Written questions by Turner.

Representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, what the (a) sickness absence rate, (b) total number of days lost to sickness absence and (c) number of days lost to sickness absence per head was for Member's staff in each of the last three years.

This data is correct as of 12 March 2026, and it should be noted that this only includes sickness absence that has been reported to IPSA and excludes any pregnancy-related sickness. The sickness absence rate, based on an assumption of 228 working days per employee per year, for each of the past three calendar years, is as follows – 13.79% (2023), 11.86% (2024), and 8.28% (2025). Year-to-date in 2026, the figure is 5.7%. The total number of actual working days lost to sickness absence since 1 January 2023 is 32,152. The average number of actual working days lost to sickness per head of MPs’ staff in each of the past three calendar years is as follows – 8.18 (2023), 8.56 (2024), and 5.68 (2025). Year-to-date in 2026, the figure is 5.60 days.

Representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, pursuant to the Answer of 09 March 2026 to Question 117392 on Staff, what the a) full-time equivalent median salary and b) full-time equivalent mean salary is for Members' staff.

The full-time equivalent median salary for Members’ staff as of 12 March 2026 is £35,000. The full-time equivalent mean salary for Members’ staff as of 12 March 2026 is £36,595.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2026 to Question 110890 on HGV Parking and Driver Welfare Grant Scheme, what schemes have been withdrawn by (a) location and (b) operator.

A total of 16 projects have been withdrawn by operators from the HGV Parking and Driver Welfare Grant Scheme. The regional distribution of withdrawn schemes is as follows:East Midlands: 7East of England: 5North West of England: 1South East of England: 1West Midlands: 2 The location and names of these operators are commercially sensitive.

Representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, what the (a) median and (b) mean full-time equivalent salary was for each staff job title in 2024-25 for hon. Members' staff (i) outside and (ii) inside London.

IPSA has provided the median and mean full-time equivalent salary for each MPs’ staff job family and job title in 2024-25 for both staff members employed outside and inside London in the table below. The data excludes cases where only one staff member holds a specific title, to avoid the risk of disclosing information about identifiable individuals.Mean and Median Salaries per job familyJob FamilyLocationNo in roleMean FTE SalaryMedian FTE SalaryAdmin 1Non-London13027495.3926579.15Admin 1London5530108.8030000.00Admin 2Non-London8233220.1732837.34Admin 2London1636655.2436190.00Admin 3Non-London40945593.6145113.41Admin 3London13149387.3450000.00Exec 1Non-London105429094.5729000.00Exec 1London25030688.1930000.00Exec 2Non-London60437370.2937000.00Exec 2London14740782.4340000.00Research 2Non-London10532051.6732000.00Research 2London37733150.4733000.00Research 3London38047800.7746000.00Research 3Non-London16145821.6546200.00

When the Bryony House care home in Birmingham Northfield constituency will next be inspected by the CQC.

Bryony House Care Home was last inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in May 2025 and was rated as Inadequate and placed into special measures.The CQC has advised that it continues to monitor the service closely and will carry out a further assessment, based on assessment priorities and the level of risk across the region. As this assessment will be unannounced, the CQC is unable to provide a timeframe for completion.

Representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, with reference to page 68 of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority's Annual Report and Accounts 2023/24, whether any IPSA activity necessitated formal employee consultation during (a) 2024-25 or(b) 2025-26 to date.

There is no IPSA activity during 2024-25 or 2025-26 to date that necessitated formal empoyee consultation. However, IPSA collaborates effectively with the PCS trade union representative on matters such as the pay of IPSA's people or significant changes to terms and conditions. Ahead of structural changes made in autumn 2025, IPSA collaberated with its trade union representative who was able to raise concerns at that point. Pay data and recommendations are raised with a formal sub-committee of IPSA's board and ultimate decisions on the pay of IPSA's people are taken at Board level.

Representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, with reference to page 68 of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority's Annual Report and Accounts 2023/24, whether IPSA recognises the PCS trade union for collective bargaining purposes.

IPSA does not recognise the PCS union for the purposes of collective bargaining. IPSA has established a long standing, trusted and collaborative arrangement with its PCS representatives over the years with whom it engages on significant matters that relate specifically to the small number of IPSA employees who are members of a trade union, as appropriate.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to make it easier for musicians to tour in the EU.

Supporting creative and cultural touring is a manifesto commitment for this Government and delivering on it requires coordinated action across Whitehall, given the range of policy areas involved, including mobility, customs and logistics. Enabling artists and their crews to tour more easily supports shared economic growth, job creation and artistic innovation across Europe.We recognise the practical challenges that current arrangements present for musicians and their crews, particularly smaller and emerging artists. Building on the Common Understanding Commitment reached at the inaugural UK-EU Summit, we are exploring with the EU Commission and EU Member States how best to improve arrangements for touring across the European continent.DCMS Ministers are working closely with Cabinet colleagues to ensure a coherent, cross-Government approach. We are also engaging regularly with the sector to understand the operational impacts and identify workable solutions. Engagement with the EU and Member States will continue in pursuit of practical and proportionate progress, whilst respecting regulatory frameworks on both sides.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2025 to Question 86092, how many claimants were awarded a payment under the Vaccine Damage Payments Scheme in each financial year since 2021-22.

The NHS Business Services Authority is the administrator of the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS). The following table shows the total number of awarded claims in each financial year since 2021/22:YearTotal number of VDPS claims awarded2021/2212022/23722023/24992024/25552025/2634Total261Note: Data for 2025/26 figure is accurate as of 6 February 2026. The previous question, answered on 28 October 2025, covered the period up until 30 September 2025. Some claims may be paid in a different financial year to which they were awarded.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2025 to Question 91715, how many claimants were awarded a payment under the Vaccine Damage Payments Scheme in each financial year since 1993-94.

The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

With reference to the Answer of 15 January to Question 101203, on Latex: Allergies, if he will place a copy of the Expert Advisory Group on Allergy's December 2025 minutes in the House of Commons Library.

The Terms of Reference for the Expert Advisory Group on Allergy, which is overseen and supported by external stakeholders, states that the meetings are confidential. Therefore, the meeting minutes are not shared publicly.

With reference to the oral contribution of the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury of 27 January 2026 on Business Rates, whether changes to the business rates for pubs will include social clubs.

All pubs and live music venues that meet the definitions set out in guidance will qualify for the business rates support announced on 27 January 2026. In keeping with the intent of this policy, the Government is working with Local Authorities to ensure this includes establishments that are open to wide sections of local communities. This includes social clubs, such as working men's clubs. I would like to thank my Honourable Friend for all his representations and engagement on this matter.

With reference to page 18 of the Financial Conduct Authority's publication entitled Regulatory Initiatives Grid - 9th Edition, published on 12 December 2025, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the FCA's commitment to consult on the implementation of Sustainability Reporting Standards disclosure requirements for UK listed companies on (a) alignment with international financial reporting standards and (b) economic growth.

The government’s Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy set out how UK can play a leading role in facilitating the financing of the global net zero transition. The UK is already one of the world’s leading sustainable finance centres – the challenge is to evolve and expand. To achieve that challenge, the government is delivering on a small number of targeted initiatives, working closely with the sector to make the biggest impact – boosting investor protection and UK competitiveness.As part of this, the government consulted last year on the UK Sustainability Reporting Standards, the UK’s implementation of the International Sustainability Standard Board’s global standards. The aim is to provide clear standards which support comparable and decision-useful disclosures for investors, and which align with other jurisdictions. The government will be publishing its consultation response along with the endorsed UK standards in Q1 2026.The government welcomes the FCA consultation on the implementation of UK Sustainability Reporting Standards for listed companies, which is due to be published later this month, and encourages the sector to engage with that process.

How much each train operating company paid on average in access charges per 100,000 passenger kilometres in 2024-25 by type of access charge.

The net access charge for each operator varies for several reasons such as infrastructure provider, and type and length of train being operated. This means it is not meaningful to compare the net costs of one operator against another. The range of net charges payable by the 14 Department for Transport contracted operators is shown in the following table. They include track, station and depot access charges, net of depot and station access income, but exclude charges for electricity consumption. Operator Access Charges Values in £k per 100,000 passenger kilometres (-ve indicates income)MinimumMaximumAverageFixed Track Access0.863.781.94Variable Track Access0.276.690.88Electric Asset Usage-0.080.04Other Infrastructure Access Charges-0.550.09Station and Depot Access Charges-0.182.651.27Schedule 4 Access Charge Supplement0.220.770.48

If he will have discussions with Royal Mail to encourage timely deliveries in Birmingham.

Ministers and officials have discussions with Royal Mail on a regular basis in its capacity as the universal service provider.In November, I met the CEOs of Royal Mail and International Distribution Services and raised concerns about Royal Mail's performance. They reported continued targeted action to improve reliability. I will continue to raise concerns with Royal Mail if quality of service does not improve.Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services has told Royal Mail it must urgently publish and implement a credible plan that delivers major and continuous improvement.

Whether his Department holds information on delays to postal deliveries in (a) the West Midlands, (b) Birmingham and (c) the Birmingham Northfield constituency.

The government does not collect or hold this information. Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, monitors Royal Mail’s provision of the universal service and has powers to investigate and take enforcement action if Royal Mail fails to achieve its performance targets as appropriate, taking account of all relevant factors.

Whether any agreements have been entered into under Section 13 of the Railways Act 2005 since the passage of that Act; and whether any such agreements are currently in force.

The Department does not have a record of any agreements under Section 13 of the Railways Act 2005 since its passage. Agreements can be made with the Secretary of State or a franchise operator. There are no agreements currently in force through this provision.

Media and Sport, what payments were made by Historic England to local authorities in the West Midlands in each of the last ten years by (a) type of payment and (b) local authority.

In 2016/17, no funding was given to local authorities within the West Midlands.In 2017/18, a regional grant of £105,582 was given to Birmingham Local Authority.In 2018/19, a regional grant of £272,311 was given to Birmingham Local Authority.In 2019/20, 2 regional grants: £272,311 given to Birmingham Local Authority and £6,326 given to Coventry Local Authority.In 2020/21, 4 grants were administered. 2 regional grants: £166,904 given to Birmingham Local Authority and £165,609 given to Coventry Local Authority. 2 High Street Heritage Action Zones grants were given: £24,111 to Dudley Local Authority and £18,489 given to Sandwell Local Authority.In 2021/22, 5 grants were administered. 2 regional grants: £310,829 given to Birmingham Local Authority and £55,760 given to Dudley Local Authority. A Covid-19 Recovery Fund grant of £100,000 was given to Birmingham Local Authority. 2 High Street Heritage Action Zones grants were given: £607,858 to Dudley Local Authority and £563,849 to Sandwell Local Authority.In 2022/23, 4 grants were administered. 2 regional grants: £20,034 given to Birmingham Local Authority and £9,840 to Dudley Local Authority. 2 High Street Heritage Action Zones grants given: £467,760 to Dudley Local Authority and £441,569 to Sandwell Local Authority.In 2023/24, 5 grants were administered. 2 regional grants: £7,180 given to Coventry Local Authority and £55,240 to Sandwell Local Authority. 3 High Street Heritage Action Zones grants were given: £534,000 to Coventry Local Authority, £942,271 to Dudley Local Authority, and £582,332 to Sandwell Local Authority.In 2024/25, 2 regional grants: £177,302 to Coventry Local Authority and £67,708 to Sandwell Local Authority.In 2025/26, 2 grants were administered. One regional grant of £50,150 was given to Coventry Local Authority. One Heritage at Risk Capital Fund grant of £200,000 was given to Sandwell Local Authority.

Media and Sport, what the funding allocation is for the Midlands Regional Office of Historic England for the (a) 2025-2026 financial year and (b) 2026-2027 financial year.

DCMS funding allocation is given to Historic England, it is then an operational decision for them how much funding is allocated to each region. Historic England have confirmed that, for 2025/26 the Midlands region operation budget is £2,507,700. The funding allocation for 26/27 is not yet determined.

What agreements are in force under section 20 of the Transport Act 1968.

There are currently no agreements in force under section 20 of the Transport Act 1968.