Written questions by Shah.

What steps he is taking to ensure that Bradford District and Craven Integrated Care Board has sufficient resources to meet local demand for NHS-funded continence products in the Bradford District.

Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning continence services in their areas. These services include assessment, treatment, and, where clinically appropriate, the supply of continence products. Decisions on the type and quantity of products are made by clinicians following individual assessment, in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance on incontinence and professional standards.The NHS Supply Chain supports trusts with the procurement of continence products through value-based procurement initiatives to ensure products are safe, effective, and cost-efficient. Further information on continence commissioning is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/continence/

In relation to the Mosque Security Funding Scheme (a) how many mosques have applied for funding; (b) how many applications are currently pending; (c) how many applications have been granted; and (d) how many applications have been awaiting a decision for longer than 12 months.

This Government is committed to protecting the right of individuals to freely practise their religion at their chosen place of worship, and to ensuring that our streets and communities remain safe.That is why up to £40 million will be available through the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme in 2026/27. The scheme provides protective security measures (such as security personnel services, CCTV, intruder alarms and secure perimeter fencing) to mosques, Muslim faith schools and associated Muslim faith community centres.To safeguard the integrity of the scheme and ensure the continued protection of vulnerable sites, the Home Office does not publish the total number of successful applications or the timeline for applications. Disclosure of this information could inadvertently reveal sensitive details about specific communities and their security needs.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of (a) requiring free-roaming cats to be neutered and (b) supporting animal rescue centres with the costs associated with unneutered cats.

The Government has no plans to require free-roaming cats to be neutered. The Government will continue to engage with animal welfare stakeholders including rescues to understand issues and trends in relation to cats.

What steps she is taking to help tackle regional variations in disabled children’s social care in the context of the publication of the Law Commission’s report on 16 September 2025.

The Law Commission published its final report on 16 September 2025 following a department commissioned review in April 2023 of the legal framework for disabled children’s social care.The report makes 40 recommendations, which we are now considering, with a focus on simplifying and strengthening the system to better support disabled children and their families. In line with the protocol agreed between the Lord Chancellor and the Law Commission, the department must provide an initial response within six months and a full response within one year, setting out which recommendations will be accepted, rejected or modified, and any implementation timeline.As we prepare our formal response to the Law Commission, we believe the national rollout of Family Help, a seamless, non-stigmatising offer of support delivered by multi-disciplinary, community-based teams, is already beginning to address the intended outcomes of the report and reduce regional variations. This includes special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) trained professionals as leading practitioners. Through Family Help, we are taking steps to remove the stigma from asking for help, with more SEND professionals available in integrated front doors for families to access practical support without judgement unnecessarily burdensome assessments.

Whether she plans to accept the recommendations of the Law Commission’s report on disabled children’s social care, published on 16 September 2025.

The Law Commission published its final report on 16 September 2025 following a department commissioned review in April 2023 of the legal framework for disabled children’s social care.The report makes 40 recommendations, which we are now considering, with a focus on simplifying and strengthening the system to better support disabled children and their families. In line with the protocol agreed between the Lord Chancellor and the Law Commission, the department must provide an initial response within six months and a full response within one year, setting out which recommendations will be accepted, rejected or modified, and any implementation timeline.As we prepare our formal response to the Law Commission, we believe the national rollout of Family Help, a seamless, non-stigmatising offer of support delivered by multi-disciplinary, community-based teams, is already beginning to address the intended outcomes of the report and reduce regional variations. This includes special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) trained professionals as leading practitioners. Through Family Help, we are taking steps to remove the stigma from asking for help, with more SEND professionals available in integrated front doors for families to access practical support without judgement unnecessarily burdensome assessments.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of funding for children’s palliative care services in Bradford West; and what steps the Modern Service Framework for palliative and end of life care is taking to address funding challenges faced by the sector.

The Government recognises the vital role that children’s palliative care services play in supporting children and young people with life-limiting conditions and their families, including in Bradford West.Integrated care boards (ICBs), including the NHS West Yorkshire ICB, are responsible for assessing and commissioning palliative care and end of life care services that meet the needs of their local populations. To support ICBs in this duty, NHS England has published statutory guidance and service specifications. The statutory guidance states that ICBs must work to ensure that there is sufficient provision of care services to meet the needs of their local populations, which can include hospice services available within the ICB catchment.Although commissioning decisions are made locally, we continue to support the children’s hospice sector nationally. We are providing £26 million revenue funding to children and young people’s hospices in 2025/26, of which children and young people’s hospices in Bradford West are receiving £1,727,000.We are also pleased to confirm the continuation of this funding, with approximately £80 million, adjusted for inflation, to be allocated over the next three financial years to children and young people’s hospices, giving them greater stability to plan ahead and focus on delivering high-quality, personalised care.In addition, eligible hospices are benefitting from the Government’s £125 million capital investment to improve care environments for both adult and children’s hospices across England, of which children and young people’s hospices in Bradford West are receiving £1,278,935.The Government is also developing a Palliative Care and End of Life Care Modern Service Framework (MSF) for England, planned for publication later this year. The MSF will support ICBs, including the NHS West Yorkshire ICB, to commission palliative care and end of life care more strategically by addressing the drivers of variation in access, quality and sustainability. It will help move the sector away from grant and block contract model towards clearer, more sustainable commissioning arrangements, enabling services, including those that support children, to plan with greater certainty.

Which specific sections of the Highway Code are under review to improve safety for (a) pedestrians, (b) cyclists, (c) motorcyclists and (d) other vulnerable road users.

In January 2022, the Department updated The Highway Code to improve the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders, including the introduction of a hierarchy of road users. On 7 January 2026, we published our new Road Safety Strategy, setting out our vision for a safer future on our roads for all. As set out in the strategy, more work is needed to continue embedding these changes and overall awareness of the Highway Code. We are considering options in this area, and further details will be shared in due course.

What steps her Department is taking to update the Highway Code to reflect the new road safety strategy.

On 7 January 2026, we published our new Road Safety Strategy, setting out our vision for a safer future on our roads for all. Alongside the strategy, 5 consultations were launched.Following the consultations, the Department will review the Highway Code and consider what amendments may be appropriate.

What steps she is planning to take to ensure that any changes to the Highway Code are (a) effectively communicated to road users and (b) enforced.

On 7 January 2026, we published our new Road Safety Strategy, setting out our vision for a safer future on our roads for all. Alongside the strategy, 5 consultations were launched. Following the consultations, the Department will review the Highway Code and consider what amendments may be appropriate. Enforcement of the law is a matter for the police who will decide on the evidence of each individual case, whether an offence has been committed and the appropriate action to take.

Communities and Local Government, what steps the Department is taking to ensure that leaseholders can sell flats where external fire risk assessments identify remedial works.

Ten major banks and building societies have signed the lenders’ statement on cladding. These lenders have committed to consider mortgage applications for buildings over 11 metres tall, even if a property has building safety issues, provided either the building has funding for works from government or the developer, or the property is protected by the leaseholder protections in the Building Safety Act, and the leaseholder has completed a ‘Leaseholder Deed of Certificate’ to evidence it. Officials in my department engage with lenders individually should we receive evidence to suggest a signatory is not upholding the statement. We are of the firm belief that mortgage lenders should not request an EWS1 form as a requirement to lend on buildings under 11 metres tall, but whether they do so remains their commercial decision and is subject to their individual lending criteria.

Communities and Local Government, how his Department ensures lenders comply with guidance that EWS1 forms are not required for buildings under 11 metres.

Ten major banks and building societies have signed the lenders’ statement on cladding. These lenders have committed to consider mortgage applications for buildings over 11 metres tall, even if a property has building safety issues, provided either the building has funding for works from government or the developer, or the property is protected by the leaseholder protections in the Building Safety Act, and the leaseholder has completed a ‘Leaseholder Deed of Certificate’ to evidence it. Officials in my department engage with lenders individually should we receive evidence to suggest a signatory is not upholding the statement. We are of the firm belief that mortgage lenders should not request an EWS1 form as a requirement to lend on buildings under 11 metres tall, but whether they do so remains their commercial decision and is subject to their individual lending criteria.

Communities and Local Government, what support or enforcement the Department can provide where lenders block transactions contrary to fire safety guidance.

Ten major banks and building societies have signed the lenders’ statement on cladding. These lenders have committed to consider mortgage applications for buildings over 11 metres tall, even if a property has building safety issues, provided either the building has funding for works from government or the developer, or the property is protected by the leaseholder protections in the Building Safety Act, and the leaseholder has completed a ‘Leaseholder Deed of Certificate’ to evidence it. Officials in my department engage with lenders individually should we receive evidence to suggest a signatory is not upholding the statement. We are of the firm belief that mortgage lenders should not request an EWS1 form as a requirement to lend on buildings under 11 metres tall, but whether they do so remains their commercial decision and is subject to their individual lending criteria.

What assessment the Health and Safety Executive has made of the potential risks associated with chemical exposure in upholstery workshops, including chemicals found in foam and treated fabrics.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recognised the risks to textile workers who routinely handle finished fabrics, including those treated with fire-resistant finishes. HSE have produced a specific guidance page on their website which covers both the initial manufacture and any secondary processing of finished fabrics (such as upholstery). The guidance page can be found here: https://www.hse.gov.uk/textiles/fabric-finishes.htm The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) outline specific duties on employers to protect workers from harmful substances, such as foams and flame retardants, which may be contained in soft furnishings such as mattresses and sofas. HSE provides practical advice and guidance on the basics of COSHH, completing COSHH assessments and links to industry specific information and guidance to prevent and control workplace exposure to harmful substances at Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) - HSE

How many inspections of upholstery and furniture workshops have been carried out by the Health and Safety Executive in each of the last five years.

Between 2019 and the present date, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have inspected 2104 premises whose primary business includes the manufacture of office and shop furniture, kitchen furniture, mattresses and other furniture (based on the Standard Industry Classification (SIC)).The breakdown by year is as follows: YearNumber of Inspections 2019/203042020/211452021/221922022/234192023/246272024/253192025 to date98

What support is available for workers who have been exposed to hazardous chemicals in upholstery and furniture manufacturing.

The Government offers a range of financial support for individuals whose health has been adversely affected by exposure to hazardous chemicals in the workplace. Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit is a non-contributory, non-means-tested benefit paid to those who become disabled because of a workplace accident or certain prescribed industrial diseases. The amount of benefit awarded depends on the level of disablement, which is assessed by an independent medical professional. In some cases, additional allowances may also be available, depending on individual circumstances. Those who are unable to work due to illness or disability may be able to claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). Eligibility is dependent on satisfying the basic conditions of entitlement and contribution conditions. Where appropriate, individuals may claim Universal Credit which provides financial support for people on low incomes or who are unable to work because of a health condition. Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can provide help towards the extra costs arising from a long-term health condition or disability for working-aged people. Entitlement to PIP focuses on the functional impacts of a person’s health condition or disability on their daily life and is assessed on the basis of needs arising and not on the condition itself.

What mechanisms are in place to ensure timely correction of factual or chronological errors in published judgments to ensure that any discrepancies are removed from public record.

Responsibility for the accuracy of judgments rests with the independent judiciary.Courts have established procedures to correct errors promptly when they come to light. For example, under the Civil Procedure Rules, judges can amend accidental slips or omissions at any time.Substantive errors that may affect the meaning of the judgment may require a formal application to the court. Once corrected, the revised judgment replaces the original in official records and on the Find Case Law service, operated by the National Archives.

Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to prevent (a) parking debt collectors and (b) legal firms from adding £70 to existing parking charges of £100 per PCN; and whether she plans to ban debt recovery fees.

The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the Government to prepare a code of practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities. We will announce our plans for the new Code, including the position on debt recovery fees, in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion on the legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.

The UK is fully committed to international law and fully respects the independence of the International Court of Justice. We continue to consider the Court’s Advisory Opinion carefully. We do not disagree with the central findings of the Court’s Advisory Opinion. We are of the clear view that Israel should bring an end to its presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories as rapidly as possible – but we are clear that every effort must be made to create the conditions for negotiations towards the two-state solution. Our commitment to a two-state solution is unwavering. The UK abstained on the UN General Assembly resolution in September because it did not provide sufficient clarity to advance a negotiated two-state solution.