Written questions by Snowden.

What recent estimate she has made of the proportion of people not in employment, education, or training who are claiming Universal Credit in the North West.

Statistics on young people claiming UC can be found on DWP Stat Xplore - Stat-Xplore - Log in Statistics on young people who are NEET are produced by DfE and the ONS –Statistics: NEET and participation - GOV.UK and Young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), UK - Office for National Statistics The Get Britain Working White Paper set plans to develop a Youth Guarantee which will ensure 18- to 21-year-olds are earning or learning. An independent investigation has been launched to tackle the persistently high numbers of young people out of work, education and training. Led by former Health Secretary Alan Milburn, the probe will examine why increasing numbers of young people are falling out of work or education before their careers have begun — with a particular focus on the impact of mental health conditions and disability. The Terms of Reference can be found here.

Communities and Local Government, how much funding under the Social and Affordable Homes Programme has been (a) allocated and (b) spent.

Bidding for the Programme in question has not yet opened. On 7 November 2025, my Department published a policy statement on the Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) which can be found on gov.uk here. This was accompanied by detailed guidance for prospective bidders published by Homes England and the Greater London Authority.

How many asylum claimants were found to have provided a false age; and how many of those identified led to claims being rejected.

The Home Office publishes data on asylum in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’.Data on initial decisions and outcomes on asylum claims, is published in table Asy_D02 of the ‘Asylum claim and initial decisions detailed datasets’. The latest data relates to as at 30 June 2025.Data for 30 September 2025 will be published on 27 November 2025.Data on the number of raised and resolved age disputes is published in table Asy_D05 of the ‘Age disputes detailed datasets’ . Age disputes data for July 2024 onwards is not available due to ongoing work on a new case working system. Updated data will be included in a future edition of the Immigration System Statistics release.Published Home Office data on asylum outcomes and age disputes does not include reasons for refusal.Official statistics published by the Home Office are kept under review in line with the code of practice for statistics, taking into account a number of factors including user needs, the resources required to compile the statistics, as well as quality and availability of data.

Media and Sport, what criteria will be used to determine eligibility for funding under the scheme for the repair and conservation of local war memorials.

The Government announced on 9 November 2025 the new £2 million fund for the repair and maintenance of war memorials. Further details, including criteria, will be announced in due course.

What his planned timeline is for the (a) rollout and (b) completion of the training for NHS staff on (i) identifying and (ii) supporting patients with an armed forces background.

The training and education programmes will be rolled out to all National Health Service organisations and for all NHS staff over the next two and a half years. The programmes will share best practice about how the NHS can identify and support patients with an Armed Forces background.By the end of 2026, the target is for all board members of integrated care boards and Department national commissioning teams to have completed Armed Forces healthcare specific training. In addition, by the end of 2026, the ambition is for 200,000 NHS staff in England to have completed the training.By 2028, the ambition is for 400,000 NHS staff to have completed Armed Forces healthcare specific training. Performance will be reviewed against ambitions regularly, and appropriate changes will be made to the programme so that uptake continually increases.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of suspended child benefit payments on (a) Universal Credit and (b) other means-tested benefits.

No assessment has been made. Child Benefit, administered by His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC), is not taken into account as income when calculating a Universal Credit award or other means-tested benefits. It is used to assess benefit levels for the purpose of determining whether to apply the benefit cap which limits the amount of social security benefits a working age household can receive. The benefit cap is applied through Housing Benefit and Universal Credit. The Department will continue to work closely with HMRC on all relevant matters.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the contribution of the Social and Affordable Homes Programme to meeting national housing need.

Bidding for the Programme in question has not yet opened. On 7 November 2025, my Department published a policy statement on the Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) which can be found on gov.uk here. This was accompanied by detailed guidance for prospective bidders published by Homes England and the Greater London Authority.

Whether her Department plans to introduce new targeted measures to reduce long-term not in employment, education, or training rates among 18–24-year-olds.

The Government’s plan to Get Britain Working includes a new Youth Guarantee for all young people aged 18-21 to ensure that they can access quality training opportunities, an apprenticeship or help to find work.As a first step, we are working with eight Youth Guarantee Trailblazers across England which are testing innovative approaches to identify and deliver localised support to young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) or at risk of becoming NEET. This includes strengthening local coordination, through local leadership, and outreach to better connect young people with opportunities. We will use the learning from these Trailblazers to inform the future design and development of the Youth Guarantee as it rolls out across the rest of Great Britain.In addition, the Government is investing £25 million to expand Youth Hubs, which bring together employment support from a Jobcentre work coach and place-based support fromlocal partnerships to help young NEET people into work. This investment will almost double the number of Youth Hubs to over 200 across England, Scotland and Wales over the next three years, ensuring more young people can access personalised, wraparound support in their local communities.The Chancellor has also announced that every eligible young person who has been on Universal Credit for 18 months without earning or learning will be offered guaranteed paid work. Participants of the scheme will receive support to take advantage of available opportunities, with the aim of helping them transition into regular employment. The scheme forms part of the government’s aim to provide targeted support for young people at risk of long-term unemployment. Further details including eligibility criteria and the structure of placements, will be confirmed at Budget.The above builds on existing DWP labour market support for 16-24-year-olds through an extensive range of interventions at a national and local level as part of the Youth Offer. This includes flexible provision driven by local need, nationwide employment programmes and support delivered by work coaches based in our Jobcentres and in local communities. This support includes the Youth Employment Programme, Youth Employability Coaches for young people with additional barriers to finding work, and Youth Hubs across Great Britain.

Media and Sport, what processes were followed in the (a) longlisting and (b) shortlisting of candidates for the role of Independent Football Regulator Chair.

All regulated public appointments roles follow the same processes as outlined in the Governance Code for Public Appointments.A full account of the appointment process for the Chair of the Independent Football Regulator is available in the recent report by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential risk to the health of birds from avian influenza (H5N1) in Fylde constituency.

The risk of HPAI H5 in wild birds in Great Britain has recently escalated from high to very high (event occurs almost certainly). The risk of poultry exposure to HPAI H5 in Great Britain is assessed as very high (event occurs almost certainly) where there is suboptimal or poor biosecurity and Medium (event occurs regularly) where stringent biosecurity is consistently applied at all times. All exotic disease control and prevention measures are kept under regular review as part of the Government’s work to monitor and manage the risks of exotic disease.Risk levels are being kept under regular review. Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) mandating enhanced biosecurity and, for keepers of over 50 birds, housing is in force across the whole of England, including the Flyde constituency - to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of the disease.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of delays in building safety approvals on the (a) volume and (b) value of residential investment transactions.

We recognise that delays to the assessment of applications have been unacceptable on the construction supply chain. This is why we announced reforms to the Building Safety Regulator on 30 June, including plans to establish the BSR as a separate body. The BSR has committed to improving operations by December, with faster processing of new build applications and decisions on most of the existing new-build caseload.The BSR is already making operational and policy changes to speed up decision making, particularly on building control approval, including through the introduction of an Innovation Unit (IU). Early signs are positive with the majority of applications in the IU so far on track to exceed or meet the 12-week SLA as they progress through the application process.New guidance, developed with the Construction Leadership Council (CLC), is also helping to support industry to better understand all aspects of the new building control regime and secure approval from BSR.To support transparency and accountability, the BSR published performance data on 16 October and will continue to do so monthly to track progress against this commitment.

Whether the Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests has been asked to investigate the appointment of the Independent Football Regulator Chair.

It is the role of the independent Commissioner for Public Appointments to provide independent assurance that public appointments are made in accordance with the Government’s Principles of Public Appointments and Governance Code. The report of the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ inquiry into the process of appointing the Chair of the Independent Football Regulator was published on 6 November 2025 and can be found here.

Whether her Department has undertaken a cross-Government assessment of the potential implications of a US government shutdown on border security at UK airports.

Our priority is to maintain a secure border. We will not compromise on this. Border Force performs checks on all passengers arriving at the UK border on scheduled services to identify individuals who pose, or are suspected to pose, a risk to the national interest.Border Force checks all passengers arriving at the UK border on scheduled services to identify individuals who pose, or are suspected to pose, a risk to the national interest.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of covering the insurance costs of employers for volunteer workers in healthcare settings.

There are currently no plans to undertake an assessment regarding insurance arrangements for volunteer workers in healthcare settings.Whilst all regulated healthcare professionals in the United Kingdom are legally required to maintain appropriate clinical negligence cover and most are covered by state schemes for their National Health Service work, for volunteers it depends on the arrangements made by the NHS organisation. Some volunteer organisations may already have their own insurance in place for their volunteers. It is up to individual NHS organisations to make decisions about the management and deployment of volunteers to support their service needs.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of covering the cost of (a) insurance and (b) DBS checks for employers taking on volunteer workers.

Keeping children safe could not be more important to this government, and schools and colleges as employers, play a critical role in this. We support them to do this through our robust safeguarding framework, ‘Keeping children safe in education’, which is the statutory guidance that all schools and colleges must have regard to when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. This includes robust safer recruitment procedures which are vital to deterring and preventing individuals who are unsuitable to work with children from securing employment or volunteering opportunities in schools and colleges.

What steps his Department is taking to improve (a) diagnosis and (b) management of patients with (i) overlapping and (ii) co-existing chronic illnesses.

We recognise the increasing prevalence of co-existing chronic illnesses and the importance of developing strategies to support people living with multiple co-morbidities. For that reason, we have appointed a dedicated National Specialty Advisor for Multi-Morbidity.As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, more tests and scans delivered in the community, better joint working between services, and greater use of technology will all support people to manage overlapping and co-existing chronic illnesses closer to home.Neighbourhood health services will be organised around the needs of their patients and will take a joined-up, holistic approach with multi-disciplinary teams who can provide wrap-around support services to people with overlapping and co-existing chronic illnesses.The NHS App will be enhanced to allow patients to manage appointments and medications, and view or create their own care plans. My Medicines will enable patients to manage their prescriptions, and My Health will enable patients to monitor their symptoms and bring all their data into one place. Patients will be able to self-refer to services where clinically appropriate through My Specialist on the NHS App. This will accelerate their access to treatment and support.Our 10-Year Health Plan outlines our ambition for 95% of people with complex needs to have an agreed care plan by 2027. Care plans will be co-created with patients and cover their holistic needs. We will also expand the uptake of personal health budgets. By 2030, one million patients with long-term conditions will be offered Personal Health Budgets, which will enable them to use National Health Service resources and determine care that best suits their needs. It will provide patients with greater choice and control over their care, leading to better health outcomes and increased independence.We will also introduce a new Single Patient Record across the NHS, which will bring together a patient’s medical records all into one place. It will mean that no matter where a patient is accessing care, in the community or in a hospital, the care provider will have a comprehensive understanding of their medical history.

What discussions his Department has had with (a) NHS England and (b) local authorities on coordinating social care for people with overlapping illnesses.

The Department is working with NHS England and the Local Government Association to co-develop a National Framework for Neighbourhood Health Plans. This framework will outline how the National Health Service, local authorities, and other partners should work together under the leadership of health and wellbeing boards to design neighbourhood health services for different population cohorts.The Better Care Fund (BCF) is a framework for integrated care boards and local authorities to make joint plans and pool budgets for integrated health and care. From 2026/27, the BCF will be reformed to ensure consistent joint funding for services that are essential for integrated health and social care, especially for those with complex health and care needs.People with the most complex needs may be eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC), an NHS-funded package of health and social care for individuals assessed as having a 'primary health need'. CHC guidance states that integrated care boards must consult with the local authority, as far as reasonably practicable, when assessing eligibility for CHC.

How many prisoners have been released early in Lancashire in the last 12 months.

Releases in error have been increasing for several years and are another symptom of the prison system crisis inherited by this Government. On 11 November, the Deputy Prime Minister announced a five-point action plan setting out initial steps to address this issue. Totals for releases in error, including a breakdown by releasing prison (or Prisoner Escort Custody Services), are published each July in the HMPPS Annual Digest, available via HMPPS Annual Digest, April 2024 to March 2025 - GOV.UK , and provide data up to March 2025. The Government is determined to fix the issue of mistaken releases and ensure the public is properly protected.

Which prisons had the highest rates of accidental release of prisoners in each of the last five years.

Releases in error have been increasing for several years and are another symptom of the prison system crisis inherited by this Government. On 11 November, the Deputy Prime Minister announced a five-point action plan setting out initial steps to address this issue. Totals for releases in error, including a breakdown by releasing prison (or Prisoner Escort Custody Services), are published each July in the HMPPS Annual Digest, available via HMPPS Annual Digest, April 2024 to March 2025 - GOV.UK , and provide data up to March 2025. The Government is determined to fix the issue of mistaken releases and ensure the public is properly protected.

How many prisoners have been accidentally released early in each of the last five years.

Releases in error have been increasing for several years and are another symptom of the prison system crisis inherited by this Government. On 11 November, the Deputy Prime Minister announced a five-point action plan setting out initial steps to address this issue. Totals for releases in error, including a breakdown by releasing prison (or Prisoner Escort Custody Services), are published each July in the HMPPS Annual Digest, available via HMPPS Annual Digest, April 2024 to March 2025 - GOV.UK , and provide data up to March 2025. The Government is determined to fix the issue of mistaken releases and ensure the public is properly protected.