Written questions by Smart.

What steps his Department is taking to increase the number of available units of dental activity.

The responsibility for commissioning primary care services, including National Health Service dentistry, to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to the integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. Dentists delivering NHS dental care are contracted to deliver a certain number of Units of Dental Activity (UDAs) per year. ICBs can commission high performing dental practices to deliver up to 110% of their contracted UDAs.The Government’s ambition is to fundamentally reform the dental contract by the end of this Parliament. As a first step, we are consulting on a package of changes to improve access to, and the quality of, NHS dentistry which will deliver better care for the diverse oral health needs of people across England. Further information on the consultation is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/nhs-dentistry-contract-quality-and-payment-reformsThe consultation was launched on 8 July and will close on 19 August.

What steps his Department is taking to increase the dermatology workforce.

We will publish a 10-Year Workforce Plan to create a National Health Service workforce in England ready to deliver a transformed service. The 10-Year Workforce Plan will ensure the NHS has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the best care for patients, when they need it, including those requiring dermatology services. From now on, we will ensure that staff will be better treated, have better training, more fulfilling roles, and hope for the future, so they can achieve more.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of changes in the level of funded support through Access to Work on deaf professionals who require full-time BSL interpreters.

As part of the Pathways to Work Green Paper, we consulted on the future of the Access to Work scheme, including how we may better support deaf professionals who require full-time BSL interpreters. Following the conclusion of the consultation, we are now considering our responses and will set out our plans in due course.

What steps his Department has taken to ensure that hospitals are able to provide (a) nutritious and (b) good-quality food for patients.

Access to good quality, nutritious, and aesthetically pleasing hospital food can improve patient morale and contribute to their recovery.All National Health Service trusts, including in Hazel Grove, are expected to follow the NHS National Standards for Healthcare Food and Drink. There are eight mandatory standards all trusts are required to meet. This includes having a food and drink strategy and demonstrating that they have suitable food service provision 24 hours a day, seven days a week, which is appropriate for their demographic.The guidance requires that NHS organisations must show that they comply with the British Dietetic Associations’ Nutrition and Hydration Digest, which identifies actions to be taken in relation to the provision of nutritional food, and which is available at the following link:https://www.bda.uk.com/specialist-groups-and-branches/food-services-specialist-group/nutrition-and-hydration-digest.htmlFurthermore, A key part of the specific standards for retail, staff, and visitors in healthcare settings is the need to comply with the Government Buying Standards for Food and Catering Services mandatory nutrition standards. These standards are available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/national-standards-for-healthcare-food-and-drink/

If her Department has considered making identity theft a police recordable crime.

At present, identity theft is not a standalone criminal offence, but criminal acts which exploit stolen identities are already covered under existing legislation such as the Fraud Act 2006, Computer Misuse Act 1990, and Data Protection Act 2018. However, we recognise the evolving nature and increasing prevalence of identity-related crime and are taking additional proactive steps to address it. That is why the Independent Review of Fraud Offences will also consider whether a specific offence for identity theft is needed.Alongside this, we will also consider whether to include further initiatives to prevent the misuse of stolen identities and strengthen protections for the public as part of the Government’s upcoming Fraud Strategy.

How many former Seasonal Workforce officers for the UK Border Force were successful in gaining employment through regular recruitment processes after their contracts were ended in 2024.

In accordance with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles, all recruitment of this nature is conducted using a sifting process where identifying information is removed, and all appointments are made on merit through open and fair competition. As a result, it is not possible to determine whether any candidates were previously part of the seasonal workforce.

What steps his Department has taken to recognise the service of people killed in the Battle of Arnhem.

The war dead of the Battle of Arnhem are commemorated in perpetuity, predominantly at Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, which is cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). Over 1,700 casualties of the Battle of Arnhem and Operation Market Garden are buried there, with over 240 being unidentified. The majority of those commemorated at Arnhem Oosterbeek are British servicemen, but the cemetery also contains Polish, Dutch and German casualties from the Battle of Arnhem. To this day, visiting veterans of the battle are greeted by crowds of appreciative Arnhem citizens who attend annual ceremonies, showing their gratitude for the efforts made by the Allies to liberate their city. Additionally, just under 40 CWGC World War Two graves are located in Arnhem (Moscowa) General Cemetery, which is Arnhem’s civilian cemetery. A single burial also lies in Arnhem Jewish Cemetery. The 80th anniversary of Operation MARKET GARDEN was commemorated last year, with a number of events attended by senior representatives from across Defence and Government, including the Minister for the Armed Forces in the House of Lords (Lord Coaker), the Minister for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories (Stephen Doughty MP), and senior military representatives. This year, like every other year, we commemorate all who have served and their sacrifice as part of the national act of remembrance.

What steps her Department is taking to support (a) businesses and (b) charities that provide activities for children with SEND.

The department provides funding to deliver £24 million worth of grants each year to provide support to low-income families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people. We have also funded innovative grants that promote best practice for delivering services for short breaks.To support young people aged 16 to 24 with an education, health and care plan to secure and sustain employment, we are continuing to invest in supported internships by providing up to £12 million to March 2026. This funding will support local authorities to sustain their special educational needs and disabilities Employment Forums, training on employer engagement and training for job coaches. Indicative data from local authorities shows we reached our previous target of doubling the number of supported internships to 4,500 per year and our continued support will enable areas to sustain this.

When the Minister for Migration and Citizenship plans to respond to the correspondence of 2 May 2025 from the hon. Member for Hazel Grove, Ref LS06151.

A response will be sent to the hon. Member for Hazel Grove’s letter (ref LS06151) in due course to reflect the latest position on the British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024.As per The British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024 (Commencement) Regulations 2025, the Act will come into force on 22 July 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of proposed reductions to Official Development Assistance on women and girls’ reproductive (a) health and (b) rights.

The UK is committed to promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), recognising that health and rights are co-dependent and mutually reinforcing. Official Development Assistance (ODA) is one of multiple levers to achieve this. We will continue to work with international partners and use targeted funding, technical partnership and diplomatic engagement to provide leadership on SRHR.Following the recent Spending Review, detailed decisions on how the ODA budget will be used are being worked through as part of ongoing resource allocation processes. Decisions on individual programmes and thematic areas, such as sexual and reproductive health and rights, will be based on various factors including equality impact assessments. We will publish the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office ODA allocations for Financial Year 2025/26 in the Annual Report & Accounts in July.

What assessment she has made of the impact of (a) dynamic pricing and (a) general payments on the (i) working conditions and (ii) pay of private hire drivers.

Subject to any requirements under relevant legislation, pay and working conditions in the private hire vehicle sector are commercial matters between drivers and operators.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of bringing most unused pension funds within the value of a person’s estate for Inheritance Tax purposes on people currently receiving pensions.

I refer the Honourable Member to the answer given to UIN 55099.

When she plans to respond to the correspondence of 23 May 2025 from the hon. Member for Hazel Grove on evacuation from Gaza.

The Minister for Migration and Citizenship replied on 1 July.

What (a) safe and (b) legal routes are available for people in Gaza to seek asylum in the United Kingdom.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 13 March to Question 35970.

Whether she plans to introduce a (a) fast-track and (b) expedited process for applications to the Displaced Talent Mobility Scheme for people seeking refuge from (i) war zones and (ii) crisis situations.

The Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May, announced a review of the UK’s existing refugee resettlement and sponsorship schemes. This will ensure that there is a framework which will allow businesses, universities and communities to sponsor refugees to live, work and study in the UK. Further details will be set out in due course.

What (a) advice and (b) support her Department provides to UK citizens who wish to assist relatives in Gaza in seeking asylum in the United Kingdom.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 13 March to Question 35970.

What progress has been made on appointing a permanent Independent Prevent Commissioner.

An open competition to recruit the permanent Independent Prevent Commissioner is underway, and an update will be provided once an appointment has been made.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he is taking steps to help facilitate safe passage to Jordan for refugees fleeing Gaza.

The Government has been clear that civilians in Gaza must be protected, and that Palestinians should not be forced to relocate from Gaza to third countries. Jordan is a generous host to several million refugees from regional conflicts, and entry of refugees from Gaza into Jordan is a matter for the Government of Jordan. We continue to call on all parties in Gaza to protect civilians and urge the Government of Israel to enable life-saving aid to enter Gaza at scale, and to enable the seriously ill and wounded to leave Gaza for medical care.

Whether her Department plans to review how attendance at schools is recorded for students who have been transferred to another school.

Once a pupil has been transferred to another school, their name is deleted from both the admission and attendance registers.The ’Working together to improve school attendance’ guidance sets out the process clearly for schools in paragraphs 222-224. The guidance was drawn up following full public consultation and can be accessed here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66bf300da44f1c4c23e5bd1b/Working_together_to_improve_school_attendance_-_August_2024.pdf.This guidance explains the legal process set out in Regulation 9(1)(a) of The School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024, which can be accessed here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2024/208/regulation/9/made.

How many Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman cases are pending the appointment of the new Ombudsman.

There were 187 pending decisions when Paula Sussex CBE was appointed as the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman on 26 June 2025.