Written questions by Ribeiro-Addy.

What steps her Department is taking to improve the accountability of (a) the Metropolitan Police and (b) other police forces in (i) investigating and (ii) responding to sexual assault cases.

We expect sexual violence to be treated seriously by all police forces from the point of disclosure, every victim to be treated with dignity and every investigation and prosecution to be conducted thoroughly and professionally.Baroness Casey’s 2023 review of culture and standards in the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) highlighted a number of areas for improvement, including the MPS’s handling of VAWG. Since the review’s publication, the MPS commissioner has set out his ‘New Met for London’ plan to improve confidence in the force and address the concerns raised in Baroness Casey’s review and other cases of failing in the MPS. The Home Secretary will continue to work with the MPS Commissioner and Mayor for London as they take action to deliver those improvements.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that experienced non-medical aesthetic practitioners are included in (a) consultations and (b) policy development on the regulation of cosmetic procedures.

In exploring options for the regulation of cosmetic procedures, the Department has engaged with a broad range of stakeholders, including representatives from the British Beauty Council and the Beauty Industry Group. The Department will continue to engage with a broad range of stakeholders in addressing concerns about the safety of the cosmetics sector, and will notify them of any upcoming consultations on this area to which they can contribute.

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of Serco’s performance in fulfilling its contract to provide electronic monitoring services.

As the Contracting Authority for the electronic monitoring services contract, the Ministry of Justice is responsible for overseeing the supplier’s performance.

Whether he is reviewing the (a) risk and (b) accountability of outsourcing contracts for offender management services.

As the Contracting Authority for the electronic monitoring services contract, the Ministry of Justice is responsible for overseeing the supplier’s performance.

What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on Serco’s compliance with contractual obligations for electronic monitoring installations.

As the Contracting Authority for the electronic monitoring services contract, the Ministry of Justice is responsible for overseeing the supplier’s performance.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of contracts with (a) Serco and (b) other providers for critical public safety services on the reputation of the Government.

The government has taken significant steps to increase transparency in the delivery of public services. Cabinet Office regularly publish a list of the most significant contracts held by central government on Gov.uk. This list includes up to four Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for each contract, along with the supplier's performance against those KPIs.Serco’s contract performance information is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/key-performance-indicators-kpis-for-governments-most-important-contracts. In 2019, the government introduced a new approach to the monitoring and management of strategic suppliers through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the government and each of its strategic suppliers. Strategic Suppliers have agreed to provide government with the information it needs to monitor and manage risks across their supply chains. Details of the current policy can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/strategic-suppliers#:~:text=Managing%20risk&text=Strategic%20suppliers%20bring%20many%20benefits,government's%20contractual%20relationships%20with%20suppliers. The Government does not routinely release information relating to formal warnings issued to suppliers as this may prejudice a supplier’s commercial interests. Contracting Authorities are responsible for the award of contracts in line with the procurement regulations at the time of the award. This would include undertaking due diligence on suppliers as required by those regulations. It would not be appropriate for the Cabinet Office to comment on any specific procurements, that would be for the relevant Contracting Authority to respond. Details of central government contracts above £12,000 and public sector contracts above £30,000 for procurements commenced before 24 February 2025 are published on Contracts Finder (https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder). Contracts procured under the Procurement Act 2023, which came into force on 24 February 2025, are published on the Central Digital Platform Find a Tender service (https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Search/Results). The government must ensure that there are sufficient safeguards in place to allow the prevention of suppliers with a history of serious contractual failures from being awarded public contracts. The recently launched Procurement Act 2023 has strengthened our ability to respond where issues arise and address poor performance. The Act makes it easier for contracting authorities to exclude suppliers from bidding for public contracts for past poor performance or where there has been breach of contract. Cabinet Office has published extensive guidance to support contracting authorities, in addition to a robust and wide reaching training offer to support the implementation of the Procurement Act.

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of Serco’s performance in delivering Government contracts across Departments.

The government has taken significant steps to increase transparency in the delivery of public services. Cabinet Office regularly publish a list of the most significant contracts held by central government on Gov.uk. This list includes up to four Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for each contract, along with the supplier's performance against those KPIs.Serco’s contract performance information is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/key-performance-indicators-kpis-for-governments-most-important-contracts. In 2019, the government introduced a new approach to the monitoring and management of strategic suppliers through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the government and each of its strategic suppliers. Strategic Suppliers have agreed to provide government with the information it needs to monitor and manage risks across their supply chains. Details of the current policy can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/strategic-suppliers#:~:text=Managing%20risk&text=Strategic%20suppliers%20bring%20many%20benefits,government's%20contractual%20relationships%20with%20suppliers. The Government does not routinely release information relating to formal warnings issued to suppliers as this may prejudice a supplier’s commercial interests. Contracting Authorities are responsible for the award of contracts in line with the procurement regulations at the time of the award. This would include undertaking due diligence on suppliers as required by those regulations. It would not be appropriate for the Cabinet Office to comment on any specific procurements, that would be for the relevant Contracting Authority to respond. Details of central government contracts above £12,000 and public sector contracts above £30,000 for procurements commenced before 24 February 2025 are published on Contracts Finder (https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder). Contracts procured under the Procurement Act 2023, which came into force on 24 February 2025, are published on the Central Digital Platform Find a Tender service (https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Search/Results). The government must ensure that there are sufficient safeguards in place to allow the prevention of suppliers with a history of serious contractual failures from being awarded public contracts. The recently launched Procurement Act 2023 has strengthened our ability to respond where issues arise and address poor performance. The Act makes it easier for contracting authorities to exclude suppliers from bidding for public contracts for past poor performance or where there has been breach of contract. Cabinet Office has published extensive guidance to support contracting authorities, in addition to a robust and wide reaching training offer to support the implementation of the Procurement Act.

Whether his Department has conducted lessons-learned exercises on Serco’s delivery of public contracts; and what steps he is taking to ensure compliance with contractual conditions.

The government has taken significant steps to increase transparency in the delivery of public services. Cabinet Office regularly publish a list of the most significant contracts held by central government on Gov.uk. This list includes up to four Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for each contract, along with the supplier's performance against those KPIs.Serco’s contract performance information is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/key-performance-indicators-kpis-for-governments-most-important-contracts. In 2019, the government introduced a new approach to the monitoring and management of strategic suppliers through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the government and each of its strategic suppliers. Strategic Suppliers have agreed to provide government with the information it needs to monitor and manage risks across their supply chains. Details of the current policy can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/strategic-suppliers#:~:text=Managing%20risk&text=Strategic%20suppliers%20bring%20many%20benefits,government's%20contractual%20relationships%20with%20suppliers. The Government does not routinely release information relating to formal warnings issued to suppliers as this may prejudice a supplier’s commercial interests. Contracting Authorities are responsible for the award of contracts in line with the procurement regulations at the time of the award. This would include undertaking due diligence on suppliers as required by those regulations. It would not be appropriate for the Cabinet Office to comment on any specific procurements, that would be for the relevant Contracting Authority to respond. Details of central government contracts above £12,000 and public sector contracts above £30,000 for procurements commenced before 24 February 2025 are published on Contracts Finder (https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder). Contracts procured under the Procurement Act 2023, which came into force on 24 February 2025, are published on the Central Digital Platform Find a Tender service (https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Search/Results). The government must ensure that there are sufficient safeguards in place to allow the prevention of suppliers with a history of serious contractual failures from being awarded public contracts. The recently launched Procurement Act 2023 has strengthened our ability to respond where issues arise and address poor performance. The Act makes it easier for contracting authorities to exclude suppliers from bidding for public contracts for past poor performance or where there has been breach of contract. Cabinet Office has published extensive guidance to support contracting authorities, in addition to a robust and wide reaching training offer to support the implementation of the Procurement Act.

How many Government contracts held by Serco have been subject to (a) formal performance review, (b) warning notices and (c) breach proceedings in the last five years.

The government has taken significant steps to increase transparency in the delivery of public services. Cabinet Office regularly publish a list of the most significant contracts held by central government on Gov.uk. This list includes up to four Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for each contract, along with the supplier's performance against those KPIs.Serco’s contract performance information is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/key-performance-indicators-kpis-for-governments-most-important-contracts. In 2019, the government introduced a new approach to the monitoring and management of strategic suppliers through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the government and each of its strategic suppliers. Strategic Suppliers have agreed to provide government with the information it needs to monitor and manage risks across their supply chains. Details of the current policy can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/strategic-suppliers#:~:text=Managing%20risk&text=Strategic%20suppliers%20bring%20many%20benefits,government's%20contractual%20relationships%20with%20suppliers. The Government does not routinely release information relating to formal warnings issued to suppliers as this may prejudice a supplier’s commercial interests. Contracting Authorities are responsible for the award of contracts in line with the procurement regulations at the time of the award. This would include undertaking due diligence on suppliers as required by those regulations. It would not be appropriate for the Cabinet Office to comment on any specific procurements, that would be for the relevant Contracting Authority to respond. Details of central government contracts above £12,000 and public sector contracts above £30,000 for procurements commenced before 24 February 2025 are published on Contracts Finder (https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder). Contracts procured under the Procurement Act 2023, which came into force on 24 February 2025, are published on the Central Digital Platform Find a Tender service (https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Search/Results). The government must ensure that there are sufficient safeguards in place to allow the prevention of suppliers with a history of serious contractual failures from being awarded public contracts. The recently launched Procurement Act 2023 has strengthened our ability to respond where issues arise and address poor performance. The Act makes it easier for contracting authorities to exclude suppliers from bidding for public contracts for past poor performance or where there has been breach of contract. Cabinet Office has published extensive guidance to support contracting authorities, in addition to a robust and wide reaching training offer to support the implementation of the Procurement Act.

Whether any Departments have reported material concerns on Serco’s delivery of contracted services to his Department in the last 12 months.

The government has taken significant steps to increase transparency in the delivery of public services. Cabinet Office regularly publish a list of the most significant contracts held by central government on Gov.uk. This list includes up to four Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for each contract, along with the supplier's performance against those KPIs.Serco’s contract performance information is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/key-performance-indicators-kpis-for-governments-most-important-contracts. In 2019, the government introduced a new approach to the monitoring and management of strategic suppliers through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the government and each of its strategic suppliers. Strategic Suppliers have agreed to provide government with the information it needs to monitor and manage risks across their supply chains. Details of the current policy can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/strategic-suppliers#:~:text=Managing%20risk&text=Strategic%20suppliers%20bring%20many%20benefits,government's%20contractual%20relationships%20with%20suppliers. The Government does not routinely release information relating to formal warnings issued to suppliers as this may prejudice a supplier’s commercial interests. Contracting Authorities are responsible for the award of contracts in line with the procurement regulations at the time of the award. This would include undertaking due diligence on suppliers as required by those regulations. It would not be appropriate for the Cabinet Office to comment on any specific procurements, that would be for the relevant Contracting Authority to respond. Details of central government contracts above £12,000 and public sector contracts above £30,000 for procurements commenced before 24 February 2025 are published on Contracts Finder (https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder). Contracts procured under the Procurement Act 2023, which came into force on 24 February 2025, are published on the Central Digital Platform Find a Tender service (https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Search/Results). The government must ensure that there are sufficient safeguards in place to allow the prevention of suppliers with a history of serious contractual failures from being awarded public contracts. The recently launched Procurement Act 2023 has strengthened our ability to respond where issues arise and address poor performance. The Act makes it easier for contracting authorities to exclude suppliers from bidding for public contracts for past poor performance or where there has been breach of contract. Cabinet Office has published extensive guidance to support contracting authorities, in addition to a robust and wide reaching training offer to support the implementation of the Procurement Act.

How may times Serco has (a) been awarded financial penalties and (b) had payments withheld by Government departments for performance failures since 2020.

The government has taken significant steps to increase transparency in the delivery of public services. Cabinet Office regularly publish a list of the most significant contracts held by central government on Gov.uk. This list includes up to four Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for each contract, along with the supplier's performance against those KPIs.Serco’s contract performance information is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/key-performance-indicators-kpis-for-governments-most-important-contracts. In 2019, the government introduced a new approach to the monitoring and management of strategic suppliers through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the government and each of its strategic suppliers. Strategic Suppliers have agreed to provide government with the information it needs to monitor and manage risks across their supply chains. Details of the current policy can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/strategic-suppliers#:~:text=Managing%20risk&text=Strategic%20suppliers%20bring%20many%20benefits,government's%20contractual%20relationships%20with%20suppliers. The Government does not routinely release information relating to formal warnings issued to suppliers as this may prejudice a supplier’s commercial interests. Contracting Authorities are responsible for the award of contracts in line with the procurement regulations at the time of the award. This would include undertaking due diligence on suppliers as required by those regulations. It would not be appropriate for the Cabinet Office to comment on any specific procurements, that would be for the relevant Contracting Authority to respond. Details of central government contracts above £12,000 and public sector contracts above £30,000 for procurements commenced before 24 February 2025 are published on Contracts Finder (https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder). Contracts procured under the Procurement Act 2023, which came into force on 24 February 2025, are published on the Central Digital Platform Find a Tender service (https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Search/Results). The government must ensure that there are sufficient safeguards in place to allow the prevention of suppliers with a history of serious contractual failures from being awarded public contracts. The recently launched Procurement Act 2023 has strengthened our ability to respond where issues arise and address poor performance. The Act makes it easier for contracting authorities to exclude suppliers from bidding for public contracts for past poor performance or where there has been breach of contract. Cabinet Office has published extensive guidance to support contracting authorities, in addition to a robust and wide reaching training offer to support the implementation of the Procurement Act.

Whether his Department has undertaken a cross-government review on the use of outsourcing providers with a history of (a) contractual breaches and (b) financial penalties.

The government has taken significant steps to increase transparency in the delivery of public services. Cabinet Office regularly publish a list of the most significant contracts held by central government on Gov.uk. This list includes up to four Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for each contract, along with the supplier's performance against those KPIs.Serco’s contract performance information is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/key-performance-indicators-kpis-for-governments-most-important-contracts. In 2019, the government introduced a new approach to the monitoring and management of strategic suppliers through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the government and each of its strategic suppliers. Strategic Suppliers have agreed to provide government with the information it needs to monitor and manage risks across their supply chains. Details of the current policy can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/strategic-suppliers#:~:text=Managing%20risk&text=Strategic%20suppliers%20bring%20many%20benefits,government's%20contractual%20relationships%20with%20suppliers. The Government does not routinely release information relating to formal warnings issued to suppliers as this may prejudice a supplier’s commercial interests. Contracting Authorities are responsible for the award of contracts in line with the procurement regulations at the time of the award. This would include undertaking due diligence on suppliers as required by those regulations. It would not be appropriate for the Cabinet Office to comment on any specific procurements, that would be for the relevant Contracting Authority to respond. Details of central government contracts above £12,000 and public sector contracts above £30,000 for procurements commenced before 24 February 2025 are published on Contracts Finder (https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder). Contracts procured under the Procurement Act 2023, which came into force on 24 February 2025, are published on the Central Digital Platform Find a Tender service (https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Search/Results). The government must ensure that there are sufficient safeguards in place to allow the prevention of suppliers with a history of serious contractual failures from being awarded public contracts. The recently launched Procurement Act 2023 has strengthened our ability to respond where issues arise and address poor performance. The Act makes it easier for contracting authorities to exclude suppliers from bidding for public contracts for past poor performance or where there has been breach of contract. Cabinet Office has published extensive guidance to support contracting authorities, in addition to a robust and wide reaching training offer to support the implementation of the Procurement Act.

What steps he is taking to ensure that patients with incurable secondary breast cancer are able to access new life-extending treatments.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body responsible for developing authoritative, evidence-based recommendations for the National Health Service on whether new medicines represent a clinically and cost-effective use of resources.To enable rapid access for NHS patients to new and effective life-extending treatments, NICE aims, wherever possible, to issue recommendations on new medicines close to the point of licensing.NHS England is legally required to fund the use of NICE approved cancer medicines from the date of positive draft guidance, and the Cancer Drugs Fund provides £340 million of ringfenced funding to support patient access to the most promising new cancer medicines while further evidence is collected on their use to address clinical uncertainty.NICE has recommended 24 out of the 25 breast cancer treatments it has assessed since April 2018.

What estimate she has made of the potential impact of the Government’s proposed reforms to universal credit and personal independence payments on the number of care leavers in poverty.

The data are not available to make an assessment on this basis.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed restriction on the health element of universal credit to those aged 22 years and over on care leavers younger than 22.

The Department has not made a specific assessment of the impact of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill on care leavers. However, we recognise the challenges care leavers may face in transitioning to independent living and navigating the welfare system, and we remain committed to supporting them, as with all vulnerable groups. The Department’s care leaver offer includes access to the higher one-bedroom Local Housing Allowance rate up to the age of 25, and tailored support through Jobcentre Plus. This support is kept under regular review. As part of the Pathways to Work Green Paper consultation, we invited views on proposals to raise the age at which individuals can access the Universal Credit health element to 22. The consultation closed last Monday. We continue to engage with stakeholders and welcome views on how best to ensure care leavers are supported through future reforms to Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment.

How many and what proportion of blood donors have had their appointment deferred due to (a) low haemoglobin, (b) recent travel, (c) activities that increase risk of HIV infection, (d) anaemia, (e) hepatitis exposure, (f) hypertension, (g) medications, (h) pregnancy, (i) recent vaccination, (j) no viable vein and (k) any other reason for deferral by (i) ethnicity, (ii) gender, (iii) age and (iv) other identity markers in the last 12 months.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is responsible for collecting blood donations across England, in order to fulfil hospital requests to meet patient need.From 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2025, a total of 1,734,2851 appointments were attended. Of those, a total of 291,011, or 16.8%, were deferred.Codes are used to group together various reasons for deferral, particularly the “medical” deferral code. It is not possible to break down the reason for the deferrals further without accessing individual donor records. Anaemia is not distinguished from low haemoglobin during a session as a donor may be deferred when their haemoglobin is too low to donate, but is within “normal range” for other purposes. The following table shows the number and percentage of appointment deferrals, the deferral reason, and the percentage of attendances:Deferral reasonNumber deferredPercentage of attendances (%)Percentage of total deferrals (%)Administrative8,3920.52.9Blood Pressure1,9000.10.7Clinical8,9560.53.1Haemoglobin173,5741059.6Infection/Contact16,87615.8Medical53,7463.118.5Other1,7610.10.6Skin Piercing7,8770.52.7Surgery3,8470.21.3Travel4,4930.21.5Vaccination1,3690.10.5No Suitable Vein8,2200.52.8Total291,01116.8100.0Source: NHSBT’s centrally held administrative systems, extracted 27 June 2025Notes:administrative deferrals are non-clinical deferrals, for instance a donor who is unable to donate as insufficient time has elapsed between their previous donation and their current attendance; andthe data counts the unique number of appointments attended, not unique donors, and so a donor attending more than once in the period will be counted each time they attend. This data refers to whole blood donors only and does not include data on platelet and plasma donations. Tables showing further breakdowns by ethnicity, gender, age, and main blood group are attached, due to the size of the data.

If he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the potential impact of international trials of universal basic income on levels of (a) entrepreneurship and (b) innovation in (i) small businesses and (ii) start-ups.

Universal Basic Income is not a government policy and therefore no assessments are planned related to international trials.

If he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the potential impact of international trials of universal basic income on (a) workplace productivity and (b) job satisfaction in different sectors.

Universal Basic Income is not a government policy and therefore no assessments are planned related to international trials.

How many and what proportion of blood donors with Ro blood type have had their donations deferred in the last 12 months; and what was the reason for those deferrals.

Between 1 June 2024 and 31 May 2025, the number of Ro blood type donor attendances was 59,655. Of those, 9,978, or 16.7%, were deferred. The following table show the number of Ro donor deferrals, the percentage of Ro donor attendances, and the percentage of total Ro deferrals, broken down by the reason for deferral:ReasonNumber of Ro donor deferralsPercentage of Ro donor attendancesPercentage of total Ro deferralsAdministrative2840.5%2.8%Blood Pressure530.1%0.5%Clinical890.1%0.9%Haemoglobin6,80611.4%68.2%Infection / contact5090.9%5.1%Medical1,3932.3%14.0%Other400.1%0.4%Skin piercing2390.4%2.4%Surgery1130.2%1.1%Travel1830.3%1.8%Vaccination460.1%0.5%No suitable vein2230.4%2.2%Total9,97816.7%100%Note: this data refers to whole blood donors only and does not include plasma or platelet donors.The codes that are given above are used to group together a range of more specific reasons for deferral, particularly the “medical” deferral code. It is not possible to provide a more detailed breakdown of this code without accessing individual donor records.

If she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the potential impact of international trials of universal basic income on (a) employment rates and (b) poverty levels.

Universal Basic Income is not being considered as an alternative social security system by the Department for Work and Pensions.