Written questions by Wrigley.

What steps her department is taking to, a) reduce the number of children that go missing, and b) find children who have gone missing, in Devon.

Awaiting answer.

With reference to the Answer of 17 November 2025 to Question 88027 on NHS: Databases, how compliance with access controls for external contractors to NHS patient data is enforced and verified.

Awaiting answer.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of reducing VED for vehicles ages 20-39 years old by 50%.

At Budget 2014 the Government announced that it would introduce a rolling 40-year exemption from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) for classic cars. This means that currently vehicles constructed before 1 January 1986 are exempt from paying VED. The law does not specifically define a vehicle as historic or classic for registration purposes, and it is widely recognised that there are many factors other than age which influence whether a car is considered classic. The Government at the time therefore set 40 years as being a fair cut-off date to distinguish classic cars from older cars. There are no current plans to reduce VED for cars aged 20 to 39 years. As with all taxes, VED is kept under review and any changes will be considered by the Chancellor in the context of the public finances.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of re-introducing the Eurasian lynx to britain.

Defra is committed to providing opportunities for the reintroduction of formerly native species where the benefits for the environment, people and the economy are clear. To maximise benefits and minimise risks, it is important that species reintroductions are conducted carefully.No decision has been taken on the reintroduction of Eurasian lynx. Any proposal to reintroduce this species would need to be considered on a case-by-case basis, informed by a full assessment of ecological, social and economic impacts. Large predators present some significant challenges and impacts that would need to be overcome and managed prior to the consideration of their reintroduction.

Food and Rural Affair, what steps she has taken to align the United Kingdom as a part 1 listed status with the EU in relation to pet travel into the EU.

Awaiting answer.

What steps she is taking to improve diagnosis rates for infants and new-borns of type 1 diabetes.

Awaiting answer.

What steps she are taking to support children with medical conditions in schools.

Awaiting answer.

If she will publish an impact assessment of the provisions in Part 2 (Sections 24–29) of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill; and what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of those provisions on (a) children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans and (b) children experiencing mental health difficulties.

Awaiting answer.

If he will bring forward legislative proposals to end the requirement for three miscarriages before pregnant women and people are offered support following a miscarriage.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the impact of the current NHS policy of only providing specialist support after three miscarriages on pregnant women and people's mental health and wellbeing.

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, what his planned timetable is for providing further information on the next steps after the closure of the private parking code of practice consultation.

The government is committed to publishing its new Private Parking Code of Practice in Autumn 2026.

If she will have discussions with the PCS trade union over the Department for Education office closures in Exeter.

Awaiting answer.

What steps she is taking to support residents who are suffering from alcoholic addiction in Newton Abbot.

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Peter Mandelson required a (a) chaperone and (b) accomplice as condition for his security vetting clearance.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement made by the Prime Minister on 21 April, and his answers to the questions raised in response, including his commitment that the Government would continue to comply with the instructions of Parliament in the Humble Address of 4 February.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether (a) her Department and (b) any intelligence body holds written guidance, instructions, emails and briefings relating to supervision, accompaniment and activity restrictions concerning Lord Mandelson following his vetting outcome.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement made by the Prime Minister on 21 April, and his answers to the questions raised in response, including his commitment that the Government would continue to comply with the instructions of Parliament in the Humble Address of 4 February.

Whether (a) his Department and (b) any intelligence body holds written guidance, instructions, emails and briefings relating to supervision, accompaniment and activity restrictions concerning Lord Mandelson following his vetting outcome.

I refer you to the statement made by the Prime Minister on 20 April, and his answers to the questions raised in response, including his commitment that the Government would continue to comply with the instructions of Parliament in the Humble Address of 4 February.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the ministerial statement made during the House of Lords debate on Security Vetting on 20 April 2026, whether any conditions or restrictions were placed on Lord Mandelson’s activities as a result of security vetting arrangements, including whether any official accompanied him during meetings in an official capacity.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement made by the Prime Minister on 21 April, and his answers to the questions raised in response, including his commitment that the Government would continue to comply with the instructions of Parliament in the Humble Address of 4 February.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the business rates relief given to pubs to independent gyms and other leisure businesses.

Pubs rents in business rates valuations are analysed differently to some other sectors. While most hospitality and leisure properties are valued by comparing the size of the property, pubs are valued by comparing their turnover potential. Industry bodies have highlighted concerns with how costs are accounted for in this methodology, particularly during periods of high inflation. The Government agrees this needs to be looked at and is therefore launching a review which will explore how pubs are valued for business rates. In the meantime, pubs are being provided with additional support. Independent gyms and other leisure businesses will continue to benefit from the wider £4.3 billion support package announced at Budget, which protects against ratepayers seeing large overnight increases in bills. The Government has also introduced new permanently lower multipliers for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties. These new multipliers are worth nearly £1 billion per year and benefit over 750,000 properties, including gyms and other leisure businesses. As a result, over half of ratepayers see no bill increases this year, including 23 per cent whose bills go down. Most properties seeing increases have them capped at 15 per cent or less this year, or £800 for the smallest.

What assessment she has made of adequacy of the Law Commission's findings regarding regional variations in support for disabled children; and what steps her Department is taking to help ensure consistent entitlements for such children across all local authorities.

The Law Commission published its final report on 16 September 2025 following a department-commissioned review in April 2023 of the legal framework for disabled children’s social care. The report sets out 40 recommendations, which we are now considering, aimed at improving how the law operates, with a focus on simplifying and strengthening the system to better support disabled children and their families. In line with the protocol agreed between the Lord Chancellor and the Law Commission, the department provided an initial response to these recommendations on 16 March 2026 and is expected to provide a full response within one year, setting out which recommendations will be accepted, rejected or modified, and any implementation timeline. Policy development is ongoing and the department continues to engage with key stakeholders, therefore it would not be appropriate to comment on specific recommendations ahead of publication of the full response. Alongside this, we believe the rollout of Family Help as part of the Families First Partnership programme, backed by £2.4 billion of funding over three years, is already beginning to deliver many of the intended outcomes of the report. Our wider reforms are designed to make a real and tangible difference to children and families, including disabled children.

What steps her Department is taking to consider the recommendations in the Law Commission's 2025 report on disabled children's social care; and what assessment she has made of the potential merits of legislative reform alongside the rollout of the Family Help programme.

The Law Commission published its final report on 16 September 2025 following a department-commissioned review in April 2023 of the legal framework for disabled children’s social care. The report sets out 40 recommendations, which we are now considering, aimed at improving how the law operates, with a focus on simplifying and strengthening the system to better support disabled children and their families. In line with the protocol agreed between the Lord Chancellor and the Law Commission, the department provided an initial response to these recommendations on 16 March 2026 and is expected to provide a full response within one year, setting out which recommendations will be accepted, rejected or modified, and any implementation timeline. Policy development is ongoing and the department continues to engage with key stakeholders, therefore it would not be appropriate to comment on specific recommendations ahead of publication of the full response. Alongside this, we believe the rollout of Family Help as part of the Families First Partnership programme, backed by £2.4 billion of funding over three years, is already beginning to deliver many of the intended outcomes of the report. Our wider reforms are designed to make a real and tangible difference to children and families, including disabled children.