As somebody who is running the Great North Run this year, I hope that the local highways authority will grip this issue and ensure it is dealt with. The structures fund is open for applications until 3 August.

Under the agreed undertakings, Northumbrian Water must provide Ofwat with regular monitoring reports on progress, including an initial report in June 2026 and further updates every six months. The company is also required to publish progress updates for customers and stakeholders on its website.

If Northumbrian Water fail to comply with this undertaking, Section 18 of the Water Industry Act 1991 gives Ofwat the power of further enforcement, which could include the issuing of an enforcement order and/or penalty.

More broadly, water companies are required to comply with their statutory and licence obligations, including providing information to Ofwat, and where they fail to do so, Ofwat has powers to take enforcement action.

A good meal or a nutritious breakfast can set a child up for the day. The department is consulting on proposed updates to the School Food Standards in England to ensure that all food served at school better reflects current nutritional guidance, supports our work to raise the healthiest generation ever, and ensures children are given the very best start in life.

Evidence shows that access to nutritious school meals is associated with higher attainment, improved behaviour, and better health and economic outcomes, factors that contribute to improved life chances for children.

The eligibility for the holiday activities and food (HAF) programme in 2026 to 2027 continues to be children in receipt of benefits-related free school meals (FSM) up until September 2026

Local authorities will continue to have flexibility to use up to 15% of their funding to support other children and young people who may benefit from HAF in line with local need and priorities

Some local authorities procure the use of bespoke booking systems from relevant organisations for parents and families to book places on the HAF programme. The department does not hold data on the amounts that individual local authorities pay for procurement of booking systems.

The eligibility for the holiday activities and food (HAF) programme in 2026 to 2027 continues to be children in receipt of benefits-related free school meals (FSM) up until September 2026

Local authorities will continue to have flexibility to use up to 15% of their funding to support other children and young people who may benefit from HAF in line with local need and priorities

Some local authorities procure the use of bespoke booking systems from relevant organisations for parents and families to book places on the HAF programme. The department does not hold data on the amounts that individual local authorities pay for procurement of booking systems.

My Department does not hold the information requested.

My Department does not hold the information requested.

My Department does not hold the information requested.

My Department does not hold the information requested.

The department understands that the action in question relates to Ofwat’s June 2025 enforcement case concerning Northumbrian Water’s management of its sewage treatment works and sewerage network.

This required the company to submit remediation plans to Ofwat in December 2025 for agreement, and Ofwat has since been in discussions with the company to ensure these plans meet all requirements.

Under the agreed undertakings, Northumbrian Water must provide Ofwat with regular monitoring reports on progress, including an initial report in June 2026 and further updates every six months. The company is also required to publish progress updates for customers and stakeholders on its website.

The National Disease Registration Service publishes regional breakdowns of cancer cases, including mesothelioma. Data by region and cancer type can be accessed at the following link:

https://nhsd-ndrs.shinyapps.io/incidence_and_mortality/

The Office for National Statistics publishes regional breakdowns of cancer deaths, including mesothelioma. Data by geography and cancer type can be accessed at the following link:

https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/datasets/mortsa

The Health and Safety Executive publish statistics on Mesothelioma deaths and cases and causes. The latest published statistics for Great Britain are for 2025, and are available at the following link:

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/mesothelioma/incidence

The National Disease Registration Service publishes regional breakdowns of cancer cases, including mesothelioma. Data by region and cancer type can be accessed at the following link:

https://nhsd-ndrs.shinyapps.io/incidence_and_mortality/

The Office for National Statistics publishes regional breakdowns of cancer deaths, including mesothelioma. Data by geography and cancer type can be accessed at the following link:

https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/datasets/mortsa

The Health and Safety Executive publish statistics on Mesothelioma deaths and cases and causes. The latest published statistics for Great Britain are for 2025, and are available at the following link:

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/mesothelioma/incidence

Local highway authorities have until 3 August to put forward proposed schemes for investment. The Department will then assess these proposals and announce funding in the Autumn. Local highway authorities will need to complete delivery of schemes by the end of March 2030.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) monitors the prevalence of smoking among Armed Forces personnel using routinely collected health data. As of April 2026, nine per cent of Service Personnel were recorded as current smokers, compared to 13 per cent in April 2024. This is broadly in line with the UK population.

The MOD provides access to smoking cessation support for Armed Forces personnel through Defence Primary Healthcare, delivered in line with national clinical guidance. Service Personnel can access in-house cessation services, including NICE-aligned support.

Defence policy aligns with UK health guidance, which recognises vaping as a potential smoking cessation aid. Support for vaping cessation is provided through primary care, including both pharmacological and behavioural approaches.

The Department continues to develop its approach, including targeted initiatives for personnel in training and updates to the Defence medical policy on tobacco and nicotine cessation.

All units are required to comply with Defence Health and Wellbeing policy, including provisions relating to designated vaping areas, with detailed requirements set out in unit standing orders. Compliance with these policies is monitored at a local level and assured through established processes.

Monitoring provides oversight of the use of illegal or non-compliant products, such as single-use vaping devices, and ensuring that appropriate plans are in place to support personnel in reducing or ceasing nicotine use.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) monitors the prevalence of smoking among Armed Forces personnel using routinely collected health data. As of April 2026, nine per cent of Service Personnel were recorded as current smokers, compared to 13 per cent in April 2024. This is broadly in line with the UK population.

The MOD provides access to smoking cessation support for Armed Forces personnel through Defence Primary Healthcare, delivered in line with national clinical guidance. Service Personnel can access in-house cessation services, including NICE-aligned support.

Defence policy aligns with UK health guidance, which recognises vaping as a potential smoking cessation aid. Support for vaping cessation is provided through primary care, including both pharmacological and behavioural approaches.

The Department continues to develop its approach, including targeted initiatives for personnel in training and updates to the Defence medical policy on tobacco and nicotine cessation.

All units are required to comply with Defence Health and Wellbeing policy, including provisions relating to designated vaping areas, with detailed requirements set out in unit standing orders. Compliance with these policies is monitored at a local level and assured through established processes.

Monitoring provides oversight of the use of illegal or non-compliant products, such as single-use vaping devices, and ensuring that appropriate plans are in place to support personnel in reducing or ceasing nicotine use.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) monitors the prevalence of smoking among Armed Forces personnel using routinely collected health data. As of April 2026, nine per cent of Service Personnel were recorded as current smokers, compared to 13 per cent in April 2024. This is broadly in line with the UK population.

The MOD provides access to smoking cessation support for Armed Forces personnel through Defence Primary Healthcare, delivered in line with national clinical guidance. Service Personnel can access in-house cessation services, including NICE-aligned support.

Defence policy aligns with UK health guidance, which recognises vaping as a potential smoking cessation aid. Support for vaping cessation is provided through primary care, including both pharmacological and behavioural approaches.

The Department continues to develop its approach, including targeted initiatives for personnel in training and updates to the Defence medical policy on tobacco and nicotine cessation.

All units are required to comply with Defence Health and Wellbeing policy, including provisions relating to designated vaping areas, with detailed requirements set out in unit standing orders. Compliance with these policies is monitored at a local level and assured through established processes.

Monitoring provides oversight of the use of illegal or non-compliant products, such as single-use vaping devices, and ensuring that appropriate plans are in place to support personnel in reducing or ceasing nicotine use.

There is no pre-allocated funding amount for the treatment of asbestos-related health conditions. The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR welcomes applications on any aspect of health and care, including research into asbestos-related illnesses.

Between the 2020/21 and 2024/25 financial years, through the NIHR, the Department committed over £8.6 million for new research projects alongside supporting infrastructure into asbestos-related illnesses. Research supported by the NIHR is improving our understanding of the biological mechanisms underpinning lung diseases caused by asbestos, including mesothelioma and interstitial lung disease, as well as investigating novel diagnostics and treatment. Between 2020/21 and 2024/25, the NIHR’s Research Delivery Network supported 22 new studies on asbestos-related illnesses, which recruited over 2,900 participants.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) provides guidance on the health effects and toxicology of asbestos, including advice to support incident response for the general public and inform wider public health management. This published guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/asbestos-properties-incident-management-and-toxicology/asbestos-general-information

UKHSA also provides scientific support to other Government departments, including contributions to risk assessment work on asbestos in consumer products.

In April, the Department published the Structures Fund’s prospectus, setting out the fund’s investment criteria and how local highway authorities can put forward proposals for funding. Local highway authorities have until 3 August to put forward proposals for investment. Proposals will then be assessed by the Department.

All recruits have a statutory right to discharge, known as Discharge as of Right (DAOR). If under 18 at attestation, they may terminate their service at any time after completing 28 days of full-time paid duty and before six months have elapsed from their first day of service, by giving at least 14 days’ written notice to their Commanding Officer (CO). The CO may reduce the notice period at their discretion.

After six months, under-18s can apply to leave up to their 18th birthday but must give written notice and observe a cooling-off period of up to three months, which may be shortened by agreement. They can withdraw their notice during this period.

Commanders must ensure that under-18 recruits are fully informed of their rights to discharge and must facilitate their safe return to parents, guardians, or appropriate care arrangements. Support includes travel arrangements, accommodation if necessary, reimbursement of reasonable expenses, and follow-up to confirm safe arrival. This process safeguards both the recruit’s statutory rights and welfare.

All recruits and Junior Soldiers receive formal briefing on their right to Discharge as of Right during the Officer Commanding’s Week one induction.

In exceptional cases where family or welfare circumstances necessitate an under-18 recruit’s early release, the CO may apply to the competent Service authority to terminate the soldier’s service without requiring the usual 14 days’ notice or adherence to the six-month period. This provision allows for immediate discharge on safeguarding or welfare grounds, ensuring the recruit’s welfare is prioritised.

All recruits have a statutory right to discharge, known as Discharge as of Right (DAOR). If under 18 at attestation, they may terminate their service at any time after completing 28 days of full-time paid duty and before six months have elapsed from their first day of service, by giving at least 14 days’ written notice to their Commanding Officer (CO). The CO may reduce the notice period at their discretion.

After six months, under-18s can apply to leave up to their 18th birthday but must give written notice and observe a cooling-off period of up to three months, which may be shortened by agreement. They can withdraw their notice during this period.

Commanders must ensure that under-18 recruits are fully informed of their rights to discharge and must facilitate their safe return to parents, guardians, or appropriate care arrangements. Support includes travel arrangements, accommodation if necessary, reimbursement of reasonable expenses, and follow-up to confirm safe arrival. This process safeguards both the recruit’s statutory rights and welfare.

All recruits and Junior Soldiers receive formal briefing on their right to Discharge as of Right during the Officer Commanding’s Week one induction.

In exceptional cases where family or welfare circumstances necessitate an under-18 recruit’s early release, the CO may apply to the competent Service authority to terminate the soldier’s service without requiring the usual 14 days’ notice or adherence to the six-month period. This provision allows for immediate discharge on safeguarding or welfare grounds, ensuring the recruit’s welfare is prioritised.