Written questions by Snowden.

What steps her Department is taking to support residents of Fylde who were impacted by the recent Legal Aid data leak.

To reach as many potentially impacted individuals as possible, the Ministry of Justice published a notice at 08:15 on 19 May on GOV.UK. The statement provides information about the cyber-attack and directs concerned members of the public to the National Cyber Security Centre’s webpage.Further, the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) has set up a dedicated helpline that will be available from Tuesday 27 May for members of the public who are concerned they may have been affected by the LAA data breach. HM Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) is working with the LAA to facilitate this by standing up an operational call centre team to handle telephone calls.In the days following the discovery, we took immediate action to inform all legal aid providers that some of their details, including financial information, may have been compromised. Further updates, including the decision to temporarily take the LAA's portal offline and contingency measures implemented have been provided by email and a dedicated information page relating to the cyber-attack has been set up: Legal Aid Agency cyber-security incident - GOV.UK.The cyber-attack is subject to an ongoing investigation and the LAA continues to work closely with the National Crime Agency and National Cyber Security Centre. Appropriate actions have been taken to mitigate the impact of the attack and contingency measures have been put in place to ensure those most in need of legal support and advice can continue to access the help they need during this time, as outlined on LAA’s dedicated information page.At the current time, no information about previous or current legal aid service users, such as criminal histories, has been made public as a result of the cyber attack.This data breach is the result of heinous criminal activity, but it was enabled by the long years of neglect and mismanagement of the justice system under the last Conservative Government. The previous Government knew about the vulnerabilities of the Legal Aid Agency digital systems, but did not act. By contrast, since taking office, this Government have prioritised work to reverse the damage of over a decade of under-investment. That includes the allocation of over £20 million in extra funding this year to stabilise and transform the Legal Aid Agency digital services. This investment will make the system more robust and resilient in the face of similar cyber-attacks in future.

How much funding his Department has allocated to support Cadet Forces in each of the (a) last and (b) next five years.

The Ministry of Defence allocates funding to the cadets through a number of different channels and therefore the cost of delivering and supporting Cadet activity falls across a wide range of business areas, agencies, and organisations. However, the latest estimate of the cost of the Cadet Forces, based on financial year 2023-24 was in the region over £210 million. This Government is absolutely committed to supporting the Cadet Forces across the UK and the Strategic Defence Review has recommended expanding in-school and community-based Cadet Forces across the country by 30% by 2030, with an ambition to reach 250,000 in the longer term. We are proud that we will continue to invest a significant amount each year in these excellent youth organisations. We know that if just 1% of cadets change their life outcomes each year – so that they take part in education or training or gain employment – the annual cost of the Cadet Forces is fully covered.

Pursuant to the Answer of 15 May 2025 to Question 51541 on Disability: Employment, how many employers have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme in (a) Fylde and (b) Lancashire.

Internal management information suggests that as of the 1st June 2025, there are:a) 31 members signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme in Fylde.b) 368 members signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme in Lancashire.Whether a member is based in these geographies has been determined using the postcode provided by the organisation upon registration i.e., when they signed up to the scheme or renewed their membership. This will not capture Disability Confident members who operate in Fylde or Lancashire, but who have provided a postcode from outside the region. As internal management information, this data has not been fully quality assured. Any employer can join the scheme. The scheme is designed as a learning journey with all employers starting at Level 1 and encouraged to progress through the scheme to Levels 2 and 3. As they progress on their learning journey, we expect they will continue to increase and share their understanding with employees and put in place specific, effective and inclusive policies and procedures in support of disability employment. The criteria can be accessed on gov.uk using the following link: Disability Confident: guidance for levels 1, 2 and 3 - GOV.UK The strengths of the scheme lie in its ability to raise awareness, provide valuable resources, and support employers in their journey towards becoming disability confident. There are no benchmarks set to measure the success of the scheme, but in 2022, the department commissioned a survey to understand from members’ perspectives the impact that signing up to the scheme has had on their recruitment and retention attitudes and practices towards disabled people. The survey can be accessed on gov.uk using the following link: Disability Confident: survey of participating employers, May 2022 - GOV.UK. We work closely with Jobcentre Plus including the Strategic Relationship Team (SRT) who are committed to promoting Disability Confident to their network of employer contacts across the UK. This is delivered through one-to-one meetings, employer focused events and workshops, job-fairs etc. We also work closely with the Disability Confident Business Leaders Group (BLG). The BLG, comprising senior leaders from significant businesses across all sectors, is helping to increase engagement with employers. The group promotes the scheme through their sectors and network and works with DWP officials to identify any changes or developments that will improve the effectiveness of the scheme. I have been discussing ideas for making the Disability Confident scheme criteria more robust and officials will continue to discuss reform proposals with stakeholders throughout the summer.

What steps he is taking to encourage pupils to undertake courses in (a) construction and (b) social care skills.

High quality, careers information, advice and guidance (CIAG) is key to helping young people make informed decisions about their future. The department funds person-centred and impartial careers information and advice across all employment sectors, including construction and social care.​Through the Careers and Enterprise Company (CEC), the department funds Careers Hubs which lead partnerships including secondary schools, colleges, employers and strategic and local authorities to help young people connect to local skills and economic needs through a responsive careers education programme. ​CEC also works with sector bodies and employers to help them to engage effectively with schools and colleges.The National Careers Service, a free, government-funded CIAG service uses a range of labour market information to guide individuals. The Service website provides access to various digital tools and resources which cover over 130 industry areas and more than 800 job profiles including a range of construction and social care roles.The government has introduced measures to raise awareness, boost access, and improve the quality of training available in both the construction and healthcare sectors, including the ‘Next Generation’ campaign promoting technical education pathways inspiring pupils to pursue careers in sectors like construction and healthcare and a £625 million skills package for the construction sector.

Whether he is taking steps to support landlords to reach an EPC C rating in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.

There are various schemes currently delivering home energy efficiency improvements across Great Britain, including Flyde and Lancashire, such as the Warm Homes: Local Grant (WH:LG), Energy Company Obligation and the Great British Insulation Scheme. Households in the private rented sector (PRS) are eligible if they receive means tested benefits and fall within Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band E-G. The WH:LG provides support for low income tenants in the PRS by allowing PRS landlords to claim 100% grant funding towards the cost of energy performance upgrades for one privately rented home that meets the scheme eligibility criteria, with any subsequent eligible homes in their portfolio requiring a 50% cost contribution from the landlord.

Whether she is taking steps to provide training to teachers to support their understanding (a) of and (b) the risks of (i) the use of emojis and (ii) other digital communication symbols by pupils.

In 2023, the department updated the guidance on ‘Teaching online safety in schools’. This advice brings together all aspects of internet safety information for schools so that they can confidently deliver online safety content within their curriculum and embed it within their wider whole-school approach. The guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/teaching-online-safety-in-schools.

Pursuant to the Answer of 15 May 2025 to Question 51541 on Disability: Employment, what benchmarks her Department has set to measure the success of the Disability Confident Scheme.

Internal management information suggests that as of the 1st June 2025, there are:a) 31 members signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme in Fylde.b) 368 members signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme in Lancashire.Whether a member is based in these geographies has been determined using the postcode provided by the organisation upon registration i.e., when they signed up to the scheme or renewed their membership. This will not capture Disability Confident members who operate in Fylde or Lancashire, but who have provided a postcode from outside the region. As internal management information, this data has not been fully quality assured. Any employer can join the scheme. The scheme is designed as a learning journey with all employers starting at Level 1 and encouraged to progress through the scheme to Levels 2 and 3. As they progress on their learning journey, we expect they will continue to increase and share their understanding with employees and put in place specific, effective and inclusive policies and procedures in support of disability employment. The criteria can be accessed on gov.uk using the following link: Disability Confident: guidance for levels 1, 2 and 3 - GOV.UK The strengths of the scheme lie in its ability to raise awareness, provide valuable resources, and support employers in their journey towards becoming disability confident. There are no benchmarks set to measure the success of the scheme, but in 2022, the department commissioned a survey to understand from members’ perspectives the impact that signing up to the scheme has had on their recruitment and retention attitudes and practices towards disabled people. The survey can be accessed on gov.uk using the following link: Disability Confident: survey of participating employers, May 2022 - GOV.UK. We work closely with Jobcentre Plus including the Strategic Relationship Team (SRT) who are committed to promoting Disability Confident to their network of employer contacts across the UK. This is delivered through one-to-one meetings, employer focused events and workshops, job-fairs etc. We also work closely with the Disability Confident Business Leaders Group (BLG). The BLG, comprising senior leaders from significant businesses across all sectors, is helping to increase engagement with employers. The group promotes the scheme through their sectors and network and works with DWP officials to identify any changes or developments that will improve the effectiveness of the scheme. I have been discussing ideas for making the Disability Confident scheme criteria more robust and officials will continue to discuss reform proposals with stakeholders throughout the summer.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of online content on trends in (a) youth violence and (b) knife crime.

We are continously working to enhance our understanding of how social media platforms are being used by gangs, and how content translates to ‘real-world’ violence. We are investing in targeted law enforcement capabilities to disrupt online gang operations and reduce the crime and violence they bring to our communities. The National Crime Agency is working in partnership with policing colleagues across the UK and internationally to map and target key offenders operating online, including the darknet markets. The Online Safety Act 2023 is a key mechanism to monitor and tackle illegal content online. It requires providers within the scope of the Act to implement measures to remove illegal content, including that related to inciting violence. If providers fail to abide by their duties under the Act, Ofcom, as the independent regulator, can now enforce against the illegal content duties and have already launched several enforcement programmes to monitor compliance with the regime. The Government is closely monitoring the implementation and effectiveness of the Online Safety Act and is committed to ensuring it delivers the necessary protections to ensure a safer online environment and tackles illegal content. Exposure to violent content online, including knife-sales material, can have real-world impacts. Following the independent end-to-end review of online knife sales conducted by Commander Steve Clayman, we are working to tackle the impacts of online knife-sales content on ‘real-world’ knife crime.

Pursuant to the Answer of 15 May 2025 to Question 51541 on Disability: Employment, what the criteria is to qualify for the Disability Confident Scheme.

Internal management information suggests that as of the 1st June 2025, there are:a) 31 members signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme in Fylde.b) 368 members signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme in Lancashire.Whether a member is based in these geographies has been determined using the postcode provided by the organisation upon registration i.e., when they signed up to the scheme or renewed their membership. This will not capture Disability Confident members who operate in Fylde or Lancashire, but who have provided a postcode from outside the region. As internal management information, this data has not been fully quality assured. Any employer can join the scheme. The scheme is designed as a learning journey with all employers starting at Level 1 and encouraged to progress through the scheme to Levels 2 and 3. As they progress on their learning journey, we expect they will continue to increase and share their understanding with employees and put in place specific, effective and inclusive policies and procedures in support of disability employment. The criteria can be accessed on gov.uk using the following link: Disability Confident: guidance for levels 1, 2 and 3 - GOV.UK The strengths of the scheme lie in its ability to raise awareness, provide valuable resources, and support employers in their journey towards becoming disability confident. There are no benchmarks set to measure the success of the scheme, but in 2022, the department commissioned a survey to understand from members’ perspectives the impact that signing up to the scheme has had on their recruitment and retention attitudes and practices towards disabled people. The survey can be accessed on gov.uk using the following link: Disability Confident: survey of participating employers, May 2022 - GOV.UK. We work closely with Jobcentre Plus including the Strategic Relationship Team (SRT) who are committed to promoting Disability Confident to their network of employer contacts across the UK. This is delivered through one-to-one meetings, employer focused events and workshops, job-fairs etc. We also work closely with the Disability Confident Business Leaders Group (BLG). The BLG, comprising senior leaders from significant businesses across all sectors, is helping to increase engagement with employers. The group promotes the scheme through their sectors and network and works with DWP officials to identify any changes or developments that will improve the effectiveness of the scheme. I have been discussing ideas for making the Disability Confident scheme criteria more robust and officials will continue to discuss reform proposals with stakeholders throughout the summer.

How many Young Futures Hubs will there be in (a) Lancashire and (b) Fylde constituency.

The government has committed to the creation of a new Young Futures Programme, which will establish a network of Young Futures Hubs and Young Futures Prevention Partnerships. Young Futures Hubs will bring together services to improve access to opportunities and support for young people at community level, promoting positive outcomes and enabling them to thrive.To roll-out Young Futures Hubs, building on the success of existing infrastructure and provision, the department will establish a number of early adopter hubs, the locations of which will be determined by where they will have the most impact. These early adopter hubs and work in local areas will inform the longer-term development of the programme, including how quickly we move to a greater number of hubs and where they may be located.The department will set out more details on timelines and locations in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 March 2025 to Question 36190 on Development Aid, what (a) consultation and (b) engagement his Department is having with (i) development experts, (ii) NGOs and (iii) international organisations on the allocation of ODA spending following the Spending Review.

We are engaging with partners and stakeholders as we reorient the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget and determine allocations. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) ministers and officials continue to meet stakeholders on a wide range of issues, including international development, both in the course of their duties and as part of a commitment to harnessing a wide range of perspectives to inform the FCDO's policy and strategy.We will set out our spending plans following the completion of the Spending Review and resource allocation processes.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 May 2025 to Question 51543 on Cost of Living: Fylde, how the allocation for Discretionary Housing Payments in England and Wales is being managed; and what steps she is taking to ensure that vulnerable renters have access to these payments in Fylde constituency.

Local authorities administer the Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) scheme as they are best placed to make informed judgements about relative priorities and needs in their area to ensure that the most vulnerable are supported and the funds are targeted effectively. To support local authorities to deliver the scheme effectively, DWP publishes local authority guidance and engages with local authorities through regular forums. We consider the allocation of DHPs to individual local authorities each year; consultation with local authorities is included as part of this process. Local authorities are required to provide details of their DHP expenditure every six months, and this enables officials to closely monitor spend to ensure funding is targeted effectively (Discretionary Housing Payments statistics - GOV.UK).

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 March 2025 to Question 36190 on Development Aid, what criteria his Department uses to asses (a) effectiveness, (b) impact and (c) value for money in Official Development Assistance allocations, in the context of the Spending Review.

As part of the ongoing Spending Review and resource allocation processes, we are taking a rigorous approach to ensure all Official Development Assistance (ODA) delivers value for money, with a focus on maximising the impact of our work on those living in poverty to ensure every pound delivers for the UK taxpayer and the people we support. This includes the use of impact assesments.

What steps her Department is taking to support adults to expand their digital capability.

The Digital Essential Skills Entitlement, funded by the Adult Skills Fund, provides full funding for adults with low digital skills to undertake Essential Digital Skills Qualifications (EDSQs) and digital Functional Skills qualifications up to level 1.More flexible provision is available through Tailored Learning which offers bespoke courses in essential digital skills.The Free Courses for Jobs offer gives eligible adults access to high value level 3 qualifications for free, to support them to gain higher wages or a better job. The offer currently includes 45 digital qualifications.The department provides a range of post 16 academic and technical digital qualifications. There are currently 34 occupational standards in digital occupations and we are set to introduce foundation apprenticeships for young people, the first wave of which includes two digital standards. There are 78 Higher Technical Qualifications in the digital sector. Skills Bootcamps enable adults to build sector-specific skills, and 61% of 2022/23 Skills Bootcamp starts were in digital.The Digital Inclusion Action Plan outlines steps toward delivering digital inclusion for everyone in the UK, including supporting local and community initiatives to increase digital participation and digital skills. The new Industrial Strategy will channel support to eight growth-driving sectors, including digital technologies.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2025 to Question 38420 on Railways: Fylde, what estimate she has made of the potential impact of the increase in regulated rail fares on 2 March 2025 on revenues; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of this increase in fares on the financial sustainability of the sector.

A proportionate, annual increase in fares is necessary to support crucial investment and to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the railway. Regarding performance-based fares increases, any changes to fares policy requires balancing against the potential impacts on passengers and taxpayers. If the rail industry is inadequately funded in the short term it will lack the capacity and performance to deliver long-term ambitions of financial sustainability, modal shift and helping to deliver the UK’s net zero target.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 March 2025 to Question 38420 on Railways: Fylde, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of linking fare increases to improvements in (a) service quality and (b) reliability across different regions.

A proportionate, annual increase in fares is necessary to support crucial investment and to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the railway. Regarding performance-based fares increases, any changes to fares policy requires balancing against the potential impacts on passengers and taxpayers. If the rail industry is inadequately funded in the short term it will lack the capacity and performance to deliver long-term ambitions of financial sustainability, modal shift and helping to deliver the UK’s net zero target.

What recent discussions she has had with major social media companies on their obligations under the Online Safety Act 2023 to remove content inciting gang violence.

We are continously working to enhance our understanding of how social media platforms are being used by gangs, and how content translates to ‘real-world’ violence. We are investing in targeted law enforcement capabilities to disrupt online gang operations and reduce the crime and violence they bring to our communities. The National Crime Agency is working in partnership with policing colleagues across the UK and internationally to map and target key offenders operating online, including the darknet markets. The Online Safety Act 2023 is a key mechanism to monitor and tackle illegal content online. It requires providers within the scope of the Act to implement measures to remove illegal content, including that related to inciting violence. If providers fail to abide by their duties under the Act, Ofcom, as the independent regulator, can now enforce against the illegal content duties and have already launched several enforcement programmes to monitor compliance with the regime. The Government is closely monitoring the implementation and effectiveness of the Online Safety Act and is committed to ensuring it delivers the necessary protections to ensure a safer online environment and tackles illegal content. Exposure to violent content online, including knife-sales material, can have real-world impacts. Following the independent end-to-end review of online knife sales conducted by Commander Steve Clayman, we are working to tackle the impacts of online knife-sales content on ‘real-world’ knife crime.

What steps his Department is taking to taking to secure (a) domestic and (b) international investment in the nuclear industry.

This Government is committed to attracting the investment required to deliver future nuclear projects. The Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model for nuclear has been established as an option for funding nuclear projects, aiming to reduce financing costs and attract long-term investment from private capital providers, with the Sizewell C project designated to utilise the model. Additionally, my Department works closely with the Office for Investment and other parts of Government to promote investment opportunities in the UK nuclear sector.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2025 to Question 38420 on Railways: Fylde, what the evidential basis is that the increase in most regulated rail fares announced on 2 March 2025 represented a fair balance between passengers and taxpayers.

A proportionate, annual increase in fares is necessary to support crucial investment and to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the railway. Regarding performance-based fares increases, any changes to fares policy requires balancing against the potential impacts on passengers and taxpayers. If the rail industry is inadequately funded in the short term it will lack the capacity and performance to deliver long-term ambitions of financial sustainability, modal shift and helping to deliver the UK’s net zero target.

If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the powers the police have to prevent the use of illegally modified electric bikes that do not conform to regulations on roads.

Ministers and officials meet with their counterparts on a regular basis and discuss a wide range of topics.The police have powers under the Police Reform Act 2002 to deal with vehicles being used anti-socially and under the Road Traffic Act 1988 to deal with vehicles being ridden without insurance or driving licence. How the police use these powers is an operational matter.The Government announced proposals in the Crime and Policing Bill to strengthen existing powers to clamp down on vehicles, including illegally modified electric bikes, involved in anti-social behaviour, with officers no longer required to issue a warning before seizing vehicles.On 28 May, the Government launched a 6-week consultation on proposals to allow the police to dispose of seized vehicles which have been used anti-socially and which have been ridden without insurance or a driving licence from 14 days to 48 hours and 7 days respectively. Combined, these proposals will help tackle the scourge of vehicles ridden anti-socially and illegally by sending a clear message to would be offenders and local communities that this behaviour will not be tolerated.