Written questions by Glover.

What steps she is taking to support employers in reducing stigma in relation to menopause in the workplace.

Awaiting answer.

Whether she has made an estimate of the funding required by Network Rail for the control period 2029 to 2034 to recover the average asset age to 2015 levels across key asset categories.

Awaiting answer.

Whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of Network Rail's funding from 2024 to 2029 to prevent average asset deterioration of the railway network by maintaining the average asset (a) age and (b) percentage life used for key asset groups.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment they have made of the adequacy of the legal framework that pavement delivery robots operate within.

The Government does not have any involvement, and has not approved, any pavement delivery robot operations in the UK. The Government recognises that the current legal framework does not provide the certainty businesses need to invest, which is why we have committed to introduce a new Low-speed Zero Emission Vehicle category to regulate micromobility vehicles, including pavement robots, when parliamentary time allows.

Food and Rural Affairs, how much weight is given to protecting (a) businesses and (b) national infrastructure when directing resources in flood risk assessments.

This Government is investing £10.5 billion until 2036 to construct new flood schemes and repair existing defences, protecting communities from the devastating impacts of climate change. On 14 October, following consultation, the Government announced major changes to its flood and coastal erosion funding policy. Projects will be prioritised by their benefit-to-cost ratios to drive value for money. Protecting business and national infrastructure are both included within the overall economic benefits calculation.

Whether her Department has assessed changes in average asset age and percentage asset life used across major railway infrastructure asset categories since 2015.

Awaiting answer.

What vehicle type are pavement delivery robots classified as in legislation.

The Government does not have any involvement, and has not approved, any pavement delivery robot operations in the UK. The Government recognises that the current legal framework does not provide the certainty businesses need to invest, which is why we have committed to introduce a new Low-speed Zero Emission Vehicle category to regulate micromobility vehicles, including pavement robots, when parliamentary time allows.

What assessment they have made of the reasons for delays in processing applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain under the Settlement Protection route for Syrian nationals.

On 11 December 2024, the Home Office paused all decisions on Settlement Protection applications from Syrian nationals whilst we assessed the country situation.This was a necessary step while there was no stable, objective information available to make robust assessments of risk on return to Syria. We resumed decision-making on 14 July 2025, following the publication of updated country information.It has been a long-standing position that safe return reviews must be conducted when considering settlement protection applications. The Home Office is in the process of writing out to applicants to gather further evidence where it is required. Applications are being considered in chronological order based on the date of application. Due to the substantial cohort of cases, approximately 3,500 in total, the department requires some time to address the outstanding applications.The Home Office is considering applications based on their individual merits in accordance with our international obligations.  Due to the significant change in the country’s situation, there could be instances where further evidence may need to be gathered to assess these applications and determine if there is an ongoing need for protection.Applicants may be required to complete an interview, in order to provide information to progress claims and support a decision.  In a small number of cases, applicants who have completed their interview may be required to provide additional information, where insufficient evidence upon which to make a decision is available.In line with our international obligations, we will not remove anyone to their own or any other country where they have a well-founded fear of persecution or are at risk of serious harm.

Whether her Department has approved the use of pavement delivery robots to operate in urban areas.

The Government does not have any involvement, and has not approved, any pavement delivery robot operations in the UK. The Government recognises that the current legal framework does not provide the certainty businesses need to invest, which is why we have committed to introduce a new Low-speed Zero Emission Vehicle category to regulate micromobility vehicles, including pavement robots, when parliamentary time allows.

How her department is contributing to assessments on local government reorganisation.

While the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is the lead department on local government reorganisation, my department has provided input to them on transport impacts at both interim and final plan stages.

Whether loss of revenue from user charges at the Dartford Crossings is accounted for in the Department's finances.

Awaiting answer.

What steps the department is taking to ensure early diagnosis for individuals with dementia.

To support recovery of the dementia diagnosis rates and implementation of the Dementia Care Pathway, we have developed a memory service dashboard for management information purposes. The aim is to support commissioners and providers with appropriate data and enable targeted support where needed.We will deliver the first ever Frailty and Dementia Modern Service Framework to deliver rapid and significant improvements in the quality of care and productivity. This will be informed by phase one of the independent commission into adult social care, which is expected this year. The Frailty and Dementia Modern Service Framework will seek to reduce unwarranted variation and narrow inequality for those living with dementia, it will set national standards for dementia care, and will redirect National Health Service priorities to provide the best possible care and support.

What discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues on AEAT pension arrangements.

This matter was discussed with parliamentarians during the passage of the Pension Schemes Act.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of establishing a process to allow Atomic Energy Authority Technology pension scheme closed section members to leave the Pension Protection Fund and re-join a public sector pension scheme, including the UK Atomic Energy Authority scheme.

The Pension Protection Fund is a compensation scheme, and its operating structure reflects this. The Pension Protection Fund does not operate as a segregated fund, where individual schemes contributions are ringfenced. Once a scheme transfers to the Pension Protection Fund, the scheme does not exist anymore. Through the Pension Schemes Act, we have taken action by introducing legislation to provide annual increases on compensation payments from the Pension Protection Fund on pensions built up before 6 April 1997, where schemes provided for this. We are now focusing on the implementation of this change, and I can confirm that AEAT members with pre-97 accrual will benefit.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to phase out the use of CO2 gas chambers in slaughterhouses.

As set out in this Government’s animal welfare strategy, Defra will consult on banning carbon dioxide gas stunning of pigs and on possible timescales for phasing out this method. Further details will be set out later this year.

What steps the department is taking to reduce regional disparities in dementia diagnosis rates.

To support recovery of the dementia diagnosis rates and implementation of the Dementia Care Pathway, we have developed a memory service dashboard for management information purposes. The aim is to support commissioners and providers with appropriate data and enable targeted support where needed.To reduce variation in diagnosis rates, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities’ Dementia Intelligence Network has developed a tool for local systems, which includes an assessment of population characteristics such as rurality and socio-economic deprivation. This enables systems to investigate local variation in diagnosis and take informed action to enhance their diagnosis rates. The tool has been released and is available via the NHS Futures Collaboration platform.We will deliver the first ever Modern Service framework for Frailty and Dementia to deliver rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity. This will seek to reduce unwarranted variation and narrow inequality for those living with dementia and will set national standards for dementia care and redirect National Health Service priorities to provide the best possible care and support.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she will commit to developing a roadmap for the transition to in-ovo sexing in the UK egg industry.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 4 March 2026 to the hon. Member York Central, PQ UIN 116174.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether a consultation on ending the routine culling of male chicks through in-ovo sexing is under consideration.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 4 March 2026 to the hon. Member York Central, PQ UIN 116174.

Whether he has considered requesting that the Government Actuary’s Department publish the calculations behind the sum transferred to the AEAT pension scheme at the time of privatisation.

The Department for Work and Pensions was not involved in the privatisation of Atomic Energy Authority Technology in 1996.

What guidance his Department provides to Government departments on responding to recommendations by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman involving financial redress.

Awaiting answer.