Written questions by Edwards.

How many and what proportion of vehicles involved in criminal activity have had non-compliant licence plates in the last 12 months.

The Home Office does not routinely collect information related to the compliance of licence plates for vehicles which have been involved in criminal activity.Data of this type may be held locally by law enforcement organisations.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the qualifications held by Energy Ombudsman caseworkers.

Ofgem are responsible for assessing every two years whether the Energy Ombudsman continues to meet the criteria set out in the Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes Regulations 2015. This includes assessing whether the Energy Ombudsman staff have the appropriate expertise, including an understanding of the law and the necessary expertise in the resolution of energy disputes. The last Ofgem review of the Energy Ombudsman was published in July 2024 and found that the Energy Ombudsman met the relevant criteria, available here: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/biennial-assessment-ombudsman-services-under-alternative-dispute-resolution-adr-regulations-2021-2023

How many and what proportion of vehicles involved in criminal activity have had non-compliant licence plates in the last 12 months.

The Home Office does not collect information related to the compliance of licence plates for vehicles which have been involved in criminal activity. Data may be held by local police forces.Data be held locally by law enforcement organisations.

Whether her Department plans to separate the number of procedures for the (a) LD50 (lethal dose 50%) and (b) LC50 (lethal concentration 50%) tests in the annual statistics of scientific procedures on living animals.

The Home Office publishes extensive data on the use of animals in science in the annual statistics of scientific procedures on living animals.There are no plans to disaggregate the number of procedures specifically relating to the LD50 and LC50 tests within these statistics.

If he will publish the training materials for case handlers of the Energy Ombudsman.

Ofgem is required to review the Energy Ombudsman every two years. As part of these reviews, the Energy Ombudsman provided training materials to Ofgem, who judged that staff at the Ombudsman were sufficiently well-trained. The decision about whether to publish training materials is a decision for the Energy Ombudsman, who are independent of Government. We want it to be quicker and easier for consumers to access the Energy Ombudsman service and for any customer who has received a poor-quality service from their supplier to receive the compensation and resolution they deserve.That is why the Government has announced proposals to strengthen the Energy Ombudsman to ensure that suppliers comply with its final decisions or pay compensation to their consumer. We will also consult on introducing automatic referrals to the Ombudsman, explore the reduction of referral waiting times from 8 weeks to 4 weeks and make the overall complaints process more transparent and accessible.

Innovation and Technology, if he will make it his policy to transition government digital services to (a) free and (b) open-source providers.

Where appropriate, the Government makes use of free and open-source providers. The Digital, Data & Technology playbook provides guidance on sourcing and contracting for digital, data and technology projects and programmes. Cabinet Office & Government Digital Service are currently working together to define a comprehensive sourcing strategy for what we build, what we buy and how we partner. This will include use of open-source solutions.

If he will make it his policy for all lung cancer patients to be routinely screened for ROS1 biomarkers.

The NHS Genomic Medicine Service (GMS) provides genomic testing in the National Health Service. Testing is delivered by the NHS Genomic Laboratory Hubs and directed by the National Genomic Test Directory. The test directory comprises of a full list of clinical indications, with over 200 cancer clinical indications for genomics testing, including ROS1 biomarker testing for non-small cell lung cancer, a common form of lung cancer.NHS England, supported by the Genomics Clinical Reference Group and genomic test evaluation working groups, holds responsibility for reviewing the test directory on an annual basis following a robust and evidence-based process. Through this process, NHS England will continue to consider the potential costs and benefits of expanding or altering the genomic testing which it commissions, ensuring that this testing is available for all patients for whom it would be of clinical benefit.The Department is committed to ensuring that all patients, including lung cancer patients, have access to innovative diagnostics tests. In May, NHS England announced the roll out of liquid biopsy testing which is now available for all eligible lung cancer patients, which aims to speed up diagnosis and inform better treatment options for those with lung cancer.The 10-Year Health Plan, published 3 July, commits to further expanding the GMS and developing a new population health genomics service which will combine genomics, new diagnostics, and predictive analytics with artificial intelligence, to enable early identification and intervention for individuals with cancer. Additionally, further information on how the Department will tackle lung cancer and improve outcomes for patients will be released in the National Cancer Plan, which is due to be published later this year.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman underwent an independent peer review in 2023-24 facilitated by the International Ombudsman Institute. The review and the LGSCO’s response to its recommendations can be found on the LGSCO’s website.

Who is liable for the cost of repairing damage incurred from installing insulation under the Great British Insulation Scheme.

All installations under government energy efficiency schemes, including the Great British Insulation Scheme, must be carried out by a TrustMark registered business. TrustMark registered installers are required to provide consumers with guarantees from a TrustMark approved guarantee provider. TrustMark have a 3-step dispute resolution process for when things go wrong which includes liaising with the original installer to carry out any required repairs in the first instance. Further information on the steps consumers can take and financial protection for installations can be found on TrustMark’s website here: https://www.trustmark.org.uk/

What provisions his Department has put in place to help ensure the professional competency of firms that install insulation with support from the Great British Insulation Scheme.

We recognise the importance of facilitating a competent and robust supply chain. All installations under government energy efficiency schemes, including the Great British Insulation Scheme, must be carried out by a TrustMark registered business. This includes a requirement to meet independent industry standards and to provide a warranty to the householder, in case something goes wrong. The government recognises the need to reform a fragmented system and will introduce plans to drive-up quality and protect consumers through the Warm Homes Plan.

How much the Government paid Microsoft for digital services for the last 12 months for which data is available.

Full information on government spend with Microsoft is not held centrally by the Cabinet Office (CO), as individual departments and public bodies are responsible for their own procurement and contractual arrangements. However, the Crown Commercial Service (CCS), an executive agency of the Cabinet Office, manages the Strategic Partnership Arrangement 2024 (SPA24) with Microsoft. Approximately £1.9 billion has been spent on Microsoft software licences via third-party resellers in the financial year 2024/25. This spend is through SPA24 and its predecessor DTA-21. These agreements enable all eligible UK public sector organisations to access discounted pricing on a range of Microsoft products.

If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the proportion funding his Department provides for cancer research that is allocated to brain tumour-related research.

Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why the Department invests over £1.6 billion per year in health research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR spent £133 million on cancer research in 2023/24, reflecting its high priority.Between 2018/19 and 2023/24, the NIHR directly invested £11.8 million in research projects focused on brain tumours. In addition, the NIHR’s wider investments in research infrastructure, for instance facilities, services, and the research workforce, are estimated to be £37.5 million, supporting the delivery of 261 brain tumour research studies and enabling over 11,400 people to participate in potentially life-changing brain tumour research in the National Health Service.In 2024, the NIHR announced new research funding opportunities, to stimulate high quality brain tumour research applications, as part of the Government’s commitment to developing new lifesaving and life-improving research, supporting those diagnosed and living with brain tumours. Further information on the NIHR’s new research funding opportunities is available at the following link:https://www.nihr.ac.uk/news/new-funding-opportunities-novel-brain-tumour-research-launchedAdditionally, a new national Brain Tumour Research Consortium was established in December 2024 to bring together researchers from a range of different disciplines and institutions with the aim of driving scientific advancements in how we prevent, detect, manage, and treat cancers in adults and children. The NIHR is also working closely with research partners, including the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission, to attract new researchers, develop the community, and support researchers to submit high-quality research funding proposals, which should result in more effective treatments.The NIHR continues to welcome high quality, high impact funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including brain tumours.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of rates of early (a) detection and (b) treatment of brain tumours.

Survival rates for brain cancer, as with several other cancers, remain too low. Early diagnosis is crucial for improving outcomes, as the chances of survival are significantly higher when cancer is detected at an early stage. That is why early diagnosis remains a key priority for the Government.We are committed to the full rollout of non-specific symptom (NSS) pathways across England, which are designed to speed up the diagnosis of cancer. As of now, there are 115 live NSS services in operation.NSS pathways provide a diagnostic route for patients presenting with symptoms that could indicate cancer but which do not clearly point to a specific cancer type. These pathways complement existing cancer diagnostic pathways and include elements that can also enhance current models of care.In addition, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has announced that a new National Cancer Plan for England will be published later this year. The National Cancer Plan will have patients at its heart and will cover the entirety of the cancer pathway, from referral and diagnosis to treatment and aftercare. It will seek to improve every aspect of cancer care, to improve the experience and outcomes for people with cancer. Our goal is to reduce the number of lives lost to cancer over the next ten years, including for brain cancer.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the suitability of councils to enforce planning infringements made by their own authority.

It is for local planning authorities to ensure they have appropriate systems in place to deal with investigating alleged breaches of planning control by other parts of their local authority. Each local authority has their own code of conduct to ensure they act openly and impartially and in accordance with the rules and regulations at all times.

What assessment he has made of regional differences in access to treatment for cholangiocarcinoma patients.

The Department is committed to reducing waiting times for cancer treatment and improving access to treatment across England, including for cholangiocarcinoma patients. We have now exceeded our pledge to deliver an extra two million operations, scans, and appointments, having now delivered over three million more appointments as the first step to ensuring earlier and faster access to treatment.We are also investing an additional £889 million in general practice (GP) to reinforce the front door of the National Health Service, bringing the total spend on the GP Contract to £13.2 billion in 2025/26. This is the biggest increase in over a decade.The National Cancer Plan will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, as well as speeding up diagnosis and access to treatment. Furthermore, it will ensure all patients, including cholangiocarcinoma patients, have access to the latest treatments and technology. These actions will help bring this country’s cancer survival rates back up to the standards of the best in the world.

In which month the findings of the Migration Advisory Committee's review on financial requirements in the Family Immigration Rules will be published.

The Migration Advisory Committee were commissioned to review the financial requirements in the Family Immigration Rules in September and the review is expected to take approximately 9 months.

If he will take steps to ensure more cancer patients have the opportunity to take part in CAR T-cell therapy clinical trials.

The Department is committed to maximising the United Kingdom’s potential to lead the world in clinical research, with the aim of ensuring that all patients, including those with cancer, have access to cutting-edge clinical trials and innovative, lifesaving treatments.The Department-funded National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funds research and research infrastructure, which supports patients and the public to participate in high-quality research, including clinical trials examining CAR T-cell therapy.The NIHR Biomedical Research Centres (BRCs) are collaborations between world-leading universities and National Health Service organisations, which take cutting-edge cancer research from the laboratory and rapidly translate it into clinical trials in a hospital setting. The University College London Hospitals BRC is revolutionising cancer care with the next-generation of CAR-T cell therapies for patients that deliver powerful remissions with fewer side effects, particularly in the treatment of leukaemia and other solid tumours.The NIHR also provides an online service called Be Part of Research, which promotes participation in health and social care research by allowing users to search for relevant studies and register their interest. This makes it easier for people to find and take part in health and care research that is relevant to them.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Peruvian counterpart on the provision of assistance to indigenous people after the 2022-23 political protests.

The UK is closely monitoring the human rights situation in Peru, including the specific challenges faced by indigenous communities. Our Ambassador to Peru and his team regularly meet representatives of indigenous communities to understand the challenges faced by these groups. The Minister of State for International Development, Latin America and Caribbean also met a group of Peruvian human rights defenders in November 2024 to discuss the 2022-23 political protests. We hold regular discussions on human rights at senior levels with the Peruvian Government and have raised concerns about threats to human rights defenders. In the aftermath of the protests, through the UN High Commissioner's Office for Human Rights, the UK has funded technical assistance to the Public Prosecutor's Office, forensic capacity building and training within the judiciary.

With reference to the Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper, published on 18 March 2025, whether people under 22 in receipt of benefits will lose those benefits once those reforms are implemented.

We are consulting on delaying access to the health element of UC within the reformed system until someone is aged 22, on the basis that the savings generated would be reinvested into work support and training opportunities for this age group to support them into employment and improve their life chances, and that this would remove any potential disincentive to work during this time. We are committed to putting the views and voices of disabled people and people with health conditions at the heart of everything we do. The consultation will close on 30 June 2025, to ensure that everyone has sufficient time to engage with and respond to the consultation.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Peruvian counterpart on investigations into the responsibilities of (a) senior police officers and (b) other civilian authorities in the killings in Juliaca in 2023.

We hold regular discussions on human rights at senior levels with the Peruvian Government including the Foreign Minister, the Minister for Women and Vulnerable Populations, and other stakeholders and have raised concerns about threats to human rights defenders. The Minister of State for International Development, Latin America and Caribbean met a group of Peruvian human rights defenders in November 2024 to discuss the 2022-23 political protests. We will continue to work with the government and wider civil society groups to support the protection of human rights in Peru. Alongside raising the importance of accountability, in the aftermath of the protests, through the UN High Commissioner's Office for Human Rights, the UK funded technical assistance to the Public Prosecutor's Office, forensic capacity building, and training within the judiciary.