Written questions by Farron.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April to Question 45559 on Nitrogen Dioxide: Pollution Control, which localised hotspot in the Greater London Urban Area reporting zone delayed compliance until 2024.

The localised hotspots that inform our estimates of when each reporting zone is predicted to become compliant are set out in the following table. The predicted years of compliance in Question 45559 were based on 2023 data. For each zone, the hotspot location with the highest 2023 annual average NO2 concentration has been given, as that site drives the predicted compliance year. This data is based on data gathered under the previous Government. Reporting ZoneEstimated Compliance YearHotspot LocationMeasured 2023 Concentration µg/m3Bristol Urban Area2031Colston Avenue, Bristol48.9Coventry and Bedworth2026Holyhead Road, Coventry45.9Eastern2026Southend Arterial Road, Basildon48.9Greater London Urban Area2024A201 (City of London), A501 (Westminster)41.9; 41.6 (modelled value) Liverpool Urban Area2029Pembroke Place, Liverpool49.7Nottingham Urban Area2024Ilkeston Road, Nottingham41.1Portsmouth Urban Area2026Alred Road, Portsmouth43.7Reading and Wokingham Urban Area2024Malcolm Place, Reading42.6Sheffield Urban Area2031Brightside Lane, Sheffield48.8The Potteries2032Etruria Road, Stoke-on-Trent58.4West Midlands Urban Area2032Moor Street Queensway, Birmingham. Priory Queensway, Birmingham51.5, 51.5West Yorkshire Urban Area2029Shipley Airedale Rd, Bradford47.8

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April to Question 45559 on Nitrogen Dioxide: Pollution Control, which localised hotspot in the Nottingham Urban Area reporting zone delayed compliance until 2024.

The localised hotspots that inform our estimates of when each reporting zone is predicted to become compliant are set out in the following table. The predicted years of compliance in Question 45559 were based on 2023 data. For each zone, the hotspot location with the highest 2023 annual average NO2 concentration has been given, as that site drives the predicted compliance year. This data is based on data gathered under the previous Government. Reporting ZoneEstimated Compliance YearHotspot LocationMeasured 2023 Concentration µg/m3Bristol Urban Area2031Colston Avenue, Bristol48.9Coventry and Bedworth2026Holyhead Road, Coventry45.9Eastern2026Southend Arterial Road, Basildon48.9Greater London Urban Area2024A201 (City of London), A501 (Westminster)41.9; 41.6 (modelled value) Liverpool Urban Area2029Pembroke Place, Liverpool49.7Nottingham Urban Area2024Ilkeston Road, Nottingham41.1Portsmouth Urban Area2026Alred Road, Portsmouth43.7Reading and Wokingham Urban Area2024Malcolm Place, Reading42.6Sheffield Urban Area2031Brightside Lane, Sheffield48.8The Potteries2032Etruria Road, Stoke-on-Trent58.4West Midlands Urban Area2032Moor Street Queensway, Birmingham. Priory Queensway, Birmingham51.5, 51.5West Yorkshire Urban Area2029Shipley Airedale Rd, Bradford47.8

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April to Question 45559 on Nitrogen Dioxide: Pollution Control, whether Coventry is the only (a) city and (b) town in the Coventry and Bedworth zone delaying compliance until 2026.

All NO2 exceedances delaying compliance in the Coventry and Bedworth zone are in the city of Coventry. Bradford is the only city, and Keighley is the only town, in the West Yorkshire Urban Area delaying compliance with the NO2 limit value. All NO2 exceedances delaying compliance in the Eastern zone are in the town of Basildon. The 2023 compliance assessment reported one exceedance of the annual mean limit value for NO2 in the South East reporting zone - on the A34 in the Vale of White Horse. This road link is part of the Strategic Road Network (SRN) which is managed by National Highways.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April to Question 45559 on Nitrogen Dioxide: Pollution Control, which localised hotspot in the West Yorkshire Urban Area reporting zone is delaying compliance until 2029.

The localised hotspots that inform our estimates of when each reporting zone is predicted to become compliant are set out in the following table. The predicted years of compliance in Question 45559 were based on 2023 data. For each zone, the hotspot location with the highest 2023 annual average NO2 concentration has been given, as that site drives the predicted compliance year. This data is based on data gathered under the previous Government. Reporting ZoneEstimated Compliance YearHotspot LocationMeasured 2023 Concentration µg/m3Bristol Urban Area2031Colston Avenue, Bristol48.9Coventry and Bedworth2026Holyhead Road, Coventry45.9Eastern2026Southend Arterial Road, Basildon48.9Greater London Urban Area2024A201 (City of London), A501 (Westminster)41.9; 41.6 (modelled value) Liverpool Urban Area2029Pembroke Place, Liverpool49.7Nottingham Urban Area2024Ilkeston Road, Nottingham41.1Portsmouth Urban Area2026Alred Road, Portsmouth43.7Reading and Wokingham Urban Area2024Malcolm Place, Reading42.6Sheffield Urban Area2031Brightside Lane, Sheffield48.8The Potteries2032Etruria Road, Stoke-on-Trent58.4West Midlands Urban Area2032Moor Street Queensway, Birmingham. Priory Queensway, Birmingham51.5, 51.5West Yorkshire Urban Area2029Shipley Airedale Rd, Bradford47.8

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April to Question 45559 on Nitrogen Dioxide: Pollution Control, which localised hotspot in the Sheffield Urban Area reporting zone is delaying compliance until 2031.

The localised hotspots that inform our estimates of when each reporting zone is predicted to become compliant are set out in the following table. The predicted years of compliance in Question 45559 were based on 2023 data. For each zone, the hotspot location with the highest 2023 annual average NO2 concentration has been given, as that site drives the predicted compliance year. This data is based on data gathered under the previous Government. Reporting ZoneEstimated Compliance YearHotspot LocationMeasured 2023 Concentration µg/m3Bristol Urban Area2031Colston Avenue, Bristol48.9Coventry and Bedworth2026Holyhead Road, Coventry45.9Eastern2026Southend Arterial Road, Basildon48.9Greater London Urban Area2024A201 (City of London), A501 (Westminster)41.9; 41.6 (modelled value) Liverpool Urban Area2029Pembroke Place, Liverpool49.7Nottingham Urban Area2024Ilkeston Road, Nottingham41.1Portsmouth Urban Area2026Alred Road, Portsmouth43.7Reading and Wokingham Urban Area2024Malcolm Place, Reading42.6Sheffield Urban Area2031Brightside Lane, Sheffield48.8The Potteries2032Etruria Road, Stoke-on-Trent58.4West Midlands Urban Area2032Moor Street Queensway, Birmingham. Priory Queensway, Birmingham51.5, 51.5West Yorkshire Urban Area2029Shipley Airedale Rd, Bradford47.8

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April to Question 45559 on Nitrogen Dioxide: Pollution Control, which localised hotspot in the Bristol Urban Area reporting zone is delaying compliance until 2031.

The localised hotspots that inform our estimates of when each reporting zone is predicted to become compliant are set out in the following table. The predicted years of compliance in Question 45559 were based on 2023 data. For each zone, the hotspot location with the highest 2023 annual average NO2 concentration has been given, as that site drives the predicted compliance year. This data is based on data gathered under the previous Government. Reporting ZoneEstimated Compliance YearHotspot LocationMeasured 2023 Concentration µg/m3Bristol Urban Area2031Colston Avenue, Bristol48.9Coventry and Bedworth2026Holyhead Road, Coventry45.9Eastern2026Southend Arterial Road, Basildon48.9Greater London Urban Area2024A201 (City of London), A501 (Westminster)41.9; 41.6 (modelled value) Liverpool Urban Area2029Pembroke Place, Liverpool49.7Nottingham Urban Area2024Ilkeston Road, Nottingham41.1Portsmouth Urban Area2026Alred Road, Portsmouth43.7Reading and Wokingham Urban Area2024Malcolm Place, Reading42.6Sheffield Urban Area2031Brightside Lane, Sheffield48.8The Potteries2032Etruria Road, Stoke-on-Trent58.4West Midlands Urban Area2032Moor Street Queensway, Birmingham. Priory Queensway, Birmingham51.5, 51.5West Yorkshire Urban Area2029Shipley Airedale Rd, Bradford47.8

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April to Question 45559 on Nitrogen Dioxide: Pollution Control, which localised hotspot in the Reading and Wokingham Area reporting zone delayed compliance until 2024.

The localised hotspots that inform our estimates of when each reporting zone is predicted to become compliant are set out in the following table. The predicted years of compliance in Question 45559 were based on 2023 data. For each zone, the hotspot location with the highest 2023 annual average NO2 concentration has been given, as that site drives the predicted compliance year. This data is based on data gathered under the previous Government. Reporting ZoneEstimated Compliance YearHotspot LocationMeasured 2023 Concentration µg/m3Bristol Urban Area2031Colston Avenue, Bristol48.9Coventry and Bedworth2026Holyhead Road, Coventry45.9Eastern2026Southend Arterial Road, Basildon48.9Greater London Urban Area2024A201 (City of London), A501 (Westminster)41.9; 41.6 (modelled value) Liverpool Urban Area2029Pembroke Place, Liverpool49.7Nottingham Urban Area2024Ilkeston Road, Nottingham41.1Portsmouth Urban Area2026Alred Road, Portsmouth43.7Reading and Wokingham Urban Area2024Malcolm Place, Reading42.6Sheffield Urban Area2031Brightside Lane, Sheffield48.8The Potteries2032Etruria Road, Stoke-on-Trent58.4West Midlands Urban Area2032Moor Street Queensway, Birmingham. Priory Queensway, Birmingham51.5, 51.5West Yorkshire Urban Area2029Shipley Airedale Rd, Bradford47.8

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April to Question 45559 on Nitrogen Dioxide: Pollution Control, which localised hotspot in the Liverpool Urban Area reporting zone is delaying compliance until 2029.

The localised hotspots that inform our estimates of when each reporting zone is predicted to become compliant are set out in the following table. The predicted years of compliance in Question 45559 were based on 2023 data. For each zone, the hotspot location with the highest 2023 annual average NO2 concentration has been given, as that site drives the predicted compliance year. This data is based on data gathered under the previous Government. Reporting ZoneEstimated Compliance YearHotspot LocationMeasured 2023 Concentration µg/m3Bristol Urban Area2031Colston Avenue, Bristol48.9Coventry and Bedworth2026Holyhead Road, Coventry45.9Eastern2026Southend Arterial Road, Basildon48.9Greater London Urban Area2024A201 (City of London), A501 (Westminster)41.9; 41.6 (modelled value) Liverpool Urban Area2029Pembroke Place, Liverpool49.7Nottingham Urban Area2024Ilkeston Road, Nottingham41.1Portsmouth Urban Area2026Alred Road, Portsmouth43.7Reading and Wokingham Urban Area2024Malcolm Place, Reading42.6Sheffield Urban Area2031Brightside Lane, Sheffield48.8The Potteries2032Etruria Road, Stoke-on-Trent58.4West Midlands Urban Area2032Moor Street Queensway, Birmingham. Priory Queensway, Birmingham51.5, 51.5West Yorkshire Urban Area2029Shipley Airedale Rd, Bradford47.8

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the time taken to publish the next Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline on the timescale for future rail investment.

The Department is taking decisions to progress the schemes that have the greatest potential to unlock growth only once we are confident that they will deliver it. The time taken to undertake this work has no impact on the timescales for future rail investments. I know that stakeholders and industry want to know what is in our rail investments pipeline and want more visibility of our forward plans of work. I will continue to announce details of schemes as decisions are taken, just as we did at the Budget for East West Rail and Transpennine Route Upgrade.

If she will include the Lakes Line Passing Loop in the next Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline.

We believe the Local Transport Authority can best determine whether this project meets their local needs. The Department will continue to support development work on this scheme, should local budgets be prioritised.

What her Department's planned timetable is for announcing the next Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline.

The Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline (RNEP) is an essential part of how we are kickstarting economic growth. By building a modern railway network we can make a difference to passengers, taxpayers and communities across the country, and by investing around £2bn in the RNEP portfolio is how we will do that. I know that stakeholders and industry want to know what is in our pipeline and want more visibility of our forward plans of work. We will continue to announce details of schemes as decisions are taken, just as we did at the Budget for East West Rail and Transpennine Route Upgrade.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he plans to take to protect the ecological status chalk streams in legislation.

Cleaning up our waters, including iconic sites such as chalk streams is a top government priority. That is why on 23 October 2024, the Secretary of State announced the launch of an independent commission to fundamentally transform how our water system works. Fixing the systemic issues in the water system is essential to address the multiple pressures facing chalk streams, namely over abstraction, phosphorous pollution and physical modifications of habitats. Restoring our chalk streams to better ecological health is part of our overall programme of reforms for the water sector.Over the next five years water companies will spend more than £2 billion to deliver over 1,000 actions for chalk stream restoration and reduce their abstraction from chalk streams by 126 million litres per day. The Government is investing £1.8 million through the Water Restoration Fund and Water Environment Improvement Fund into chalk stream projects.

When she plans to announce the outcomes of the Access For All mid-tier scheme.

We have not currently sought new nominations for another round of mid-tier Access for All funding since 2020 and the successful outcomes were announced by the previous Government at the time. We are carefully considering the best approach to the Access for All programme. This Government is committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognises the social and economic benefits this brings to communities. We are in the early stages of understanding the full implications of the Spending Review for the Access for All programme and will update stakeholders in due course.

When she plans to make funding available to complete accessibility work at Ulverston station.

In May 2024, the previous government agreed the publication of a list of 50 additional stations selected for initial feasibility work, which included Ulverston railway station. We are in the early stages of understanding the full implications of the Spending Review for the Access for All programme and other rail projects and will engage with stakeholders in due course.We are committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognise the social and economic benefits this brings to communities.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of SAT exams on primary school students.

End of key stage 2 tests and teacher assessments, often known as SATs, are an essential part of ensuring that primary school pupils master the basics of reading, writing and mathematics to prepare them to achieve and thrive at secondary school.The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering key stages 1 to 5, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE, an expert in education policy. The panel’s interim report, published on 18 March 2025, is clear that assessments in key stage 1 and 2 are an important part of assessing children’s progress throughout primary school, and that the system of primary assessment is generally working well. The review panel is now considering where there are challenges and how to make any necessary improvements to support the attainment of all children. The panel intend to deliver their final report in autumn 2025.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of exams on mental health.

Exams and other assessments are an essential part of ensuring that young people have acquired the knowledge and skills they need in order to succeed in further study and in later life.We recognise that exams, like other things in life such as job interviews, have the potential to exacerbate feelings of stress amongst young people. But when pupils receive the right support, for many of them the level of stress from exams is manageable.We encourage schools to provide safe, calm and supportive environments that help young people to understand and look after their mental health and wellbeing and develop healthy behaviours that can support them to stay well during stressful periods.There is also a range of advice and guidance on how to beat exam stress. This includes guidance from the NHS, accessible at: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/children-and-young-adults/advice-for-parents/help-your-child-beat-exam-stress/.Additional guidance by Ofqual can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coping-with-exam-pressure-a-guide-for-students. The information provides some useful advice which pupils can use to help alleviate or lessen the anxiety they have about sitting exams.

Whether she plans to consider introducing a range of alternative assessment methods to exams in schools.

The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE, an expert in education policy, including curriculum and social inequality. The Review is evaluating the existing national curriculum and statutory assessment system in England, to ensure they are fit for purpose.The Review’s Interim Report, published in March 2025, is clear that traditional examined assessment should remain the primary means of assessment. The Review will take a subject-by-subject approach to consider assessment fitness for purpose and consider the impact of different assessment methods on teaching and learning.The Review’s final report and recommendations will be published in the autumn, and the department will take decisions on what changes to make in light of these recommendations.

If she will publish the risk management plan for the M6 Lune Gorge structures project.

The M6 Lune Gorge structures project Risk Management Plan is a working document owned by National Highways. Therefore, it is not available for publication.

If she will publish a record of all full deck replacements of s-joint bridges in England.

National Highways have advised that the below half-joint structures are planned to have a full deck replacement: (this is assuming that the reference to a s-joint structure is similar to that of National Highways definition of half-joint structure) A47 Great Ouse - Kings LynnM67 St Annes RoadM53 Upton RoadM53 Clatterbridge NorthM53 Clatterbridge SouthM53 Raby Hall RoadM6 TebayM6 Castle HoweM6 RoundthwaiteM6 JeffreysM6/A685 Lawtland House RlyM6 Borrowbeck ViaductM6 High Gill NorthM6 High Gill SouthM6 Galloper WellA27 Pook LaneA21 Old Cock footbridge

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his international counterparts to ensure aid supplies are able to enter Gaza.

The UK remains in close and regular contact with international counterparts to press for increased humanitarian access into Gaza. On 19 May, the UK, Canada, and France issued a joint statement calling on Israel to cease its renewed military offensive and lift restrictions on humanitarian assistance. In parallel, on 20 May, I summoned the Israeli ambassador to demand the immediate, full, and unhindered flow of aid, making the UK's position unequivocally clear. Alongside international partners, we continue to call for Israel to allow a full resumption of aid into Gaza.