Written questions by Coombes.

What steps he is taking to ensure that businesses in the downstream metals sector are supported during proposed changes to the steel safeguard regime.

Awaiting answer.

What discussions he has had with businesses in the downstream metals sector about the upcoming changes to the steel safeguard regime.

Awaiting answer.

What steps he is taking to prevent the misuse of civil and family court proceedings as a form of post-separation abuse and coercive control.

We are committed to improving experiences and outcomes for children and families, particularly in cases involving domestic abuse. The courts have a range of powers to protect victims of domestic abuse. Where repeated applications may be a continuing form of abuse, courts can make orders meaning the perpetrator would require the prior permission of the court before an application could be made. Alongside this, both the Family and Civil courts can appoint an appropriately qualified person to undertake cross-examination instead of a perpetrator.We are rolling out the Child Focused Model nationally, reforming the procedure to be followed in certain private law children’s proceedings in the Family Court. The model embeds referrals to local, specialist domestic abuse support services where domestic abuse is raised as an issue in the case. Victims of domestic abuse and other harms can receive expert support from an Independent Domestic Violence Adviser who will undertake a risk assessment and can offer support to the victim throughout the court process.The model frontloads information gathering and risk assessment through the introduction of the Child Impact Report which presents an assessment of issues through engagement with the parties, the children and relevant agencies. This approach means that evidence is available to judges earlier in the case and reduces the number of cases returning to court, protecting children and families from further trauma.

Whether his Department monitors outcomes in family court cases involving domestic abuse to identify patterns of harm arising from (a) repeated and (b) prolonged proceedings.

This Government recognises the significant impact of domestic abuse on children and adult victims involved in Family Court proceedings, which can be exacerbated when proceedings are prolonged. In March 2026, the Government announced the national rollout of the Child Focused Courts. Under the model, victims of domestic abuse receive specialist support from Independent Domestic Violence Advisers. Data from areas with the model shows cases are being resolved up to seven and a half months faster on average. The model reduces the number of cases returning to court, protecting children and families from further trauma.We are closely monitoring metrics and feedback for the courts already operating the Child Focused Model. As expansion progresses, we are working with the Domestic Abuse Commissioner to explore how we can better understand the outcomes for, and experiences of, families in Child Focused Courts.In addition, we are carefully considering the outcomes of the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s Family Court Review and Reporting Mechanism pilot and will provide further detail as soon as we are able to.

If he will set out which categories of steel are not produced by UK steel mills.

The steel trade measure is designed to balance viability of domestic steel production with the need for reliable supply for downstream businesses. It includes types of steel that the UK can currently produce, with quota allocations set to allow for sufficient imports to ensure continued availability of goods. The UK measure covers 20 product categories, six less than the EU’s proposed measure. More information is available at UK's steel trade measure from 1 July 2026 - GOV.UK The Department has engaged extensively with producers and downstream users throughout the design of the measure and will conduct a formal review after 12 months.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential effect of reduced quotas and increased tariffs on steel imported from overseas on downstream metals businesses in the UK.

The steel trade measure is designed to balance viability of domestic steel production with the need for reliable supply for downstream businesses. It includes types of steel that the UK can currently produce, with quota allocations set to allow for sufficient imports to ensure continued availability of goods. The UK measure covers 20 product categories, six less than the EU’s proposed measure. More information is available at UK's steel trade measure from 1 July 2026 - GOV.UK The Department has engaged extensively with producers and downstream users throughout the design of the measure and will conduct a formal review after 12 months.

What percentage of ANPR misreads occurred in each of the last five years of the DfT's roadside surveys.

The Department does not readily hold figures on the percentage of ANPR misreads from vehicle excise duty evasion statistics roadside survey. Misreads are managed through quality assurance and correction processes, with any remaining uncertainty reflected in the confidence intervals published alongside Vehicle Excise Duty evasion estimates.

How many DVLA-registered number plate suppliers are based in (a) West Bromwich and (b) Sandwell.

The tables below show the number of registered number plate suppliers based in West Bromwich and Sandwell by postcode area. As postcode boundaries do not always align with administrative borders, two postcodes appear in both tables. Postcode areas may also extend beyond West Bromwich and Sandwell. West Bromwich PostcodeNumber of SuppliersB7024B713Sandwell PostcodeNumber of SuppliersB433B6421B6513B6632B672B686B6918B7024B713DY420WS54WS1035WV1428

What assessment he has made of the number of Notice of Impending Prosecution farms operating in the UK.

The Department for Transport does not issue Notice of Intended Prosecutions and is not responsible for enforcing against any illegal activity related to this process. These are matters for the police.

What steps he is taking to ensure trans people have equal access to healthcare.

All patients, including LGBT+ patients, should feel comfortable and confident accessing National Health Services when they need to. Nobody should experience discrimination while accessing the healthcare they need.We understand LGBT+ patients experience specific barriers to access and that in part is why last year my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, commissioned NHS England to undertake an LGBT+ health evidence review.The review is being led by Dr Michael Brady, the National Advisor for LGBT+ Health at NHS England, and its objectives are:identifying barriers to accessing healthcare services for LGBT+ people;exploring experiences of healthcare, notably areas of poorer experience; andunderstanding the impact of LGBT+ health inequalities on outcomes and patient safety.The review is expected to conclude in Spring 2026 with a final report and recommendations for my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.Further information about what the review covers, as well as its methodology, can be found at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/equality/equality-hub/patient-equalities-programme/lgbt-health/lgbt-health-evidence-review/Transgender people can access specialist services for gender dysphoria and incongruence, and the Government recognises that waiting times are far too long for children and young people, and adults. This is why we are working closely with NHS England to implement recommendations from the Cass Review and NHS Adult Gender Services Review to improve these services. To that end NHS England has significantly increased investment in these services. It has opened three new regional gender services for children and young people since April 2024, with an ambition to have service provision in every region by 2026/27 and has increased the number of adult clinics from seven to 12 since 2020.

What steps he is taking to tackle discrimination against trans people in the healthcare system.

All patients, including LGBT+ patients, should feel comfortable and confident accessing National Health Services when they need to. Nobody should experience discrimination while accessing the healthcare they need.We understand LGBT+ patients experience specific barriers to access and that in part is why last year my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, commissioned NHS England to undertake an LGBT+ health evidence review.The review is being led by Dr Michael Brady, the National Advisor for LGBT+ Health at NHS England, and its objectives are:identifying barriers to accessing healthcare services for LGBT+ people;exploring experiences of healthcare, notably areas of poorer experience; andunderstanding the impact of LGBT+ health inequalities on outcomes and patient safety.The review is expected to conclude in Spring 2026 with a final report and recommendations for my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.Further information about what the review covers, as well as its methodology, can be found at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/equality/equality-hub/patient-equalities-programme/lgbt-health/lgbt-health-evidence-review/Transgender people can access specialist services for gender dysphoria and incongruence, and the Government recognises that waiting times are far too long for children and young people, and adults. This is why we are working closely with NHS England to implement recommendations from the Cass Review and NHS Adult Gender Services Review to improve these services. To that end NHS England has significantly increased investment in these services. It has opened three new regional gender services for children and young people since April 2024, with an ambition to have service provision in every region by 2026/27 and has increased the number of adult clinics from seven to 12 since 2020.

If she will bring forward legislative proposals to ensure that signage for EV charging stations can be erected in the same way as for a fuel pump.

Clear and consistent electric vehicle (EV) signage is essential to support the EV transition, ensuring drivers can confidently and safely undertake journeys. We’re modernising EV road signage so drivers can more easily find chargers.Changes announced in July 2025 allow signing from major A-roads for charging hubs with at least 12 ultra-rapid chargepoints and the same level of facilities as existing A-road services.We will continue to work with industry to improve EV signage. We are currently engaging with stakeholders on what further changes would be valuable for signage on motorways, major A-roads and on local roads.

What assessment she has made of the availability of signage for EV charging points on A-roads and on the strategic road network.

Clear and consistent electric vehicle (EV) signage is essential to support the EV transition, ensuring drivers can confidently and safely undertake journeys. We’re modernising EV road signage so drivers can more easily find chargers.Changes announced in July 2025 allow signing from major A-roads for charging hubs with at least 12 ultra-rapid chargepoints and the same level of facilities as existing A-road services.We will continue to work with industry to improve EV signage. We are currently engaging with stakeholders on what further changes would be valuable for signage on motorways, major A-roads and on local roads.

What percentage of ultra-rapid charging hubs along A-roads and motorways are eligible for roadside signage.

Clear and consistent electric vehicle (EV) signage is essential to support the EV transition, ensuring drivers can confidently and safely undertake journeys. We’re modernising EV road signage so drivers can more easily find chargers.Changes announced in July 2025 allow signing from major A-roads for charging hubs with at least 12 ultra-rapid chargepoints and the same level of facilities as existing A-road services.We will continue to work with industry to improve EV signage. We are currently engaging with stakeholders on what further changes would be valuable for signage on motorways, major A-roads and on local roads.

With reference to the answer of 2 March 2026 to question 115655, what safeguards and checks the DVLA has in place to ensure the 1,840 number plate suppliers who have been struck off the register of number plate suppliers since 2020 cannot successfully re-apply to become a registered supplier.

The 1,840 suppliers who were removed from the Register of Number Plate Suppliers (RNPS) since 2020 includes those suppliers who were removed voluntarily, suppliers that have ceased trading and those whose removal was ordered by a court. Suppliers who were removed from the RNPS voluntarily or because they have ceased trading can re-register at any time. Removals from the RNPS ordered by a court are usually for a fixed period, up to a maximum of five years. If the DVLA is aware that removal from the RNPS has been ordered by a court, the supplier will not be able to rejoin the register until the length of the exclusion ordered by the court has expired. When a supplier applies to join the RNPS, checks are carried out against the business and individual’s name(s) and address to confirm if they have previously been on the RNPS. This ensures number plate suppliers whose removal from the RNPS was ordered by a court cannot successfully re-apply to become a registered supplier during their removal period.

After factoring in the national decline in healthy life expectancy referenced in the answer of 3 March 2026 to Question 115639, for what reason Sandwell has seen a further decline in HLE for men and women since 2020.

According to the Office for National Statistics, the COVID-19 pandemic led to increased mortality during 2020, 2021, and 2022, and explains the national decline observed in healthy life expectancy (HLE) since 2020. Some negative impact remains in the latest reporting period, from 2022 to 2024. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthandlifeexpectancies/bulletins/healthstatelifeexpectanciesuk/between2011to2013and2022to2024HLE at birth for Sandwell stood at 51.3 years for females and 52.7 years for males for the latest period 2022 to 2024. This compares to 61.3 and 60.9 years for females and males respectively, for England.HLE is a broad summary measure of population health, combining mortality rates and self-reported health, at various ages. This can make it difficult to interpret the reasons behind the changes observed, especially as HLE is known to be influenced by a wide range of social, economic, environmental, and behavioural factors.The Government recognises that health inequalities can widen if access and quality of healthcare are worse where need is greatest. Therefore, over the course of our 10-Year Health Plan, we aim to establish a Neighbourhood Health Centre in every community, transforming healthcare access by bringing historically hospital-based services into communities and addressing wider determinants of health through services like debt advice, employment support, and obesity management programmes.Nationwide coverage will take time, but we will start in the areas of greatest need where healthy life expectancy is lowest, including rural towns and communities with higher deprivation levels and delivering healthcare closer to home for those that need it the most.

What steps he is taking to half the gap in healthy life expectancy between the richest and poorest regions.

It is a priority for the Government to halve the gap between the richest and the poorest regions and to ensure that everyone, no matter where they are born, lives well for longer. We recognise that recently released Office for National Statistics Data on Healthy Life Expectancy (HLE) data is concerning and there is more we need to do.We are tackling the root causes of the HLE gap, focusing on key prevention policies such as reducing obesity and smoking, improving NHS access and outcomes, and through coordinated cross‑Government action on wider determinants like air quality and fuel poverty.A core mission of the 10-Year Health Plan is to reduce the persistent inequalities that shape people’s health. The plan’s three shifts all serve one purpose, to improve outcomes for the communities who face the greatest disadvantage.We are working across Government to ensure health is embedded in the policies that shape people’s daily lives, from the homes they live in to the air they breathe. Recent cross-Government action includes the Warm Homes Plan, the Keep Britain Working Review, and the Homelessness Strategy.We are also taking a range of cross-Government action to tackle health inequality. This includes the introduction of Awaab’s Law, ensuring landlords will have to fix significant damp and mould hazards, and legislating for a new statutory health and health inequalities duty for strategic authorities.

With reference to the answer of 3 March 2026 to question 115639, what factors are behind the national decline in healthy life expectancy since 2020.

According to the Office for National Statistics, the COVID-19 pandemic led to increased mortality during 2020, 2021, and 2022, and explains the national decline observed in healthy life expectancy (HLE) since 2020. Some negative impact remains in the latest reporting period, from 2022 to 2024. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthandlifeexpectancies/bulletins/healthstatelifeexpectanciesuk/between2011to2013and2022to2024HLE at birth for Sandwell stood at 51.3 years for females and 52.7 years for males for the latest period 2022 to 2024. This compares to 61.3 and 60.9 years for females and males respectively, for England.HLE is a broad summary measure of population health, combining mortality rates and self-reported health, at various ages. This can make it difficult to interpret the reasons behind the changes observed, especially as HLE is known to be influenced by a wide range of social, economic, environmental, and behavioural factors.The Government recognises that health inequalities can widen if access and quality of healthcare are worse where need is greatest. Therefore, over the course of our 10-Year Health Plan, we aim to establish a Neighbourhood Health Centre in every community, transforming healthcare access by bringing historically hospital-based services into communities and addressing wider determinants of health through services like debt advice, employment support, and obesity management programmes.Nationwide coverage will take time, but we will start in the areas of greatest need where healthy life expectancy is lowest, including rural towns and communities with higher deprivation levels and delivering healthcare closer to home for those that need it the most.

How many days per year the DVLA's enforcement officers are on the road.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)’s Register of Number Plate suppliers (RNPS) enforcement officers are on the road auditing number plate suppliers three to four days a week. Other days are reserved for administration, training, meetings with stakeholders, partner organisations and other matters. Since 2020, 1,840 outlets have been removed from the RNPS. This includes voluntary removals, suppliers that have ceased trading as well as removals ordered by a court. A list of suppliers removed from the RNPS as a result of a court order can only be provided at disproportionate cost. To extract this information would require a manual interrogation of each of the 1,840 records to determine the reason for removal. Suppliers who have been removed from the RNPS voluntarily or because they have ceased trading can re-register at any time. Court ordered removals from the RNPS are usually for a fixed period up to a maximum of five years. The DVLA will not allow a suppler to rejoin the RNPS during the time while a court ordered period is in effect. Information on how many suppliers have rejoined the RNPS following their removal from the register is not readily available and could only be provided at a disproportionate cost. To extract this information would also require a manual interrogation of each of the 1,840 records to determine if the supplier has returned to the register.

Whether the DVLA can provide a list of suppliers who have been struck off the Register of Number Plate suppliers since 2020.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)’s Register of Number Plate suppliers (RNPS) enforcement officers are on the road auditing number plate suppliers three to four days a week. Other days are reserved for administration, training, meetings with stakeholders, partner organisations and other matters. Since 2020, 1,840 outlets have been removed from the RNPS. This includes voluntary removals, suppliers that have ceased trading as well as removals ordered by a court. A list of suppliers removed from the RNPS as a result of a court order can only be provided at disproportionate cost. To extract this information would require a manual interrogation of each of the 1,840 records to determine the reason for removal. Suppliers who have been removed from the RNPS voluntarily or because they have ceased trading can re-register at any time. Court ordered removals from the RNPS are usually for a fixed period up to a maximum of five years. The DVLA will not allow a suppler to rejoin the RNPS during the time while a court ordered period is in effect. Information on how many suppliers have rejoined the RNPS following their removal from the register is not readily available and could only be provided at a disproportionate cost. To extract this information would also require a manual interrogation of each of the 1,840 records to determine if the supplier has returned to the register.