Written questions by Dean.

What guidance her Department has provided to police officers on engaging with political refugees or asylum seekers in relation to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

This Government takes the protection of individuals’ rights, safety and freedoms, including freedom of speech, very seriously. The UK is an open and diverse country and freedom of speech is one of the values that defines us as a society. We are absolutely committed to upholding free speech and legislation is in place to protect this fundamental right.While we do not comment on individual cases, police will rightly inform individuals if there is any assessed threat to their wellbeing in order to meet duty of care obligations. Memoranda of Understandings can form part of police’s routine approach in this context with officers providing guidance on steps individuals can consider to enhance their personal safety. As with any circumstances, it is up to the individual to decide how they wish to exercise their rights, taking into account the relevant security advice provided.

What estimate she has made of the number of leasehold flats containing combustible material with higher insurance costs that will be classified as permanently impaired under the Basel 3.1 requirements; and if she will make a statement.

We understand the question relates to regulatory requirements for property valuations under Basel 3.1.There are several changes in the Prudential Regulation Authority’s (PRA) implementation of the Basel 3.1 standards that are relevant to mortgage valuation. Banks using the standardised approach to credit risk will have to update the valuation of mortgaged properties under specific circumstances such as if five years have passed since the valuation was last updated, when a borrower refinances their mortgage at the end of a fixed period, if modifications have been made to the property that unequivocally increase its value, or an event occurs that results in a likely permanent reduction in the property’s value (‘permanent impairment’).The PRA does not expect the changes to have a material impact on current industry practice for determining property valuations, including for properties with cladding, as the changes primarily relate to when a valuation for a given property is updated as opposed to how the valuation itself is determined.The government does not hold data on the number of properties, including for properties with cladding, that will be required to be re-valued under the different circumstances listed above

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of real-terms pay on the recruitment and retention of probation staff since 2010.

We are committed to supporting probation staff and value their hard work, commitment and dedication. As part of our approach to annual award proposals we will review our pay position and priorities for the award to get the best outcome for staff. As part of this process, we consider several factors including cost of living, business priorities and our position in terms of comparable workforces. Our pay proposals need to strike a balance between affordability and providing investment to address our pay priorities and support attraction and retention.In recent years we have made investments to pay through a multi-year pay deal covering the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2025.We are currently engaging with the recognised Probation Service Trade Unions to agree a good outcome for this year’s pay award in line with our prioritises and the parameters of the civil service pay guidance.We are committed to providing manageable workloads for staff. Recruitment and retention, along with our long-term plans for a sustainable Probation Service through targeting resources towards our most vital work. We are investing in probation - onboarding 1,300 trainee probation officers by March 2026 in addition to the 1,057 already on-boarded last year. We have extended centralised recruitment campaigns for key grades.There is a comprehensive approach by HMPPS to improve recruitment and retention across the Probation Service and since unification in June 2021 there has been an overall increase to probation staffing by 20%. In the last 12 months, from 30 June 2024 to 30 June 2025 we have increased our number of Probation Officers by 7% (359 FTE) from 5,160 to 5,519 FTE.Leaving rates to June 2025 can be found in table 10a, table 10b and table 11 of our published statistics. The overall Probation Service leaving rate of 9.0% (taken from T10a) in the year to the end of June 2025 was 1.7 percentage points lower than it was in March 2024. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/689f34791fedc616bb133a86/hmpps-workforce-statistics-tables-jun-2025_final.ods.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of real-terms pay reductions on the recruitment and retention of probation staff since 2010.

We are committed to supporting probation staff and value their hard work, commitment and dedication. As part of our approach to annual award proposals we will review our pay position and priorities for the award to get the best outcome for staff. As part of this process, we consider several factors including cost of living, business priorities and our position in terms of comparable workforces. Our pay proposals need to strike a balance between affordability and providing investment to address our pay priorities and support attraction and retention.In recent years we have made investments to pay through a multi-year pay deal covering the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2025.We are currently engaging with the recognised Probation Service Trade Unions to agree a good outcome for this year’s pay award in line with our prioritises and the parameters of the civil service pay guidance.We are committed to providing manageable workloads for staff. Recruitment and retention, along with our long-term plans for a sustainable Probation Service through targeting resources towards our most vital work. We are investing in probation - onboarding 1,300 trainee probation officers by March 2026 in addition to the 1,057 already on-boarded last year. We have extended centralised recruitment campaigns for key grades.There is a comprehensive approach by HMPPS to improve recruitment and retention across the Probation Service and since unification in June 2021 there has been an overall increase to probation staffing by 20%. In the last 12 months, from 30 June 2024 to 30 June 2025 we have increased our number of Probation Officers by 7% (359 FTE) from 5,160 to 5,519 FTE.Leaving rates to June 2025 can be found in table 10a, table 10b and table 11 of our published statistics. The overall Probation Service leaving rate of 9.0% (taken from T10a) in the year to the end of June 2025 was 1.7 percentage points lower than it was in March 2024. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/689f34791fedc616bb133a86/hmpps-workforce-statistics-tables-jun-2025_final.ods.

Whether her Department plans to review the pay structure for probation officers.

We are committed to supporting probation staff and value their hard work, commitment and dedication. As part of our approach to annual award proposals we will review our pay position and priorities for the award to get the best outcome for staff. As part of this process, we consider several factors including cost of living, business priorities and our position in terms of comparable workforces. Our pay proposals need to strike a balance between affordability and providing investment to address our pay priorities and support attraction and retention.In recent years we have made investments to pay through a multi-year pay deal covering the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2025.We are currently engaging with the recognised Probation Service Trade Unions to agree a good outcome for this year’s pay award in line with our prioritises and the parameters of the civil service pay guidance.We are committed to providing manageable workloads for staff. Recruitment and retention, along with our long-term plans for a sustainable Probation Service through targeting resources towards our most vital work. We are investing in probation - onboarding 1,300 trainee probation officers by March 2026 in addition to the 1,057 already on-boarded last year. We have extended centralised recruitment campaigns for key grades.There is a comprehensive approach by HMPPS to improve recruitment and retention across the Probation Service and since unification in June 2021 there has been an overall increase to probation staffing by 20%. In the last 12 months, from 30 June 2024 to 30 June 2025 we have increased our number of Probation Officers by 7% (359 FTE) from 5,160 to 5,519 FTE.Leaving rates to June 2025 can be found in table 10a, table 10b and table 11 of our published statistics. The overall Probation Service leaving rate of 9.0% (taken from T10a) in the year to the end of June 2025 was 1.7 percentage points lower than it was in March 2024. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/689f34791fedc616bb133a86/hmpps-workforce-statistics-tables-jun-2025_final.ods.

What steps her Department is taking to (a) prevent experienced probation officers leaving the service and (b) ensure the sustainability of that service.

There is a comprehensive approach by HMPPS to improve recruitment and retention across the Probation Service and since unification in June 2021 there has been an overall increase to probation staffing by 20%. In the last 12 months, from 30 June 2024 to 30 June 2025 we have increased our number of Probation Officers by 7% (359 FTE) from 5,160 to 5,519 FTE.Leaving rates to June 2025 can be found in table 11 of our published statistics. The Probation Officer leaving rate of 6.3% (taken from T11) in the year to the end of June 2025 was 1.7 percentage points lower than it was in the year to the end of March 2024. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/689f34791fedc616bb133a86/hmpps-workforce-statistics-tables-jun-2025_final.ods.Since the launch of the HMPPS retention strategy, toolkit and exit interview process in 2021, a new retention oversight process (retention deep dives) was piloted in August 2022 and launched in Probation in April 2023 to target those Probation Delivery Units with the highest attrition. We are also currently working with Trade Unions to secure the best outcome in terms of the pay award for Probation.We continue to invest in probation, and plan to onboard 1,300 trainee probation officers by March 2026 in addition to the 1,057 already on-boarded last year.We are committed to ensuring that workloads for probation staff are sustainable and ensure protection of the public. That is why we have commissioned the Our Future Probation Service Programme to deploy new technologies, reform processes, and ensure prioritisation of probation staff time.

How many District Probate (a) Registrars and (b) Deputy Registrars are employed; and whether there are vacancies in those roles.

The Ministry of Justice publishes average waiting times for processing grants of probate here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/family-court-statistics-quarterly.HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) currently advises applicants to expect probate applications to be processed within the target time of 12 weeks, although this could take longer if a user needs to provide additional information. Currently, the average waiting time is under 5 weeks.There are 1.2 FTE Registrars and 2 FTE Deputy Registrars currently in post. There are no vacancies, and capacity is sufficient to meet the requirement for these roles.One of the main lessons learned following the Reform of the probate service in 2019 was that the centralisation of administrative work alongside the digitisation of the service led to the loss of experienced staff and a training gap for the staff in the Courts and Tribunals Service Centres. These issues have since been overcome and average processing times continue to improve.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on reports of UK police allegedly pressuring a Hong Kong activist to self-censor.

Freedom of speech and other fundamental rights of all people in the UK are protected under domestic law, regardless of nationality. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works closely with the Home Office on a range of matters in support of Hong Kongers in the UK. While we do not comment on individual cases, police will rightly inform individuals if there is any assessed threat to their wellbeing and provide guidance on steps they can consider to enhance their personal safety.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of financial incentives requested by (a) landlords and (b) agencies on the ability of charities to house rough sleepers.

It is the responsibility of Councils and their partners to develop a range of housing options that reflect local needs, including housing with support and making use of the private rented sector where is suitable for the needs of the individual. Financial support including helping individuals with deposits, first month’s rent in advance, or one-off payments to landlords can be an effective means of securing private rented tenancies for people who have experienced rough sleeping.

What plans his Department has to review the (a) necessity and (b) frequency of annual reviews within NHS Continuing Health Care; and whether he plans to adjust those requirements.

The National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded Nursing Care outlines the necessity and frequency of NHS Continuing Healthcare reviews. A review should be undertaken within three months of the eligibility decision being made, and then on at least an annual basis. Reviews should primarily focus on whether the care plan or arrangements remain appropriate to meet the individual’s needs. It is expected that, in the majority of cases, there will be no need to reassess for eligibility. The frequency, format and attendance at reviews should be proportionate to the situation in question.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of regulations governing the use of (a) CCTV and (b) other video recording devices on domestic buildings.

The UK’s Data protection framework is technology-neutral. If domestic CCTV or other video recording devices capture someone else's property or communal space, then the UK’s data protection legislation applies as the images and voices of other people will be captured and this is classified as personal information.The UK’s Data protection legislation is monitored and enforced independently of Government. The Information Commissioner’s Office has issued guidance on domestic use of surveillance equipment, including CCTV.

Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to introduce measures to ensure that (a) privacy and (b) data protection standards are maintained for the use of (i) CCTV and (ii) other video recording devices on domestic buildings.

The UK’s Data protection framework is technology-neutral, with its principles, namely, transparency, accountability and fairness, applying to all technology which uses personal data, including CCTV. There are also general rules on how personal data should be processed and safeguarded.If domestic CCTV captures someone else's property or communal space, then the UK’s data protection legislation applies as the images and voices of other people will be captured and this is classified as personal information.The Information Commissioner’s Office has issued guidance on domestic and commercial use of surveillance equipment, including CCTV.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to introduce a national (a) framework and (b) funding stream to support local authorities in purchasing ex-council homes in areas of (i) high vacancy and (ii) visible decline.

The government has no plans to introduce a national framework and funding stream of the kind suggested.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of an increase in the number of leasehold flat forfeitures due to leaseholders being unable to pay costs arising from building safety defects on the mortgage securitisation market; and if she will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 30259 on 19 February 2025. Government remains committed to removing the disproportionate and draconian threat of forfeiture as a means of ensuring compliance with a lease agreement. Qualifying leaseholders are protected from costs of remedying specific historical safety defects under the Building Safety Act, while at the same time we ensure those who built defective buildings take responsibility for remedying them, and wider industry contributes to fixing the problem. Looking specifically at mortgage securitisation, my officials speak to the mortgage lending sector who we would expect to raise if an issue.

What steps she is taking to (a) monitor and (b) evaluate (i) young people's financial literacy and (ii) financial education initiatives.

I refer the hon. the Member for Carshalton and Wallington to the answer of 9 April 2025 to Question 43513.

If her Department will participate in the 2029 PISA financial literacy assessment.

The department will consider participation in the 2029 PISA financial literacy assessment in mid-2026 when more information on the study and its available options is provided by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. This may include piloting the financial literacy assessment at the field trial stage to evaluate the feasibility of delivering this option, particularly the impact on securing school participation and the extent of the additional burden on schools and pupils.Securing school and pupil participation in PISA can be challenging due to the study taking place in year 11, which is a busy GCSE year, and the increased burden of administering any additional options is an important consideration in this context.

Whether her Department plans to develop a national financial education strategy.

I refer the hon. the Member for Carshalton and Wallington to the answer of 9 April 2025 to Question 43513.

Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to ensure that mortgage lenders do not require EWS1 forms where there is no legal requirement; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of those requirements on leaseholders’ ability to sell their homes.

External Wall System (EWS1) forms are not a legal or regulatory requirement in any circumstance.My Department works closely with the mortgage lending industry to understand the challenges in the market for flats affected by fire safety issues, and we are encouraging mortgage lenders (banks and building societies) to move away from the use of EWS1s as a valuation tool, as some mortgage lenders are already doing. I met major mortgage lenders last month to reiterate this, and ask that they accept alternative evidence, for example the building’s Fire Risk Assessment (which the Responsible Person for a building is legally required to conduct) or, Fire Risk Appraisal of the External Wall.I welcome the recently updated joint statement on cladding, signed by 10 major mortgage lenders, confirming they will consider lending on properties in buildings 11 metres and above, where the building is in a remediation scheme or the property is protected by the leaseholder protections in the Building Safety Act and the leaseholder has completed a ‘Leaseholder Deed of Certificate’ to evidence it. An EWS1 form should not be required in these scenarios.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of disputes involving the Child Maintenance Service on the backlog of cases in the family courts; and what steps she is taking to reduce the time taken to resolve those disputes.

Should a Child Maintenance (CM) claimant dispute a decision made by DWP, they can request a Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) to review the decision made. Subsequently, if they are still dissatisfied with the decision, they can appeal to His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS). Once DWP are notified of the appeal, the Department has 42 days to prepare their appeal response or lapse the appeal if we can improve the decision. To reduce the time taken to resolve Child Maintenance Service (CMS) disputes that have reached Appeal stage, the disputes service has taken the following actions: Recruited an additional team of CMS Appeal Writers in January 2025.Working to identify continuous improvement activity to improve the customer journey and reduce wait times.Utilising overtime to increase clearance volumes.Supporting a two-way data sharing agreement with HMCTS to identify pre-registration Appeal volumes.

How many eye care professionals are delivering NHS Special School Eye Care Service under Primary Ophthalmic Service contracts as of March 2025; and how many special schools are in receipt of that service as of March 2025.

NHS England published a range of documents to support the commissioning of sight testing in special educational settings on 25 March 2025, and integrated care boards will now be in the process of planning to procure local services. The scale of the roll out will be dependent on educational establishments choosing to host a service.There are currently 22 proof-of-concept contractors continuing to deliver the sight testing and dispensing service in 83 day and residential special schools. Data on the number of practitioners delivering the National Health Service special schools eye care service within those contracts is not held centrally.