Written questions by Niblett.

What assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of (a) public health and (b) adult social care services in reducing the demand on (i) primary and (ii) acute services in South Derbyshire constituency.

The NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) is responsible for meeting the healthcare needs and demands of South Derbyshire's population.There is evidence that public health and adult social care interventions of different kinds can be effective, and cost-effective, in preventing or delaying the onset of ill health, which in turn supports better use of health and care resources. A shift from treatment to prevention and from acute hospital services to community services are part of the three strategic shifts underpinning our 10-Year Health Plan.We also recognise the need to alleviate pressures through increasing supply and reducing demand.We will make sure the future of general practice (GP) is sustainable by training thousands more GPs, guaranteeing a face-to-face appointment for all those who want one, and delivering a modern booking system.The Government will publish a plan setting out how urgent and emergency care services across England will be supported to deliver improvements.

If she will hold discussions with mortgage lenders on the adequacy of their lending criteria for homes within 200 metres of a pylon.

The pricing and availability of mortgages is a commercial decision for mortgage lenders in which the Government does not intervene. However, the Government is regularly in contact with mortgage lenders on all aspects of their business, including the provision of finance to different cohorts of borrowers. The UK also benefits from a competitive mortgage market, with a wide variety of products available. Any prospective borrower should speak to a mortgage broker, who will be able to assist them in finding the best possible product for their circumstances.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 January 2025 to Question 23992 on Primary Health Care: Standards, what steps his Department is taking to help support (a) elderly and (b) digitally-challenged people to use technology to access healthcare.

Digital health tools should be part of a wider offering that includes face-to-face support, with appropriate help for people who struggle to access digital services. NHS England has successfully run a number of programmes to support patients, carers, and health service staff with their digital skills. These include: - the NHS App Spoken Word Pilot project, designed to test the efficacy of promoting National Health Service digital health products and services in languages other than English;- the Digital Health Champions programme, a proof of concept to support citizens who have no or low digital skills with understanding how to access health services online; and- the Widening Digital Participation programme, aimed to ensure that more people have the digital skills, motivation, and means to access health information and services online. NHS England has also published a framework for NHS action on digital inclusion and is developing further resources to support practical actions. All digital programmes are actively considering how they can contribute to improvements in healthcare inequalities and digital inclusion.

What steps he is taking to support people with long term physical disabilities to access secondary care including (a) hydrotherapy, (b) physiotherapy and (c) acupuncture without re-referrals.

The Government is committed to championing the rights of disabled people. Under the Equality Act (2010), health and social care organisations must make reasonable adjustments to ensure that disabled people are not disadvantaged. NHS England has developed a Reasonable Adjustment Digital Flag, which enables the recording of key information about a patient and their reasonable adjustment needs in their patient record, to ensure support can be tailored appropriately. Health and social care staff can also access free training to implement the Reasonable Adjustment Digital Flag, helping it to become part of a standard approach to care and treatment for all disabled people.Across England, community health services, including therapies, are locally commissioned to enable systems to best meet the needs of their communities. We are working closely with NHS England to improve access to community health services and on actions to reduce long waits.We have launched a 10-Year Health Plan to reform the National Health Service. The plan will set out a bold agenda to deliver on the three big shifts needed, to move healthcare from hospital to the community, analogue to digital, and sickness to prevention. We will ensure the NHS has the right people, in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the care patients need when they need it.The engagement process for the 10-Year Health Plan has been launched, and as we work to develop and finalise the plan, we are encouraging those concerned about care for people with long term physical disabilities to engage with that process so we can identify what the potential solutions are. Further information is available at the following link:https://change.nhs.uk/en-GB/

What steps she is taking to promote the recruitment and retention of people who have a learning disability in the (a) private and (b) public sectors.

Our specialist initiatives to support people with learning disabilities and other disabled people into work include support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres. £12.3 million has also been invested into 23 lead Local Authority areas to provide support to autistic people and people with learning disabilities, under the Local Supported Employment Programme. Under the Government’s new Get Britain Working Strategy, the forthcoming voluntary, locally led Supported Employment programme ‘Connect to Work’ will support disabled people, those with health conditions and other complex barriers including people with learning disabilities, to get into and on in work. Employers play a key role in our efforts to supporting disabled people into work, including those with learning disabilities. Our support to employers includes a digital information service for employers to help them support disability at work, and the Disability Confident scheme. At present, there are over 900 public sector organisations signed-up to the scheme in total.

What plans he has to support primary care to reduce the time it takes to receive (a) results and (b) appointments from secondary care services.

The Elective Reform Plan, launched as part of the Government’s Plan for Change, sets out plans to improve patients’ experience, so that it is as smooth, supportive, and convenient as possible. This includes giving them more control and flexibility, and designing care around their needs.Effective integration of primary and secondary care will be essential to helping ensure results and appointments are communicated quickly to both general practitioners and patients. We have set out improvements to digital tools, including a revolutionised NHS App, to help patients to contact their treatment provider more easily and conveniently, to receive clear information, regular updates, and test results.By March 2025, patients at over 85% of acute trusts will be able to view appointment information via the NHS App. By December 2025, we will build on the success of digitising appointment letters by making more types of content about patients’ treatment available on the NHS App, such as discharge letters and results.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Government to crack down on waste incinerators with stricter standards for new builds, published 30 December 2024, whether incinerators rejected at the planning stage are still able to appeal.

Rights to appeal planning decisions are unaffected by the Residual Waste Infrastructure Capacity Note and accompanying statement. The accompanying statement set out that Government will only back new Energy from Waste projects that meet strict conditions. Proposals for new facilities will have to demonstrate a clearly defined domestic residual waste treatment capacity need to facilitate the diversion of residual waste away from landfill, or enable the replacement of older, less-efficient facilities. Additionally, new facilities will have to maximise efficiency and support the delivery of economic growth, net zero and the move to a circular economy. We would expect any new local and environmental conditions to carry weight in any planning appeal.

What discussions she has had with mortgage lenders on ensuring mortgage offers are maintained for properties near electricity pylons, in the context of proposals to increase the number of electricity pylons.

The pricing and availability of mortgages is a commercial decision for mortgage lenders in which the Government does not intervene. However, the Government is regularly in contact with mortgage lenders on all aspects of their business, including the provision of finance to different cohorts of borrowers. The UK also benefits from a competitive mortgage market, with a wide variety of products available. Any prospective borrower should speak to a mortgage broker, who will be able to assist them in finding the best possible product for their circumstances.

What steps he plans to take to reduce waiting times for Tier 3 weight management services in Derbyshire.

Local authorities and the National Health Service provide weight management services to support their communities to achieve and maintain a healthier weight. These range from behavioural weight management programmes to specialist services for those living with obesity and the associated co-morbidities.Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning NHS specialist weight management services and should consider local population need and the relevant guidance when commissioning these services.The NHS Derby and Derbyshire ICB commissions the Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust to deliver a Tier 3 specialist weight management service. Patients are offered weight management, lifestyle, and behaviour change advice on a one-to-one and group basis for up to 12 months.The ICB is aware that there is currently limited prescribing capacity within the service, and there is work underway to re-design the weight management service pathway within Derbyshire.

If he plans to extend the assurances provided on funding for the increase in employer National Insurance costs to NHS Trusts to general practice.

We have made necessary decisions to fix the foundations of the public finances in the Autumn Budget. Resource spending for the Department will be £22.6 billion more in 2025/26 than in 2023/24, as part of the Spending Review settlement. The employers’ National Insurance contribution (NIC) rise will be implemented in April 2025.The definition of who is in scope is based on the Office for National Statistics classification of the entity paying employer NICs. This applies to employees who are directly employed by the public sector, but not, for example, where services are contracted out. Any other approach would result in differential treatment between private sector employers. General practices (GPs) are independent contractors and do not fall within this remit. This is consistent with the approach taken by previous Governments.We recently announced a proposed funding uplift to the GP contract for 2025/26 of £889 million, representing a 7.2% cash growth, estimated at approximately 4.8% real terms growth. This is the largest uplift to GP funding since the beginning of the five-year framework and means we are reversing the recent trend with a rising share of total National Health Service resources going to GPs. We are currently consulting the profession on the annual GP contract.

How many students were classified as educated otherwise than at school in the latest period for which figures are available; and how many children receiving educated otherwise than at school funding received less funding in the 2024-25 academic year than in 2023-24.

The department collects a range of data on children being educated in contexts other than school. This includes data on children and young people with education, health and care (EHC) plans who, as part of their education, are receiving ‘Special educational provision otherwise than in schools, post-16 institutions’ under section 61 of the Children and Families Act 2014. The latest figure for those receiving such support is 8,640, as at January 2024. More information can be found at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/education-health-and-care-plans.Provision set out in an EHC plan is funded by the relevant local authority. The department does not collect funding data from local authorities in enough detail for us to be able to identify funding at an individual level for those whose EHC plan contains provision made under section 61 of the 2014 Act.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department is taking steps with local authorities to remove the requirement for households on freehold estates to pay estate management charges, in the context of the New Homes Accelerator Programme.

As set out in my Written Ministerial Statement of 21 November (HCWS244), the government remain committed to protecting residential freeholders on private and mixed-tenure housing estates from unfair charges. Next year we will consult on implementing the Act’s new consumer protection provisions for the up to 1.75m homes that are subject to these charges, and bring these measures into force as quickly as possible thereafter. These include ensuring that homeowners who pay an estate management charge have better access to information they need to understand what they are paying for, the right to challenge the reasonableness at the First-tier Tribunal (in England), and to go to the tribunal to appoint a substitute manager.The New Homes Accelerator is a collaboration between the government, Homes England, the Greater London Authority, local authorities, developers and other key stakeholders. It aims to unblock and accelerate the delivery of housing developments that have for various reasons become delayed, or which are not progressing as quickly as they could be.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to return the (a) areas and (b) activities of private estate management in the private sector to local authorities.

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244).

Whether the independent review of the loan charge will cover the (a) current and (b) historic roles of (i) promoters, (ii) umbrella companies and (iii) HMRC; what steps she is taking to ensure the independence of the staff of the review; whether people who (A) work and (B) have worked for (1) HMRC and (2) her Department will be permitted to work for the review; and what steps she is taking to ensure the confidentiality of the conclusions and recommendations of the review until it is published.

At Budget, the Government committed to an independent review of the Loan Charge to help bring the matter to a close for those affected whilst ensuring fairness for all taxpayers. Further details will be set out in due course.

If she will take steps to support applications for apprenticeships for students on Homes for Ukraine visas that expire before the course concludes.

Students on Homes for Ukraine visas are eligible to undertake an apprenticeship where they are able to complete the apprenticeship within the time they have available. All apprenticeships must be at least 12 months in duration.We want learners to be able to complete their apprenticeships within the time they have available. Where the learner’s residency permit does not extend to the entire length of the apprenticeship, they are not eligible for funding. The department will keep this under review, as it does with all of its rules.In determining student eligibility for 16 to 19 funding, including for Ukrainians aged 16 to 19 living in the UK under the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine), institutions must satisfy themselves that there is a reasonable likelihood that the student will be able to complete their study programme before seeking funding for the student. However, when a student applies for a study programme where their current legal permission to remain in the UK expires six months or more after they start, then institutions may allow them to enrol. The department considers it sufficient for institutions to rely on confirmation from the student, and/or family, that they intend to apply for the necessary extension to their permission to remain for the duration of their study programme.The situation is similar for adult learners who wish to undertake courses funded via the Adult Skills Fund. Where the learner’s visa will expire before the end of the course, the provider can use their discretion to fund the learner if, and only if, they have a high degree of certainty that the learner intends to, and will be eligible to, apply to extend their permission to remain for the duration of their study programme. The department would expect that individuals who are not yet eligible to apply for the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme, but intend to apply for it, would be eligible for funding under this rule.

Communities and Local Government, what plans she has to ensure that charges for freehold homeowners for the upkeep of shared (a) areas and (b) facilities are equitable.

I refer my hon Friend to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244).

Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to ensure that local authorities hold a legally binding bond to ensure new housing developments are completed if the developer declares bankruptcy.

Local planning authorities already have powers to issue a completion notice which requires a developer to complete their development if it is left uncompleted. If they fail to do so, the planning permission for the development will no longer be valid.In our recent response to the NPPF consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, we made clear we are also taking steps to implement build out reporting, including bringing in a new requirement for housing developers to submit annual progress reports.Where developers face financial difficulties before development is completed, we would expect local authorities to work with administrators to help unblock sites and restart housing delivery to complete the development. As part of their responsibilities local authorities should consider how to mitigate risks around infrastructure delivery including looking at the timing of infrastructure completion on site and considering whether it is appropriate to require developers to set aside bonds which can be used to complete infrastructure should the developer be unable to do so.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to prevent new housing developments being left (a) uncompleted and (b) unadopted by the local authority following developer bankruptcy.

Local planning authorities already have powers to issue a completion notice which requires a developer to complete their development if it is left uncompleted. If they fail to do so, the planning permission for the development will no longer be valid.In our recent response to the NPPF consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, we made clear we are also taking steps to implement build out reporting, including bringing in a new requirement for housing developers to submit annual progress reports.Where developers face financial difficulties before development is completed, we would expect local authorities to work with administrators to help unblock sites and restart housing delivery to complete the development. As part of their responsibilities local authorities should consider how to mitigate risks around infrastructure delivery including looking at the timing of infrastructure completion on site and considering whether it is appropriate to require developers to set aside bonds which can be used to complete infrastructure should the developer be unable to do so.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on support for female-led spin-out tech start-ups at UK Universities.

Innovate UK are currently running an all-women cohort of their Innovation to commercialisation of university research (ICURe) programme, which will identify and support women researchers to explore commercialisation pathways that can lead to spinouts.Supporting female tech founders and spin-out companies from our universities are important issues that I and colleagues across government are working on.I am pleased that over time there are more female-led spin-outs, with 32% of spin-outs in 2022 having a female founder, up from 25% in 2017. However, with 68% still having all-male founders, there is still room for improvement.

Media and Sport, whether she is taking steps to increase the number of grassroots community (a) arts and (b) music venues in rural areas.

The Government recognises the value of the grassroots music and arts sectors - they provide the foundation for both industries, fostering creativity, innovation and cultural expression.The Government response to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee's report on grassroots music venues, published 14 November, sets out our commitment to working with the sector to support the sustainability of the entire music ecosystem. In particular, the Government is urging the live music industry to introduce a voluntary levy on tickets for stadium and arena shows, to help safeguard the future of the grassroots music sector.Following the Autumn Budget, we are continuing to support Arts Council England’s (ACE’s) successful Supporting Grassroots Music Fund which provides grants to grassroots music venues, recording studios, promoters and festivals across England.More generally, ACE plays an important role in supporting grassroots community arts venues through the National Portfolio and other funding schemes such as Creative People and Places and National Lottery Project Grants. ACE also has a national dialogue with rural stakeholders from across England, and uses this to inform their policy and work. ACE is committed to responding to the specific needs of rural areas, supporting artists working in rural areas, improving access for rural audiences and building partnerships for growth.