Written questions by Morrison.

Communities and Local Government, what parameters her Department uses to determine whether to activate the Flood Recovery Framework.

My thoughts are with all householders and business owners impacted by flooding which is a devastating experience for those affected. Government recovery support in the aftermath of flooding is only provided in exceptional circumstances. Activation of the Flood Recovery Framework is at the joint discretion of Ministers in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Growth, Department for Business and Trade and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who own and administrate the various schemes in the Framework. There are no fixed thresholds for activation.  When making the decision each event is considered on its own merits looking at factors including how widespread the event is, the significance and scale of impacts, comparison to previous events / activations and the severity of the on-going situation. These factors combined help to determine if an event can be considered exceptional. For comparison, when the Framework was last activated following Storms Babet in October 2023 and Henk in January 2024, together over 8,500 homes and businesses were impacted across England.

Whether he plans to order Typhoon aircraft for the (a) RAF and (b) Fleet Air Arm to (i) enhance the UK's defence capabilities and (ii) support the workforce at the BAE Systems facility at Warton.

Over the last three months I have held regular discussions with BAE Systems and a wide range of other stakeholders on Typhoon production and in support of ongoing Typhoon export campaigns. To provide the UK with the most relevant and capable force, the Ministry of Defence continually reviews the demand for Combat Aircraft which will be required to operate in increasingly demanding and changing threat environments. The ongoing Strategic Defence Review is also examining this area.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of support staff shortages on the provision of SEND support in schools; and what steps she is taking to improve the recruitment and retention of (a) teaching assistants and (b) other support staff essential for SEND students.

School support staff play a vital role in children’s education. They are crucial to ensuring that we give children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the best possible life chances.A departmental survey in 2023 into the use of teaching assistance in schools found that teaching assistants across all school settings most commonly support pupils with SEND, which includes those with education, health and care (EHC) plans. The survey also found that 75% of school leaders found it either 'fairly’ or ‘extremely’ difficult to recruit teaching assistants, and retention was difficult for 29% of leaders. Of those who found recruitment difficult (75% of leaders), four-in-five leaders (81%) found it difficult to recruit teaching assistants with SEND specialism.The department values and recognises the professionalism of the entire school workforce and will help to address recruitment and retention challenges by reinstating the School Support Staff Negotiating Body.The body will be tasked with establishing a national terms and conditions handbook and fair pay rates for support staff and advising on training and career progression routes. This reform will help ensure that state-funded schools can recruit and retain the staff needed to deliver high quality, inclusive education, and drive high and rising standards.

What assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the Domestic Abuse Protection Order pilot in Greater Manchester; and what plans she has for the pilot’s evaluation ahead of its rollout across the region in 2025.

In November, we launched Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) in select areas including Greater Manchester. These orders are the first to introduce a robust range of restrictions for perpetrators such as the ability to impose electronic tagging and attendance on behaviour change programmes.In the short time since these orders have launched, we have seen them being used to protect a range of domestic abuse victims including those experiencing coercive and controlling behaviour, which could not be done previously. I am also very pleased to hear how forces like Greater Manchester Police are dealing with breaches swiftly and that custodial sentences have been obtained in some cases.The Home Office has commissioned an evaluation on the rollout of DAPOs to understand how they are working in practice. The evaluation will include an assessment of how police are resourcing DAPOs. Early findings will be used to help inform our plans for national rollout.

If he will make an (a) economic and (b) regulatory assessment of the potential impact of In Silico computer modelling and simulation methods on the (i) pharmaceutical and (ii) medical device sectors.

Funding has recently been established through the Centre of Excellence in In-Silico Regulatory Science and Innovation (CERSI). This CERSI cements the United Kingdom’s role at the forefront of regulatory science, driving forward the innovations of tomorrow while upholding our unwavering commitment to public health. This first-of-its-kind programme embeds innovation at the very heart of our regulatory processes. It will make a substantial contribution to the development of a regulatory framework to support the adoption and assessments of these technologies. It will support and safely accelerate clinical investigation and trial regulatory assessments, improve patient safety, and reduce the time to safely allow the devices or medications to be used by the patients who need them. It will reduce the time to develop and take a device or medication to the market, reducing the cost of drug development. Therefore, it will position the UK globally as one of the best places to conduct safe and effective investigations and trials.These activities will be led by this CERSI in collaboration with the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and Innovate UK.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of uprating the 25 pence age addition for those over 80 years old and in receipt of the Basic State Pension.

No assessment has been made of the potential merits of uprating the 25 pence Age Addition by this Government. The 25 pence a week Age Addition is part of the old State Pension, for those who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. It is paid with the basic State Pension, when somebody reaches the age of 80. The 25 pence Age Addition is not part of the new State Pension, but for those people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016, the 25 pence Age Addition under the existing rules will continue

What assessment she has made of the (a) adequacy of in-cell (i) toilet and (ii) washing facilities for prisoners at HMP Isle of Wight and (b) potential impact of those facilities on the wellbeing of prisoners.

It is correct that the in-cell facilities at HMP Isle of Wight are not on par with newer built prisons. This does mean that some cells on the Albany site do not have any in-cell toiletry or washing facilities, however alternative provisions are provided. Feedback from prisoners on these facilities is always welcomed, and filters into the establishments wider business, maintenance, and improvement plans.Prison staff are committed to ensuring that the religious needs of all prisoners are respected and accommodated, in line with the Equality Act 2010 and human rights legislation. It is recognised that Muslim prisoners, especially during periods such as Ramadan, may require additional time for washing rituals associated with prayer. While the standard time limit is seven minutes, the control room has the discretion to make reasonable adjustments for individual requests on a case-by-case basis. During the Holy Month of Ramadan, the system is adjusted to allow 12 minutes instead of the usual seven minutes to accommodate this important religious time.The current system at HMP Isle of Wight (Albany) aims to provide regular access to sanitation facilities while maintaining necessary security measures. Prisoners are allowed up to five exits each night, which provides multiple opportunities for accessing facilities. Staff remain committed to ongoing assessment and improvement of policies to ensure they adequately support prisoner health and wellbeing.Prison staff are committed to ensuring that all prisoners, including those with disabilities, have equal access to facilities and opportunities, in line with the Disability Discrimination Act. Although no issues have been raised directly with staff by any prisoner who is visually impaired, staff do recognise that the electronic keypad system may present challenges for visually impaired prisoners. Visually impaired prisoners can also call the control room on their intercom to request assistance with re-locking their doors, ensuring they can safely return to their cells after accessing communal facilities.

What assessment has she made of the potential impact of the seven-minute time limit on prisoners' ability to access toilet and washing facilities at HMP Isle of Wight (Albany) on on prisoner health and wellbeing.

It is correct that the in-cell facilities at HMP Isle of Wight are not on par with newer built prisons. This does mean that some cells on the Albany site do not have any in-cell toiletry or washing facilities, however alternative provisions are provided. Feedback from prisoners on these facilities is always welcomed, and filters into the establishments wider business, maintenance, and improvement plans.Prison staff are committed to ensuring that the religious needs of all prisoners are respected and accommodated, in line with the Equality Act 2010 and human rights legislation. It is recognised that Muslim prisoners, especially during periods such as Ramadan, may require additional time for washing rituals associated with prayer. While the standard time limit is seven minutes, the control room has the discretion to make reasonable adjustments for individual requests on a case-by-case basis. During the Holy Month of Ramadan, the system is adjusted to allow 12 minutes instead of the usual seven minutes to accommodate this important religious time.The current system at HMP Isle of Wight (Albany) aims to provide regular access to sanitation facilities while maintaining necessary security measures. Prisoners are allowed up to five exits each night, which provides multiple opportunities for accessing facilities. Staff remain committed to ongoing assessment and improvement of policies to ensure they adequately support prisoner health and wellbeing.Prison staff are committed to ensuring that all prisoners, including those with disabilities, have equal access to facilities and opportunities, in line with the Disability Discrimination Act. Although no issues have been raised directly with staff by any prisoner who is visually impaired, staff do recognise that the electronic keypad system may present challenges for visually impaired prisoners. Visually impaired prisoners can also call the control room on their intercom to request assistance with re-locking their doors, ensuring they can safely return to their cells after accessing communal facilities.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of allowing extended paternity leave when the mother has been through a traumatic birth and is medically unable to properly care for the child alone after the two weeks of paternity leave.

This Government is committed to ensuring that employed parents receive the best possible support in balancing their work and home lives. Eligible fathers or partners can plan to take a longer period of leave by using Shared Parental Leave or Unpaid Parental Leave. We recognise that parental leave can be improved. Work on this has already begun. The Employment Rights Bill will make Paternity and Unpaid Parental Leave 'day one' rights, accessible to all employees.Government has also committed to a review of the parental leave system to ensure that it best supports working families. Planning work is already underway.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the seven-minute time limit for Muslim prisoners at HMP Isle of Wight requiring additional time for religious washing rituals.

It is correct that the in-cell facilities at HMP Isle of Wight are not on par with newer built prisons. This does mean that some cells on the Albany site do not have any in-cell toiletry or washing facilities, however alternative provisions are provided. Feedback from prisoners on these facilities is always welcomed, and filters into the establishments wider business, maintenance, and improvement plans.Prison staff are committed to ensuring that the religious needs of all prisoners are respected and accommodated, in line with the Equality Act 2010 and human rights legislation. It is recognised that Muslim prisoners, especially during periods such as Ramadan, may require additional time for washing rituals associated with prayer. While the standard time limit is seven minutes, the control room has the discretion to make reasonable adjustments for individual requests on a case-by-case basis. During the Holy Month of Ramadan, the system is adjusted to allow 12 minutes instead of the usual seven minutes to accommodate this important religious time.The current system at HMP Isle of Wight (Albany) aims to provide regular access to sanitation facilities while maintaining necessary security measures. Prisoners are allowed up to five exits each night, which provides multiple opportunities for accessing facilities. Staff remain committed to ongoing assessment and improvement of policies to ensure they adequately support prisoner health and wellbeing.Prison staff are committed to ensuring that all prisoners, including those with disabilities, have equal access to facilities and opportunities, in line with the Disability Discrimination Act. Although no issues have been raised directly with staff by any prisoner who is visually impaired, staff do recognise that the electronic keypad system may present challenges for visually impaired prisoners. Visually impaired prisoners can also call the control room on their intercom to request assistance with re-locking their doors, ensuring they can safely return to their cells after accessing communal facilities.

What assessment she has made of the impact of the electronic keypad system used to access communal facilities at night on prisoners with visual impairments at HMP Isle of Wight (Albany).

It is correct that the in-cell facilities at HMP Isle of Wight are not on par with newer built prisons. This does mean that some cells on the Albany site do not have any in-cell toiletry or washing facilities, however alternative provisions are provided. Feedback from prisoners on these facilities is always welcomed, and filters into the establishments wider business, maintenance, and improvement plans.Prison staff are committed to ensuring that the religious needs of all prisoners are respected and accommodated, in line with the Equality Act 2010 and human rights legislation. It is recognised that Muslim prisoners, especially during periods such as Ramadan, may require additional time for washing rituals associated with prayer. While the standard time limit is seven minutes, the control room has the discretion to make reasonable adjustments for individual requests on a case-by-case basis. During the Holy Month of Ramadan, the system is adjusted to allow 12 minutes instead of the usual seven minutes to accommodate this important religious time.The current system at HMP Isle of Wight (Albany) aims to provide regular access to sanitation facilities while maintaining necessary security measures. Prisoners are allowed up to five exits each night, which provides multiple opportunities for accessing facilities. Staff remain committed to ongoing assessment and improvement of policies to ensure they adequately support prisoner health and wellbeing.Prison staff are committed to ensuring that all prisoners, including those with disabilities, have equal access to facilities and opportunities, in line with the Disability Discrimination Act. Although no issues have been raised directly with staff by any prisoner who is visually impaired, staff do recognise that the electronic keypad system may present challenges for visually impaired prisoners. Visually impaired prisoners can also call the control room on their intercom to request assistance with re-locking their doors, ensuring they can safely return to their cells after accessing communal facilities.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of reports of transnational repression of the families of British protestors of Pakistani origin; and if he will have discussions with his Pakistani counterpart on that issue.

The UK Government continually assesses potential threats and takes the protection of individuals' rights, freedoms, and safety very seriously, including in relation to Pakistan. Any attempt by any foreign power to intimidate, harass or harm individuals or communities in the UK will not be tolerated. During my visit to Pakistan, I raised the importance of upholding civil and political rights with senior Ministers, including the Minister for Human Rights and the Interior Minister. We will continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to respect these fundamental freedoms, underlining that any human rights violations should be fully investigated in line with international human rights law.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his counterparts in India on ensuring that Jagtar Singh Johal will receive a fair trial; and if he will monitor legal proceedings.

The UK Government remains absolutely committed to pushing the Government of India for faster progress to resolve Jagtar Singh Johal's case. The Foreign Secretary raised Mr Johal's case with his Indian counterpart on numerous occasions, most recently on 25 November. The Prime Minister also raised Mr Johal's case with Prime Minister Modi on 18 November. I raised Mr Johal's case on 19 November with the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs. Consular officials regularly attend court hearings as observers, most recently on 15 January and they also visit Mr Johal in detention regularly, most recently on 20 January.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a medical evacuation scheme for children in Gaza.

We continue to support the provision of healthcare in Gaza and the region, and officials from all relevant Government departments are exploring avenues to ensure our support best meets the needs of the critically ill in Gaza. The Government is keeping our humanitarian programme and existing policies on medical evacuations and visa pathways under review in response to events in Gaza.The ceasefire provides a vital opportunity to increase the number of medical evacuations from Gaza. It is very positive that the Rafah crossing has reopened to support this. It is vital that Israel ensures that there is a sustained passage for patients who need treatment not available in Gaza, and the UK frequently engages with Israel to ensure critically ill patients receive the medical treatment they need.We have announced £1 million for the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, delivered through World Health Organisation (WHO) Egypt, to support medically evacuated Palestinians from Gaza. The UK is also supporting the provision of essential healthcare to civilians in Gaza, including support to UK-MED who have now provided vital care to over 330,000 Gazans since the start of the conflict.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of mandating the use of Bovaer in cattle feed on farmers.

Bovaer is a methane suppressing feed product which can reduce the methane emissions of cows by an average of 27%. Every sector of the UK economy, including agriculture, must reduce emissions for us to achieve net zero by 2050. Ruminant livestock, particularly cattle and sheep, are a key contributor of emissions in the agricultural sector and Defra considers methane suppressing feed products to be an essential tool to decarbonise the agricultural sector and achieve our Net Zero commitments. Defra's ambition is to develop a mature market of safe and effective products for widespread use in suitable cattle systems in England as soon as is feasibly possible. However, at present there are no policies in place regarding the use of methane suppressing feed products. Defra will continue to utilise best available evidence, industry and stakeholder knowledge to inform future policy direction.

Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason his Department is trialling the use of Bovaer feed additive; and what assessment he has made of the potential merits of using (a) kelp-based additives and (b) other natural solutions.

Bovaer is a relatively new product, therefore building on the existing evidence base, particularly on-farm in 'real life' conditions is critical to give farmers and consumers confidence in these products. Defra is not undertaking any trials of Bovaer so trials led by the dairy industry and retailers can help build this evidence base. The Food Standards Agency has advised milk from cows given Bovaer is safe to drink. Bovaer has undergone a rigorous safety assessment and is approved for use in Great Britain. Regulation of feed additives and materials, such as Kelp, is the responsibility of the Food Standards Agency. Both synthetic and natural feed products must be demonstrated as safe for use to be added to the GB Register of Feed Materials.

For what purpose his Department has provided funding from the critical infrastructure risk fund to Stepping Hill Hospital.

Repairing and rebuilding our hospital estate is a vital part of our ambition to create a National Health Service that is fit for the future.In this context, Stockport Foundation NHS Trust has been provided with £11.5 million in 2024/25 to facilitate the restoration of outpatient capacity at Stepping Hill Hospital. In December 2024, construction work began on the new outpatient building, which will deliver much needed improvements to capacity as well as patient and staff safety.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations to his US counterpart on the Government’s rejection of the US President’s proposal for the resettlement of Palestinians in Gaza.

The Foreign Secretary frequently has calls with his US counterpart on a range of issues, including the situation in Gaza, most recently on 27 January. The role played by the US, alongside Qatar and Egypt, in negotiating the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, has been crucial, and the Prime Minister reiterated this in his recent call with President Trump. Gaza lies in ruins, and it is crucial we move through the phases of the agreement to the reconstruction of Gaza. We have been clear that we oppose moving Palestinians in Gaza to neighbouring Arab states against their will. There must be no forced displacement of Palestinians, nor any reduction in the territory of the Gaza strip. Palestinian civilians should be able to return to and rebuild their homes and their lives. We support a two-state solution that guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people. Only that over time will ensure the long-term peace and security of both Palestinians and Israelis.

Communities and Local Government, for what reason the Flood Recovery Framework was not activated following the flooding on 1 January 2025 in Stockport.

My thoughts remain with all householders and business owners impacted by flooding at the end of December last year and early in January 2025; flooding is a devastating experience for all those affected.Government recovery support in the aftermath of flooding is only provided in exceptional circumstances. The scale of impacts in early January were not significant enough for the Flood Recovery Framework to be activated in any area. For comparison, when the Framework was activated following Storms Babet in October 2023 and Henk in January 2024, together over 8,500 homes and businesses were impacted across England.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to ensure a lasting ceasefire in Gaza.

We welcome the agreement to end the fighting in Gaza. It is the first step in ensuring long-term peace and security for Israelis, Palestinians, and the wider region, bringing much-needed stability, but we have always been clear that an immediate ceasefire is just the first step towards a lasting solution to this crisis. The UK is ready to play a leading role with international and regional partners, in securing a permanently better future for the Israeli and Palestinian people, based on tangible progress towards a Palestinian state, with Gaza and the West Bank united under one government. Palestinians must be given a credible route to a Palestinian state, which is the right of the Palestinian people. We will continue working with partners to support a path to long term peace and stability with a two-state solution: a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.