Written questions by Campbell.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure the protection of Christian communities from persecution in Mali.

The UK continues to champion Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, including in Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, Maldives, Mauritania, Cuba, Niger, Tajikistan and other countries on the Open Doors' World Watch List where Christians face persecution or discrimination because of their faith. Last July, the UK's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, David Smith MP, set out the Government's new strategy on FoRB, providing a framework for engagement with other countries, and describing the links between the protection of FoRB and other goals including the prevention of conflict. As part of this strategy, the UK continues to champion FoRB on the international stage, including through our position in the United Nations and the Article 18 Alliance.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure the protection of Christian communities from persecution in Tajikistan.

The UK continues to champion Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, including in Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, Maldives, Mauritania, Cuba, Niger, Tajikistan and other countries on the Open Doors' World Watch List where Christians face persecution or discrimination because of their faith. Last July, the UK's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, David Smith MP, set out the Government's new strategy on FoRB, providing a framework for engagement with other countries, and describing the links between the protection of FoRB and other goals including the prevention of conflict. As part of this strategy, the UK continues to champion FoRB on the international stage, including through our position in the United Nations and the Article 18 Alliance.

What assessment she has made of the operational capacity of the National Insurance services team to tackle the number of A1 certificate applications; and when are processing times expected to return to the standard service level.

HMRC recognises how important it is for customers to receive their A1 certificates promptly and is strengthening the service to support this. Additional National Insurance advisers are being trained to further increase capacity. The service‑level agreement (SLA) for A1 certificates is to process 80% of online applications within 15 working days, and 80% of postal applications within 40 working days. HMRC has implemented a plan to stabilise performance and expects to meet its SLAs by the end of the tax year. Customers are encouraged to apply online for A1 certificates, as online applications are quicker to deal with.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of hospital parking charges on patients with long-term health conditions; and whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing free hospital parking for those patients.

No assessment has been made of the potential impact of hospital parking charges on patients with long-term health conditions, or the introduction of free hospital parking for those patients.It is important that the National Health Service is as accessible as possible to those that need it most. That is why the NHS already provides free hospital car parking to those in greatest need. This includes disabled blue badge holders, frequent outpatient attenders, and parents of children staying overnight. Some patients with long-term health conditions will therefore be provided free parking when included in these groups.More widely, all NHS trusts are expected to follow the published NHS Car Parking Guidance. This states that car parking charges, where they exist, should be reasonable for the area, with further information available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles

Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to utilise AI to improve the productivity of the (a) public-sector, (b) NHS, (c) Civil Service and (d) Local Government in (i) Broxtowe constituency, (ii) the East Midlands and (iii) England.

AI is at the heart of the government’s plan to transform how we deliver public services and boost productivity. The AI Opportunities Action Plan outlines how we will improve these services to drive growth across the economy.A cross-government pilot of 20,000 civil servants found tools like Microsoft Copilot can save an average of 26 minutes per person per day, while a trial of AI coding saved engineers 56 minutes per day.A trial of Ambient Voice Technology in the NHS has shown a 23.5% increase in patient interaction time alongside an 8.2% reduction in appointment length. Early results with AI diagnostics showed a decreased wait time for follow-up CT scans from 6.3 to 5.6 days.Local authorities, including those in the East Midlands, benefit from GDS Local who have already engaged with over 300 local government digital practitioners on the opportunities AI brings to improve productivity, alongside the national rollout of tools like Extract, supporting more efficient local service delivery.

What steps his Department is taking to use AI and automation to (a) improve the delivery of, (b) reduce administrative burdens of and (c) improve the accuracy of assessments for welfare benefits.

We are adopting AI in DWP to help colleagues deliver better outcomes for customers and to improve productivity and efficiency, so that colleagues can get more decisions right first time and can support the people who need it most. The Department uses automated decision-making in some areas, as described in our Personal Information Charter. Customers are told when an automated decision may have been made in relation to their case, along with information on the steps they would need to take if they want to exercise their right to ask for a human to review that decision. DWP has a legal requirement to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place when carrying out automated decision-making. The Department carries out regular checks to ensure our systems are working as intended, and any new features go through rigorous testing.

What steps he is taking to (a) provide support for children with Paediatric Feeding Disorder and (b) to reduce distances travelled to reach appropriate clinics in (i) Broxtowe constituency, (ii) the East Midlands and (iii) England.

There is currently no formal National Health Service pathway for paediatric feeding disorder (PFD), and support is delivered according to a child’s individual needs.In Broxtowe, children may receive support through community paediatric services or speech and language therapy. Where a child’s needs cannot be met locally, the integrated care board can consider individual requests and commission additional specialist input to ensure appropriate care is provided.Across the East Midlands, arrangements vary. In Lincolnshire, children are first assessed locally before referral to general paediatrics and, if required, to tertiary centres such as Sheffield Children’s Hospital or Queen’s Medical Centre. In Derby and Derbyshire, PFD is recognised in practice, although there is no dedicated pathway, and feeding difficulties are often considered alongside conditions such as avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder. Northamptonshire provides a multidisciplinary community service across three sites, helping families access support closer to home. Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland offer specialist eating, drinking, and swallowing services locally and do not expect families to travel out of area.Nationally, children with feeding difficulties may be supported through community services, general paediatrics, and referral to specialist multidisciplinary clinics where available.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of making safe sleep training for early years staff mandatory.

The early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework, which early years providers are required to follow, includes a requirement for babies to be placed down to sleep in line with the latest government safety guidance here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sudden-infant-death-syndrome-sids/.To make the existing requirements clearer for all, the department plans to add in more detail to the EYFS frameworks. We have worked with safe sleep experts including the Lullaby Trust on proposed new wording. We plan to make these changes as soon as possible.The ‘Early years qualification requirements and standards’ document sets out the minimum qualification requirements, including the qualifications criteria at levels 2 and 3, that staff must meet to be recognised as level 2, level 3 or level 6 members of staff for the purpose of working within the EYFS staff:child ratios. The document is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-qualification-requirements-and-standards.Both the level 2 and level 3 criteria include knowledge of rest and sleep provision, with level 3 also including use of equipment, furniture and materials safely with regard for sleep safety.

If she will take steps to upgrade the teacher training curriculum to include mandatory training on how to teach dyslexic children.

On 16 January we announced plans for a new expectation on schools and other settings to ensure staff receive training on SEND and inclusion, supported by £200m investment during this Parliament into government-backed training courses and materials. The department recently introduced a new training framework for trainee and early career teachers. The initial teacher training and early career framework (ITTECF), which became mandatory from September 2025, sets out the minimum entitlement to training for all new teachers. This framework includes more content on adaptive teaching and supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). For example, developing an understanding of different pupil needs and learning how to provide opportunities for success for all pupils, including those with dyslexia. We are committed to continuous improvement and will be reviewing the ITTECF in 2027, which will focus on the support we provide trainees and early career teachers in teaching pupils with SEND.

If he will expand medical exemption certificates to people with Parkinson's Disease.

There are no current plans to add Parkinson’s disease to the list of medical conditions that entitle someone to apply for a medical exemption certificate.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has contingency plans to support individuals fleeing conflict in the event of military intervention in Iran by the United States.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement the Foreign Secretary made to the House on 13 January, setting out our latest assessment of the position in Iran. We will inform the House of any further updates in that assessment in due course, including on the issues that she mentions.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how the department has been working with the UK’s international allies to support pro-democracy protestors in Iran.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement the Foreign Secretary made to the House on 13 January, setting out our latest assessment of the position in Iran. We will inform the House of any further updates in that assessment in due course, including on the issues that she mentions.

How the National Cancer Plan will support the screening, diagnosis and treatment of cancer in a) Broxtowe constituency, b) the East Midlands and c) England.

The National Cancer Plan will be published shortly and will have patients at its heart and will cover the entirety of the cancer pathway, from prevention and screening through early diagnosis, treatment, ongoing care, research and innovation.Early diagnosis is a key focus of the plan. We will support the National Health Service to diagnose cancer earlier and treat it faster, including through improved access to screening programmes, increased diagnostic capacity, and the continued roll-out of effective diagnostic pathways. The plan will also address access to effective and timely cancer treatment.Reducing geographical inequalities in cancer outcomes is a central priority of the National Cancer Plan. The plan will look at targeted improvements needed across different cancer types to reduce disparities in cancer survival related to socioeconomic status, geography, and other factors. It will set out how we will work with the NHS and partner organisations to ensure high-quality cancer care is available consistently across the country, including in areas that currently experience poorer outcomes.Through this national approach, the National Cancer Plan will support improvements in cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment for patients in Broxtowe, across the East Midlands, and throughout England.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment has been made of the adequacy of age verification mechanisms on social media platforms.

Ofcom are due to publish a report on age assurance by July 2026, which will assess the effectiveness of age assurance technologies for compliance with the child safety duties of the Online Safety Act.Age assurance technologies play an important role in supporting the duties and ensuring that platforms are providing an age-appropriate experience for children on their services. Over 6,000 services are now using highly effective age assurance, and Ofcom’s analysis shows that, on average, 7.8 million UK visitors per day are accessing adult services who have deployed age assurance.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on global oil trade.

Closure of the Strait of Hormuz would significantly disrupt global oil supplies, resulting in higher global prices. In the event of any global supply disruption, the UK holds emergency oil stocks that can be released to the market as part of a collective action by member countries of the International Energy Agency.

Innovation and Technology, what information her Department holds on the extent to which social media platforms collect and monetise behavioural data from users under the age of 16; and what steps she is taking to limit that practice.

DSIT does not hold information on behavioural data collected by platforms on users under the age of 16.Where data collected by social media platforms constitutes personal data, under the UK’s data protection and privacy framework, its collection and use must be lawful, fair, transparent and secure. Children should be given clear information about how their data will be used and they have the same rights as adults to access their data; request rectification; object to its processing or have it erased. Organisations offering online services directly to children must comply with the statutory Age Appropriate Design Code, and must seek parental consent to process the personal data of children under the age of 13.Organisations that fail to follow these rules are subject to investigation and enforcement by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). The ICO is required to have particular regard to the fact that children merit specific protection when their personal data is processed.

What steps her Department is taking to encourage landlords to install electric vehicle charging points on their properties in (a) Broxtowe constituency, (b) the East Midlands and (c) England.

The Government understand that renters and leaseholders sometimes have barriers to installing EV chargepoints. In October 2025, the Government announced that it will consult on ways to ensure more people have an ability to charge from home. This includes removing barriers to those in rented and leasehold properties. There are Government grants for landlords to install EV chargepoints and supporting infrastructure. We continue to consider what policy interventions are suitable in supporting the rental sector in the transition to EVs.

What steps her Department is taking to support renters with electric vehicles whose landlords refuse to install electric vehicle charging points.

The Government recognises the difficulties that people renting or leasing properties can sometimes face when looking to install chargepoints. In October 2025, the Government announced that it will consult on ways to ensure more people have an ability to charge. This includes removing barriers to those in rented and leasehold properties. We continue to incentivise renters, leaseholders, and landlords to install charging infrastructure through our domestic chargepoint grants and, additionally, new build residential properties have been required to install a chargepoint since June 2022.

Whether her Department plans to remove the prohibition on student finance for applicants with PhDs wanting to study in Government-prioritised research fields.

The Postgraduate Doctoral Loan provides up to £30,301 for courses starting on or after 1 August 2025 and is intended as a contribution to the costs of PhD study. Students who already have a doctoral degree, or a qualification that’s equivalent or higher, are not eligible for the Postgraduate Doctoral Loan. There are no plans to change the eligibility criteria of Postgraduate Doctoral Loans.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to help ensure that food products imported into the UK are labelled correctly with regards to animal welfare practices.

The UK maintains high standards on the information that is provided on food labels so that consumers can have confidence in the food that they buy. All food sold on the UK market, whether produced domestically or imported, must comply with food labelling rules, which include the requirement for specific information to be presented in a specific way. As set out in the Government’s animal welfare strategy, we are committed to ensuring that consumers have access to clear information on how their food was produced. To support this, we will continue working with relevant stakeholders, including the farming and food industry, scientists and NGOs to explore how improved animal welfare food labelling could provide greater consumer transparency, support farmers and promote better animal welfare.