Written questions by Whittome.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of introducing a legal requirement that vape shops cannot operate near schools.

Awaiting answer.

What estimate he has made of the number of children’s hospices reducing services due to funding levels.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of funding and capacity in mainstream schools for children and young people with SEND; and what steps her Department is taking to ensure that mainstream schools have the resources required to deliver high-quality SEND provision.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of trends in the level of geographic inequalities in access to high-quality children’s palliative care.

Awaiting answer.

With reference to the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard, (a) how many algorithmic tools deployed through the NHS Federated Data Platform have been assessed as falling within the mandatory

The NHS Federated Data Platform (NHS FDP) safely connects information from different systems across the National Health Service into a single, secure environment. This allows staff to co-ordinate care better to improve outcomes for patients. The NHS FDP ...

Whether an Equality Impact Assessment has been completed for the Inpatient and Outpatient Care Co-ordination Solution products used through the NHS Federated Data Platform to flag patients for remo

The NHS Federated Data Platform (NHS FDP) safely connects information from different systems across the National Health Service into a single, secure environment. This allows staff to co-ordinate care better to improve outcomes for patients. The NHS FDP ...

Whether the Office for Students has had discussions with the University of Nottingham on its compliance with conditions E1 and E2 of its conditions of registration following the approval by the University's Cou

The Office for Students (OfS) is an independent regulator and is responsible for determining how and when to use its regulatory powers, including when and how to engage with registered providers on compliance with conditions of registration.The department...

A) what data is held on serious errors in interpreting PSA pathology results without reference to a patient’s medical history, b) and how the Department ensures such incidents are reported through

Data on serious errors in interpreting prostate-specific antigen (PSA) pathology results is not held centrally.Patient safety incidents relating to PSA testing are recorded on local risk management systems, of which Datix is one of a number of systems. Th...

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of hotel closures on families and individuals who have established links in the cities and areas in which they have settled and who now face disper

All residents in a hotel no longer being used to accommodate asylum seekers will be provided with alternative suitable accommodation. Moves are coordinated by the accommodation provider, and options may include dispersal accommodation, alternative conting...

If he will undertake an independent review of the UK medicines supply chain.

Whilst there are no plans to undertake an independent review, the resilience of United Kingdom supply chains is a key priority, and the Department and NHS England are committed to helping to build long term supply chain resilience for medicines. We are co...

Innovation and Technology, what steps she plans to take to tackle the (a) algorithmic and (b) design features that maximise children's engagement.

Protecting children online is a priority for the Secretary of State and this government. The Online Safety Act provides strong foundations for protecting children across the UK. We have always been clear that we will build on that foundation and published...

What assessment he has made the potential impact of the proposed steel trade measure on the adequacy of the range and supply of products that are not currently domestically manufactured; and what steps

The measure has been designed to strike the right balance between securing the future of domestic steelmaking while maintaining secure supply chains for downstream users. The measure only covers steel requirements that can be met in the UK. In some instan...

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of making education on antisemitism mandatory in schools.

There is no place for antisemitism in our society.The department supports teachers through our Educate Against Hate website, which provides teachers with a range of free, quality-assured resources, including on building resilience to antisemitism, teachin...

For what reason applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain under the European Community Association Agreement (ECAA) route are subject to delays, including the processing times and backlogs of UK Vis

The volume of applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain under the ECAA route has increased significantly over the last twelve months; with applications received currently 65% above forecasted intake.Applications are routinely accompanied by exceptionall...

What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of increases in deaths of unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people, in the context of the findings of the report 'Deaths of unaccompa

The government is determined to address the shockingly high number of early deaths among care experienced young people, including unaccompanied asylum- seeking children and care leavers, who can be some of the most vulnerable people in our society due to ...

What conversations her Department has had with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency regarding (a) delays in training and testing and (b) the support available to trainees facing the imminent expiry of licenc

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has seen unprecedented numbers of applications from people wishing to become approved driving instructors (ADI) - a 152% increase since 2018-19. Alongside this, the pass rate for the part 3 test has declined,...

What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the report 'Deaths of unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people in the care of, or supported by, local authorities' by Da

We welcome the report of the Da’aro Youth Project. The Home Secretary engages regularly with ministerial colleagues across government on a range of issues relating to asylum, including safeguarding and the welfare of vulnerable individuals.Last month, the...

Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of regulations governing charity-branded clothing collection bins operated by commercial companies.

Charity clothing collection banks operated by commercial companies can provide a regular source of income for charities whilst supporting the reuse and recycling of unwanted items. Companies operating collection banks must have written agreements with the...

If he will formally include air ambulance charities within national fuel resilience and prioritisation planning.

The UK benefits from a diverse and resilient fuel supply chain and remains well supplied across all fuel types. The Government regularly reviews which organisations provide essential services within the context of the National Emergency Plan for Fuel. This includes consideration of air ambulance charities, recognising the vital role they play in emergency response and patient care. A summary of the National Emergency Plan for Fuel is published on gov.uk and sets out measures to respond to fuel supply and distribution disruption. In the unlikely event of a sustained disruption, these arrangements enable fuel to be prioritised for essential services and critical supply chains. The Government does not assess that the current situation warrants, or is approaching, the threshold for the use of emergency powers.

What steps she is taking to a) support High Level Need funding and b) support local authorities to meet statutory SEND duties.

High needs funding for children and young people with complex needs is continuing at an increased level of over £12 billion in the 2026/27 financial year, following an increase of 11% in 2025/26. Of that total, Nottingham City Council is being allocated over £70 million.The Schools white paper set out additional funding for both schools and local authorities to drive forward reform of the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system, with £4 billion over the next three years, including an inclusive mainstream fund of £1.6 million and £1.8 million for Experts at Hand to provide specialist support to mainstream settings. This will reverse the trend of late intervention and escalation in needs.It remains important that every local authority meets its statutory SEND duties while ensuring robust controls as they, other local partners and the department work together to reform the SEND system. We will support authorities in this work through their Local SEND Reform Plans.