Written questions by Sullivan.

What data her Department holds on the (a) impact of and (b) implementation of the inclusion of menstrual wellbeing education in the curriculum since September 2020.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.The department does not hold any data on these specific issues. It is for individual schools to deliver the relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) curriculum, using the statutory guidance which came into force in September 2020.In July 2025 we updated the RSHE statutory guidance with regard to menstrual and gynaecological health, to include specific examples of period problems, including pre-menstrual syndrome, heavy menstrual bleeding, endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome, and to ensure pupils understand when to seek help from healthcare professionals. The new curriculum comes into force from September 2026. The updated statutory guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education.

Whether he plans to (a) review endometriosis classification as an acute illness and (b) introduce long-term care plans for endometriosis patients.

The Government recognises the challenges faced by women with endometriosis and the impact it has on their lives. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guideline on endometriosis diagnosis and management recognises that endometriosis can be a long-term condition, and can have a significant physical, sexual, psychological and social impact. Women may have complex needs and require long-term support.Many integrated care boards are taking an innovative approach to endometriosis care. For example, in the North East and West of England there is the endometriosis transformation programme. This programme is addressing long waits for patients with severe endometriosis and improving patient pathways, from presentation in general practice through to management in secondary care.

If he will take steps to increase awareness among healthcare professionals that endometriosis is a (a) long-term and (b) chronic condition, as recommended by the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death.

The Government recognises the challenges faced by women with endometriosis and the impact it has on their lives, their relationships and their participation in education and the workforce.The General Medical Council has introduced the Medical Licensing Assessment to encourage a better understanding of common women’s health problems among all doctors as they start their careers in the UK. The content map for this assessment includes several topics relating to women’s health including endometriosis. This will encourage a better understanding of common women’s health problems among all doctors as they start their careers in the United Kingdom. Endometriosis is also included in the core curriculum for trainee GPs, and for obstetricians and gynaecologists.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body responsible for developing evidence-based guidance for the health and care system. In November 2024, NICE updated their guidance on endometriosis. This makes firmer recommendations for healthcare professionals on referral and investigations for women with suspected diagnosis, and will help the estimated 1 in 10 women with endometriosis receive a diagnosis faster.The updated NICE guidance is available at the following link:https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/NG73

If he will have discussions with (a) Endometriosis UK and (b) other relevant stakeholders on the implementation of the 10 Year Health Plan to ensure it supports people with endometriosis.

The Government recognises the challenges faced by women with endometriosis and the impact it has on their lives, their relationships and their participation in education and the workforce.We are committed to prioritising women’s health. Through our 10-Year Health Plan, we are delivering our manifesto commitment that never again will women’s health be neglected.To develop the Plan, we had the biggest ever conversation on the future of the NHS with over a quarter of a million contributions from the public, staff, patient groups and charities including Endometriosis UK.The Government and the National Health Service continue to work with the public, staff and partners to deliver the 10-Year Health Plan. We will establish stakeholder groups to steer implementation, and advisory input will be sought from expert committees where needed.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will consider relocating auxiliary workers to British (a) diplomatic and (b) military operations in Afghanistan for their safety.

Details of the UK Government's Afghanistan Resettlement Programme (ARP) can be found on the gov.uk website. The Ministry of Defence has overall responsibility for the ARP and the Afghan Resettlement and Assistance Policy (ARAP).  The Home Office is the lead for the Afghanistan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS).

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the safety of auxiliary workers to British (a) diplomatic and (b) military operations in Afghanistan.

Details of the UK Government's Afghanistan Resettlement Programme (ARP) can be found on the gov.uk website. The Ministry of Defence has overall responsibility for the ARP and the Afghan Resettlement and Assistance Policy (ARAP).  The Home Office is the lead for the Afghanistan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS).

What steps she is taking to ensure that (a) regulations and (b) guidance for the Employment Rights Bill will require relevant employers to consider whether people with menstrual health conditions are adequately supported by workplace equality action plans.

We recognise the impact that many different conditions related to menstruation can have on a woman’s ability to perform at her best; introducing action plans will encourage steps that benefit women with these conditions. Crucially, we believe that plans will open up space to have broader discussions about women’s health in the workplace. In formulating action plans, and accompanying guidance, we will recognise that there are actions that can help people in a range of circumstances. Officials have been engaging with employers as well as a range of organisations in the women’s health space, including those looking specifically at menstrual conditions, as part of policy development. They will continue to do so as the work progresses, and when devising supporting guidance.

Whether her Department plans to take steps to prevent aviation fuel suppliers from charging compliance risk premiums to mandated volumes of sustainable aviation fuel.

We recognise that SAF is more expensive than jet fuel. This is why the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandate has been designed to protect against excessive costs. The SAF Mandate also has a built-in review process so the Government can take action to change scheme parameters if necessary. The pricing of SAF are commercial decisions for the market though we are working to further understand interactions between the SAF Mandate and SAF pricing. We are engaging with relevant stakeholders – including airports, airlines, fuel suppliers and trade associations to do this.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of trends in the cost of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) since January 2025 on the aviation sector’s (a) competitiveness and (b) progress towards increasing SAF production in the UK.

When setting SAF policy, we have to carefully balance a range of factors including potential cost impacts on airlines and passengers and the need to drive decarbonisation across the transport sector. We continue to monitor trends in the SAF market and will review our assumptions where necessary when developing policies such as the revenue certainty mechanism which aims to support SAF production in the UK.

What steps she is taking to help ensure that there (a) are new jobs and (b) is growth of the sustainable aviation fuel industry in Scotland.

We are supporting the UK SAF industry in a range of ways. We are building demand for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) through the SAF Mandate, introduced in January this year. We have introduced legislation to deliver a revenue certainty mechanism to support potential SAF producers across the UK. We also run a grant funding scheme, the Advanced Fuels Fund, for which £63m of funding is available in 2025/26 for the producers of SAF. Together, these measures will give investors the confidence to support the commercial scale production of SAF in the UK, creating green jobs and developing skills.

Whether she has consider the potential merits of introducing a specific offence group classification for thefts involving high value goods from (a) haulage and (b) freight vehicles.

The Government recognises the distress felt by those who are victims of theft, and such matters should be reported, investigated and, where appropriate, taken through the courts to provide justice. Theft of goods, regardless of value, is a criminal offence under the Theft Act 1968 and the maximum penalty is seven years’ imprisonment. The sentencing guidelines for theft acknowledge that, where the items stolen were of substantial value to the victim, then regardless of their monetary worth and consequential financial harm to victims and others, this will indicate a higher level of harm, and the offender should be sentenced accordingly.The government does not intend to introduce a specific offence of theft involving high value goods from haulage or freight vehicles.

Whether he plans to repurpose national infrastructure originally used in the fossil fuel sector for new green technology sectors.

Repurposing existing offshore and onshore infrastructure could make a significant contribution to the UK’s drive to net-zero. In 2022, analysis by the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) identified more than 100 pipelines which could be suitable for CCS or hydrogen projects. The NSTA supports government and others to identify opportunities for repurposing, including for carbon dioxide or offshore hydrogen transportation and storage projects. We are already seeing this in practice. HyNet will be served by a combination of new and existing infrastructure, with more than 90 miles of offshore and onshore pipeline being repurposed.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of applying VAT to deposits in the Deposit Return Scheme on (a) return rates and (b) levels of (i) litter and (ii) recycling.

The Government remains committed to successful implementation of the Deposit Return Scheme, which is a critical step in moving towards a circular economy that delivers sustainable growth and produces less waste, rubbish, and litter.The Government is keen to ensure that VAT is not a barrier to effective operation of the Deposit Return Scheme. The Government is considering how best to achieve this while maintaining the integrity of the tax, and this work is being supported by engagement with industry representatives, including the British Soft Drinks Association.

When she expects the Equality and Human Rights Commission to publish the final version of its Code of Practice for services, public functions and associations, following the Supreme Court’s judgment of 16 April 2025 in For Women Scotland v Scottish Ministers.

On 20 May, the EHRC opened its consultation on the changes made to the draft updated statutory Code of Practice following the Supreme Court ruling. This consultation is open until 30 June.We will consider the EHRC's final draft Code of Practice once it has been submitted and engage with them to ensure it provides the clarity service providers need, in line with the Supreme Court ruling.Once the final draft is agreed, we will follow the correct parliamentary process.

Whether his Department plans to ensure the effective (a) cataloguing and (b) use of the holdings of the Russian Military Studies Centre in national security considerations.

The holdings in the Russian Military Studies Centre are an under-utilised resource. These holdings are currently being catalogued with their future provision, and access to them, subject to review.

Whether the Youth Guarantee will be delivered in Scotland (a) directly by DWP, (b) in partnership with devolved bodies including councils and (c) directly by devolved bodies.

Skills and education policy are devolved in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, whereas employment policy is not devolved, except for in the Northern Ireland Assembly. DWP in Scotland provides extensive support to young people. This includes flexible provision driven by local need using DWP Flexible Support Fund, and support delivered by specialist youth work coaches based in Jobcentres and through 16 Youth Hubs. Strategic engagement with Scottish Government is fundamental in developing the additional employment support available through their No One Left Behind Policy which is delivered by Local Authorities via Local Employability Partnerships (LEPs). This support is agreed and designed based on local need, with input from DWP and other Stakeholders.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of allocating dedicated radio spectrum access to energy (a) distribution and (b) transmission networks on (i) the resilience and (ii) decarbonisation of those networks.

The government is considering how it can support the development of telecommunications infrastructure for a decarbonised energy system, and whether spectrum access would be appropriate. As part of this, my officials are in regular discussion with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ofgem and Ofcom on energy system telecommunications needs.

If she will take steps to engage with the public to explain the (a) need and (b) sources of funding for large infrastructure projects near local communities to grow the economy.

National Policy Statements set out the need for the development of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects and the Government's policy for meeting that need. NPSs provide clarity, certainty and transparency on Government policy for scheme promoters, the planning inspectorate, decision makers and the wider public.As part of this government’s growth agenda, we will publish a cross-cutting 10-year infrastructure strategy, which will communicate to the public our approach to housing, economic and social infrastructure. The government has committed to delivering an infrastructure pipeline to provide a clear sense of the government’s long-term infrastructure priorities.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of (a) the report and (b) recommendation 27 of the report by the National Infrastructure Commission entitled Second National Infrastructure Assessment, published on 1 October 2023.

The government is working with regulators to ensure that the future telecommunications requirements of the energy, water and transport sectors are understood. And the government will draw on the National Infrastructure Commission’s analysis for the forthcoming 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy.

If she will take steps to help increase the level of employee participation in (a) the Share Incentive Plan and (b) the Save As You Earn scheme.

The Government fully understands the importance of enabling employees to share in the fruits of a company’s success, and for businesses to reward and retain employees effectively. The UK share schemes are popular, generous and internationally competitive. A call for evidence on Save As You Earn (SAYE) and the Share Incentive Plan (SIP) ran from June to August 2023. It sought views on whether the schemes are meeting their policy objectives and opportunities to improve and simplify them. The Government is considering the responses to the call for evidence, and is grateful to those who took the time to respond. The Government keeps all tax reliefs under review, to ensure they continue to meet their policy objectives in a way that is fair and effective.