Written questions by Whittome.

When his Department plans to make a decision on whether the Federated Data Platform and Associated Services contract with Palantir Technologies will be extended; and what contingency plans his Department has in place to ensure ongoing provision of the programme if that contract is ended.

We continually assess performance against the contract, and performance of the programme as a whole, and publish data on uptake and benefits each quarter. The National Health Service Federated Data Platform (FDP) programme is significantly exceeding its benefits forecast and has exceeded every target since it’s ‘go live’ in March 2024. It is also assessed regularly by the Government's National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority, on behalf of HM Treasury. The NHS FDP is one of only 14% of Government major programmes to receive a ‘Green’ rating in July 2025, indicating that the FDP is on track. In line with Government commercial function standards and contract management best practice, we shall be reviewing the FDP and Associated Services (FDP-AS) contract with a decision anticipated to be made this year on extension. As part of ongoing and regular contract reviews of the FDP-AS, due consideration is given as to how benefits and outcomes are protected, and whether there is an extension or not. In the event of the contract ending, there are clear Exit Management provisions which would take effect. As with any change programme, there are many aspects that require planning and resource, including delivery of associated procurement activity, mobilising the replacement solutions, managing business change, in particularly supporting users, and managing the exit from existing contracts, the latter inclusive of service continuity during change activity. The contract has a number of measures built in to facilitate exit and transition, including clear intellectual property rights in NHS build products or components.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies on the Israel-Palestine conflict of the UK's role during the Mandate for Palestine.

Last year, the UK made the historic decision to recognise the state of Palestine, noting that our commitment to supporting long-term peace stems not only from the current crisis but also from our historic responsibility to the region's security. Available materials about the UK's role during the Mandate for Palestine can be readily accessed from the National Archives.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to her Department's document entitled FCDO archive inventory, updated on 12 March 2025, what steps her Department is taking to review and make available records relating to policy in Palestine, including UID 1454 and 1790.

Last year, the UK made the historic decision to recognise the state of Palestine, noting that our commitment to supporting long-term peace stems not only from the current crisis but also from our historic responsibility to the region's security. Available materials about the UK's role during the Mandate for Palestine can be readily accessed from the National Archives.

What recent steps his Department has taken to reduce backlogs in the Civil Service Pension Scheme administered by Capita.

The Cabinet Office awarded the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme to Capita in November 2023 under the previous government. The issues and delays facing a number of civil servants and pension scheme members in receiving their pension quotes are unacceptable. I want to reassure you that this Government has taken firm action to help put things right as soon as possible. We have agreed a clear recovery plan with Capita, which includes specific milestones and accountability targets for delivery. For priority cases, we have deployed additional resources and improved communication with affected colleagues, so that staff, both former and serving, receive the quality of service and support they deserve. Existing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) have been enhanced and strengthened to deliver improved performance and higher penalties for failure, including financial penalties. These have already applied in respect to Capita's performance with recent issues and delays in administering the Civil Service Pension Scheme. Capita has made lump sum payments to 8,747 members, the majority of whom have retired but are not yet receiving their pension, and are on track to bring these members into regular pension payments by the end of April. To provide immediate financial support to those who may need it, arrangements are in place for interest-free bridging loans typically up to £5,000 or £10,000 in exceptional cases to most recent retirees facing payment delays. This is alongside interim lump sum payments being made to provide immediate funds to retiring members. The pension scheme continues to make monthly pension payments to approximately 730,000 existing pensioner members on time. The latest position of the Civil Service Pension Recovery Plan Update is available at this weblink: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-pension-recovery-plan-updates

What discussions he has had with the Public and Commercial Services Union on the Synergy contract awarded to Capita.

Ministers and officials regularly discuss a range of matters with PCS and other trade unions.I have also recently written to the General Secretary of PCS on this matter specifically.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking in response to the Joint Intelligence Committee’s Nature Security Assessment to address the national security risks arising from accelerating biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, including risks to the UK’s food and water security, public health and supply chain resilience.

The Nature Security Assessment is a cross-government strategic analysis that brings together scientific evidence, policy analysis and national security expertise to inform long-term resilience and security planning. In response to the risks it identifies, the UK is already taking action to strengthen food, water, public health and supply chain resilience, including through major investment in nature at home and abroad. The UK is meeting the International Climate Finance (ICF) 3 spending target of at least £11.6 billion over 2021 to 2026, supporting nature protection and sustainable agriculture globally. Domestically, the UK has a resilient food system and is investing £11.8 billion this Parliament to support sustainable farming, alongside action to strengthen critical supply chains through the Critical Imports and Supply Chains Strategy. These measures sit alongside wider domestic action to restore and protect nature, including record levels of tree planting, peatland restoration, improved water quality and stronger protection for the marine environment.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of distributing venison produced as a result of deer culling to food banks and other initiatives which support people in food poverty.

The Government published the Deer Impacts Policy Statement on 20 February 2026. The statement sets out actions to reduce the negative impacts deer have on the environment. This includes developing the venison supply chain. Defra is working with relevant sectors to improve the quality and consistency of wild venison supply into the human and other relevant food chains, including exploring where more wild venison can be offered as a sustainable meat option through our public procurement networks. Defra is also providing further funding towards wild venison collection and storage through the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund. This has been informed by learning gained through projects such as the Natural England Sussex Woods Protected Site Strategy pilot, which worked with food security charities to distribute venison mince procured as a byproduct of deer that were being managed to preserve the biodiversity in and around the protected sites in the area. Other organisations, such as the Country Food Trust, are already using venison to supply food banks and community kitchens.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) charity on the potential impact of recent and proposed changes in the level of Official Development Assistance funding on the effectiveness of VSO.

Our partnership with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) has been extended until March 2027. The Active Citizenship through Inclusive Volunteering and Empowerment (ACTIVE) programme currently operates in 14 countries and works with local civil society groups to strengthen their organisational capacity, leadership, autonomy and sustainability. This reflects our modernised approach to development, delivering value for money for UK taxpayers and transforming our country development partnerships to reflect the changing needs of our partners. We are looking forward to seeing how VSO's work progresses.

What steps his Department is taking to help (a) ensure that the BREAKWATER treatment protocol for patients with BRAF‑mutated bowel cancer is evaluated and funded as a matter of urgency, and (b) secure equal access to this protocol for patients across the UK.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) makes recommendations for the National Health Service on whether new licensed medicines and licence extensions for existing medicines should be routinely funded by the NHS based on an assessment of clinical and cost effectiveness. NICE aims wherever possible to issue guidance for the NHS on new medicines close to the time of licensing, and cancer drugs are eligible for funding from the point of a positive draft NICE recommendation.The BREAKWATER study is investigating encorafenib, a BRAF inhibitor, in combination with cetuximab and fluorouracil-based chemotherapy for the potential treatment of colorectal cancer. This regimen does not currently have a United Kingdom marketing authorisation for use in the treatment of previously untreated BRAF V600E mutation positive metastatic colorectal cancer. NICE has prioritised an appraisal of encorafenib for this indication in anticipation of it being granted a UK marketing authorisation and will schedule the appraisal so that guidance can be published as close as possible to the expected licensing date. Further information on the appraisal’s status is publicly available on NICE’s website at the following link:https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/awaiting-development/gid-ta11961The clinical trial was assessed and approved in the UK and is currently active, with further information available at the following link:https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04607421?term=BREAKWATER&viewType=Card&rank=1

What assessment her Department has made of the impact of the visa brake on student visa applicants from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan on individuals who are studying a foundation course in the UK on a valid student visa but whose next course begins more than 28 days after the expiry of their current permission; and whether she plans to make any provision for such students to continue their studies in the UK.

The visa brake applies only to relevant out‑of‑country applications.It was introduced in response to patterns of visa‑linked asylum claims by nationality, and at present we do not intend to introduce exceptions for students who have previously studied in the UK on foundation courses.The visa brake will be kept under regular review. It is not intended to be a permanent measure and will be lifted once the Government considers it appropriate to do so.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her Pakistani counterpart on the a) health and b) access to medical treatment of Imran Khan.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 6 March to Question HL14686.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential benefits of making digital watermarking of AI mandatory.

The government continues to explore the feasibility of technical solutions for the labelling of AI-generated content to support transparency, such as through the Deepfake Detection Challenge.AI is a general-purpose technology with a wide range of applications, which is why the government believes that most AI systems should be regulated at the point of use. In response to the AI Action Plan, the government committed to work with regulators to boost their capabilities. The government has been clear that we will legislate where needed, but we will do so on the basis of evidence where any serious gaps are.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations her Department has made to the Government of Azerbaijan regarding the detention of Ali Karimli; and whether she will call for his immediate release.

The UK continues to monitor the human rights situation in Azerbaijan closely. On 4 December, senior officials from our Embassy in Baku raised this case with senior members of the Azerbaijani Government, including ensuring due legal process and where necessary access to medical care in accordance with Azerbaijan's international obligations and commitments.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of generative AI on academic standards in higher education.

Universities are independent, autonomous bodies responsible for designing and implementing their own artificial Intelligence (AI) policies. They are already responding to the opportunities and challenges AI presents.The Office for Students (OfS) set out its approach to the use of AI in higher education (HE) in June 2025. The approach can be found here: https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/news-blog-and-events/blog/embracing-innovation-in-higher-education-our-approach-to-artificial-intelligence/.Providers are responsible for detecting and preventing academic misconduct, including misuse of AI, in line with the OfS’ regulatory framework. Providers that fall below these standards could be subject to regulatory action.The government is committed to ensuring that AI is not used to undermine high academic standards in HE. As set out in the Post-16 education and skills white paper, the department will support the OfS to assess the impact of artificial intelligence, including how students are using it in assessments, to ensure the integrity of HE assessments and qualifications is not compromised.

What steps his Department is taking to support the safety and appropriate care of patients with suspected craniocervical instability; what plans he has to improve access to appropriate imaging and specialist clinical review for such patients, including those with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome; and what assessment he has made of the potential merits of using patients’ lived experience to inform future policy development and service provision in this area.

Decisions on the assessment, diagnosis, and management of suspected craniocervical instability (CCI) are made by National Health Service clinicians on a case‑by‑case basis, drawing on established neurological, neurosurgical, rheumatology, and pain pathways. The Department has not issued specific national guidance on CCI, including in patients with Ehlers–Danlos syndromes (EDS). Responsibility for designing and commissioning pathways for rare or complex conditions rests with integrated care boards (ICBs), which are best placed to plan services that reflect local needs and available specialist expertise.Patients with symptoms suggestive of CCI may be referred for appropriate diagnostic imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography scanning, where clinically indicated. Access to imaging continues to expand through the Government’s programme of community diagnostic centres, which is increasing diagnostic capacity and supporting earlier identification of complex conditions as part of the wider 10‑Year Health Plan.Where specialist clinical review is required, referral decisions are made by NHS clinicians, who can access expertise across neurology, neurosurgery, and associated sub-specialties. ICBs are responsible for ensuring that local pathways support timely referral to the most appropriate service.The Department recognises the value of patients’ lived experience in improving the design of services for complex conditions. Department officials are working with patient groups to identify service gaps, improve equity of access, and inform future service development. This approach helps ensure that the needs and experiences of patients with suspected CCI, including those with EDS, are reflected in wider policy work.

If she will make it her policy to allow migrant nurses who are not employed by the NHS to qualify for indefinite leave to remain after 5 years.

The Government recognises and values the important contribution that nurses make to the UK and our National Health Service.The earned settlement public consultation ran for 12 weeks and closed on 12 February 2026. We are now reviewing and analysing all responses received. This analysis will help inform the development of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any potential exemptions or transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement.Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly. As with all significant policy changes, the proposals will be subject to both an economic impact assessment and equality impact assessment which we will publish as well as the Government’s response in due course.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of allowing migrants with settled status to vote in general elections and referenda.

The Government has no plans to change the voting rights of foreign nationals. There are no set rules regarding who can vote in a UK-wide referendum. Instead, the franchise for each referendum is determined on a case-by-case basis by Parliament in the legislation providing for that referendum.

If his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of including international medical graduates who are GMC-registered and who have at least two years’ NHS experience by 5 March 2026 in the prioritisation for specialty training.

The Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026, which received Royal Assent on 5 March 2026, prioritises United Kingdom medical graduates and other doctors with significant National Health Service experience for specialty training places.For specialty training places starting in 2026, immigration statuses are being used as a practical proxy to capture applicants who are most likely to have significant experience working in the health service in the UK.From 2027, immigration status will no longer automatically determine priority for specialty training. Instead, we are able to make regulations to specify any additional groups who will be prioritised by reference to criteria indicating significant experience as a doctor in the health service, or by reference to immigration status. The Department will work with NHS England, the devolved administrations, and other partners on how best to define and evidence significant NHS experience as part of the development of those regulations.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of current waiting times on decisions on claims for Attendance Allowance; and whether he will take steps to reduce the target processing time from up to 12 weeks, particularly for claimants undergoing active cancer treatment such as chemotherapy.

The Department keeps Attendance Allowance processing times under review and recognises the importance of timely decisions for older people, including those undergoing significant medical treatment. Through our wider Service Modernisation programme, we have taken steps to speed up and streamline the processing of new Attendance Allowance claims. We are now working to a target of clearing 90% of new claims within 30 days, and current performance shows that the majority of claims are being cleared within around 3–4 weeks, supported by increasing uptake of the new digital application route. For customers who are nearing the end of life, we operate a dedicated fast-track process under the Special Rules for End of Life, where claims are prioritised and typically cleared within 8 days. The extension of the end of life definition from 6 months to 12 months ensures more people with advanced conditions can benefit from this expedited process.

What steps he is taking to ensure that people with substance use issues can access specialist inpatient detox treatment.

Local authorities are responsible for commissioning drug and alcohol treatment services according to local need as part of their public health responsibilities, and this includes the provision of inpatient detoxification services.In line with recommendations in Dame Carol Black’s independent review of drug treatment and recovery, the Department created a distinct grant to support and expand inpatient detoxification for people who use drugs and alcohol. The £10 million a year grant ran between 2022/23 and 2024/25, before being consolidated into the Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Improvement Grant in 2025/26. Investment in inpatient detoxification services will continue beyond 2026. The Government has committed over £13.45 billion across three years through the Public Health Grant, including £3.4 billion ringfenced for drug and alcohol prevention, treatment, and recovery, which includes funding for inpatient detoxification. This multi-year funding provides greater certainty for local areas as they plan and sustain services.