Written questions by Yang.

With reference to the Answer of 19 May 2026 to Question 754 on Immigration: Personal Income, whether her Department conducted a cost-benefit analysis of the salary thresholds referred to in that answer.

Awaiting answer.

What cost-benefit analysis her Department has made of lengthening routes to settlement for skilled workers already in the UK.

The consultation for the earned settlement model, as proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, was open to the public between 20 November 2025 and 12 February 2026.As part of this consultation, we sought views on the potential impact to visa holders already in the UK, including skilled workers. We also consulted on salary thresholds, which were selected as they equate to the current thresholds for payment of Income Tax, and any alternative measures or potential exemptions.We are now reviewing and analysing all responses received. This analysis will help inform the development and deliverability of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement.Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly.  As with all significant policy changes, the proposals will be subject to both economic and equality impact assessments.

What assessment she has made of the net fiscal impact of applying the Government's proposed settlement reforms to visa holders already in the UK.

The consultation for the earned settlement model, as proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, was open to the public between 20 November 2025 and 12 February 2026.As part of this consultation, we sought views on the potential impact to visa holders already in the UK, including skilled workers. We also consulted on salary thresholds, which were selected as they equate to the current thresholds for payment of Income Tax, and any alternative measures or potential exemptions.We are now reviewing and analysing all responses received. This analysis will help inform the development and deliverability of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement.Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly.  As with all significant policy changes, the proposals will be subject to both economic and equality impact assessments.

On what evidential basis her Department chose the salary thresholds to qualify for discounts to the settlement qualifying period.

The consultation for the earned settlement model, as proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, was open to the public between 20 November 2025 and 12 February 2026.As part of this consultation, we sought views on the potential impact to visa holders already in the UK, including skilled workers. We also consulted on salary thresholds, which were selected as they equate to the current thresholds for payment of Income Tax, and any alternative measures or potential exemptions.We are now reviewing and analysing all responses received. This analysis will help inform the development and deliverability of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement.Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly.  As with all significant policy changes, the proposals will be subject to both economic and equality impact assessments.

What assessment she has made of the fiscal impact of applying the Government's proposed settlement reforms at the household as opposed to individual level.

The consultation for the earned settlement model, as proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, was open to the public between 20 November 2025 and 12 February 2026.As part of this consultation, we sought views on the potential impact to visa holders already in the UK, including skilled workers. We also consulted on salary thresholds, which were selected as they equate to the current thresholds for payment of Income Tax, and any alternative measures or potential exemptions.We are now reviewing and analysing all responses received. This analysis will help inform the development and deliverability of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement.Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly.  As with all significant policy changes, the proposals will be subject to both economic and equality impact assessments.

What steps her Department is taking to link main applicants and their dependents in its visa records, for the purpose of analysing household earnings.

The consultation for the earned settlement model, as proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, was open to the public between 20 November 2025 and 12 February 2026.As part of this consultation, we sought views on the potential impact to visa holders already in the UK, including skilled workers. We also consulted on salary thresholds, which were selected as they equate to the current thresholds for payment of Income Tax, and any alternative measures or potential exemptions.We are now reviewing and analysing all responses received. This analysis will help inform the development and deliverability of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement.Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly.  As with all significant policy changes, the proposals will be subject to both economic and equality impact assessments.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of raising the language requirement for settlement from B1 to B2 on BNO visa holders.

Being able to communicate effectively in English is essential for accessing public services, participating in civic life, securing employment, and building strong connections within local communities.The Government is continuing to consider whether the B2 standard should be extended more widely and future decisions will take into account responses to the consultation on earned settlement.In the meantime, the current B1 English language requirement for settlement under the BN(O) route continues to apply.

What discussions his Department has had with the Keep Britain Working team on the rate of statutory sick pay.

Sir Charlie Mayfield’s independent Keep Britain Working review report, published on 5 November 2025, aims to tackle health-related economic inactivity, with over one in five working-age adults out of the workforce, substantially because of health problems. While not the direct focus, Statutory Sick Pay was considered as part of the Keep Britain Working Review, and we will work with the Vanguard employers to explore how to best utilise Occupational Sick Pay to generate the best outcomes for all. The vanguard phase will consider and make recommendations to government on the incentives needed for employers and employees to deliver better work and health outcomes.

Whether sick pay falls within the scope of the Keep Britain Working Vanguard Taskforce.

Sir Charlie Mayfield’s independent Keep Britain Working review report, published on 5 November 2025, aims to tackle health-related economic inactivity, with over one in five working-age adults out of the workforce, substantially because of health problems. While not the direct focus, Statutory Sick Pay was considered as part of the Keep Britain Working Review, and we will work with the Vanguard employers to explore how to best utilise Occupational Sick Pay to generate the best outcomes for all. The vanguard phase will consider and make recommendations to government on the incentives needed for employers and employees to deliver better work and health outcomes.

Innovation and Technology, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the decision by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) to remove funding for the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements (FAAM).

As part of a review of its infrastructure investments, the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), within UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has concluded that the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements (FAAM) no longer represents good value for money due to rising operating and maintenance costs and limited planned usage. Only two projects are scheduled to use the aircraft between 2027 and 2029, accounting for around 27% of available flying hours, and FAAM-related research represented a small proportion of overall investment in atmospheric science. NERC has engaged directly with affected programme leads to explore alternative ways to deliver the research, including deploying FAAM instrumentation on other platforms, or by exploring alternative approaches. NERC has already begun investing in new technologies offering lower emissions, greater responsiveness and improved cost effectiveness, including a Net Zero Aerial Capability scoping programme (in collaboration with Innovate UK) on UAV development and investments to explore further autonomous capabilities. This decision reflects a strategic shift towards more sustainable, flexible and modern technologies. Ceasing FAAM operations will also release over £32 million for reinvestment within UK environmental science, supporting lower-emission, scalable capabilities that support broader range of researchers.

Whether he has made an assessment of (a) how much new NHS primary estate is being built each year and (b) what the year-on-year change in that amount has been.

The primary care estate is a complex mix of general practice (GP) private ownership, third party ownership, and lease arrangements with approximately half of GP premises owned by GPs. As of December 2025, there are 6,210 GP surgeries across England.The Government recognises the importance of strategic, value for money investments in capital projects, such as new facilities, significant upgrades, or other targeted capital investments.In May, we announced schemes which will benefit from the £102 million Primary Care Utilisation and Modernisation Fund to deliver upgrades to more than a thousand GP surgeries across England this financial year. These schemes will create additional clinical space within existing building footprints to enable practices to see more patients, boost productivity, and improve patient care.At the Autumn Budget, we announced our commitment to deliver 250 neighbourhood health centres, with 120 operational by 2030. These centres will co-locate local health services such as GPs and physiotherapists to improve access to care and to support a more preventative and sustainable National Health Service.

What the number of registered patients per GP is (a) across Earley and Woodley constituency, (b) the south Reading area and (c) West Berkshire.

As of September 2025, the number of registered patients per full time equivalent doctor in general practice was:2,698 in the Woodley and Earley constituency; and1,615 in West Berkshire.We cannot provide data for South Reading as it is not a formal geography.

What recent assessment she has made of the future viability of the Community Speedwatch Scheme.

Decisions on adopting the Community Speedwatch scheme, and other schemes, are operational matters for individual Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables to take, based on their local policing plans.They are best placed to understand how to meet the needs of local communities.

What recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the system for supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities.

There are challenges in the special educational needs and disabilities system. We will make mainstream education more inclusive through early identification of needs, effective support and high quality teaching while ensuring special schools can support the most complex needs.We are engaging with children, parents and experts and experts on wider reforms.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of (a) trends in levels of (i) flooding and (ii) resulting closure of the B478 from Sonning to Playhatch and (b) the potential impact of climate change on future levels of flooding in that area.

The B478 between Sonning and Playhatch is located on the River Thames floodplain and is subject to frequent flooding. Sonning Quarry is located nearby where Tarmac Group Ltd is extracting minerals and undertaking restoration work. The Environment Agency is working closely with South Oxfordshire District Council and Oxfordshire County Council to understand how these works, and any subsequent restoration activities, might impact the frequency and severity of flooding. To ensure there is no detrimental impact on local businesses and communities the Environment Agency is working with partners to ensure any works are consistent with national planning policy and an appropriate strategy to manage and mitigate flood risk associated with the works is agreed. The Environment Agency is always improving it’s understanding of flood risk and shares the best available information with local authorities to influence land use, infrastructure adaptation and potential flood risk mitigations.

Whether she plans to monitor the number of hours that magistrates volunteer each year.

Magistrates’ sitting levels are already monitored by HM Courts & Tribunals Service and the judiciary. Bench Chairs are responsible for ensuring magistrates meet their minimum sitting commitment of 13 days per year and for supporting effective listing and bench management.The Secretary of State has no current plans to introduce further monitoring.

How many recipients of the PIP daily living component are (a) in work and (b) self-employed at (i) regional, (ii) constituency and (iii) local authority level; and what proportion of those recipients were awarded fewer than four points in all daily living activities.

The information requested is provided in the excel workbook attached. A content of the tables provided in the attached workbook is below: aiVolume of employees in receipt of PIP Daily Living by region and maximum point score (March 2024)aiiVolume of employees in receipt of PIP Daily Living by Parliamentary Constituency and maximum point score (March 2024)aiiiVolume of employees in receipt of PIP Daily Living by Local Authority and maximum point score (March 2024)biVolume of self-employed PIP Daily Living claimants by region and maximum point score (March 2024)biiVolume of self-employed PIP Daily Living claimants by Parliamentary Constituency and maximum point score (March 2024)biiiVolume of self-employed PIP Daily Living claimants by Local Authority and maximum point score (March 2024) The number of people currently on PIP who did not score 4 points in one category in their last assessment should not be equated with the number who are likely to lose PIP in future. It’s important to make a clear distinction between the two, not least because we don’t want constituents to be unnecessarily fearful about their situation, when we understand many are already anxious. Someone who did not score 4 points in an activity in a previous assessment may well score 4 points in a future assessment as conditions change over time. No one will lose access to PIP immediately - and most people will not lose access at all. Our intention is that changes will start to come into effect from November 2026 for PIP, subject to parliamentary approval and will only apply at a claimant’s next scheduled award review, which on average occurs every three years. At that point, a claimant will be reassessed by a trained assessor or healthcare professional based on their individual needs and circumstances. After accounting for behavioural changes, the OBR predicts that 9 out of 10 PIP recipients at the time of policy implementation are expected to be unaffected by the PIP 4-point change in 2029/30. Despite the reforms, the overall number of people on PIP and DLA is expected to increase by 750,000 by the end of this Parliament and spending is projected to rise from £23 billion in 2024/25 to £31 billion in 2029/30. We are consulting on how best to support those who are affected by the new eligibility changes, including ensuring health and care needs are met. We have also announced a wider review of the PIP assessment to make it fair and fit for purpose, which I am leading. We are bringing together a range of experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience to consider how best to do this. We will provide further details as plans progress. Notes:- The volumes provided have been rounded to the nearest 10.- HMRC data is used to determine whether a claimant was in employment. HMRC data covers up to the end of the tax year 2023/24, therefore March 2024 has been provided as the latest data available.- Self-employment data from the financial year 2023/24 is not available until the end of the 2024/25 financial year, so self-employment data for the financial year 2022/23 has been used as a proxy for 2023/24 instead.- People without any employment or self-employment record in the HMRC data, as well as those who have been confirmed to not be in employment or self-employment in the data, have been considered not employed or not self-employed respectively.- The data provided excludes special rules for end of life claimants and claimants over state pension age.- The data provided excludes Scottish and Northern Irish claimants, as these claimants do not fall under DWP policy ownership.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of access by disabled people to cancer screening; and what information his Department holds on such access.

NHS England is committed to improving the accessibility of the three cancer screening programmes which it commissions under the Public Health Services (S7a) agreement, particularly for under-served groups in society.Contractually, providers of National Health Service screening services are required to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that their services are accessible to disabled people. This includes health providers ensuring that their premises are suitable for the delivery of services and are sufficient to meet the needs of their patients, including those with disabilities. If a patient requires specialist equipment, providers must ensure that their patients have access to its use in a safe environment.Regionally and nationally, several initiatives have been implemented to ensure that information is available in 10 languages, easy read, and British Sign Language, and people can also request braille versions to ensure they have information in a format appropriate to them.Information on access by disabled people to cancer screening is not held centrally.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of exempting British National (Overseas) visa holders from the proposed extension of the settlement qualifying period from five to ten years on levels of net migration.

The Government is committed to supporting members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK and those who may come here in future.Further details of all measures announced in the Immigration White Paper will be set out in the normal way in due course, and where necessary, will be subject to consultation.

What estimate she has made of the cost for (a) universities and (b) students of implementing the Equality and Human Rights Commission's revised code of practice for services, public functions and associations.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is updating its code of practice for services, public functions and associations and seeking views from affected stakeholders through their consultation which closes on 30 June. We would encourage all interested parties, including universities and students, to ensure their views are heard by submitting a response to the consultation.