Written questions by Darling.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to provide support to (a) Elliott Michael Roberts and (b) other detained British nationals in Israel.

Awaiting answer.

What consideration she has given to provision of bleed kits in first aid kits in police cars.

Bleed kits can play a valuable role in saving lives in emergency situations. Decisions on the placement of bleed kits in first aid kits in police vehicles are an operational matter for Chief Officers to decide. Their assessment should be based on local risk assessments and priorities, in conjunction with their Police and Crime Commissioner and in line with health and safety legislation and the College of Policing’s Authorised Professional Practice (APP).

Which ICBs have chosen not to allow GPs to prescribe weight loss injections.

Awaiting answer.

Whether he plans to mandate that all ICBs make provision of Aquablation as a procedure to treat enlarged prostates.

Awaiting answer.

How many ICBs have chosen to make provision of Aquablation to treat enlarged prostates.

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, if he will ensure that areas without mayors are entitled to the same funding and devolved powers as authorities with mayors.

Awaiting answer.

Whether the Minister will discuss routes for British citizens to be employed in the EU in the longer term with his EU counterpart; for example, whether it would be possible for youth mobility participants to transfer onto other visa routes such as Skilled Worker Visas, without a legal gap in EU residence.

UK nationals who wish to work in the EU are subject to the immigration requirements of the relevant Member States. This Government is committed to ensuring opportunities for British citizens to live, work, study, and travel across the European Union. That is why at the 2025 UK-EU Summit, we agreed to negotiate a balanced youth experience scheme with the EU. We have agreed that any scheme will be capped, subject to a visa requirement, as well as time-limited. We have been clear that the scheme should be in line with the UK’s existing schemes, such as with Australia and New Zealand. The exact parameters of the scheme are subject of ongoing negotiations.

How many businesses will be impacted by changes to business rates (a) nationally and (b) in Torbay constituency.

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation was the first since the pandemic, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties as they recover from the pandemic. To respond to those who are seeing large increases, the Government has already acted to limit increases in bills, announcing a support package worth £4.3 billion package at the Budget. You can find both national and regional data related to the 2026 revaluation here: Non-domestic rating: change in rateable value of rating lists, England and Wales, 2026 Revaluation (compiled list) - GOV.UK

What plans the Government has to roll out Cafcass in Torbay.

Awaiting answer.

Whether he has had discussions with his European Commission counterpart on allowing British citizens participating in the proposed Youth Mobility Scheme.to move between EU Member States.

We are negotiating an ambitious youth experience scheme with the EU. This will provide a valuable form of cultural exchange for young Brits to travel, experience other cultures and learn languages, as well as work and study abroad in Member States. We have agreed that any scheme will be capped, subject to a visa requirement, as well as time-limited. We have been clear that the scheme should be in line with the UK’s existing schemes, such as with Australia and New Zealand, but the exact parameters are subject to ongoing negotiation.

When her Department plans to reply to the correspondence of 20 March 2026 from the hon. Member for Torbay.

A response to the correspondence of 20 March 2026 from the hon. Member for Torbay was sent on 14 May 2026.

Whether he has had discussions with his European Commission counterpart on pathways for British citizens to be employed in the EU for a limited time if they come off the proposed Youth Mobility Scheme and prior to the expiry of their youth mobility visas.

We are negotiating an ambitious youth experience scheme with the EU. This will provide a valuable form of cultural exchange for young Brits to travel, experience other cultures and learn languages, as well as work and study abroad in Member States. We have agreed that any scheme will be capped, subject to a visa requirement, as well as time-limited. We have been clear that the scheme should be in line with the UK’s existing schemes, such as with Australia and New Zealand, but the exact parameters are subject to ongoing negotiation.

Whether the implementation of his policy to merge Housing Benefit for pensioners with Pension Credit will require Primary Legislation, and when he expects the new system to be in operation.

Through bringing together the administration of pensioner Housing Benefit and Pension Credit, we are working to ensure more pensioners receive all the benefits to which they are entitled. This work will deliver a simplified joined-up service that is more effective, consistent, and improves pensioner access to financial support.There is no requirement for primary legislation changes to deliver this joined-up service, which we will be testing with a small set of customers from Autumn 2026 to ensure improvements are having the impact we expect, before agreeing to roll out more widely.

What steps he is taking to allow people to do their EU-UK youth mobility exchange in (a) EEA countries and (b) Switzerland.

We are negotiating an ambitious youth experience scheme with the EU. This will provide a valuable form of cultural exchange for young Brits to travel, experience other cultures and learn languages, as well as work and study abroad in Member States. We have agreed that any scheme will be capped, subject to a visa requirement, as well as time-limited. We have been clear that the scheme should be in line with the UK’s existing schemes, such as with Australia and New Zealand, but the exact parameters are subject to ongoing negotiation.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of artificial intelligence on supporting lower energy consumption and access to lower tariffs for low-income households.

Recent analysis at global level, including by the International Energy Agency, has highlighted the extensive potential for AI applications in energy to cut costs and lower consumer bills. Government will publish an AI Strategy for Energy in Autumn this year, which will set out the actions it is taking to apply AI to the Clean Energy Superpower mission. The AI for Clean Energy Champion is also preparing a review of AI deployment in electricity networks, for publication in the summer.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of age restrictions on Level 7 apprenticeships on (i.) the future skills needs of employers; (ii.) on learners both currently and in the future who plan to stair case up levels of apprenticeships to complete a L7 apprenticeship; and (iii.) access to professional services jobs.

I refer the hon. Member for Torbay to the answer of 16 March 2026 to Question 115133.

(a.) if she will review the scope of the Lifelong Learning Entitlement to ensure it does not create a ceiling at Levels 4–6; (b.) what consideration has been given to including Level 7 professional and postgraduate qualifications; and (c.) what steps she is taking to ensure that the Lifelong Learning Entitlement is learner-led, including by reducing regulatory duplication for providers and enabling professional bodies and Growth and Skills Levy registered providers to deliver LLE funded courses alongside Office for Students regulated institutions.

The lifelong learning entitlement (LLE) will transform the student finance system in England, broadening access to high-quality, flexible education and training.When launched, it will support individuals to learn, upskill and retrain across their working lives. It will create opportunities for both young people and adults to develop the skills needed to succeed in life, contributing to growth across the country.The LLE will fund all courses currently funded through the Higher Education Student Finance system, including Level 7 integrated master’s and postgraduate certificate in education courses.Beyond this, we will continue to deliver a tailored loans package for postgraduate study. Postgraduate master’s loans provide up to £12,858 for tuition fees and living costs, and the Disabled Students’ Allowance is available to support with the extra study-related costs that may arise for students who have a disability.Learners will be able to use the LLE to fund individual modules as well as full courses at Levels 4 to 6, regardless of whether they are provided in colleges, universities or independent providers.

(a) what action the Government is taking to address skills shortages in small and medium sized enterprises; (b) what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his Department's policies of the combined impact of skills shortages and workforce capacity constraints in SMEs; and (c) what steps he is taking to ensure the skills system supports SMEs to train and grow their workforce.

The government is committed to addressing skills shortages in small and medium sized enterprises. To support employers to take on apprentices, the government provides a range of financial support. We are introducing a new hiring grant of £2,000 for non-levy paying employers, typically SMEs, that take on 16–24-year-old apprentices as new employees. Additionally, from August 2026 we will fully fund apprenticeship training for non-levy paying employers for eligible people aged 16-24.The new Business Growth Service is already promoting and signposting the government’s skills offer to SMEs.

Which NHS Trusts are currently seeking redundancies from clinical staff.

The Department does not hold a central list of real-time information on which National Health Service trusts are taking forward redundancies. Decisions about workforce change, including any redundancy proposals, are matters for individual NHS employers, who must follow employment law and nationally agreed contractual arrangements. This includes appropriate engagement with trade unions and staff affected. Where organisations are reducing their workforce numbers and costs, they should take all reasonable steps to avoid compulsory redundancies, including restricting recruitment, managing vacancies and considering suitable alternative employment, to ensure any changes do not compromise patient safety or access to services. NHS England continues to work with integrated care boards and NHS trusts to support safe staffing and the delivery of patient services.

Communities and Local Government, if he will provide guidance for combined county authorities on the next steps to transition to mayoral authorities.

The Government remains firmly committed to mayoral devolution and is forging ahead with it, including through the Devolution Priority Programme, but we have been clear that this model works best when built on firm foundations. That is why we have issued an invitation to all areas in England that do not have devolution to bring forward, with their neighbours, a proposal for a (non-mayoral) Foundation Strategic Authority. Existing non-mayoral Combined County Authorities will automatically be classed as Foundation Strategic Authorities on Royal Assent of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. Foundation Strategic Authorities will have a strong remit for driving growth, as well as key tools to do so in areas such as skills and transport. They will also help build institutional capability and partnerships at the regional level, as a stepping stone towards mayoral devolution in the future. The process for an area moving from a Foundation Strategic Authority to a Mayoral Strategic Authority is being amended through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, subject to Royal Assent, and requires a proposal, a consultation, a decision on whether the necessary statutory tests have been met, and consent from the relevant authorities. Government will continue to work closely with areas as part of our ambition to widen and deepen devolution in England.