Written questions by Fox.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 25 October 2024 to Question 9826 on Department for Science, Innovation and Technology: Buildings, how many civil servants are assigned to work in his Department's headquarters in London; and how many individual desks are available in the headquarters office.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 5 November to Question 9825.

Pursuant to the Answer of 28 October 2024 to Question 9611 on Ministry of Defence: Buildings, how many individual desks were occupied in his Department’s HQ office in the most recent four weeks for which figures are available.

Heads of Department have agreed that 60% minimum office attendance for most staff continues to be the best balance of working for the Civil Service. Office occupancy data for the period July - September has been published, with further publications to now happen on a quarterly basis. The data is published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-hq-occupancy-data

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 31 October 2024, to Question 9617, on DEFRA: Buildings, how many individual desks were occupied in his Department’s HQ office in the most recent four weeks for which figures are available.

Heads of Department have agreed that 60% minimum office attendance for most staff continues to be the best balance of working for the Civil Service. Office occupancy data for the period July - September has been published, with further publications to now happen on a quarterly basis. The data is published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-hq-occupancy-data

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 October 2024 to Question 9268 on HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS): Buildings, how many civil servants are assigned to work in HMCTS’s main office; and how many individual desks are available in that office.

For the purposes of this reply, we have interpreted reference to the Ministry of Justice’s headquarters building and the main office for HMCTS as being 102 Petty France.The methodology used to calculate occupancy at the headquarters building at 102 Petty France does not take into account individual desk usage over specific time periods.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 October 2024 to Question 9266 on Ministry of Justice: Buildings, how many individual desks were occupied in her Department’s headquarters office in the most recent four weeks for which figures are available.

For the purposes of this reply, we have interpreted reference to the Ministry of Justice’s headquarters building and the main office for HMCTS as being 102 Petty France.The new Government has recently committed to keep to the current guidance on civil service office attendance. Office occupancy data for the period July - September has been published, with further publications to now happen on a quarterly basis. The data is published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-hq-occupancy-data.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 October 2024 to Question 9268 on HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS): Buildings, how many individual desks were occupied in HMCTS’s main office in the most recent four weeks for which figures are available.

For the purposes of this reply, we have interpreted reference to the Ministry of Justice’s headquarters building and the main office for HMCTS as being 102 Petty France.The new Government has recently committed to keep to the current guidance on civil service office attendance. Office occupancy data for the period July - September has been published, with further publications to now happen on a quarterly basis. The data is published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-hq-occupancy-data.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 October 2024 to Question 9266 on Ministry of Justice: Buildings, how many civil servants are assigned to work in her Department's headquarters in London; and how many individual desks are available in that office.

For the purposes of this reply, we have interpreted reference to the Ministry of Justice’s headquarters building and the main office for HMCTS as being 102 Petty France.The methodology used to calculate occupancy at the headquarters building at 102 Petty France does not take into account individual desk usage over specific time periods.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 October 2024 to Question 9068 on Department for Education: Buildings, how many civil servants are assigned to work in her Department's headquarters in London; and how many individual desks are available in that office.

I refer the hon. Member for Bridgewater to the answer of 20 November 2024 to Question 9067.

Pursuant to the Answer of 25 October 2024 to Question 9603 on Attorney General: Buildings, how many civil servants are assigned to work in her Department's headquarters in London; and how many individual desks are available in the headquarters office.

The Attorney General’s Office is based in only one location in London, at 102 Petty France. I refer the Hon Member to the first line of my response to UIN 9602 tabled on Wednesday 6 November 2024. Please also refer to my response to UIN 9603 tabled on Friday 25 October 2024.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 October 2024 to Question 9281 on Department for Transport: Ministers' Private Offices, if she will publish the invoices for the work done.

The information is not held by the Department for Transport in the form requested as the costs were included in consolidated invoices covering a range of building charges.

What data her Department holds on the number of times that registered sex offenders have (a) attempted to change and (b) been prevented from changing their name by legal means in the last 12 months.

The notification requirements in Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 are an automatic consequence of a conviction for a sexual offence in Schedule 3 to that Act. Offenders subject to the notification requirements must notify the police of (among other things) any new name within three days of using it. In addition to the notification requirements, courts may make civil orders (upon application by the police) to place restrictions (including on internet use) and/or requirements on individuals to prevent sexual harm to the public. Sexual harm prevention orders (SHPOs) can be applied to anyone convicted or cautioned for a sexual or violent offence, including where offences are committed overseas; andSexual risk orders can be applied to any individual who poses a risk of sexual harm in the UK or abroad, even if they have never been convicted. Data on the number of registered sex offenders, the number of breaches of notification requirements, and the number of civil SHPOs made is published annually in the Ministry of Justice’s Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements. The most recent statistics, published on 31 October showed 6,093 SHPOs were made in 2023/4. Data is not currently collected centrally on specific restrictions in civil orders other than foreign travel restrictions. As part of our mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade, we will help ensure the police relentlessly pursue and manage those perpetrators who pose the greatest risk to women. Data is not collected centrally on the volume of sex offenders that change their name.

What support is available for victims of repeated sexual offences by the same perpetrator.

The Ministry of Justice funds a range of support services for victims and survivors of sexual violence, regardless of the identity of the perpetrator.The Ministry of Justice commissioned 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line provides victims access to vital help and information whenever they need it. Free and confidential emotional and listening support is available to all victims of rape and sexual abuse, aged 16 and over. Where appropriate, the service will signpost victims to longer-term support services, including therapeutic support.Further, direct grant funding is provided to organisations (such as those funded via the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund) and through funding to Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs). These services, and those commissioned by PCCs are aligned to local need and offer tailored support to victims to help them cope with their experiences and move forward with their lives. These services complement the wider support system across Government, such as NHS England funded Sexual Assault Referral Centres.

What data her Department holds on the number of registered sex offenders subject to restrictions on internet use who have obtained unrestricted internet access in the last two years.

The notification requirements in Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 are an automatic consequence of a conviction for a sexual offence in Schedule 3 to that Act. Offenders subject to the notification requirements must notify the police of (among other things) any new name within three days of using it. In addition to the notification requirements, courts may make civil orders (upon application by the police) to place restrictions (including on internet use) and/or requirements on individuals to prevent sexual harm to the public. Sexual harm prevention orders (SHPOs) can be applied to anyone convicted or cautioned for a sexual or violent offence, including where offences are committed overseas; andSexual risk orders can be applied to any individual who poses a risk of sexual harm in the UK or abroad, even if they have never been convicted. Data on the number of registered sex offenders, the number of breaches of notification requirements, and the number of civil SHPOs made is published annually in the Ministry of Justice’s Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements. The most recent statistics, published on 31 October showed 6,093 SHPOs were made in 2023/4. Data is not currently collected centrally on specific restrictions in civil orders other than foreign travel restrictions. As part of our mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade, we will help ensure the police relentlessly pursue and manage those perpetrators who pose the greatest risk to women. Data is not collected centrally on the volume of sex offenders that change their name.

Pursuant to the answer of 31 October 2024 to Question 9269 on Ministry of Justice: Ministers’ Private Offices, if she will publish the invoices for the work done.

Due to commercial sensitivity, it is against departmental policy to publish invoices.

Pursuant to the Answer of 25 October 2024 to Question 9615 on Department for Energy Security and Net Zero: Ministers' Private Offices, how much the Government Property Agency spent on (a) new furniture and fittings and (b) other refurbishment of Ministerial offices of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, since the dissolution of the last Parliament; and on what items.

The Government Property Agency has confirmed £42,095.42 excluding VAT was spent on new furniture and fittings plus other refurbishment (including moves) in relation to private offices for the Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero ministers. This is broken down as follows; New Furniture and Fittings - £28,707.49Other Refurbishment of Ministerial Offices including moves - £13,387.93 It should be noted that the number of Ministers in DESNZ increased by one following the general election, the result of which was a higher than usual spend to facilitate an additional office.

Pursuant to the Answer of 1 November 2024 to Question 9069 on Department for Education: Ministers' Private Offices, if she will publish the invoice for the new chairs.

Due to commercial sensitivity, it is against departmental policy to publish invoices.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 October 2024 to Question 9827 on Department for Science, Innovation and Technology: Ministers' Private Offices, how much the Government Property Agency spent on (a) new furniture and fittings and (b) other refurbishment of Ministerial offices of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology since the dissolution of the last Parliament; and on what items.

The Government Property Agency has confirmed £18074.22 excluding VAT was spent since the dissolution of parliament on 30th May on new furniture and fittings plus other refurbishment (including moves) in relation to private offices for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. This is broken down as follows; New Furniture and Fittings - £9985.38Other Refurbishment of Ministerial Offices including moves - £8088.84, of which £4,821.76 was incurred between 30th May and July 4th.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of (a) section 42 of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 and (b) fire safety regulations introduced since the Grenfell Tower fire on the financial viability of arms-length management organisations.

In the Housing Minister's answer to Question UIN 11383 on 31 October 2024, he set out the measures the Government is taking to deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation.The Government is committed to working with social housing providers to ensure that homes are safe, decent, warm and free from damp and mould. That is why we have committed to bringing forward regulations to improve the quality of social housing, for example Awaab’s Law, and to ensuring that landlords meet fire safety regulations. The costs and impacts of new regulatory requirements are set out alongside the relevant consultation and subsequent consultation response.The Government is providing funding for social housing landlords through the Social Sector ACM Cladding Remediation Fund, the Building Safety Fund and Cladding Safety Scheme for 11m+ buildings. The Government’s Warm Homes Plan also offers grants and low interest loans which support investment in insulation, low carbon heating and other improvements.As we set out in July, details of future Government investment in social and affordable housing will be brought forwards at the Spending Review.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of (a) section 42 of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 and (b) fire safety regulations introduced since the Grenfell Tower fire on the level of social housebuilding.

In the Housing Minister's answer to Question UIN 11383 on 31 October 2024, he set out the measures the Government is taking to deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation.The Government is committed to working with social housing providers to ensure that homes are safe, decent, warm and free from damp and mould. That is why we have committed to bringing forward regulations to improve the quality of social housing, for example Awaab’s Law, and to ensuring that landlords meet fire safety regulations. The costs and impacts of new regulatory requirements are set out alongside the relevant consultation and subsequent consultation response.The Government is providing funding for social housing landlords through the Social Sector ACM Cladding Remediation Fund, the Building Safety Fund and Cladding Safety Scheme for 11m+ buildings. The Government’s Warm Homes Plan also offers grants and low interest loans which support investment in insulation, low carbon heating and other improvements.As we set out in July, details of future Government investment in social and affordable housing will be brought forwards at the Spending Review.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of proposals to require all rented homes to reach an EPC C standard by 2030 on the level of social housebuilding.

In the Housing Minister's answer to Question UIN 11383 on 31 October 2024, he set out the measures the Government is taking to deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation.The Government is committed to working with social housing providers to ensure that homes are safe, decent, warm and free from damp and mould. That is why we have committed to bringing forward regulations to improve the quality of social housing, for example Awaab’s Law, and to ensuring that landlords meet fire safety regulations. The costs and impacts of new regulatory requirements are set out alongside the relevant consultation and subsequent consultation response.The Government is providing funding for social housing landlords through the Social Sector ACM Cladding Remediation Fund, the Building Safety Fund and Cladding Safety Scheme for 11m+ buildings. The Government’s Warm Homes Plan also offers grants and low interest loans which support investment in insulation, low carbon heating and other improvements.As we set out in July, details of future Government investment in social and affordable housing will be brought forwards at the Spending Review.