There has been no change in the position since the previous occasions on which the Rt Hon Member has asked these questions (121712 and 8533), and I therefore refer her back to the most recent answers that she received, on 26 March and 16 June respectively.

There has been no change in the position since the previous occasions on which the Rt Hon Member has asked these questions (121712 and 8533), and I therefore refer her back to the most recent answers that she received, on 26 March and 16 June respectively.

As a core component of our £3.7 billion high needs capital settlement, the department will invest in a transformational expansion of inclusion bases.

This funding is allocated to local authorities, who know their schools and will determine how best to spend funding to meet local need. In the 2026/27 financial year, Essex has been allocated £21.2 million for high needs provision capital allocation.

Provision is currently inconsistent across the country, which is why we are also going to improve data collection on which schools have inclusion bases so we can make sure that all pupils are given the support they need.

For the first time, departmental guidance has been produced to help settings and local authorities set up and deliver high-quality provision in inclusion bases, as well as support improvement of existing bases.

This Government is investing at least £10.5 billion until 2036 to construct new flood schemes and repair existing defences, protecting communities from the devastating impacts of climate change. Through the largest flood programme in history, this record investment will benefit nearly 900,000 properties.

The list of schemes receiving funding for 2026/27 was published in March and can be found here.

Projects to receive future government funding will be agreed in the usual way, on an annual basis, through the Environment Agency’s annual refresh process, which includes local representation from Regional Flood and Coastal Committees.

Mainstream Free School projects were evaluated against consistent criteria on the need for places, value for money, and whether they would provide a distinctive or innovative education offer or risk negatively impacting other local schools. As part of the decision-making process, the department carefully assessed all available evidence, with a particular focus on the evidence of need for additional school places within the relevant planning areas, factoring in housing growth. To inform the decision we used the latest School Capacity survey data and took account of the local authority's longer-term projections. For Lodge Farm Primary and Nursery, the review found that current evidence does not show sufficient need for a new school.

Further to the answer provided on 11 June in response to Question 7960, the Foreign Secretary met her Irish counterpart on 22 June, and discussed the efforts both countries are making to support Ukraine, and maximise pressure on Russia's war economy.

The UK remains committed to working closely with allies and partners around the world, including the EU and other European partners, to amplify the impact and strength of our sanctions, and economic pressure on Russia.

There has been no change in the position since the previous occasions on which the Rt Hon Member has asked these questions (119258, 119262, 119263), and I therefore refer her back to the most recent answers that she received, on 17 March.

There has been no change in the position since the previous occasions on which the Rt Hon Member has asked these questions (119258, 119262, 119263), and I therefore refer her back to the most recent answers that she received, on 17 March.

There has been no change in the position since the previous occasions on which the Rt Hon Member has asked these questions (119258, 119262, 119263), and I therefore refer her back to the most recent answers that she received, on 17 March.

Defra does not plan to assess the potential financial impact of FSA charges. The FSA is responsible for setting and reviewing its charging framework, which includes considering any impacts on abattoirs.

As detailed in the response to Question 91938, I expect Greater Anglia will remain a net contributor; exact income levels will be agreed during the rolling business planning process. Information on the operator's income will be published in the statutory accounts, available from Companies House, in due course.

Over each of the next ten financial years, I expect Greater Anglia to continue to grow passenger numbers. Projections will be firmed up during the rolling business planning process, taking into account regional long-term planning assessments.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) continues to take safeguarding concerns extremely seriously, and has made concerted steps to encourage individuals to come forward whenever they have concerns to raise.

In terms of safeguarding concerns reported to the FCDO where either the survivor or subject of complaint was an FCDO staff member, there were 129 such cases in 2025-26, 55 per cent where FCDO staff were the subjects of a complaint, and 45 per cent where FCDO staff were the survivors. In 2025-26, we closed 114 such internal cases, in roughly the same proportions as above. In all cases where the allegation was proven against an FCDO staff member, action up to and including dismissal was taken.

Food safety is non-negotiable. Vets and Meat Hygiene Inspectors carry out essential work every day that protects public health, upholds animal welfare, and underpins the £11.3 billion meat industry. The ruling does not challenge the principle of inspection charging. We know businesses will want clarity on what this will ultimately mean in practice, the FSA will provide further information as quickly as the legal process allows.

Defra engages regularly with other government departments and stakeholders across the farming, food and abattoir sector on matters within the Department’s remit.

The Government is committed to ensuring that National Health Service organisations have the capital investment they need to maintain and improve healthcare facilities.

Over the period between 2026/27 and 2029/30, the East of England region has been allocated significant capital funding, including £536 million from the Constitutional Standards Recovery Fund to support secondary and emergency care capacity. This funding will support investments across key areas, including diagnostics, urgent and emergency care, mental health, community care, and electives.

In addition, the region has been allocated over £277 million from the Estates Safety Fund for 2026/27 to 2029/30 to address critical infrastructure and safety risks, alongside a further indicative £346 million for estate works up to 2034/35.

Operational capital funding is also allocated to systems within the region to support day-to-day investment in NHS infrastructure and equipment. The Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust has been allocated over £181 million in operational capital funding for the period between 2026/27 and 2029/30, to be prioritised according to local need.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the summary of the Foreign Secretary's visit to China and India published on GOV.UK (link provided below), including the wide range of issues discussed in the course of her meetings with Chinese and Indian counterparts. As part of these discussions, I can confirm that the Foreign Secretary raised the imprisonment of Jimmy Lai in China.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-completes-landmark-trip-to-china-and-india-to-bolster-uk-security

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the summary of the Foreign Secretary's visit to China and India published on GOV.UK (link provided below), including the wide range of issues discussed in the course of her meetings with Chinese and Indian counterparts. As part of these discussions, I can confirm that the Foreign Secretary raised the imprisonment of Jimmy Lai in China.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-completes-landmark-trip-to-china-and-india-to-bolster-uk-security

National Highways is currently undertaking a study on the A12 (junctions 19 to 25) that includes an assessment of current and future congestion levels on the corridor. This study is expected conclude by the end of this year.

National Highways is not currently undertaking a specific study to assess levels of congestion on the A120 corridor in each of the next 15 years compared to current levels.

The Local Plan process requires Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) to assess the impacts of proposed growth allocations, including impacts on the Strategic Road Network (SRN). The LPAs of Chelmsford, Braintree, and Colchester are all in the process of updating their respective Local Plans. This work is ongoing and continues to build towards a fuller understanding of potential future impacts.

We have committed over £27 billion to deliver the objectives set out in the third Road Investment Strategy to ensure the strategic road network continues to serve all users effectively. This includes £24.99 billion for National Highways to operate, maintain, renew, and enhance the network during this period covering 2026–31. National Highways is responsible for determining how this funding is best allocated to deliver the objectives of the third Road Investment Strategy.

For the A12 in Essex, National Highways forecasts a spend of c. £55 million for various capital renewals over the next five years, with £4.8 million allocated in 2026–27 and the remainder to be confirmed annually.

For the A120 between Braintree and Marks Tey, c. £5.6 million has been allocated for various capital renewals for the next five years, including £3.2 million in 2026–27, with the remainder to be confirmed annually.

This investment enables safety and network resilience works and varies based on network needs, and could include measures such as improving road surfaces, visibility, and renewing ageing structural assets.

National Highways is also exploring proportionate, targeted small-scale interventions on the A12 corridor in Essex, subject to demonstrating alignment with wider government objectives for potential delivery in future road periods.

The department does not hold this data.