Written questions by Smith.

Communities and Local Government, what discussion has she had with the Housing Ombudsman on the potential merits of a pilot testing scheme on for lead in UK housing stock.

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 has she had with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors on the inclusion of tests for (a) lead paint, and (b) sampling of (i) dust and (ii) for lead in its equipment 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.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions has she had with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors RICS on the inclusion of lead hazards in communications to its members.

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 Housing Ombudsman on testing for (a) lead contamination and (b) risk in housing.

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.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 11 October 2024 to Question 6209 on Lead: Contamination, whether he has had recent discussions with the Environment Agency on the Water and Abandoned Metal Mines programme.

Defra works closely with the Environment Agency to ensure it is equipped to carry out its functions effectively and deliver for the public and the environment; this includes its work to reduce pollution from abandoned metal mines.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions has she had with Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyor on extending the Home Survey Standard to include (a) soil, (b) lead light windows, (c) decorative lead flashing and (d) lead contaminated dust in roof spaces.

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.

Whether he is taking steps to prevent health companies based overseas from selling hormone treatments online to people living in the UK.

In response to recommendations by the Commission on Human Medicines, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced an indefinite ban on gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues for new patients with gender dysphoria and/or incongruence. This legislation came into effect on 1 January 2025 as the previous section 62 emergency order expired, and is available at the following link:https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2024/1319/madeThis indefinite order continues to prohibit the sale or supply of GnRH analogues prescribed by private United Kingdom-registered prescribers, for gender dysphoria or gender incongruence, to under 18 year olds not already taking them, and the sale and supply of the drugs against prescriptions from prescribers registered in the European Economic Area or Switzerland, for any purposes, to anyone under 18 years old.Regarding other hormone treatments, we would always recommend patients use services and clinical practitioners registered in the UK so they can be assured of the safety and quality of the services they receive. Medicines bought outside the legal supply chain do not have a UK marketing authorisation and may be harmful. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency works with national and international partners to prevent unlicensed medicines from entering the UK.

What plans he has to allow children who are (a) out of school and (b) in alternative provision to receive seasonal vaccinations that are otherwise provided on school premises.

The Government is committed to protecting those most at risk from vaccine preventable diseases through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. This includes the offer of a seasonal flu vaccine to children aged two or three years old, primary school aged children, from Reception to Year 6, secondary school aged children, from Year 7 to Year 11, and children in clinical risk groups aged from six months old to less than 18 years old.NHS England is responsible for the commissioning of school age immunisation programmes that are delivered as part of the routine vaccination schedule. NHS England has confirmed that dedicated Immunisation Team providers are commissioned to deliver a 100% offer to all eligible school aged children, from Reception to Year 11, to get their flu vaccine at school. This is a mainly school-based model, with additional opportunities offered in community clinics for those who miss the school opportunity or who are not in mainstream education, for instance if they are home schooled. General practices are also commissioned by NHS England to deliver catchups for school aged children and young people on an opportunistic basis to maximise uptake. This information can be found at the National Health Service website, and is available at the following link: https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine/

What plans she has to support local authorities to provide activities which promote children’s (a) health, (b) wellbeing and (c) learning during school holidays.

Departmental budgets for 2025/26 will be confirmed in due course, including the exact funding available for this type of support for children, young people and families during the holidays.

What estimate the Food Standards Agency has made of the risk of lead contamination in (a) silage and (b) animal feed produced on floodplains downstream of historical lead mining sites.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is planning to review dietary lead as part of its rolling programme of risk analysis of environmental contaminants in food. This will include consideration of areas where exposure is likely to be higher. Scoping work has started, including considering what, if any, additional evidence and data may be required.The FSA has not undertaken a specific estimation of the risk of lead contamination in silage or animal feed. However, in conjunction with the National Farmers Union, the FSA has provided advice to farmers to mitigate against lead entering the food chain, and how to avoid lead contamination. In addition, maximum levels for undesirable substances in products intended for animal feed have been established in Schedule 4 of the Animal Feed (Composition, Marketing and Use) (England) Regulations 2015, with further information on the regulations available at the following link:https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/255/schedule/4This includes levels for lead in feed materials and forage, which includes hay and silage. Any product which exceeds these limits is not permitted to be placed on the market. These regulations are enforced by local authorities. Under animal feed legislation, feed businesses, which include farmers, are responsible for making sure the feed they produce is safe for the animals it is intended for.The impact of flooding on areas of land with historical levels of lead contamination is a matter for local councils to consider under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. They have the duty to inspect their areas to identify contaminated land. This would cover situations where lead is washed from rivers or sediments onto floodplains or where existing lead contamination on land is impacted by flooding. Lead may be discharged into rivers from abandoned metal mines and the Environment Agency is working with the Coal Authority under the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs’ Water and Abandoned Metal Mines Programme to identify and tackle the priority discharges.

Whether the Food Standards Agency's planned review of dietary lead will consider the extent of contamination up to 100 kilometres downstream of historical lead mining sites.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is planning to review dietary lead as part of its rolling programme of risk analysis of environmental contaminants in food. This will include consideration of areas where exposure is likely to be higher. Scoping work has started, including considering what, if any, additional evidence and data may be required.The FSA has not undertaken a specific estimation of the risk of lead contamination in silage or animal feed. However, in conjunction with the National Farmers Union, the FSA has provided advice to farmers to mitigate against lead entering the food chain, and how to avoid lead contamination. In addition, maximum levels for undesirable substances in products intended for animal feed have been established in Schedule 4 of the Animal Feed (Composition, Marketing and Use) (England) Regulations 2015, with further information on the regulations available at the following link:https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/255/schedule/4This includes levels for lead in feed materials and forage, which includes hay and silage. Any product which exceeds these limits is not permitted to be placed on the market. These regulations are enforced by local authorities. Under animal feed legislation, feed businesses, which include farmers, are responsible for making sure the feed they produce is safe for the animals it is intended for.The impact of flooding on areas of land with historical levels of lead contamination is a matter for local councils to consider under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. They have the duty to inspect their areas to identify contaminated land. This would cover situations where lead is washed from rivers or sediments onto floodplains or where existing lead contamination on land is impacted by flooding. Lead may be discharged into rivers from abandoned metal mines and the Environment Agency is working with the Coal Authority under the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs’ Water and Abandoned Metal Mines Programme to identify and tackle the priority discharges.

What steps the Food Standards Agency is taking to (a) assess and (b) mitigate the risk of lead contamination in (i) allotments and (ii) other food growing areas located on floodplains downstream of historical lead mines.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is planning to review dietary lead as part of its rolling programme of risk analysis of environmental contaminants in food. This will include consideration of areas where exposure is likely to be higher. Scoping work has started, including considering what, if any, additional evidence and data may be required.The FSA has not undertaken a specific estimation of the risk of lead contamination in silage or animal feed. However, in conjunction with the National Farmers Union, the FSA has provided advice to farmers to mitigate against lead entering the food chain, and how to avoid lead contamination. In addition, maximum levels for undesirable substances in products intended for animal feed have been established in Schedule 4 of the Animal Feed (Composition, Marketing and Use) (England) Regulations 2015, with further information on the regulations available at the following link:https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/255/schedule/4This includes levels for lead in feed materials and forage, which includes hay and silage. Any product which exceeds these limits is not permitted to be placed on the market. These regulations are enforced by local authorities. Under animal feed legislation, feed businesses, which include farmers, are responsible for making sure the feed they produce is safe for the animals it is intended for.The impact of flooding on areas of land with historical levels of lead contamination is a matter for local councils to consider under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. They have the duty to inspect their areas to identify contaminated land. This would cover situations where lead is washed from rivers or sediments onto floodplains or where existing lead contamination on land is impacted by flooding. Lead may be discharged into rivers from abandoned metal mines and the Environment Agency is working with the Coal Authority under the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs’ Water and Abandoned Metal Mines Programme to identify and tackle the priority discharges.

Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to update its policy guidance on metal mine pollution to reflect the primary risk from sediment contamination in river channels and floodplains.

There is no specific policy guidance on metal mine pollution. The Environment Agency (EA) considers the primary risk from abandoned metal mines to be pollution of rivers and estuaries, with around 1,500km of rivers polluted by metals. The government has a long-term statutory target to halve the length of rivers polluted by six target substances from abandoned metal mines by 31 December 2038. The six target substances which pose the greatest threat to, or via the aquatic environment are cadmium, lead, nickel, zinc, copper, and arsenic. Through the Water and Abandoned Metal Mines Programme - a partnership between Defra, the EA and the Coal Authority - government is taking action to develop mine water treatment schemes and diffuse interventions to prevent metals from abandoned metal mines and metal mine waste heaps from entering local river systems. Where contamination from abandoned metal mines impacts land rather than water then this is covered by the Government’s policy on land contamination including the Land Contamination Risk Management Framework which sets out the approach on how to assess and manage risks from land contamination and the statutory contaminated land regime (Part 2A of the Environment Act 1990, supporting Regulations and Statutory Guidance).

Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate his department has made of the potential changes to the level of risk of lead contamination from flooding events due to climate change in areas downstream of historical lead mines.

Environment Agency (EA) monitoring indicates that climate change could potentially increase the mass (kg/day) of metals washed into rivers from historic metal mines. Erosion of spoil heaps during storm events can increase the mobilisation of metals into rivers and re-suspend metal-rich sediments previously deposited in river channels. For example, on average 127 tonnes of zinc and 40 tonnes of lead enters the Tyne estuary annually (all from abandoned metal mines); however, 50% of this zinc and 80% of this lead flows into the estuary during the highest 5% of river flows. However, while the mass of metals washed into rivers increases in storm events, the severity of water pollution (metal concentrations in mg/l) may decrease due to dilution. In flood events these metals can be washed onto floodplains, causing land contamination. Climate change is expected to increase the risk of floodplains downstream from historic mining sites being contaminated by flooding. Through the Water and Abandoned Metal Mines Programme - a partnership between Defra, the EA and the Coal Authority – the Government is taking action to develop mine water treatment schemes and diffuse interventions to prevent metals from abandoned metal mines, including lead, from entering local river systems.

Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the extent of sediment-associated lead contamination in (a) river channels and (b) floodplains downstream of historical lead mines; and if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the Environment Agency's focus on water pollution in addressing this risk.

In 2008, the Environment Agency (EA) published the report: Assessment of metal mining contaminated river sediments in England and Wales - GOV.UK. The report brought together all available information on metal concentrations in river sediments, riverbanks and floodplain soils downstream of abandoned metal mines. This confirmed:The long history of metal mining in England has contaminated sediments in rivers, estuaries and lakes, as well as floodplain soils with a range of metals, particularly lead, cadmium, zinc and copper.Although metal discharges were greater during the peak period of active mining in the nineteenth century, inputs of dissolved and particulate metals still occur. Past discharges have left a reservoir of highly contaminated sediments in lowland rivers many kilometres downstream of the mines.This metal contamination may pose a risk to aquatic wildlife and agriculture, but the report did not assess these risks. Through Defra’s Water and Abandoned Metal Mines (WAMM) Programme, the EA is working with the Coal Authority to tackle water pollution from abandoned metal mines. The government has a legally binding target to halve the length of rivers polluted by metals, including lead, from abandoned metal mines by 2038. Through diffuse interventions and treatment schemes, WAMM has already improved water quality in ~100 km of rivers. Local Authorities are responsible for identifying contaminated land under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This includes where floodplains exist downstream of historic lead mines if lead washed out of rivers is causing an unacceptable risk to people, crops, or livestock. Defra recently commissioned the EA to produce another State of Contaminated Land Report. The EA will seek to include additional questions in this desk-based survey to find out if Local Councils are assessing contaminated land risks downstream of historical lead mines.

With reference to his Department's consultation entitled Health and social care statistical outputs which closed on 5 March 2024, when he plans to respond to that consultation; and if he will publish a timeline for implementing the recommendations of that consultation.

The Department expects to publish a response to the consultation this year. Work is ongoing across the Department, the UK Health Security Agency, NHS England, and the Office for National Statistics to agree and align proposals following the feedback from users.Any resulting changes to statistical publications will be made in line with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. The timings of each of these will vary by publication.

If he will take steps to (a) ensure regular public data releases and (b) improve the timeliness of data available.

The Department is strongly committed to upholding the Code of Practice for Official Statistics, and its three constituent pillars of trustworthiness, quality, and value. As such, the Department is committed to releasing timely data at a frequency that meets the needs of users, as far as practicable.For example, over the winter, NHS England increased the frequency of its publications of data on urgent and emergency care, in response to the increased need for this data at this time.The Heads of Profession for Statistics in the Department and its arm’s-length bodies ensure that statistical producers continually review their products and improve the quality and frequency of publication, in line with the needs of the users of data and statistics.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the progress of Project Gigabit in rural areas.

As of February 2024, over 1 million premises had been upgraded to gigabit-capable broadband through government-funded programmes. Between April 2022 and March 2023, 90% of premises benefiting from government broadband schemes were in rural areas.To improve coverage further, we currently have 36 Project Gigabit contracts in place to bring fast, reliable broadband to over 1 million more homes and businesses, and further contracts are scheduled to be awarded in the coming months.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to improve rural ultrafast broadband connectivity.

The government is committed to delivering fast, reliable broadband through Project Gigabit with a goal of nationwide coverage by 2030. There are 36 contracts in place, set to connect over 1 million homes and businesses that would otherwise miss out, with more contracts to be awarded in the coming months.Although the vast majority of premises will be covered by commercial activity or Project Gigabit, a small proportion of premises will remain too expensive to build a gigabit capable connection to. These very hard to reach premises may require additional government intervention to help provide them with ultrafast connections.

Whether she plans to apply VAT to small private schools offering Montessori education where pre-school age children are in the same classes as older children.

From 1 January 2025, the 20% standard rate of VAT will apply to all education services, vocational training, and boarding services provided by private schools for a charge. This will apply to any fees charged after 29 July 2024 for terms starting after 1 January 2025. The government has listened to feedback regarding the definition of “nursery class” used in the draft legislation. To ensure the legislation achieves the policy intent of keeping nursery education exempt from VAT across the UK, the definition of a nursery class has been amended to: “a class that is composed wholly (or almost wholly) of children who are under compulsory school age or, in Scotland, school age, and would not be expected to attain that age while in that class”. Therefore, providing the majority of children in the nursery class are under compulsory school age and aren’t expected to turn compulsory school age that year, the whole nursery class will remain exempt from VAT. Nursery schools not attached to a private school will remain exempt from VAT, regardless of the age of their pupils. Further detail can be found in the government’s summary of responses published here: Government_Response_to_the_Technical_Note_on_Applying_VAT_to_Private_School_Fees_and_Removing_the_Business_Rates_Charitable_Rate_Relief.pdf