Written questions by Blake.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to introduce a community right to buy for nature that would enable local communities to (a) purchase and (b) restore land for (i) environmental and (ii) biodiversity purposes.

The government is committed to ensuring that communities are able to protect all local assets that are important to them. The new community right to buy, which we are introducing through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, will give communities stronger powers to take ownership of these assets and save them for future community use. Communities will be able to nominate any asset that furthers the social or economic wellbeing of the community, which will include a range of environmental assets, and purchase these if they are put up for sale.

What steps her Department is taking with local authorities to increase the number of dedicated cycle lines.

The Spending Review in June 2025 allocated £616 million for Active Travel England to support local authorities to build and maintain walking and cycling infrastructure from 2026/27 onwards, including dedicated cycling routes. This comes on top of £222.5 million announced in February 2025 for local authorities over 2024/25-25/26. Local authorities are responsible for deciding on how to invest the funding, in line with local priorities.

When he plans to increase legal aid rates.

We have confirmed we will be uplifting housing and immigration legal aid fees. Overall spending in these categories will increase by 24% for housing work and 30% for immigration work. This represents a significant investment – the first since 1996 – resulting in an increase of £20 million a year once fully implemented.We have recently consulted on funding of up to £92 million more a year for criminal legal aid and prison solicitors to help address the ongoing challenges in the criminal justice system. This money is in addition to the £24 million uplift the Government introduced to the criminal duty solicitor scheme.Following the cyber security incident, our focus has been on restoring Legal Aid Agency services, ensuring access to justice through business continuity, including delegating authority to providers and offering weekly average civil payments. These contingency measures have supported providers to continue to operate and support the public. However, we are committed to implementing the significant fee uplifts in civil and criminal legal aid as soon as operationally possible.

Whether the eligibility criteria for covid-19 boosters has changed for unpaid carers.

The Government’s policy on eligibility for vaccination programmes is based on advice from the independent scientific advisory committee, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). For autumn 2025, the JCVI advised that COVID-19 vaccination be offered to:adults aged 75 years old and over;residents in care homes for older adults; andpersons aged six months old and over who are immunosuppressed, as defined in the ‘immunosuppression’ section of tables three and four in the COVID-19 chapter of the UK Health Security Agency’s Green Book.The eligibility of COVID-19 vaccines for unpaid carers in autumn 2025 is the same as it was in 2024 and has not changed this year. Unpaid carers are not eligible for COVID-19 vaccination in the national programme. If unpaid carers quality on other grounds, for example, if they are immunosuppressed, then they can come forward to get a vaccine.The Government has accepted the JCVI’s advice for COVID-19 vaccine eligibility in autumn 2025.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of excluding unpaid carers from the covid-19 booster shot scheme.

The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).In its advice for autumn 2024, the JCVI advised that in the era of highly transmissible Omicron sub-variants, any protection offered by the vaccine against the transmission of infection from one person to another is expected to be extremely limited. Therefore, the indirect benefits of vaccination, vaccinating an individual such as an unpaid carer in order to reduce the risk of severe disease in other people, are less evident now compared with previous years, and therefore unpaid carers were not eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination in autumn 2024.In line with JCVI’s advice, the autumn 2025 programme is focused on targeted vaccination of the oldest adults, those aged 75 years old and over and residents in a care home for older adults, and individuals who are immunosuppressed. These are the two groups who continue to be at higher risk of serious disease, including mortality. Any unpaid carer who is eligible through age or immunosuppression for vaccination in this campaign is encouraged to take up the offer.

Whether he plans to take steps to reduce the waiting time for ADHD prescription under Sheffield Adult Autism and Neurodevelopmental Service.

The Government has recognised that, nationally, demand for assessments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays accessing such assessments.It is the responsibility of the integrated care boards (ICBs) in England to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to ADHD assessment and treatment, in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.NHS England established an ADHD taskforce which brought together those with lived experience with experts from the NHS, education, charity, and justice sectors to get a better understanding of the challenges affecting those with ADHD, including in accessing services and support. An interim report was published on 20 June, with the final report expected later this year, and we will carefully consider its recommendations.The NHS South Yorkshire ICB advises that the Sheffield Adult Autism and Neurodevelopmental Service is reviewing its diagnostic pathways and recruiting additional staff in order to improve efficiency within the service. The NHS South Yorkshire ICB has also commissioned the Adult Autism and ADHD Support Hub, delivered by the voluntary sector organisation, Mental Health Matters, to offer free support to autistic people and people with ADHD living in Sheffield. The hub provides a range of practical advice and information on areas such as confidence building, peer support, and wellbeing.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure Physician Associates are supported to transition into new roles within the NHS on equal bands to their current roles.

The principal question of the Leng Review was to assess whether the roles of physician assistants (PAs) and physician assistants in anaesthesia, 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 recommendations include ensuring that PAs have the opportunity for ongoing training and development in the context of a formal certification and credentialling programme. Professor Leng will be undertaking a temporary and continuing role to support the implementation of the recommendations, which will include driving wider discussions with a range of system partners including NHS England, the General Medical Council, royal colleges, professional bodies, and higher education institutions to consider further the changes needed to implement the recommendations. We are committed to training the staff we need to ensure patients are cared for by the right professional, when and where they need it. Our forthcoming 10 Year Workforce Plan will look at how to get the right people, in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the best care, and we will consider the findings of the Leng Review when developing the plan.

Communities and Local Government, if he will (a) make an assessment of the extent of and (b) take steps to help tackle barriers to local authorities practicing ethical divestment.

Local authorities are responsible for their own investments and accountable to their electorate. When making investment decisions, authorities must, however, ensure they comply with legislation and guidance intended to ensure that decisions are prudent, affordable and sustainable. Investment strategies for Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) funds are set by local pension committees, and include how social, environmental and corporate governance and responsible investment considerations are taken into account. Pension committees must have regard to their fiduciary duty to scheme members and employers when setting their investment strategy and must follow relevant legislation and guidance.

Whether she has any plans to increase the yearly income threshold for postgraduate student loans to above £21,000.

​​The postgraduate loans schemes were introduced to help remove the financial barrier faced by those wishing to step up to achieve a postgraduate level qualification. They are part of the long-term commitment to make the UK more globally competitive by increasing the number of those with high level skills and knowledge. As part of the department’s ongoing work, we always consider a range of factors which can affect repayment thresholds and recognise the importance of ensuring that the system remains fair for borrowers, as well as being financially sustainable.​The department will announce the postgraduate loan threshold applicable from 2026/2027 financial year in due course.

What steps his Department are taking to ensure drivers leave at least 1.5 metres of space when overtaking cyclists.

The Highway Code was updated in 2022 to include changes to improve safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders, including guidance on safe passing distances and speeds and the introduction of a hierarchy of road users. The Department ran a THINK! campaign to raise awareness of the changes as they came into effect. This was followed by broader behaviour change campaigns in the summer of 2022 and 2023, to help embed the changes and encourage understanding and uptake of the guidance. We also promote cycle safety advice for cyclists and motorists via THINK! social channels, education resources and run radio filler advertising encouraging motorists to maintain safe driving distances from cyclists and horse riders and to use the Dutch Reach when opening car doors to help keep cyclists safe. The Department has not made any assessment of the potential impact of increasing the size of car bonnets on pedestrian or cyclist safety. All mass-produced cars are required to meet pedestrian protection requirements which are designed to protect pedestrians and cyclists in the event of a crash. However, we are aware of the issue and intend to commission some work in this area to fully understand the impact of the trend in increased bonnet height.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take steps to extend the ban on water company bonuses to cover payments from offshore companies.

This Government has been clear about our expectations - and those of the public - regarding unwarranted water company bonuses. Companies should be transparent over the entire remuneration package for executives, so Ofwat can robustly monitor and enforce against its new rule on executive remuneration and assess the rule’s effectiveness ahead of the planned review in 2027. Should Ofwat find any rule breaches, companies will face enforcement action which can include financial penalties.

Whether he plans to (a) increase statutory paternity pay and (b) extend the duration of protected paternity leave.

The standard rate of Statutory Pay, including Statutory Paternity Pay, is reviewed annually at the discretion of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. From April 2025, the rate increased from £184.03 to £187.18 per week. When considering calls to increase entitlements for parents, the Government must balance the needs of parents, the impact on employers, and affordability for taxpayers. However, we recognise that more can be done to support working families. On 1 July we launched the Parental Leave and Pay Review, which will consider all existing and upcoming parental leave entitlements, including paternity leave and pay.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of increasing the size of car bonnets on (a) pedestrian and (b) cyclist safety.

The Highway Code was updated in 2022 to include changes to improve safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders, including guidance on safe passing distances and speeds and the introduction of a hierarchy of road users. The Department ran a THINK! campaign to raise awareness of the changes as they came into effect. This was followed by broader behaviour change campaigns in the summer of 2022 and 2023, to help embed the changes and encourage understanding and uptake of the guidance. We also promote cycle safety advice for cyclists and motorists via THINK! social channels, education resources and run radio filler advertising encouraging motorists to maintain safe driving distances from cyclists and horse riders and to use the Dutch Reach when opening car doors to help keep cyclists safe. The Department has not made any assessment of the potential impact of increasing the size of car bonnets on pedestrian or cyclist safety. All mass-produced cars are required to meet pedestrian protection requirements which are designed to protect pedestrians and cyclists in the event of a crash. However, we are aware of the issue and intend to commission some work in this area to fully understand the impact of the trend in increased bonnet height.

Whether (a) asylum seeking families, (b) asylum seeking unaccompanied minors and (c) all types of asylum seekers would be eligible for transfer from asylum hotels to military barracks.

The Home Office is firmly committed to ensuring that destitute asylum seekers are provided with safe, secure, and appropriate accommodation, and that they are treated with dignity throughout the asylum process.Any requests to be accommodated in a particular location are considered under the Home Office Allocation of Asylum Accommodation Policy on a case-by-case basis, balancing the overarching principle that accommodation is offered on a ‘no choice basis’ against the strength of the exceptional circumstances.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a two per cent levy on Premier League player transfers costing more than £10 million.

The government is committed to ensuring the long-term health of English football at all levels. At this moment in time, the government is not considering a levy on football transfers. The government continues to keep options under review to help ensure the financial sustainability of the English footballing pyramid.

With reference to her Department's review of the adults at risk in immigration detention policy, whether she has considered the potential merits of including (a) lesbian, (b) bisexual and (c) gay people on the list of indicators of risk.

As part of the review of the adults at risk in immigration detention policy, I can confirm that officials have considered the merits of including lesbian, gay and bisexual people on the list of indicators of risk under the policy. In addition, written comments and representations from a number of organisations that represent lesbian, gay and bisexual people were provided to the Home Office further to external engagement on the review.

Communities and Local Government, if he will consider introducing legislation allowing councils to introduce landlord licensing powers across whole cities, rather than selective schemes.

On 23 December 2024, a new General Approval for selective licensing came into force. This enables local authorities to introduce selective licensing schemes of any size without seeking approval from the Secretary of State. Under the previous 2015 General Approval, approval was required for schemes covering more than 20% of a local authority’s Private Rented Sector stock or geographical area. No changes have been made to the legislative requirements for introducing and managing a selective licensing scheme. Local authorities will still need to meet the requirements under Part 3 of the Housing Act 2004 and comply with the condition in the General Approval to consult for at least 10 weeks on any new schemes.

What steps she is taking to ensure the safety of cyclists.

The Highway Code was updated in 2022 to include changes to improve safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders, including guidance on safe passing distances and speeds and the introduction of a hierarchy of road users. The Department ran a THINK! campaign to raise awareness of the changes as they came into effect. This was followed by broader behaviour change campaigns in the summer of 2022 and 2023, to help embed the changes and encourage understanding and uptake of the guidance. We also promote cycle safety advice for cyclists and motorists via THINK! social channels, education resources and run radio filler advertising encouraging motorists to maintain safe driving distances from cyclists and horse riders and to use the Dutch Reach when opening car doors to help keep cyclists safe. The Department has not made any assessment of the potential impact of increasing the size of car bonnets on pedestrian or cyclist safety. All mass-produced cars are required to meet pedestrian protection requirements which are designed to protect pedestrians and cyclists in the event of a crash. However, we are aware of the issue and intend to commission some work in this area to fully understand the impact of the trend in increased bonnet height.

With reference to her Department's Statement of 1 September 2025 on Borders and Asylum, Official Report, col 26, what steps she plans to take to tighten the test for asylum accommodation.

We are reviewing our processes, policies and legislation to ensure that only those who need support receive it. We will set out reforms to the asylum system later this year in the Asylum Policy statement.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the (a) feasibility and (b) effectiveness of a prospective agreement between the UK and other parties withdrawing from the Energy Charter Treaty.

The UK withdrew from the Energy Charter Treaty on 27 April 2025. Ten other Energy Charter Treaty Contracting Parties have withdrawn, or are withdrawing from the Energy Charter Treaty.The UK Government is committed to delivering its Growth and Clean Energy Missions agendas and to working multilaterally to achieve this, such as at the OECD and the UN.