Written questions by Dhesi.

What discussions she has had with (a) the payment systems regulator and (b) representatives of the payments industry on the adequacy of interchange fee caps.

Government ministers have meetings with a wide variety of organisations. Details of ministerial meetings are published on a quarterly basis and are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-giftsand-overseas-travelDomestic interchange fees are capped at 0.2% for consumer debit cards and 0.3% for consumer credit cards. The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) is responsible for enforcing these caps. The PSR is independent of Government. However, the government continues to engage with them on their important work, including card fees.The PSR has recently conducted a market review into cross-border interchange fees, fees charged when an EEA issued card is used at a UK merchant. It published its final report in December 2024 and is now considering its next steps.The Government recently announced its intentions to consolidate the PSR and its functions primarily within the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The PSR continues to be an independent regulator with full access to its statutory powers in the interim. There will be no immediate changes to its functions and its work will continue, including its important role in regulating card fees.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on ensuring the safety of people retrieving aid in Gaza.

The UK is appalled by reports of civilian fatalities at aid distribution sites in Gaza. This underscores the urgent need to protect civilians accessing humanitarian assistance. The Foreign Secretary raised the safety of aid workers with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar on 15 April, and again on 22 June, where he expressed concerns about mass casualty incidents and stressed the need to deliver aid at scale. In our 13 May statement to the UN Security Council, we made clear the UK will not support any aid mechanism that compromises civilian safety or humanitarian neutrality. We continue pressing for safe, unimpeded aid delivery through all diplomatic channels, including with regional partners and at the UN.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with (a) his Israeli counterpart, (b) the United Nations and (c) humanitarian organisations on the availability of safe drinking water in Gaza.

The UK works closely with partners to provide the delivery of vitally needed humanitarian aid to Gaza. Desalination plants must be able to operate and provide clean drinking water for civilians. In the last financial year, we provided a £2 million uplift, through a contribution to the World Bank, to increase the sustainable supply of water and energy in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including in Gaza. We are proud that UK support has meant over 430,000 people have received essential healthcare, more than 640,000 have received food, and 275,000 people have improved access to water, sanitation and hygiene services.

What recent progress she has made with local transport organisations on making interchanges from local public transport to national transport step-free.

The government is committed to making public transport and infrastructure more inclusive and accessible, to allow people to make the journeys they want and need. It is key that government, local authorities and transport operators work together to achieve this.The government has continued to support the Access for All programme to improve the accessibility of railway stations. When designing these projects Network Rail will always work with local authorities to improve interchange with other transport modes.On 17 December, the government introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill. The Bill will provide powers for the Secretary of State for Transport to produce statutory guidance on the safety and accessibility of bus stations and stops, and to require local authorities commissioning the provision of new or upgrading of existing facilities to pay regard to it. Guidance could include recommendations on design elements that support the ability of disabled people to continue their journey.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to financially support the installation of flood defences in (a) Slough constituency and (b) the Thames Valley.

We’re investing a record £2.65 billion in 2024/25 and 2025/26 to improve flood resilience by maintaining, repairing and building flood defences. The full list of over 700 schemes to benefit from fresh funding this year, including Thames Valley and Slough, was announced on 31 March and can be found here.

Whether the Government plans to increase the purchase limit for properties outside of London when using a Help to Buy ISA.

This Government is committed to helping first time buyers own their own home, and will do this by building 1.5 million more homes.The Government keeps savings policy under review, any changes to savings policy would be made at a relevant fiscal event.

Whether he plans to increase funding for hospice care.

We are supporting the hospice sector with a £100 million capital funding boost for adult and children’s hospices in England to ensure they have the best physical environment for care. The funding will help hospices to provide the best end of life care to patients and their families in a supportive and dignified physical environment.We are also providing £26 million of revenue funding to support children and young people’s hospices for 2025/26. This is a continuation of the funding which until recently was known as the children and young people’s hospice grant.Most hospices are charitable, independent organisations which receive some statutory funding from integrated care boards (ICBs) for providing National Health Services. The amount of funding each charitable hospice receives varies both within and between ICB areas. This will vary depending on demand in that ICB area, but will also be dependent on the totality and type of palliative care and end of life care provision from both NHS and non-NHS services, including charitable hospices, within each ICB area.We are also working to make sure the palliative and end of life care sector is sustainable in the long term and are determined to shift more healthcare out of hospitals and into the community through our 10-Year Health Plan.

What recent steps she has taken to ensure adequate (a) working conditions and (b) pay for app-based (i) private hire drivers and (ii) couriers.

In “Next Steps to Make Work Pay” the Department for Business and Trade committed to consulting on a simpler framework for employment status. As part of this consultation, it will also explore how to implement the targeted and specific manifesto commitments to enhance protections for self-employed workers.Individuals are entitled to National Minimum Wage if they are considered a worker or employee under employment rights legislation - some app-based workers are self-employed so do not come in scope.

What recent steps her Department has taken to help prevent (a) violence and (b) abuse against public transport workers.

There is no place for abuse or assault of any worker; everyone should feel safe and be safe whilst working. The Government values the commitment of everyone who works in the public transport sector ensuring the continued running of all the vital services which many people rely on daily. We work closely with the transport industry, and on the railway the British Transport Police (BTP), on a continuous basis to ensure that they are supported to tackle offences wherever they occur on the transport network. On the railway the BTP work closely with the rail industry to encourage staff to report offences so they can take action against offenders. Through the Bus Services (No.2) Bill, we propose to mandate training for staff including drivers and those who deal directly with the travelling public on how to recognise and respond to incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour on public transport. Training for drivers should cover how to identify and respond to anti-social behaviour and violence against women and girls. We intend to make clear that training will require a person to take steps to prevent crime or anti-social behaviour only where it is safe to do so. The government intends to issue statutory guidance that considers the most appropriate response to criminal or anti-social behaviour, while protecting the safety of staff.

What recent discussions he has had with retailers on the prevention retail crime.

Retail crime remains a significant concern, and we are taking steps including measures in the Crime and Policing Bill and in the Safer High Streets missions to tackle this important issue.We are increasing police spending power by an average 2.3% per year in real terms over the spending review period, supporting us to meet our plan for change commitment of putting 13,000 additional police officers, police community support officers and special constables into neighbourhood policing roles across England and Wales. In the Crime and Policing Bill, we brought in a new offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores, and we are removing the legislation which makes shop theft of and below £200 a summary-only offence, sending a clear message that any level of shop theft is illegal and will be taken seriously.The Minister for Policing and Crime Prevention will continue to host the Retail Crime Forum to ensure regular engagement with law enforcement and the retail sector and to discuss what more we can do to tackle retail crime, including abuse.

What recent discussions he has had with the (a) Home Secretary and (b) Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the prevention of violence against retail workers.

Retail crime remains a significant concern, and we are taking steps including measures in the Crime and Policing Bill and in the Safer High Streets missions to tackle this important issue.We are increasing police spending power by an average 2.3% per year in real terms over the spending review period, supporting us to meet our plan for change commitment of putting 13,000 additional police officers, police community support officers and special constables into neighbourhood policing roles across England and Wales. In the Crime and Policing Bill, we brought in a new offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores, and we are removing the legislation which makes shop theft of and below £200 a summary-only offence, sending a clear message that any level of shop theft is illegal and will be taken seriously.The Minister for Policing and Crime Prevention will continue to host the Retail Crime Forum to ensure regular engagement with law enforcement and the retail sector and to discuss what more we can do to tackle retail crime, including abuse.

What recent discussions she has had with retailers on the prevention of shoplifting.

Shop theft continues to increase at an unacceptable level and we will not stand for it. That’s why our Crime and Policing Bill introduces a new offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores. Also included as part of the Bill, we will be repealing the legislation which makes shop theft of and below £200 a summary-only offence, which means it can only be tried in a magistrate’s court, sending a clear message that any level of shop theft is illegal and will be taken seriously.Retail crime is regularly discussed with the sector at both Ministerial and official level. I am committed to chairing the Retail Crime Forum, which has held two very productive meetings to date. The Forum brings together representatives from the retail sector, security providers and law enforcement agencies to promote collaboration, share best practice and to work collectively to tackle the serious issue of retail crime.This work includes the development of a new strategy to tackle shop theft published by retail sector representatives and policing. The strategy builds on previous progress made by police and retailers but provides a more comprehensive and intelligence-led approach to tackle all perpetrators of shop theft – not just organised criminal gangs.

What the average waiting time was to resolve urgent repairs requested for service family accommodation in the last 12 months.

The average response time to resolve urgent repairs requested for Service Family Accommodation from April 2024 to March 2025 is below: MonthAverage Response Time In HoursApril 202438.48May 202437.99June 202433.50July 202438.10August 202440.43September 202438.35October 202440.98November 202438.26December 202436.30January 202540.86February 202536.05March 202538.39 Please note, the Department can only provide data up to the last quarterly period which ended in March 2025.

Whether he is taking steps to increase domestic steel production capabilities for products required by the UK defence industry.

The UK steel sector provides vital support to the UK’s defence capabilities. Steel used in our major Defence programmes is sourced by our prime contractors from a range of UK and international suppliers, as programmes may often have requirements for specialist steel which cannot be sourced in the UK. The amount and origins of steel procured for Defence programmes is included in the Department for Business and Trade’s annual Steel Public Procurement report which can be found on the gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/steel-public-procurement The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is developing a Defence Industrial Strategy that will align this Government’s national security and economic priorities. This will include a review of the UK’s approach to critical supply chain elements, such as steel, alongside reviewing and reconfirming the areas where the UK needs to retain sovereign production capacities onshore. The Government will also bring forward a new cross Government Steel Strategy which will establish a long-term vision for the industry, promoting long-term growth, that aligns with wider priorities, including the trade strategy, Strategic Defence Review and the upcoming Modern Industrial Strategy.

What estimate he has made of the proportion of British-made steel procured by the UK defence industry in the last year.

The UK steel sector provides vital support to the UK’s defence capabilities. Steel used in our major Defence programmes is sourced by our prime contractors from a range of UK and international suppliers, as programmes may often have requirements for specialist steel which cannot be sourced in the UK. The amount and origins of steel procured for Defence programmes is included in the Department for Business and Trade’s annual Steel Public Procurement report which can be found on the gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/steel-public-procurement The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is developing a Defence Industrial Strategy that will align this Government’s national security and economic priorities. This will include a review of the UK’s approach to critical supply chain elements, such as steel, alongside reviewing and reconfirming the areas where the UK needs to retain sovereign production capacities onshore. The Government will also bring forward a new cross Government Steel Strategy which will establish a long-term vision for the industry, promoting long-term growth, that aligns with wider priorities, including the trade strategy, Strategic Defence Review and the upcoming Modern Industrial Strategy.

What recent assessment he has made of the affordability of NHS dental treatment for pensioners not in receipt of Pension Credit.

There are a range of exemptions to National Health Service dental patient charges for those who need the most financial support. 48.6% of courses of dental treatment were delivered to adults and children who were exempt from charges in 2023/24. Eligibility for free NHS dental care includes people who are being treated in an NHS hospital by the hospital dentist, although patients may have to pay for any dentures or bridges. Treatment is also free for people receiving certain benefits, including Income Support and Pension Credit. Support is available through the NHS Low Income Scheme for those patients who are not eligible for an exemption or a full remission of dental patient charges. Further information about support with NHS dental patient charges is available from the following link: www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/dental-costs/get-help-with-dental-costs

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of financial support available to pensioners for dental treatment.

There are a range of exemptions to National Health Service dental patient charges for those who need the most financial support. 48.6% of courses of dental treatment were delivered to adults and children who were exempt from charges in 2023/24. Eligibility for free NHS dental care includes people who are being treated in an NHS hospital by the hospital dentist, although patients may have to pay for any dentures or bridges. Treatment is also free for people receiving certain benefits, including Income Support and Pension Credit. Support is available through the NHS Low Income Scheme for those patients who are not eligible for an exemption or a full remission of dental patient charges. Further information about support with NHS dental patient charges is available from the following link: www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/dental-costs/get-help-with-dental-costs

Whether his Department has any plans to review the length of statutory paternity leave.

The Government is committed to making sure that parents receive the best possible support to balance their work and home lives. The Employment Rights Bill will make Paternity Leave a ‘day one’ Right allowing eligible employees to give notice of their intention to take these entitlements from their first day in a new job.We understand that the parental leave system needs further improvement. That is why we have committed to conducting a review of the system, to ensure it best supports working families.The review will look at Paternity Leave and Pay, and the length of leave available to fathers and partners.

What recent steps he has taken to improve access to dental appointments in (a) Slough constituency and (b) Berkshire.

The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patients trying to access National Health Service dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term, we will reform the dental contract with the sector, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.The responsibility for commissioning primary care services, including NHS dentistry, to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to the integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. For the Slough constituency and Berkshire, this is the NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West ICB.ICBs have been asked to start making extra urgent dental appointments available from April 2025. The NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West ICB is expected to deliver 15,454 additional urgent dental appointments as part of the scheme.ICBs have started to recruit posts through the Golden Hello scheme. This recruitment incentive will see up to 240 dentists receiving payments of £20,000 to work in those areas that need them most for three years.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has taken recent steps with international partners to enable (a) the UN and (b) other humanitarian organisations to distribute aid in Gaza.

The UK has taken recent steps with international partners to support humanitarian aid delivery in Gaza. On 19 May, we issued a joint statement with 27 partners calling for the immediate resumption of aid, reaffirming support for the UN and other humanitarian organisations to deliver it independently and impartially. The statement also noted we could not support the new model approved by the Israeli cabinet for delivering aid, which has since been associated with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. I have consistently called for safe, unhindered access for humanitarian actors and backed the UN's aid proposal, which is grounded in humanitarian principles and includes safeguards against aid diversion. We continue diplomatic efforts to secure sustained access.