Written questions by Cordova.

What steps she is taking to ensure disabled children have equal access to PE and school sport.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that children receive a minimum of two hours of high-quality physical education per week, and are supported to be physically active for at least 60 minutes a day.

The government has pledged to protect PE time and wants schools to offer a minimum of two hours of PE per week for all pupils. The department is committed to supporting schools to meet this ambition.The government response to the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review has committed to strengthen the PE curriculum across all key stages, including key stage 4, to give it a clearer purpose and ensure schools recognise the importance of protecting two hours of PE throughout a pupil’s time at school.To bring more consistency to the provision of support and opportunities across the country and to ensure it reaches the children and young people who need it most, we are working to set up new PE and School Sport Partnerships across the country. These will make sure that the support that schools can draw on for making improvements to PE is high quality and informed by the best evidence and clearly focused on the challenge of reducing inactivity, securing equal access to sporting opportunities and ensuring there is a renewed focus on supporting schools to increase PE time.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the role of accessible, covered and indoor sports facilities in the participation of disabled people in sport.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the role of year-round, all-weather sports facilities in the development of future elite athletes.

The Government recognises that year-round, all-weather training environments play a vital role in the development of future elite athletes, ensuring consistent access to high-quality facilities regardless of external conditions.Through Government and National Lottery funding, UK Sport invests in a network of Elite Training Centres across the UK. These centres provide daily training environments where athletes can access world-class facilities, coaching and integrated performance support, forming a key part of the UK’s approach to developing future Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

Media and Sport, whether she has considered providing multi-year capital funding settlements for community sports facilities, in order to enable national governing bodies and local partners to plan, deliver matched funding and achieve value for money at scale.

The Government is investing at least £400 million in new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities over the next four years, promoting health, wellbeing and community cohesion, while removing the barriers to physical activity for under-represented groups, such as women and girls, and people with disabilities. At least £15 million is being invested into new delivery models across England in 2026/27, to allow more people to participate in sports they wish to. At least £2.5 million will be invested through the LTA for covered courts in England for tennis, padel and other activities, with additional funding will also enable a wider range of sporting bodies to trial innovative funding pathways. We are also investing £85 million across the UK via the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme in 2026/27, funding projects such as new artificial grass pitches, changing rooms and pavilions, and floodlights which provide communities with access to the facilities they need. A key objective of the programme is to increase access and participation levels for women and girls, disabled players and communities most in need across the UK. We will ensure these communities are prioritised using deprivation and inactivity data. Projects are also required to generate partner funding, ensuring we achieve value for money on Government investment. We are now working closely with the sports sector and local leaders to develop plans for funding for a range of sports across the country based on what each community needs. Although a decision has yet to be made regarding future funding year allocations, we understand the value of multi-year commitments to our delivery partners and will aim to confirm allocations as soon as possible.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that the introduction of School Sport Partnerships and the new Enrichment Framework is supported by adequate levels of funding.

My right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister announced in June 2025 the establishment of a new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network to ensure all children and young people have access to high quality PE and extracurricular sport. Details on the PE and School Sports Partnerships funding will be confirmed in due course.The Enrichment Framework will be published this academic year, accompanied by a range of support to help schools’ enrichment offers. We will work with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the National Youth Strategy implementation, including the £22.5 million Enrichment Expansion Programme and £132.5 million through the ‘Every Child Can’ dormant assets funding. This is in addition to international enrichment opportunities through the UK’s association to the EU’s Erasmus+ programme, continuing investment in our national network of Music Hubs, a new £750,000 chess support programme, and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s flagship ‘TechYouth’ programme.

What steps she is taking to improve training for primary school teachers on how to deliver high quality PE and school sport.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Media and Sport, what estimate her Department has made of the amount of funding needed to meet the level of demand for covered and indoor sports tennis courts.

The Government is investing at least £400 million in new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities over the next four years, promoting health, wellbeing and community cohesion, while removing the barriers to physical activity for under-represented groups, such as women and girls, and people with disabilities. At least £15 million is being invested into new delivery models across England in 2026/27, to allow more people to participate in sports they wish to. At least £2.5 million will be invested through the LTA for covered courts in England for tennis, padel and other activities, with additional funding will also enable a wider range of sporting bodies to trial innovative funding pathways. We are also investing £85 million across the UK via the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme in 2026/27, funding projects such as new artificial grass pitches, changing rooms and pavilions, and floodlights which provide communities with access to the facilities they need. A key objective of the programme is to increase access and participation levels for women and girls, disabled players and communities most in need across the UK. We will ensure these communities are prioritised using deprivation and inactivity data. Projects are also required to generate partner funding, ensuring we achieve value for money on Government investment. We are now working closely with the sports sector and local leaders to develop plans for funding for a range of sports across the country based on what each community needs. Although a decision has yet to be made regarding future funding year allocations, we understand the value of multi-year commitments to our delivery partners and will aim to confirm allocations as soon as possible.

Media and Sport, how her Department plans to ensure that public funding for sports facilities supports a balanced range of sports, including court-based activities such as tennis and padel, to maximise participation among women, disabled people, and inactive communities.

The Government is investing at least £400 million in new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities over the next four years, promoting health, wellbeing and community cohesion, while removing the barriers to physical activity for under-represented groups, such as women and girls, and people with disabilities. At least £15 million is being invested into new delivery models across England in 2026/27, to allow more people to participate in sports they wish to. At least £2.5 million will be invested through the LTA for covered courts in England for tennis, padel and other activities, with additional funding will also enable a wider range of sporting bodies to trial innovative funding pathways. We are also investing £85 million across the UK via the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme in 2026/27, funding projects such as new artificial grass pitches, changing rooms and pavilions, and floodlights which provide communities with access to the facilities they need. A key objective of the programme is to increase access and participation levels for women and girls, disabled players and communities most in need across the UK. We will ensure these communities are prioritised using deprivation and inactivity data. Projects are also required to generate partner funding, ensuring we achieve value for money on Government investment. We are now working closely with the sports sector and local leaders to develop plans for funding for a range of sports across the country based on what each community needs. Although a decision has yet to be made regarding future funding year allocations, we understand the value of multi-year commitments to our delivery partners and will aim to confirm allocations as soon as possible.

Media and Sport, when her Department plans to publish further details of the Places of Worship Renewal Fund.

Comprehensive guidance on eligibility and how to apply to the Places of Worship Renewal Fund will be made available in the coming weeks.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of Earned Settlement proposals on migrant women experiencing (a) domestic abuse and (b) coercive control.

The Government’s Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues, including settlement and asylum.Proposals for introducing an earned settlement model, as set out in the Command Paper “A Fairer Pathway to Settlement” (CP1448), were subject to a public consultation, which opened on 20 November 2025 and closed on 12 February 2026.The consultation included questions on equalities issues and sought views on the impact proposed changes might have on different groups, including the case for exemptions for vulnerable groups. We are now reviewing and analysing all responses received. This analysis will help inform the development of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any potential exemptions or transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement.Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly. As with all significant policy changes, implementation of the earned settlement arrangements will be subject to economic and equality impact assessments, which we will make available when the full response to the consultation is published.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Earned Settlement proposals on women.

The Government’s Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues, including settlement and asylum.Proposals for introducing an earned settlement model, as set out in the Command Paper “A Fairer Pathway to Settlement” (CP1448), were subject to a public consultation, which opened on 20 November 2025 and closed on 12 February 2026.The consultation included questions on equalities issues and sought views on the impact proposed changes might have on different groups, including the case for exemptions for vulnerable groups. We are now reviewing and analysing all responses received. This analysis will help inform the development of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any potential exemptions or transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement.Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly. As with all significant policy changes, implementation of the earned settlement arrangements will be subject to economic and equality impact assessments, which we will make available when the full response to the consultation is published.

If the Equality Impact Assessment prepared in connection with A Fairer Pathway to Settlement: Statement and Accompanying Consultation on Earned Settlement will be published prior to final policy decisions.

The Government’s Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues, including settlement and asylum.Proposals for introducing an earned settlement model, as set out in the Command Paper “A Fairer Pathway to Settlement” (CP1448), were subject to a public consultation, which opened on 20 November 2025 and closed on 12 February 2026.The consultation included questions on equalities issues and sought views on the impact proposed changes might have on different groups, including the case for exemptions for vulnerable groups. We are now reviewing and analysing all responses received. This analysis will help inform the development of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any potential exemptions or transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement.Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly. As with all significant policy changes, implementation of the earned settlement arrangements will be subject to economic and equality impact assessments, which we will make available when the full response to the consultation is published.

What steps she is taking to help ensure that her earned settlement proposals support migrant women.

The Government’s Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues, including settlement and asylum.Proposals for introducing an earned settlement model, as set out in the Command Paper “A Fairer Pathway to Settlement” (CP1448), were subject to a public consultation, which opened on 20 November 2025 and closed on 12 February 2026.The consultation included questions on equalities issues and sought views on the impact proposed changes might have on different groups, including the case for exemptions for vulnerable groups. We are now reviewing and analysing all responses received. This analysis will help inform the development of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any potential exemptions or transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement.Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly. As with all significant policy changes, implementation of the earned settlement arrangements will be subject to economic and equality impact assessments, which we will make available when the full response to the consultation is published.

What steps he is taking to deliver increased glaucoma services in the community.

Integrated care boards are responsible for assessing the health needs of their local population, and for commissioning primary and secondary eye care services, to meet them. This can already include the commissioning of community-based glaucoma services, including glaucoma repeat readings and glaucoma monitoring.The Getting It Right First Time programme is also developing best practice guidance for glaucoma services, to support consistent adoption of high standards of care from detection to ongoing monitoring or discharge.

What estimate he has made of the (a) number of people waiting for glaucoma follow-up appointments and (b) length of waiting time for such appointments.

The Department does not hold data on either the number of people waiting for a glaucoma follow-up appointment or the length of waiting time for any such glaucoma follow-up appointment. Therefore, no current estimate has been made.Data is published on ophthalmology waiting times from referral to treatment, but this is not broken down by condition and does not cover follow up appointments that occur after a patient’s first definitive treatment.As of January 2026, the waiting list for ophthalmology stands at 602,163, with 69.8% of those having waited less than 18 weeks from referral to treatment, an improvement of 3.7 percentage points since the general election in July 2024.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of basing eligibility for cladding remediation support on fire safety risk.

The Government provides funding to address fire risks associated with cladding on residential buildings over 11 metres in height, in England. The building must have an intolerable risk to life as assessed in a Fire Risk Appraisal of the External Walls, and where all other routes to fund the required works have been exhausted.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans publish the eligibility criteria used by Homes England to determine when a building under 11 metres qualifies as an exceptional case for targeted funding for urgent fire safety measures.

The Department is committed to protecting residential leaseholders from bearing the costs of remediating historic fire safety-related cladding defects and offering support to both residents and leaseholders. Building owners and landlords for buildings under 11 metres tall are responsible for ensuring that historical fire safety defects are addressed without unnecessary delay. They should not pass the cost of cladding remediation works onto leaseholders. Homes England, who are delivering the Cladding Safety Scheme (CSS) for buildings over 11m, are now leading the management of cases of residential buildings under 11 metres on behalf of the department. This ensures a streamlined and efficient approach across all building heights and enables them to address urgent cases. They are auditing Fire Risk Assessments and accompanying Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls to ensure assessments are consistent, proportionate, and aligned with PAS 9980 standards. The Department intends to provide further information regarding exceptional cladding remediation funding for buildings under 11m in height in England in due course.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to support leaseholders in residential buildings under 11 metres who face costs as a result of fire safety issues.

The Department is committed to protecting residential leaseholders from bearing the costs of remediating historic fire safety-related cladding defects and offering support to both residents and leaseholders. Building owners and landlords for buildings under 11 metres tall are responsible for ensuring that historical fire safety defects are addressed without unnecessary delay. They should not pass the cost of cladding remediation works onto leaseholders. Homes England, who are delivering the Cladding Safety Scheme (CSS) for buildings over 11m, are now leading the management of cases of residential buildings under 11 metres on behalf of the department. This ensures a streamlined and efficient approach across all building heights and enables them to address urgent cases. They are auditing Fire Risk Assessments and accompanying Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls to ensure assessments are consistent, proportionate, and aligned with PAS 9980 standards. The Department intends to provide further information regarding exceptional cladding remediation funding for buildings under 11m in height in England in due course.

Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of fast tracking urgent cases with Homes England where residents in buildings under 11 metres face financial hardship due to urgent fire safety measures.

The Department is committed to protecting residential leaseholders from bearing the costs of remediating historic fire safety-related cladding defects and offering support to both residents and leaseholders. Building owners and landlords for buildings under 11 metres tall are responsible for ensuring that historical fire safety defects are addressed without unnecessary delay. They should not pass the cost of cladding remediation works onto leaseholders. Homes England, who are delivering the Cladding Safety Scheme (CSS) for buildings over 11m, are now leading the management of cases of residential buildings under 11 metres on behalf of the department. This ensures a streamlined and efficient approach across all building heights and enables them to address urgent cases. They are auditing Fire Risk Assessments and accompanying Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls to ensure assessments are consistent, proportionate, and aligned with PAS 9980 standards. The Department intends to provide further information regarding exceptional cladding remediation funding for buildings under 11m in height in England in due course.