Written questions by Mishra.

Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of the volume of water lost to leakage in the United Utilities network in each of the last five years.

Total leakage data is reported to the Environment Agency annually by water companies through the statutory Water Resources Management Plan annual review process. A summary of 2023/24 water company performance across the country, which includes leakage data, is available here.

If her Department will make an assessment of the adequacy of ticket office opening hours at (a) Brinnington Station and (b) Heaton Chapel Station.

Heaton Chapel ticket office is currently open 0605-1820 weekdays, 0700-1830 Saturdays and 0910-1630 Sundays, while Brinnington is open 0620-2105 weekdays and 0710-1440 Saturdays. These hours are compliant with section 17 of the Ticketing & Settlement Agreement, which sets out the various arrangements between operators relating to the sale of tickets.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that build to let developments contribute to local affordable housing quotas.

The government is committed to strengthening the system of developer contributions to ensure new developments provide necessary affordable homes and infrastructure. As part of this commitment, we are reviewing the planning practice guidance PPG on viability. That guidance currently recognises that the economics of Build to Rent (BtR) schemes differ from build for sale as they depend on a long-term income stream. As such, for build to rent it is expected that the normal form of affordable housing provision will be affordable private rent. Where plan makers wish to set affordable private rent proportions or discount levels at a level differing from national planning policy and guidance, this can be reviewed through a viability assessment at the plan-making stage. This approach ensures that local planning authorities continue to maximise contributions towards affordable housing and community infrastructure, while supporting the delivery of viable developments.

Whether her Department is taking steps to reduce regional disparities in modern language A-level (a) provision and (b) entries.

The government is committed to ensuring that all pupils, regardless of location, have access to a high quality language education. This includes increasing the number of students studying languages at GCSE and ensuring that those who wish to continue to A level are able to do so.The department is continuing to fund the National Consortium for Languages Education (NCLE) to deliver a new model of support for schools. The programme offers free continuous professional development via Language Educators Online (LEO), supported by 14 Strategic Learning Networks and locally responsive National Priority Projects. It is research-informed, helping teachers collaborate and tackle key challenges in language education. Language teachers can join the NCLE Language Network in their area and sign up to LEO to keep up to date with current and evolving teaching practice in language education.To further support languages education, the government is offering a £20,000 tax-free bursary for trainee language teachers starting courses in 2026, or alternatively, a £22,000 tax-free scholarship for those training to teach French, German, or Spanish.

If her Department will make an assessment of the adequacy of the availability of modern language A-level entry at (a) state schools and (b) colleges in (i) Stockport Borough and (ii) Greater Manchester.

The government is committed to ensuring that all pupils, regardless of location, have access to a high quality language education. This includes increasing the number of students studying languages at GCSE and ensuring that those who wish to continue to A level are able to do so.The department is continuing to fund the National Consortium for Languages Education (NCLE) to deliver a new model of support for schools. The programme offers free continuous professional development via Language Educators Online (LEO), supported by 14 Strategic Learning Networks and locally responsive National Priority Projects. It is research-informed, helping teachers collaborate and tackle key challenges in language education. Language teachers can join the NCLE Language Network in their area and sign up to LEO to keep up to date with current and evolving teaching practice in language education.To further support languages education, the government is offering a £20,000 tax-free bursary for trainee language teachers starting courses in 2026, or alternatively, a £22,000 tax-free scholarship for those training to teach French, German, or Spanish.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 April 2025 to Question 42868 on Railways: Stockport, whether her Department has made an assessment with North Rail Partnership of the potential merits of implementing proposals to improve passenger services at Reddish South railway station.

We expect train operators to develop timetables that best match the capacity and frequency of their services to passenger demand in a way which is operationally sustainable and delivers value for taxpayers. Current demand at Reddish South has not signalled a need to review the service patterns there. Rail North Partnership (RNP) will assess and assist with any proposal around services based on local or regional priorities put forward. For example, by Stockport Council or Transport for Great Manchester. Any proposal must balance the economic and social benefits of any enhancement with the performance of existing services and the financial impact on taxpayer subsidy. I have asked RNP to contact the Hon Member to discuss any proposals he wishes to present.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will publish a consultation on phasing out the use of farrowing crates for pigs.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 2 April 2025 to the hon. Member for Birmingham Northfield, PQ UIN 41698.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department's animal welfare strategy will include a plan for reviewing progress towards meeting the goals of that strategy.

This Government was elected on a mandate to introduce the most ambitious plans to improve animal welfare in a generation. The Department is engaging with key animal welfare stakeholders as part of the development of our overarching approach to animal welfare. The Prime Minister announced that we will be publishing an animal welfare strategy later this year.

Whether his Department has (a) made an assessment of the barriers faced by Hong Kong BNO visa holders in transferring professional qualifications into the British labour market and (b) issued guidance to employers on the employment rights of Hong Kong BNO visa holders.

Many British National Overseas (BNO) visa holders have professional qualifications. Recognition of overseas qualifications is determined by independent occupational regulators, many of which accept Hong Kong qualifications.The recognition process can be challenging for BNO visa holders and refugees. The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) developed the Regulated Professions Register, which Hongkongers can use to find information on entry requirements and regulators. DBT also published guidance on GOV.UK to support refugees, including those from Hong Kong, navigate the recognition process.BNO visa holders have the right to work in the UK, and employer guidance on right to work checks is available on GOV.UK.

If he will make it his policy to exempt the BNO visa scheme from the proposed extension of the standard qualifying period for settlement.

The Government is committed to supporting members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK and those who may come here in future. I welcomed the opportunity to listen to the views of Members in the recent 8th September Westminster Hall Debate on settlement. We will be consulting on the earned settlement scheme later this year. All will be welcome to participate. We will provide details of how the scheme will work after that consultation. We regularly engage with representatives of the Hong Kong diaspora in the UK on issues related to the BN(O) visa and will continue to do so.

Communities and Local Government, what is his planned timetable is for commencing the remaining provisions in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024.

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244) and to the answer given to Questions UIN 68213 on 23 July 2025.

What assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policies of the National Audit Office's report of 16 June 2025 entitled Investigation into the administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme.

The Government’s assessment is that the National Audit Office (NAO) report of 16 June 2025 reinforces the need for markedly stronger governance, oversight and performance management over the administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme. There is a continuing commitment to the forthcoming outsourcing arrangement with Capita, commencing in December 2025.

Whether he plans to review the decision to outsource Civil Service Pension Scheme administration, in the context of performance levels under the present contract.

At present there are no plans to reverse or conduct a formal review of the decision to outsource Civil Service Pension Scheme (CSPS) administration. The Government remains committed to the forthcoming outsourcing arrangement with Capita, subject to strengthened governance, enhanced oversight and performance management to secure better outcomes for all members.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of categorising military compensation as exempt from eligibility criteria for means-tested benefits.

I refer the honourable member to the answer given on 8 July 2025 to question UIN 63814

Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the National Wildlife Crime Unit in tackling wildlife crime in the North West.

Defra supports the valuable work of the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) and is providing £424,000 to the Unit in 2025-2026. It is satisfied with the NWCU’s effectiveness. The NWCU helps prevent and detect wildlife crime by obtaining and disseminating intelligence, undertaking analysis which highlights local or national threats, and assisting law enforcers with investigations. Defra has a strict grant reporting mechanism in place with the Unit whereby each quarter it provides qualitative and quantitative information setting out how Defra funding has been spent. In 2024-25 the NWCU provided support on wildlife crime cases to every local police force in the North West and indeed the whole of the UK.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he plans to take to ensure that the ban on hunting trophy imports (a) is robust and (b) does not allow any hunting trophies to enter the UK.

The Government committed to banning the import of hunting trophies in its manifesto and we will deliver on this. Defra continues to engage with relevant stakeholders to ensure that we can implement a robust ban on the import of hunting trophies from species of conservation concern in the most effective way.

What support hs Department is providing to people caring for family members with advanced Alzheimer’s disease.

The Care Act 2014 requires local authorities to deliver a wide range of sustainable, high-quality care and support services, including support for carers. We have produced guidance to help those diagnosed with dementia, or those supporting someone with dementia, to understand the kind of support and services available to them in England. The guidance is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/after-a-diagnosis-of-dementia-what-to-expect-from-health-and-care-services/after-diagnosis-of-dementia-what-to-expect-from-health-and-care-servicesAs set out in the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan, we are equipping and supporting carers by increasing visibility and empowering voices in care planning. We are joining up services, and streamlining caring tasks through the introduction of a new ‘MyCarer’ section to the NHS App.In April, the Government also increased the Carer's Allowance weekly earnings limit from £151 a week to £196, the largest ever increase since the Carer’s Allowance was introduced.

What steps his Department is taking to help reduce differences in life expectancy between different areas within the Stockport constituency.

The UK faces significant health inequalities, with life expectancy and healthy life expectancy varying widely across and between communities. Our 10-Year Health Plan sets out a reimagined service designed to tackle inequalities in both access and outcomes, to ensure the NHS is there for anyone who needs it whenever they need it.The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) North West (the Regional Team) operates across the North West of England, covering the geography of Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside and serving a population of 7.5 million people.The Regional Team works with and supports North West local authorities across a wide range of portfolios that support taking action on health inequalities. These include 0-19 services, smoking cessation, drug and alcohol services, physical activity and obesity, mental wellbeing, work and health, wider determinants of health and health literacy.In addition, the public health grant is paid to local authorities and is used to improve population health, prevent illness, and reduce health inequalities.

What steps his Department plans to take to ensure the public is made aware of the change from Physician Associate to Physician Assistant.

The principal question of the Leng Review was to assess whether the roles of physician assistants (PAs) and physician assistants in anaesthesia (PAAs) (still legally known as physician associates and anaesthesia associates) are safe and effective. The Review’s findings were clear that, with changes in line with its recommendations, there remains a place for these roles to continue as supportive, complementary members of medical teams.The Review found that the majority of stakeholders, particularly patient groups, expressed concern that the name physician associate is confusing and that patients were unclear about who they were being treated by.As set out in NHS England’s ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ document, the immediate action for organisations is to make changes to the way in which roles are referred to in the workplace, to ensure that patients are not under the misapprehension that they have seen a doctor. Any changes to official job titles should be done in accordance with the organisation’s local change management policy, with proper regard to employment law and involve affected members of staff and local trade unions.The ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ document is available at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/leng-review-nhs-england-faqs-on-actions-for-nhs-organisations.pdf.The Government intends to commence consultation on a modernised legislative framework for the General Medical Council (GMC) by the end of this year. These proposals will include the change in role titles. Subject to parliamentary time, our expectation is that these changes will be put before the UK and Scottish Parliaments during 2026.The Leng Review recommendations are far-reaching and require cross-system partnership working to develop a detailed implementation plan that effectively delivers on the Review’s recommendations, including national clinical protocols and professional standards and information for patients. This includes working together to consider how best to standardise identification of PAs, PAAs and other staff to support patients in recognising the staff caring for them.

Innovation and Technology, whether any funding will be available to deliver the Digital Inclusion Action Plan beyond the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund.

Digital inclusion is a priority for this Government, a step-change from the last ten years.That is why the Government published its Digital Inclusion Action Plan – First Steps in February 2025, which outlines the first five actions we are taking on digital inclusion.One of those first actions is the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund which launched in August with £9.5 million to support and expand local community initiatives to get people online.In addition, a recent funding programme of £2 million supported Mayoral Combined Authorities across England to deliver innovative and meaningful support for digitally excluded people in their communities.The full detail of DSIT's longer-term spending plans is still being considered, and further information will be provided as allocations are decided later in the year.