Written questions by Darling.

Innovation and Technology, whether her planned strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of non-animal methods will contain a timeline to phase out animal experimentation.

The Government is committed to reducing the use of animals in scientific research and is developing a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods. At present, the strategy does not include a fixed timeline for the complete phase-out of animal experimentation but it does commit to timelines for some. It is not yet possible to replace all animal research due to the complexity of biological systems and regulatory requirements. Any work to phase out animal testing must be science-led, in lock step with partners, so we will not be setting arbitrary timelines for reducing their use.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of taking legislative steps to (a) set a goal for phasing out animal experiments in medical research over the next decade and (b) work closely with the scientific community to support it with that transition.

The legal framework in the UK already requires that animals are only ever used in science where there are no validated alternatives available. The government currently has no plans to legislate further on this matter. The Government is working in close partnership with scientists, industry, and civil society to support the transition to alternative methods. This includes convening roundtables and supporting the development and of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs).

Innovation and Technology, whether she plans to convene a roundtable with animal protection groups prior to the publication of the alternative methods to animal testing strategy.

The government has engaged with animal welfare organisations in developing a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods, which will be published by the end of the year. The Government hosted a roundtable on 14 May with representatives from animal welfare organisations to discuss the strategy, have met several individually and offered some the opportunity to read the draft strategy and submit comments.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the higher business rates multiplier for larger premises on the (a) prices of essential goods, (b) shop closures, (c) regional employment levels and (d) footfall in town centres.

The Government is creating a fairer business rates system that protects the high street, supports investment, and is fit for the 21st century. As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government will introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with ratable values (RVs) below £500,000 from 2026-27. This permanent tax cut will ensure they benefit from much-needed certainty and support. This tax cut must be sustainably funded, and so the Government will introduce a higher rate on the most valuable properties in 2026/27 - those with RVs of £500,000 and above. These represent less than one per cent of all properties, but cover the majority of large distribution warehouses, including those used by online giants. The final design, including the rates, for the new business rates multipliers will be announced at Budget 2025, so that the Government can factor the revaluation outcomes and broader economic and fiscal context into decision-making. When the new multipliers are set, HM Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a national A&E Appreciation Week.

The Government highly values hardworking National Health Service staff who go above and beyond to provide rapid and critical care. Local NHS trusts have in place their own approaches to recognising and rewarding staff, supported by advice and guidance set out in the Staff Recognition Framework. This is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/staff-recognition-framework/Members of Parliament can also acknowledge the work of NHS staff in their constituency through the NHS Parliamentary Awards.

What fiscal steps she is taking to help support businesses affected by food inflation.

The Government prioritises sound public finances, which are essential to economic and financial stability, and delivering economic growth. We are living within our means, reducing our levels of borrowing in the years ahead and supporting the Bank of England to get inflation down. We have already made progress towards this, with five interest rate cuts delivered this since the election. The Chancellor has asked departments to prioritise reducing inflation when developing policies for the Autumn Budget, ensuring decisions continue to support stability and long-term growth.

When the Independent Review of Carer's Allowance overpayments will be published.

The Government is carefully considering the recommendations of the Independent Review, conducted by Liz Sayce, into overpayments of Carer’s Allowance (CA). The review investigated how overpayments of CA related to earnings occurred, how we can best support those who have accrued them, and how to reduce the risk of these problems occurring in future.We have already taken steps to improve the way CA operates and to support those who can combine their caring responsibilities with some paid work, including changing the weekly CA earnings limit to match 16 hours work at National Living Wage levels. This is the largest ever increase in the earnings limit since CA was introduced in 1976 and the highest percentage increase since 2001. Over 60,000 additional people will be able to receive CA between 2025/26 and 2029/30 as a result from investment worth around £500 million.

What assessment his Department has made of the (a) level and (b) nature of the challenges faced by A&E staff; and what additional support he is providing to boost A&E staff morale.

As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, the Government is committed to making the National Health Service the best place to work, by supporting and retaining our hardworking and dedicated healthcare professionals, including those working in accident and emergency departments. The 10 Year Workforce Plan will set out how we will ensure that staff are better treated, have better training, and have more fulfilling roles.We will also work with the Social Partnership Forum to introduce a new set of staff standards for modern employment. The new standards will reaffirm our commitment to supporting staff by tackling the issues that matter to them. They will cover access to nutritious food and drink at work, reducing violence against staff, tackling racism and sexual harassment, standards of ‘healthy work’ and occupational health support, and support for flexible working. These standards will provide a framework for leaders across the NHS to build a supportive culture to help boost morale across the workforce.

Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the maximum value of (a) prizes and (b) stakes in arcades in line with inflation.

The Government intends to consult on changes to maximum stakes and prizes for Category D gaming machines, to understand if this would be an appropriate way to support the family entertainment centre sector while maintaining protections for children and young people. Category D machines include seaside arcade staples, such as crane grabs and coin pushers. The consultation will seek evidence and feedback from a range of stakeholders on maximum stakes and prizes for these machines. We intend to launch the consultation this year.The Government does not have plans to review stakes and prizes for other categories of gaming machines at this time.

What discussions she has had with his European Union counterparts on (a) seeking to increase the level of profits from frozen Russian assets and (b) sharing the legal risks of doing taking such an approach.

The Chancellor is actively engaging with our EU partners, including recently at ECOFIN, and through regular discussions with G7 finance ministers to explore all viable legal avenues to make use of Russia’s sovereign assets for the benefit of Ukraine, in line with international law. The Government remains committed to ensuring Russia is held accountable for the damage it has caused, and continues to cause, in Ukraine. Alongside our G7 partners, the UK has pledged to maintain the sanctions on Russia’s sovereign assets within our jurisdictions until Russia compensates for this harm.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for her policies of the recommendations of the report by the London School of Economics entitled Releasing the Mortgage Prisoners, published in February 2023.

The Government takes the issue of mortgage prisoners seriously. We understand the challenges that this cohort of borrowers faces and will work with regulators and the industry to ensure that this problem is properly considered.

What steps her Department is taking to improve accessibility at Torre railway station; and whether she plans to prioritise that station for accessibility funding.

This government is committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognises the social and economic benefits this brings to communities. Under the previous government, nominations were sought for funding through the Access for All programme in 2022. A total of 310 nominations were received from Network Rail, train operating companies (TOCs) and other strategic transport organisations. This did not include Torre railway station. The Honourable Member may wish to engage with the local transport authority and Great Western Railway to ensure Torre station is a priority in any future rounds of funding.

How many civil servants in her Department are working on the open access applicaiton from FirstGroup for Lumo services between London Paddington and Paignton.

Access to the rail network including decisions on Open Access applications is a matter for the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). When DfT provides views on individual applications as a key stakeholder, it does so with input from rail analytical and operational teams as required.

With reference to the April 2025 deadline for backdated voluntary National Insurance Contributions, how many requests for callbacks were logged by his Department before 6 April 2025; how many callbacks have so far been made and completed through all stages; how many people have made National Insurance top-ups under this concessionary arrangement; and when he expects the callback process to be complete.

In total, DWP received c528,000 call-back requests from customers ahead of the voluntary National Insurance Contributions (VNICS) deadline of 5 April 2025. The Department has taken a two-stage approach to actioning these requests.Stage 1 was to gather personal information such as National Insurance numbers and to filter out any duplicate requests. All stage 1 call-backs have been completed.Stage 2 is the review of any gaps in the customer National Insurance record and to assess the impact this may have on a customer’s State Pension. All Stage 2 call-backs for customers over State Pension age, residing in the UK have been completed, with under 5,000 call-backs outstanding for customers over SP age residing abroad. There are c119,500 under State Pension (GB and abroad) Stage 2 call-back outstanding. We expect all Stage 2 call-backs to be complete by end March 2026.DWP does not hold data on how many of the customers went on to pay VNICS under this arrangement.Background:DWP have prioritised Stage 2 for those over or near to their State Pension age. The Department received 56,262 stage 2 call-back requests for customers over State Pension age and living in Great Britain – all these call-backs have been completed.In addition, DWP received 23,961 stage 2 call-back requests for customers over State Pension age, living abroad. DWP have cleared 19,184 of these with 4,777 call-backs left to complete. DWP expect to clear this set of call-back requests before the end of December 2025.All other stage 2 call-back requests are where the customer is under State Pension age. DWP has 119,451 remaining. DWP expect to clear this set of call-back requests before the end of March 2026.

With reference to the April 2025 deadline for backdated voluntary National Insurance Contributions how many requests for callbacks were logged by HMRC before 6 April 2025; how many callbacks have so far been made and completed through all stages; how many people have made National Insurance top-ups under this concessionary arrangement; and when she expects the callback process to be completed.

In total, DWP received c528,000 call-back requests from customers ahead of the voluntary National Insurance Contributions (VNICS) deadline of 5 April 2025. The Department has taken a two-stage approach to actioning these requests.Stage 1 was to gather personal information such as National Insurance numbers and to filter out any duplicate requests. All stage 1 call-backs have been completed.Stage 2 is the review of any gaps in the customer National Insurance record and to assess the impact this may have on a customer’s State Pension. All Stage 2 call-backs for customers over State Pension age, residing in the UK have been completed, with under 5,000 call-backs outstanding for customers over SP age residing abroad. There are c119,500 under State Pension (GB and abroad) Stage 2 call-back outstanding. We expect all Stage 2 call-backs to be complete by end March 2026.DWP does not hold data on how many of the customers went on to pay VNICS under this arrangement.Background:DWP have prioritised Stage 2 for those over or near to their State Pension age. The Department received 56,262 stage 2 call-back requests for customers over State Pension age and living in Great Britain – all these call-backs have been completed.In addition, DWP received 23,961 stage 2 call-back requests for customers over State Pension age, living abroad. DWP have cleared 19,184 of these with 4,777 call-backs left to complete. DWP expect to clear this set of call-back requests before the end of December 2025.All other stage 2 call-back requests are where the customer is under State Pension age. DWP has 119,451 remaining. DWP expect to clear this set of call-back requests before the end of March 2026.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of holding a summit to support the zoos and aquarium industry.

Defra is responsible for ensuring zoos and aquariums provide the highest levels of welfare for the animals they keep, as well as delivering conservation and education. The Government published new Standards of Modern Zoo Practice for Great Britain on 24 May 2025, which will come into force from May 2027. The new Standards support zoos and aquariums in ensuring animals in their collections are being kept in line with latest in best zoo practice. Following publication of the new Standards in May, the Animal Welfare Minister - Baroness Hayman of Ullock – held a zoos roundtable on 25 June, to discuss implementation of the new Standards, and what more Defra could do to help support zoos and aquariums adapt to the new Standards.

What discussions he has had with NHS England on (a) the appointment of a single Chair for two different NHS Trusts and (b) ensuring that the effectiveness of those Trusts' (i) governance, (ii) accountability and (iii) local representation are not compromised by such arrangements.

The Government and NHS England support and expect collaboration between National Health Service trusts. Shared leadership, including having a shared chair, is one way which trusts can collaborate to address the issues they are facing.With any governance model they have in place, NHS trusts are required to meet the conditions in the NHS provider licence to ensure that organisations operate in a way that is safe, financially sustainable, cooperative, and accountable.Trusts can work with their regional NHS England teams to discuss potential shared leadership arrangements to ensure that governance and accountability remain effective, while realising the benefits of collaboration.

What recent progress her Department has made on improving the (a) safety and (b) accessibility of streets for blind and partially sighted pedestrians.

Local authorities have a legal responsibility to manage their roads and public spaces in a way that meets the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) under the Equality Act 2010. It is for them to ensure that their streets are designed and maintained in a way that takes account of the needs of everyone, including visually impaired people. The Government has produced good practice guidance to help them in this, and this is available atwww.gov.uk/government/publications/inclusive-mobility-making-transport-accessible-for-passengers-and-pedestrians The Government recognises the problems that blind and partially sighted pedestrians can face when motorists park on pavements, and when e-scooters and e-bikes are left blocking pavements. It will make an announcement shortly on next steps on pavement parking, following the 2020 consultation, and is introducing new regulatory powers through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to help local authorities manage shared micromobility schemes more effectively.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that Police and Crime Commissioners are held accountable to their respective Police and Crime Panels.

The Home Office provides funding through a dedicated annual grant to host local authorities to support the activity of Police and Crime Panels, who have a wide range of powers and responsibilities to scrutinise the actions and decisions of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs). Panels can require PCCs to attend public meetings to answer their questions, investigate complaints against PCCs and make recommendations on the PCC’s Police and Crime Plan.To further assist Panels to improve the quality and consistency of their scrutiny, the Home Office has also issued a comprehensive package of guidance and training. Whilst Panels scrutinise PCCs, PCCs are ultimately accountable to the public at the ballot box.

If she will consider the potential merits of reopening the Equitable Life Compensation Scheme.

The Equitable Life Payment Scheme has been fully wound down and closed since 2016 under the approach taken by the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Coalition Government. There are no plans to reopen any decisions relating to the Payment Scheme. Further guidance on the status of the Payment Scheme after closure is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equitable-life-payment-scheme#closure-of-the-scheme