Written questions by Moran.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with international counterparts on post-ceasefire governance in Gaza.

The Prime Minister attended the Peace Summit in Egypt on 13 October where he pledged a £20m aid package to deliver essential water, sanitation and hygiene services to 10,000s of Palestinians across Gaza. The Foreign Secretary spoke to Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar on 18 October following the announcement of a ceasefire deal. The Foreign Secretary welcomed the release of hostages and urged the need for immediate humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. I co-hosted with the Egyptian government and Palestinian Authority on 13-15 October which was the first conference to look at how we can leverage sustainable private finance to support Gaza’s reconstruction.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of phasing out of the use of farrowing crates for pigs.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 2 April 2025 to the hon. Member for Birmingham Northfield, PQ UIN 41698.

With reference to the House of Lords Select Committee on Financial Exclusion's report entitled Tackling financial exclusion: A country that works for everyone?, published on 25 March 2017, Session 2016-17, HL Paper 132, what progress she has made on implementing the (a) recommendations on (i) older and (ii) vulnerable consumers and (b) other recommendations.

The Government has committed to publish a National Financial Inclusion Strategy later this year to tackle a range of barriers individuals and households face in accessing the financial products and services they need. The strategy will consider what more Government and industry can do to address key issues, including a focus on: (i) digital inclusion and access to banking; (ii) savings; (iii) insurance; (iv) affordable credit; (v) problem debt; and (vi) financial education and capability. Across these areas, the themes of accessibility, mental health, and economic abuse have also been considered in recognition of the particular challenges individuals can face in relation to these issues. More widely, the Government works closely with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the independent regulator of the UK’s financial services sector, to ensure customers get the right support with their financial products and services. The FCA’s Vulnerability Guidance requires firms to consider the needs of vulnerable customers appropriately.

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help ensure that people without access to digital payment options (a) can to pay for goods and services in their local communities in cash and (b) are supported to get online when they need to.

While the ongoing trend in payments in the UK has been away from cash and towards card and digital payment methods, the Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those in vulnerable groups, and is committed to protecting access to cash for individuals and businesses. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) assumed regulatory responsibility for access to cash in September 2024. Its rules ensure cash continues to be a viable method of payment for the millions of people who depend on it by providing reasonable access to cash withdrawal and deposit facilities for personal accounts. There is no legal requirement for businesses to accept specific forms of payment, and the Government has no plans to mandate cash acceptance. It is for each business to decide on the forms of payment it chooses to accept, based on a variety of factors, including cost and customer preferences. However, the FCA’s access to cash regime will ensure that businesses have reasonable access to cash deposit facilities, which supports their ability to accept cash. More widely, the Government has committed to publish a National Financial Inclusion Strategy later this year to tackle a range of barriers individuals face in accessing the financial products they need, including a focus on access to banking and digital inclusion.

What steps he is taking to gather additional data on the (a) effectiveness and (b) safety of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus vaccination in people that are over 80.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) undertakes monitoring and evaluation of immunisation programmes, including the effectiveness of vaccines. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) monitors vaccine safety. The UKHSA and the MHRA are in regular contact with manufacturers over new and emerging data from their products.Evidence of effectiveness and safety in relevant age groups in the United States of America, which implemented older adult vaccination a season ahead of the United Kingdom, was used to inform the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s (JCVIs) considerations on extending the UK programme to adults aged 80 years old and older. The JCVI’s meeting minutes and statement of 16 July 2025 advising an extension to the UK respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) programme are available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/joint-committee-on-vaccination-and-immunisationThe JCVI keeps the RSV programme under regular review. Evidence on the safety and effectiveness of RSV vaccines in all age groups in all countries where data has been made available is used to inform JCVI advice.

Whether he has had recent discussions with his European allies on the potential merits of jointly developing (a) aircraft and (b) other defence platforms as an alternative to reliance on US procurement.

The Secretary of State has had recent discussions with both US and European Allies regarding joint development and procurement of defence capabilities. The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) sets out our need for a NATO First approach and enhanced cooperation. To this end, the Secretary of State’s recent discussions with the US, the UK’s most important bilateral alliance, have explored how the UK can maximise its industrial and technological collaboration to strengthen collective security and prosperity beyond already unprecedented UK-US industrial and nuclear cooperation. To the same end, the Secretary of State’s recent discussions with European Allies, including through the E5 format, consisting of the UK, France, Germany, Poland and Italy, represent a strong collaboration within the Alliance to develop a collective industrial base and deliver NATO critical warfighting capabilities. These capabilities include Complex Weapons with France, Land systems with Germany, and the Global Combat Air Programme which includes Italy.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that employers support those living with migraine.

We recognise that migraines are a serious neurological condition that can have a significant impact on people’s ability to work and live well. Employers are crucial in enhancing employment opportunities and supporting disabled people and those with health conditions, such as migraines, to thrive in the workforce. All employers have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ in the workplace where a disabled person would otherwise be put at a substantial disadvantage compared with their colleagues. The Equality and Human Rights Commission is responsible for enforcing the Equality Act and providing guidance on reasonable adjustments. There are a range of existing initiatives that already provide support. The Disability Confident Scheme encourages employers to create disability inclusive workplaces and to support disabled people to get work and get on in work. The scheme provides resources such as the Disability Confident Manager’s Guide, which includes guidance on flexible working and workplace adjustments. The Government also offers tailored guidance to employers on supporting disabled people and people with health conditions in the workplace, through its Support with Employee Health and Disability service. This includes guidance on disclosures and having conversations about health and disabilities, plus guidance on legal obligations and making reasonable adjustments. The WorkWell pilot which is live in 15 areas across England accepts referrals from employers and provides low intensity holistic work and health support for disabled people and those with health-related barriers to employment. In our Get Britain Working White Paper, published November 2024, we committed support for employers to recruit, retain and develop staff. As part of that, the Secretaries of State for Work and Pensions and Business and Trade have asked Sir Charlie Mayfield to lead ‘Keep Britain Working’, an independent review to consider how best to support and enable employers to recruit and retain more people with health conditions and disabilities, promote healthy workplaces, and support more people to stay in or return to work from periods of sickness absence. Sir Charlie Mayfield will deliver a final report with recommendations later in the Autumn.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of settlement visa restrictions on Hong Kongers ability to travel.

The Government is committed to supporting members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK and those who may come here in future. We will be consulting on the earned settlement scheme later this year. All will be welcome to participate. We will provide details of how the scheme will work after that consultation.

With reference to her speech at the Labour Party Conference of 29 September 2025, whether her proposed changes to the conditions in which indefinite leave to remain is granted will apply to (a) all applicants or (b) new applicants only.

We will be consulting on the new settlement rules later this year. Following that, we will provide details of how this initiative will work, including on any transitional arrangements for people already in the UK.

What steps his Department is taking to introduce screening for asymptomatic heart conditions in young people in sports settings.

In the United Kingdom, national screening programmes are introduced based on the recommendations of the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), an independent scientific advisory committee which advises ministers and the National Health Service in all four countries on all aspects of population and targeted screening and which supports implementation.The UK NSC last reviewed screening for sudden cardiac death (SCD) in people under the age of 39 years old in 2019 and concluded that population screening should not be offered. Further information is available at the following link:https://view-health-screening-recommendations.service.gov.uk/sudden-cardiac-death/The UK NSC is currently examining the evidence for SCD screening and will open a public consultation to seek comments from members of the public and stakeholders on this in due course.

What steps his Department is taking to help raise awareness among young people of the risks of sudden cardiac death in (a) grass roots sports clubs and (b) higher education settings.

To reduce the risks of sudden cardiac death, NHS England has published a national service specification for inherited cardiac conditions that covers patients who often present as young adults with previously undiagnosed cardiac disease or families requiring follow-up due to a death from this cause. This describes the service model and guidance that should be followed to support diagnosis and treatment of patients or family members. It also includes the requirement for specialised inherited cardiac conditions services to investigate suspected cases.

Communities and Local Government, what his planned timetable is for repealing the Vagrancy Act 1824.

It is unacceptable that the antiquated Vagrancy Act 1824 remains on our statute book. The legislation does nothing to target the root causes of homelessness. That is why we are committed to repealing this punitive legislation. We will commence the repeal once replacement measures in the Crime and Policing Bill come into force next year.

Whether she has had discussions with the Chief Executive of the Electoral Commission on the potential merits of increasing democratic education in schools.

Teaching about democracy and elections already forms a central part of the national curriculum for citizenship at key stages 3 and 4 and can be taught as a non-statutory topic in primary schools. The government will consider the citizenship curriculum in the context of the Curriculum and Assessment Review, and we see potential for lowering the voting age to help boost young people's engagement with the subject. We will also work with the Electoral Commission, the devolved governments and civil society to consider what additional measures can support schools, colleges, and youth groups to roll out practical voter and civic education.

Whether she expects the first phase of East-West Rail to open this year; and what her Department's planned timetable is for the opening of the (a) Bletchley to Bedford and (b) Bedford to Cambridge sections.

The Department is working closely with Chiltern and other partners to confirm a start date for the service. We are looking forward to commencing services as soon as all necessary approvals and infrastructure are in place. Passenger services will commence once train testing and driver training have been completed. As for the second and third connections phases; the Government has committed to accelerating work to deliver EWR services between Oxford-Bedford. The full Oxford-Cambridge service is subject to an application for a Development Consent Order and is planned to commence from the mid-2030s.

What steps she is taking to improve the provision of school transportation for children with Special Educational Needs.

The department’s home-to-school travel policy aims to make sure no child is prevented from accessing education by a lack of transport. Local authorities must arrange free home-to-school travel for eligible children. This includes children of compulsory school age who attend their nearest school and would not be able to walk there because of their special educational needs (SEN), disability or mobility problem.We know that challenges in the wider SEN system are creating pressure on home-to-school travel. We have committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools so fewer children need to travel long distances to a school that can meet their needs. The spending review announcement on 11 June confirmed significant new funding to support special educational needs and disabilities reform and the government is bringing forward a white paper with plans to improve the SEND system. This will reduce the pressure on home-to-school travel over time leaving it better able to meet the needs of those that continue to need it.

Innovation and Technology, what recent progress she has made on the rollout of 5G to rural communities.

Our ambition is for all populated areas, including rural communities, to have higher quality standalone 5G by 2030 and I will work closely with mobile network operators who are delivering this.We are committed to ensuring we have the right policy and regulatory framework in place to support investment into mobile networks and competition in the market.In their Connected Nations Spring update, published 8 May 2025, Ofcom reports that 5G (combined standalone and non-standalone 5G) is available outside 82% of UK rural premises from at least one mobile operator, but this falls to 8% from all four operators.

What steps he is taking to improve (a) early diagnosis and (b) treatment of genetic haemochromatosis.

Genomic testing in the National Health Service in England is provided through the NHS Genomic Medicine Service (GMS) and directed by the National Genomic Test Directory which sets out the eligibility criteria for patients to access testing as well as the genomic targets to be tested.Genomic testing for haemochromatosis is available through the NHS GMS for people who show unexplained iron overload suggestive of hereditary haemochromatosis. Testing is available for all eligible patients across England and any healthcare professional who suspects their patient may have haemochromatosis can refer their patient for testing via their local NHS Clinical Genomic Service.Treatment for genetic haemochromatosis is commissioned by local integrated care boards, including venesection, also known as phlebotomy, to remove some blood to reduce blood iron levels. In a small number of cases where regular phlebotomies are not possible, a chelation therapy may be used.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing an external delivery model to help the teaching of financial education in schools.

I refer the hon. Member for Oxford West and Abingdon to the answer of 7 January 2025 to Question 21190.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of expanding financial (a) incentives and (b) subsidies for households to install solar panels.

Deploying rooftop solar remains a key priority and the Government continues to support installation in various ways, including through tax relief, energy efficiency schemes and the Smart Export Guarantee. Solar can already benefit households by allowing them to reduce electricity bills significantly and receive payment for excess electricity generated. The Government is investing £13.2bn in the Warm Homes Plan over the Spending Review period, to help households take up measures like solar panels, heat pumps, batteries and insulation. Further detail will be set out by October.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of the establishment of a multidisciplinary pathway for the diagnosis and management of chronic pelvic pain.

The Government is committed to improving the management of long-term conditions, as reflected in our Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, and in our 10-Year Health Plan. Part of this will be reforming patient pathways to ensure patients with chronic conditions receive joined-up, rounded care to meet their health needs. NHS England is working with professional clinical bodies on a programme of work to reform pathways, reflecting the required shift of care from hospital to community.Ensuring patients receive their care from skilled healthcare professionals in the right setting is an important part of pathway reform, including for chronic conditions. We will ensure that the number of medical specialty training places, including for radiology and clinical oncology, meets the demands of the National Health Service in the future. Over the next three years, we will create 1,000 new specialty training posts with a focus on specialties where there is the greatest need. The Government is committed to training the staff we need to provide patients with quality and timely care, including health professions. The 10 Year Workforce Plan will outline strategies for improving the training of staff and will work closely with partners in education to do so, to ensure that allied health professional remains an attractive career choice.