Written questions by Vickers.

What steps he is taking to close legacy benefit provisions relating to polygamous marriages.

Awaiting answer.

What estimate his Department has made of the annual cost to the public purse of additional benefit payments made in respect of multiple spouses under legacy benefit arrangements.

Awaiting answer.

Whether individuals in polygamous marriages can receive additional entitlement for multiple spouses under Universal Credit.

Awaiting answer.

Whether the Government plans to amend legacy benefit regulations to remove provisions recognising additional spouses in polygamous marriages.

Awaiting answer.

How many claimants in receipt of legacy benefits are currently receiving additional benefit entitlement in respect of more than one spouse.

Awaiting answer.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to protect media plurality and ensure that a wide range of political viewpoints are represented in UK broadcasting.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment her Department has made of the impact of social media use on educational outcomes for children and young people.

Awaiting answer.

What plans he has for ministerial attendance from his Department at the Enhanced Games in the US.

Awaiting answer.

What progress his Department is making on the development of mechanisms to easily contact eligible patients about relevant clinical trials and research.

Awaiting answer.

What plans his Department has to increase (a) the number of and (b) capacity to conduct clinical trials for patients with brain tumours.

Awaiting answer.

What progress his Department has made on appointing a National Specialty Lead for Rare Cancers as required by the Rare Cancers Act 2026.

The Government will implement the Rare Cancers Act 2026 by ensuring that a National Specialty Lead for Rare Cancers is appointed by summer 2026. The National Specialty Lead will be based in the National Institute for Health and Care Research’s Research Delivery Network and will support research delivery for rare cancers research.Implementing the Rare Cancers Act 2026 will make it easier for clinical trials on rare cancers to be delivered in England.

What plans his Department has to increase funding for brain tumours (a) in cash terms and (b) as a percentage of the national cancer research spend.

Awaiting answer.

What progress his Department has made on reviewing regulations of treatments for rare diseases and orphan drugs as required by the Rare Cancers Act 2026.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of the funding required to restore plantations on ancient woodland sites on the Public Forest Estate.

Restoration of plantations on ancient woodland sites on the Public Forest Estate, historically funded through Forestry England’s core budget, is being accelerated by targeted funding from Defra. The impact of this £5.9 million targeted Defra funding for 2026-2029 is being closely monitored through the pace and outcomes of restoration, with a headline target to work towards doubling the recent rate of restoration. There is no single estimate of the funding required to restore all plantations on ancient woodland sites on the Public Forest Estate because restoration costs vary significantly between sites and cannot be reliably expressed as a single figure. In some cases, restoration can be achieved at little or no net cost where timber sales offset costs. In other cases, costs remain uncertain, with some sites requiring multiple or ongoing interventions and with slower progress towards ecological goals. Additionally, many costs associated with PAWS (plantations on ancient woodland sites) restoration, such as infrastructure improvements, staff training, and forest planning, support wider forest management and cannot be attributed solely to individual sites or hectares.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to employer National Insurance contributions and business rates on the viability of pubs, restaurants and hospitality venues in towns such as Stockton, Thornaby and Yarm.

I refer you to my previous answer to PQ UIN 125056.

Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with Ofcom on maintaining operational independence when considering complaints against licensed broadcasters.

Awaiting answer.

What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the potential impact of renewed legacy investigations and prosecutions on (a) morale, (b) recruitment and (c) retention in the armed forces.

The Secretary of State regularly meets with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to discuss a range of issues, including recruitment into the Armed Forces.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to (a) protect media plurality and (b) ensure a wide range of political viewpoints in broadcasting.

Awaiting answer.

What discussions he has had with hospitality businesses on the potential impact of employment costs on closures, opening hours and jobs.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the increase in employer National Insurance contributions on jobs in the hospitality sector.

I refer you to my previous answer to PQ UIN 125056.