Written questions by Smith.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons on complaints that fall below the RCVS definition of serious professional misconduct.

The disciplinary role of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) is to investigate complaints thoroughly, determine whether or not serious professional misconduct has been committed, and then take appropriate action. Defra are currently working with key stakeholders, including the RCVS, to review opportunities for potential reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, including the handling of disciplinary matters.

What steps he is taking to provide sustainable funding for rural pharmacies.

We have increased the core funding for community pharmacy to £3.1billon pounds in 2025/26 and increased the commissioning of additional services like Pharmacy First. We have maintained the Pharmacy Access scheme that provides £19m to support pharmacies in areas where there are fewer pharmacies, including in rural areas.

Whether she will make an assessment of the potential merits of reviewing the criteria used by LINK to asses applications for banking hubs to help meet the needs of rural communities.

The Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those who may be in vulnerable groups or face challenges using alternative payment methods. The Government is committed to maintaining the viability of cash as a payment method for those who choose to use it. The Government also understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets across the UK, including those in rural communities, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. In September 2024, The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) introduced regulatory rules for access to cash. Its rules require the reasonable provision of free cash withdrawal and deposit facilities for personal current accounts. Where a branch closure is announced or a community has submitted a cash access assessment request, LINK, the independent industry coordinating body responsible for making access to cash assessments, assesses a community’s access to cash needs, and will recommend appropriate solutions where it considers that a community requires additional cash services. Any decisions on changes to LINK’s independent assessment criteria are a matter for LINK, the financial services sector, and for the FCA, which oversees the access to cash regime. Under the framework provided by this regime, the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK which will provide individuals up and down the country with critical cash and banking services. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 220 hubs have been announced so far, and over 135 are already open.

What discussions she has had with LINK on its criteria for assessing applications for (a) access to cash services and (b) banking hubs in rural areas.

The Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those who may be in vulnerable groups or face challenges using alternative payment methods. The Government is committed to maintaining the viability of cash as a payment method for those who choose to use it. The Government also understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets across the UK, including those in rural communities, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. In September 2024, The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) introduced regulatory rules for access to cash. Its rules require the reasonable provision of free cash withdrawal and deposit facilities for personal current accounts. Where a branch closure is announced or a community has submitted a cash access assessment request, LINK, the independent industry coordinating body responsible for making access to cash assessments, assesses a community’s access to cash needs, and will recommend appropriate solutions where it considers that a community requires additional cash services. Any decisions on changes to LINK’s independent assessment criteria are a matter for LINK, the financial services sector, and for the FCA, which oversees the access to cash regime. Under the framework provided by this regime, the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK which will provide individuals up and down the country with critical cash and banking services. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 220 hubs have been announced so far, and over 135 are already open.

Innovation and Technology, whether any properties in Skipton and Ripon constituency have been identified as very hard to reach by Project Gigabit.

We expect most UK premises to be able to access a gigabit-capable connection through commercial rollout or Project Gigabit by 2030. Due to value for money constraints, very hard to reach premises are not within the scope of Project Gigabit.As Project Gigabit progresses, we are building a more accurate picture of premises likely to be classed as very hard to reach. This is an iterative process with potential very hard to reach premises present across the UK.For these premises, we continue to explore alternative connectivity options to ensure people living and working in these communities have the connectivity they require to access online services.

What steps he is taking to ensure households in (a) Skipton and Ripon constituency and (b) northern England can access reliable smart meter signal.

The Data Communications Company (DCC) is obligated under its licence conditions to provide Wide Area Network (WAN) coverage to at least 99.25% of premises across Great Britain and 99.5% in the ‘North’ region, which includes the Skipton and Ripon constituency. The DCC is required by licence conditions to assess opportunities to increase the overall level of smart meter Wide Area Network coverage and is examining several options to reach homes not currently able to get coverage as part of its Future Connectivity strategy, which includes consideration of a full range of technical solutions.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to ensure 4G coverage across Skipton and Ripon constituency in the context of (a) the Shared Rural Network and (b) future smart meter network upgrades.

Skipton and Ripon has already benefited from the industry-funded part of the Shared Rural Network (SRN) which has now been completed. 4G coverage from all four mobile network operators has increased to 67% up from 60% and up from 87% to 90% from at least one mobile network operator since the programme was agreed in 2020. There are further improvements to come via the government funded element of the SRN which will see us upgrade six Home Office masts that will deliver new 4G coverage across Skipton and Ripon for the first time.The Data Communications Company is required by licence conditions to assess opportunities to increase the overall level of smart meter Wide Area Network coverage and are examining a number of options to reach homes not currently able to get coverage as part of its Future Connectivity strategy, which includes consideration of a full range of technical solutions.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) on the (a) well-being and (b) development of (i) adopted children and (ii) those with Special Guardianship Orders; and if she will consider making the ASGSF permanent.

The impact of the adoption and special guardianship support fund (ASGSF) on both adopted children and those with Special Guardianship Orders is currently being assessed from multiple angles. The National Institute for Health Research is currently conducting a randomised control trial into dyadic developmental psychotherapy, one of the main therapies the ASGSF funds. Moreover, the department now collects data from outcomes measurement tools for ASGSF-funded therapies. As therapy treatment comes to an end, these data will give an overall picture of the impact and adequacy of individual ASGSF-funded therapies.The Institute of Public Care (IPC) at Oxford Brookes University carried out a three year evaluation from 2018 to 2021 on behalf of the department. The report found that a high proportion, 83%, of parents and guardians participating in the longitudinal survey found the funded support helpful or very helpful overall. The IPC report also found a 'statistically significant (substantial, with large effect size) improvement in parent and guardian estimates of the extent to which the main aim of the funded support had been met by the end of the intervention’. The report also states that parents and guardians scored on average '7 out of 10 in relation to a question about the extent to which positive change(s) for their child and/or family had been sustained six months since the conclusion of adult skills fundASF-funded support.’ The full report can be accessed at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6391c41a8fa8f53ba783e8ad/Evaluation_of_the_Adoption_Support_Fund_2018_to_2022_-_summary_.pdf.Announcements on funding for the ASGSF from April 2025 will be made shortly. However, ASGSF applications are generally permitted to extend up to 12 months, allowing children and families to receive continuing therapy across financial years. Where applications are agreed, therapy which starts before March 2025 may therefore continue into the next financial year, under previously agreed transitional funding arrangements. Families may access the helpline operated by the department’s ASGSF delivery partner for questions about the ASGSF’s operation.

What steps her Department is taking to support families using the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund; and if she will make an announcement on the future of that fund.

The impact of the adoption and special guardianship support fund (ASGSF) on both adopted children and those with Special Guardianship Orders is currently being assessed from multiple angles. The National Institute for Health Research is currently conducting a randomised control trial into dyadic developmental psychotherapy, one of the main therapies the ASGSF funds. Moreover, the department now collects data from outcomes measurement tools for ASGSF-funded therapies. As therapy treatment comes to an end, these data will give an overall picture of the impact and adequacy of individual ASGSF-funded therapies.The Institute of Public Care (IPC) at Oxford Brookes University carried out a three year evaluation from 2018 to 2021 on behalf of the department. The report found that a high proportion, 83%, of parents and guardians participating in the longitudinal survey found the funded support helpful or very helpful overall. The IPC report also found a 'statistically significant (substantial, with large effect size) improvement in parent and guardian estimates of the extent to which the main aim of the funded support had been met by the end of the intervention’. The report also states that parents and guardians scored on average '7 out of 10 in relation to a question about the extent to which positive change(s) for their child and/or family had been sustained six months since the conclusion of adult skills fundASF-funded support.’ The full report can be accessed at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6391c41a8fa8f53ba783e8ad/Evaluation_of_the_Adoption_Support_Fund_2018_to_2022_-_summary_.pdf.Announcements on funding for the ASGSF from April 2025 will be made shortly. However, ASGSF applications are generally permitted to extend up to 12 months, allowing children and families to receive continuing therapy across financial years. Where applications are agreed, therapy which starts before March 2025 may therefore continue into the next financial year, under previously agreed transitional funding arrangements. Families may access the helpline operated by the department’s ASGSF delivery partner for questions about the ASGSF’s operation.

If he will meet with the Lobular Moon Shot Project to discuss funding for lobular breast cancer research.

The Department invests £1.6 billion each year on research through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). NIHR research expenditure for all cancers was £133 million in 2023/24 reflecting its high priority.We are proud to have invested £29 million into the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and the Royal Marsden NIHR Biological Research Centre in 2022, supporting their efforts to strengthen research into cancer, including lobular breast cancer. Wider investments into breast cancer research include a £1.3 million project to determine whether an abbreviated form of breast magnetic resonance imaging can detect breast cancers missed by screening through mammography, including lobular breast cancer. On 4 February 2025 the Department announced that almost 700,000 women across the country will take part in a world-leading trial to test how cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) tools can be used to catch breast cancer cases earlier. The Early Detection using Information Technology in Health (EDITH) trial is backed by £11 million of Government support via the NIHR. The NIHR continues to encourage and welcome funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including lobular breast cancer. Improving outcomes for people with cancer is a priority for the Government.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure all dog rescue organisations adhere to a standardised national framework for the safe rehoming of dogs.

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, any person responsible for an animal, whether on a permanent or temporary basis, has a duty to ensure the welfare of the animals in their care. Companion animal rescue and rehoming organisations in England and Wales must therefore comply with statutory welfare requirements set out in the Animal Welfare Act 2006. We would encourage individuals to report any concerns regarding whether these standards are being met to the relevant local authority. Defra always urges prospective owners to consider rehoming from a reputable organisation in the United Kingdom. Members of the public can check if the rescue centre they use is a member of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH), which has set clear standards for animal assessments, neutering and rehoming procedures that all members adhere to.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Government backs UK R&D with record £20.4 billion investment at Autumn Budget, published on 31 October 2024, when he plans to provide (a) charities, (b) businesses and (c) universities with further information on the availability of this funding.

The Autumn Budget set out the government’s funding plans and departmental allocations for R&D in 2025/26, with an overall R&D budget of £20.4 billion. Of this, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology was allocated £13.9 billion for 2025/26. Further details on how this funding will be allocated across DSIT priorities and partner organisations will be announced in due course, before the start of the financial year.

How many people are currently in custody who have exhausted all rights of appeal and have signed deportation orders but have not yet been deported; and what steps her Department is taking to expedite their removal from the United Kingdom.

The number of individuals who simultaneously fall into all these categories cannot be readily obtained from available data, and such a snapshot exercise could only be conducted for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of numbers of medical appointments on the medical readiness of serving personnel; and what steps he is taking to ensure timely access to primary healthcare for (a) service personnel and (b) their families.

The Defence Medical Services (DMS) provide primary healthcare for Armed Forces personnel and entitled families. Patients registered with DMS have good access to primary care. Urgent primary care appointments are available within one working day in 99% of medical centres and routine appointments within 14 days in all medical centres (92% within five days). DMS has introduced improved triage meaning patients are directed to the right care first time, regardless of where they are located. Combining and networking medical centres has also created more efficient and effective primary care. Secondary care for Armed Forces personnel and families is provided by the NHS in England and the Devolved Administrations. The Ministry of Defence/UK Departments of Health Partnership Board facilitates joint working across the UK to address issues relating to the health and healthcare of Armed Forces personnel and their families.

Whether he has had discussions with internet service providers and with national and international partners on steps taken to prevent unlicensed medicines from entering the UK.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), acting on behalf of my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, is responsible for the regulation of all medicines and medical devices in the United Kingdom, by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe. This includes applying the legal controls on the retail sale, supply, and advertising of medicines, which are set out in the Human Medicines Regulations 2012. These regulations apply equally to medicines advertised, sold, or supplied through the internet.Public safety is the number one priority for the MHRA, and its Criminal Enforcement Unit works hard to prevent, detect, and investigate illegal activity involving medicines and medical devices.The MHRA works closely with e-commerce and the internet industry to identify, remove, and block online content promoting the illegal sale of medicines and medical devices. It also seeks to identify and, where appropriate, prosecute online sellers responsible for putting public health at risk. Working with national and international partners, the MHRA successfully seizes millions of doses of illegally traded medicines each year.The MHRA’s #FakeMeds campaign provides advice to people in the UK who are considering buying medication online, outlining how products can be accessed from safe and legitimate sources. It also encourages people to report suspicious medicinal products and adverse side effects via its Yellow Card scheme, which is available at the following link:https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/

If she hold discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of lead exposure on trends in the level of gross domestic product.

The Treasury works closely with other government departments to manage risks to the UK economy and support economic stability, an essential foundation for long-run economic growth. This includes collaboration with colleagues from the Cabinet Office Civil Contingencies Secretariat and the UK Health Security Agency. The UK Health Security Agency supports partners in identifying the pathway and source of lead exposure and implements public health interventions to reduce associated risks. By continuing to address lead exposure through source identification, remediation, and public awareness, efforts are being made to reduce the potential long-term economic impacts, improving public health outcomes and mitigating associated healthcare costs and productivity losses.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions has she had with the Chief Medical Officer on the potential merits of the inclusion of lead testing in early years medical screening for children.

Government has regular dialogue with The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and other professional bodies in the built environment to ensure that the services their members provide uphold the highest ethical and technical standards for consumers. RICS are an independent body, and it is for them to consider and prioritise any guidance or communications they issue to members regarding built environment risks.The Housing Ombudsman is an independent service providing redress to individual social housing residents in dispute with their landlords. It regularly publishes reports on, and shares with the sector and Government, its findings and makes recommendations for landlords on how they can respond in similar circumstances.The Secretary of State of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government has had no engagement with RICS, the Housing Ombudsman, nor the Chief Medical Officer, regarding lead contamination in homes. However, we would welcome any written representations or evidence from the Rt. Hon. Member on this matter.The health risks associated with lead in housing are longstanding and well known. All building owners are responsible for managing building safety and performance issues of all kinds in their buildings in a proportionate, risk-based, and evidence-based manner, taking action where they deem necessary. Guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) outlines where historic sources of lead might lead to exposure in the home, accessible here: Lead: information for the public - GOV.UK.Homes must be free from health and safety hazards, including lead, at the most dangerous ‘category 1’ level. The Housing Act 2004 says that local authorities must take enforcement action if they find category 1 hazards in any dwelling, regardless of tenure. In addition, social housing fails the Decent Homes Standard if it contains hazards, including lead, at category 1 level. The government has committed to bringing forward a consultation in 2025 setting out plans for a reformed Decent Homes Standard that will apply to both the social and private rented sectors.Finally, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has a duty to keep the safety and of people in or about buildings under review and will undertake their own engagement across the sector to achieve this. Where action needs to be taken, the BSR will advise the Government accordingly.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors on the potential merits of amending its single survey property inspection technical guidance to include lead risk.

Government has regular dialogue with The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and other professional bodies in the built environment to ensure that the services their members provide uphold the highest ethical and technical standards for consumers. RICS are an independent body, and it is for them to consider and prioritise any guidance or communications they issue to members regarding built environment risks.The Housing Ombudsman is an independent service providing redress to individual social housing residents in dispute with their landlords. It regularly publishes reports on, and shares with the sector and Government, its findings and makes recommendations for landlords on how they can respond in similar circumstances.The Secretary of State of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government has had no engagement with RICS, the Housing Ombudsman, nor the Chief Medical Officer, regarding lead contamination in homes. However, we would welcome any written representations or evidence from the Rt. Hon. Member on this matter.The health risks associated with lead in housing are longstanding and well known. All building owners are responsible for managing building safety and performance issues of all kinds in their buildings in a proportionate, risk-based, and evidence-based manner, taking action where they deem necessary. Guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) outlines where historic sources of lead might lead to exposure in the home, accessible here: Lead: information for the public - GOV.UK.Homes must be free from health and safety hazards, including lead, at the most dangerous ‘category 1’ level. The Housing Act 2004 says that local authorities must take enforcement action if they find category 1 hazards in any dwelling, regardless of tenure. In addition, social housing fails the Decent Homes Standard if it contains hazards, including lead, at category 1 level. The government has committed to bringing forward a consultation in 2025 setting out plans for a reformed Decent Homes Standard that will apply to both the social and private rented sectors.Finally, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has a duty to keep the safety and of people in or about buildings under review and will undertake their own engagement across the sector to achieve this. Where action needs to be taken, the BSR will advise the Government accordingly.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 November 2024 to Question 13215 on Lead: Contamination, when the review of lead in food (a) commenced and (b) plans to report.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is reviewing dietary lead as part of its ongoing risk analysis of environmental contaminants in food, including in areas with higher exposure. Scoping work has begun to identify the additional evidence needed, including plans to gather data on lead levels in food from high geochemical lead areas. The detailed schedule and plan for this work is not yet finalised. Updates on its progress will be made available on the FSA’s website.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with he Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors on the inclusion of questions on (a) lead pipes and (b) paint in its vendor liaison checklist.

Government has regular dialogue with The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and other professional bodies in the built environment to ensure that the services their members provide uphold the highest ethical and technical standards for consumers. RICS are an independent body, and it is for them to consider and prioritise any guidance or communications they issue to members regarding built environment risks.The Housing Ombudsman is an independent service providing redress to individual social housing residents in dispute with their landlords. It regularly publishes reports on, and shares with the sector and Government, its findings and makes recommendations for landlords on how they can respond in similar circumstances.The Secretary of State of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government has had no engagement with RICS, the Housing Ombudsman, nor the Chief Medical Officer, regarding lead contamination in homes. However, we would welcome any written representations or evidence from the Rt. Hon. Member on this matter.The health risks associated with lead in housing are longstanding and well known. All building owners are responsible for managing building safety and performance issues of all kinds in their buildings in a proportionate, risk-based, and evidence-based manner, taking action where they deem necessary. Guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) outlines where historic sources of lead might lead to exposure in the home, accessible here: Lead: information for the public - GOV.UK.Homes must be free from health and safety hazards, including lead, at the most dangerous ‘category 1’ level. The Housing Act 2004 says that local authorities must take enforcement action if they find category 1 hazards in any dwelling, regardless of tenure. In addition, social housing fails the Decent Homes Standard if it contains hazards, including lead, at category 1 level. The government has committed to bringing forward a consultation in 2025 setting out plans for a reformed Decent Homes Standard that will apply to both the social and private rented sectors.Finally, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has a duty to keep the safety and of people in or about buildings under review and will undertake their own engagement across the sector to achieve this. Where action needs to be taken, the BSR will advise the Government accordingly.