Written questions by Pochin.

What discussions he has had with integrated care boards and NHS England on ensuring that sufficient capacity is commissioned from independent sector providers to facilitate patient choice.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) have the flexibility to commission services across specialties within a fixed financial envelope and may use contract levers to manage that activity. This represents good management of public money to achieve the outcomes we want to see.Patients have a legal right to choose any qualified provider holding a contract with an ICB to deliver the services patients need. This right applies irrespective of levels of activity outlined in indicative activity plans contained in contracts.

What discussions he has had with NHS England and Integrated Care Board commissioners on the (a) fairness and (b) transparency of Indicative Activity Plans.

Indicative Activity Plans (IAPs) are non-binding, forecasted schedules under the NHS Standard Contract that define expected service volumes between commissioners for integrated care boards (ICBs) and providers. In setting these volumes, ICBs and providers are responsible for ensuring they do so with fairness and transparency.ICBs have contractual powers to manage activity by providers, which were enhanced in 2025/26 with central support for setting and managing activity. The NHS Standard Contract includes the ability to set IAPs to help providers and commissioners plan demand, capacity, and expenditure. While not binding, if activity exceeds, or falls short of the agreed plan, and therefore the funding agreed, an Activity Management Plan can be agreed to bring activity back in line.

What timetable the Cabinet Office has set for considering departmental submissions on arm’s length body reform and accountability following Statement UIN HCWS1467 of 26 March 2026.

The ALB review is ongoing and results will be communicated in due course.

What recent discussions he has had with the Department of Health and Social Care on the governance and accountability of the NHS Business Services Authority.

Cabinet Office Ministers have not met with DHSC to discuss the governance and accountability of the NHS Business Services Authority.

What timetable his Department has set for submitting proposals to the Cabinet Office on arm’s length body reform and accountability.

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

What performance targets his Department has set for the processing of claims under the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme.

The Department works closely with the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), the administrators of the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS), to improve claimants’ experiences. While no specific performance targets have been set for the processing of claims, the Department and NHSBSA are committed to continuing to make improvements to the scheme, including by supporting engagement with healthcare providers to allow claims to be progressed to medical assessment at a faster rate.Data from the NHSBSA shows as of 31 March 2026, there were 2,203 live VDPS claims, claims that are yet to receive an outcome. This is compared to 4,985 live claims as of 31 September 2025.

How many civil servants are employed in his Department’s sponsor team for the NHS Business Services Authority by grade.

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

What recent discussions he has had with the Chief Executive of the NHS Business Services Authority on the operation of the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme.

The Department has been working with the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), the administrators of the scheme, to continue to take steps to improve the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS), including through improving claimants’ experiences and supporting engagement with healthcare providers to allow claims to be progressed to medical assessment at a faster rate. Officials have regular discussions with the NHSBSA on the operation of the VDPS.

Whether his Department has undertaken an impact assessment of the potential impact of the changes introduced in December 2025 to accreditation requirements for counsellors on the level of waiting times for patients seeking access to counselling services.

The Department does not set the qualification requirements for psychotherapy and counselling and was not involved in the changes to accreditation requirements introduced in December 2025. The Department does not receive any revenue or financial benefits arising from those changes.

What evidence his Department used to inform the decision to change accreditation requirements for counsellors in December 2025.

The Department does not set the qualification requirements for psychotherapy and counselling and was not involved in the changes to accreditation requirements introduced in December 2025. The Department does not receive any revenue or financial benefits arising from those changes.

Whether his Department plans to assess the potential impact of changes to accreditation and registration requirements for counsellors introduced in December 2025 on (a) counsellors’ businesses, including their level of income and (b) waiting times for accreditation from professional bodies.

The Department does not set the qualification requirements for psychotherapy and counselling and was not involved in the changes to accreditation requirements introduced in December 2025. The Department does not receive any revenue or financial benefits arising from those changes.

Whether his Department received any revenue or financial benefit arising from the accreditation requirements for counsellors introduced in December 2025.

The Department does not set the qualification requirements for psychotherapy and counselling and was not involved in the changes to accreditation requirements introduced in December 2025. The Department does not receive any revenue or financial benefits arising from those changes.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of proposed changes to the budget of the Science and Technology Facilities Council on research facilities and programmes.

The Science and Technology Facilities Council is currently working with the sector to model different spending scenarios for its portfolio in particle physics, astronomy and nuclear physics.No final decisions have been made. The impacts of different scenarios and sector feedback will be considered when taking final decisions. We are clear that curiosity driven research must be protected.The UK remains committed to physics and international physics collaboration, including as the second-largest contributor at CERN.

If he will disclose full details of all three contracts signed in May 2025 between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Serco which relate to the provision of maritime services in support of the Royal Navy, and to i) explain in full what services are provided by Serco in relation to the operation of the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers, ii) confirm whether these contracts, or any pre-existing contracts, include the ammunitioning of Royal Naval vessels by Serco, and iii) whether such contracts contain the necessary provisions to empower HM Government or the Royal Navy to enforce them at weekends, and during international crises.

For security reasons, the Ministry of Defence does not comment on specific contracts, staffing levels or detailed security arrangements at any defence establishment. HM Naval Bases operate on a continuous 24‑hour basis. Appropriate Duty Staff are in place at all times to maintain the safety, security and operational availability of the site.

For what reason eligibility for the Holiday Activities and Food programme is limited to children who meet the benefits-related Free School Meals criteria.

The holiday activities and food (HAF) programme provides free nutritious meals, enriching activities, and safe environments to eligible children during the school holidays. The programme is mainly aimed at children in receipt of benefits‑related free school meals, to ensure that funding is focused on the most disadvantaged. Research has shown that the school holidays can be pressure points for some families. Children from households on low incomes are more likely to experience food insecurity, social isolation, reduced physical activity, and fewer opportunities for enriching experiences during the school holidays. HAF directly responds to this by ensuring all sessions include a nutritious meal and enriching and physical activities, benefiting health, wellbeing and learning of those who attend.In addition, local authorities have discretion to use up to 15% of their funding to provide free or subsidised holiday club places for children who do not meet the eligibility criteria but who the local authority believe could benefit from HAF.

For what reason the disabled persons bus pass is only valid after 9:30am on weekdays.

The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age, between 9.30am and 11.00pm on weekdays and all day at weekends and on Bank Holidays. The duration of the concessionary period was set out in the Transport Act 2000. The ENCTS costs around £795 million annually in reimbursement to operators. Any changes to the statutory obligations, such as extending the times of use, would therefore need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability. However, local authorities in England have the power to go beyond their statutory obligations under the ENCTS and offer additional discretionary concessions, such as extending the travel times for disabled passholders. The Government has confirmed over £3 billion from 2026/27 to support local leaders and bus operators across England to improve bus services over the spending review period. This includes multi-year allocations for local authorities under the Local Authority Bus Grant (LABG) totalling nearly £700 million per year. Liverpool City Region Combined Authority will be allocated £64.2 million under the LABG from 2026/27 to 2028/29, in addition to the £22.5 million they are already receiving this financial year. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services can be used in whichever way they wish to deliver better services for passengers, which could include extending discretionary concessions locally.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of extending the terms of office of councillors following the cancellation of local elections on democratic accountability.

Where local elections are scheduled to be postponed to release essential capacity for delivering local government reorganisation, democratic accountability remains with the elected member whose term will be extended for an additional year. These councillors were elected to their seats and continue to hold a democratic mandate.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 15 January 2026 to Question 103696, how any proposed non statutory definition of anti Muslim hatred or Islamophobia may be used by public authorities outside the criminal justice system.

Ministers are taking the time to review and consider the independent Working Group’s advice before confirming next steps in due course. As per the Working Group's Terms of Reference, a definition could provide the government and other relevant bodies with a greater understanding of unacceptable treatment and prejudice against Muslim communities.

Communities and Local Government, on what statutory basis local elections may be (a) cancelled and (b) postponed once they have been scheduled.

In the spirit of devolution and trusting local leaders we have listened to councils telling us about the capacity constraints they are operating within and the work that reorganisation introduces on top of existing challenges. We have been transparent about this process and the Secretary of State considered the position of each council individually, weighing up the evidence received and other relevant matters. I refer the hon. Member to the Secretary of State’s statement on 22 January 2026. We are preparing the necessary order, which will be laid in both houses when parliamentary time allows. The order will use section 87 of the Local Government Act 2000 to change the years in which the ordinary elections of councillors of those specified local authorities are to be held. The Secretary of State also has powers to implement proposals for local government reorganisation using the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007. These allow him to legislate for electoral matters. These powers are used to replace elections to councils which are shortly to be abolished with elections to the new councils for the area. An order using these powers is currently before the House in relation to local government reorganisation in Surrey. Councils communicate regularly with the public they serve and will issue information as appropriate.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of British industrial capacity on young people’s future employment and skills opportunities.

Our modern Industrial Strategy focuses on eight sectors with the greatest potential to raise national levels of investment and productivity, spread prosperity to all parts of the country, make us all more secure, and seize the opportunities of net zero. The Strategy sets out our plans to deliver more opportunities for people at all stages of life, including young people, to learn and earn in our high-growth sectors. Additionally, we are investing £820 million for the Youth Guarantee meaning young people aged 16-24 are set to benefit from further support into employment and learning, and also announced a £725 million investment to deliver more apprenticeships for young people and help match skills training with local job opportunities.