Written questions by Davies.

What support his department has provided to (a) establish a medical school at the University of Derby, and (b) to do so in time for the 2027/28 academic year.

Awaiting answer.

Whether he plans to introduce new consumer protections against rogue traders.

Awaiting answer.

What progress she has made on improving the process by which people can apply for and obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate.

This Government is committed to protecting trans people, ensuring that they are treated with dignity and respect.We have already delivered our manifesto commitment to equalise all existing strands of hate crime to ensure that hate crime committed on the basis of sexual orientation, transgender identity, sex or disability is treated equally seriously to that committed on the basis of race or religion. Our next priorities are improving trans healthcare and, as set out in the King’s Speech, to bring forward a trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices.

What steps his Department is taking to stabilise the supply of progesterone and other hormone replacement therapy medications.

Awaiting answer.

What steps his Department is taking to support women who require hormone replacement therapy medication for management of long-term health conditions.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of school budgets on workforce decisions.

Awaiting answer.

What plans her department has to improve retention of experienced and senior teachers in mainstream schools.

Awaiting answer.

What data her Department holds on what proportion of driving test bookings involved the initial driving licence number on the booking form being subsequently changed, in each month since January 2015.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of extending the eligibility for a free copy of a judge’s remarks made after a jury has delivered its verdict to complainants in sexual assault cases where the defendant was found not guilty.

Currently, victims of rape and other sexual offences and bereaved families of homicide victims can already request a free copy of the judge’s sentencing remarks. Building on this, the Government is taking significant action to go further. From Spring 2027, all victims who want them will be able to request a free copy of Crown Court sentencing remarks directly relevant to their case. This is a major step forward for transparency and victims’ access to information.At this stage, the Government does not have plans to extend free provision to additional categories of court transcripts. Our immediate priority is to ensure that the expansion of free Crown Court sentencing remarks is delivered effectively, so that victims can truly benefit from this significant reform.However, we are focused on driving improvements for the longer term. This is why we are undertaking a study looking into the feasibility of using Artificial Intelligence to transcribe court hearings. The findings will identify what is possible with AI transcription in a Crown Court setting, providing an evidence base for future decisions about how transcript provision could be expanded in a way that is operationally sustainable and delivers real benefits for victims.

What progress she has made on improving the process by which people can apply for and obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support local authorities in the provision of adult social care.

Baroness Casey is leading an independent commission into adult social care to help shape the reforms needed to realise a National Care Service. But councils can make a difference to improving care via their role as commissioners, and I am working with the minister for care to support local authorities in doing so. This is backed by around £4.6 billion additional funding available for adult social care in 2028–29 compared to 2025–26. This includes £500 million for the first Fair Pay Agreement to improve adult social care worker pay and conditions.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to support local authorities in utilising unspent s.106 funds.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question UIN 54059 on 6 June 2025.

Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of allowing for greater pooling of section 106 funds between local authorities to free up unspent funding.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question UIN 54059 on 6 June 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of producing guidance for local authorities on a) the opportunities to reallocate s.106 funding for stalled projects, and b) making it clearer to local authorities that reallocation is permissible.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question UIN 54059 on 6 June 2025.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the government is taking to (a) promote the use of recycled water, (b) support water companies to harvest the benefits of recycled water and (c) increase public awareness that recycled water may be a way to reduce demand on the supply of potable water.

The Government recognises the benefits of water reuse, specifically greywater and rainwater recycling play a key role in ensuring our homes and businesses can be water efficient. This was set out in the Water White Paper, which committed to facilitating the adoption of reused water and review the right to connect to water supply for domestic and non-domestic purposes, freeing up potable water supply for growth. The Government is also exploring how water-efficient technologies, including greywater and rainwater reuse, can be supported through the review of the Building Regulations (2010). The Government will continue to work with Ofwat, water companies and developers to encourage and support their delivery of water and wastewater efficiency and reuse measures.

Communities and Local Government, what support he is providing to assist local authorities in adopting infrastructure on newly developed housing estates.

The government does not provide any direct financial or other support to assist Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) in adopting infrastructure on newly developed housing estates. LPAs can use Section 106 planning obligations to secure a commitment from developers to deliver infrastructure that is necessary to make a development acceptable in planning terms. LPAs may take enforcement action in respect of any breach of the obligations contained within a Section 106 agreement. I otherwise refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement on 18 December 2025 (HCWS1210) and the answer given to Question UIN 112724 on 3 March 2026.

Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of powers held by (a) Government and (b) local authorities to compel housing developers to complete works so that infrastructure can be adopted on newly developed housing estates.

The government does not provide any direct financial or other support to assist Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) in adopting infrastructure on newly developed housing estates. LPAs can use Section 106 planning obligations to secure a commitment from developers to deliver infrastructure that is necessary to make a development acceptable in planning terms. LPAs may take enforcement action in respect of any breach of the obligations contained within a Section 106 agreement. I otherwise refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement on 18 December 2025 (HCWS1210) and the answer given to Question UIN 112724 on 3 March 2026.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the British Council’s delivery of the Cultural Protection Fund on (a) strengthening support for communities connected to UNESCO World Heritage Sites and (b) promoting international cultural partnerships.

The CPF supports communities to safeguard cultural heritage threatened by conflict and climate change regardless of UNESCO World Heritage status. Funded projects strengthen individual, community and societal identity alongside protecting cultural heritage. The fund is well placed to strengthen support for communities connected to UNESCO World Heritage Sites if that is part of the project scope, and has done for many previous projects.DCMS has confirmed a further £9m of funding to the CPF until March 2029. A new call for projects will launch in June 2026. While UNESCO sites may apply, and some have received funding from the CPF in the past, applicants must demonstrate local significance.In 2026, CPF will also take on the stewardship of the Culture in Crisis programme, which will convene international heritage actors to learn from each other and international cultural partnerships.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the contribution of the British Council’s delivery of the Cultural Protection Fund on the safeguarding and long-term preservation of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Since 2016, the Cultural Protection Fund (CPF) has worked to safeguard cultural heritage globally threatened by conflict or climate change. It supports projects significant to local communities through open calls, irrespective of UNESCO status. The CPF has delivered projects in UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Bamiyan in Afghanistan, Lamu Old Town in Kenya and Aleppo in Syria. The safeguarding of heritage, both tangible and intangible, is core to all projects delivered by the CPF. DCMS is positive about the impact the CPF has had on keeping international cultural heritage sites and culturally significant objects safe, as reported in the 2019 Tailored Review of the British Council. Three evaluations of the CPF have been published and the evaluation of the CPF 2022-2025 programme will be published in spring 2026.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the British Council in delivering the Cultural Protection Fund in support of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in conflict-affected and fragile regions.

Since 2016, DCMS and the British Council have partnered to deliver the Cultural Protection Fund (CPF). This fund safeguards cultural heritage at risk due to conflict and climate change. The fund responds to open calls to protect heritage that is significant to the communities closest to it, regardless of UNESCO World Heritage status. Since 2016 DCMS has awarded £56m to the British Council and the CPF has awarded over 150 grants to projects in 20 countries. DCMS has confirmed a further £9m of funding to the CPF until March 2029. The British Council’s plans remain ambitious over the coming period, opening a new call for applications in June 2026. As reported in the 2019 tailored review of the British Council, DCMS feels the CPF has made a significant contribution to the department’s priorities. Three evaluations of the CPF have been published and the evaluation of the CPF’s 2022-2025 programme will be published in spring 2026.