Written questions by Vaughan.

How Specialist Resource Provisions fit within new school bases proposed in SEND reforms.

As part of our reforms, to clarify and simplify terminology, we will collectively describe provision such as special educational needs (SEN) units, resourced provision and pupil support units as inclusion bases, underpinned by two models:Support bases: commissioned and funded by individual settings and academy trusts.Specialist bases: commissioned and funded by the local authority.There are many examples of inclusion bases in mainstream settings that offer high quality teaching, bespoke learning environments and flexible access to specialist education or health support, helping children thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. These will continue to play an important role.As a core component of our £3.7 billion high needs capital settlement we will invest in a transformational expansion of inclusion bases, so they become a core part of every local education offer. They will deliver high quality teaching and support to more children who benefit from provision that bridges the gap between mainstream and specialist.

How many ECAA Indefinite Leave to Remain applications are pending.

Leave granted under the European Community Association Agreement (ECAA) allows people, largely Turkish nationals, to work or establish businesses in the UK.The Home Office does not publish information specifically relating to the volume of applications pending or volume of applications decided under the ECAA route. However, from the immigration statistics published for the calendar year ending December 2025, it was noted that the published data on grants of Settlement under the Work Permit holder category largely relates to persons granted leave under the ECAA route.The latest statistics show that there were 6,367 Settlement grants for Work Permit holders, an increase of 72% on the previous 12 months.

How the educational rights of the Targeted Plus group will be enforced where those children do not have EHCPs.

Changes to how support is delivered will be underlined by stronger accountability across local authorities and health and education settings to ensure each layer of support is delivered effectively.Schools will be required to produce an Inclusion Strategy, drawing on evidence-informed best practice including new National Inclusion Standards, which will help to hold them accountable for practice across layers of support, including targeted plus. Ofsted will be able to draw on the strategy to assess how effectively leaders are planning for, implementing and delivering inclusive practice.There will also be a legal duty on settings to produce an Individual Support Plan (ISP) for every child or young person receiving targeted plus support, to clearly record the support they are accessing. The use and quality of ISPs will be considered in Ofsted inspections, with clear routes for parents to raise concerns.

How many ECAA Indefinite Leave to Remain applications have been decided in the last four months.

Leave granted under the European Community Association Agreement (ECAA) allows people, largely Turkish nationals, to work or establish businesses in the UK.The Home Office does not publish information specifically relating to the volume of applications pending or volume of applications decided under the ECAA route. However, from the immigration statistics published for the calendar year ending December 2025, it was noted that the published data on grants of Settlement under the Work Permit holder category largely relates to persons granted leave under the ECAA route.The latest statistics show that there were 6,367 Settlement grants for Work Permit holders, an increase of 72% on the previous 12 months.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps she is taking to help support the end of the civil war in Sudan.

I refer the Hon Member to the oral statement made by the Foreign Secretary on 5 February following her recent visit to the Chad-Sudan border, and her speech to the United Nations on 19 February, available at the link below. Further updates will follow the Berlin Ministerial Conference this week.https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/let-this-be-the-time-that-the-world-comes-together-to-end-the-cycle-of-bloodshed-in-sudan-uk-statement-at-the-un-security-council.

What steps she is taking to help support refugee integration.

Refugees can already access the labour market, benefits, employment support and funded English language support.After the introduction of our asylum reforms, we will create new work and study routes for those who are receiving protection, which will provide a faster path to lifetime settlement.And we will introduce new safe and legal routes – again, with a faster path to settlement – as we move away from unsafe and illegal routes into this country

What steps are being taken to provide funding to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.

Funding for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) is being provided through the Government’s Spending Review (SR) settlement, confirmed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in June 2025, which allocated £13.9 billion of capital funding for the period 2025 to 2030. The SR settlement is the largest ever capital investment in nuclear decommissioning and demonstrates the government’s commitment to keeping the UK’s former nuclear sites and facilities safe. This funding enables NDA to continue to perform its core mission of keeping former nuclear sites safe and secure while progressing decommissioning and nuclear waste management.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of alternative electoral systems to the single member district system used to elect MPs.

The government has no plans to change the electoral system for UK Parliamentary elections.

What steps she is taking to increase the number of private jet passengers paying the higher rate of Air Passenger Duty.

The Government is ensuring all private jets are taxed fairly. Currently, only 36% of private jet passengers pay the higher APD rate, while most pay the same as those on commercial flights, despite using a more premium service with far higher emissions per passenger. Building on the 50% rate increase announced at Autumn Budget 2024, at Budget 2025, the government announced that it would extend the higher rate to all private jets over 5.7 tonnes from April 2027. This change ensures that private jet passengers pay higher rates of APD compared to commercial flyers and ensures fair and consistent taxation across private aviation.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of compensation for HMRC staff due to the late award of the Flexibility Payment.

HMRC has considered the appropriateness and potential merits of compensation and reflected on the factors set out below: The new Flexibility rates required complex payroll system design, build and testing to ensure the 3,000 eligible staff would be paid correctly for their various working patterns. Throughout the relevant period between June 2025 – November 2025, HMRC frequently updated staff and Departmental Trade Union representatives on progress and timings. For clarity, the late award of the Flexibility Payment, refers to the new June 2025 rates. As standard practice, staff had continued to receive the pre-2025 Flexibility Payment rates to ensure they received their regular income. Staff received the new June 2025 Flexibility Payment rates in December 2025, which included backdated arrears. The arrears reflected the difference between the new June 2025 rate, and the pre-June 2025 rate that individuals had continued to receive between June 2025 – November 2025. HMRC is acutely aware of its additional role as the UK Tax Authority to ensure that public funds are managed with propriety, regularity, and value for money. On conclusion of the assessment, HMRC does not believe that the delayed payment of the 2025 Flexibility Payment rates, while staff continued to be paid the former rates are sufficiently exceptional, sustained, or significant to require compensation.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of ending temporary concessionary visas for sheep shearers on sheep welfare.

Defra recognises the importance that shearing sheep plays in managing the health and welfare of around 30m sheep in the UK flock, and the continued challenges that the industry faces each year in sourcing sufficient numbers of trained shearers. The department is also aware of the role that shearers and sheep farmers from countries such as Australia and New Zealand have provided in sharing skills and expertise with UK sheep farmers as well as in supporting the health and welfare of the UK flock. Defra continues to work closely with the industry in addressing these challenges and recognises the good and extensive work undertaken by British Wool each year to provide training for domestic sheep shearers. Visa concessions are a matter for the Home Office.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department is taking steps with British Wool to help increase the supply of British-trained sheep shearers.

British Wool is the main provider and promoter of training for sheep shearers in the UK. In each of the last five years (2021-2025) they have invested an average of £134,000 net costs in providing shearing training for between 798 and 898 people at skill levels ranging from beginners through to highly proficient commercial shearers. This includes the training of around 100- 200 young farmers a year who also receive a 50% discount on fees. Defra works closely with British Wool and the wider sheep industry to encourage the continued delivery and where possible, expansion of the sheep shearing training programme. However, Defra recognise the challenges the industry faces in maintaining the number of required shearers who need to possess a high level of skill but can only utilise these skills for a very short period of the year.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of ending temporary concessionary visas for sheep shearers on the total labour supply of sheep shearers for the farming sector.

Immigration Rules concessionary arrangements are temporary and subject to regular Ministerial review. The sheep shearing concession had been operating for 14 years and closed after the 2025 shearing season as it reasonable to expect that over this period a long-term sustainable solution had been found to fill this workforce gap. To provide plenty of time to plan and transition to new arrangements DEFRA and the sector was informed last year that the concession would not be renewed again.In addition, those in the UK on visas which allow general work rights, such as dependants or Youth Mobility Scheme visa holders, are free to take up work as a sheep shearer subject to the relevant visa restrictions.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she has taken to ensure that members of the Food Strategy Advisory Board do not have conflicts of interest.

FSAB members are appointed in a personal capacity to advise and inform the strategic direction of the Government’s Food Strategy based on their professional experience in the food and drink system. They are not appointed to represent a body, group or part of the sector. FSAB membership is unpaid and not political appointments. To guide against misuse of privileged information and conflicts of interest, FSAB members are obliged to sign non-disclosure agreements and adhere to the Seven Principles of Public Life. Additionally, per the Terms of Reference they are expected to: Observe the highest standards of impartiality, integrity and objectivity in relation to the advice and recommendations they provide.Act in accordance with Government policy on openness and comply fully with the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information and any relevant legislation on disclosure of information.Not to misuse information gained in the course of their public service for personal gain or for political purpose, nor seek to use the opportunity of public service to promote their and/or their private interests or those of connected persons, firms, businesses or other organisations.Not hold any paid or high-profile posts in a political party and not engage in specific political activities on matters directly affecting the work of the FSAB.Refer any media enquiries about the FSAB and its work to the Defra Press Office. At the first meeting a member joins they are invited to give a verbal register of their conflicts of interest, which are recorded in the FSAB minutes.

If he will provide an update on the status of the Royal Mail Statutory Scheme Pension deficit.

The administration of the Royal Mail Statutory Pension Scheme (RMSPS) is the responsibility of the Cabinet Office. The RMSPS was created in April 2012 when the UK government assumed responsibility for the historic liabilities (accrued before 2012) of the Royal Mail Pension Plan (RMPP). The scheme is closed to new members and further benefit accrual. It will continue to operate until all members and their beneficiaries have received their entitlements. The scheme holds no investment assets. All liabilities are met by annual parliamentary votes for funding. The RMSPS’ deficit at 31 March 2025 is £28.2 billion. This information can be found in the annual report and accounts:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/royal-mail-statutory-pension-scheme-2024-2025 It should be noted that on 22 April 2026, the Government announced the termination of the new Royal Mail Statutory Pension Scheme (RMSPS) contract with Capita. This decision was taken following Capita’s failure to meet critical transition milestones and IT automation requirements over an 18-month planning period. To ensure no member is detrimentally impacted, service delivery will continue under the existing contract while the Government assesses a new delivery model.

What steps he is taking to implement the recommendations of the Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce.

We will present a full implementation plan by the end of February 2026, taking account of international obligations, security considerations, and planning, environmental and court processes. We aim to complete implementation within two years, subject to legislation when parliamentary time allows.

What commemorations are being planned to mark the 100th anniversary of the passing of the Representation of the People Act 1928.

We are very much aware of this significant milestone and the opportunity it represents; both for celebrating women being granted equal voting rights, and inspiring women and girls to get involved in politics. We are working with other Departments and with women’s organisations to determine the best ways to mark the occasion.

What steps she is taking to improve early interventions in cases of childhood neglect.

The department is driving major children’s social care reforms to strengthen and improve early intervention, including in cases of childhood neglect. These reforms are backed by £2.4 billion investment, robust statutory guidance ‘Working together to safeguard children’, and support for teachers, social workers and all safeguarding professionals to spot the signs of abuse and neglect more quickly. Through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, we will require local authorities and safeguarding partners to establish multi-agency child protection teams, enhance schools’ role in safeguarding partnership arrangements and introduce provisions that empower my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education to introduce a consistent identifier for children.In addition, our Best Start Family Hubs will provide welcoming spaces that connect families to health, education, housing and parenting support, helping identify those who need more intensive help from family support and multi-agency child protection.Our plans to establish a Child Protection Authority in England will also bring further focus to children who are experiencing or likely to experience significant harm, including neglect.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to establish a timeline of when the new private rented sector database will be implemented.

The government intends to set out detailed implementation plans for the Renters’ Rights Act in the near future.

What steps he is taking to increase support for the delivery of emergency care at the William Harvey Hospital.

The Government recognises that urgent and emergency care performance has fallen short in recent years and is committed to restoring accident and emergency waiting times to the National Health Service constitutional standard across England to support the delivery of emergency care, including at the William Harvey Hospital.East Kent Trust, which the William Harvey hospital is part of, is receiving focused support as part of the National urgent and emergency care tiering programme, designed to support the most challenged trusts with urgent and emergency care.