Written questions by Dinenage.

Whether he plans to extend Continuity of Education Allowance to all service personnel.

Following the budget statement by the Chancellor on 30 October 2024, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) confirmed it would carry out an in-year re-rating of the continuity of education allowance (CEA), which is a contribution towards boarding education. The methodology used to calculate the new rates remained the same as previous yearly calculations, a weighted average of the fees charged by the top 75% of schools used by CEA claimants. The MOD will monitor the impact on retention in service for those claiming CEA following the introduction of VAT on independent school fees. This will inform a review of the CEA calculation methodology ahead of revised rates being produced for the new academic year starting September 2025. The MOD provides the option for all eligible Service personnel to claim CEA as a contribution to boarding education to minimise the disruption to their children’s education caused by service commitments involving frequent moves of the family home. To be eligible, the Service person’s circumstances must fit within specific regulations, especially around accompanied service and family mobility.

What steps she is taking to support Institutes of Technology.

The collaborative approach between further education, higher education and employers developed by Institutes of Technology (IoTs) is valued. The department will be working with the sector as we develop our strategy for post-16 education and skills. Information on the number of students that took higher technical education courses (those at, or above, level 4) at IoTs are set out in the table below.Academic Year*Level 4+ learnersBackground2018/190The first IoT opened in September 2019 therefore no learners were recorded in annual year 2018/192019/20916Based on 6 IoTs open to learners2020/211901Based on 8 IoTs open to learners2021/223089Based on 11 IoTs open to learners2022/234512Based on 15 IoTs open to learners2023/246381Based on 19 IoTs open to learners (This data is incomplete as the Higher Education Statistic Agency data will not be available until April 2025.) *The department changed the way the data was collected and presented from 2021/22 academic year. The figures for 2019/20 and 2020/21 academic years are for learner starts at levels 4 and 5. The figures for 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24 academic years are for learner cohorts for level 4+ (including level 6 and above).

What steps his Department is taking to increase retention of service personnel.

The new Government’s work in improving retention and recruitment is part of a package of measures aimed to renew the contract between the nation and those who serve. We are modernising and refining our policies and processes to attract, and then retain the best possible talent, highlighting that Defence is a modern, forward-facing employer which offers a valuable and rewarding career. Our aim is to attract and recruit more, as well as maximise the number of applicants that successfully enter and remain in Armed Forces employment. We have already awarded the largest Armed Forces pay increase in 22 years, and gone further in announcing a £30,000 financial incentive to a cohort of tri-Service Air Engineers as well as an £8,000 retention payment for a cohort of Army personnel. These measures support the retention of key skills and personnel in Defence through appropriate financial recognition. The Ministry of Defence and Ministers recognise the significant sacrifices that our military families make in serving our nation, and more retention-positive measures have been introduced. As part of this we have protected the integrity of the Continuity of Education Allowance; the Secretary of State for Defence directed that the cap on current rates be lifted to support the means of mitigating the disruption to Service children’s education, caused by Service commitments involving frequent moves of the family home. The recent repurchase of the SFA estate from Annington Homes will enable the Ministry of Defence the freedom to embark on a substantive programme of redevelopment and improvement of our housing estate to provide quality homes for Service families. Furthermore, we have extended Wraparound Childcare to families serving overseas which will potentially save up to £3,400 annually for Service families. We are developing a suite of future initiatives, to be announced in the spring, that will improve Service life and boost retention with the Armed Forces.

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the uplift in Continuity of Education allowance for costs associated with VAT on independent school fees.

Following the budget statement by the Chancellor on 30 October 2024, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) confirmed it would carry out an in-year re-rating of the continuity of education allowance (CEA), which is a contribution towards boarding education. The methodology used to calculate the new rates remained the same as previous yearly calculations, a weighted average of the fees charged by the top 75% of schools used by CEA claimants. The MOD will monitor the impact on retention in service for those claiming CEA following the introduction of VAT on independent school fees. This will inform a review of the CEA calculation methodology ahead of revised rates being produced for the new academic year starting September 2025. The MOD provides the option for all eligible Service personnel to claim CEA as a contribution to boarding education to minimise the disruption to their children’s education caused by service commitments involving frequent moves of the family home. To be eligible, the Service person’s circumstances must fit within specific regulations, especially around accompanied service and family mobility.

How many students took higher technical education courses at Institutes of Technology in each academic year between 2018-19 and 2023-24.

The collaborative approach between further education, higher education and employers developed by Institutes of Technology (IoTs) is valued. The department will be working with the sector as we develop our strategy for post-16 education and skills. Information on the number of students that took higher technical education courses (those at, or above, level 4) at IoTs are set out in the table below.Academic Year*Level 4+ learnersBackground2018/190The first IoT opened in September 2019 therefore no learners were recorded in annual year 2018/192019/20916Based on 6 IoTs open to learners2020/211901Based on 8 IoTs open to learners2021/223089Based on 11 IoTs open to learners2022/234512Based on 15 IoTs open to learners2023/246381Based on 19 IoTs open to learners (This data is incomplete as the Higher Education Statistic Agency data will not be available until April 2025.) *The department changed the way the data was collected and presented from 2021/22 academic year. The figures for 2019/20 and 2020/21 academic years are for learner starts at levels 4 and 5. The figures for 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24 academic years are for learner cohorts for level 4+ (including level 6 and above).

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2024 to Question 16135 on Crown Prosecution Service and with reference to the The Better Case Management Revival Handbook, published in January 2023, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the Crown Court consistently manages cases.

The management of case progression and listing across the criminal courts is a judicial function. As part of their systemic oversight, the senior judiciary produced (and have subsequently kept under review) a framework of guidance to drive improved performance.The Better Case Management Revival Handbook, published in January 2023, is intended to remind all criminal justice partners of the principles of Better Case Management (BCM) and to ensure the courts consistently apply them. Chief among the aims is better collaboration between prosecution and defence to drive earlier guilty pleas wherever appropriate, increase trial effectiveness, and reduce the number of hearings per Crown Court case. The Government is working closely with the judiciary and other justice partners to improve adherence to Better Case Management Principles through supporting the Criminal Court Improvement Group (CCIG), which is chaired by the Senior Presiding Judge.Among other things, we have piloted a new role in certain Crown Court offices – Case Coordinators – who are deployed exclusively to support the local judiciary in driving adherence to the BCM principles. HMCTS also provides the CCIG (and local judicial managers) with data and analytical support to help oversee and manage performance. Most recently, HMCTS has supported a judicially-led review into Crown Court listing practices, which aims to achieve broad alignment of listing approaches and increase the consistency and predictability of case management processes.Ultimately, the management of cases through the Crown Court is the responsibility of the independent judiciary.

Whether he plans to respond to the open letter by Clinically Vulnerable Families entitled Maintain Covid-19 Vaccine Access for All Clinically Vulnerable People, published on 19 November 2024.

We have received the open letter by Clinically Vulnerable Families on 14 November 2024, and will respond shortly.

Media and Sport, with reference to the Civil Society Covenant Framework, published on 17 October 2024, what steps her Department is taking to engage with civil society on the development of the National Youth Strategy.

The Civil Society Covenant will set out the terms of a new relationship between government and civil society through high level principles for an effective long term partnership between government and all of civil society. The complementary National Youth Strategy will be co-produced with young people and the youth sector. Both the Covenant and National Youth Strategy will be published in 2025.Over the coming months we will be developing our plans for the National Youth Strategy, in partnership with young people and with organisations within the youth sector, including civil society organisations. In November we held a roundtable with young ambassadors from the #iWill movement and in early December we held a roundtable with young people in Bristol. In early 2025, we will be holding further youth-led roundtables and will set up a Youth Advisory Group to work alongside us.

What steps his Department plans to take to help increase (a) survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests and (b) the availability of defibrillators in Gosport.

The Government is committed to improving access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces, and reducing inequalities in access to these life saving devices. Following the depletion of the existing AED fund, launched in September 2023, the new Government approved a further £500,000 in August 2024 to fulfil existing applications to the fund.The defibrillators provided through this scheme are required to be registered on The Circuit, the national defibrillator ambulance service database, operated independently by the British Heart Foundation in collaboration with the National Health Service. Upon registration, contact details are provided for the nominated AED guardian or guardians, who are local to the defibrillator’s location and conduct checks when required. The registered guardian receives an automatic email or text message notification if the defibrillator has potentially been used, therefore prompting the guardian to conduct a check on the AED.The Department does not hold data on the availability of AEDs in the Gosport area, nor does it hold data on AEDs installed in Government buildings, or whether those AEDs are registered on The Circuit.

Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to run an awareness campaign for the switchover from analogue to digital phone lines.

The Government is supporting plans put forward by major communication providers to run an awareness campaign, paid for by industry, for the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) migration to digital landlines. The campaign will be launched in 2025.

Whether recipients of the community automated external defibrillator (AED) fund are required to register their AEDs onto the national defibrillator network.

The Government is committed to improving access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces, and reducing inequalities in access to these life saving devices. Following the depletion of the existing AED fund, launched in September 2023, the new Government approved a further £500,000 in August 2024 to fulfil existing applications to the fund.The defibrillators provided through this scheme are required to be registered on The Circuit, the national defibrillator ambulance service database, operated independently by the British Heart Foundation in collaboration with the National Health Service. Upon registration, contact details are provided for the nominated AED guardian or guardians, who are local to the defibrillator’s location and conduct checks when required. The registered guardian receives an automatic email or text message notification if the defibrillator has potentially been used, therefore prompting the guardian to conduct a check on the AED.The Department does not hold data on the availability of AEDs in the Gosport area, nor does it hold data on AEDs installed in Government buildings, or whether those AEDs are registered on The Circuit.

Whether his Department is taking steps to encourage community organisations to register defibrillators onto the national defibrillator network.

The Government is committed to improving access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces, and reducing inequalities in access to these life saving devices. Following the depletion of the existing AED fund, launched in September 2023, the new Government approved a further £500,000 in August 2024 to fulfil existing applications to the fund.The defibrillators provided through this scheme are required to be registered on The Circuit, the national defibrillator ambulance service database, operated independently by the British Heart Foundation in collaboration with the National Health Service. Upon registration, contact details are provided for the nominated AED guardian or guardians, who are local to the defibrillator’s location and conduct checks when required. The registered guardian receives an automatic email or text message notification if the defibrillator has potentially been used, therefore prompting the guardian to conduct a check on the AED.The Department does not hold data on the availability of AEDs in the Gosport area, nor does it hold data on AEDs installed in Government buildings, or whether those AEDs are registered on The Circuit.

Media and Sport, if her Department will take steps to support the funding of uniformed youth organisations to (a) help tackle waiting lists and (b) expand volunteering opportunities for young people.

This Government fully recognises the importance of youth services to help young people live safe and healthy lives, and we are committed to giving all young people the chance to reach their full potential. This year, our department has funded eight uniformed youth organisations to help reduce waiting lists, create more spaces for young people, and offer new volunteering opportunities. Additionally, we are supporting key initiatives such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, the #iwill Fund, and Adventures Away from Home, all aimed at creating opportunities for young people.

Whether automated external defibrillators that are installed on Government buildings are registered with the national defibrillator network.

The Government is committed to improving access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces, and reducing inequalities in access to these life saving devices. Following the depletion of the existing AED fund, launched in September 2023, the new Government approved a further £500,000 in August 2024 to fulfil existing applications to the fund.The defibrillators provided through this scheme are required to be registered on The Circuit, the national defibrillator ambulance service database, operated independently by the British Heart Foundation in collaboration with the National Health Service. Upon registration, contact details are provided for the nominated AED guardian or guardians, who are local to the defibrillator’s location and conduct checks when required. The registered guardian receives an automatic email or text message notification if the defibrillator has potentially been used, therefore prompting the guardian to conduct a check on the AED.The Department does not hold data on the availability of AEDs in the Gosport area, nor does it hold data on AEDs installed in Government buildings, or whether those AEDs are registered on The Circuit.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the migration of analogue phone lines to digital voice over internet protocol on elderly people in Gosport.

The Government recognises that some customers may face heightened risks during the migration from the analogue landline network to voice over internet protocol and my officials and I have worked hard since the election on mitigating risks to vulnerable people across the country. On 18 November 2024, the Department published guidance for communication providers on how to identify and support these customers when their landline migrates.The Department also published a checklist of activities that communication providers must take before migrating customers to voice over internet protocol without their active consent. We expect providers to meet the safeguards set out in this checklist to keep customers safe throughout the migration.

If he will take steps to help ensure that people with Down Syndrome can receive direct payments from local councils.

Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities should allow those drawing on care to receive their personal budget as a direct payment, where they are satisfied this would be suitable to meet their eligible care needs, and where they have capacity under the conditions of the 2005 Mental Capacity Act to make this request, and manage the direct payment either themselves, with aide from an authorised person, or through an authorised person acting on their behalf.Additionally, under the Down Syndrome Act 2022, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care is required to give guidance to the relevant authorities in health and social care on what they should be doing to meet the needs of people with Down syndrome. Officials are taking forward, as a priority, development of Down Syndrome Act guidance. We expect to publish the draft guidance for public consultation in the new year.

What steps his Department is taking to financially support the South Atlantic Medal Association.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has no plans to provide financial support to the South Atlantic Medal Association 1982 (SAMA’82). However, veterans who have been awarded the South Atlantic Medal are entitled to concessionary travel to the Falkland Islands via the South Atlantic Airbridge. Applications for this concession can be made through the SAMA’82 website: www.sama82.org.uk/flights/. Within the concessionary priorities which govern the allocation of seats, the MOD has allocated SAMA’82 travellers a higher priority than most categories of Regular serving members of the UK Armed Forces and entitled MOD Civil Servants and their families.

What steps she is taking to increase the availability of practical driving tests in Gosport constituency.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA’s) main priority is to reduce car practical driving test waiting times, whilst upholding road safety standards. Measures in place to reduce waiting times for customers at all driving test centres (DTC), include the recruitment of new driving examiners (DE), conducting tests outside regular hours, including at weekends and on public holidays, and buying back annual leave from DEs. DVSA also continues to deploy DEs from areas with lower waiting times into those where waiting times are longer. As part of recent recruitment at DTCs that serve the Gosport constituency, DVSA has had two new examiners successfully complete training, with another potential new examiner currently in training. A further seven potential applicants are in the application process and if successful, will be offered training courses in the new year.

What medical assessments conducted at the time of nuclear weapons tests were disclosed to nuclear test veterans.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings on Question 14583 on 26 November 2024.

What steps he is taking to improve treatment pathways for (a) PANS and (b) PANDAS patients.

The Department recognises the importance of raising awareness of rare diseases such as paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS) among healthcare professionals and improving the health and care system for people living with such conditions. We are supportive of the progress made by PANS PANDAS UK and the PANS PANDAS Steering Group to undertake a national surveillance study, develop a clinical guideline and produce guidance for professionals, children, young people and families.