Written questions by Maskell.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that (a) water supply systems and (b) other critical infrastructure are resilient to projected climate impacts.

Awaiting answer.

What steps his Department is taking to improve the resilience of the NHS to (a) heatwaves, (b) flooding and (c) other climate-related risks.

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, what support is being provided to local authorities to retrofit existing housing stock to improve climate resilience, in the context of the Climate Change Committee’s Well Adapted UK report.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support (a) wetland restoration, (b) tree planting and (c) other nature-based solutions to mitigate (i) flood and (ii) heat risks.

Awaiting answer.

If she will confirm whether the expediting of Visas and support for exiting Gaza for Chevening and full scholarship offer holders for Gazan students will be extended to the next academic year.

Awaiting answer.

If providers do not wish to engage with Palantir's FDP, what steps is he taking to ensure that they can procure alternative services.

The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

What progress he has made on the Palliative Care MSF; and what plans he has to consult on his proposals on this.

The Government is developing a Modern Service Framework (MSF) for Palliative Care and End of Life Care in England. The MSF is a clinically led, evidence-based framework to support sustained improvements in outcomes for patients and carers, including by reducing unwarranted variation and addressing inequalities in access, experience and outcomes. This will be aligned with the ambitions set out in the last year’s published 10-Year Health Plan.We intend to publish the full MSF report in autumn 2026, with an interim update planned for publication shortly.We are committed to continuing to work closely with stakeholders and have already engaged with a range of stakeholders, from around 70 different organisations, to inform the MSF’s development. The call for evidence for the MSF resulted in over 150 responses from stakeholders.There will be further opportunities for stakeholders to feed in as we work through the next stages of the MSF development, details of which will be communicated via our regional NHS England teams, the NHS Alliance and the Ambitions Partnership.

What steps he is taking to measure the productivity of integrated care boards.

Awaiting answer.

For what reason a single pensioner's household income could be less than that of a couple and the couple could be entitled to the Winter Fuel Allowance where the single pensioner was not.

Winter Fuel Payments are assessed and, where applicable, recovered on an individual basis rather than by reference to total household income. This reflects the structure of the personal tax system. Winter Fuel Payments remain a simple scheme to provide a lump sum payment to the majority of pensioners quickly and automatically, without the need to claim. The system for withdrawing the Winter Fuel Payment for those with higher incomes is simple and cost-effective to deliver. The £35,000 threshold means that more than three quarters of pensioners will benefit from the Winter Fuel Payment. The threshold is in line with average earnings and means those on lower and middle incomes are receiving the help they need whilst ensuring payments are better targeted than the previous near-universal payment; and ensuring fairness for both pensioners and taxpayers.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that Water Company Executive Members do not have salaries and bonuses subsidised by parent companies.

The Government is strengthening transparency and accountability in the water sector. Ofwat recently consulted on tightening executive remuneration reporting requirements. Companies are now required to publicly report the total remuneration received by each director and breakdown the different elements of that remuneration, including explanations of what each element of pay relates to, across regulated, group and parent companies. Ofwat will continue to scrutinise executive remuneration arrangements to ensure they are reported transparently. Government expects companies to abide by both the letter and spirit of the bonus rule.

What progress has been made on the Casey Review of Social Care, and when does he expect the publication of the stage 1 report on this.

Awaiting answer.

When will he publish the MSF on Palliative Care.

The Government is developing a Modern Service Framework (MSF) for Palliative Care and End of Life Care for England, with a planned publication of the full report in autumn 2026. This will be aligned with the ambitions set out in the last year’s published 10-Year Health Plan.An interim update on the development of the MSF will be published shortly.

With reference to the Answer of 11 December 2025 to Question 95988 on Mechanical Thrombectomy: Health Services, when North East and Yorkshire region will gain 24/7 access to thrombectomy.

Regional North East NHS commissioners are in active discussion with their services and a funded programme is in place to secure 24/7 access to thrombectomy this year. Services will open as soon as safe to do so.

What estimate he has made of the proportion of elective surgery undertaken in the independent sector; and how this compares in numerical terms and as a percentage with each of the last 5 years.

Awaiting answer.

How many people on NHS waiting lists have been removed (a) in total, (b) because they were a duplicate appointment, (c) because the person had deceased or (d) for any other reason other than receiving a consultation.

Awaiting answer.

What steps are required under the Palantir Federated Data Platform contract to end the contract.

The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Communities and Local Government, what criteria will be used to allocate future Pride in Place grants; and if he will use the lower tier indices of deprivation to provide support to communities.

Awaiting answer.

Whether he has plans to review contracts with Palentir: and if he will publish the the value of the contracts with them.

Awaiting answer.

What the cost to the public purse is of the (a) appointment, (b) dismissal, (c) inquiries and (d) reviews associated with the appointment of Peter Mandelson.

Awaiting answer.

How many officials are working on the humble Address concerning Peter Mandelson.

Awaiting answer.