Written questions by Evans.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether the impact of avian influenza-related restrictions on the operation of the aviculture and caged bird sector will be considered at her next meeting with the APHA.

Defra officials have engaged with the aviculture and caged bird sector, including regional bird clubs and other avicultural organisations, via stakeholder forums and individual discussions as appropriate to understand the impacts of the changes in bird gathering licences on their activities. The Great Britain wild bird and poultry risk levels are reviewed weekly. The avian influenza disease control and prevention measures are kept under regular review and informed by the latest scientific and ornithological evidence and veterinary advice. Defra Ministers regularly meet with APHA on a range of issues including the Government's response to exotic disease outbreaks.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the farming sector on the financial impact of changes in the costs of fertiliser due to the conflict in the Middle East on UK farmers.

Defra recognises the recent increase in fertiliser prices caused by the conflict in the Middle East. We are in close contact with domestic fertiliser suppliers and farming unions and are monitoring overall supply to the UK. Defra will continue to engage with industry and farmers to understand potential pressures and options to mitigate any risks.

Food and Rural Affairs, what the frequency is of the review process for her Department and the APHA to monitor the impact of avian influenza-related restrictions on the aviculture and caged bird sector.

Defra officials have engaged with the aviculture and caged bird sector, including regional bird clubs and other avicultural organisations, via stakeholder forums and individual discussions as appropriate to understand the impacts of the changes in bird gathering licences on their activities. The Great Britain wild bird and poultry risk levels are reviewed weekly. The avian influenza disease control and prevention measures are kept under regular review and informed by the latest scientific and ornithological evidence and veterinary advice. Defra Ministers regularly meet with APHA on a range of issues including the Government's response to exotic disease outbreaks.

What is the frequency of the updates that he is receiving from the Fuel Distribution Association about challenges in the supply chain of heating oil for [i] domestic and [ii] business customers.

The Government is in frequent communication with the UK and Ireland Fuel Distribution Association (UKIFDA) to monitor heating oil supply and pricing. We are aware that some customers are experiencing delays or difficulties in receiving heating oil deliveries; this was due to an increase in demand. This has now reduced, and industry are reporting that demand has returned to the normal level expected for this time of year. The Prime Minister confirmed £53 million of immediate support for those most exposed to changing heating oil prices on Monday 16 March.

What data his Department holds on trends in the level of suicides amongst senior leaders in non-clinical roles in the NHS.

The Department does not hold data on the level of suicides amongst the National Health Service workforce.Data relating to numbers of suicides in England and Wales is published regularly by the Office of National Statistics (ONS). ONS occasionally also publishes ad hoc analysis of suicide numbers by standard occupational classifications. Whilst this data does not allow identification of the employer, such as the NHS, it does present suicide numbers by broad occupation categories. The latest ad hoc publication can be found at the following link:https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/adhocs/2726suicidebyoccupationinenglandandwales2023and2024provisionalThere is a wide range of mental health support for all NHS staff. Staff are able to access mental health support through their general practice but can also access support provided by their employer through employee assistance programmes or occupational health. NHS England also offers a range of health and wellbeing resources, including health and wellbeing apps and text support services, and NHS leaders can access the National Staff Mental Health Treatment Service which is available to both clinical and non-clinical staff and is in place to help those with more complex mental health needs. Further information on the National Staff Mental Health Treatment Service is available at the following link:https://www.practitionerhealth.nhs.uk/The service is designed to offer confidential support to NHS professionals, who cannot access confidential support locally.NHS England has also published a national suicide prevention toolkit and postvention toolkit to help organisations introduce prevention strategies and support their workforce, both of which are available, respectively, at the following two links:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/working-together-to-prevent-suicide-in-the-nhs/https://www.nhsconfed.org/system/files/2023-03/NHS-employee-suicide-postvention-toolkit.pdf

What assessment he has made of trends in the level of mental health support for senior leaders in non-clinical NHS roles.

The Department does not hold data on the level of suicides amongst the National Health Service workforce.Data relating to numbers of suicides in England and Wales is published regularly by the Office of National Statistics (ONS). ONS occasionally also publishes ad hoc analysis of suicide numbers by standard occupational classifications. Whilst this data does not allow identification of the employer, such as the NHS, it does present suicide numbers by broad occupation categories. The latest ad hoc publication can be found at the following link:https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/adhocs/2726suicidebyoccupationinenglandandwales2023and2024provisionalThere is a wide range of mental health support for all NHS staff. Staff are able to access mental health support through their general practice but can also access support provided by their employer through employee assistance programmes or occupational health. NHS England also offers a range of health and wellbeing resources, including health and wellbeing apps and text support services, and NHS leaders can access the National Staff Mental Health Treatment Service which is available to both clinical and non-clinical staff and is in place to help those with more complex mental health needs. Further information on the National Staff Mental Health Treatment Service is available at the following link:https://www.practitionerhealth.nhs.uk/The service is designed to offer confidential support to NHS professionals, who cannot access confidential support locally.NHS England has also published a national suicide prevention toolkit and postvention toolkit to help organisations introduce prevention strategies and support their workforce, both of which are available, respectively, at the following two links:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/working-together-to-prevent-suicide-in-the-nhs/https://www.nhsconfed.org/system/files/2023-03/NHS-employee-suicide-postvention-toolkit.pdf

If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of HMRC's (a) investigative powers and (b) human resources to investigate cases of organised criminals accessing VAT accounts using genuine customers' registration details and claiming VAT refunds.

HMRC has active investigations into organised crime VAT fraud. However, live case information isn’t routinely published, and disclosing the number of ongoing investigations would risk alerting or enabling those seeking to exploit the tax system. Further to answer UIN 112096, HMRC have implemented additional controls over recent months to strengthen its systems and ensure access is limited to legitimate customers. As part of this, HMRC has established the Fraud Prevention Centre (FPC), a multi-functional team led by HMRC's Security directorate, focused on the protection, detection and response to identity-related security threats. The FPC also provides enhanced, direct support to customers and manages fraud in line with industry best practice. HMRC has wide ranging criminal investigation powers, as set out on GOV.UK, and is resourced to investigate serious fraud, deploying compliance and enforcement capability to protect the integrity of the tax system. At Spring Statement 2025, the Government set out plans to expand HMRC's counter-fraud capability, including strengthening its response to organised criminal attacks.

Whether assessments of trends in the level of provision of mental health support for (a) senior NHS England leaders and (b) wider staff teams as the closure of NHS England is taking place.

NHS England has robust people management infrastructure in place. This includes an annual appraisal process which incorporates risk assessments for all colleagues. There is a broad set of provisions for mental health support which includes an independent external Employee Assistance Programme, Occupational Health Services, and the in-house provision of Mental Health First Aiders.This provision is supplemented by a bespoke well-being programme which was developed and implemented in response to the Government’s announcement regarding the closure of NHS England last year and includes webinars and workshops delivered by external and internal mental health experts, the provision of change management, and stress management interventions and toolkits, including Maximum and Able Futures workplace mental health services.Regular reports, including trend data and insights from the providers of mental health services, are regularly reviewed through routine reviews with the providers of the services and established governance arrangements, including the Health and Safety Committee, to ensure that the provision is meeting existing demand and forecast projections.

What assessment he has made of the trends in the level of (a) staff take-up and (b) trends in staff feedback to the mental health support offered to NHS England staff teams as the closure of NHS England takes place.

In addition to the routine review of mental health services, and specifically the employee assistance and occupational health services which highlight needs of colleagues that are mental health related, the engagement level for both services is tracked. Trends in the level of colleague uptake of services, by type and satisfaction levels, and trends in staff feedback to the mental health support offered to NHS England colleagues is monitored and reviewed through established governance arrangements, including feedback provided from trade union partnerships and staff networks, to ensure that the provision is meeting existing demand and forecast projections.An expert panel has been recently engaged to assess the trends, including the level of colleague uptake and feedback, to make recommendations within the context of the closure of NHS England and potential impact on colleagues. The panel will inform decisions on whether further support for colleagues should be put in place in 2026/27.

What discussions she has had with the road haulage sector on the financial impact of [i] forthcoming changes to fuel duty and [ii] changes in oil prices due to the conflict in the Middle East on road hauliers.

The Government recognises the key role the haulage sector plays in the UK economy. The Government is taking action to ensure that fuel at the pump remains affordable. At Budget 2025, the Government extended the 5p-per-litre cut for a further five months, until the end of August this year. The Government has also cancelled the increase in line with inflation for 2026/27; instead, rates will only gradually return to early 2022 levels by March 2027.The Government's action on fuel duty will save an average heavy goods vehicle more than £800 in 2026/27 compared to previous plans, and follows an extended period where freezes to fuel duty have resulted in substantial savings for the haulage industry.As the Chancellor has set out, a rapid de-escalation in the Middle East remains the best way to keep prices low at the pump.As with all taxes, the Government keeps fuel duty under review; and any changes are announced at fiscal events.

Pursuant to WPQ 112096 answered on 23 February 2026 about 'VAT Fraud,' what recent discussions he has had with HMRC about trends in the levels of cases of organised criminals accessing VAT accounts using customers' registration details and claiming VAT refunds.

HMRC has active investigations into organised crime VAT fraud. However, live case information isn’t routinely published, and disclosing the number of ongoing investigations would risk alerting or enabling those seeking to exploit the tax system. Further to answer UIN 112096, HMRC have implemented additional controls over recent months to strengthen its systems and ensure access is limited to legitimate customers. As part of this, HMRC has established the Fraud Prevention Centre (FPC), a multi-functional team led by HMRC's Security directorate, focused on the protection, detection and response to identity-related security threats. The FPC also provides enhanced, direct support to customers and manages fraud in line with industry best practice. HMRC has wide ranging criminal investigation powers, as set out on GOV.UK, and is resourced to investigate serious fraud, deploying compliance and enforcement capability to protect the integrity of the tax system. At Spring Statement 2025, the Government set out plans to expand HMRC's counter-fraud capability, including strengthening its response to organised criminal attacks.

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 February 2026 to Question 112096 on VAT Fraud, how many cases are being investigated by HMRC of organised criminals accessing VAT accounts using genuine customers' registration details and claiming VAT refunds.

HMRC has active investigations into organised crime VAT fraud. However, live case information isn’t routinely published, and disclosing the number of ongoing investigations would risk alerting or enabling those seeking to exploit the tax system. Further to answer UIN 112096, HMRC have implemented additional controls over recent months to strengthen its systems and ensure access is limited to legitimate customers. As part of this, HMRC has established the Fraud Prevention Centre (FPC), a multi-functional team led by HMRC's Security directorate, focused on the protection, detection and response to identity-related security threats. The FPC also provides enhanced, direct support to customers and manages fraud in line with industry best practice. HMRC has wide ranging criminal investigation powers, as set out on GOV.UK, and is resourced to investigate serious fraud, deploying compliance and enforcement capability to protect the integrity of the tax system. At Spring Statement 2025, the Government set out plans to expand HMRC's counter-fraud capability, including strengthening its response to organised criminal attacks.

When will he receive the next update from the Fuel Distribution Association about the work of heating oil providers to ensure that customers have flexibility on delivery size.

The Energy Minister has been in contact with the UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association (UKIFDA) and continues to work with them and other suppliers to ensure vulnerable households are treated fairly, including in relation to delivery sizes. DESNZ has held regular discussions with UKIFDA to emphasise that members should follow the industry Code of Practice to provide their customers with flexibility on delivery size. On Monday 16 March the Government announced the intention to regulate the heating oil sector to introduce new customer protections along-side securing agreements with industry to quickly improve customer experience and ensure households are better protected. In this context the Energy Secretary welcomes the Competition and Market Authority’s comprehensive examination of the heating oil industry.

What steps her Department is taking to engage with the autism community to ensure that public opinion is captured for the SEND Reform White Paper without the need to provide a written submission to the consultation.

On Monday 23 February, we launched a full 12-week consultation on our special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms because we want to hear directly from people across the country who have an interest in these reforms and build on our national conversation.There are three ways that we are ensuring we capture the views of those who are part of the SEND community. First, we are hosting a series of online and in-person events throughout the consultation period, including sessions delivered in partnership with the Council for Disabled Children. More information on these sessions will be advertised in the coming weeks.Second, we are engaging with a range of SEND organisations, including autism organisations, and representatives of those organisations will also be on ministerial engagement groups. Members of our Expert Advisory Group for Inclusion, SEND Development Group, and Complex Needs Group have autism expertise, and we also plan to engage with representatives from other organisations that specialise in autism at our planned deep dives. We are also engaging with academics in this space. Finally, we continue to engage with young people, including those with autism, on the consultation as we did pre-publication.Third, the department has a dedicated mailbox for SEND reform consultation responses and is accepting non-written as well as written responses to consultation questions. The mailbox is available at: SENDreform.CONSULTATION@education.gov.uk.The consultation, including accessible versions, can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/send-reform-putting-children-and-young-people-first.

If her Department will conduct focus groups in the East Midlands with individuals who need equality adjustments to share their opinions in a non-written manner on the SEND Reform White Paper.

On Monday 23 February, we launched a full 12‑week consultation on our special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms because we want to hear directly from people across the country who have an interest in these reforms.To do that, we are building on our national conversation and delivering one of the widest engagement programmes we have ever run, reaching professionals, families, and children and young people to help shape these reforms together.We are hosting a series of in‑person events and online opportunities throughout the 12-week consultation period in every region, including the East Midlands, with some sessions delivered in partnership with the Council for Disabled Children.The department has a dedicated mailbox for SEND reform consultation responses and is accepting both written and non-written responses to consultation questions. The mailbox is available at: SENDreform.CONSULTATION@education.gov.uk.The consultation, including accessible versions, can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/send-reform-putting-children-and-young-people-first.

With reference to his Department's publication entitled Changes to the GP contract in 2026/27, updated on 4 March 2025, when will the exact requirements for advice and guidance be published.

As part of the 2026/27 GP Contract, we are embedding the current Advice and Guidance enhanced service funding within core practice funding. The core expectations for general practices (GPs) broadly remain unchanged, and practices will be required to use Advice and Guidance prior to or in place of a planned care referral, where clinically appropriate, and to follow locally agreed referral pathways. As part of the usual annual cycle, NHS England will refresh the operational delivery framework to ensure it remains aligned with the updated contractual requirements. The GP Contract changes for 2026/27 are underpinned by regulations, which will be laid before Parliament in the usual way, alongside an explanatory memorandum. Framework updates will happen in line with, or prior to, regulations coming into force. NHS England will continue to ensure that operational delivery frameworks remain clear, robust, and supportive as the use of Advice and Guidance expands. A draft technical guidance is already available to ICBs to support preparation for implementation.

Pursuant to Question 118267 answered on 13 March on General Practitioners: Contracts, what data will be collected about advice and guidance by NHS England.

NHS England collects and publishes national data on total Advice and Guidance (A&G) activity through the existing system elective recovery outpatient collection, published and available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/outpatient-transformation/specialist-advice/This includes total A&G requests sent, processed requests, where a specialist has returned the advice and diversions, where the outcome of A&G is that a referral is not required. This data is also available at provider and integrated care board levels.NHS England also collects data on the above by treatment function, or specialty, and on turnaround times of A&G. These are not published but available to National Health Service providers through the Model Health System. During 2026/27, NHS England will review and expand what measures are published as and when additional data becomes available through the expansion and improvements to the electronic referral system platform.Between April 2025 and November 2025, there were 2,394,266 pre-referral advice and guidance requests, of which 2,210,443 were processed and 1,095,172 have been diverted, which is 45.7% of total requests. Diverted patients may otherwise have had to wait for an unnecessary appointment and instead are expected to receive more timely care with earlier specialist input.

Pursuant to Question118267 answered on 13 March on General Practitioners: Contracts, what evidence is there to support the statement that the changes made to advice and guidance will reduce the number of unnecessary appointments.

NHS England collects and publishes national data on total Advice and Guidance (A&G) activity through the existing system elective recovery outpatient collection, published and available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/outpatient-transformation/specialist-advice/This includes total A&G requests sent, processed requests, where a specialist has returned the advice and diversions, where the outcome of A&G is that a referral is not required. This data is also available at provider and integrated care board levels.NHS England also collects data on the above by treatment function, or specialty, and on turnaround times of A&G. These are not published but available to National Health Service providers through the Model Health System. During 2026/27, NHS England will review and expand what measures are published as and when additional data becomes available through the expansion and improvements to the electronic referral system platform.Between April 2025 and November 2025, there were 2,394,266 pre-referral advice and guidance requests, of which 2,210,443 were processed and 1,095,172 have been diverted, which is 45.7% of total requests. Diverted patients may otherwise have had to wait for an unnecessary appointment and instead are expected to receive more timely care with earlier specialist input.

Pursuant to Question 118267 answered on 13 March on General Practitioners: Contracts, who is clinically responsible for the patient while advice and guidance is being sought; and at what point does that responsibility transfer to secondary care.

Currently, a patient is added to an official waiting list when an Advice and Guidance request is converted into a referral. This will remain the case through part of 2026/27. From October 2026, expanded Advice and Guidance will be routed through a new Elective Single Point of Access (SPoA), in line with the Medium Term Planning Framework. From this point, while a patient will still be added onto a waiting list at the point of the referral being accepted, their waiting time will be calculated from the date the Advice and Guidance request or referral was received by the SpoA.While advice is being sought and acted on in primary care, the general practitioner remains responsible for the patient’s overall clinical care and risk. The specialist is responsible for the quality and appropriateness of the advice they give, not for ongoing management or follow‑up unless they formally take the patient on. Specialist also have clinical responsibility from the point an Advice and Guidance request is converted into a referral or if the specialist initiates investigations or treatment directly.

With reference to his Department's publication entitled Changes to the GP contract in 2026/27, updated on 4 March 2025, at what point during the process of advice and guidance will his Department add a patient to an official NHS waiting list.

Currently, a patient is added to an official waiting list when an Advice and Guidance request is converted into a referral. This will remain the case through part of 2026/27. From October 2026, expanded Advice and Guidance will be routed through a new Elective Single Point of Access (SPoA), in line with the Medium Term Planning Framework. From this point, while a patient will still be added onto a waiting list at the point of the referral being accepted, their waiting time will be calculated from the date the Advice and Guidance request or referral was received by the SpoA.While advice is being sought and acted on in primary care, the general practitioner remains responsible for the patient’s overall clinical care and risk. The specialist is responsible for the quality and appropriateness of the advice they give, not for ongoing management or follow‑up unless they formally take the patient on. Specialist also have clinical responsibility from the point an Advice and Guidance request is converted into a referral or if the specialist initiates investigations or treatment directly.