Written questions by Wilson.

Innovation and Technology, when she plans to respond to the hon. Member for Twickenham's correspondence, reference MC2024-00009674.

I thank the hon. Member for highlighting concerns about affordable software licenses for public libraries. This is a complex issue that has arisen from a change in Microsoft’s policy regarding the transition of libraries from Education to Not-for-Profit (NFP) pricing.Since the issue has been raised with DSIT, my officials have been working with DCMS, as the Department with responsibility for libraries, and with Microsoft, to address the practical challenges that these important public institutions face in renewing their software licenses without a charity or company number. Microsoft provided library services with initial guidance to assist in obtaining the not-for-profit discounts to which they are entitled.In the months since this guidance was issued, it has been tested with library services and DCMS have rendered assistance in navigating the process. DCMS have identified areas where improvements can be made to guidance for both library services and resellers, which we will continue to discuss with Microsoft to ensure libraries can access affordable licenses going forward.

If she will set out the requirements councils must meet to be eligible for the write-off of 90% of their historic SEND-related deficits.

As set out in the final Local Government Finance Settlement, all local authorities with a special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) related High Needs deficit will be eligible in 2026/27 to receive a High Needs Stability Grant that will cover 90% of their accumulated High Needs‑related DSG deficit up to the end of 2025/26. This is conditional on each local authority securing my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education’s approval of their Local SEND Reform Plan, as confirmed in the government’s announcement on managing accumulated SEND deficits.Each local area will be required to set out credible and deliverable actions that support a more inclusive and financially sustainable system, consistent with the vision for earlier intervention, stronger mainstream inclusion and improved outcomes for children and young people as set out in the Schools White Paper.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when she plans to respond to the letter sent on 12 December 2025 by the hon. Member for Twickenham.

I apologise for the delay in responding to the Hon Member, a response was issued on 18 February 2026.

What steps he is taking to reduce diagnostic waiting times for endometriosis in (a) England and (b) Twickenham constituency.

Patients waiting for an endometriosis diagnosis may receive diagnostic tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound, though the only definitive way to diagnose endometriosis is by a laparoscopic procedure. A laparoscopy is also used to treat endometriosis.To improve diagnosis times, we are transforming diagnostic services and taking steps to increase diagnostic capacity. This includes expanding existing community diagnostic centres (CDCs), building up to five new ones as part of the £600 million of capital funding for diagnostics in 2025/26 and opening more CDCs 12 hours per day, seven days a week.The NHS South West London Integrated Care Board (ICB), in which the Twickenham constituency sits, is commissioning additional diagnostic activity over the next three years, with an estimated 17% growth by 2028/29. This will be supported through the well-established CDC programme developed by the ICB. Four CDCs operate across south west London, including the Kingston CDC. These CDCs are delivering key diagnostic tests, including MRI and ultrasound.The ICB has also prioritised the development of women’s health hubs across south west London, based on a pilot in Kingston and Richmond Borough to improve use of community gynaecology services. This will reduce demand on acute hospital services and improve waiting times for those patients requiring access to specialists, including for endometriosis diagnostics and management.The Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust plans to carry out additional treatments in February and March for endometriosis, delivering 600 additional ultrasounds to reduce the waiting time for patients waiting for gynaecology services.

What steps she has she taken to help ensure schools comply with (a) paragraph 6.81 of the SEN Code of Practice and (b) Equality Act 2010.

The Children and Families Act 2014 and SEND regulations set out the detail that schools must include in special educational needs (SEN) information reports. The SEND Code of Practice states that schools should ensure that the information is easily accessible by young people and parents, and is set out in clear, straightforward language. The Ofsted inspection toolkit states that, in gathering evidence about supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), inspectors must consider the extent to which published SEN information reports are easily accessible and accurately describe the school’s provision and support for pupils with SEN. The department has published guidance to help schools understand their legal duties under the Equality Act 2010: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7e3237ed915d74e33f0ac9/Equality_Act_Advice_Final.pdf. The department has also issued further guidance to help support school governing boards understand their roles and responsibilities, accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sen-and-disability-duties-guidance-for-school-governing-boards/special-educational-needs-sen-and-disabilities-guidance-for-school-governing-boards. There are a range of resources available to school leaders and governors to support in the creation of accessible SEN Information Reports. We will set out our proposals for SEND reform in the upcoming Schools White Paper and will consult widely on these proposals, continuing to work with a wide range of partners to refine and deliver them.

What powers does she have to help ensure schools comply with (a) paragraph 6.81 of the SEN Code of Practice and (b) Equality Act 2010.

The Children and Families Act 2014 and SEND regulations set out the detail that schools must include in special educational needs (SEN) information reports. The SEND Code of Practice states that schools should ensure that the information is easily accessible by young people and parents, and is set out in clear, straightforward language. The Ofsted inspection toolkit states that, in gathering evidence about supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), inspectors must consider the extent to which published SEN information reports are easily accessible and accurately describe the school’s provision and support for pupils with SEN. The department has published guidance to help schools understand their legal duties under the Equality Act 2010: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7e3237ed915d74e33f0ac9/Equality_Act_Advice_Final.pdf. The department has also issued further guidance to help support school governing boards understand their roles and responsibilities, accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sen-and-disability-duties-guidance-for-school-governing-boards/special-educational-needs-sen-and-disabilities-guidance-for-school-governing-boards. There are a range of resources available to school leaders and governors to support in the creation of accessible SEN Information Reports. We will set out our proposals for SEND reform in the upcoming Schools White Paper and will consult widely on these proposals, continuing to work with a wide range of partners to refine and deliver them.

What estimate she has made of the cost of providing written guidance to schools on how to write accessible SEN Information Reports.

The Children and Families Act 2014 and SEND regulations set out the detail that schools must include in special educational needs (SEN) information reports. The SEND Code of Practice states that schools should ensure that the information is easily accessible by young people and parents, and is set out in clear, straightforward language. The Ofsted inspection toolkit states that, in gathering evidence about supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), inspectors must consider the extent to which published SEN information reports are easily accessible and accurately describe the school’s provision and support for pupils with SEN. The department has published guidance to help schools understand their legal duties under the Equality Act 2010: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7e3237ed915d74e33f0ac9/Equality_Act_Advice_Final.pdf. The department has also issued further guidance to help support school governing boards understand their roles and responsibilities, accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sen-and-disability-duties-guidance-for-school-governing-boards/special-educational-needs-sen-and-disabilities-guidance-for-school-governing-boards. There are a range of resources available to school leaders and governors to support in the creation of accessible SEN Information Reports. We will set out our proposals for SEND reform in the upcoming Schools White Paper and will consult widely on these proposals, continuing to work with a wide range of partners to refine and deliver them.

What steps she is taking to promote community engagement on the new Air Navigation Guidance.

The Department for Transport consulted on potential changes to the statutory guidance (The Air Navigation Guidance) it provides to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This guidance is used by the CAA to inform its airspace change process. The consultation closed on 26 January 2026 and responses are now being reviewed. The consultation was open to everyone and a number of groups representing local communities, as well as individuals and companies, responded. Engagement and consultation has always been part of the airspace change process. The proposals in the draft Guidance aim to retain and enhance the principle that anyone potentially affected by an airspace change should have the information they need and the ability to feed in their views before final decisions are taken. The sponsor for an Airspace Change will be responsible for ensuring this happens effectively as a key part of the airspace change process.

If she will set up a meeting between the Aviation Minister and the Hon. Members for Twickenham and Richmond Park following his correspondence referenced MC 00050628.

My officials have scheduled a meeting for the end of February.

If she will take steps to improve accessibility for SMEs to the research and development tax credit system.

The Government recognises the important role that research and development (R&D) plays in driving innovation and economic growth as well as the benefits it can bring for society. At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government committed to maintaining the generosity of the rates in both the merged R&D Expenditure Credit (RDEC) scheme and the Enhanced Support for R&D Intensive SMEs (ERIS) scheme. This, combined with the commitment to cap the headline rate of Corporation Tax, means that companies doing qualifying R&D will continue to receive between £15 to £27 for every £100 spent on R&D. Notably, the ERIS scheme will provide around £1.3 billion of relief per year to roughly 20,000 R&D intensive, loss-making SMEs. The Government is also taking steps to improve the administration of the reliefs, to make it easier and more reliable for legitimate claimants while continuing to protect taxpayer money from unacceptable levels of error and fraud in the system. HMRC is working with the Expert Advisory Panel which will provide it with cutting edge technical expertise to inform policy and operations. HMRC also operates an advance assurances service to help SMEs applying for the tax credits and will pilot an expanded service this spring, enabling more firms to use it.

What estimate she has made of the potential cost to the Metropolitan Police of the proposals set out in her Department's policy paper entitled From local to national: a new model for policing published on 27 January 2026.

The reforms set out in the White Paper are fully funded to the end of the Parliament with nearly half a billion pounds invested. These reforms will make policing both more effective and more efficient with savings made through removal of duplication across the policing system. These savings will be reinvested into neighbourhood policing, including in London.In addition, this Government has already announced record funding for policing of £18.4 billion next year to tackle crime and improve community safety. The Metropolitan Police will benefit from increased funding of up to £4.0bn next year, a 4.7% cash increase.

How much alternative funding has been provided to the local authorities of the 18 cancelled special and AP free schools, to create specialist spaces in mainstream schools.

For the 18 schools where no trust had been appointed and which were in the earliest stages of development local authorities will receive funding for 2487 school places in Summer 2026, equivalent to places the school would have provided.For local authorities with the choice between accepting the alternative funding offer or continuing with the free school, the deadline to confirm their choice is 27 February 2026. After this date, we will know how many local authorities have accepted the alternative funding offer and the total funding amount.Funding for delivery of free school projects are provided at different stages of a project’s development, in line with key delivery milestones. Most of the projects in scope of the alternative funding offer are at the earliest stages of development and therefore have not received any funding. Where sites have been secured for these schools, details and costs of acquisitions will have been set out on the Land Registry website. Additionally, the department will have published contract details and costs for all free school construction contracts on Contracts Finder.

How much alternative funding has been provided to the local authorities who have decided to not proceed with the building of the proposed special and AP free schools, following the review of planned special and AP free schools.

For the 18 schools where no trust had been appointed and which were in the earliest stages of development local authorities will receive funding for 2487 school places in Summer 2026, equivalent to places the school would have provided.For local authorities with the choice between accepting the alternative funding offer or continuing with the free school, the deadline to confirm their choice is 27 February 2026. After this date, we will know how many local authorities have accepted the alternative funding offer and the total funding amount.Funding for delivery of free school projects are provided at different stages of a project’s development, in line with key delivery milestones. Most of the projects in scope of the alternative funding offer are at the earliest stages of development and therefore have not received any funding. Where sites have been secured for these schools, details and costs of acquisitions will have been set out on the Land Registry website. Additionally, the department will have published contract details and costs for all free school construction contracts on Contracts Finder.

How much funding was originally made available for the provision of the planned 92 new special and AP free schools that were commissioned by the previous Government and were subject to a value for money review by this Government.

For the 18 schools where no trust had been appointed and which were in the earliest stages of development local authorities will receive funding for 2487 school places in Summer 2026, equivalent to places the school would have provided.For local authorities with the choice between accepting the alternative funding offer or continuing with the free school, the deadline to confirm their choice is 27 February 2026. After this date, we will know how many local authorities have accepted the alternative funding offer and the total funding amount.Funding for delivery of free school projects are provided at different stages of a project’s development, in line with key delivery milestones. Most of the projects in scope of the alternative funding offer are at the earliest stages of development and therefore have not received any funding. Where sites have been secured for these schools, details and costs of acquisitions will have been set out on the Land Registry website. Additionally, the department will have published contract details and costs for all free school construction contracts on Contracts Finder.

How much has been spent on the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile in each of the last five years; and how many children have gone through that assessment in each of the last five years.

The early years foundation stage profile assessment (EYFSP) is undertaken by teachers at the end of the academic year in which children turn five, usually reception year. No fee is charged per child for the EYFSP. Any costs incurred by schools would primarily relate to staff time in connection with undertaking the assessment and submitting the data to their local authority. The department does not collect data on the time spent to complete the assessment at school level or time spent processing the data by local authorities.The number of children assessed under the EYFSP in the last five years is available alongside further details on GOV.UK at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/cf4c5896-b574-421b-70de-08de5e4c1b9a.The 2020/21 EYFSP data collection was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, so the department does not hold information for that year.

Whether her Department's reviews into the a) economics and b) environmental impacts of Heathrow expansion are seeking external expert input.

The Department’s review into the economic and environmental impacts of Heathrow expansion includes both internal and external expert input.

If she will commission an independent financial review of the feasibility of Heathrow expansion.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that any scheme for Heathrow expansion is deliverable and affordable. Last year, the Government undertook a comparative assessment of the proposals, on its individual merits against the published criteria, which included financial considerations. Since this is a private sector project, it is for the potential promoters to develop and finance expansion proposals, and to demonstrate that any scheme is financially viable.

If she will confirm that there will be a public consultation on the Airports National Policy Statement whether or not it is amended.

Yes, we will publicly consult on the outcome of the review of the Airports National Policy Statement.

What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on air pollution.

I have had discussions with ministerial counterparts on this issue.The Department engaged with departments across the Government in developing our 10-Year Health Plan for England, which sets out the steps the Government will take to improve the public's health, including actions to reduce the health harms of air pollution.

How many prison cell fires there were in 2025, broken down by institution.

The information requested is provided in the following table:LocationTotal Cell FiresHM Prison Altcourse11HM Prison Ashfield0HM Prison Askham Grange0HM Prison Aylesbury14HM Prison Bedford12HM Prison Belmarsh8HM Prison Berwyn74HM Prison Birmingham76HM Prison Brinsford30HM Prison Bristol60HM Prison Brixton31HM Prison Bronzefield0HM Prison Buckley Hall6HM Prison Bullingdon18HM Prison Bure1HM Prison Cardiff4HM Prison Channings Wood8HM Prison Chelmsford15HM Prison Coldingley6HM Prison Cookham Wood0HM Prison Dartmoor0HM Prison Deerbolt31HM Prison Doncaster45HM Prison Dovegate76HM Prison Downview2HM Prison Drake Hall4HM Prison Durham16HM Prison East Sutton Park0HM Prison Eastwood Park6HM Prison Elmley51HM Prison Erlestoke31HM Prison Exeter2HM Prison Featherstone4HM Prison Feltham40HM Prison Five Wells11HM Prison Ford0HM Prison Forest Bank94HM Prison Fosse Way42HM Prison Foston Hall6HM Prison Frankland3HM Prison Full Sutton2HM Prison Garth49HM Prison Gartree30HM Prison Grendon0HM Prison Guys Marsh20HM Prison Hatfield0HM Prison Haverigg0HM Prison Hewell8HM Prison High Down12HM Prison Highpoint28HM Prison Hindley5HM Prison Hollesley Bay0HM Prison Holme House52HM Prison Hull35HM Prison Humber64HM Prison Huntercombe5HM Prison Isis20HM Prison Isle of Wight7HM Prison Kirkham0HM Prison Kirklevington Grange0HM Prison Lancaster Farms5HM Prison Leeds22HM Prison Leicester14HM Prison Lewes38HM Prison Leyhill0HM Prison Lincoln8HM Prison Lindholme74HM Prison Littlehey2HM Prison Liverpool9HM Prison Long Lartin46HM Prison Low Newton5HM Prison Lowdham Grange78HM Prison Maidstone1HM Prison Manchester35HM Prison Millsike6HM Prison Moorland28HM Prison Morton Hall3HM Prison New Hall3HM Prison North Sea Camp0HM Prison Northumberland13HM Prison Norwich20HM Prison Nottingham54HM Prison Oakwood28HM Prison Onley16HM Prison Parc63HM Prison Pentonville21HM Prison Peterborough51HM Prison Portland32HM Prison Prescoed0HM Prison Preston6HM Prison Ranby35HM Prison Risley13HM Prison Rochester13HM Prison Rye Hill0HM Prison Send0HM Prison Spring Hill0HM Prison Stafford0HM Prison Standford Hill0HM Prison Stocken39HM Prison Stoke Heath4HM Prison Styal22HM Prison Sudbury0HM Prison Swaleside77HM Prison Swansea1HM Prison Swinfen Hall36HM Prison Thameside72HM Prison The Mount29HM Prison The Verne1HM Prison Thorn Cross0HM Prison Usk0HM Prison Wakefield8HM Prison Wandsworth62HM Prison Warren Hill0HM Prison Wayland19HM Prison Wealstun69HM Prison Werrington10HM Prison Wetherby37HM Prison Whatton1HM Prison Whitemoor4HM Prison Winchester33HM Prison Woodhill88HM Prison Wormwood Scrubs7HM Prison Wymott10Total2546The overwhelming majority of the cell fires were classed as ‘minor’ and were quickly dealt with by staff. Medical assessment is provided to anyone who may have been exposed to smoke or heat. Where it is found that a fire is the result of arson, or recklessness, the prisoner responsible will face robust punitive action, which can include further criminal charges. All operational staff receive training in responding to fire incidents, including the use of specialist safety and firefighting equipment.