Written questions by Niblett.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the 2026-27 GP contract on continuity of care; and whether he has evaluated the cost-effectiveness of reduced continuity.

Awaiting answer.

Whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of the level of funding in the 2026/27 GP contract for the level of activity delivered by general practice.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will provide an update on the countryside stewardship higher tier (CSHT) scheme and if it is on target to deliver its goals.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she is taking steps to ensure those with long standing agri-environment agreements will be able to apply for the new Sustainable Farming Incentive without a break in their payment.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will set out further detail on the long-term future of SFI and provide clarity, particularly for those who are unable to access SFI26 because of budget constraints and the timeline of expiring agreements.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, when the budget available for new Sustainable Farming Incentive agreements in 2026 will be published; and if the budget allocated to each application window will be published at the same time.

Awaiting answer.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing national eligibility criteria for disabled children's social care in England.

The Law Commission published its final report on 16 September 2025 following a review commissioned by the department in April 2023 of the legal framework for disabled children’s social care.The report sets out 40 recommendations, which we are now considering, aimed at improving how the law operates, with a focus on simplifying and strengthening the system to better support disabled children and their families.In line with the protocol agreed between the Lord Chancellor and the Law Commission, the department provided an initial response to these recommendations on 16 March 2026 and is expected to provide a full response within one year, setting out which recommendations will be accepted, rejected or modified, and any implementation timeline. Policy development is ongoing and the department continues to engage with key stakeholders. It would therefore not be appropriate to comment on specific recommendations ahead of publication of the full response.Alongside this, we believe the rollout of Family Help as part of the Families First Partnership programme, backed by £2.4 billion of funding over three years, is already beginning to deliver many of the intended outcomes of the report. Our wider reforms are designed to make a real and tangible difference to children and families, including disabled children.

What steps her department is taking to consider the recommendations in the Law Commission's 2025 report on disabled children's social care; and what assessment she has made of the potential for legislative reform alongside the rollout of the Family Help programme.

The Law Commission published its final report on 16 September 2025 following a review commissioned by the department in April 2023 of the legal framework for disabled children’s social care.The report sets out 40 recommendations, which we are now considering, aimed at improving how the law operates, with a focus on simplifying and strengthening the system to better support disabled children and their families.In line with the protocol agreed between the Lord Chancellor and the Law Commission, the department provided an initial response to these recommendations on 16 March 2026 and is expected to provide a full response within one year, setting out which recommendations will be accepted, rejected or modified, and any implementation timeline. Policy development is ongoing and the department continues to engage with key stakeholders. It would therefore not be appropriate to comment on specific recommendations ahead of publication of the full response.Alongside this, we believe the rollout of Family Help as part of the Families First Partnership programme, backed by £2.4 billion of funding over three years, is already beginning to deliver many of the intended outcomes of the report. Our wider reforms are designed to make a real and tangible difference to children and families, including disabled children.

What assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the Child Maintenance Service in ensuring its processes remain gender‑neutral, particularly in relation to evidential requirements where people liable to pay maintenance are more frequently required to provide documentary evidence than the receiving parent.

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

With reference to the Law Commission's report on social care law, what steps her department is taking to help ensure that disabled children have access to social care support; and what assessment she has made of the level of need for legal reform to achieve that objective.

The Law Commission published its final report on 16 September 2025 following a review commissioned by the department in April 2023 of the legal framework for disabled children’s social care.The report sets out 40 recommendations, which we are now considering, aimed at improving how the law operates, with a focus on simplifying and strengthening the system to better support disabled children and their families.In line with the protocol agreed between the Lord Chancellor and the Law Commission, the department provided an initial response to these recommendations on 16 March 2026 and is expected to provide a full response within one year, setting out which recommendations will be accepted, rejected or modified, and any implementation timeline. Policy development is ongoing and the department continues to engage with key stakeholders. It would therefore not be appropriate to comment on specific recommendations ahead of publication of the full response.Alongside this, we believe the rollout of Family Help as part of the Families First Partnership programme, backed by £2.4 billion of funding over three years, is already beginning to deliver many of the intended outcomes of the report. Our wider reforms are designed to make a real and tangible difference to children and families, including disabled children.

What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the Law Commission's findings regarding regional variations in support for disabled children; and what steps her Department is taking to ensure consistent entitlements for such children across all local authorities.

The Law Commission published its final report on 16 September 2025 following a review commissioned by the department in April 2023 of the legal framework for disabled children’s social care.The report sets out 40 recommendations, which we are now considering, aimed at improving how the law operates, with a focus on simplifying and strengthening the system to better support disabled children and their families.In line with the protocol agreed between the Lord Chancellor and the Law Commission, the department provided an initial response to these recommendations on 16 March 2026 and is expected to provide a full response within one year, setting out which recommendations will be accepted, rejected or modified, and any implementation timeline. Policy development is ongoing and the department continues to engage with key stakeholders. It would therefore not be appropriate to comment on specific recommendations ahead of publication of the full response.Alongside this, we believe the rollout of Family Help as part of the Families First Partnership programme, backed by £2.4 billion of funding over three years, is already beginning to deliver many of the intended outcomes of the report. Our wider reforms are designed to make a real and tangible difference to children and families, including disabled children.

Whether he is taking steps to ensure the Miners Pension Scheme members’ pensions will be fully index linked.

I met the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Trustees in February to discuss their proposals. We have jointly commissioned analysis which we are considering and we are working towards reaching agreement on future scheme arrangements.

If he will make it his policy that 100% of future surplus in the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme be used to increase members’ pensions.

I met the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Trustees in February to discuss their proposals. We have jointly commissioned analysis which we are considering and we are working towards reaching agreement on future scheme arrangements.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will hold discussions with the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers on protests outside their members' premises.

Defra engages regularly with stakeholders across the food and farming sector, including representative bodies, on matters within the Department’s remit. Issues relating to protests and public order, including protests taking place outside commercial premises, are matters for the police and fall within the responsibility of the Home Office. The policing of protests is an operational matter for local police forces, who are responsible for balancing the right to peaceful protest with the rights and safety of others.

Whether his Department has plans to abolish standstill provisions in the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme; and what steps he is taking to ensure that protections for bonus pensions in the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme match the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme.

I met the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Trustees in February to discuss their proposals. We have jointly commissioned analysis which we are considering and we are working towards reaching agreement on future scheme arrangements.

If he will make it his policy to use unallocated surplus in the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme to pay members a further bonus pension.

I met the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Trustees in February to discuss their proposals. We have jointly commissioned analysis which we are considering and we are working towards reaching agreement on future scheme arrangements.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of expanding the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme to include (a) farmers and (b) food production.

Eligibility for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme is informed by the Government’s Industrial Strategy and by the recent consultation on scheme eligibility. Decisions on eligibility have been taken to drive economic growth in line with the Industrial Strategy, by targeting manufacturing frontier industries within its growth sectors, as well as manufacturing foundational industries that provide important inputs to them, where electricity costs most directly affect international competitiveness. Farming and food production are therefore not within the scope of the Scheme.

Whether NHS England plans to update its clinical guidance on long‑term support for cardiac arrest survivors, including access to free medication.

NHS England is focused on improving long‑term, holistic follow‑up and rehabilitation after cardiac arrest. In December 2024, to support local systems to commission high quality cardiac rehabilitation, NHS England published Commissioning standards for cardiac rehabilitation, which is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/commissioning-standards-for-cardiovascular-rehabilitation/Access to prescribed medicines is determined through existing medicines and prescribing policy.

What recent discussions his Department has had with NHS England on expanding medical exemption criteria to include cardiac arrest survivors dependent on long‑term rhythm‑stabilising medication.

There are no current plans to add cardiac arrest to the list of medical conditions that entitle someone to apply for a medical exemption certificate, and no discussions have been held with NHS England on this matter.People who require long-term heart medication may be eligible for exemption from National Health Service prescription charges for another reason. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, whether they have a qualifying medical condition, and whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.Additionally, people on a low income can seek help under the NHS Low Income Scheme, and people who have to pay NHS prescription charges and need many prescription items could save money with a prescription prepayment certificate.

What steps he is taking to ensure that people access long‑term heart medication given the level of prescription charges.

There are no current plans to add cardiac arrest to the list of medical conditions that entitle someone to apply for a medical exemption certificate, and no discussions have been held with NHS England on this matter.People who require long-term heart medication may be eligible for exemption from National Health Service prescription charges for another reason. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, whether they have a qualifying medical condition, and whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.Additionally, people on a low income can seek help under the NHS Low Income Scheme, and people who have to pay NHS prescription charges and need many prescription items could save money with a prescription prepayment certificate.