Written questions by McDonnell.

Whether the terms of GWR’s National Rail contract require it to seek her permission before making any changes to (a) ticket offices, (b) staffing levels and (c) stations’ operations.

Any changes to Ticket Office opening hours, in relation to regulated stations covered by Schedule 17 of the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement, must be made following the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement conditions and Secretary of State guidance. The Secretary of State has not had any recent discussions with Great Western Railway on changes related to Ticket Offices at any of its stations.

Whether she has had discussions with GWR on reducing the size of the ticket office window at stations.

Any changes to Ticket Office opening hours, in relation to regulated stations covered by Schedule 17 of the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement, must be made following the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement conditions and Secretary of State guidance. The Secretary of State has not had any recent discussions with Great Western Railway on changes related to Ticket Offices at any of its stations.

What recent discussions her Department has had with private prison operators on the right of prison officers to take industrial action.

We have no plans to amend section 127 of the Criminal Justice Act 1994.There have been no recent discussions with private prison contractors on this matter.

If she will take steps to increase awareness of PIP.

DWP has already taken steps to help ensure everyone living with health conditions or a disability is aware of benefits that they can claim, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP). There are no current plans to undertake further activity.Comprehensive information is available on Gov.uk, which explains who PIP is for and how to claim. This includes a series of videos which provide information on PIP which helps people to understand whether PIP is right for them and to support them through the process if they decide to claim. Personal Independence Payment (PIP): What PIP is for - GOV.UK

What steps she is taking to increase transparency in her Department.

We want to be more open about the work taken forward within the department. We will continue to look at what information can be shared to further increase transparency, taking into consideration constraints that we can’t ignore, such as protecting personal customer information, and policy development and other risks. A great example of increasing transparency can be seen with the work the department is taking forward to continue building on the information it started publishing in its Annual Report and Accounts two years ago. Detailing the work of its Advanced Customer Support Teams, and the support for vulnerable customers. To further increase transparency in this area we will soon be releasing two separate publications. One publication will see us release Internal Process Review information for the first time, showing the learning and improvements taken forward from the departments most serious cases. The second is a publication that highlights and explains how DWP, specifically through its Advanced Customer Support teams, is delivering support for vulnerable customers and the improvements that were delivered to help those who require additional support.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential psychological impact of the updated good character guidance on (a) people in the asylum system and (b) people with leave to remain.

The assessment of good character has been part of the citizenship process since the British Nationality Act 1981, but each individual continues to have their application considered on a case by case basis, taking these individual circumstances into account.

With reference to her Department's Good character: caseworker guidance, updated on 13 February 2025, what definition her Department uses of exceptional, compelling, and mitigating circumstances.

An exceptional case is one where on the facts of the case, the application would normally be refused but there are mitigating circumstances which mean it would be appropriate to grant. The policy guidance contains a non-exhaustive list of examples of where applications may be granted

How many people were (a) due to be and (b) actually deported on the charter flight to Nigeria and Ghana on 17 October 2024; how many were women; and how many people had force used against them during the operation.

The returns charter flight to Nigeria and Ghana on 17 October 2024 had a capacity of 50 people.44 people were removed on the flight, seven of whom were women.There were eight Use of Force incidents recorded during the operation.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of pages 142 and 143 of the Irish government's publication entitled Programme for Government 2025 - Securing Ireland's Future, published on 23 January 2025.

I welcome the Irish Government’s commitment to enhancing bilateral relations and upholding the principles of the Good Friday Agreement. We have made great progress in resetting UK-Ireland relations since the UK General Election and this will be reaffirmed by the first UK-Ireland Summit between the Prime Minister and Taoiseach, underlining our renewed and close relations.

Whether the former Chief Executive of the Insolvency Service sought advice from the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments before accepting the position of Executive Director of the Centre for Public Interest Audit.

The Chief Executive of the Insolvency Service’s submitted his notice of resignation on 12th February 2025 and his last day will be 12th May 2025. The Department for Business and Trade determined that the conditions for making an application to the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments were not met in this case.

What progress the Insolvency Service has made in their civil investigation of P&O Ferries.

The Insolvency Service’s civil investigation into the circumstances surrounding the redundancies made by P&O Ferries remains ongoing. No further comment or information can be provided at this time.

Care, if he will ensure that the cross-government delivery plan for ME/CFS will include (a) an apology to patients for their historic treatment and (b) clear steps that demonstrate his commitment to delivering a new approach.

The content of the myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), delivery plan has not yet been finalised. The responses to the 2023 interim delivery plan consultation, along with continued close engagement with stakeholders, will inform the development of the final ME/CFS delivery plan, which we aim to publish in the coming months. The plan will focus on boosting research, improving attitudes and education, and bettering the lives of people with this debilitating disease.People with ME/CFS deserve the most appropriate treatment and to be confident that the National Health Service can offer that treatment. I recognise that care for people with ME/CFS has varied widely, and in the worst cases has left some people feeling that their illness is not recognised by the health and care system. We know that more research, better services, and a better understanding of the condition all have the potential to make a huge difference to the quality of life of people with ME/CFS.

Whether steps to strengthen care for (a) ME, (b) Long Covid and (c) other infection-associated chronic conditions will be included in plans to bolster the UK’s preparedness for future pandemics.

Ensuring that the United Kingdom is prepared for a future pandemic is a top priority for the Government, and we are embedding lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic in our approach to pandemic preparedness. We aim to have flexible, adaptable, and scalable capabilities that can respond to any infectious disease or other threat, rather than relying on plans for specific threats.The Government’s response to module one of the COVID-19 inquiry sets out the changes we have made to risk planning and data management to help ensure that we are reducing any disproportionate impacts on any groups or individuals, and targeting support where it can be of best help in civil emergency planning and management. The response is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-government-response-to-the-covid-19-inquiry-module-1-reportThe Government is committed to ensuring that there are quality services for people suffering with long COVID in every part of the country. NHS England has invested significantly in supporting people with long COVID. This includes setting up specialist post-COVID-19 services nationwide for adults, and children and young people, developing digital self-management tools, and investing in ensuring that general practice teams are equipped to support people affected by the condition.The Government has also invested over £57 million into long COVID research. This aims to improve our understanding of the diagnosis and underlying mechanisms of the disease and the effectiveness of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies and interventions, and to evaluate clinical care.

If she will make an estimate of the proportion of claimants who are unfit for work in the Universal Credit (a) limited capability for work and work related activity and (b) (i) income-related and (ii) contributory Employment and Support Allowance group who would not able to move into work if their additional disability component was removed.

In the interim findings report of our Work Aspirations research, 62% of ESA/UC customers with no work-related activity requirements, and 36% with work-related activity requirements, felt they would never be able to work or work again. 28% of ESA/UC customers with no work-related activity requirements, and 38% with work-related activity requirements, felt they might be able to work in future if their health improved. 3% of ESA/UC customers with no work-related activity requirements, and 8% with work-related activity requirements, felt they could work right away if the right job or support was available. The Work Capability Assessment is not working and needs to be reformed or replaced alongside a proper plan to help disabled people into work, which will help them, businesses and the economy. We know that change is desperately needed but equally these sorts of changes shouldn’t be made in haste. So, alongside our Get Britain Working White Paper, we want to engage with disabled people, and others with expertise and experience on these issues, to consider how to address these challenges and build a better system. We will reconsult on the WCA changes as part of our Green Paper in spring 2025 that will bring forward wider proposals to reform the health and disability benefits system.

Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to reply to the correspondence dated 7 December 2024 from the Public and Commercial Services Union.

A response to the Public and Commercial Services Union was sent on 3 February 2025. I apologise for the delay in responding. Defra officials will discuss the implementation of the new framework with the relevant unions.

Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to consult with civil service trade unions prior to the publication of the Governing Greening Commitments 2025-30.

A response to the Public and Commercial Services Union was sent on 3 February 2025. I apologise for the delay in responding. Defra officials will discuss the implementation of the new framework with the relevant unions.

Whether he has made an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of (a) debt collection practices and (b) the use of bailiffs by (i) private companies, (ii) local authorities and (iii) other public bodies on the mental health of people in financial difficulties.

We recognise the effect that debt collection practices and the use of bailiffs can have on some people’s mental health. That is why we have worked with colleagues at HM Treasury and the Money and Pensions Service to promote the mental health Breathing Space scheme, which gives those with mental ill health facing financial difficulties space to receive debt advice, without pressure from creditors or mounting debts.

With reference to the judgment in Clifford v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2025] EWHC 53 (Comm), for what reason she proceeded with the case.

The Courts have found the previous government failed to explain their proposals adequately. We felt, on balance that the consultation that was under challenge had provided people with sufficient information and time to respond intelligently to the proposals. However, we have accepted the judgment and do not intend to appeal. As part of wider reforms that help people into work and ensure fiscal sustainability, the government will re-consult on WCA descriptor changes, addressing the shortcomings in the previous consultation, in light of the judgment. The government intends to deliver the full level of savings in the public finance forecasts.

What the cost to the public purse was of the legal fees incurred in the judicial review of the work capability assessment consultation.

Judgment was handed down in the Work Capability Assessment (WCA): Activities and Descriptors consultation Judicial Review on 16 January 2025. DWP’s litigation costs between 1 November 2023 and 21 January 2025 were £211,345.42. DWP has been ordered to pay the Claimant’s reasonable costs of the claim. The DWP will endeavour to agree those reasonable costs with the Claimant following the standard legal process where necessary. The DWP has been ordered to pay £254,458.63 as a payment on account of the Claimant’s costs representing 60% of an estimate of the costs she has incurred in bringing this claim.

What plans his Department has to increase speciality training places in (a) radiology and (b) oncology.

We are committed to training the staff we need, including radiologists and oncologists, to ensure patients are cared for by the right professional, when and where they need it.We will ensure that the number of medical specialty training places meets the demands of the National Health Service in the future. NHS England will work with stakeholders to ensure that any growth is sustainable and focused in the service areas where need is greatest.This summer we will publish a refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade, and treat patients on time again. We will set out next steps in due course.