Written questions by Sobel.

How many decision makers in her Department are working on cases of benefits fraud.

As of the 31st October 2024, Counter Fraud, Compliance and Debt (CFCD) Directorate has the following Full Time Equivalent (FTE) assigned to decision making:CFCD Internal Decision MakersAdministrative OfficerExecutive Officer Total181.2148.6329.8 *This covers both Administrative Officer (AO) and Executive Officer (EO) grades who conduct this work as part of CFCD’s Enhanced Review Team (ERT), Interventions, Investigations, Economic and Serious Organised Crime, and Compliance functions. In addition, CFCD also refers some of the cases it reviews to decision makers within Universal Credit (UC). As of the 28th October 2024, this function has the following FTE assigned to decision making for CFCD cases:UC Decision Makers Assigned to CFCD CasesTotal110.03

If her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of supporting schools to train staff to support (a) autistic students and (b) students with pathological demand avoidance.

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. The department is committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, as well as ensuring special schools cater to those with the most complex needs.All teachers are teachers of SEND, and high quality teaching is central to ensuring that pupils with SEND are given the best possible opportunity to achieve at school. Consideration of SEND underpins the Initial Teacher Training (ITT) Core Content Framework (CCF) and Early Career Framework (ECF). These frameworks were produced with the support of sector experts and have been designed to support all pupils to succeed, including those identified within the four areas of need set out in the SEND Code of Practice.All mainstream schools must have a special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) who must be a qualified teacher, or the headteacher, working at the school. On 1 September 2024, the government introduced a new mandatory leadership level National Professional Qualification (NPQ) for SENCOs. The NPQ will play a key role in improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND by ensuring SENCOs consistently receive high quality, evidence-based training. This is crucial given the central role SENCOs play in supporting pupils with SEND.Universal SEND Services brings together SEND-specific continuing professional development and support for the school and further education workforce. The programme aims to improve outcomes for children and young people, including those with autism. The contract offers autism awareness training and resources. Over 200,000 professionals have received autism training from an Autism Education Trust training partner since the programme launched in May 2022.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had (a) meetings and (b) other discussions with (i) The Good Law Project and (ii) other campaigning groups on judicial independence and the rule of law in Kenya.

Whilst we have not held discussions with the Good Law Project, the FCDO has engaged with various groups to discuss judicial independence and the rule of law in Kenya. As part of this the British High Commission Nairobi has had regular engagements with the Law Society of Kenya. The High Commissioner has also engaged regularly with the Chief Justice to discuss judicial issues. In addition, the FCDO's Rule of Law Expertise programme provides legal expertise and partnerships to support the strengthening of judicial independence and the rule in law in Kenya.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) help ensure and (b) verify that funding provided to governments in (i) Uganda, (ii) Kenya and (iii) other countries in sub-Saharan Africa is used for its intended purpose.

The FCDO has a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption, fraud, and misuse of UK development funding. We continually assess the impact of our ODA programming to ensure that it is delivered in a transparent manner with funding used for its intended purposes. The UK's development partners, including governments across Africa, understand our zero-tolerance approach and their obligations in delivering support funded by the UK taxpayer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent (a) meetings or (b) other discussions with human rights NGOs on reports of human rights abuses in Kenya following protests in that country.

The British High Commission Nairobi regularly engages with human rights organisations in Kenya. In November 2024, the High Commissioner attended the 2024 UN Human Rights Defenders Awards alongside the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders Kenya and other groups. The previous month, the Deputy High Commissioner hosted human rights experts to discuss the prevailing context for political and other rights in Kenya. The UK will continue to engage with human rights defenders and the Kenyan government to help hold the authorities to account including through its upcoming membership of the Human Rights Council.

Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on non-UK (a) artists, (b) sponsors and (c) creatives and the UK border.

We have had no such recent meetings, but there are already several routes that provide opportunities for artists and creatives to come to the UK. The UK’s domestic rules allow musicians, entertainers, artists, and their technical staff, from non-visa national countries (such as EU/EEA nationals) to perform in the UK for up to 6 months without requiring a visa, as long as they are not receiving payment from a UK source other than prize money or expenses. Musicians, entertainers and artists from visa-national countries are likewise able to perform in the UK via the Standard Visitor route, and/or if performing at a festival detailed on the Permit Free Festivals list.Additionally, the Creative Worker visa allows a professional artist, model, entertainer or musician (applicable to all nationalities) to carry out activity directly relating to their profession, if they have a Sponsor who is licensed by the Home Office and has assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship to theindividual.We are committed to continuing to work closely with stakeholders to better understand their needs and challenges within the immigration system. This includes exploring ways to better streamline the processes within existing frameworks, to ensure the UK remains an attractive destination for global creative talent.

If her Department will take steps to improve (a) training and (b) guidance for Border Force officers on temporary admission procedures for entry into the UK for creative workers.

Border Force officers are trained to the highest of standards to be able to carry out their role to enforce immigration policy at the border.Throughout that training, officers are continually tested to ensure they have the required skills and knowledge to carry out their role.Training in relation to collective workers is thoroughly addressed within existing BF Foundation training given to all officers, and delivered across multiple sessions. This includes relevant policies, including the period of access, the Certificate of Sponsorship, and processing procedures associated with creative workers.To qualify for entry in this category, a passenger has to meet the following criteria:• have a valid Temporary Work - Creative Worker certificate of sponsorship (CoS)• are coming to work in the UK for 3 months or less.• do not normally need a visa to enter the UK as a visitor.Further information on how individuals can qualify to enter the UK under this category can be found at: Creative Worker visa (Temporary Work): Creative Worker visa concession - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Whether she plans to re-establish the Arts and Entertainment Taskforce.

The Government values the contribution from workers in the creative industries and is committed to ensuring there are immigration routes that work for them. There is an excellent immigration offer for workers within the creative industries and we continually keep our policies under review.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of implementing a reporting system for transnational repression.

Where individuals have concerns for their safety, they are advised to contact their local police in the first instance. In the event that a person believes they are subject to an imminent threat, they should call 999.The National Security Act 2023 strengthens our legal powers to counter foreign interference, and provides the security services and law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to deter, detect, and disrupt modern-day state threats. The police are raising awareness and capabilities of frontline officers and staff across the UK, including their understanding of the threats that foreign powers present and how to respond appropriately to reports from members of the public.

What information her Department holds on how many (a) students studying at UK universities hold British National (Overseas) visas and (b) such students are from Hong Kong.

The department does not hold data on the number of students studying at UK universities who hold British National (Overseas) (BNO) visas, including those from Hong Kong. The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) is responsible for collecting and publishing data on the UK higher education (HE) sector. This data is shared with the department and includes a wide range of information on students coming from overseas to study in UK HE providers. However, information on students’ visa status is not collected and those that are studying in the UK and holding a BNO visa cannot be identified by the department. Data from HESA shows that there were 17,905 students from Hong Kong studying at UK HE providers for the 2022/23 academic year.

Whether her Department plans to review training provisions for UK Border Force officers for entry into the UK for non-UK (a) artists, (b) sponsors and (c) creatives.

Border Force officers are trained to the highest of standards to be able to carry out their role to enforce immigration policy at the border.Throughout that training, officers are continually tested to ensure they have the required skills and knowledge to carry out their role.Training in relation to collective workers is thoroughly addressed within existing BF Foundation training given to all officers, and delivered across multiple sessions. This includes relevant policies, including the period of access, the Certificate of Sponsorship, and processing procedures associated with creative workers.To qualify for entry in this category, a passenger has to meet the following criteria:• have a valid Temporary Work - Creative Worker certificate of sponsorship (CoS)• are coming to work in the UK for 3 months or less.• do not normally need a visa to enter the UK as a visitor.Further information on how individuals can qualify to enter the UK under this category can be found at: Creative Worker visa (Temporary Work): Creative Worker visa concession - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

What steps her Department has taken to support (a) people diagnosed with pathological demand avoidance and (b) their carers.

The department wants all children and young people to be able to receive the right support to succeed in their education and we recognise that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) often require access to additional support. All teachers are teachers of SEND, including those with pathological demand avoidance, and they should support children and young people through a needs-led approach.The SEND code of practice is clear that education settings should put in support to meet the needs of the child or young person when they are identified. A diagnosis is not required for an education, health and care (EHC) needs assessment or to issue an EHC plan. Where assessment of needs indicates that support from specialist services is required, it is important that children and young people receive it as quickly as possible. Agencies across EHC should work together to support children and young people.​The department also holds and funds the Universal SEND Services contract, which brings together SEND-specific continuous professional development and support for the school and further education workforce. The programme aims to improve outcomes for children and young people, including those with autism. As part of the contract, the Autism Education Trust (AET) provide a range of training and support for staff on autism. Since the contract began in May 2022, over 200,000 professionals have received training from AET training partners.The department has two contracts which allows us to talk directly to both parents and carers of children with SEND and the specialist charities who support them in order to get their input. Within these contracts, we fund a charity called Contact who are a specialist organisation that specifically supports parents, carers and the families of children with SEND. Additionally, we also fund the National Network of Parent Carer Forums who support parent and cares within their local areas.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of transferring frozen Russian assets held in the UK to support the underwriting of insurance for Ukrainian projects.

This Government is clear that Russia must be held responsible for its illegal war. That includes its obligations under international law to pay for the damage it has caused in Ukraine. Working with allies, we continue to pursue all possible lawful further avenues by which Russia can be made to meet those obligations. Our agreement with G7 partners to provide approximately $50 billion in additional funding to Ukraine, repaid by the profits generated on sanctioned Russian sovereign assets, is an important step towards ensuring Russia pays. Our focus is on delivering this commitment, including the UK's £2.26 billion contribution, as soon as possible.

What steps his Department has taken to support (a) people diagnosed with pathological demand avoidance and (b) their carers.

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is most often understood as a characteristic experienced by or observed, or both, in some autistic people, but professional consensus on its status is still required. PDA is not a recognised and stand-alone diagnosis within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or the International Classification of Disease.It is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including support for autistic people, in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.The NICE guideline, Autism spectrum disorder in under 19s: recognition, referral and diagnosis, recommends that as part of autism assessments, healthcare workers should consider PDA and carry out appropriate referrals.In respect of carers, the Care Act 2014 requires local authorities to deliver a wide range of sustainable, high-quality care and support services, including support for carers. Local authorities are required to undertake Carer’s Assessments to support people caring for their family and friends who appear to have a need for support, and to meet their eligible needs on request from them.

Whether her Department plans to extend the temporary off-sales regulatory easement in the Business and Planning Act 2020 beyond 31 March 2025.

The Home Office conducted a consultation on the future of the temporary off-sales regulatory easement earlier this year. A response will be published in due course.

If her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending the Licensing Act 2003 to include a legal definition of the term drunk.

The High Court has set out in case law (Neale v E 1984) that the word ‘drunk’ should be given its ‘ordinary and natural meaning’.It is an offence under S.141 of the Licensing Act 2003 knowingly to serve alcohol to someone who is drunk. It is also an offence under S.142 of the Licensing Act 2002 to obtain alcohol for someone who is drunk. Those who commit either offence could be fined up to £1000.Ultimately the decision to serve alcohol to a person is taken by an appropriate person within a licensed premises – for example a designated premises supervisor.

Media and Sport, what steps the Gambling Commission took in 2011 in response to the announcement of an inquiry into the Health Lottery.

From 2011 onwards, the Gambling Commission has provided advice and worked with the Health Lottery to ensure it remains compliant with its statutory responsibilities. The ongoing assessment of the Health Lottery has been in line with the Commission’s usual approach.More information about licensing, compliance and enforcement under the Gambling Act 2005 can be found on the Gambling Commission’s website here. Where the Commission takes regulatory action against an operator, it publishes the details on its website.

Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of reviewing the Health Lottery’s licence to operate.

The oversight of both operating and personal management licences for society lotteries, including assessing an applicant’s suitability to hold a licence, is a matter for the Gambling Commission.More information about the Gambling Commission’s principles for licensing and regulation and licensing, compliance and enforcement under the Gambling Act 2005 can be found on the Commission’s website here and here.

Media and Sport, whether she has made an assessment of whether the current Health Lottery licence holder meets the fit and proper person test.

The oversight of both operating and personal management licences for society lotteries, including assessing an applicant’s suitability to hold a licence, is a matter for the Gambling Commission.More information about the Gambling Commission’s principles for licensing and regulation and licensing, compliance and enforcement under the Gambling Act 2005 can be found on the Commission’s website here and here.

Media and Sport, what proportion of revenue the Health Lottery has given to charity in each year since 2019.

All society lotteries, including the Health Lottery, are required to publish information on their websites about the proportion of revenue they return to good causes. This data is available on the Health Lottery’s website. The Department does not hold data on individual society lottery operators.