Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to increase access to rail links in rural communities in (a) Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency and (b) Hertfordshire.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government knows that public transport needs to be better integrated in order to improve the experience for passengers, providing access to services and keeping communities connected. We also know that in rural areas, bus services can be a lifeline for many and can be the only means of accessing services, including other modes of transportation such as rail links. The Government is taking action to help improve local bus services and encourage greater integration between transport modes.

We introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill on 17 December to put the power over local bus services back into the hands of local leaders, including in rural areas. In addition, the Government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. Hertfordshire County Council has been allocated £12.2 million of this funding, helping to improve bus services and connectivity across the area.

The Government will also be publishing an Integrated National Transport Strategy this year to set the vision for transport in England. It will focus on how transport should be designed, built and operated to better serve the people who use it, including those in rural areas.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve the affordability of rail fares in (a) Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency and (b) Hertfordshire.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

We are overhauling the fares and ticketing system to make it easier for passengers to trust that they are buying the right ticket and getting the best fare, with the move to Great British Railways (GBR) passengers will be able to receive a more consistent offer across the network. We need to balance affordability for both passengers and taxpayers as we reform fares and deliver GBR, ensuring everyone gets a fair deal.

Passengers traveling in the South East and London, which includes a) the Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency and b) Hertfordshire, can also benefit from one third off the price of fares after 10:00 with the Network Railcard.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what funding her Department has provided for tennis facilities Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency in each of the past three years; and whether she plans to provide further funding.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government provides the majority of our funding for grassroots sport through our Arm’s Length Body, Sport England, which invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding each year.

In 2022/23, £5,950.00 was invested in Harpenden and Berkhamsted with 3 tennis courts at Rothamsted Park renovated directly as a result of investment from the Park Tennis Court Programme.

Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme funding is delivered through the Football Foundation in England and further detail on funded projects will be published on gov.uk in due course. Tennis/padel projects are not currently funded through the programme but at least 40% of funded projects will support non-football sports where similar pitch types/playing surfaces can be shared (such as rugby, cricket and basketball), ensuring more people can participate and get active across a variety of sports.

Future funding for grassroots facilities beyond 2025/26 is subject to the ongoing Spending Review.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department plans to provide funding for (a) indoor and (b) covered tennis facilities in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government provides the majority of our funding for grassroots sport through our Arm’s Length Body, Sport England, which invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding each year.

In 2022/23, £5,950.00 was invested in Harpenden and Berkhamsted with 3 tennis courts at Rothamsted Park renovated directly as a result of investment from the Park Tennis Court Programme.

Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme funding is delivered through the Football Foundation in England and further detail on funded projects will be published on gov.uk in due course. Tennis/padel projects are not currently funded through the programme but at least 40% of funded projects will support non-football sports where similar pitch types/playing surfaces can be shared (such as rugby, cricket and basketball), ensuring more people can participate and get active across a variety of sports.

Future funding for grassroots facilities beyond 2025/26 is subject to the ongoing Spending Review.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme funding will go to (a) tennis and (b) padel facilities.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government provides the majority of our funding for grassroots sport through our Arm’s Length Body, Sport England, which invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding each year.

In 2022/23, £5,950.00 was invested in Harpenden and Berkhamsted with 3 tennis courts at Rothamsted Park renovated directly as a result of investment from the Park Tennis Court Programme.

Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme funding is delivered through the Football Foundation in England and further detail on funded projects will be published on gov.uk in due course. Tennis/padel projects are not currently funded through the programme but at least 40% of funded projects will support non-football sports where similar pitch types/playing surfaces can be shared (such as rugby, cricket and basketball), ensuring more people can participate and get active across a variety of sports.

Future funding for grassroots facilities beyond 2025/26 is subject to the ongoing Spending Review.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to help support SMEs in adopting digital technology in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Hertfordshire Growth Hub provides SMEs in Harpenden and Berkhamsted with support and advice with adopting digital technology. The Government is working closely with the SME Digital Adoption Taskforce. The Taskforce brings industry stakeholders together to explore how the UK can supercharge digital adoption amongst SMEs to drive productivity. Its final report will be published this summer.

In addition, the Department for Business and Trade is working with DSIT on the Technology Adoption Review led by the Government Chief Scientific Advisor and the Government National Technology Advisor.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of the Climate and Nature Bill.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

This Government is absolutely committed to tackling the climate and nature crises and has agreed steps to take forward the spirit and substance of the Climate and Nature Bill with the Bill’s Sponsors. There is already a well-developed legislative framework that supports our actions in the areas of climate and nature including the Climate Change Act and the Environment Act. In accordance with parliamentary convention, the Government will set out its formal position on this Bill when its Second Reading debate is scheduled to resume.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when his Department plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Harpenden and Berkhamsted to the Environment Agency on Markyate Sewage Works of 28 March 2025.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

A reply to the hon. Member is being prepared by the Environment Agency and will be issued as soon as possible.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of passenger rail performance in (a) Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency and (b) Hertfordshire.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Performance in the area has been challenging in recent months, affected by a range of issues including points failures, train faults and external trespass and fatality incidents affecting Thameslink services operated by Govia Thameslink Railway. However, there is an improving trend in service delay and cancellations with continued monitoring and challenge of the train operator and Network Rail by my Department.

Ongoing upgrade works on the Midline Main Line overhead power lines will help improve reliability. Department officials continue to monitor performance against contractual targets and will ensure appropriate action is taken to address any emerging issues.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking with universities to develop research and development policies in the (a) East and (b) rest of England.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Government is clear that universities are a key partner in research and development, which is fundamental to kickstarting economic growth and delivering the Government’s missions. DSIT values the views of universities and engages closely with them through a programme of one to one meetings, roundtables, visits, and sector group meetings, as appropriate, to develop research policies for England and the rest of the UK.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to (a) expand and (b) simplify the Global Talent visa route.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

As set out in the Immigration White Paper, we will continue to work closely with our endorsing bodies on policy proposals to make it simpler and easier for top scientific and design talent to use the Global Talent Visa route, and ensure the UK can bring in the right skills and experience to supercharge UK growth in strategic industries.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate her Department has made of the potential economic impact of (a) extreme weather events, (b) food inflation, (c) flood recovery and (d) other climate-related impacts on (i) public services and (ii) households.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Government recognises that preparing for the future means adapting to the effects of climate change. Without action, flooding, coastal erosion and other climate hazards will pose greater risks to lives, livelihoods and people’s wellbeing

The Office for Budget Responsibility’s latest Fiscal Risks and Sustainability report estimates the potential fiscal costs to the UK from climate damage across a range of warming scenarios. Their analysis includes both direct costs in response to physical damages and indirect costs arising from additional demands on public services. The UK’s Third Climate Change Risk Assessment also provides an evaluation of the climate risks facing the UK, with impacts across infrastructure, health and the economy.

As set out at the Autumn Budget, the Government is investing in climate adaptation to protect the economy from climate change, confirming investment of £2.4 billion over two years to support flood resilience and over £400 million for tree planting and peatland restoration, which will further support resilience.

The development of the Fourth Climate Change Risk Assessment will also support the Government in continuing to improve its assessment of the risks and opportunities from climate change.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the level of telecoms site rental valuations following the 2017 Electronic Communications Code reforms on rural connectivity rollout.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The aim of the 2017 reforms was to encourage investment in digital networks and improve coverage and connectivity across the UK. Based on Ofcom reporting, 4G rural geographic coverage from at least one operator has increased from 88% in May 2018 to a reported 95% in the 2025 Spring Connected Nations Update. It is a similar story for geographic 5G coverage in rural areas, with coverage from at least one operator increasing from 12% in May 2022 to a reported 58% in the same update.

We continue to work with mobile operators to meet our coverage ambitions, including rural areas.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to (a) increase research into kidney disease and (b) raise public awareness of (i) early detection and (ii) prevention strategies to reduce the risk of progression to kidney failure.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department funds research on health and social care through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and social care, including kidney disease. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality. Funding opportunities are openly published on the NIHR website, which is available at the following link:

https://www.nihr.ac.uk/

Universities and other stakeholders can propose research topics to the NIHR via the following link:

https://www.nihr.ac.uk/get-involved/suggest-a-research-topic

As of 21 May 2025, in the last five financial years, the NIHR has spent £37,529,199 in direct research on kidney disease.

The National Health Service raises awareness about kidney disease, most recently through locally led World Kidney Day campaigns. The NHS also runs locally led initiatives on testing kidney health, raising awareness about kidney health in at risk populations, and also about being a kidney doner.

NHS England’s Renal Service Transformation Programme (RSTP) highlighted the importance of prevention and of optimising screening, detection, and treatment. Regional NHS England Renal Networks will work in partnership with integrated care systems to deliver the RSTP’s aims, to help develop effective strategies for their local populations.

NHS England recognises the importance of kidney disease, not only in preventing its progression, but also in reducing cardiovascular events. A customer relationship management steering group has been established which aims to focus on the prevention of these common conditions that often co-exist.

NHS England has expanded the scope of work under the Prevention and Long-Term Condition Programme Board to include consideration of opportunities for improving the prevention of kidney disease.

The NHS Health Check programme is a core component of England’s cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention programme, which aims to prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease, and some cases of dementia. The programme assesses for high blood pressure and high blood sugar, which are risk factors for the development of both chronic kidney disease and CVD. Where an individual’s NHS Health Check indicates high blood pressure or high blood sugar, it is for the general practitioner to consider the results, and then, if required, to undertake further clinical investigation and treatment, where appropriate.

Diabetes is a leading cause of kidney disease. People at risk of developing type 2 diabetes can also be referred by their general practitioner into the Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme. The programme is highly effective, cutting the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 37% for people completing the programme, compared to those who do not attend.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 21 March 2025 to Question 38243 on 5G: Infrastructure, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of commencing Sections 61 to 64 of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 on the 5G rollout.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Following the 2017 reforms, government representatives engaged regularly with stakeholders about their impact. The changes made by the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 were consulted on and received Parliamentary scrutiny during passage of the Act. Government has no plans to conduct a formal review of the 2017 reforms before commencing sections 61-64 of the Act, which was subject to a published De Minimis Impact Assessment.

Government’s decisions on 5G policy are informed by a wide range of evidence and information. We continue to work with mobile operators to meet our 5G standalone coverage ambition by 2030.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of planned changes to international student recruitment on the financial sustainability of universities.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

This government’s position on international students has been clear. We are committed to a United Kingdom that is outward looking and welcomes international students who make a positive impact on the UK’s higher education (HE) sector, our economy and society as a whole.

The government expects the UK to remain a highly attractive study destination. The UK has a world class HE sector with 4 universities in the top 10 and 15 in the top 100 worldwide, according to the latest QS World University Rankings, alongside a wide array of high-quality institutions which can offer a fulfilling and enjoyable experience to international students from around the world.

In order to put the sector on a firmer financial footing, Professor Edward Peck has been appointed as substantive Chair of the Office for Students to continue its focus on financial sustainability and increasing opportunities in HE. We have also taken the difficult decision to increase tuition fee limits by 3.1% in the 2025/26 academic year, in line with inflation.

The department will publish its plans for HE reform as part of the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper this summer.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if her Department will take steps to improve training for disabled children’s social care professionals in local authorities.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Every day, children’s social care professionals provide a vital service to children in need of support, including disabled children. Whilst it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that their social care workforces are well-equipped for the roles they perform, the department is focused on supporting continued improvements in practice. All qualified children’s social workers must register with the professional regulator Social Work England and meet the professional standards. These include practising in line with the requirements of the Equality Act, which includes disability as a protected characteristic.

The department sets the professional standards that new children’s social workers should attain through the post-qualifying standards. The department is currently consulting on a new set of standards which include a greater focus on disability. Subject to the spending review, the department plans to introduce a new two-year social worker induction programme based on the new standards, to strengthen support for new children’s social workers.

In addition, the Law Commission are currently undertaking an independent review of social care legislation relating to disabled children. They are due to report their final recommendations to government in summer 2025, at which point the department will consider proposals for reforms to the disabled children’s social care system.

Police officers

Open Doors 2025

Use of swift bricks

Volunteers Week 2025

Reform of NHS dentistry services

Carers Week 2025

National Fish and Chip Day 2025

Access to Work backlogs

Gaza (No. 2)

UK-EU defence cooperation

Climate and Nature Bill

Right to peaceful protest and freedom of assembly

Pavement parking

Progress in UK-EU relations

Dementia Action Week

British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (No. 2)

Found: Chambers Gideon Amos Ian Sollom Andrew George Martin Wrigley Dr Roz Savage Zöe Franklin Victoria Collins

Found: Chambers Gideon Amos Ian Sollom Andrew George Martin Wrigley Dr Roz Savage Zöe Franklin Victoria Collins