Written questions by Jones.

What discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on reducing the number of young people not in employment, education or training in a) Newport West and Islwyn constituency and b) South Wales.

Awaiting answer.

How many people aged 16 - 24 years were not in education, employment or training in Newport West and Islwyn constituency in each of the last six years.

Awaiting answer.

With reference to the Answer of 13 April 2026 to Question 122869 on Employment: Pets, what consideration he has given to measuring (a) companion animal ownership and (b) its impact on the UK labour market.

Awaiting answer.

Whether his Department plans to undertake research into the potential impact of companion animal ownership on a) labour market participation, b) productivity and c) flexible working.

I refer my Hon. friend to the answer I gave on 13th April to PQ 122869.

Whether his Department has undertaken any joint work with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to assess the a) societal and b) economic impact of companion animal ownership.

I refer my Hon. friend to the answer I gave on 13th April to PQ 122869.

Whether his Department plans to include variables relating to companion animal ownership in a) future labour market and b) household surveys.

I refer my Hon. friend to the answer I gave on 13th April to PQ 122869.

What comparative assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of (a) informal caregiving responsibilities and (b) companion animal care on labour market participation.

I refer my Hon. friend to the answer I gave on 13th April to PQ 122869.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of reductions in Access to Work awards at renewal on blind and partially sighted customers.

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

Whether Access to Work staff receive specialist advice on visual impairment when assessing applications and renewals for blind and partially sighted customers.

Access to Work staff are trained to assess applications from all disability groups and individual impairments, taking account of each customer’s needs and circumstances. Staff are able to access specific support relating to individual impairments where necessary.Where specialist advice is required to inform the outcome, Access to Work staff may arrange a workplace assessment through one of its contracted providers to help identify appropriate adjustments and support to address workplace barriers.

What assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of pet-related work absences, including those linked to veterinary care and emergencies.

The Government does not collect or hold information on the reasons for absence relating to the care of pets, including those linked to veterinary care and emergencies. Employers are responsible for managing wider categories of employee absence, including any time taken for caring responsibilities relating to pets, in line with their own workplace policies.

What comparative assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of (a) companion animal care functions and (b) informal caregiving on labour market participation.

The Department for Work and Pensions has made no assessment of pet‑related factors on labour market participation, productivity or flexibility. The Government does not collect or hold information on the impact that pet ownership has on the labour market. With regard to comparative assessments between companion animal care functions and informal caregiving, the Department has made no such assessment. However, the Department has published analysis and research on informal care and employment. This can be found in the Informal Carers and Employment: Summary Report of a Systematic Review, available at: Informal carers and employment: summary report of a systematic review - GOV.UK

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of pet ownership on a) productivity, b) labour market participation and c) flexibility.

The Department for Work and Pensions has made no assessment of pet‑related factors on labour market participation, productivity or flexibility. The Government does not collect or hold information on the impact that pet ownership has on the labour market. With regard to comparative assessments between companion animal care functions and informal caregiving, the Department has made no such assessment. However, the Department has published analysis and research on informal care and employment. This can be found in the Informal Carers and Employment: Summary Report of a Systematic Review, available at: Informal carers and employment: summary report of a systematic review - GOV.UK

What assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the Motability Scheme in providing access to wheelchair accessible vehicles for disabled people.

Changes to the Motability Scheme were announced as part of the Autumn Budget. An Equality Impact Assessment including consideration of the impact on affected individuals was undertaken and published by HMT as part of the Autumn Budget and can be found here: Motability Scheme: reforming tax reliefs - GOV.UK. Vehicles substantially designed for, or adapted for, wheelchair or stretcher users will continue to benefit from VAT reliefs on advance payments and the Insurance Premium Tax exemption, in recognition of the additional costs associated with these vehicles. Moreover, Motability Foundation - an independent charitable organisation with oversight of the Motability Scheme - and Motability Operations - an independent commercial company which delivers the Scheme - will continue to ensure the provision of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles, while continuing to cover the cost of standard adaptations (such as pedal extensions and steering aids). For customers who cannot afford essential costs or need more complex adaptations, the Motability Foundation will continue to provide means-tested grants to those most in need of financial help.

What quantitative analysis has been undertaken to assess the potential financial impacts of changes to the Motability scheme on users of the scheme.

An Equality Impact Assessment including consideration of the impact on affected individuals was undertaken and published by HMT as part of the Autumn Budget and can be found here: Motability Scheme: reforming tax reliefs - GOV.UK. The Motability Scheme will continue to offer a choice of vehicles to meet a range of accessibility needs and vehicles which require no advance payment, meaning that people will be able to access a suitable vehicle using only their qualifying disability benefit.  Motability Foundation, the independent charity with responsibility for overseeing the Scheme, will continue to offer means-tested grants to support eligible people who would otherwise struggle to afford the advance payment or adaptations for a vehicle, or a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) through the Scheme.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 December 2025 to Question 99252 on Motability, will he undertake an Equality Impact Assessment of changes to the Motability scheme to incorporate financial analysis of the potential impact of changes on different scheme users.

An Equality Impact Assessment including consideration of the impact on affected individuals was undertaken and published by HMT as part of the Autumn Budget and can be found here: Motability Scheme: reforming tax reliefs - GOV.UK. The Motability Scheme will continue to offer a choice of vehicles to meet a range of accessibility needs and vehicles which require no advance payment, meaning that people will be able to access a suitable vehicle using only their qualifying disability benefit.  Motability Foundation, the independent charity with responsibility for overseeing the Scheme, will continue to offer means-tested grants to support eligible people who would otherwise struggle to afford the advance payment or adaptations for a vehicle, or a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) through the Scheme.

Pursuant to the Answer of 26 November 2025 to question 94838, what impact enacting HSE proposals to change GB Classification, Labelling and Packaging will have on divergence between EU and GB mandatory hazard classifications for the same substance.

The Health and Safety Executive’s assessment is that the proposed changes to the GB Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation will not lead to greater divergence of the mandatory classification and labelling of individual substances between GB and the EU.

When he plans to publish an Equality Impact Assessment for changes to the Motability scheme.

The Motability Scheme is a lifeline for many disabled people and families, supporting their independence by enabling them to lease a car, wheelchair accessible vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair in exchange for an eligible disability benefit allowance. The government announced a package of reforms to the Motability Scheme at Autumn Budget 2025, which will ensure the scheme delivers value for money for the taxpayer, while continuing to support disabled people. An Equality Impact Assessment was undertaken and published by HMT as part of the Autumn Budget and can be found here: Motability Scheme: reforming tax reliefs - GOV.UK

What assessment has he made of the potential impact of the Government's changes to the Motability scheme on wheelchair users who do not use a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

The Motability Scheme is a lifeline for many disabled people and families, supporting their independence by enabling them to lease a car, wheelchair accessible vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair in exchange for an eligible disability benefit allowance. Before any announcements were made, Motability Operations confirmed it will continue to offer a broad range of vehicles without an Advance Payment. This will ensure that people who elect to join the Scheme can access vehicles suited to their needs, whether that’s a larger vehicle or extra boot space to carry wheelchairs, whatever their health condition or disability, in exchange for all or part of their mobility allowance. Motability Foundation will continue to offer means-tested grants to those most in need of financial help. These grants support eligible people who would otherwise struggle to afford the advance payment or adaptations for a vehicle, or a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) through the Motability Scheme.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the proposed changes to the Motability scheme on the lived experience of users.

The package of reforms to the Motability Scheme announced as part of the Budget will ensure the Scheme delivers fairness for the taxpayer, while continuing to support disabled people. The Scheme will continue to offer a choice of affordable vehicles to meet a range of accessibility needs and offer vehicles which require no advance payment, meaning that people will be able to access a suitable vehicle using only their qualifying disability benefit. Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) will apply to leases at the standard rate, bringing tax treatment in line with commercial leasing firms. Existing leases and vehicles substantially designed for, or adapted for, wheelchair or stretcher users will continue to benefit from VAT reliefs on advance payments and the IPT exemption, in recognition of the additional costs associated with these vehicles. Motability Foundation, the independent charity with responsibility for overseeing the Scheme, will continue to offer means-tested grants to support eligible people who would otherwise struggle to afford the advance payment.

When he intends to meet representatives of the Motability Collective Campaign Group.

Ministers regularly meet representative groups of a range of types and every request to meet a Minister is given consideration.