Written questions by Niblett.

Representing the Church Commissioners, when she plans to answer Question 106240 tabled on 15 January 2026, on Church of England: LGBT+ People.

The answer to question UIN 106240 was issued by the Church Commissioners on the 27th January 2026 and can be found here: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-01-15/106240/

Food and Rural Affairs, when she plans to answer Question 105030 on Farm Business Tenancy.

A response was published to Question 105030 on Wednesday 28 January here: PQ 105030. I apologise for the delay in doing so.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to her Department's document entitled Guidelines and guidance on the responsible use of veterinary medicines, updated on 8 October 2024, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the inclusion of blanket flea and worming treatments in veterinary health plans on the responsible use of veterinary medicine and antimicrobials in animals.

Flea and tick products play an important role in protecting animal and human health; however, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) recognises increasing concerns about the environmental impacts of substances such as fipronil and imidacloprid. Monitoring in England has detected these substances in some watercourses at levels that may pose a risk to aquatic invertebrates. The VMD is leading cross‑government work through the Pharmaceuticals in the Environment Group to support responsible use of these products. Recently published VMD‑funded studies (2024–25) have shown that spot‑on flea and tick products can contribute to environmental levels of imidacloprid and fipronil through wastewater pathways and when dogs swim. These findings strengthen the evidence base, but important gaps remain, including understanding the potential unintended consequences if usage patterns change. This is being considered as part of wider stewardship work to ensure future decisions remain proportionate, evidence based and protective of animal welfare.

What vetting procedures are in place to ensure care agencies providing non UK workers in the care industry ensure the safety of patients before allowing workers to commence a caring role.

Care agencies who carry out a regulated activity must be registered by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and are expected to comply with relevant regulations. Where a care agency does not carry out a regulated activity but supplies workers to a regulated care provider, the legal duty to comply with CQC regulations sits with the registered provider using the agency and the registered manager.Regulation 19 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 sets out that it is the responsibility of the regulated provider to ensure robust and safe recruitment practices are in place, and to make sure that all staff, including agency staff, are suitably experienced, competent, and able to carry out their role. Further information on Regulation 19 is available at the following link:https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-regulation/providers/regulations-service-providers-and-managers/health-social-care-act/regulation-19Registered providers are also expected to comply with Regulation 18: Staffing, which sets out a provider’s responsibility to deploy enough suitably qualified, competent, and experienced staff. Further information on Regulation 18 is available at the following link:https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-regulation/providers/regulations-service-providers-and-managers/health-social-care-act/regulation-18The CQC can assess compliance with these regulations through assessment and monitoring activity. Where a breach of regulation or non-compliance is identified, the CQC can take regulatory action.An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check must be undertaken prior to the recruitment of all care workers. In line with the CQC guidance for DBS checks, staff working with vulnerable adults can only start work before a DBS certificate is received if they have had a DBS Adult First Check, are appropriately supervised, and do not escort people away from the premises unless accompanied by someone with a DBS check.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of adding a default notice to customers' credit files before the resolution of their payment disputes with energy providers on their credit rating.

The Government recognises that information relating to arrears, such as a default notice, can have an adverse impact on an individual’s credit file. While the decision to report arrears information about an energy account to a credit reference agency is ultimately a matter for the energy company, energy companies and other organisations that report such information are expected to follow the Principles for the Reporting of Arrears, Arrangements and Defaults at Credit Reference Agencies, available at: https://www.scoronline.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Principles-for-the-Reporting-of-Arrears-Arr….

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to introduce statutory protection of the title “Registered Veterinary Nurse”.

As set out in the newly released consultation regarding reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, Defra is proposing statutory protection of the Veterinary Nurse title in line with Veterinary Surgeons.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he plans to take to increase participation in the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme.

In the newly released consultation regarding reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, Defra proposes to replace the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme with a mandatory licence for all veterinary and animal healthcare businesses. This will ensure they all meet the required standards, including the 30% of practices not currently engaged with the Practice Standards Scheme.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential competitive implications of capping prescription fees while major veterinary corporate groups also own large online pharmacies.

The Department for Business and Trade has not made a specific assessment of this issue. Competition issues in the veterinary services market are currently being examined by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) as part of its market investigation into veterinary services for household pets. The CMA’s initial analysis of a potential cap on prescription fees can be found in its provisional decision report. It is expected to publish its final decision by March.

What research her Department is undertaking into developing alternative vehicle fuels, such as synthetic and bio fuels.

In recognition of their established carbon reduction benefits the Government supports the use of low carbon fuels in surface transport vehicles through the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) scheme. Under the scheme the supply of synthetic fuels and biofuels produced from renewable inputs is eligible for support, where these low carbon fuels meet stringent sustainability criteria. Whilst my Department does not generally undertake its own research into developing alternative vehicle fuels, it does periodically fund specific research studies to inform policy development and the deployment of such fuels. A recent example is a study on higher bio content fuel deployment in heavy-duty transport, the outputs of which were published online in August 2025. Additionally, the Department provides funding for latter stage development and deployment of hydrogen, a synthetic fuel, through the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) and the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) programmes.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to help tackle the potential impact of restrictive software licensing practices on businesses.

The Government is committed to supporting a competitive and innovative digital economy. This is why we prioritised the commencement of the Competition and Markets Authority’s (the CMA) new powers in digital markets.These new powers are designed to boost competition and innovation in digital markets and promote fairer outcomes for both businesses and consumers. The CMA is independent of Government, and any decisions on which markets it next investigates is for its Board.

Whether he has had discussions with NICE on its Final Draft Guidance which does not recommend CAR-T therapy for relapsed or refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma.

Department officials regularly discuss a range of issues with colleagues in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), including in relation to the development of guidance on individual products.NICE develops its recommendations on new medicines independently on the basis of a thorough assessment of the available evidence and through extensive engagement with interested parties. NICE is currently re-evaluating the CAR-T therapy brexucabtagene autoleucel (Tecartus) to determine whether it can be recommended for routine National Health Service use, taking into account real-world evidence generated through its use in the Cancer Drugs Fund.

What consideration his department has made of the potential merits of providing parity in pay and conditions between primary care nursing staff and their Agenda for Change colleagues in the NHS.

The Government is committed to ensuring the general practice nursing workforce is sustainable, supported and valued for the work they do.The Government looks to the independent pay review bodies for a pay recommendation for National Health Service staff, including both contractor and salaried general practitioners (GPs). They consider a range of evidence from organisations including the Government, the NHS and trade unions to reach their recommendations.The independent review body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB) recommended an uplift of 4% to the pay ranges for salaried GPs, and to GP contractor pay. As with the previous year, we accepted the DDRB’s pay recommendation. We provided an increase to core funding for practices to allow this 4% pay uplift, on top of the provisional 2.8% uplift already provided, to be passed on to salaried and contractor GPs. The additional funding also allows for pay uplifts for other salaried general practice staff, including nurses. We expect GP contractors to implement pay rises to other practice staff in line with the uplift in funding they have received.As self-employed contractors to the NHS, it is up to general practices how they distribute pay and benefits to general practice nurses and other staff. General practice contractual arrangements do not place any specific obligations on practices regarding general practice nurse terms and conditions.We are investing an additional £1.1 billion in general practice to reinforce the front door of the NHS, bringing total spend on the GP Contract to £13.4 billion in 2025/26, representing the biggest cash increase in over a decade. The 8.9% boost to the GP contract in 2025/26 is greater than the 5.8% growth to the NHS budget overall.

What steps she is taking to ensure that Academies operate lawfully when safeguarding issues are raised.

All schools must follow ’Keeping Children safe in education’, and ’Working together to safeguard children’ statutory guidance. Academy trusts must also comply with the ’Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014’, which sets safeguarding standards, as a requirement of their funding agreement.The department considers all safeguarding issues reported to it. Where the department has concerns about an academy trust not meeting its safeguarding responsibilities, it works closely with the trust to ensure those arrangements come into compliance with statutory requirements. This remit does not extend to investigating individual safeguarding matters or commenting on a trust’s handling of incidents. Failure to comply with regulations may place a trust in breach of its funding agreement with my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, which can lead to intervention action as set out in the Academy Trust Handbook.The department works with other statutory bodies, such as the local authority or Ofsted, as appropriate. Trusts are held to account for standards in their academies through Ofsted inspections. Local authorities have an overarching responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in their area, regardless of the types of educational settings they attend.

What steps he is taking to recognise the principles of (a) legitimate expectation, (b) adequate notice and (c) procedural fairness in its response to women born in the 1950s affected by delayed notification of state pension age changes.

The Secretary of State announced in his oral statement of 11 November 2025 that we will retake the decision made in December 2024 as it relates to the communications on State Pension age. Retaking the decision should not be taken as an indication that Government will necessarily decide that it should award financial redress. The process to retake the decision is underway and it is important that we give this full and proper consideration. We will update Parliament on the decision as soon as a conclusion is reached and on 2 December 2025 we committed to re-take the decision within three months.

What assessment his Department has made of the UK’s compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women in relation to women born in the 1950s affected by changes to the state pension age.

The UK is fully compliant with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, including in relation to women born in the 1950s affected by changes to the State Pension age.

What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the Statement of the House of Bishops on Living in Love and Faith, published in January 2026.

It is for the General Synod, as the elected assembly of the Church of England, to decide matters of doctrine rather than Parliament.More widely, churches and other religious organisations are required to comply with the provisions in the Equality Act 2010 relating to direct and indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation.

What steps he is taking to ensure that locksmiths meet (a) legal, (b) professional and (c) security standards.

The UK’s framework for occupational regulation upholds public protection, while ensuring regulatory burdens on industry are proportionate. Although the locksmithing profession is not subject to statutory regulation, several self-regulating trade associations and accreditation schemes exist within the industry and provide training, conduct criminal record checks, and inspect their members. The government keeps the occupational regulation regime under review and continues to monitor any concerns raised by the public or the industry, including those related to locksmithing.

Representing the Church Commissioners, what assessment they have made of the potential implications for their policies of the Statement of the House of Bishops on Living in Love and Faith, published in January 2026.

As one of the Church of England’s National Church Institutions (NCIs), the Archbishops’ Council, in consultation with the other NCIs, manages the Living in Love and Faith programme. The Archbishops’ Council, as part of its standard operations, maintains a risk register for the programme, and relevant NCIs monitor the risks and opportunities arising from this and other matters. This register is kept under regular review.

What safeguards are in place to protect individuals on the Health and Care Worker visa who report that they have been asked to pay additional sums to their employer in order to maintain their visa sponsorship and continue residing and working in the UK; and what steps are being taken to investigate and penalise employers unlawfully extracting such payments and ensure migrants in this situation can (a) report safely without fear of visa cancellation, (b) access alternative sponsorship or settlement options and (c) receive compensation or redress for exploitation.

All reports of H&C visa holders being forced to pay additional sums are investigated. The sponsor guidance expressly prohibits certain specific costs being passed onto workers. Since the introduction of care workers to the Health and Care Worker visa, UKVI have revoked the licence of more than 1000 sponsors who were operating in the social care sector.The Home Office continues to work closely with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) funded Regional Partnerships to support care workers, who have been impacted by exploitative employers.DHSC are funding 15 regional hubs in England, made up of Local Authorities and Directors of Adult Social Services. UKVI work very closely with the Regional Partnerships in order to fund working together to support displaced workers gain new roles within the care sector and to respond to unethical practices. Where broader concerns are identified, these are referred to the relevant authorities.

When the consultation on firearms will be published.

We intend to publish this consultation shortly.