Written questions by McDonnell.

What estimate his Department has made of the potential impact of the changes to income thresholds in the Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules, HC 997, published on 1 July 2025, on the number of people employed on Skilled Worker Visas who no longer have leave to remain.

The Immigration Rules, published on 1 July 2025, set out the wider salary changes across the Skilled Worker route. This increased salary requirement does not apply to the Health and Care Worker visa.From 9 April 2025, the minimum salary for the Health and Care Worker visa, which is part of the Skilled Worker route, increased to £25,000 per year. For healthcare roles that are eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa, the salary threshold is linked to national pay scales for the specific job, or the minimum of £25,000, whichever is higher.Entry level National Health Service Agenda for Change band 3 roles do not meet the new minimum salary threshold for a Health and Care Worker visa. However, Agenda for Change NHS pay band 3 staff currently on the Health and Care Worker visa are not required to meet the new minimum salary threshold until the point at which they need to renew their visa. At this point, we expect the majority of staff to have accrued two or more years’ experience and therefore be at the top of pay band 3, which is above the new minimum salary threshold.The Department continues to monitor trends in the size of the care workforce using a range of intelligence, including monthly tracking based on data collections from independent providers.

With reference to her policy paper entitled Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules: HC 1333, published on 14 October 2025, whether she has made an estimate of the number of workers currently employed on a Skilled Worker visa who will no longer have leave to remain.

The changes to the Immigration Rules in respect of English language requirements set out in HC1333 come into force on 8 January 2026 and do not affect the position of those given leave to remain as a Skilled Worker before that date. The changes to the Rules specify that a Skilled Worder previously given leave to remain on the basis of having met the previous requirement at B1 level will be able to extend their stay without needing to meet the new requirement.

Innovation and Technology, whether the criteria relating to (a) environmental sustainability, (b) energy delivery and (c) local economic benefit for assessing proposals to host AI Growth Zones have been formally agreed; and if he will publish these criteria to ensure transparency in the selection process.

The AI Opportunities Action Plan set out how the UK can lay the foundations for AI growth, including the creation of AI Growth Zones. To be considered, sites must be capable of delivering at least 500 MW of power for AI workloads by 2030, offer a minimum of 100 acres of land for development by 2028, and set out credible plans covering planning, delivery, and local economic benefits. These criteria were published on the government website as part of the AIGZ process earlier this year, which can be found here: AI Growth Zones: open for applications - GOV.UK

What steps he is taking to ensure that data relating to new civil service starters that is shared between Departments is based on formal trade union recognition rights and not general eligibility for union membership.

Data on new Civil Service starters is not routinely shared between departments. Trade union recognition rights within the Civil Service should be agreed by both the department and its recognised trade unions in the form of a framework agreement. This is delegated to departments to negotiate with their recognised trade unions.

Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the proposed funding by the European Commission for the development of new approach methodologies which do not involve the use of live animals in experiments.

The Government is committed to supporting alternatives to animals in science and will publish a strategy to support their development, validation and adoption later this year. We have reviewed the European Commission's (EC) Life Sciences Strategy and engaged with the European Medicines Agency on accelerating the science-led adoption of alternatives for a range of uses of animals in science, including chemicals, medicines and cosmetics. Government officials regularly attend international meetings to collaborate on best practice and consider approaches to reducing reliance on animal testing, including attending European Commission workshops on the EC roadmap to phasing out animal testing for chemicals.

Whether her Department has taken steps to implement the recommendations of the report by Dr Frances Rawle entitled The role of review and regulatory approvals processes for animal research in supporting implementation of the 3Rs, published on 27 February 2023.

The Rawle report identified opportunities to strengthen regulation and review processes supporting the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement) in animal research, some of which are led by the Home Office. The Home Office has taken substantive steps to implement the recommendations, including:Licensing reform: The National Centre for the 3Rs are undertaking a review of the project licence application form to ensure robust and targeted assessment of 3Rs compliance at the application stage. The NC3Rs will provide recommendations to the Home Office.Audit enhancements: The Regulator has reviewed its approach to auditing licensed scientific establishments. When launched, audits will include a greater focus on assessing the effectiveness of Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Bodies (AWERBs).Named persons and AWERBs: A commission has been issued to the Animals in Science Committee to seek advice on strengthening the roles of AWERBs and Named Information Officers, and to include a request for guidance on promoting the 3Rs beyond licence review.Increased 3Rs training and resources: the training package for inspectors has been enhanced with a greater emphasis on replacement methodologies.

If he will provide information on the (a) new Public Private Partnerships and (b) in what way they differ from Private Finance Initiatives.

The Government announced, in the 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy document on the 19 June 2025 and the 10-Year Health plan published on 3 July 2025, that it will explore the feasibility of using new Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to deliver certain types of primary and community health infrastructure.A decision whether to use PPPs in these circumstances will be taken by the 2025 Autumn Budget, based on the co-development of a model and business case between the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority and the Department. The Department conducted a successful preliminary market engagement exercise over the summer, and this is feeding into the business case, which is still in development.Any new PPP models will be subject to further market-testing and will build on lessons learned from past experience, models currently in use, and the March 2025 National Audit Office report Lessons Learned: private finance for infrastructure.

Which companies have expressed an interest in investing in Public Private Partnerships.

The Government announced in the 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy document, published on 19 June, and its 10 Year Health Plan, published on 3 July, that it will explore the feasibility of using new Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to deliver certain types of primary and community health infrastructure.A decision whether to use PPPs in these circumstances will be taken in the Autumn Budget 2025, based on co-development of a model and business case between the Department and the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority.Any new model will be market-tested and informed by past lessons and recent Government reviews to ensure better outcomes and value for money.To better understand market appetite and lessons learned from previous PPPs, the Department conducted a successful preliminary market engagement exercise over the course of the summer. We had in excess of 320 interested parties who registered an interest, including advisors, construction, equity, debt, facilities management, and managed service providers. This preliminary market engagement exercise was not inviting expression of interest to invest, instead, it was focused on testing market appetite for a new PPP model and discussing lessons learnt.

What steps her Department is taking to help tackle age discrimination in the workplace.

The Government acknowledges the key role employers play in helping older individuals to remain in or re-enter the workforce, and the importance of embracing policies conducive to this support. The 2010 Equality Act provides strong protection against direct and indirect age discrimination in employment, rendering it unlawful for employers to discriminate against employees or job applicants based on age. We know that work helps everyone play active and fulfilling roles in society while building financial security for retirement. The Department is committed to supporting older workers through a wide-ranging strategy that promotes inclusion, flexibility, and progression. This includes promoting age-inclusive practices, supporting workplace health, policy and service reform and removing age related barriers to employment. The Department has also signed up to and actively promotes the Age-Friendly Employer Pledge, encouraging employers to adopt flexible working, age-positive hiring, and career development. Our new Jobs and Careers service will enable everyone to access support to find good, meaningful work, and help them progress in work or increase their earnings. The Jobs and Careers Service will incorporate principles of accessibility and inclusivity, acknowledging diverse support needs, including those of older individuals. We also asked Sir Charlie Mayfield to lead an independent “Keep Britain Working” review as a part of the plan to Get Britain Working. In recognition of employer's vital role, his review is considering recommendations to support and enable employers to promote healthy and inclusive workplaces. This includes the perspectives of older people themselves, as well as input from organisations like the Centre for Ageing Better. Recommendations are expected in autumn 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 55524 on Gaza: Genocide, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of this policy on Government decision making.

Our policy remains as set out in the answer to which the Right Hon Gentleman refers.

Whether she has provided guidance to police forces on the entry of police into supportive environments for neurodiverse people.

The College of Policing is responsible for setting the relevant professional standards, guidance and training on operational policing matters. The College’s core guidance includes the initial training for officers under the Policing Education Qualifications Framework which incorporates autism, learning disabilities, mental health and vulnerabilities. Through this, officers are taught to assess vulnerability and amend their approaches as required.The NPCC have established a National Neurodiversity Working Group whose work includes supporting police forces to design and deliver an effective service for neurodivergent victims, witnesses, suspects, and residents.Police powers of entry under PACE must be exercised proportionally, meaning the level of intrusion should be necessary and justified in the circumstances, and where there are vulnerable people, the powers must be balanced to ensure public safety and the rights of individuals. Police forces, including the Met use a Vulnerability Assessment Framework (VAF) to identify vulnerability and ensure an appropriate response.

What guidance her Department has issued to police forces on supporting neurodiverse people.

The College of Policing is responsible for setting the relevant professional standards, guidance and training on operational policing matters. The College’s core guidance includes the initial training for officers under the Policing Education Qualifications Framework which incorporates autism, learning disabilities, mental health and vulnerabilities. Through this, officers are taught to assess vulnerability and amend their approaches as required.The NPCC have established a National Neurodiversity Working Group whose work includes supporting police forces to design and deliver an effective service for neurodivergent victims, witnesses, suspects, and residents.Police powers of entry under PACE must be exercised proportionally, meaning the level of intrusion should be necessary and justified in the circumstances, and where there are vulnerable people, the powers must be balanced to ensure public safety and the rights of individuals. Police forces, including the Met use a Vulnerability Assessment Framework (VAF) to identify vulnerability and ensure an appropriate response.

What discussions she has had with the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police on the development of policing best practice in responding to the needs of neurodiverse people.

The College of Policing is responsible for setting the relevant professional standards, guidance and training on operational policing matters. The College’s core guidance includes the initial training for officers under the Policing Education Qualifications Framework which incorporates autism, learning disabilities, mental health and vulnerabilities. Through this, officers are taught to assess vulnerability and amend their approaches as required.The NPCC have established a National Neurodiversity Working Group whose work includes supporting police forces to design and deliver an effective service for neurodivergent victims, witnesses, suspects, and residents.Police powers of entry under PACE must be exercised proportionally, meaning the level of intrusion should be necessary and justified in the circumstances, and where there are vulnerable people, the powers must be balanced to ensure public safety and the rights of individuals. Police forces, including the Met use a Vulnerability Assessment Framework (VAF) to identify vulnerability and ensure an appropriate response.

What training is provided by police forces for interacting with neurodiverse people; and whether she has considered the potential merits of issuing guidance on this matter.

The College of Policing is responsible for setting the relevant professional standards, guidance and training on operational policing matters. The College’s core guidance includes the initial training for officers under the Policing Education Qualifications Framework which incorporates autism, learning disabilities, mental health and vulnerabilities. Through this, officers are taught to assess vulnerability and amend their approaches as required.The NPCC have established a National Neurodiversity Working Group whose work includes supporting police forces to design and deliver an effective service for neurodivergent victims, witnesses, suspects, and residents.Police powers of entry under PACE must be exercised proportionally, meaning the level of intrusion should be necessary and justified in the circumstances, and where there are vulnerable people, the powers must be balanced to ensure public safety and the rights of individuals. Police forces, including the Met use a Vulnerability Assessment Framework (VAF) to identify vulnerability and ensure an appropriate response.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Prime Minister has had discussions with US president Donald Trump on the proscription of Palestine Action.

I refer the Hon Member to my answer of 16 July 2025, Official Report, PQ 66037.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of reducing funding for (a) journalism, (b) media studies, (c) publishing and (d) information services courses on (i) their commercial viability and (ii) trends in numbers of students studying those courses.

I refer the right hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington to the answer of 16 July 2025 to Question 63373.

How many higher education providers received Strategic Priorities Grant funding for journalism courses in each year since 2019.

The government provides funding through the Strategic Priorities Grant (SPG) on an annual basis to support teaching and students in higher education (HE). The department is prioritising support for high-cost subjects that are essential to the delivery of our industrial strategy and for access to HE for disadvantaged groups.Funding for all subjects, including journalism, will benefit from the increase in tuition fee limits in line with inflation.Journalism remains an important and valued subject, and the government acknowledges its importance, alongside numerous other subjects that do not attract SPG high-cost subject funding, such as history, languages, economics, mathematics and law.

How much funding was allocated to journalism courses through the Strategic Priorities Grant in each of the last five years.

The government provides funding through the Strategic Priorities Grant (SPG) on an annual basis to support teaching and students in higher education (HE). The department is prioritising support for high-cost subjects that are essential to the delivery of our industrial strategy and for access to HE for disadvantaged groups.Funding for all subjects, including journalism, will benefit from the increase in tuition fee limits in line with inflation.Journalism remains an important and valued subject, and the government acknowledges its importance, alongside numerous other subjects that do not attract SPG high-cost subject funding, such as history, languages, economics, mathematics and law.

If she will make it her policy to reverse her decision to reduce funding for (a) journalism and (b) media-related courses.

I refer the right hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington to the answer of 16 July 2025 to Question 63373.

What data she used to inform her decision to remove high-cost subject funding from (a) journalism, (b) media studies, (c) publishing and (d) information services.

I refer the right hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington to the answer of 16 July 2025 to Question 63373.