Written questions by Glindon.

What steps he is taking to improve accessibility to (a) education and (b) healthcare for people with progressive neurological conditions such as Friedreich’s Ataxia.

The Government is committed to improving the lives of those living with rare diseases, such as Friedreich’s ataxia. The UK Rare Diseases Framework sets out four priorities collaboratively developed with the rare disease community, and these include: getting a final diagnosis faster; increasing awareness of rare diseases among healthcare professionals; better coordination of care; and improving access to specialist care, treatments, and drugs. In February we published the fourth England action plan reporting on progress.NHS England has revised the national service specification for specialised neurology, which now includes an annex providing greater clarity for neurology sub-specialties. This includes the categories of both movement disorders and neurogenetics, into which Friedreich’s ataxia falls. Every specialised National Health Service neurology centre could and should see patients with Friedreich’s ataxia.The NHS England Genomics Education Programme has also developed a range of educational resources for healthcare professionals. This includes a Knowledge Hub page on Friedreich ataxia, including information on presentation, diagnosis, management, and links for clinicians to further resources, which is available at the following link:https://www.genomicseducation.hee.nhs.uk/genotes/knowledge-hub/friedreich-ataxia/

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of scientific evidence on vape flavours as a smoking cessation aid.

The youth vaping call for evidence, published in 2023, demonstrated that vape flavours are one of the main reasons that vapes appeal to children. However, we recognise that vape flavours can also be a consideration for adult smokers seeking to quit smoking.That is why it is important we strike the balance between restricting vape flavours to reduce their appeal to young people, whilst ensuring vapes remain available for adult smokers as a smoking cessation tool.The Tobacco and Vapes Bill includes regulation making powers to limit vape flavours, to reduce the appeal to children. Before laying any regulations in Parliament, we will undertake a full public consultation to ensure we get this balance right and consider the views of a range of stakeholders. We will publish thorough impact assessments to accompany any future regulations, including future flavour restrictions. These assessments will consider the international evidence available.In October 2025, we launched a call for evidence to gather information on flavours and substances in vaping, nicotine, and tobacco products, aiming to better understand the role and risks of flavourings and ingredients. The call for evidence also seeks to identify where efforts to control flavours have been effective or not.Adult smokers will still be able to access vapes as well as alternative methods to support them to stop smoking. Vapes are commonly used alongside behavioural support within local Stop Smoking Services.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of having Jobcentre staff in supported housing sites to support young people into employment.

It remains our priority to ensure that those who can work are supported to enter and sustain employment. We are working with eight Youth Guarantee Trailblazers, led by Mayoral Strategic Authorities across England which are testing innovative approaches to identify and deliver localised support to young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) or at risk of becoming NEET. This includes strengthening local coordination, through local leadership, and outreach to better connect young people with opportunities. One of the Trailblazers in Central London is delivering targeted support to care leavers included those in supported accommodation to help them access suitable employment opportunities. As part of our Youth Offer, we also have Youth Hubs which deliver a core offer of skills, training and employment-focused support. Alongside this, partner organisations deliver a range of services, based upon the needs of the local area that they service. This can include connecting young people to a wider range of services such as health, housing and wellbeing support, depending on local needs and partnerships. To drive up quality in supported accommodation (including for young people), DWP is working alongside MHCLG to implement measures in the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act in England, which include a proposed locally led licensing regime and new National Supported Housing Standards for providers. The proposed standards make it clear that residents should receive person-centred support including where appropriate being supported, encouraged, and enabled to take up learning, volunteering, training, and employment opportunities.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to support (a) YMCA England & Wales and (b) other organisations to build additional move-on accommodation for people leaving supported housing.

We have invested over £1 billion in homelessness and rough sleeping services this year, which can be used flexibly to address a range of local needs, including support for young people. The Spending Review protects this record level of investment to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping for the next three years.For young people ready to live independently, we are delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation, backed by the £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme. We are also reforming the private rented sector to give more security to tenants, bringing an end to rental bidding, outlawing discrimination against prospective tenants with children or those who receive social security benefits; and preventing landlords from demanding large amounts of rent in advance.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed changes to the Employee Car Ownership Scheme on (a) VAT and (b) Vehicle Excise Duty receipts.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the government assessed the expected impact of the proposed changes to Employee Car Ownership Schemes (ECOS) on the 1,900 medium and large companies within the motor manufacture and motor dealership industries. That analysis suggested that while there may be changes in consumer behavior in response to the proposed changes to the ECOS, including a possible shift towards used vehicles, the overall impact on new car registrations and associated tax revenues was expected to be limited. The costing and the tax impact and information note will be updated at a future fiscal event to reflect the six-month delay to the originally announced implementation date.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed changes to the Employee Car Ownership Scheme on the UK car industry.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the government assessed the expected impact of the proposed changes to Employee Car Ownership Schemes (ECOS) on the 1,900 medium and large companies within the motor manufacture and motor dealership industries. That analysis suggested that while there may be changes in consumer behavior in response to the proposed changes to the ECOS, including a possible shift towards used vehicles, the overall impact on new car registrations and associated tax revenues was expected to be limited. The costing and the tax impact and information note will be updated at a future fiscal event to reflect the six-month delay to the originally announced implementation date.

What steps she is taking to support kinship carers in Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend constituency.

Local authorities in England are responsible for setting out a Kinship Local Offer, which outlines the support available to kinship carers and the children they care for.This offer should cover all types of kinship care arrangements, both formal and informal, and can include information on financial support, legal advice, training and peer support, and educational and emotional wellbeing services.Nationally, support is available to kinship carers through peer-to-peer support groups and a programme of training, delivered by the charity Kinship. This includes free workshops, events and access to advice and guidance. Virtual School Heads also work with schools to promote the education of children in kinship care and ensure their needs are met and kinship carers in Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend can benefit from this.

Whether there has been a change in guidance for decision makers looking at Attendance Allowance applications in the last 12 months.

Attendance Allowance guidance is regularly reviewed and updated to ensure it reflects current policy and operational processes.

What training on employment law do Access to Work case managers receive in order to determine whether a requested adjustment is reasonable.

Access to Work case managers do not receive training in employment law. Instead, they are trained to apply the Principles of Access to Work, which are designed to ensure that support provided:Goes above and beyond what is considered a reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act 2010; andComplements but does not replace or subsidise an employer’s legal duty to make reasonable adjustments.Access to Work support is therefore not intended to determine legal obligations, but to provide additional assistance where appropriate, once an employer’s responsibilities have been met.

What discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on ensuring that adult (a) mental health services and (b) social care are involved in improving information-sharing through the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

No discussions have been had regarding either aspect. The focus in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill is to improve information sharing by introducing a consistent identifier for children up to the age of 18. We will consider the role both the adult and child identifiers can play in the transition to adulthood as this work moves forward.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that Integrated Care Boards support improved early identification of young carers.

NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) are currently supporting a cross-Government project, in collaboration with the Department for Education (DfE), which looks at the inequitable experience of and outcomes for young carers in both health and education. This project, co-produced with young carers, other Government departments and voluntary sector organisations, aims to improve rates of identification of young carers and improve pathways of support in a joined-up approach across schools, health services and local Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise organisations.Additionally, I have established, and now chair, a regular cross-Government meeting of ministers from DHSC, DfE, the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Business and Trade to drive coordinated action and to ensure unpaid carers receive the recognition and support they deserve.Early next month NHS England will be hosting an engagement workshop led by their patient and public voice partners, to hear directly about the challenges facing young carers. Their feedback will inform a Young Carers Cross-Government Summit, due to be held in November, to help develop improved approaches across the system.

What steps he is taking to improve the identification of young carers across other health services in the context of plans to change the Mental Health Act Code of Practice.

Local authorities must take reasonable steps to identify young carers in their area and assess their needs. To support local authorities in their child protection duties, the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, currently making its way through Parliament, strengthens this by introducing a duty on safeguarding partners to enhance multi-agency working with children and families.Reforms to the Mental Health Act will encourage recording young carers in Advance Choice Documents, providing crucial information for professionals during crises. The Mental Health Bill also ensures carers are actively involved in patients’ statutory care plans, supported by guidance in the revised Mental Health Act Code of Practice.NHS England is improving young carer identification and support through general practice guidance and better data sharing across health, education, and social care. In partnership with the Department for Education, it is leading a cross-Government project with young carers and voluntary organisations to reduce inequalities and strengthen support pathways.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of increasing taxes on the land based gambling sector on (a) jobs and (b) high street investment.

The Government makes tax policy decisions at fiscal events. If any changes are made to gambling duties at Budget, legislation will be accompanied by a Tax Information and Impact Note which will set out the expected impacts.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions her Department has had with the Department for Health and Social Care on the public health impact of domestic wood burning, in the context of the forthcoming Environmental Improvement Plan.

Defra and DHSC officials work closely on a range of environmental public health issues. A commitment to reduce emissions from domestic combustion is set out in the Government’s NHS 10 Year Plan for England.

What recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on funding for the forthcoming climate action plan.

My Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State has regular discussions with my Rt hon Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on a number of issues.

Media and Sport, what recent progress her Department has made in launching Young Futures Hubs.

This Government has committed to up to fifty Young Futures Hubs to be launched over the next four years. The first eight early adopter hubs will be operational by the end of this financial year, backed by a £2m investment and targeted in areas with high levels of crime. Each Young Futures Hub will meet three outcomes of increasing opportunities, improving mental health and wellbeing, and reducing crime. The Government is working closely with the eight early adopters and other stakeholders to design the programme, leveraging local understanding of services in each area.Young Futures Hubs are part of a wider approach to improve services for young people through the National Youth Strategy, a new long-term vision for young people to be launched later this year.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of support available to PhD researchers with the costs of childcare.

Student parents are eligible for the universal 15 hours of free early education which is available to all 3 and 4-year-olds regardless of family circumstances. Students who work in addition to studying may be eligible for 30 hours free childcare if they meet the income requirements.The government recognises the value of parents continuing in education and provides a range of support for students in higher education to support them with childcare. Further information on the childcare offers available to parents can be found at: https://www.beststartinlife.gov.uk/.The government introduced new support packages for students starting postgraduate master’s degree courses from the 2016/17 academic year onwards and postgraduate doctoral degree courses from 2018/19 onwards. These loans are not based on income and are intended as a contribution to the cost of study. They can be used by students according to their personal circumstances to cover the costs of fees and living costs including childcare. The new support packages have provided a significant uplift in support for postgraduate students while ensuring the student support system remains financially sustainable.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of childcare support for PhD researchers on the demographics of people who take up studentships.

Student parents are eligible for the universal 15 hours of free early education which is available to all 3 and 4-year-olds regardless of family circumstances. Students who work in addition to studying may be eligible for 30 hours free childcare if they meet the income requirements.The government recognises the value of parents continuing in education and provides a range of support for students in higher education to support them with childcare. Further information on the childcare offers available to parents can be found at: https://www.beststartinlife.gov.uk/.The government introduced new support packages for students starting postgraduate master’s degree courses from the 2016/17 academic year onwards and postgraduate doctoral degree courses from 2018/19 onwards. These loans are not based on income and are intended as a contribution to the cost of study. They can be used by students according to their personal circumstances to cover the costs of fees and living costs including childcare. The new support packages have provided a significant uplift in support for postgraduate students while ensuring the student support system remains financially sustainable.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of safeguards to prevent the misuse of private prosecutions for vexatious purposes.

The Government recognises that vexatious private prosecutions are a serious problem. There are established mechanisms for dealing with vexatious applications. In deciding whether to issue a summons for an individual or organisation to bring a private prosecution, magistrates will review whether the application is vexatious and will decline the application if it is. Defendants who wish to challenge the grant of a summons for a private prosecution against them can do so by requesting a judicial review of the decision or applying to the High Court to quash the summons.Fairness and transparency are the cornerstones of our justice system and there is a clear need to set consistent standards amongst private prosecutors. We think there is scope to do more to ensure such high standards.That is why the Government launched a consultation into the regulation of private prosecutors which closed earlier this year. We will set out next steps shortly.

What steps he is taking to ensure that private prosecutions are not misused for vexatious purposes.

The Government recognises that vexatious private prosecutions are a serious problem. There are established mechanisms for dealing with vexatious applications. In deciding whether to issue a summons for an individual or organisation to bring a private prosecution, magistrates will review whether the application is vexatious and will decline the application if it is. Defendants who wish to challenge the grant of a summons for a private prosecution against them can do so by requesting a judicial review of the decision or applying to the High Court to quash the summons.Fairness and transparency are the cornerstones of our justice system and there is a clear need to set consistent standards amongst private prosecutors. We think there is scope to do more to ensure such high standards.That is why the Government launched a consultation into the regulation of private prosecutors which closed earlier this year. We will set out next steps shortly.