Written questions by Jarvis.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to (a) inheritance tax and (b) business property relief on family-owned manufacturing businesses.

I refer the Honourable Member to the answer given to UIN 56360.

Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of enabling access to BBC iPlayer for license fee payers while abroad.

Under the Charter the BBC is required to act in the public interest, serving all audiences through the provision of impartial, high-quality and distinctive output and services which inform, educate and entertain. With regard to the provision of services internationally, as the BBC is operationally independent, decisions on whether and how the BBC makes its content available to licence fee payers abroad are therefore for the BBC to make independent of government.DCMS has not made an assessment of the potential merits of enabling access to BBC iPlayer for license fee payers while abroad. However, it is worth noting that the ability of the BBC to make content available is limited in large part due to rights agreements. The BBC does not hold the international rights to many of the programmes it carries on iPlayer, and therefore cannot provide audiences outside the UK with access to the iPlayer service.

What proportion of people with a Parkinson’s diagnosis were diagnosed by a specialist; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of that proportion.

Guidance on Parkinson’s disease in adults published by the National Institute for Care Excellence (NICE) recommends that people with suspected Parkinson's disease are referred for an expert clinical diagnosis by a specialist without delay, and that the diagnosis should be reviewed regularly by a specialist.While a formal diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease should always be undertaken by a specialist, NHS England does not hold information centrally to audit this.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Environment Agency on the enforcement of water quality standards in national parks.

The Environment Agency (EA) regulates to protect water quality standards across England, including within national parks. National parks often contain sensitive area designations such as bathing waters, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) or protected habitats, which afford higher levels of protection and regulation. Any environmental offences in national parks, such as pollution incidents and breaches of permits or regulations, are investigated and enforcement taken in line with the EA’s Enforcement and Sanctions Policy. Protecting the natural environment remains a priority, and we continue to work closely with the Environment Agency to ensure high standards are upheld.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to review the regulatory requirements of sewage treatment works that serve fewer than 2,000 people.

Through the recommendations made by the Independent Water Commission, Defra is embarking on a review of regulations as part of the Government’s wider commitment to regulatory reform.

Media and Sport, with reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Creative Industries Sector Plan, published on 23 June 2025, when she plans to publish the video games skills strategy.

The Video Games Skills Strategy is being developed by an industry-led UK Games Skills Network and is due to be published later in 2025. This will build on findings from the Creative Industries Council Skills Audit, giving video games skills organisations and delivery partners a clear remit for tackling persistent skills gaps.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support UK-based broadcasters in adapting to changes in consumer behaviour associated with moving away from satellite television and towards streaming services.

We recognise the shift in audience habits to watching more television over internet-based platforms and the pressure this places on broadcasters. Through the Government’s Future of TV Distribution project, we’re exploring how people access television now and over the next decade, including assessing the future role of satellite in our distribution ecosystem. Ensuring that distribution costs are reasonable for broadcasters and that television continues to be universally available for audiences is key. As discussed in greater detail by Minister Peacock in the recent Future of Terrestrial Television debate, we are engaging a wide range of industry and audience voices through a ministerially chaired stakeholder forum to help understand these pressures.

What steps his Department is taking to support the growth of the night-time economy in Eastleigh constituency.

The Government recognises the vital role that night-time venues, including those in Eastleigh constituency play in supporting local economies.In April, the Government established the Licensing Taskforce, bringing together representatives from the hospitality industry to help shape reform. The Government’s response, published on 31 July, set out proposals for a new National Licensing Policy Framework designed to simplify outdated licensing rules and protect long-standing venues from noise complaints, which are particularly relevant to the night-time economy.Additionally, we are reforming the business rates system to support high street investment, including permanently lower rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties with a rateable value under £500,000.

What steps his Department is taking to support veterans' services in Eastleigh constituency.

This is a Government of service that will always stand up for those who serve our country, no matter which community they are based in. In Eastleigh and across the country, the Government is ensuring a wide range of support is available for veterans. At the 2021 census, 3,518 people in Eastleigh reported that they had previously served in the UK Armed Forces, representing 4.6% of the population aged 16 and over. The Ministry of Defence runs the Veterans Welfare Service, which provides advice and support to veterans and their families. For support with employment, the Career Transition Partnership is the initial point of provision for those leaving military Service and Op ASCEND is the employment pathway for veterans. In England Op RESTORE and Op COURAGE provide physical and mental health specialist services. Housing support is available across the United Kingdom via Op FORTITUDE, a single referral pathway connecting veterans with support. In May this year, we also announced VALOUR, a new commitment, backed by £50 million, to establish the first-ever UK-wide approach to veteran support, which will ensure easier access to essential care and support for veterans across the country. A new regional approach, based on a network of VALOUR support centres and regional field officers, will help to ensure that services are designed to meet the needs of their local communities.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department holds information on the level of homelessness in Eastleigh constituency.

The Government publishes homelessness statistics by local authority in England on gov.uk here.

What proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals achieved a grade 5 or above in English and Maths GCSEs in the 2024-25 academic year .

The data for the 2024/25 academic year is not yet available and is intended for release in October 2025, when it will be available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/key-stage-4-performance/.

What steps her Department is taking to support the growth of apprenticeships in Eastleigh constituency.

This government is transforming the apprenticeships offer into a new growth and skills offer, which will offer greater flexibility to employers and learners across the country, including in Eastleigh, and support the Industrial Strategy. In August, the department introduced new foundation apprenticeships for young people in targeted sectors, as well as shorter duration apprenticeships. These flexibilities will help more people learn new high quality skills at work and fuel innovation in businesses across the country. To support the growth of apprenticeships, the government provides £1,000 to both employers and training providers when they take on apprentices aged under 19, or 19 to 24-year-old apprentices who have an education, health and care plan or have been, or are, in care. We will also pay employers up to £2,000 for eligible foundation apprenticeships to contribute to the extra costs of supporting someone at the beginning of their career. Employers also benefit from not being required to pay anything towards employees’ National Insurance for all apprentices aged up to age 25, when the employee’s wage is below £50,270 a year.

With reference to his Department's policy paper entitled UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding, updated on 19 May 2025, what his expected timetable is for association of the UK to the European Union Erasmus+ programme.

We have agreed to work towards the association of the UK to the EU Erasmus+ programme. We are taking forward the next stage of negotiations on the clear mutual understanding that the UK will only associate to Erasmus+ on terms that provide value for money for the UK taxpayer. The timelines for any association will be subject to further discussion as part of these negotiations.

Media and Sport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the increase in cost of Electronic Travel Authorisations on her Department’s target of 50 million annual visits to the UK by 2030.

DCMS closely monitors factors that may influence inbound tourism, including the cost of electronic travel authorisations (ETAs). We recognise the importance of balancing secure and efficient border processes with the need to remain competitive as a global tourism destination. DCMS continues to engage with the Home Office to ensure that any changes to the cost of ETAs are proportionate and informed by robust evidence on their potential impact on our 50m inbound target. Supporting the UK's tourism industry remains a priority, and we will continue to review any challenges to its growth.

What steps he is taking to engage with young people to promote recruitment in the Armed Forces.

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) 2025 is clear that Defence must now meet the longstanding challenge of recruiting and retaining new generations with different requirements. We are committed to the vision that long-term success depends on reconnecting society with the Armed Forces and the purpose of Defence, and for recruitment the focus should be on speed, drastically shortening the period between applicants expressing interest and joining. To achieve this, Defence will offer novel ways of entry into the Armed Forces that attract more people from a wider range of backgrounds. The Army and Navy are developing short term employment opportunities - “gap year” schemes - for young men and women across a variety of exciting roles that will upskill, provide apprenticeships, and a flavour of life in the Armed Forces. Full plans will be announced in due course now that we have published the SDR. Furthermore, the Armed Forces enjoy good relationships with schools, primarily in terms of engagement to support Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths curriculum areas but also in careers engagement, which collectively enhances our engagement with young people. The Armed Forces only visit schools when invited to do so, usually in support of career events, citizenship talks, science and maths challenges and other exercises. The Armed Forces do not target recruitment activity at under-16s, and no visits to schools by the Armed Forces are directly linked to recruitment, other than careers fairs which generally involve a range of employers. Presentations may be given highlighting Armed Forces careers, but no pupil is ever signed up or able to make a commitment to become a recruit during the course of a visit.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the support available to (a) families and (b) carers of people with frontotemporal dementia.

The Government recognises the vital role of families and unpaid carers and is committed to improving dementia care and ensuring carers have the support they need.Under the 10 Year Health Plan, those living with dementia will benefit from improved care planning and better services. We will deliver the first ever Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia to deliver rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity.To support carers, we are equipping and supporting carers by making them more visible, empowering their voices in care planning, joining up services, and streamlining their caring tasks by introducing a new ‘MyCarer’ section to the NHS App. The Government is also reviewing the implementation of carer’s leave and the potential benefits of introducing paid leave.From 7 April, the Carer's Allowance weekly earnings limit increased from £151 to £196, the largest rise since its introduction. Local authorities, under the Care Act 2014, have a duty to provide high-quality, sustainable support services for carers.

What assessment she has made of the potential implications of the policies set out in the Cabinet Office policy paper entitled UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding, updated on 19 May 2025, for the future of the Turing Scheme.

The government remains committed to providing opportunities to study and work abroad, especially for those students from disadvantaged backgrounds. That is why we have agreed to work towards association to the Erasmus+ programme on much better financial terms for the UK. The Turing Scheme is now in its fifth year, with placements starting this September. Details on the future of the Turing Scheme will be shared in due course.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of support available to secondary school pupils who have not been awarded 5 GCSE's.

All 16 to 19 study programmes should be tailored to support students to progress to education at a higher level or into employment, or should prepare them for adult life.These study programmes should include substantial qualifications that stretch students. Students who are not awarded 5 GCSEs may take other level 2 qualifications to prepare them for employment or further study.Any student on a 16 to 19 study programme, who has not yet achieved an English and/or maths GCSE grade 4 or higher, must continue studying these subjects.In the 2025/26 academic year, the department has increased 16 to 19 funding for English and maths delivery and to help with the additional costs associated with teaching and supporting students who have not yet achieved English and/or maths GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 by the end of year 11.

What steps his Department is taking to improve training for health and social care staff in supporting patients with frontotemporal dementia.

Our health system has struggled to support those with complex needs, including those with dementia. Under the 10 Year Health Plan, those living with dementia will benefit from improved care planning and better services.We will deliver the first ever Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia to deliver rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity. This will be informed by phase one of the independent commission into adult social care, expected in 2026.The Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia will seek to reduce unwarranted variation and narrow inequality for those living with dementia; it will set national standards for dementia care and redirect National Health Service priorities to provide the best possible care and support.We want all health and care staff to have received appropriate training to provide high quality care to people with dementia. Employers in the health system are responsible for ensuring that their staff are trained to the required standards to deliver appropriate treatment for patients. The required training needs are set out in the Dementia Training Standards Framework, which is available through Skills for Health.In January, we announced that the Care Workforce Pathway will expand to further support opportunities for career progression and development.The Care Workforce pathway is designed to be a foundation which will enable individuals to develop a ‘portable portfolio’ of skills attained both through learning programmes and practical experience within a range of care services, such as learning disabilities, autism or dementia.

What steps she is taking to ensure children in foster care are provided access to mental health support.

Children in foster care should be provided with access to mental health support at home and at school.The National Minimum Standards for fostering sets out that children should ‘live in a healthy environment where their physical, emotional and psychological health is promoted.’Children should have prompt access to doctors and other health professionals, including specialist services, when they need these services.The government is committed to providing access to specialist mental health professionals in every school by expanding Mental Health Support Teams.Alongside the Department of Health and Social Care, the department is reviewing and updating current statutory guidance on promoting the health and wellbeing of children in care.As part of the statutory guidance review, we are considering what changes are needed to better ensure that children in care, including those in foster care, and care leavers receive the necessary support for their mental health and wellbeing.