Written questions by Niblett.

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 are required for vaccines for the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections to obtain regulatory approval including an indicative timeline for licensing.

For any new medicine to be introduced to the United Kingdom market an application to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is required. The MHRA is ready to support companies that are looking to introduce new medicines to the United Kingdom market, offering regulatory and scientific advice to help companies at any stage of the product development process. The MHRA has established procedures in place to review any applications we receive to evaluate the benefit risk of a product in relation to its quality, safety, and efficacy. The exact timeframe will depend on the type of submission the company makes.

Following the announcement in the Budget on 30th October 2025 and its requirement for both the National Minimum Wage and employer National Insurance contributions to be increased, whether assurances will be given to General Practices nationally that they will be reimbursed for these increased costs.

Funding for general practice (GP) is agreed annually through consultation on the GP Contract, which considers wider cost pressures facing practices as part of the overall settlement. These funding decisions are informed by a range of factors, including independent recommendations from the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration, where relevant, as well as affordability considerations. However, the GP Contract does not provide for automatic reimbursement of individual cost increases, including changes to National Insurance contributions or the National Minimum Wage.In this context, we have uplifted the GP Contract by £601 million for 2026/27. This builds on last year’s £1.1 billion of investment, taking the two-year increase to £1.7 billion, or 13.8% in cash terms and 8.1% in real terms. Through consultation with stakeholders, we set these uplifts and changes to the contract with regard to the pressures faced by businesses. This includes the costs associated with the Government’s agreement to implement review body recommendations, including a 3.5% pay rise for GPs.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the concentration of ownership of UK mobile towers among wireless infrastructure providers; and what assessment she has made of the implications of this market structure for competition and mobile coverage.

The Government continually monitors developments across the mobile market to understand how they may shape investment in comprehensive, high-quality mobile connectivity that is secure and affordable for consumers and business.On 10 February, the Government published the Mobile Market Review call for evidence, inviting stakeholders to provide detailed evidence on the technological, structural and financial developments across the mobile ecosystem and how they impact investment, competition and consumer outcomes, and on what further actions the Government could take to support these objectives.The call for evidence closes on 5 May. The Government encourages all relevant stakeholders to engage with the process and provide robust evidence to help inform future policy development.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of 2017 Electronic Communications Code reforms on relationships between telecoms operators and site providers; and whether she has made an estimate of the number of site providers who have declined to renew mast agreements as a result.

The Government wants Code agreements to be negotiated collaboratively; and the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 made changes to the Code intended to support this.The Department has not undertaken comprehensive monitoring of the number of active Code agreements following the 2017 reforms.However, landowners can terminate agreements governed by the Electronic Communications Code for a number of reasons, including if they intend to redevelop the land. Therefore, any data on the number of terminated agreements alone would not be indicative of the effectiveness of the 2017 reforms.It should also be noted that 4G geographic coverage from all four operators has risen from 40% in 2016 to 81% in 2025 and 5G premises (outdoor) coverage has reached 47% from all four operators in 2025.The 2022 reforms also introduced a requirement for operators to inform landowners of the availability of alternative dispute resolution and to consider using it before issuing legal proceedings. Section 70 of the Act, which will be implemented in due course, will introduce a new process for the handling of complaints about the conduct of operators under the Electronic Communications Code.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of mileage restrictions applied to Motability scheme vehicles on disabled people and families living in semi‑rural and rural areas, particularly those reliant on their vehicle to travel longer distances to work, education settings and schools, healthcare appointments and other essential services; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure that such restrictions do not create geographic inequality for disabled people.

Responsibility for the terms and administration of the Scheme sits with Motability Foundation and its Board of Governors. The changes to the leasing package were announced on 26 March and include reducing the mileage allowance from 20,000 per year to 10,000 per year. Changes only apply to new leases and there are no changes to the mileage allowance of existing leases. Motability Foundation have advised that approximately 75% of customers on the Scheme already use less miles than the proposed new mileage allowance. They have acknowledged that there will be an impact on some customers and are considering if the impact can be mitigated in some limited circumstances.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of ownership of UK mobile towers among wireless infrastructure providers; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of that market structure on competition, pricing and mobile coverage.

The government continually monitors developments across the market to understand how they may impact investment in comprehensive, high-quality mobile connectivity that is secure and affordable for consumers and business.On 10 February, the Government published the Mobile Market Review call for evidence, inviting stakeholders to provide detailed evidence on how technological, structural and financial developments across the mobile ecosystem may impact investment, competition and consumer outcomes, and on what further actions Government could take to support these objectives.The call for evidence closes on 5 May, and the Government encourages all relevant stakeholders to engage with the process to help inform future policy development.

Whether she plans to oppose proposed changes submitted to the Police Remuneration Review Body on reducing compensation for cancelled rest days and altering re-roster arrangements for police officers.

The Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB) makes recommendations to the Government on the appropriate level of pay and allowances for police officers, including payments for cancelled rest days. The PRRB gathers and invites parties to submit evidence to inform their decisions. The Government will give very careful consideration to any recommendations made by the PRRB.The Government expects any changes to police pay and conditions to take into account the welfare, morale and retention of officers, alongside the operational needs of policing. We are clear that officer wellbeing must remain a central consideration in any changes.More widely, this Government remains firmly committed to supporting the wellbeing of police officers and staff through the Police Covenant. This includes ongoing work to ensure that officers have access to appropriate support in key areas such as mental health, physical protection, and support for their families.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of proposals by the National Police Chiefs’ Council to change compensation arrangements for cancelled police rest days on officer welfare, morale and retention.

The Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB) makes recommendations to the Government on the appropriate level of pay and allowances for police officers, including payments for cancelled rest days. The PRRB gathers and invites parties to submit evidence to inform their decisions. The Government will give very careful consideration to any recommendations made by the PRRB.The Government expects any changes to police pay and conditions to take into account the welfare, morale and retention of officers, alongside the operational needs of policing. We are clear that officer wellbeing must remain a central consideration in any changes.More widely, this Government remains firmly committed to supporting the wellbeing of police officers and staff through the Police Covenant. This includes ongoing work to ensure that officers have access to appropriate support in key areas such as mental health, physical protection, and support for their families.

What guidance his Department has issued to the insurance and mortgage industries regarding Battery Energy Storage Systems and pylons in relation to the provision of insurance or mortgages to residents in close proximity to either.

Awaiting answer.

Whether his Department is considering regulatory measures to prevent Meta withdrawing business pages without due process.

Awaiting answer.

What discussions her Department has had with the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers on the level of protests outside their members' premises.

The right to peaceful protest is a vital part of our democracy, and people are free to gather and express their views, provided they do so within the law. The Public Order Act 1986 grants the police powers to manage protests by imposing conditions on public processions and assemblies to prevent serious disorder, disruption, or intimidation, while balancing the right to peaceful protest. It is for local police forces to determine whether to impose conditions.The Home Office engages with policing partners and relevant stakeholders, including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on issues relating to public order and protest activity. The policing of protests, including any activity outside commercial premises, is an operational decision for the police who must balance the right to peaceful protest with the rights and safety of others.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the minimum income floor on farmers.

The government is currently undertaking a review of Universal Credit to ensure it is delivering on its core objectives of tackling poverty and making work pay. As part of that review, we have been engaging with our stakeholders, including those who represent the interests of farmers and have listened to their views and are reflecting on that feedback as part of the review.

What steps his Department is taking to (a) address threshold‑based exclusion in adult eating disorder services,(b) reduce funding disparities between child and adult eating disorder services, and (c) strengthen safeguarding procedures for adults who are declined treatment despite clinically significant medical risk.

Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that have enduring physical and psychological impacts. This is compounded by known difficulties accessing timely, consistent, and appropriate care across the system. The Government has set out its long-term approach to mental health reform as part of the 10-Year Health Plan for the National Health Service. This plan is built around three key shifts, from hospital to community, from sickness to prevention, and from analogue to digital, all of which are essential to improving care for those with eating disorders. In January, NHS England published long-awaited updated commissioning guidance for children and young people’s eating disorder services. The guidance takes a whole-pathway approach, prioritising community-based care, earlier identification and intervention, and better integration with schools, colleges, and primary care. Specialised adult eating disorder inpatient services are not commissioned based on fixed thresholds. Admission decisions are made by multidisciplinary clinical teams following a comprehensive assessment of clinical risk, including physical health, psychiatric presentation, rate of deterioration, and wider social factors. Body mass index may inform clinical assessment but is not used in isolation to determine access to inpatient care. Integrated care boards (ICBs) commission services across the full pathway, including both adult and children and young people’s provision. This enables resources to be allocated at a system level based on population need, with specialised inpatient services forming part of a broader continuum of care. Where individuals are not admitted to specialised inpatient services, responsibility for ongoing care and risk management remains with local clinical teams under ICB commissioning arrangements. Safeguarding is managed through established NHS and statutory multi-agency frameworks, ensuring that individuals at risk continue to receive appropriate oversight and support. Specialised inpatient services operate as part of an integrated system, with NHS Led Provider Collaboratives supporting coordinated care and clinically led decision-making based on individual need.

What assistance his Department provides for young people with caring responsibilities for older (a) siblings and (b) relatives.

Local authorities must identify young carers, including those caring for older siblings and relatives, who may need support and assess their needs when requested. We strongly support the No Wrong Doors for Young Carers Memorandum of Understanding, which promotes collaboration across children’s and adults’ services, health partners, and schools. We strongly encourage local authorities to sign up to it.NHS England is supporting the identification of young carers through general practice guidance and improved data sharing. NHS England is also leading a cross-Government project, co-produced with young carers and voluntary, community, and social enterprise partners, to improve identification, strengthen support pathways, and join up services across education, health, and local organisations.I chair a regular cross-Government meeting with ministers from the Department for Work and Pensions, the Department for Business and Trade, and the Department for Education, to consider how best to provide unpaid carers and young carers with the recognition and support they deserve. The Government is preparing a cross-Government action plan for unpaid carers which we plan to publish later this year. This will include actions to strengthen further the support that is provided to young carers.

What assistance her Department provides for young people seeking employment upon leaving school.

Young people must continue in education or training until their 18th birthday and may do so through full-time study, full-time work or volunteering combined with part-time learning, or an apprenticeship, while local authorities hold statutory duties to identify and support those needing help, including young people who are not in education, employment or training.Apprenticeships allow young people to earn and learn. Employers receive financial support to hire young apprentices, including up to £2,000 for small and medium sized enterprises taking on 16 to 24-year-old new starters. Foundation apprenticeships were introduced in August 2025, to give young people a route into critical sectors.Through the Careers and Enterprise Company, the department is supporting schools to deliver high quality, employer-led careers advice, giving young people clearer insight into the full range of pathways available. We are also bridging the gap between education and work with our commitment to two weeks’ worth of work experience for every secondary pupil.The Post 16 Education and Skills White Paper set out major reforms, including new Vocational Levels alongside A Levels and T Levels, a further study pathway with a Foundation Certificate, and an occupational pathway with an Occupational Certificate to support progression into study, work or apprenticeships.For those who want to move into work after they are 18 but cannot find work, the Department for Work and Pensions is strengthening support through the Youth Guarantee, supported by £2.5 billion of investment to create 500,000 opportunities for young people to earn and learn. This includes the delivery of eight Youth Guarantee trailblazers in England, the expansion of Youth Hubs to more than 360 areas across Great Britain, and the introduction of a new Youth Guarantee Gateway in jobcentres, providing more intensive support to 16 to 24-year-olds.Together these measures demonstrate the government’s commitment to backing young people.

How her Department is supporting university students and graduates with accumulating student debt.

Unlike commercial loans, student loans carry significant protections for borrowers. Student loan repayments are linked to income, not to the amount borrowed or interest applied. As repayments remain income contingent, if a borrower’s salary remains the same, their monthly repayments will also stay the same.Repayments are made at a constant rate of 9% above the earnings threshold. Borrowers earning under the earnings threshold are not required to make repayments. Any outstanding loan, including interest built up, is cancelled at the end of the loan term with no detriment to the borrower, and debt is never passed on to family members or descendants.The government appreciates that making student loan repayments does have an impact on individuals. This is why there are unique protections for borrowers, and the finance system is heavily subsidised by taxpayers.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the condition and usability of publicly accessible sports pitches and playing fields in England since 2020; and how many (a) have been classified as fully usable, (b) require minor repair and (c) are out of use.

The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to quality sports pitches and playing fields.According to Sport England’s Active Places database, as of March 2026, there are currently 53,531 operational publicly accessible sports pitches in England, and 5,066 out of use.Our Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme provides capital investment for new and improved grassroots facilities. £85m will be invested through the programme in the UK in 2026/27.

What steps she is taking to assist people with student debt to gain access to a mortgage.

The Government is committed to making home ownership more accessible by supporting first-time buyers, and welcomes changes made last year to support homeowners. The FCA clarifications to their affordability testing rules have been adopted by 85% of the market and should allow customers to borrow around 10% more on the same income. Additional flexibility from the Bank of England in relation to their loan-to-income rules are also allowing more customers to access larger mortgages in relation to their incomes. The Bank of England estimates that this change provide capacity for lenders to support up to 36,000 additional first-time buyers in the first year. The UK also benefits from a competitive mortgage market that offers various low deposit products; prospective buyers are encouraged to shop around and speak to a mortgage broker to find the best possible product for their circumstances. As a Government, we recognise the impact that previous Government terms can have on graduates’ finances. The government is capping the maximum interest rates on Plan 2 and 3 student loans at 6% from 1 September, for the 2026/27 academic year, delivering stability and protections for graduates from escalating student loan interest. We will continue to keep the terms of the student loan system under review to ensure that it is sustainable and fair for both students and taxpayers.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has had discussions with stakeholders on the adequacy of the BREEAM Excellent £2,000,000 threshold, in the context of inflation since it was set.

The Department has not held discussions with stakeholders on this matter.