Written questions by Sabine.

When she expects the Equality and Human Rights Commission to update its code of practice following the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is independent of government. The EHRC are currently updating their Code of Practice to reflect the ruling. The Government is engaging with them on this and expect them to work quickly and thoroughly, hearing from a wide range of voices. Ministers will then consider the EHRC’s updated draft once they have submitted it.

Whether his Department plans to increase the amount of support it provides to injured veterans.

This is a Government of service that will always stand up for those who serve our country. I am working across Government and with civil society to ensure Veterans get access to the health, housing, employment and other support they need. This year, we will set out our plans for Veterans in our updated Veterans’ Strategy. This Government will always stand up for those who have served our country.Veterans who are resident in England can access specialist care for physical and mental health conditions via Op RESTORE and Op COURAGE respectively. Alternative provision is available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as responsibility for health is devolved.Veterans UK, which is part of the Ministry of Defence, provides free support for Veterans and their families, including a helpline, Veterans Welfare Service, Defence Transition Services and injury/bereavement compensation scheme payments.The Ministry of Defence runs two main compensation schemes – Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and War Pension Scheme. Both Schemes provide compensation for injury or illness caused by Service. Eligible Veterans are entitled to make a claim, the details of which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-armed-forces-compensation-or-a-war-pension

What assessment he has made of the efficiency of Veterans UK in processing injured veterans' claims.

I regularly meet the Chief Executive of Defence Business Services, most recently on 29 April 2025 to discuss performance and related issues. The average clearance times for Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) and War Pension Scheme (WPS) claims are currently higher than target, and we are focused on bringing these down. I am pleased to say volumes and clearance times of AFCS claims have begun to fall. The digitalisation and consolidation of claimants' data from hardcopy records and the thirty-year-old legacy database into a single, whole-scheme IT system will lead to improving long-term efficiency and service delivery for Serving personnel, Veterans and their dependants. However, this has unfortunately led in the short term to disruptions processing claims during the transition period, and officials are working hard to clear the backlog. Whilst we continue to make every effort to improve processing times, some aspects such as requirements to obtain supporting evidence from third parties outside the department can contribute to longer processing times.

How many incidents of indecent exposure to women were reported in each of the latest years for which data is available.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publish estimates from the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) on the prevalence of indecent exposure experienced by adults in England and Wales. The most recent statistics can be found in tables S41 and S42 of the Annual Supplementary Tables for the year ending March 2024, split by men and women, and by whether the respondent experienced indecent exposure any time since age 16, or within the last year. A time series for the prevalence of indecent exposure in the last year back to the year ending March 2013, split by men and women, can be found in tables S43a, S43b, and S43c. These can be accessed at:https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/datasets/crimeinenglandandwalesannualsupplementarytablesMore detailed statistics from the CSEW on indecent exposure and other VAWG related offences broken down by output area classification and area type, including rural areas, can be found in table 8 of the Sexual offending: Crime Survey for England and Wales appendix tables. These data cover the period up to the year ending March 2018, and can be accessed at:https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/datasets/sexualoffendingcrimesurveyforenglandandwalesappendixtablesThe Home Office collects and publishes information on the number of indecent exposure offences reported to and recorded by the police in England and Wales. This information can be accessed at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/police-recorded-crime-and-outcomes-open-data-tablesThis does not include a breakdown on the location of crimes, which is not published by the Home Office.

How many incidents of indecent exposure to women were reported in rural areas in each of the latest years for which data is available.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publish estimates from the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) on the prevalence of indecent exposure experienced by adults in England and Wales. The most recent statistics can be found in tables S41 and S42 of the Annual Supplementary Tables for the year ending March 2024, split by men and women, and by whether the respondent experienced indecent exposure any time since age 16, or within the last year. A time series for the prevalence of indecent exposure in the last year back to the year ending March 2013, split by men and women, can be found in tables S43a, S43b, and S43c. These can be accessed at:https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/datasets/crimeinenglandandwalesannualsupplementarytablesMore detailed statistics from the CSEW on indecent exposure and other VAWG related offences broken down by output area classification and area type, including rural areas, can be found in table 8 of the Sexual offending: Crime Survey for England and Wales appendix tables. These data cover the period up to the year ending March 2018, and can be accessed at:https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/datasets/sexualoffendingcrimesurveyforenglandandwalesappendixtablesThe Home Office collects and publishes information on the number of indecent exposure offences reported to and recorded by the police in England and Wales. This information can be accessed at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/police-recorded-crime-and-outcomes-open-data-tablesThis does not include a breakdown on the location of crimes, which is not published by the Home Office.

What steps she is taking to support women's safety in rural areas.

Ensuring women and girls’ safety is a top priority for this Government. We have set out an unprecedented mission to halve the level of violence against women and girls (VAWG) in a decade. That means working across Government to tackle threats to women’s safety in all areas of their lives and across the country including in rural areas.The Safer Streets Mission is driving delivery across Government to achieve this. We are spearheading a cross-Government approach to preventing and tackling VAWG through the Safer Streets Mission Board, ensuring that all of Government is focused on achieving our mission.We will set out concrete measures to halving VAWG in a new cross-Government VAWG strategy to be published later this year. Our aim is to deliver transformative change to all areas of society.It is vital that victims of VAWG have access to the support they need when they need it most, including those living in rural areas. That is why the Home Office continues to fund organisations providing vital frontline support to victims of VAWG nationally, including a range of specialist national helplines which provide guidance and support to all victims.

How many incidents of violence against women and girls were reported in rural areas in each of the latest years for which data is available.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publish estimates from the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) on the prevalence of indecent exposure experienced by adults in England and Wales. The most recent statistics can be found in tables S41 and S42 of the Annual Supplementary Tables for the year ending March 2024, split by men and women, and by whether the respondent experienced indecent exposure any time since age 16, or within the last year. A time series for the prevalence of indecent exposure in the last year back to the year ending March 2013, split by men and women, can be found in tables S43a, S43b, and S43c. These can be accessed at:https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/datasets/crimeinenglandandwalesannualsupplementarytablesMore detailed statistics from the CSEW on indecent exposure and other VAWG related offences broken down by output area classification and area type, including rural areas, can be found in table 8 of the Sexual offending: Crime Survey for England and Wales appendix tables. These data cover the period up to the year ending March 2018, and can be accessed at:https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/datasets/sexualoffendingcrimesurveyforenglandandwalesappendixtablesThe Home Office collects and publishes information on the number of indecent exposure offences reported to and recorded by the police in England and Wales. This information can be accessed at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/police-recorded-crime-and-outcomes-open-data-tablesThis does not include a breakdown on the location of crimes, which is not published by the Home Office.

What information his Department holds on the number and proportion of adults who lived with their parents in each year between 2019 and 2024.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon lady’s Parliamentary Question of 25th April is attached.

What information his Department holds on the number and proportion of adults who live with their parents.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon lady’s Parliamentary Question of 25th April is attached.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of trends in the level of profits earned by (a) supermarkets and (b) food multinationals in the last five years.

It is not for the Government to set retail food prices nor to comment on day-to-day commercial decisions taken by businesses. We continue to monitor all key agricultural commodities. The UK Agriculture Market Monitoring Group monitors UK agricultural markets including price, supply, inputs, trade, and recent developments.

What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her Department's home-to-school travel policy of the Children's Walking and Cycling Index, published by Sustrans on 26 February 2025.

Local authorities already have a duty to promote the use of sustainable travel on journeys to and from places of education in their area. This includes children who are not eligible for free school travel provided by the local authority. Local authorities must publish a ‘sustainable modes of travel’ strategy which sets out their vision for improving the infrastructure for sustainable travel and promoting sustainable travel to places of education. It should aim to provide health benefits for children and their families through active journeys and environmental improvements through reduced congestion and improved air quality. Further information is available in the department's statutory guidance for local authorities, which can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/home-to-school-travel-and-transport-guidance.Active Travel England is the government’s executive agency responsible for promoting walking, wheeling and cycling as the preferred choice of travel in England. They support local authorities with grant funding for the development and construction of walking, wheeling and cycling facilities and are responsible for a number of schemes which promote active travel to school. Further information can be found at: https://www.activetravelengland.gov.uk/.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will introduce price controls on food.

It is not for the Government to set retail food prices nor to comment on day-to-day commercial decisions taken by businesses. We continue to monitor all key agricultural commodities. The UK Agriculture Market Monitoring Group monitors UK agricultural markets including price, supply, inputs, trade, and recent developments.

What steps she is taking to support the introduction of the School Streets scheme.

Active Travel England and the Department for Transport have jointly published School Streets guidance to enable local authorities to deliver effective School Streets. Local authorities can use active travel revenue and capital funding to deliver School Streets, with more than 180 school streets already funded by Active Travel England. School Streets are one of a range of measures that local authorities can deliver to make it safer and easier for children to walk, wheel and cycle to school. Other interventions supported by Active Travel England include infrastructure improvements on school routes and training and engagement activities such as Bikeability cycle training and Living Streets Walk to School Outreach programme.

What steps he is taking to ensure adequate funding for the Great British Energy Community Fund to support all projects currently approved as of 3 April 2025.

The Government recognises the role community groups play in our efforts to tackle climate change and our mission to make the UK a clean energy superpower. In 2025/26 Community Energy Groups will be able to access a share of £5 million in grant funding through the Great British Energy Community Fund to help communities develop their own clean energy projects. This will continue the work of the Community Energy Fund, which enabled both rural and urban communities across England to access grant funding to develop local renewable energy projects for investment. Once GBE is fully operational it will develop its longer-term support offer for Community Energy Groups as well as for Local and Mayoral Strategic Authorities. The community energy sector can access further funding support through Ofgem’s Just Transition Fund, which is open to applications from community groups.

What is the average processing times for pension credit applications in each of the last five years.

Pension Credit application Average Actual Clearance Times (AACT) are measured weekly. Please see attached annex for details of Pension Credit applications average processing times back to October 2022. We do not hold this information prior to October 2022. Please note, The Average Actual Clearance Time figures shown are unpublished management information, collected and intended for internal departmental use and have not been quality assured to National Statistics or Official Statistics publication standard. The figures are rounded to the nearest working day and based on the week the claim was cleared, rather than the week the claim was made. DWP currently works to a planned timescale of 50 working days to clear Pension Credit claims. The next publication of the Annual Reporting and Accounts will include claims processed in the Financial Year 2024 to 2025, which is due for publication in the summer.

What steps she is taking to implement the public service pensions remedy for retired firefighters.

While the Home Office has responsibility for overarching policy and legislative changes to the firefighters’ pension scheme regulations, the firefighters’ pension scheme is locally administered by each individual Fire and Rescue Authority. The regulations governing the McCloud remedy for the firefighters’ pension schemes were made in July 2023.The Home Office continues to work with the fire sector to support the effective implementation of the McCloud remedy for all affected individuals.As the designated scheme manager, it is for each Fire and Rescue Authority to determine their administrative timetable, in accordance with the Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022, including when remedy payments will be distributed.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussion he has had with the Circular Economy Taskforce on promoting repair and reuse.

This Government is committed to transitioning to a circular economy. We have convened a Circular Economy Taskforce, comprising experts from industry, academia, and civil society, to help develop a Circular Economy Strategy for England. The strategy will map our transition to a circular economy, supported by a series of roadmaps detailing the interventions that the government and others will make on a sector-by-sector basis. Defra recognises that repair and reuse are fundamental tenets of any circular economy, and a successful transition aims to eliminate waste and promote sustainability through reuse and resource efficiency. We will consider the evidence for appropriate action right across the economy as we develop the strategy.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing legislation to compel private creditors to participate in debt relief.

The UK, alongside the G20 and Paris Club, expects creditors, including private creditors, to participate in international debt restructurings on comparable terms.At this stage, the government is not pursuing a legislative approach that would force private or other lenders to participate in debt restructurings.Overall, we have seen evidence of private creditors’ willingness to engage and provide debt treatments where needed – though we continue to keep this under review.The government is focused on delivering a market-based (contractual) approach to private sector participation, including taking the lead in developing Majority Voting Provisions for private group lending, to bind the minority to the terms of a restructuring. These promote more efficient restructurings and reduce the ability for creditors to hold out.

Whether his Department plans to review prescription charges for long-term medication.

There are no current plans to review the list of prescription charge exemptions or the list of medical conditions that entitle someone to apply for a medical exemption certificate.There are extensive arrangements in place in England to ensure that prescriptions are affordable for everyone. Approximately 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge in the community in England, and there is a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place for which those with chronic illnesses may be eligible. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, whether they have a qualifying medical condition or whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.People on low incomes can apply for help with their health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme. People who need to pay and need many prescription items could save money with a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC). PPCs allow people to claim as many prescriptions as they need for a set cost, with three-month and 12-month certificates available. The 12-month PPC can be paid for in ten monthly direct debit instalments.The list of specified medical conditions that provide exemption from prescription charges is available at the following link:https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check-if-you-have-nhs-exemption/medical-exemption-certificatesThe exemption covers all the patient’s prescriptions, not just those for the qualifying condition.

What the criteria is for medication for long-term illnesses to be exempt from prescription charges.

There are no current plans to review the list of prescription charge exemptions or the list of medical conditions that entitle someone to apply for a medical exemption certificate.There are extensive arrangements in place in England to ensure that prescriptions are affordable for everyone. Approximately 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge in the community in England, and there is a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place for which those with chronic illnesses may be eligible. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, whether they have a qualifying medical condition or whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.People on low incomes can apply for help with their health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme. People who need to pay and need many prescription items could save money with a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC). PPCs allow people to claim as many prescriptions as they need for a set cost, with three-month and 12-month certificates available. The 12-month PPC can be paid for in ten monthly direct debit instalments.The list of specified medical conditions that provide exemption from prescription charges is available at the following link:https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check-if-you-have-nhs-exemption/medical-exemption-certificatesThe exemption covers all the patient’s prescriptions, not just those for the qualifying condition.