Written questions by Timothy.

Whether the scope of contingency accommodation for asylum dispersal has been changed since 5 July 2024.

The Home Office continues to work with a range of stakeholders to meet our statutory obligations, while also delivering our commitments to reduce overall asylum accommodation costs, and end the use of hotels over time.

What discussions her department has had with (a) Serco and (b) other contract providers on the scope of contingency accommodation for asylum dispersal.

The Home Office continues to work with a range of stakeholders to meet our statutory obligations, while also delivering our commitments to reduce overall asylum accommodation costs, and end the use of hotels over time.

What discussions her Department has had with (a) West Suffolk District Council and (b) other local authorities on an increase in the number of asylum seekers dispersed.

The Home Office works with local authorities and other stakeholders across the country to ensure that it can fulfil its statutory obligations, and meet the Government’s commitment to reduce the overall costs of asylum accommodation, including ending the use of hotels over time.The Home Office regularly publishes statistics on the numbers of asylum seekers in receipt of support nationally, and further broken down by region and local authority. These data sets can be found on GOV.UK: (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67bc51acd157fd4b79addd4f/support-local-authority-datasets-dec-2024.xlsx).

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the time period between the introduction of the (a) Extended Producer Responsibility and (b) Deposit Return scheme on levels of glass usage in packaging.

Defra has worked closely with industry, including the glass sector, throughout the development of the scheme. In October 2024 the Government published an updated assessment of the impact of introducing the pEPR scheme on packaging producers. This assessment factored in the introduction of DRS in 2027.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether all (a) glass, (b) steel, (c) aluminium and (d) PET drinks containers are subject to reporting and payment of Extended Producer Responsibility as there is no exemption for Wales under EPR Regulation 11.

Under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024, Deposit items of a relevant deposit scheme are exempt from reporting, recycling and disposal fee obligations. Prior to the introduction of a relevant deposit scheme, steel, aluminium, and PET drinks containers are subject to data reporting and recycling obligations but not disposal fees. Provided that a deposit scheme comes into operation in at least one part of the UK by 1 January 2028, steel, aluminium and PET drinks containers will not be subject to disposal fees in any part of the UK. However, if a deposit scheme is not in operation in any part of the United Kingdom by 1 January 2028, liable producers of steel, aluminium, and PET drinks containers will also pay disposal fees for this packaging. Glass drinks containers are subject to the full range of pEPR obligation and liable producers are obliged to pay disposal fees for this packaging.

What support his Department provides to Local National Direct Hire staff members who have been dismissed or placed on furlough from their positions at US Air Force bases.

Individuals hired under the US Local National Direct Hire programme are not employees of the Ministry of Defence and therefore receive no support from the Department if dismissed or displaced on furlough.

How many Local National Direct Hire staff members have been (a) dismissed and (b) placed on furlough in US Air Force bases in the UK this year.

The Local National Direct Hire Programme is a United States' programme and the Ministry of Defence is not privy to the information requested. It is for the US to determine how they support their mission.

Media and Sport, what support her Department plans to provide to horse (a) breeding and (b) racing industries following US tariffs on horse importations.

A major source of support for the racing industry is the Horserace Betting Levy, which generated £105 million in 2023/4. The Horseracing Betting Levy Board is tasked with the distribution of funds collected via the Levy. Approximately 70% of levy funds is used for prize money and invested into racing’s eco-system supporting breeders, owners, trainers, jockeys and stable staff.With regard to US tariffs, on 3 April the government launched a Request for Input where businesses can share their views on potential UK measures responding to the new US tariffs.

Whether his Department plans to introduce retaliatory tariffs on horse importations from the US.

We remain committed to discussions with the US on a wider economic deal that works for both the UK and the US but nothing is off the table; this government will do what is necessary to defend the UK's national interest. That is why on 3 April, the government launched a Request for Input from businesses as a formal step, to keep all options on the table; and to give businesses the chance to have their say and influence the design of any possible UK response.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether all (a) glass, (b) steel, (c) aluminium and (d) PET drinks containers are subject to reporting and payment of Extended Producer Responsibility in Wales.

All steel, aluminium and PET plastic drinks containers across the UK are exempt from pEPR disposal fees but remain subject to reporting and recycling (PRN) obligations until Deposit Return Schemes (DRS’s) enter into operation. Should DRS’s not enter into operation by the 1 January 2028 this exemption will cease. Glass drinks containers across the UK are subject to pEPR data reporting and both disposal fees and recycling obligations.

What discussions his Department has had with US Government officials and representatives on horse importations as part of negotiators on a potential trade deal.

The government has been focused on negotiating an economic deal with the United States that strengthens our existing fair and balanced trading relationship. The UK is committed to continuing these discussions, but the UK will only do a deal that is in the national interest of the UK and its businesses.

For what reason the dementia diagnosis target has been removed from the NHS Operational Planning Guidance.

We remain committed to recovering the dementia diagnosis rates (DDR) to the national ambition of 66.7%, with rates in England being 65.4% as of the end of February 2025. A timely diagnosis is vital to ensure people with dementia can access the treatment and support they need. Overall, the rate remains higher than previous years.We have taken a new approach to National Health Service Planning Guidance this year, reducing the number of national directives from 32 to 18. These are the first steps on our journey for long-term reform of the NHS. NHS Planning Guidance is not an exhaustive list of everything the NHS does, and the absence of a target does not mean it is not an area of focus.The Darzi Investigation found that there are too many targets set for the NHS, which made it hard for local systems to prioritise their actions or to be held properly accountable. Our aim is to give more power to local systems and let them decide how they use local funding to best meet the needs of their local population. This approach signals our ambition for reform, recognises the role of the NHS in driving economic growth, and enshrines our commitment to financial rigour in the system.

How many large area solar proposals going through the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects process are requesting planning approval to acquire freehold land.

An application for development consent can include a request for the granting of rights to compulsorily acquire or temporarily possess land to facilitate the development of the proposal.Each application for development consent for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIP), including solar NSIPs, has a dedicated webpage on the Planning Inspectorate’s website which sets out its intention to acquire land or not: https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/. As part of the application process, a ‘Book of Reference’ is uploaded to the relevant proposal’s webpage listing the Classes of Rights which are being sought over each plot, including acquiring freehold, if applicable.

How many large area solar proposals going through the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects process have been initiated by foreign investors.

The Government does not hold the information requested.

What guidance his Department issues on whether third parties should declare their political interests when recording official videos for government departments.

There is no standalone Cabinet Office policy or guidance that addresses the declaration of political interests of third parties when recording official videos.

What support is in place for Ukrainian refugees who reach the end of their three-year visa.

The UK has offered or extended sanctuary to over 300,000 Ukrainians and their families under the Ukraine Schemes, thanks to the immense generosity of the British public. We are determined to continue to provide stability for those we have welcomed to the UK and who still need our sanctuary.The Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme, which opened to applications on 4 February 2025, provides up to an additional 18 months’ permission to stay in the UK for those with existing Ukraine Scheme permission.

What the average waiting time was for children with special educational needs and disabilities to receive an Education, Health and Care plan in (a) England, (b) the East of England and (c) Suffolk in each year since 2020.

Information on the number and percentage of education, health and care (EHC) plans issued within the statutory 20 week deadline, with and without statutory exceptions to that deadline applying, is published as part of the department’s EHC plans statistical release, which can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/education-health-and-care-plans/2024.The following table shows the number and proportion of plans issued within the statutory 20 week deadline for England, the East of England and Suffolk for each calendar year since 2020: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/176f8770-7fe7-49b2-9bba-08dd7377d1ad.

What progress her Department has made on reforming SEND and alternative provision since July 2024.

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to achieve and thrive in their education and as they move into adult life.Supporting our expert teachers is critical to the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and boost the life chances for every child, as the within-school factor that makes the biggest difference to a young person’s educational outcomes is high-quality teaching. This is why we will recruit 6,500 new expert teachers and support the recruitment and retention of specialist teachers in the schools and areas that need them most.In September 2024, the department introduced a new mandatory leadership level national professional qualification for special educational needs co-ordinators to ensure they receive high-quality, evidence-based training to create inclusive environments where everyone feels welcome, safe and they belong. We have also introduced additional resources for early years educators to support children with developmental differences and SEND, including a free online training module and SEND assessment guidance and resources.The Initial Teacher Training and Early Career Framework (ITTECF), which sets out the core body of knowledge, skills and behaviours that define great teaching, contains significantly more content related to adaptive teaching and supporting pupils with SEND and from September 2025, will underpin the minimum entitlement to training for new teachers.The department is providing £1 billion more for high needs budgets in 2025/26, bringing total high needs funding to over £12 billion. This funding will help local authorities and schools with the increasing costs of supporting children and young people with complex SEND. All local authorities will see an increase in funding of at least 7% per head, compared to 2024/25, with some local authorities seeing gains of up to 10%.We have also published local authority allocations for £740 million of high needs capital funding for 2025/26, to invest in places for children and young people with SEND or who require alternative provision. This funding will start to pave the way for this government’s wide ranging, long term plans for reform to help more pupils with SEND to have their needs met in mainstream schools.In the longer term, the department is committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, as well as ensuring special schools cater to children and young people with the most complex needs. Ofsted will also increase its focus on disadvantaged children and learners, those with SEND and those who leaders have identified as being particularly vulnerable. Ofsted is proposing introducing a separate evaluation area for ‘inclusion’ on its report cards.The department will work with the sector to ensure our approach is fully planned and delivered in partnership. To support this approach, we have already appointed a strategic advisor on SEND to engage with sector leaders, practitioners, children and families. We have also established an expert advisory group for inclusion to improve the mainstream education outcomes and experiences for those with SEND, and set up a Neurodivergence Task and Finish Group to provide a shared understanding of what provision and support in mainstream educational settings should look like for neurodivergent children and young people within an inclusive system.

How many employees have been recruited to work on US Air Force bases under the Local National Direct Hire programme in each year since 2000.

As the Local National Direct Hire Programme is a United States’ programme the Ministry of Defence is unable to provide this information.

What discussions (a) ministers and (b) officials in his Department have had with US Air Forces in Europe – United Kingdom on the Local National Direct Hire programme.

The Secretary of State for Defence and Defence Officials have regular engagements on a wide range of Defence topics with their US counterparts.The Local National Direct Hire Programme is a United States’ programme, and it is for the US to determine how they wish to support their mission. Defence officials provide UK sponsorship for the security clearance of UK individuals hired under the US Local National Direct Hire Programme. There is no further planned engagement on this programme.