Written questions by Niblett.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on support for the digitisation of the NHS.

DSIT has pledged to create a National Data Library bringing together existing research programmes to help deliver data-driven public services, including transforming the NHS.The Department for Health supports NHS digitisation by:Empowering patients through improvements to the NHS appSpeeding up the implementation of the NHS Federated Data Platform DSIT investment in the Data for R&D Programme helps ensure secure access to UK health data for research and development through a network of Secure Data Environments. UKRI has invested over £1billion in AI research. DSIT will continue to ensure safe deployment of AI to deliver service enhancements.

What steps she is taking to increase teacher retention.

High quality teaching is the factor that makes the biggest difference to a child’s education, which is why we are committed to tackling the crisis in teacher recruitment and retention this government inherited.It is vital to retain our existing teachers to ensure a sufficient high quality workforce, and the department is committed to tackling retention challenges, making work pay and supporting teachers to stay in the profession and thrive. A key first step is to ensure teaching is once again a respected and attractive profession and that teachers get the pay they deserve, which is why this government has accepted in full the School Teachers’ Review Body’s recommendation of a 5.5% pay award for teachers and leaders in maintained schools from September this year.Alongside teacher pay, new teachers of mathematics, physics, chemistry and computing in the first five years of their careers can now also receive a targeted retention incentive of up to £6,000 after-tax if working in disadvantaged schools.Helping teachers remain and thrive in the profession is not just about pay and financial reward, but also about workload and wellbeing. The department has made an early decision to remove the single headline Ofsted grade, which put unnecessary pressure on teachers and leaders. We have also made available a range of resources to help address teacher workload and wellbeing, including the ‘Improve workload and wellbeing for school staff’ service and the ‘education staff wellbeing charter’.The department is also committed to supporting schools to implement flexible working practices, including undertaking planning, preparation and assessment time remotely, to improve recruitment and retention of teachers. In addition, the department has also developed an online toolkit of resources and is funding free webinar training and bespoke peer support provided by flexible working ambassador schools and multi-academy trusts.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to increase investment in women-led start up technology businesses.

This Government is committed to strengthening diversity in the tech sector, including supporting female-led start-ups, and has made breaking down barriers to opportunity one of our five national missions.Programmes like DSIT’s £12m Digital Growth Grant and Innovate UK’s Women in Innovation Awards are supporting female-led businesses through grants and wider business support.In September, the Chancellor announced Government support for the Invest in Women Taskforce. The Taskforce aims to establish a funding pool of more than £250 million for female-founded businesses through private capital, making it one of the world’s largest investment funding pools aimed solely at female founders.

Media and Sport, what plans she has to regulate Women's Football.

Karen Carney OBE led an independent review of domestic women’s football, which was published in July 2023. We agree with the recommendation that the women’s game should be given the opportunity to self-regulate rather than moving immediately to independent statutory regulation.While the Independent Football Regulator will be focused on the men’s game, it will cooperate, coordinate and share information where it can with the relevant industry bodies in the women’s game to help deliver the shared goal of a successful, sustainable English game.However, the Secretary of State will be keeping the scope of the Regulator under review, including whether additional competitions should be specified, such as women’s football competitions.

What comparative assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) face-to-face meetings and (b) phone appointments for maternity care on patient outcomes.

We are working with the National Health Service as it delivers its three-year maternity and neonatal plan to ensure that care is always delivered in a personalised way. This includes telephone care, which has a place as part of some personalised pathways that also include face-to-face care.The NHS in England continues to monitor evidence of the impact of face-to-face and phone appointments in maternity care, to ensure all women receive safe and compassionate care which best meets their individual needs.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to widen access to digital skills training.

Digital skills are a priority for the Government’s missions to kickstart economic growth and break down barriers to opportunity. We are working across government departments to widen access to digital skills training as part of our wider approach to digital inclusion. We are also engaging with key industry partners through the Digital Skills Council to ensure the digital skills system is joined up and comprehensive, and that it meets the needs of both employers and individuals, across the UK.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on artificial intelligence and its role in economic growth.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers great economic potential for the whole of the UK.The UK’s AI Sector was valued at £72.3bn in 2024 - larger than any country in Europe. Forecasts suggest it could eventually be worth over £800 billion by 2035.The AI Opportunities Action Plan will outline recommendations for Government, to harness AI's potential, including boosting economic growth, productivity, and job quality through widespread AI adoption.DSIT's Secretary of State collaborates closely with cabinet colleagues on AI-related matters.

Media and Sport, what estimate she has made of the recent economic contribution of the art and cultural industries to (a) the East Midlands and (b) Derbyshire.

Derbyshire is a very important part of our cultural and artistic heritage, and this Government is committed to supporting these industries to thrive so they continue to bring good jobs and boost growth in all parts of the country.DCMS publishes official statistics (DCMS Sectors Economic Estimates) including data on Gross Value Added, employment and business demographics, which are available at regional levels. DCMS Economic Estimates categorises the arts as a subsector of the cultural sector. Data can be found on the DCMS website here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dcms-sectors-economic-estimatesData from DCMS Official Statistics for the economic contribution of the arts and cultural sector in the East Midlands is listed below:Cultural SectorEmployment: There were 17,000 filled jobs in the Cultural Sector in the East Midlands in 2023.GVA: The cultural sector generated £701 million of GVA in East Midlands in 2022.Business Demographics: There were 2,925 business sites in the cultural sector based in East Midlands in 2023 Arts SectorEmployment: There were 6,000 filled jobs in the Arts subsector, in the East Midlands in 2023GVA: The arts sub sector generated £246 million of GVA in East Midlands in 2022Business Demographics: The Arts sector had 1,050 business sites based in the East Midlands in 2023DCMS does not currently publish economic estimates down to a county or local authority level, so we cannot provide an assessment of the level of economic activity in the Arts and Cultural Sector in Derbyshire

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help support the relatives of British citizens residing in Lebanon.

The safety of British nationals is our number one priority. Our consular teams continue to work in support of British nationals. We have well-rehearsed plans in place, drawing on military and civilian resources across government ready to aid consular efforts if the situation deteriorates further. We chartered a limited number of flights from Lebanon to support British nationals to leave the country in response to the deteriorating security situation recently. The latest UK charter flight left on 6 October but availability on commercial options remain. We continue to encourage British nationals who remain in Lebanon to leave while these commercial options remain available. FCDO continues to advise against all travel to Lebanon.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of educational provision for children with Special Educational Needs in Derbyshire.

Derbyshire were inspected by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission in September 2024 and are awaiting their inspection outcome, due to be published mid-November 2024.The department has appointed a special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) adviser to work collaboratively with an NHS England Adviser to challenge, support and work alongside the local area partnership to improve its services. The regional team will put in place systems to track progress against all improvements identified in the published report.This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with SEND or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. The department is committed to taking a community-wide approach in collaboration with local area partnerships to improve inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, as well as ensuring special schools cater to those with the most complex needs.

Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 22 October 2024 to Question 9331 on Football: Women, when the implementation group will next meet; and if she will publish (a) minutes and (b) action points from previous meetings.

Minutes from previous meetings of the Implementation Group are publicly available on gov.uk at:https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/womens-football-review-implementation-groupI met Karen Carney to discuss the next phase of implementation of her recommendations.I am clear that action is needed to drive all of the recommendations outlined in the Review.

What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the availability of appropriate SEND educational placements with care support.

As announced by my Rt Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer in last week’s budget, this Government are committed to reforming special educational needs provision, and we recognise the importance of improving outcomes for our most vulnerable children.My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care regularly engages in conversations with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an estimate of the economic contribution of farming in Derbyshire.

Defra does not produce county level estimates of the economic contribution of farming so no estimates are available for Derbyshire. Estimates are only available at regional level. The total income from farming for the East Midlands region (which includes Derbyshire) in 2023 was £835 million. Full details are available here: Total Income from Farming in the regions of England in 2023 - GOV.UK.

Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing funding for digital connectivity in rural areas.

As outlined in the Autumn Budget, we are continuing to drive progress in improving broadband and mobile coverage across the country, including in rural areas, confirming over £500 million of funding for next year (in 2025‑26).We are committed to Project Gigabit and its goal of achieving nationwide gigabit coverage by 2030. Through the Shared Rural Network, we will also improve 4G coverage to at least 95% of the UK by the end of 2025.The government is continuing to consider alternative ways to improve connectivity for those not due to be covered by existing government programmes or commercial activity.

Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to help support female-led tech start-ups.

This Government is committed to strengthening diversity in the tech sector, including supporting female-led start-ups, and has made breaking down barriers to opportunity one of our five national missions.Programmes like DSIT’s £12m Digital Growth Grant and Innovate UK’s Women in Innovation Awards are supporting female-led businesses through grants and wider business support.In September, the Chancellor announced Government support for the Invest in Women Taskforce. The Taskforce aims to establish a funding pool of more than £250 million for female-founded businesses through private capital, making it one of the world’s largest investment funding pools aimed solely at female founders.

Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to help improve digital connectivity in rural areas.

The Government is committed to the rollout of fast, reliable broadband to all parts of the UK. Through Project Gigabit, there are 36 contracts in place, set to connect over 1 million homes and businesses that would otherwise miss out, with more contracts to be awarded in the coming months.We are also working with the UK’s four mobile network operators to deliver the Shared Rural Network, improving 4G mobile broadband connectivity for people living, working and visiting the UK’s rural areas.

Whether she has made an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the adequacy of digital skills training for women in rural communities.

Digital skills are crucial to the delivery of all five missions of government, particularly opportunity and growth, providing the pipeline of skilled workers needed to grow the economy.To support the digital skills needs in the country, adults aged 19 and over with low digital skills are fully-funded through the digital statutory entitlement to study Essential Digital Skills qualifications or digital Functional Skills qualifications at entry level and level 1.The department funds essential digital skills provision through the adult skills fund (ASF). Currently, approximately 60% of the ASF is devolved to nine Mayoral Combined Authorities and the Mayor of London, acting where appropriate through the Greater London Authority. These authorities are responsible for the provision of ASF-funded adult education for their residents. The Education and Skills Funding Agency is responsible for the remaining ASF in non-devolved areas where colleges and training providers have the freedom and flexibility to determine how they use their ASF to meet the needs of their communities.For those who are not ready for formal digital qualifications, many local areas use tailored learning within the ASF to deliver flexible courses that help adults to get online and equip them with the essential digital skills they need for life, work and further learning.The department also funds Skills Bootcamps, which are free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills, with an offer of a job interview with an employer on completion. Training is designed and delivered in partnership with employers, ensuring we deliver the skills needed by employers in priority sectors.Evaluation of Skills Bootcamps delivery shows that female representation was higher in Skills Bootcamps in Digital (42%) than the national gender composition of the digital workforce (29%).Developed in partnership with employers, there are currently 33 apprenticeship standards spanning levels 3 to 7 in digital occupations, including at degree level and in areas like cyber and artificial intelligence (AI). The department’s reformed growth and skills levy will deliver greater flexibility for learners and employers and is aligned with its industrial strategy to create routes into good, skilled jobs in growing industries, including in digital.Across government, the new Industrial Strategy will channel support to eight growth-driving sectors in which the UK excels today and will propel it forwards tomorrow. Digital technologies have been identified as one of the eight growth-driving sectors and the department is currently consulting on the barriers to growth, including skills, in this sector.Furthermore, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology has commissioned an AI Opportunities Action Plan, which will set out the essential role that equipping the UK’s workforce with the right skills and attracting top talent will play in supporting the growth of the AI sector.

Media and Sport, what recent progress her Department has made on implementing the recommendations of the independent report entitled Raising the bar - reframing the opportunity in women's football, published on 13 July 2023.

We are dedicated to supporting every aspect of women’s sport and ensuring all women and girls, no matter their background, are able to participate in sport and physical activity.Each of the recommendations outlined in the Carney Review is aligned with individual stakeholders to progress. This includes the Women’s Professional Leagues Ltd, the FA, Premier League, EFL and PFA.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the water quality of the river ways in (a) Derbyshire and (b) South Derbyshire constituency.

Cleaning up England’s rivers, lakes and seas is a priority for the Government. The Government has taken immediate and substantial action to address water companies who are not performing for the environment or their customers. In September, the Government introduced the Water (Special Measures) Bill to give regulators new powers to take tougher and faster action to crack down on water companies damaging the environment and failing their customers. I would also refer the hon. Member to the Written Statement made by the Secretary of State on 18 July, HCWS3. The majority of the Derbyshire catchment is currently classified as moderate water quality for ecological status. In May, the Environment Agency (EA) confirmed a tougher inspections and enforcement regime that will be backed by at least £55 million each year and will make better use of data analytics and technology. This will be fully funded through a combination of increased grant-in-aid from Defra to the EA and additional funding from water company permit charges.