Written questions by Johnson.

If she will make an assessment of whether the additional funding provided to schools for the increased cost of employer National insurance contributions is adequate to meet those costs.

The government has agreed that public sector employers will receive support in recognition of the increase in their National Insurance contributions (NICs) from April 2025. The department is providing schools and high needs settings with over £930 million in the 2025/26 financial year to support them with their increased NICs costs. This support is additional to the £2.3 billion increase to core school funding announced at the Autumn Budget 2024. This means that the core schools budget, which includes the core revenue funding for schools and high needs, will total over £64.8 billion in the 2025/26 financial year. The amount of public sector support is based on HM Treasury analysis of the proportion of employer NICs receipts paid by public sector organisations, and allocated between departments based on headcount and wage/salary data.The NICs grant will allocate funding to schools according to their pupil numbers, and the numbers of pupils with additional needs, along with a lump sum component for every school regardless of pupil numbers. The department’s funding system is not designed so that every school receives funding that fully matches their precise spending as that, including the NICs costs, varies between institutions because of the decisions that each school takes on its staffing.The department has distributed this funding in proportion to the needs of the different sectors and phases of education. The department will continue to monitor cost pressures, as it usually does.

What estimate she has made of the number of schools whose grant offered to cover the rise in employers National Insurance contributions is not enough meet the actual cost incurred.

The government has agreed that public sector employers will receive support in recognition of the increase in their National Insurance contributions (NICs) from April 2025. The department is providing schools and high needs settings with over £930 million in the 2025/26 financial year to support them with their increased NICs costs. This support is additional to the £2.3 billion increase to core school funding announced at the Autumn Budget 2024. This means that the core schools budget, which includes the core revenue funding for schools and high needs, will total over £64.8 billion in the 2025/26 financial year. The amount of public sector support is based on HM Treasury analysis of the proportion of employer NICs receipts paid by public sector organisations, and allocated between departments based on headcount and wage/salary data.The NICs grant will allocate funding to schools according to their pupil numbers, and the numbers of pupils with additional needs, along with a lump sum component for every school regardless of pupil numbers. The department’s funding system is not designed so that every school receives funding that fully matches their precise spending as that, including the NICs costs, varies between institutions because of the decisions that each school takes on its staffing.The department has distributed this funding in proportion to the needs of the different sectors and phases of education. The department will continue to monitor cost pressures, as it usually does.

Whether an individual without a Gender Recognition Certificate can change the sex displayed on their passport to be different from their sex recorded at birth.

HM Passport’s Office policy can be found at Gender recognition policy - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). The policy was last updated under the previous government in April 2024, and has not been changed since.

How many people claiming benefits under special rules with a form SR1 have been claiming for (a) more than 12 months and (b) less than 12 months.

The Department supports people nearing the end of life through special benefit rules – called the Special Rules for End of Life (SREL). These enable people who are nearing the end of their lives to get faster, easier access to certain benefits, without needing to attend a medical assessment, serve waiting periods and in most cases, receive the highest rate of benefit. SREL applies to these benefits Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Universal Credit (UC), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Disability Living Allowance for children (DLAc) and Attendance Allowance (AA). The department holds some data on special rules for end of life (SREL) claims for PIP and UC based on receipt of the medical evidence form, the SR1, but does not centrally collate equivalent data on SREL claims for AA, DLA and ESA, so we cannot provide the total number of SREL claimants. We have therefore provided data for UC and PIP only below. Benefit*Claim duration less than 12 monthsClaim duration of 12 months or more.TotalPIP16,90015,40032,300UC5,9004,80010,700*All figures are rounded to the nearest hundred. The PIP data covers England and Wales and is from October 2024. The UC data covers Great Britain and is from September 2024. The numbers above count the number of claims for each benefit, not the number of individuals. Some individuals may be counted more than once, as they may be in receipt of both benefits. It is possible, although rare, to make a SREL claim without a SR1 form, so these data do not necessarily present the full picture in terms of total numbers of SREL claims. ‘DLA: Cases in Payment - Data from May 2018’ and ‘AA: Cases in Payment - Data from May 2018’ data is available on Stat-Xplore by ‘Main Disabling Condition’, this includes ‘Terminally Ill’ claims. This data is available by ‘Duration of Current Claim’. ESA - Data from May 2018 is available on Stat-Xplore by ‘Medical condition’ which includes ‘Neoplasms’. This data is available by ‘Duration of Current Claim’. A claimant’s main disabling condition being ‘Terminally Ill’ does not necessarily mean they are classed as an SREL claimant. Users can log in or access Stat-Xplore as a guest user and, if needed, can access guidance on how to extract the information required.

How many bilateral mastectomies for gender dysphoria funded by the NHS were performed on patients (a) over 18 years old, (b) under 18 years old and (c) in total in each of the last five years.

The Department does not hold this data centrally. This information is held at individual National Health Service provider level.NHS Children and Young People’s Gender Services, which delivers care for those who are under 18, do not make referrals for surgical interventions.

How many and what proportion of items of correspondence from Parliamentarians received by (a) her Department, (b) her and (c) her Ministers in each month since August 2024 have not yet received a substantive response.

In line with Cabinet Office guidance, HM Treasury aims to respond to ministerial correspondence from parliamentarians within 20 working days. Correspondence performance data is published within HM Treasury’s Annual Report and Accounts. The 2023-24 Report noted that 62% of replies to parliamentarians were answered within the timeframe.

How many and what proportion of items of correspondence from Parliamentarians received by (a) her Department, (b) her and (c) her Ministers in each month since August 2024 have not yet received a substantive response.

For the months of August and September all correspondence from Parliamentarians have received a substantive response. The table below covers October-January. MonthOutstandingPercentageOctober61.5%November92.5%December5819.5%*January *Many of these cases remain within Cabinet Office target of 20 working days.25567.5% These figures reflect correspondence sent directly to MoJ HQ from Parliamentarians, and do not include correspondence sent directly to its executive agencies such as HMCTS or HMPPS.Ministers and the Department place great value on effective and timely handling of ministerial correspondence and keep performance of this under review.The Cabinet Office publishes routine statistics on Departmental performance which can be found on GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/data-on-responses-to-correspondence-from-mps-and-peers(opens in a new tab).

Communities and Local Government, how many and what proportion of items of correspondence from Parliamentarians received by (a) her Department, (b) her and (c) her Ministers in each month since August 2024 have not yet received a substantive response.

Since August 2024, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has received 3493 pieces of correspondence from Parliamentarians. The table below shows the number of items received by month (August 2024 – February 2025) that have not yet received a substantive response, and the proportion this represents of the total number of cases responded to, by month. The majority of cases from January – February are not yet due. Aug-24Sept-24Oct-24Nov-24Dec-24Jan-25Feb-25*TotalTotal07102211739982637Proportion0%1%1.5%3.5%22%60%100%18%* February data is captured up until 6th February 2025

How many and what proportion of items of correspondence from Parliamentarians received by (a) his Department, (b) him and (c) his Ministers in each month since August 2024 have not yet received a substantive response.

We are committed to ensuring Government responses to correspondence are timely, accurate, and high quality. All correspondence from Parliamentarians to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is processed centrally. Whether an individual item of correspondence was originally received by an individual Minister is not recorded. The number of items of correspondence received each month and the number and proportion awaiting a response as at 6 February 2025 are as follows. Date ReceivedNumber ReceivedNumber Awaiting ResponseProportion Awaiting ResponseAugust 202420421%September 202422931%October 202431162%November 2024300114%December 2024258166%January 202530120267%February 2025292897% For the small proportion of correspondence which are late, these often pertain to complex cases, and MOD has the processes in place to ensure these will be answered as soon as possible.

How many and what proportion of items of correspondence from Parliamentarians received by (a) his Department, (b) him and (c) his Ministers in each month since August 2024 have not yet received a substantive response.

The Government attaches significant importance to the effective and timely handling of correspondence from MPs, either directly or on behalf of their constituents. The Department’s correspondence team has already implemented an improvement plan that will deliver a more effective and streamlined process. The correspondence performance of all Whitehall Departments is published quarterly. The full data for 2024 is due to be published soon by the Cabinet Office. Data for Quarter 1 of 2025 will be published in due course.

How many and what proportion of items of correspondence from Parliamentarians received by (a) her Department, (b) herself and (c) her ministerial team have not received a substantive response in each month since August 2024.

The Department does not keep this information centrally and therefore it is not readily available. Providing the information that the Department does hold would incur disproportionate costs.

How many and what proportion of items of correspondence from Parliamentarians received by (a) her Department, (b) herself and (c) her ministerial team have not received a substantive response in each month since August 2024.

The information requested is in the table below. Please note that some correspondence received in January will not be due for reply until February and so that month has been excluded. MonthNumber of CasesNumber ClosedNumber still Open% Still OpenAugust38338210.2%September34333851.5%October40239841%November385366195%December3823374512%Total18951821744%

How many and what proportion of items of correspondence from Parliamentarians received by (a) his Department, (b) himself and (c) his ministerial team have not received a substantive response in each month since August 2024.

The Department is committed to meeting the target of responding to at least 80% of correspondence from Hon. Members within 20 working days. Parliament has a right to hold ministers to account. The Leader of the House of Commons wrote to all Cabinet members in November to remind ministers of their responsibilities to provide helpful and timely responses to Members' Parliamentary Questions and correspondence.The Department receives some of the highest, and most sensitive, volumes of correspondence. In 2024 alone we received over 65,000 queries, with over 15,000 of those from Hon. Members. Ministerial correspondence performance data by Department is published annually by the Cabinet Office on the GOV.UK website.

How many and what proportion of items of correspondence from Parliamentarians received by (a) her Department, (b) herself and (c) her ministerial team have not received a substantive response in each month since August 2024.

On policy correspondence cases that have not yet received a substantive response for each month since August 2024 are in the following table.MonthTotal receivedTotal Outstanding Home Secretary responseOther Ministerial response% outstandingAugust 20245380000September 20244721010.2%October 20246065140.8%November 20246258081.3%December 20245416936612.8%Total2782834793%Data about intake and performance in answering MP Correspondence on case specific matters (including UK Visa and Immigration, Immigration Enforcement, Border Force and HM Passport Office) is published quarterly with the latest data available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/customer-service-operations-data-q3-2024

How many and what proportion of items of correspondence from Parliamentarians received by (a) her Department, (b) herself and (c) her ministerial team have not received a substantive response in each month since August 2024.

The total number of cases received by the department since August 2024 that are due for reply but have yet to receive a substantive response is 31.The breakdown is as follows:Parliamentary cases that have not yet had a substantive replyMonth ReceivedSecretary of State for EducationMinisterial TeamDepartment Volume%Volume%Volume%August 202400.0%00.0%00.0%September 202400.0%00.0%00.0%October 202412.0%00.0%10.2%November 202411.8%30.5%40.7%December 202436.7%122.2%152.5%January 202514.8%105.6%115.6%Total62.0%250.9%311.0%

How many applications for Pension Credit were (a) received, (b) processed and granted and (c) processed and not granted in each month between July and December 2024.

Statistics on Pension Credit application volumes were published on 28 November 2024. This includes numbers of applications that were received, awarded and not awarded, up to 17 November 2024. Pension Credit applications and awards: November 2024 - GOV.UK. Please note, the next publication of Pension Credit application statistics is due around the end of February 2025 and will cover the data up to week commencing 10 February 2025.

How many pension credit claims received since 1 August 2024 have (a) not been paid to the claimant and (b) refused on grounds the claimant is ineligible.

Because of how we capture our operational data, information on claims received over that period which have not been paid to the claimant/refused on the grounds of the claimant being ineligible is not available and to provide it would incur disproportionate costs. Statistics on Pension Credit award volumes were published on 28 November 2024. This publication includes numbers of applications that were received, awarded and not awarded, up to 17 November 2024. Pension Credit applications and awards: November 2024 - GOV.UK. Please note, the next publication of Pension Credit application statistics is due around the end of February 2025 and will cover the data up to week commencing 10 February 2025.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009, how many times his Department has taken enforcement action in relation to vape (a) distributors, (b) importers, (c) manufacturers and (d) producers that have not registered with an appropriate authority in (a) 2023 and (b) 2024 to date.

No enforcement action has been taken against vape producers or distributors under the Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009 in either 2023 or 2024 to date.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2013, how many times the Office for Product Safety and Standards has taken enforcement action in relation to vape (a) distributors, (b) importers, (c) manufacturers and (d) producers that have not registered with an appropriate authority in (a) 2023 and (b) 2024 to date.

Distributors are not required to register under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations 2013. There are takeback obligations on vape distributors which are enforced by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS). OPSS regulates in a proportionate, evidenced and risk-based manner, that utilises a range of regulatory interventions to promote compliance. OPSS has taken no enforcement action, such as prosecutions, on vape distributors in either 2023 or 2024. OPSS has, however, been working closely checking compliance with distributors through 2024 to build the takeback network with some 10,500 points added so far this year. Importers and manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment are required to register with their appropriate environment regulator, with companies based in England registering with the Environment Agency. OPSS does not have an enforcement role under the WEEE regulations in respect of importers and manufacturers, whether registered or not.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009, what information his Department holds on the number of vape (a) distributors, (b) importers, (c) manufacturers and (d) producers registered with (i) the Environment Agency and (ii) a producer compliance scheme.

The Environment Agency (EA) holds a public register of battery producers and approved battery (producer) compliance schemes. Only battery producers that qualify as large producers are required to join a battery compliance scheme. Large producers are those that place more than one tonne of batteries on the UK market during a year. There are currently 25 vape producers that are also registered as battery producers, 21 of which have joined a battery producer compliance scheme. There is no regulatory requirement for battery distributors to register with the EA or a producer compliance scheme.