Written questions by Dowden.

If he will take steps to reduce the timescale allowed for a second post-mortem examination.

Once a death has been reported to a coroner, the deceased person’s body remains in the legal control of the coroner until released for burial or cremation. During this time, decisions relating to the body, including on whether to order a post-mortem examination or permit a second post‑mortem examination, are a matter for the coroner as an independent judge.The Chief Coroner has provided guidance for coroners which makes clear that, where a second post‑mortem examination is permitted, it should be carried out as quickly as possible following the first examination and, unless there are exceptional circumstances, within 28 days of the death being reported to the coroner. The coroner must inform the deceased person’s next of kin or personal representative if the body cannot be released for burial or cremation within this period.

What assessment his Department has made of the suitability of Drax to receive biomass subsidy in the context of whistleblowing allegations against that company.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

How many state secondary school places are available within Hertsmere constituency.

School level data on state-funded schools with capacity in any of the year groups from reception to year 11 is published in the annual publication available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-capacity/2024-25. This publication contains the latest available data for school capacity and sixth form places, as from 1 May 2025.The statutory duty to provide sufficient school places sits with local authorities.

What assessment her Department has made of trends in the amount of money used for accessibility improvements at railway stations from Section 106 agreements.

Since the Access for All (AfA) programme launched in 2006, there has been a steady increase of third party contributions from local sources, including from Section 106 agreements.

When she plans to determine the (a) process and (b) timings for identifying future Access for All projects.

Funding for future rounds of the AfA programme will be considered as part of the next Spending Review. The process for identifying future projects has not yet been finalised, but we are committed to reforming the programme as we move towards the establishment of Great British Railways, ensuring it continues to deliver maximum benefit for passengers and communities

Communities and Local Government, how many local authorities have introduced Article 4 directions to restrict the number of houses in multiple occupation.

Since 1 January 2023, 45 local planning authorities have notified the Secretary of State of ‘Article 4’ Directions removing permitted development rights in relation to Houses in Multiple Occupation.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the candour and transparency of the Drax power station in its dealings with the Government.

The Low Carbon Dispatchable CfD signed with Drax sets out consequences in the event Drax have misrepresented information provided to HMG used when agreeing the strike price. This includes the right to revise the strike price or terminate the agreement under certain circumstances. Ofgem, the independent regulator, found no evidence that Drax had deliberately misled Government or the wider public regarding the adequacy of the company’s procedures for ensuring that biomass is sourced in a sustainable manner.

Innovation and Technology, if she will take steps to align the National Cyber Security Centre’s Cyber Essentials certification with the insurance industry’s standards to protect organisations against cyber risk, starting with the inclusion of backups.

The government is engaging insurers and brokers to encourage clear, proportionate conversations about cyber risk and good cyber hygiene. Insurers typically take risk‑based approaches to underwriting and the government is encouraging the inclusion of fundamental cyber security measures, such as Cyber Essentials.Data backups are a key part of the cyber incident response and recovery process and are critical to an organisation’s cyber resilience. The Cyber Essentials scheme focuses on defensive technical controls to prevent the most common cyber threats by stopping attackers gaining access. Data backup is not preventative, and therefore not a requirement for the scheme. However, the Cyber Essentials guidance makes clear that data backup is essential for recovery following a successful attack and strongly encourages organisations to implement a backup solution. The scheme is continually reviewed to ensure the controls remain appropriate and effective.

What recent progress she has made on improving rail accessibility in Hertsmere constituency.

This government is committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognises the social and economic benefits this brings to communities. At Elstree & Borehamwood station, full step-free access was delivered under the Access for All programme in 2014. Platform edge tactile paving is already in place at Elstree & Borehamwood station. More recently, platform edge tactile paving has been installed at Radlett (January 2022), Potters Bar (May 2022) and Cuffley (August 2022) stations.

Communities and Local Government, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Transport on funding for accessibility improvements at railway stations from Section 106 agreements.

My Department engages regularly with the Department for Transport on a range of issues. Alongside highways contributions and the Community Infrastructure Levy, Section 106 agreements are a well-established mechanism for making development acceptable in planning terms. Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, the government consulted a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The consultation on the revised Framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, included proposals to support development in sustainable locations, including around train stations, and to increase certainty in respect of planning obligations. We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 24 February 2026 to Question 111727, for what reason his Department has not introduced a definition of large built-up area, town, historic town or village.

The government’s Green Belt policies as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) make reference to large built-up areas, as well as towns and historic towns. These are established terms with the Framework. We have not introduced prescriptive definitions of these terms, and their interpretation remains a matter for planning judgement informed by national policy and associated guidance. Our updated Green Belt guidance, published on 27 February 2025, sets out detailed considerations to ensure a consistent approach to the identification of grey belt land. Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on changes to the NPPF. That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, included questions on Green Belt policy. We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with local planning authorities on efficiently preparing Article 4 directions under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for houses in multiple occupation.

The procedure for Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) to make an Article 4 direction is laid out in Schedule 3 of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, which is available on gov.uk here. Additional guidance can be found in the “When is permission required?” Planning Practice Guidance, which is available on gov.uk here. My Department engages with LPAs in respect of Article 4 directions on an ongoing basis.

Communities and Local Government, whether the New Towns Taskforce has undertaken a consultation on the proposed new town at Crews Hill and Chase Park, Enfield with Hertfordshire County Council.

The government tasked the New Towns Taskforce, an independent expert advisory panel chaired by Sir Michael Lyons, with developing recommendations to ministers on suitable locations for new towns, as well as how to fund and deliver them. On 28 September 2025, the government published the independent New Towns Taskforce report as well as its initial response to that report. Both can be found on gov.uk here. On 23 March 2026, the government launched a public consultation on the proposed New Towns Programme and its environmental implications. This can be found on gov.uk here. The consultation makes clear that the government intend to take forward seven locations as part of the Programme, including a site at Crews Hill and Chase Park. Following the consultation and completion of the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulation Assessments, the government intends to publish final proposals and confirm the new towns locations later in the Summer. We will publish a full government response to the recommendations of the New Towns Taskforce, including more detail on how our confirmed locations will be delivered in line with our ambition for the programme.

Communities and Local Government, whether the New Towns Taskforce has undertaken a consultation on the proposed new town at Crews Hill and Chase Park, Enfield.

The government tasked the New Towns Taskforce, an independent expert advisory panel chaired by Sir Michael Lyons, with developing recommendations to ministers on suitable locations for new towns, as well as how to fund and deliver them. On 28 September 2025, the government published the independent New Towns Taskforce report as well as its initial response to that report. Both can be found on gov.uk here. On 23 March 2026, the government launched a public consultation on the proposed New Towns Programme and its environmental implications. This can be found on gov.uk here. The consultation makes clear that the government intend to take forward seven locations as part of the Programme, including a site at Crews Hill and Chase Park. Following the consultation and completion of the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulation Assessments, the government intends to publish final proposals and confirm the new towns locations later in the Summer. We will publish a full government response to the recommendations of the New Towns Taskforce, including more detail on how our confirmed locations will be delivered in line with our ambition for the programme.

Communities and Local Government, whether the New Towns Taskforce has undertaken a consultation on the proposed new town at Crews Hill and Chase Park, Enfield with Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council.

The government tasked the New Towns Taskforce, an independent expert advisory panel chaired by Sir Michael Lyons, with developing recommendations to ministers on suitable locations for new towns, as well as how to fund and deliver them. On 28 September 2025, the government published the independent New Towns Taskforce report as well as its initial response to that report. Both can be found on gov.uk here. On 23 March 2026, the government launched a public consultation on the proposed New Towns Programme and its environmental implications. This can be found on gov.uk here. The consultation makes clear that the government intend to take forward seven locations as part of the Programme, including a site at Crews Hill and Chase Park. Following the consultation and completion of the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulation Assessments, the government intends to publish final proposals and confirm the new towns locations later in the Summer. We will publish a full government response to the recommendations of the New Towns Taskforce, including more detail on how our confirmed locations will be delivered in line with our ambition for the programme.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing tax breaks for the training budgets of craft organisations in the film and high-end television sector.

The Government recognises the importance of the film and high‑end television sector, including the highly skilled craft workforce that underpins its success. The Government supports film and high‑end television productions through the Audio‑Visual Expenditure Credit (AVEC), which provides a generous tax credit worth 34 per cent of UK production costs, or 39 per cent for animation and children’s television. Independent films (those with a UK lead writer or director and budgets under £23.5 million) are also eligible for an enhanced AVEC rate of 53 per cent on up to £15 million of core expenditure. These reliefs help attract inward investment, sustain employment, and support skills development across the sector. Whilst there is no specific exclusion of training costs, all qualifying production costs have to be incurred on pre-production, principle photography and post-production. Training costs would usually fall outside of this. In addition to tax reliefs, skills and training in the screen sector are supported through targeted funding programmes led by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and its arm’s‑length bodies. Film and high‑end television are priority sub‑sectors within the Government’s Industrial Strategy, and DCMS has committed to a £75 million Screen Growth Package to support skills, talent development, and long‑term growth across the UK. There are a wide range of factors to consider when introducing new tax reliefs or expanding existing ones, including their effectiveness in meeting policy objectives, how well targeted the support would be, the impact on complexity in the tax system, and the cost to the Exchequer.

Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of income volatility among freelance workers in the film and high-end television sector.

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport recognises that the freelance workforce is crucial to the success of the UK's world-leading creative industries, including the screen sector, but we understand that many self-employed workers in the creative industries desire greater job security.We committed in the Creative Industries Sector Plan to increase the productivity, resilience and diversity of the creative workforce, including through the appointment of a Freelance Champion, who will advocate for the creative sector’s freelancers within government and be a member of the Creative Industries Council. Building on the Sector Plan, we are developing a sector Jobs Plan which will provide a clear direction of travel for government and industry to develop the domestic workforce together. The Creative Industries Jobs Plan will be published later this year.For film and TV specifically, the global market is evolving quickly, creating significant opportunities for the UK. We remain an open and highly attractive destination for international investment, including £5.8 billion in inward screen investment in 2025 and record film production spend, and this has helped deliver some of our most successful content. Major global studios and streamers are investing directly in UK skills and talent, including through support for the National Film and Television School (NFTS) and initiatives like the Prime Video Pathway. This investment strengthens our workforce and we want it to continue.We are pairing global investment with strong public action to build resilience across the sector. Through the Creative Industries Sector Plan, we are delivering a £75 million Screen Growth Package to scale up domestic production, £10 million for the NFTS to create 2,000 new trainee and apprenticeship places, and £150 million through the Creative Places Growth Fund to expand film and TV activity across the regions. These measures sit alongside competitive tax reliefs, including the Independent Film Tax Credit, modernised co‑production treaties and expanded finance via the British Business Bank.We have also strengthened terms of trade through the Media Act and have asked the Competition and Markets Authority, supported by Ofcom, to consider how market developments, including convergence, should inform future competition assessments. Through the BBC Charter Review and ongoing engagement with streamers, independents and Public Service Media (PSM) providers, we will continue to ensure that commissioning practices support a sustainable workforce and a thriving UK screen sector.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help retain experienced freelance technicians in the UK screen sector.

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport recognises that the freelance workforce is crucial to the success of the UK's world-leading creative industries, including the screen sector, but we understand that many self-employed workers in the creative industries desire greater job security.We committed in the Creative Industries Sector Plan to increase the productivity, resilience and diversity of the creative workforce, including through the appointment of a Freelance Champion, who will advocate for the creative sector’s freelancers within government and be a member of the Creative Industries Council. Building on the Sector Plan, we are developing a sector Jobs Plan which will provide a clear direction of travel for government and industry to develop the domestic workforce together. The Creative Industries Jobs Plan will be published later this year.For film and TV specifically, the global market is evolving quickly, creating significant opportunities for the UK. We remain an open and highly attractive destination for international investment, including £5.8 billion in inward screen investment in 2025 and record film production spend, and this has helped deliver some of our most successful content. Major global studios and streamers are investing directly in UK skills and talent, including through support for the National Film and Television School (NFTS) and initiatives like the Prime Video Pathway. This investment strengthens our workforce and we want it to continue.We are pairing global investment with strong public action to build resilience across the sector. Through the Creative Industries Sector Plan, we are delivering a £75 million Screen Growth Package to scale up domestic production, £10 million for the NFTS to create 2,000 new trainee and apprenticeship places, and £150 million through the Creative Places Growth Fund to expand film and TV activity across the regions. These measures sit alongside competitive tax reliefs, including the Independent Film Tax Credit, modernised co‑production treaties and expanded finance via the British Business Bank.We have also strengthened terms of trade through the Media Act and have asked the Competition and Markets Authority, supported by Ofcom, to consider how market developments, including convergence, should inform future competition assessments. Through the BBC Charter Review and ongoing engagement with streamers, independents and Public Service Media (PSM) providers, we will continue to ensure that commissioning practices support a sustainable workforce and a thriving UK screen sector.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support the development of standardised skills frame-works and transferable accreditation systems for freelance technical roles in the UK screen industries.

The Creative Industries Sector Plan sets out our approach to developing a high-quality and targeted skills and training offer, meeting the workforce requirements of the creative industries. This includes responding to the rapid changes in the screen sector to build a resilient skills base that can adapt and thrive as new opportunities emerge, and to retain knowledge within the domestic freelance workforce. We are supporting industry to develop skills passports, which will support the documenting and transfer of industry-recognised skills and competencies. The Government’s £10 million investment in the National Film and Television School (NFTS) will deliver 2,000 new trainee and apprenticeship opportunities and has unlocked £11 million in private investment from partners including Disney, the Broccoli Foundation, and Sky. The investment is focused on increasing access for disabled students and providing structured career paths. This adds to the Government's investment in infrastructure to support virtual production and adoption of emerging technology as part of the government’s £75.6 million investment in the CoSTAR programme and its expansion through DCMS's £25 million Createch Futures. As part of the BFI National Lottery Funding Plan 2026-2029, £35.55 million will also be provided for Skills and Workforce Development. This includes a refreshed BFI Film Academy with additional Government funding, continuation of the BFI National Lottery Skills Clusters Fund and the WorkWise for Screen pilot. More broadly, this Government is transforming the apprenticeships offer into a new growth and skills offer, which will offer greater flexibility to employers and learners. As of August 2025, shorter apprenticeships are now possible for screen and audio production assistant apprentices, and from April 2026, we will introduce short course ‘apprenticeship units’ in areas such as digital and AI. Additionally, Skills Bootcamps continue to offer free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks in areas including Film Production and Screen Crafts, giving people the chance to build sector-specific skills with an offer of a job interview on completion. In November, Skills England also introduced the UK Standard Skills Classification, the first standardised skills framework of its kind in our country, to help everyone from individual job seekers to major employers to navigate the world of skills with confidence.

Communities and Local Government, how many data centre developments have been granted consent under the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects regime.

To date, no data centres have been granted consent under the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects regime.