and Cowbit Washes (flood storage reservoir) which will explore options for multi-benefit uses, including flooding, climate change adaptation and environmental benefits. We will work with landowners and Risk Management Authorities to develop this work as the current appetite to adapt our flood risk management approach is high given Storm Henk impacts.

If she will remove the prohibition on the creation of new grammar schools in England.

The government has no plans to change the law that prohibits the creation of more grammar schools. The department is committed to creating opportunities for all children to give them the best life chances. This government if focused on ensuring every child has access to excellent local schools that deliver high standards for all their pupils so that they achieve and thrive.

What recent estimate her Department has made of how many people are living in the UK illegally.

By its very nature, it is not possible to know the exact size of the illegal population, or the number of people who arrive illegally, and so the Home Office does not seek to make any official estimates of the illegal population. In June 2019, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published a note on ‘measuring illegal migration’.The Home Office does publish statistics on detected irregular arrivals to the UK as part of the ‘Irregular migration to the UK’ quarterly statistics release. However, this does not indicate the number of irregular migrants currently in the UK.

If he will meet with community representatives in Lincolnshire to discuss the potential impact of the proposed Grimsby to Walpole project under the great grid upgrade.

It is the responsibility of the developers of electricity network projects – in this case National Grid Electricity Transmission - to propose a route and obtain planning permission for that route. The government sets the rules for a robust and independent planning process that communities can participate in, with consultation being a central element of the planning process. Any engagement by Ministers must consider the role of the Secretary of State in deciding on planning applications for energy projects, and the limitations on discussing live projects in the development process which have not come to the Planning Inspectorate.

What steps he is taking to help support children with cerebral palsy.

We want a society where every person, including those with a long-term condition such as cerebral palsy, receives high-quality, compassionate continuity of care, with their families and carers supported. We will change the National Health Service so that it becomes not just a sickness service, but able to prevent ill health in the first place. This will help us be better prepared for the change in the nature of disease and allow our services to focus more on the management of chronic, long-term conditions, like cerebral palsy.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published guidance on care and support for children and young people with cerebral palsy, to support healthcare professionals and commissioners. The guidance recommends service providers develop clear pathways that allow patients with cerebral palsy access to multi-disciplinary teams, specialist neurology services and regular reviews of their clinical and functional needs. The guidance is available at the following link:https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng62NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time Programme aims to improve care for people with neurological conditions, including those with cerebral palsy, by reducing variation and delivering care more equitably across the country.Most services for people with cerebral palsy are commissioned locally by integrated care boards, which are best placed to make decisions according to local need. Nevertheless, at a national level, the Government is working closely with NHS England to continue to improve services for people with neurological conditions, including those with cerebral palsy.

Whether Ministers in her Department have met the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change since 5 July 2024.

Meetings are regularly published in our quarterly transparency returns.

How many times Ministers in his Department have visited the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland since 5 July 2024.

Northern Ireland Office Ministers have enjoyed visiting and engaging with communities, businesses, and organisations in many areas in Northern Ireland. This has included visiting the following areas close to the Border with the Republic of Ireland.I visited Trinity Church in Clogh, Roslea Co Fermanagh where my great, great grandfather Dr. Thomas Graydon is remembered on a family gravestone; and I attended the Centre of Cross Border Studies Conference in Co Louth.I have visited various businesses and organisations in Derry/Londonderry on 2 separate occasions.Minister Anderson has visited communities in Newry and on two separate occasions has also visited organisations in Derry/Londonderry.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to commission an impact assessment of the agricultural transition plan.

The present Government will not be over-turning the applecart. We are fully committed to the Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes set out in the previous Government’s Agricultural Transition Plan. We will optimise these schemes in an orderly way to ensure they produce the right outcomes for farmers. We plan to increase the transparency of these schemes by publishing data on the impact they are having. We will confirm next steps in the rollout of other ELM schemes, including how we will publish this data, in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many badgers have been culled in Lincolnshire since the beginning of the current cull regime.

The number of badgers removed during culling operations are published annually on GOV.UK.