Written questions by Glover.

In the last academic year, what (a) percentage and (b) number of pupils were eligible for the Pupil Premium and received the 16-19 large programme uplift funding for studying a T Level and at least one A Level alongside.

The Pupil Premium is not available for post-16 students. Therefore, no students were eligible in the last academic year for the Pupil Premium and received the Large Programme Uplift for studying four or more A levels or a T Level and at least one A level alongside.

What number of students eligible for the 16-19 large programme uplift funding in the last five academic years studied four or more A Levels and pursued STEM-related subjects.

The requested data can be found in the below table. Please note that the large programme uplift (LPU) is calculated using attainment data and as such operates on a three-year lag. Therefore, the latest LPU calculation was for 2025/26 academic year allocations based on 2022/23 attainment data. The department has announced that moving forward LPU funding will be focused on large programmes which include maths, further maths and other high value A-levels.Time PeriodNumber of Students2022/2376062021/2278752020/2191262019/2082302018/196485 Notes about the data:1. Includes state-funded students who ended 16-18 study in the reported year (e.g. 2022/23).2. Includes students who entered for at least four STEM A levels and achieved at least a grade B in each A level, or a grade C in the case of further mathematics.3. Discounting rules apply (i.e. where students have multiples entries in the same subject, the best result is included).4. STEM subjects are defined by subject mapping codes as used in the A level and other 16 to 18 results statistical release.

What information her Department holds on the number of (a) buses and (b) batteries manufactured by Yutong that are supplied to bus companies operating in the UK.

The information on the number of Yutong electric buses operating in the UK is already published as part of the vehicle licensing statistics.The Department does not hold data on whether batteries manufactured by Yutong are supplied separately to bus companies operating in the UK.

Whether she has had meetings with Yutong on the supply of (a) buses and (b) batteries to the UK.

To date the Secretary of State has not had any meetings with Yutong on the supply of buses and batteries to the UK.

Innovation and Technology, if she will review the adequacy of the funding levels for Project Gigabit in Oxfordshire.

As part of Project Gigabit, Gigaclear is delivering two contracts across Oxfordshire, with a combined value of £26.5 million, to provide gigabit-capable broadband to premises not included in suppliers’ commercial rollout plans. Approximately 9,500 premises across Oxfordshire are currently included in these contracts, which are being delivered until the end of 2026.The Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, which forms another part of Project Gigabit, is currently closed in the Oxfordshire area as our priority currently is to provide gigabit coverage to as many premises as possible through Gigaclear’s contracts.We will aim to cover the remaining premises as far as possible as funding becomes available, in line with the objective of achieving nationwide gigabit coverage by 2032.

For what reason 3-year Network Railcards have been discontinued.

The Network Railcard was introduced by British Rail in 1986 on a one-year basis, which continues to exist. There has been no withdrawal of a three-year Network Railcard, which has never existed.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 51729 on Railways: Electrification, when she plans to publish the whole-life costs for (a) full and (b) partial electrification for all rolling stock traction types.

Officials from the Department for Transport are working closely with Network Rail to produce their new 'Long-term Planning for Rail Decarbonisation' strategy, this strategy will include an examination of the whole life costs of each option to upgrade traction to set out a realistic, affordable, and deliverable approach to a net zero railway. We expect Network Rail to engage with industry as part of the development of this strategy and we expect to see a draft of this strategy before the end of this year.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 51730 on Railways: Electrification, if she will list all reports and documents that train operators have (a) submitted to and (b) discussed with her Department on the acceleration capability of trains powered by (i) batteries, (ii) overhead catenary systems and (iii) contact rail systems for operating speeds of up to 125 miles per hour.

Department officials are working closely with train operators and Network Rail to build a full understanding of the different traction opportunities as we work towards Net Zero in rail by 2050. The Rail Industry has developed a range of evidence supporting the known case for the reliability and performance benefits of electric traction over diesel traction in rail. This includes work by the Rail Safety & Standards Board, the Railway Industry Association, and Network Rail, examples of which are provided below. https://www.rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T1145https://www.riagb.org.uk/RIA/RIA/Newsroom/Publications%20Folder/Why_Rail_Electrification_Report.aspxhttps://www.riagb.org.uk/RIA/RIA/Newsroom/Publications%20Folder/A_lower_cost__higher_performing_net-zero_railway.aspxhttps://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Traction-Decarbonisation-Network-Strategy-Interim-Programme-Business-Case.pdf It is also important to note that these technologies, particularly battery, are rapidly developing and our understanding is constantly growing with the support of Network Rail and our train operators.

Pu if she will list all reports and documents that train operators have (a) submitted to and (b) discussed with her Department on the reliability of battery (i) bi-mode, (ii) tri-mode, (iii) battery/electric hybrid and (iv) fully electric trains.

Department officials are working closely with train operators and Network Rail to build a full understanding of the different traction opportunities as we work towards Net Zero in rail by 2050. The rail industry has developed a range of evidence supporting the known case for the reliability and performance benefits of electric traction over diesel traction in rail. This includes work by the Rail Safety & Standards Board, the Railway Industry Association, and Network Rail, examples of which are provided below. https://www.rssb.co.uk/research-catalogue/CatalogueItem/T1145https://www.riagb.org.uk/RIA/RIA/Newsroom/Publications%20Folder/Why_Rail_Electrification_Report.aspxhttps://www.riagb.org.uk/RIA/RIA/Newsroom/Publications%20Folder/A_lower_cost__higher_performing_net-zero_railway.aspxhttps://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Traction-Decarbonisation-Network-Strategy-Interim-Programme-Business-Case.pdf It is also important to note that these technologies, particularly battery, are rapidly developing and our understanding is constantly growing with the support of Network Rail and our train operators.

Innovation and Technology, whether her Department plans to reintroduce the gigabit voucher scheme in Oxfordshire.

As part of Project Gigabit, Gigaclear is delivering two contracts across Oxfordshire, with a combined value of £26.5 million, to provide gigabit-capable broadband to premises not included in suppliers’ commercial rollout plans. Approximately 9,500 premises across Oxfordshire are currently included in these contracts, which are being delivered until the end of 2026.The Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, which forms another part of Project Gigabit, is currently closed in the Oxfordshire area as our priority currently is to provide gigabit coverage to as many premises as possible through Gigaclear’s contracts.We will aim to cover the remaining premises as far as possible as funding becomes available, in line with the objective of achieving nationwide gigabit coverage by 2032.

Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that Oxfordshire has 99% gigabit coverage by 2032.

As part of Project Gigabit, Gigaclear is delivering two contracts across Oxfordshire, with a combined value of £26.5 million, to provide gigabit-capable broadband to premises not included in suppliers’ commercial rollout plans. Approximately 9,500 premises across Oxfordshire are currently included in these contracts, which are being delivered until the end of 2026.The Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, which forms another part of Project Gigabit, is currently closed in the Oxfordshire area as our priority currently is to provide gigabit coverage to as many premises as possible through Gigaclear’s contracts.We will aim to cover the remaining premises as far as possible as funding becomes available, in line with the objective of achieving nationwide gigabit coverage by 2032.

Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of New Zealand's housing-with-care sector and the supply of new homes in that country.

As part of our commitment to enhancing provision and choice for older people in the housing market, my Department continues to consider a range of overseas systems.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of issuing a Section 60 Order to update fitness to practise proceedings for dental professionals.

The Government is committed to modernising the regulatory frameworks for all healthcare professionals in the United Kingdom.In the first instance, we plan to consult on secondary legislation to modernise the General Medical Council’s regulatory framework in late 2025, and to deliver reformed legislation for the Health and Care Professions Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Council within the current Parliamentary period.The Department will continue to work with all regulators, the devolved administrations, and other key partners as we develop more consistent, efficient, and effective regulatory frameworks.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the concerns raised by the Dental Defence Union in their British Dental Journal article, published on 16 May 2025 in relation to the delays in fitness to practise proceedings.

The Government is committed to modernising the regulatory frameworks for all healthcare professionals in the United Kingdom.In the first instance, we plan to consult on secondary legislation to modernise the General Medical Council’s regulatory framework in late 2025, and to deliver reformed legislation for the Health and Care Professions Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Council within the current Parliamentary period.The Department will continue to work with all regulators, the devolved administrations, and other key partners as we develop more consistent, efficient, and effective regulatory frameworks.

Food and Rural Affairs, what progress his Department has made on establishing a national social tariff for water consumers.

The Independent Water Commission made a recommendation to consult on a National Social Tariff, which Government is taking into consideration and will provide a response to later this year in a White Paper. Water companies have more than doubled the number of customers that will receive help with their bills through existing social tariffs – from 4% to 9% - and the Government expects industry to keep the current support schemes under review to ensure that vulnerable customers across the country are supported.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of a national social tariff.

The Independent Water Commission made a recommendation to consult on a National Social Tariff which the Government is taking into consideration and will provide a response to later this year in a White Paper. The Government is working with industry to keep current support schemes under review to ensure that vulnerable customers across the country are supported and expects water companies to ensure support is available for vulnerable customers who are struggling to pay their bills. Companies have therefore more than doubled the number of customers that will receive help with their bills through existing social tariffs – from 4% to 9%.

What steps he is taking to reduce concerns amongst NHS dental professionals about the cost of clinical negligence claims.

The rising costs of clinical negligence claims against the National Health Service in England are of great concern to the Government. The causes of the overall cost rise are complex and there is no single fix. In the 10 Year Health Plan we announced David Lock KC will be providing expert policy advice on the rising legal costs of clinical negligence claims, ahead of a review by the Department in the autumn. This review is focussed on clinical negligence claims in the NHS generally, not specifically on dentistry.In terms of NHS dentistry reform, we recently held a public consultation on a package of changes, not only to improve access and quality, but also to make NHS dentistry a more professionally fulfilling and rewarding place in which to work. The consultation closed on 19 August, and the Government is considering the outcomes of the consultation.

Whether NHS dental contract holders will be eligible for treatment at the Staff Treatment Hubs announced in the 10 Year Health Plan.

Following the publication of the 10-Year Health Plan, work is underway to develop implementation and operational plans for the Staff Treatments Hubs. This will determine factors such as location, budgets, timeframes and capacity.The commitment to Staff Treatment hubs set out in the 10-Year Health Plan draws on various evidence sources including the NHS England internal Staff Treatment Access Review. This demonstrated the clear productivity and economic argument for investing in the health of our NHS staff, particularly focusing on mental health and musculoskeletal treatment services as the main drivers of sickness absence in the NHS, as well as wider sectors.

What steps he is taking to reduce workplace pressures on NHS dentists.

We recently held a public consultation on a package of changes to improve access to, and the quality of NHS dentistry, which will deliver better care for the diverse oral health needs of people across England. The consultation closed on 19 August. The Government is considering the outcomes of the consultation and will publish a response in due course.If implemented, these reforms will cement our commitment to delivering 700,000 more urgent dental care appointments every year, better supporting patients with complex treatment needs and incentivising the delivery of more preventative care. The interim reform changes will seek to make NHS dentistry a more attractive workplace.We will also publish a 10 Year Workforce Plan and will ensure the NHS has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the best care for patients, when they need it.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the performance of the HM Revenue and Customs helpline.

HMRC publish monthly performance data, including information on their telephony service, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmrc-monthly-performance-reports.Improving day-to-day performance is one of the Government’s key priorities for HMRC.A key part of this plan is expanding HMRC’s digital services. This will reduce pressure on phone lines, freeing up HMRC advisors to help those who are digitally excluded, have complex tax affairs, or find themselves in vulnerable circumstances.As of 2024-25, there were more than 5.9 million users of the HMRC app, which allows people to manage their tax affairs quickly and easily.HMRC’s Transformation Roadmap sets out further steps to improve the customer experience for taxpayers, agents, and businesses. The Transformation Roadmap can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hmrc-transformation-roadmap