Written questions by Davies.

What steps he is taking to improve employment opportunities for women aged 16 to 25.

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

With reference to the ONS document Female unemployment rate (aged 16 and over, seasonally adjusted): %, published on 21 April 2026, what steps he is taking to tackle the increase in female unemployment.

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

What information her Department holds on the number of staff affected by the ending of the reciprocal staff rail pass for Brighton and Hove Buses and Metrobus staff on 31 May 2026.

The Department does not hold details on the total number of Brighton & Hove and Metrobus staff affected by the ending of such discretionary arrangements. Under the TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006) process, the Department is currently consulting Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) staff affected.

What consultation was undertaken with staff of both Govia Thameslink Railway, Brighton and Hove Buses and Metrobus ahead of the decision to end the reciprocal staff rail discount.

Under the TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006) process, the Department is currently consulting Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) staff affected. Staff at Brighton & Hove and Metrobus are not within scope of such consultations.

On what grounds was the decision taken to terminate staff rail pass, the reciprocal travel arrangement between Govia Thameslink Railway and the local bus operators Brighton & Hove Buses and Metrobus, when the rail service is nationalised.

Travel arrangements with bus operators are typically not in scope for the Department’s rail Public Ownership Programme. Under the TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006) process, the Department is currently consulting Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) staff affected by the removal of this reciprocal travel benefit arrangement. Current reciprocal travel arrangements between Brighton & Hove and Metrobus and GTR are internal travel benefits provided by Go-Ahead Group. GTR’s successor public sector organisation, Thameslink Southern Great Northern Limited, will not be part of Go-Ahead Group.

Whether she has considered alternatives to the staff travel pass for Brighton and Hove Buses and Metrobus staff for use on the GTR network.

Travel arrangements with bus operators are typically not in scope for the Department’s rail Public Ownership Programme. Under the TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006) process, the Department is currently consulting Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) staff affected by the removal of this reciprocal travel benefit arrangement. Current reciprocal travel arrangements between Brighton & Hove and Metrobus and GTR are internal travel benefits provided by Go-Ahead Group. GTR’s successor public sector organisation, Thameslink Southern Great Northern Limited, will not be part of Go-Ahead Group.

Whether she has assessed the potential impact on staff retention and recruitment for local bus operators of the ending of the reciprocal GTR staff rail pass.

It has been a difficult decision to end the discretionary bus travel benefits arrangements that have been in place for Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) staff and one that has not been taken lightly. Travel arrangements with bus operators are not typically in scope for the Department’s rail Public Ownership Programme. Current reciprocal travel arrangements between Brighton & Hove and Metrobus and GTR are internal travel benefits provided by Go-Ahead Group. GTR’s successor public sector organisation, Thameslink Southern Great Northern Limited, will not be part of Go-Ahead Group.

What discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on the use of cross-border treatments to reduce waiting times for glaucoma care and the associated risk of irreversible sight loss.

Whilst Health is a devolved matter, I have regular engagement with colleagues from the Department of Health and Social Care and Welsh Government. Ministers and officials work closely with their counterparts through established intergovernmental structures, including the Interministerial Group for Health. Both the UK and Welsh Governments support improvements in patient access and drive down waiting lists as a key priority. NHS England and Wales jointly published a Statement of Values and Principles for cross-border healthcare which sets a clear expectation that patients living in defined border areas should receive care without delay or administrative burden, with the aim of delivering faster, improved and more equitable health outcomes for all patients.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of patient travel requirements for cross-border ophthalmology care on levels of treatment refusal and delayed care.

Whilst Health is a devolved matter, I have regular engagement with colleagues from the Department of Health and Social Care and Welsh Government. Ministers and officials work closely with their counterparts through established intergovernmental structures, including the Interministerial Group for Health. Both the UK and Welsh Governments support improvements in patient access and drive down waiting lists as a key priority. NHS England and Wales jointly published a Statement of Values and Principles for cross-border healthcare which sets a clear expectation that patients living in defined border areas should receive care without delay or administrative burden, with the aim of delivering faster, improved and more equitable health outcomes for all patients.

What consultation is she undertaking with the education sector on producing guidance for schools on the implementation of ISPs in order to ensure they deliver the outcomes intended in the SEND White Paper.

The special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reform proposes a duty on schools and colleges to produce an Individual Support Plan (ISP) for every child or young person who receives targeted or specialist support, ensuring help keeps pace with their development, prevents challenges from escalating, and reduces the risk of them disengaging from learning.The ISP will be tailored in line with the layers of support, with guidance to support settings in creating high quality plans. We are consulting widely on proposals to reform the SEND system, including with the education sector, children, young people and families, teachers and leaders and schools and trusts. The consultation, which includes specific questions on ISPs, is available at: https://consult.education.gov.uk/send-strategy-division/send-reform-putting-children-and-young-people-firs/.It is also essential to update the 0-25 SEND Code of Practice (the Code) to ensure it reflects the changes we are proposing across the SEND system. We will undertake a separate, full public consultation on proposed changes to the Code, in line with statutory requirements. We will share further details on this following the government’s response to the SEND Consultation.

With reference to the Access for All programme, what reasons were provided for the lack of progression of the Wivelsfield bid; and whether it will be considered in future rounds.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement of 15 January 2026, schemes were prioritised for Access for All funding, considering a range of factors including passenger benefit, geographic spread, the level of scheme development and the availability of third-party contributions. This applied to the decision that Wivelsfield station will not progress at this time. However, it remains eligible for consideration in future phases of the programme.The Rail Minister recently met with the Hon Member for Mid Sussex to discuss his decision regarding Wivelsfield station. He encouraged her to work with the rail industry and local partners on lower cost accessibility interventions and alternative funding sources.I would encourage the Hon. Member to work with Lewes District Council and Southern to explore accessibility improvements at Wivelsfield in the meantime.

What steps he is taking to help reduce waiting times for endometriosis treatment in West Sussex.

The Government acknowledges the challenges faced by women with endometriosis and the impact it has on their lives, their relationships, and their participation in education and the workforce. We are committed to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care for endometriosis. It is unacceptable that women can wait so long for an endometriosis diagnosis and we are taking action to address this.Nationally, we are establishing an online hospital, through NHS Online, which will give people across the country, on certain pathways, the choice of getting the specialist care they need from their home. It will connect patients with clinicians across the country through secure, online appointments accessed through the NHS App.Menstrual problems which may be a sign of endometriosis will be among the first nine conditions available for referral to NHS Online from 2027. We’ve chosen some of the conditions with the longest waits and where online consultation works best. NHS Online will help to reduce patient waiting times, delivering the equivalent of up to 8.5 million appointments and assessments in its first three years, four times more than an average trust, while enhancing patient choice and control over their care. This will allow women with menstrual problems which may be a sign of endometriosis across the country to reach a diagnosis and explore treatment options sooner.Locally in Sussex, the primary National Health Service for severe endometriosis is the Sussex Endometriosis Centre (SEC) at Princess Royal Hospital, a British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy accredited centre for complex cases, offering specialist surgical and medical management via general practice referral. Alongside this, Endometriosis UK runs local support groups in both East Sussex and West Sussex for peer support.NHS Specialist Care, provided by the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, is based at the SEC within a Centre of Excellence for severe cases. The service supports patients with severe endometriosis symptoms affecting bowel, bladder, or uterus, and the team includes specialist gynaecologists, nurses, colorectal surgeons, and urologists. Patients can be referred either by their general practice or a local hospital.Across Sussex, health and care partners have been making good progress with reducing long waits for patients but we recognise that there is further to go and that there are specific challenges in some specialities where cases are complex. Endometriosis is one of these areas.NHS South East is continuing to work closely with providers, including the University Hospital Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, to support further improvements in waiting times and to remain committed to working towards delivery of the ambitions set out by the Government, to eliminate very long waits for patients, recognising the impact that long waits for treatment can have on an individual's health and wellbeing.

How long the waiting list is for treatment for endometriosis services in the NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board.

The Department does not centrally hold data on the number of patients in England awaiting specialised endometriosis care. In England, the waiting list for gynaecology care stands at 571,627. This is a reduction of 24,338 since the Government came into office. Waiting time data by treatment speciality, at both an integrated care board and national level, is published on the NHS.UK website.The Government is committed to prioritising women’s health, including endometriosis care. Action to improve endometriosis care includes commissioning researching focussed on endometriosis diagnosis, treatment, and pain, and expanding the number of dedicated and protected surgical hubs, many of which gynaecology procedures. From 2027, a new online hospital, NHS Online, will also offer patients the choice to access specialist care from home. Menstrual problems potentially indicating endometriosis or fibroids from home will be among the conditions NHS Online initially focuses on, providing appointments to cut waiting times.

What steps he is taking to reduce waiting times for endometriosis treatment in East Sussex.

The Government acknowledges the challenges faced by women with endometriosis and the impact it has on their lives, their relationships, and their participation in education and the workforce. We are committed to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care for endometriosis. It is unacceptable that women can wait so long for an endometriosis diagnosis and we are taking action to address this.Nationally, we are establishing an online hospital, through NHS Online, which will give people across the country, on certain pathways, the choice of getting the specialist care they need from their home. It will connect patients with clinicians across the country through secure, online appointments accessed through the NHS App.Menstrual problems which may be a sign of endometriosis will be among the first nine conditions available for referral to NHS Online from 2027. We’ve chosen some of the conditions with the longest waits and where online consultation works best. NHS Online will help to reduce patient waiting times, delivering the equivalent of up to 8.5 million appointments and assessments in its first three years, four times more than an average trust, while enhancing patient choice and control over their care. This will allow women with menstrual problems which may be a sign of endometriosis across the country to reach a diagnosis and explore treatment options sooner.Locally in Sussex, the primary National Health Service for severe endometriosis is the Sussex Endometriosis Centre (SEC) at Princess Royal Hospital, a British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy accredited centre for complex cases, offering specialist surgical and medical management via general practice referral. Alongside this, Endometriosis UK runs local support groups in both East Sussex and West Sussex for peer support.NHS Specialist Care, provided by the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, is based at the SEC within a Centre of Excellence for severe cases. The service supports patients with severe endometriosis symptoms affecting bowel, bladder, or uterus, and the team includes specialist gynaecologists, nurses, colorectal surgeons, and urologists. Patients can be referred either by their general practice or a local hospital.Across Sussex, health and care partners have been making good progress with reducing long waits for patients but we recognise that there is further to go and that there are specific challenges in some specialities where cases are complex. Endometriosis is one of these areas.NHS South East is continuing to work closely with providers, including the University Hospital Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, to support further improvements in waiting times and to remain committed to working towards delivery of the ambitions set out by the Government, to eliminate very long waits for patients, recognising the impact that long waits for treatment can have on an individual's health and wellbeing.

What steps he is taking to reduce waiting times for endometriosis treatment in the East Grinstead and Uckfield Constituency.

The Government acknowledges the challenges faced by women with endometriosis and the impact it has on their lives, their relationships, and their participation in education and the workforce. We are committed to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care for endometriosis. It is unacceptable that women can wait so long for an endometriosis diagnosis and we are taking action to address this.Nationally, we are establishing an online hospital, through NHS Online, which will give people across the country, on certain pathways, the choice of getting the specialist care they need from their home. It will connect patients with clinicians across the country through secure, online appointments accessed through the NHS App.Menstrual problems which may be a sign of endometriosis will be among the first nine conditions available for referral to NHS Online from 2027. We’ve chosen some of the conditions with the longest waits and where online consultation works best. NHS Online will help to reduce patient waiting times, delivering the equivalent of up to 8.5 million appointments and assessments in its first three years, four times more than an average trust, while enhancing patient choice and control over their care. This will allow women with menstrual problems which may be a sign of endometriosis across the country to reach a diagnosis and explore treatment options sooner.Locally in Sussex, the primary National Health Service for severe endometriosis is the Sussex Endometriosis Centre (SEC) at Princess Royal Hospital, a British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy accredited centre for complex cases, offering specialist surgical and medical management via general practice referral. Alongside this, Endometriosis UK runs local support groups in both East Sussex and West Sussex for peer support.NHS Specialist Care, provided by the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, is based at the SEC within a Centre of Excellence for severe cases. The service supports patients with severe endometriosis symptoms affecting bowel, bladder, or uterus, and the team includes specialist gynaecologists, nurses, colorectal surgeons, and urologists. Patients can be referred either by their general practice or a local hospital.Across Sussex, health and care partners have been making good progress with reducing long waits for patients but we recognise that there is further to go and that there are specific challenges in some specialities where cases are complex. Endometriosis is one of these areas.NHS South East is continuing to work closely with providers, including the University Hospital Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, to support further improvements in waiting times and to remain committed to working towards delivery of the ambitions set out by the Government, to eliminate very long waits for patients, recognising the impact that long waits for treatment can have on an individual's health and wellbeing.

If he will publish a table of the waiting times for endometriosis treatment across integrated care boards in England.

The Department does not centrally hold data on the number of patients in England awaiting specialised endometriosis care. In England, the waiting list for gynaecology care stands at 571,627. This is a reduction of 24,338 since the Government came into office. Waiting time data by treatment speciality, at both an integrated care board and national level, is published on the NHS.UK website.The Government is committed to prioritising women’s health, including endometriosis care. Action to improve endometriosis care includes commissioning researching focussed on endometriosis diagnosis, treatment, and pain, and expanding the number of dedicated and protected surgical hubs, many of which gynaecology procedures. From 2027, a new online hospital, NHS Online, will also offer patients the choice to access specialist care from home. Menstrual problems potentially indicating endometriosis or fibroids from home will be among the conditions NHS Online initially focuses on, providing appointments to cut waiting times.

What steps her Department has taken to support access to men's mental health services in (a) East Grinstead and Uckfield constituency and (b) Sussex.

We recognise that some men may find it difficult to seek help for their mental health, and Sussex has made this a priority within its suicide prevention and mental health strategies. This includes targeted work to improve early identification, reduce stigma, and increase engagement among men and boys. Access routes have been strengthened through: - primary care and community-based entry points, where men are more likely to present;- NHS Talking Therapies, offering timely access to evidence-based support;- crisis alternatives to hospital admission, including urgent mental health helplines and safe havens; and- workplace and community outreach approaches, designed to engage men who may not access traditional services. In addition to National Health Service provision, Sussex works closely with voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations, which play a key role in engaging men through peer support, wellbeing services, and targeted community-based interventions. While data is not routinely reported by gender at a constituency level, system partners use available data and local insight to identify inequalities in access and outcomes, including for men, and to inform ongoing service improvement. We are partnering with the Premier League’s Together Against Suicide initiative, to help tackle male suicide, as part of England's first Men's Health Strategy. This work, carried out with Samaritans, provides matchday support for fans in stadiums, as well as an online hub with information and referral details for fans and followers watching from home. The partnership will see football clubs actively promoting existing mental health and suicide prevention support, such as NHS Talking Therapies and Every Mind Matters, and where appropriate, making onward referrals to appropriate organisations like the NHS. Overall, Sussex continues to develop a whole-system approach to mental health support, ensuring that services are accessible, responsive, and effective for all populations, including men.

Food and Rural Affairs, what consideration she has made of paying businesses compensation directly for water outages in shared businesses premises instead of landlords.

All customers of water and sewerage companies are entitled to guaranteed minimum standards of service, as set out by Government. These rights are known as the guaranteed standards scheme (GSS). Where a company fails to meet any of the standards, it is required to make a specified payment to the affected household or business customer. Ofwat is responsible for monitoring the scheme. Details on payment amounts and conditions can be found here.

How many children are estimated to be living with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) in (a) East Grinstead and Uckfield Constituency and (b) Sussex.

The data requested is not held centrally. Children with developmental coordination disorder, commonly known as dyspraxia, access support through local National Health Service occupational therapy, paediatrics, physiotherapy, and educational services.NHS guidance sets out a referral process which typically begins with a general practice, health visitor, or a special educational needs coordinator, who may refer the child to paediatric occupational therapy and physiotherapist for assessment and support. The guidance is available at the following link:https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/developmental-coordination-disorder-dyspraxia/For the first time, we have set a target for systems to work to in order to reduce long waits for community health services. By 2028/29 at least 80% of community health services activity should take place within 18 weeks, bringing community health services in line with targets for elective care.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps is she taking to further strengthen protections for British citizens, including those facing intimidation and surveillance in the UK from the IRGC.

I refer the Hon Member to the detailed answer on this issue provided by Lord Hanson on 19 March in response to Question HL15182.