Written questions by Slade.

If she will take steps to introduce testing for neurodiversity in educational settings for students aged 16 and above.

Improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream settings is a key part of the government’s ambition to ensure that all children and young people receive the support they need to achieve and thrive, in the most appropriate setting.The department has recently announced a new £200 million landmark teacher training programme which will support the workforce in identifying and supporting the individual needs of learners.By 2028, we will have invested up to £15 million to build the evidence base for the National Inclusion Standards. This will include a digital library of high-quality identification tools and provision across the 0-25 system covering all layers of support and making clear what provision should be available in every setting.The special educational needs and disabilities Code of Practice sets out expectations for supporting neurodiverse learners, and places strong emphasis on inclusive practice.It remains the case that providers have responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments for all their disabled students.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of moving the BVRLA guidelines on Fair Wear and Tear onto a statutory basis for people hiring cars.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has not made a specific assessment of the potential merits of moving the BVRLA guidelines on Fair Wear and Tear onto a statutory basis for people hiring cars.BVLRA members are bound by the BVLRA's Code of Conduct which ensures fair treatment in assessing vehicle condition upon return. Failure to do so could represent a breach of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.

What steps she is taking to ensure protections for British Iranians who are affected by the violence against protesters taking place in Iran.

The UK condemns in the strongest of terms the horrendous and brutal killing of Iranian protestors we have seen over recent weeks.The Iranian authorities must be held accountable for the violence that claimed the lives of thousands of Iranians who were exercising their right to peaceful protest. Last week, in a statement to the House, the Foreign Secretary set out the action that the Government is taking in coordination with allies in response to the consistent threat that the Iranian regime poses to stability, security, freedom and the UK national interest.The Home Office works closely with other government departments as well as relevant agencies and law enforcement to protect the UK and its people against any threats from the Iranian state.

Whether she has had discussions with hospitality businesses on the potential impact of the timeframe for completing rateable evaluations of business that have had their premises renovated on businesses completing such renovations.

Legislation sets the route for ratepayers to notify the Valuation Office Agency of changes, including renovations, through the Check Challenge Appeal service. The timeframe for the VOA to complete reviews is also set out in legislation; for Check cases it is up to 12 months and Challenges up to 18 months, although the VOA aims to respond sooner.

With reference to the Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) programme, (a) when the Department plans to publish the full evaluation of this programme; and (b) whether the findings of this evaluation will inform (i) the SEND Improvement Plan and, (ii) any future Schools White Paper.

An independent interim evaluation of the Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) programme was published on 2 December 2025, and is accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/partnerships-for-inclusion-of-neurodiversity-in-schools-pins-interim-evaluation-report.The second year of PINS delivery is due to conclude on 31 March 2026, with independent evaluation activity continuing until summer 2026. We anticipate publishing a final evaluation report of the PINS programme after this date.The learning from the PINS interim evaluation is informing policy development around how schools support neurodivergent children. We will set out our plans for reform of the special educational needs and disabilities system in the upcoming Schools White Paper, building on the work we have already done to create a system that is rooted in inclusion, where children receive high quality support early on and can thrive at their local school.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of requiring car hire companies to capture and store digitally timestamped (a) photographic and (b) video evidence of a vehicle’s condition both at check-out and check-in for people hiring cars.

The Competition and Markets Authority published guidance in 2018 to support car rental companies to comply with consumer law. The department does not intend to impose specific obligations on car rental companies regarding how they monitor the vehicle's condition. Consumers are advised to keep their own records regarding the state of the vehicle before and after the hire, so that they can dispute any damage claims if required.

What assessment she has made with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade of the adequacy of the accessibility of the Government Gateway for small business owners.

Government Gateway is a service managed and operated by HM Revenue and Customs. HMRC keeps the accessibility of the service under ongoing review in line with statutory requirements for public sector digital services.While no formal joint assessment has been undertaken with the Department for Business and Trade specifically on the accessibility of Government Gateway for small business owners, HMRC routinely engages with user groups, including small businesses, to identify barriers and improve the service experience.The latest accessibility statement, updated on 8 April 2024, sets out the current level of compliance, known issues, and planned improvements. It is available here:https://www.access.service.gov.uk/accessibility

Whether he plans to negotiate the harmonisation of the amount of time that UK nationals can spend in the EU under the 90 in 180 day Schengen rule with the amount of time that EU nationals can spend in the UK with her EU counterparts.

HMG officials and Ministers, including myself, regularly engage the EU and EU Member State counterparts on a range of issues affecting UK nationals. The UK and the EU allow for visa-free, short-term travel in line with their respective arrangements for third country nationals. The UK allows EU citizens visa-free travel for up to six months; the EU allows for visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period which is standard for third nationals travelling visa-free to the EU. UK nationals planning to stay longer will need permission from the relevant Member State. The UK Government will continue to listen to and advocate for UK nationals.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Department's policy paper entitled Animal Welfare Strategy for England, published on 22 December 2025, whether her Department plans to publish a timetable for the introduction of dog licences for dog breeders.

Under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, anyone in the business of breeding and selling dogs and/or who breeds three or more litters in a twelve-month period needs to have a valid licence from their local authority. The Government is committed to ending puppy farming and the low welfare breeding of dogs. As part of the Animal Welfare Strategy, the Government has committed to launch a consultation on dog breeding reform. Next steps will be announced in due course.

What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to increase the uptake of (a) hairdressing and (b) barbering apprenticeships.

There are a number of apprenticeship standards available to support the hair and beauty sector, including the Level 2 Hairdressing Professional standard and the Level 2 Barbering Professional standard. The government provides a range of financial support for employers to take on apprentices. We provide £1,000 to both employers and training providers when they take on apprentices aged under 19, or 19-to-24-year-old apprentices who have an EHCP or have been, or are, in care. Employers also benefit from not being required to pay anything towards employees’ National Insurance for all apprentices aged up to age 25, when the employee’s wage is below £50,270 a year. In addition, from the next academic year, the government will fully fund apprenticeships for non-levy paying employers (essentially small and medium sized enterprises) for all eligible people aged under 25. At the moment, this only happens for apprentices aged 16-21 and apprentices aged 22-24 who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or have been, or are, in local authority care. This change will make it easier for those employers to engage with apprenticeships by cutting costs and reducing bureaucracy for both them and their training providers.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing licensing requirements for the establishment of (a) hairdressers and (b) barbers.

The Government recognises the significant economic and social role that the hairdressing and barbering industry plays in high streets and communities across the UK. The Hairdressers Registration Act of 1964 provides for a UK register of qualified hairdressers, although registration remains voluntary. Hairdressing salons and barbers, like other employers, are subject to normal business regulations such as health and safety requirements, employer and public liability insurance. The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have set up a forum with the industry on informing the hair and beauty sector on good compliance. However, the government has no current plans to introduce further regulation of the industry, but we will always remain open to evidence.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to encourage industry to end the practice of culling male laying hen chicks; and if she will publish a timetable for taking these steps.

As stated in the recently published Animal Welfare Strategy1 the Government welcomes the UK egg industry’s interest in the development of day zero sexing technology. There has been rapid global progress in a range of technologies that could help end the routine culling of male chicks by identifying or determining the sex of chick embryos before hatching as set out in the Animal Welfare Committee’s ‘Opinion on alternatives to culling newly hatched chicks in the egg and poultry industries’. Aside from in-ovo sexing technology, government is co-funding an initiative to assess the viability of dual-purpose poultry breeds, that is, breeds that can be used for laying eggs and meat therefore avoiding the need to cull males.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to reduce the risk to non-farmed animals of disease transmission from the nearby presence of a fish farm.

Defra’s disease control measures seek to contain the number of animals that need to be culled, either for disease control purposes or to safeguard animal welfare. The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) and the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) are responsible for the delivery of aquatic animal health controls in England and Wales. The FHI maintains a comprehensive programme of inspections to assess farmed fish health, designed to prevent the introduction and spread of the most serious listed and emerging diseases, and ensure that all aquaculture production businesses operate under approved biosecurity plans. These plans must take account of the potential for infectious disease transmission to wild aquatic animals and set out measures to minimise that risk. The recently published Animal Welfare Strategy for England set out that we will commission the Animal Welfare Committee’s advice on the welfare of farmed fish prior to slaughter. Amongst other things this project will consider the effects of stocking densities. The Animal Welfare Strategy also commits to introduce humane slaughter requirements for farmed fish into legislation, subject to consultation.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she will take to improving the health of farmed fish during production; and if she will give consideration to increasing spacing to reduce the risk of disease transmission between fish.

Defra’s disease control measures seek to contain the number of animals that need to be culled, either for disease control purposes or to safeguard animal welfare. The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) and the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) are responsible for the delivery of aquatic animal health controls in England and Wales. The FHI maintains a comprehensive programme of inspections to assess farmed fish health, designed to prevent the introduction and spread of the most serious listed and emerging diseases, and ensure that all aquaculture production businesses operate under approved biosecurity plans. These plans must take account of the potential for infectious disease transmission to wild aquatic animals and set out measures to minimise that risk. The recently published Animal Welfare Strategy for England set out that we will commission the Animal Welfare Committee’s advice on the welfare of farmed fish prior to slaughter. Amongst other things this project will consider the effects of stocking densities. The Animal Welfare Strategy also commits to introduce humane slaughter requirements for farmed fish into legislation, subject to consultation.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent progress her Department has made on bringing forward legislative proposals to prohibit the importation of hunting trophies.

The Government is committed to banning the import of hunting trophies from species of conservation concern, which is the most effective approach the Government can take on this matter. The department continues to engage with relevant stakeholders to ensure that we can implement a robust ban. Timeframes for introducing legislation will be provided once the Parliamentary timetable for future sessions is determined.

With reference to page 26 of the Animal Welfare Strategy for England, published on 22 December 2025, whether she plans to make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) making wildlife crimes notifiable and (b) including them in national crime statistics.

Wildlife crime can have devastating consequences for our natural environments and countryside communities. This Government is committed to reducing crime in rural areas and anyone exploiting or deliberately harming British wildlife should face the full force of the law.There are currently no plans to make wildlife crimes notifiable (which would result in them being included in the national crime statistics). Any non-notifiable wildlife crime reported to the police can still be investigated where appropriate, as Chief Constables have operational independence to tackle the crimes that matter most to their communities.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take steps to include proposals on the regulation of veterinary fees for uninsured animals in the upcoming consultation on reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.

The forthcoming consultation on potential reforms to the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 will include proposals for a new framework through which all pet owners would have better access to treatment options. The proposed reforms could also help address cost of living concerns, including through mandatory business regulation, and embedding any remedies proposed by the Competition and Markets Authority. Pet owners who have difficulty affording veterinary treatment can consider contacting charities such as Blue Cross and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA).

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of implementing a grading system for food labelling that rates the animal welfare standards in the food’s production.

As set out in the animal welfare strategy, the Government committed to ensuring that consumers have access to clear information on how their food was produced. To support this, the Government will continue working with relevant stakeholders, including the farming and food industry, scientists and NGOs to explore how improved animal welfare food labelling could provide greater consumer transparency, support farmers and promote better animal welfare.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she plans to take to help support UK (a) farmers and (b) fishers where (i) animal welfare standards and (ii) climate and nature policies contribute to higher farming costs, in the context of the cost of imported produce.

The Government has been clear that it will protect farmers in trade deals. The Government will not lower food standards and will uphold high animal welfare standards. It will create new export opportunities for our high-quality British produce. Supporting British farmers and boosting the nation’s food security are key priorities for the Government. The Government allocated £11.8 billion this Parliament to sustainable farming and food production, targeting public money where it delivers most value. In terms of wider support to the fishing industry, the Government is committed to the industry’s long-term prosperity and sustainability, which is why we launched the £360 million Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund.

Communities and Local Government, whether he will take steps to allow non-Mayoral authorities to access proposals for a Tourism Levy.

We are consulting whether the visitor levy should be extended to Foundation Strategic Authorities, which can be accessed on gov.uk.