Written questions by Vickers.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions her Department has had with representatives of the UK’s creative industries on (a) the Government’s proposed exception to copyright for text and data mining and (b) the potential impact of an opt out regime on creators’ rights and incomes.

The government is engaging extensively with stakeholders from the creative industries on copyright and AI. This has included establishing a stakeholder working group to inform policy development.Three initial stakeholder roundtables were convened in the Summer with representatives of the creative, media and AI sectors, by the Secretaries of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).Alongside this, DSIT officials continue to meet with creative industry representatives to discuss the proposals outlined in the consultation on copyright and AI, and their potential impacts.

Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to ensure that existing copyright law is (a) upheld and (b) enforced in relation to the scraping and use of creative content by generative artificial intelligence developers without permission or payment.

Copying protected material in the UK infringes copyright unless it is licensed, or an exception to copyright applies.Rights holders are supported to enforce their rights by initiatives such as the streamlined procedures of the UK’s Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC).The Government consulted on several topics relating to the interaction between copyright and artificial intelligence (AI), including the use of copyright material in AI development.The Government will review the responses to its consultation carefully as it considers its next steps. The Government continues to engage extensively on this issue and will set our response in due course.

What proportion of pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans are educated in (a) specialist state schools, (b) ARP units within mainstream state schools (c) independent/third sector placements paid for by the state (d) further education colleges and (e) other settings in Stockton West constituency.

Information on education, health and care (EHC) plans maintained by local authorities and the settings attended is published as part of the statistical release ‘Education, health and care plans, Reporting year 2025’, which can be found at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/education-health-and-care-plans/2025.Information on the educational settings attended by children and young people whose EHC plan is maintained by Stockton on Tees local authority is shown in the permanent data table ‘Number of education, health and care plans (EHC) plans as at January each year’, which can be found at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/c1dfe3cb-28bd-44a1-f89d-08de0724494a.Information at constituency level is not available.

What steps he is taking to reduce average diagnosis times for people with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

We recognise the negative impact that postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) has on patients, and the cost to health and care services and the wider economy through, for example, loss of work and an increased benefits bill.Improving health outcomes for everyone living with a long-term condition, including PoTS, is a key part of the Government's mission to build a National Health Service fit for the future.We are investing in additional capacity to deliver appointments to help bring waiting lists and times down. The Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, sets out the specific productivity and reform efforts needed to return to the constitutional standard, that 92% of patients to wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to treatment by March 2029.Additionally, the shifts outlined in our 10-Year Health Plan will free up hospital-based consultants’ time by shifting care from hospitals to communities, utilising digital technology to reduce administrative burdens, and promoting prevention to reduce the onset and severity of conditions that lead to hospital admissions. This includes expanding community-based services, employing artificial intelligence for productivity, developing integrated neighbourhood health teams, and investing in digital tools and data. These shifts will allow specialists to focus on more complex cases of PoTS, enabling earlier identification and management, and improved patient outcomes.By shifting care into the community through Neighbourhood Health Services, promoting integrated, multidisciplinary models of care, and through the expansion of personalised care plans, as outlined in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will ensure that people with conditions like PoTS receive more timely and accessible support closer to home.

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of (a) access to specialist (i) diagnosis and (ii) treatment and (b) other NHS services for people with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

We recognise the negative impact that postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) has on patients, and the cost to health and care services and the wider economy through, for example, loss of work and an increased benefits bill.Improving health outcomes for everyone living with a long-term condition, including PoTS, is a key part of the Government's mission to build a National Health Service fit for the future.We are investing in additional capacity to deliver appointments to help bring waiting lists and times down. The Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, sets out the specific productivity and reform efforts needed to return to the constitutional standard, that 92% of patients to wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to treatment by March 2029.Additionally, the shifts outlined in our 10-Year Health Plan will free up hospital-based consultants’ time by shifting care from hospitals to communities, utilising digital technology to reduce administrative burdens, and promoting prevention to reduce the onset and severity of conditions that lead to hospital admissions. This includes expanding community-based services, employing artificial intelligence for productivity, developing integrated neighbourhood health teams, and investing in digital tools and data. These shifts will allow specialists to focus on more complex cases of PoTS, enabling earlier identification and management, and improved patient outcomes.By shifting care into the community through Neighbourhood Health Services, promoting integrated, multidisciplinary models of care, and through the expansion of personalised care plans, as outlined in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will ensure that people with conditions like PoTS receive more timely and accessible support closer to home.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the (a) time taken to diagnose and (b) management of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome on (i) the economy and (ii) workforce participation.

We recognise the negative impact that postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) has on patients, and the cost to health and care services and the wider economy through, for example, loss of work and an increased benefits bill.Improving health outcomes for everyone living with a long-term condition, including PoTS, is a key part of the Government's mission to build a National Health Service fit for the future.We are investing in additional capacity to deliver appointments to help bring waiting lists and times down. The Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, sets out the specific productivity and reform efforts needed to return to the constitutional standard, that 92% of patients to wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to treatment by March 2029.Additionally, the shifts outlined in our 10-Year Health Plan will free up hospital-based consultants’ time by shifting care from hospitals to communities, utilising digital technology to reduce administrative burdens, and promoting prevention to reduce the onset and severity of conditions that lead to hospital admissions. This includes expanding community-based services, employing artificial intelligence for productivity, developing integrated neighbourhood health teams, and investing in digital tools and data. These shifts will allow specialists to focus on more complex cases of PoTS, enabling earlier identification and management, and improved patient outcomes.By shifting care into the community through Neighbourhood Health Services, promoting integrated, multidisciplinary models of care, and through the expansion of personalised care plans, as outlined in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will ensure that people with conditions like PoTS receive more timely and accessible support closer to home.

How many and what proportion of (a) secondary school and (b) further education college students have Education, Health and Care Plans in (i) Stockton West constituency and (ii) England.

Information on pupils in schools who have education, health and care (EHC) plans is published as part of the statistical release ‘Special educational needs in England’, which can be found at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/special-educational-needs-in-england/2024-25.An extract showing the requested information for primary and secondary schools in England and Stockton West constituency is shown below: Number of pupils with an EHC planPercentage of pupils with an EHC planEngland State funded Primary schools157,7163.5%State funded secondary schools113,4523.1%Stockton West Constituency State funded Primary schools2442.7%State funded secondary schools3103.1%1. Source: School CensusInformation on the number of young people with an EHC plan who attend further education colleges within the Stockton West constituency, and for England, is not currently available.

How many and what proportion of primary school pupils have Education, Health and Care Plans in (a) Stockton West constituency and (b) England.

Information on pupils in schools who have education, health and care (EHC) plans is published as part of the statistical release ‘Special educational needs in England’, which can be found at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/special-educational-needs-in-england/2024-25.An extract showing the requested information for primary and secondary schools in England and Stockton West constituency is shown below: Number of pupils with an EHC planPercentage of pupils with an EHC planEngland State funded Primary schools157,7163.5%State funded secondary schools113,4523.1%Stockton West Constituency State funded Primary schools2442.7%State funded secondary schools3103.1%1. Source: School CensusInformation on the number of young people with an EHC plan who attend further education colleges within the Stockton West constituency, and for England, is not currently available.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that healthcare professionals receive appropriate training on (a) identifying and (b) managing postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome effectively.

The Department does not hold data on the number of people diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) in England in 2020 and 2025. There are no relevant codes in the Hospital Episode Statistics database that identify PoTS.PoTS UK, however, estimates that 0.2% of the United Kingdom population has PoTS, which would equate to approximately 130,000 people.In our recently published 10-Year Health Plan, we announced that we will introduce a new Single Patient Record across the National Health Service. The Single Patient Record will bring together a patient’s medical records all into one place. It will mean that no matter where a patient is accessing care, in the community or in a hospital, the care provider will have a comprehensive understanding of their medical history, including for many patients with PoTS.To improve awareness of PoTS amongst healthcare professionals, and specifically general practitioners (GPs), the Royal College of General Practitioners provides training on PoTS as part of its Syncope toolkit, which is available at the following link:https://elearning.rcgp.org.uk/course/view.php?id=500The Syncope toolkit includes an e-learning module, a podcast, and a webinar, and provides GPs with information about the diagnosis and management of PoTS. The webinar gives GPs the opportunity to hear the lived experience perspective of a patient representative from PoTS UK.The National Institute for Care Excellence has also published a clinical knowledge summary on the clinical management of blackouts and syncope, that provides advice for clinicians in the United Kingdom on best practice in the assessment and diagnosis of PoTS. This was last updated in November 2023, and is available at the following link:https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/blackouts-syncope/diagnosis/assessment/It is the responsibility of local integrated care boards to work with clinicians, service users, and patient groups to develop services and care pathways that are convenient and meet the needs of patients with PoTS.

What data his Department holds on the number of people diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome in England in (a) 2020 and (b) 2025.

The Department does not hold data on the number of people diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) in England in 2020 and 2025. There are no relevant codes in the Hospital Episode Statistics database that identify PoTS.PoTS UK, however, estimates that 0.2% of the United Kingdom population has PoTS, which would equate to approximately 130,000 people.In our recently published 10-Year Health Plan, we announced that we will introduce a new Single Patient Record across the National Health Service. The Single Patient Record will bring together a patient’s medical records all into one place. It will mean that no matter where a patient is accessing care, in the community or in a hospital, the care provider will have a comprehensive understanding of their medical history, including for many patients with PoTS.To improve awareness of PoTS amongst healthcare professionals, and specifically general practitioners (GPs), the Royal College of General Practitioners provides training on PoTS as part of its Syncope toolkit, which is available at the following link:https://elearning.rcgp.org.uk/course/view.php?id=500The Syncope toolkit includes an e-learning module, a podcast, and a webinar, and provides GPs with information about the diagnosis and management of PoTS. The webinar gives GPs the opportunity to hear the lived experience perspective of a patient representative from PoTS UK.The National Institute for Care Excellence has also published a clinical knowledge summary on the clinical management of blackouts and syncope, that provides advice for clinicians in the United Kingdom on best practice in the assessment and diagnosis of PoTS. This was last updated in November 2023, and is available at the following link:https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/blackouts-syncope/diagnosis/assessment/It is the responsibility of local integrated care boards to work with clinicians, service users, and patient groups to develop services and care pathways that are convenient and meet the needs of patients with PoTS.

What recent assessment she has made of the financial contribution of the hospitality sector to the Exchequer.

The Government values the significant contribution made by hospitality businesses to economic growth and social life in the UK. HMRC does not hold aggregated data on the financial contribution of the hospitality sector to the Exchequer, but sectoral breakdowns for individual taxes can be found on gov.UK.

What assessment she has made on the potential impact of changes to alcohol duty reforms on the (a) pub and (b) hospitality sector.

Following public consultation, a new duty structure for alcohol products was introduced in August 2023. The alcohol duty system taxes all alcohol products according to their strength, so the duty owed increases with alcohol content. The system is also progressive, ensuring that higher strength products pay proportionately more tax The 2023 reforms significantly reduced previous inconsistencies in treatment between different types of alcohol product and introduced two new reliefs: Draught Relief (DR); and Small Producer Relief (SPR). DR enables products served on draught below 8.5 per cent alcohol by volume (ABV) to pay less duty. This relief provides support to pubs and other hospitality venues, as well as helping producers of eligible products. At Autumn Budget 2024, the Chancellor made DR more generous by cutting draught rates by 1.7%, taking a penny of duty off a typical strength pint. SPR replaced and extended the previous Small Brewers Relief. SPR supports SMEs and new entrants by permitting smaller producers who make 4,500 hectolitres or less of alcohol per year to pay reduced duty rates on all products below 8.5 per cent ABV. HMRC plans to evaluate the new rates and structures three years after the changes took effect on 1 August 2023.  This will allow time for HMRC to gather a broad range of data. The Government welcomes evidence from industry on the impact of the changes so far.

Whether she plans to extend VAT relief for hospitality businesses.

The Government recognises the significant contribution made by hospitality businesses to economic growth and social life in the UK. VAT is the UK’s third largest tax, forecast to raise £180 billion in 2025/26. Tax breaks reduce the revenue available for vital public services and must represent value for money for the taxpayer. HMRC estimate that the cost of a 5 per cent reduced rate for accommodation, hospitality and tourist attractions would be around £13 billion this financial year. If the scope were also to include alcoholic beverages, the cost would be approximately £3 billion greater.

What assessment she has made of the potential long-term fiscal impact of closures in the hospitality sector on local economies.

The Government values the significant contribution made by hospitality businesses to economic growth and social life in the UK. The Government closely monitors the health of different sectors across the UK economy and regularly engages with the hospitality sector. The recent Spending Review set out our new long-term local growth programmes to invest in communities across the UK, including to support local high streets and their hospitality businesses. The hospitality sector makes significant contribution the exchequer, the UK economy, and society. We are determined to support hospitality businesses to succeed. We will introduce a permanently lower business rates multipliers for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values below £500,000 from 2026-27. Ahead of the new multipliers being introduced, we extended the RHL relief for 2025-26 at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business and frozen the small business multiplier. In addition, we:increased the Employment Allowance to £10,500;established the Licensing Taskforce and issued a call for evidence on a National Licensing Policy Framework which will set out national direction for licensing authorities to consider economic growth and cultural value,introduced the English Devolution Bill, which will protect hospitality businesses from upward only rent clauses, and;are introducing a strong new ‘Community Right to Buy’ to help communities safeguard valued community assets – such as pubs. We will continue to work with the hospitality sector to help drive economic growth, regenerate our high streets, and support vibrant and healthy communities across the UK.

What proportion of NHS dentist posts are unfilled in the (a) Borough of Stockton-on-Tees and (b) North East.

The latest available National Health Service workforce statistics reflect the situation as of December 2024. According to this data, there were 623 Full Time Equivalent NHS dentists within the NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board area. The NHS vacancy rate was 19%.

How many full time equivalent NHS dentists were working in (a) the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees and (b) the North East on 10 October 2025.

The latest available National Health Service workforce statistics reflect the situation as of December 2024. According to this data, there were 623 Full Time Equivalent NHS dentists within the NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board area. The NHS vacancy rate was 19%.

What criteria his Department has used to identify which areas are in greatest need of increased numbers of NHS dental professionals; and how many of those areas are in the (a) Borough of Stockton-on-Tees, (b) Tees Valley Mayoral Authority Area and (c) North East.

The responsibility for commissioning primary care dentistry to meet the needs of the local population is delegated to the integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. Dental practices in specific areas, determined locally as experiencing significant dental pressures due to workforce challenges impacting patient access, were invited by their ICBs to express interest in participating in the scheme and were notified of the outcome of their application via their ICB.ICBs have started to recruit posts through the Golden Hello scheme. This recruitment incentive will see dentists receiving payments of £20,000 to work in those areas that need them most for three years.As of 22 September 2025, in England there were 97 dentists in post with a further eight dentists who have been recruited but are yet to start in post under this scheme. A further 224 posts are currently being advertised.NHS England has published findings from its dental workforce survey, including national and regional vacancy rates. The most recent publication reports the position as of the end of December 2024. This is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/dental-workforce/

What estimate his Department has made of the number of patients in (a) Stockton West constituency and (b) the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees who are unable to access NHS dentistry services.

Dental Statistics - England 2024-25, published by NHS Business Services Authority on 28 August 2025, is available at the following link:https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/statistical-collections/dental-england/dental-statistics-england-202425The data for North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), which includes Stockton West and Stockton-on-Tees, shows that 44% of adults were seen by a National Health Service dentist in the previous 24 months up to June 2025, compared to 40% in England; and that 60% of children were seen by an NHS dentist in the previous 12 months up to June 2025, compared to 58% in England.Additionally, GP Patient Survey results data for the dentistry specific questions, published 24 July 2025, is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/gp-patient-survey-dental-statistics-january-to-march-2025-england/This data shows that 24% of respondents who had tried to make an NHS dentist appointment in the last two years in North East and North Cumbria ICB did not get an appointment, compared to 21% for the whole of England.

What discussions she has had with industry representatives on ensuring fair access to finance for hospitality businesses.

The Government is committed to supporting the hospitality sector and officials in the Treasury and the Department of Business and Trade engage regularly with stakeholders in the sector to understand their views. We are dedicated to ensuring that businesses across the UK, including those in the hospitality sector, can access the capital they need to grow.While the provision of financial services to companies is largely a commercial matter, the Government believes all customers should be treated fairly. The UK has a diverse and competitive financial services sector and businesses should consider a range of providers for their finance needs, as this encourages competition, improves choice, and helps keep prices competitive.Working with the British Business Bank (BBB), we are delivering a range of targeted interventions for businesses, including those in the hospitality sector, such as loan guarantee programmes and equity investments, designed to address regional funding gaps and unlock investment opportunities.The recent Spending Review settlement has increased the BBB’s total financial capacity to £25.6 billion, a two-thirds uplift compared to previous years, enabling the Bank to back tens of billions of pounds’ worth of additional lending and investment to SMEs and scale-ups.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of small business rate relief on the viability of small hospitality businesses.

The Government is creating a fairer business rates system that protects the high street, supports investment, and is fit for the 21st century. As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government will introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties with ratable values (RVs) below £500,000 from 2026-27. Over a third of properties (more than 700,000) already pay no business rates as they receive 100 per cent Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR), with an additional c.60,000 benefiting from reduced bills as this relief tapers. The Transforming Business Rates: Interim Report, published on 11 September, brings together extensive feedback from a broad range of stakeholders and outlines the Government’s next steps to deliver a fairer business rates system, that supports investment and is fit for the 21st century. This includes exploring a number of reforms to incentivise investment and improve the operation of the business rates system, including how SBRR could be enhanced to more effectively support investment and expansion among small businesses. The Government will provide a further update at the Budget. Transforming the business rates system is a multi-year process. The Government will consider reforms beyond Budget 2025, and any reforms taken forward will be phased over the course of the Parliament.