Written questions by Jarvis.

What steps his Department is taking to increase the accessibility of Fracture Liaison Services for people with osteoporosis.

Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) are a globally recognised care model and can reduce the risk of refracture for people at risk of osteoporosis by up to 40%. We remain committed to rolling out FLS across every part of the country by 2030. That is what the Secretary of State promised before the election, and what he is delivering. In the meantime, we are investing in 14 high-tech DEXA scanners, which are expected to provide an extra 29,000 scans to ensure people with bone conditions get diagnosed earlier.

What the average wait time in Southampton General Hospital's Accident and Emergency Department was in (a) December 2024 and (b) January 2025.

The data is not available in the format requested. The latest provisional published data for the median average time spent at emergency departments at the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust for November 2024 was 232 minutes. Information relating to December 2024 will be published on 13 February 2025, and information relating to January 2025 will be published on 13 March 2025.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to publish an anti-littering strategy.

Littering is a crime that blights communities and the environment. This Government is considering what further steps are needed to help local authorities reduce litter and keep their streets clean. In the meantime, we are introducing a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers which is planned to launch in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland in October 2027.DRS introduces a redeemable deposit on single-use in-scope drinks containers which can be claimed back by customers when returned. This will reduce litter, increase recycling rates, create high quality recycled materials for producers and promote a circular economy. This Government has also introduced legislation banning the supply of single use vapes in England from 1 June 2025. A ban on these throwaway items will help to protect our environment and future generations from the harmful effects of single use vapes, whilst reducing litter.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of NHS funded IVF treatment in Eastleigh constituency.

Funding decisions for health services in England are made by the integrated care boards (ICBs) and are based on the clinical needs of their local population. ICBs are expected to commission fertility services in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) guidelines. We are aware that compliance with these guidelines is variable.The NICE is currently reviewing the fertility guideline and will consider whether the current recommendations for access to NHS-funded treatment are still appropriate. We expect this review to be published later in 2025.The Department is working with NHS England to consider future policy options to support ICBs to provide more equitable in vitro fertilization (IVF) services. No assessment has been made of the of NHS-funded IVF treatment in the Eastleigh consistuency.

If he will ensure that the investment reserve of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme is transferred back to members.

The Government is receptive to representations regarding the BCSSS. I recently met with the Trustees of the Scheme to discuss their proposals, and will be discussing the matter with the Treasury in due course.

What steps he is taking to improve (a) diagnosis and (b) treatment pathways for patients with (i) hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, (ii) Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and (iii) Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.

The Government is committed to improving the lives of those living with rare diseases, such as hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) and mast cell activation syndrome. The UK Rare Diseases Framework sets out four priorities, collaboratively developed with the rare disease community, which include helping patients get a final diagnosis faster and improving access to specialist care, treatments, and drugs. We remain committed to delivering under the framework and will publish an annual England action plan in 2025. With over 7,000 identified rare diseases, the framework and action plans focus on shared challenges across all rare diseases.NHS England has a website page on hEDS and this notes the passing of information on to the National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Diseases Registration Service (NCARDRS) to help scientists look for better ways to prevent and treat this condition. NHS England’s website page is available at the following link:https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ehlers-danlos-syndromes/Be Part of Research is a tool that can support people living with rare diseases in engaging with research. Currently on Be Part of Research there is a study recruiting those with hEDS to take part in research to help advance the understanding of diagnostic imaging in this condition. Further information is available at the following link:https://bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk/trial-details/trial-detail?trialId=24730&location=&distance=To improve awareness of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) amongst healthcare professionals, and specifically general practitioners, the Royal College of General Practitioners provides training on PoTS as part of its syncope toolkit. Further information is available at the following link:https://elearning.rcgp.org.uk/course/view.php?id=500In addition, the NICE has produced a clinical knowledge summary on blackouts and syncope, last updated in November 2023, which outlines how clinicians should assess and diagnose PoTS. The NICE’s clinical knowledge summary is available at the following link:https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/blackouts-syncope/diagnosis/assessment/

How many instances of mobile phone theft have been reported in Eastleigh constituency since 2020.

The Home Office collects information on the number of theft offences recorded by the police in England and Wales. It is not possible to identify from these data which crimes involved the theft of a mobile phone. The Office for National Statistics publish estimates of mobile phone theft for England and Wales, but these figures are not available for smaller geographic areas. The latest Office for National Statistics estimates can be found at:https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/datasets/focusonpropertycrimeappendixtablesWe will shortly be holding a Home Office Mobile Phone Theft Summit, drawing together representatives from the mobile phone industry, including tech companies, and law enforcement to see what more can collectively be done to break the business model of mobile phone thieves.As part of our Safer Streets Mission, this government is determined to crack down on theft and other crimes that make people feel unsafe in our communities, including strengthening neighbourhood policing, tackling anti-social behaviour and restoring public confidence.

Whether she plans to include extra-curricular activities within her Department's curriculum and assessment review.

Extracurricular activities, although not within the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review’s remit, clearly interact with the content of the curriculum. This government is interested in recommendations that help to deliver a rich and broad curriculum.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of moratoriums on the building of incinerators.

Over the last 14 years, England has seen recycling rates stall, meaning too much waste is dealt with through incineration or thrown in landfill. Under new plans, published alongside Defra’s Residual Waste Infrastructure Capacity Note, the Government makes clear it will only back new waste infrastructure projects if they meet strict local and environmental conditions. Projects will need to maximise efficiency and support the delivery of economic growth, net zero and the move to a circular economy. Defra’s analysis shows that there remain certain areas in England where significant volumes of household waste are sent to landfill and that non-household waste is also sent to landfill. Disposing of waste in landfill has a greater negative environmental impact than recovering the energy through incineration. Therefore, we have taken this step to support our transition to a circular economy, end the stagnated recycling rates in England and support the waste hierarchy in minimising waste sent to landfill. Those developing energy recovery facilities (at all stages in the process) are encouraged to consider forecast changes to future capacity, demand, and the Government's circular economy opportunities, in light of the evidence published in the Capacity Note. And we expect those granting permissions to consider these changes in any decisions they make.

What steps he is taking to help schools maintain the wellbeing of young people affected by bullying.

All schools must have a behaviour policy with measures to prevent all forms of bullying. Schools are free to develop their own anti-bullying strategies to suit their specific needs and are held to account by Ofsted.​The department has published advice to support schools with addressing incidences of bullying. The guidance is clear that schools should make appropriate provision for a bullied child's social, emotional and mental health needs. It is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/625ee64cd3bf7f6004339db8/Preventing_and_tackling_bullying_advice.pdf.The department also published a practical tool to help schools, which can be found on the Educate Against Hate website. It is available here: https://educateagainsthate.com/resources/respectful-school-communities-self-review-signposting-tool-2/.We know that children experiencing bullying are more susceptible to mental health challenges. The government will work to ensure the right support is available to every young person that needs it, including providing access to specialist mental health professionals in every school. The government will also be putting in place new Young Futures Hubs, including access to mental health support workers, and will recruit an additional 8,500 new mental health staff to treat children and adults.The department has launched a mental health leads resource hub to help schools select the most effective evidence-based support options, including a range of resources that focus on supporting the wellbeing of those who have experienced bullying. This is available on the Mentally Healthy Schools website, available here: https://www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/whole-school-or-college-resources/.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that children with with epilepsy have individual healthcare plans.

Statutory guidance on ‘Supporting pupils at school with medical conditions’ recommends the use of individual healthcare plans as good practice. Individual healthcare plans can help schools support pupils with medical conditions, providing clarity about what needs to be done, when and by whom, to ensure that children have full access to education. The school, healthcare professionals and parents should agree, based on evidence, when a healthcare plan would be appropriate. The department will keep the statutory guidance under review as we take forward our commitment to delivering an inclusive mainstream system.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of including voice as an eligible instrument for the purposes of Orchestra Tax Relief.

The creative industries play a key role in driving economic growth, and the Government is committed to supporting them. Orchestra Tax Relief (OTR) provides tax relief at a rate of 50% on production costs. To qualify for the relief, a concert must be performed by a group of at least 12 instrumentalists. The voice is not considered to be an instrument. However, orchestra concerts with a vocal element are not excluded from the relief. Concerts with a vocal element may be eligible provided that the instrumentalists are the primary focus. These rules help ensure OTR fulfils its objective of supporting and incentivising orchestra concerts specifically. The Government keeps the tax system under review and any changes will be announced at a fiscal event.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to include the protection of chalk streams the review of the water sector.

Ministers are currently working through priorities and options for future reform.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of including enhanced protection of chalk streams in planning reforms.

The Government is committed to securing better environmental outcomes alongside meeting development needs. We are considering how best to reform environmental assessment processes with that objective in mind, including whether to utilise powers in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act to introduce Environmental Outcomes Reports. Those powers make specific reference to chalk streams in the context of the environmental outcomes to be taken into account.

What steps she is taking to help reduce delays by local authorities in delivering education, health and care plans.

I refer the hon. Member for Eastleigh to the answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 7369.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to implement a total ban on snares.

This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only. The Government will introduce the most ambitious programme for animal welfare in a generation. As outlined in our manifesto, we will bring an end to the use of snare traps. We are considering the most effective way to deliver this commitment and will be setting out next steps in due course.

Whether she plans to provide additional funding for a pay award for teachers in sixth form colleges that are not part of academies.

The government does not set or recommend pay in further education (FE), including in sixth form colleges. The pay and conditions of FE staff remains the responsibility of individual colleges and providers who are free to implement pay arrangements in line with their local needs.The department recognises the vital role that sixth form college teachers play, as well as other FE Colleges, in developing the skills needed to drive the government’s missions to improve opportunity and economic growth. That is why the department is investing around £600 million across the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years. This includes extending retention payments of up to £6,000 after tax to eligible early career FE teachers in key subject areas, including in sixth form colleges. The department also continues to support recruitment and retention with teacher training bursaries worth up to £30,000 tax-free in certain key subject areas, and with support for industry professionals to enter the teaching workforce through the Taking Teaching Further programme.My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, has announced a Budget on 30 October to be followed by a multi-year spending review in the spring of next year. Decisions about future post-16 funding and capital programmes will be subject to the outcomes of these fiscal events.

What discussions has she had with the Migration Advisory Committee on the review of the minimum income requirement.

The Home Secretary wrote to the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to commission a review of the financial requirements in the Family Immigration Rules and the MAC have accepted the commission. The letter to the MAC and their reply can be found here: Response letter from Professor Brian Bell to the Home Secretary, 10 September 2024 (accessible) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).