Written questions by Lewis.

What discussions her Department has had with Palantir on the use of its technology by law enforcement.

It is for operationally independent Chief Constables to decide when and how they deploy AI systems. They are accountable to elected Police and Crime Commissioners.AI deployment must be lawful, transparent, ethical and underpinned by robust data and governance arrangements. These principles are set out in the ‘Covenant for Using AI in Policing’ which all Chief Constables have signed. The Home Office is working closely with the AI portfolio of the National Police Chief’s Council and the Police Chief Scientific Advisor to ensure policing has the resources and support it needs to abide by these principles consistently. This includes working with a range of academics from leading universities on a ‘responsible AI checklist’ and producing a detailed ‘AI playbook for policing’, akin to those produced for other government departments.AI-enabled technologies like facial recognition are valuable tools in modern policing, helping the police to quickly identify suspects and keep our communities safe. While existing laws provide a framework for its use, we recognise the need for clarity and are engaging closely with stakeholders to ensure facial recognition operates on a firm legal footing. We will set out our plans in the coming months alongside a broader package of reforms in our forthcoming White Paper on policing.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals relating to police use of (a) AI and (b) machine learning technology.

It is for operationally independent Chief Constables to decide when and how they deploy AI systems. They are accountable to elected Police and Crime Commissioners.AI deployment must be lawful, transparent, ethical and underpinned by robust data and governance arrangements. These principles are set out in the ‘Covenant for Using AI in Policing’ which all Chief Constables have signed. The Home Office is working closely with the AI portfolio of the National Police Chief’s Council and the Police Chief Scientific Advisor to ensure policing has the resources and support it needs to abide by these principles consistently. This includes working with a range of academics from leading universities on a ‘responsible AI checklist’ and producing a detailed ‘AI playbook for policing’, akin to those produced for other government departments.AI-enabled technologies like facial recognition are valuable tools in modern policing, helping the police to quickly identify suspects and keep our communities safe. While existing laws provide a framework for its use, we recognise the need for clarity and are engaging closely with stakeholders to ensure facial recognition operates on a firm legal footing. We will set out our plans in the coming months alongside a broader package of reforms in our forthcoming White Paper on policing.

How much funding has been allocated to the NHS under the Better Care Fund in each integrated care board area; and where monitoring of that spending is publicly reported.

For 2025/26, approximately £9 billion is committed to the Better Care Fund (BCF). This includes approximately £3.3 billion provided to local authorities through the local authority BCF Grant, as well as the £5.6 billion NHS Minimum Contribution.2025/26 allocations for the NHS Minimum Contribution by integrated care board and upper tier local authority are available on the NHS England website, at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/better-care-fund-minimum-nhs-contributions-from-integrated-care-boards/.Data from the monitoring of BCF spending is also available on the NHS England website, at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/part-rel/transformation-fund/better-care-fund/better-care-fund-reporting-and-insight/The planned expenditure data for 2025/26 will be published on the same website in due course.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of setting a percentage target spend to be allocated to the VCSE sector in future guidance to (a) mayors and (b) unitary authorities.

The Local Government Finance Settlement for 2025-26 makes available over £69 billion for local government, which is a 6.8% cash terms increase in councils’ Core Spending Power on 2024-25. The majority of funding within scope of the Local Government Finance Settlement is un-ringfenced in recognition that local leaders are best placed to identify local priorities, for example investing in their Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sectors. Similarly, the funding for Mayoral Strategic Authorities does not include a target spend for the VCSE sector. Mayors are best placed to decide how to use their resources to deliver outcomes and best serve their communities.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) recent NHS guidance and (b) his Department's health and social care priorities on Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (i) services and (ii) organisations.

The Department values working with the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector, in particular to address wider health inequalities. The insights and reach of VCSE organisations are instrumental, particularly in engaging with those who have lived experience and communities facing the greatest barriers to health.The VCSE sector has been central to discussions about the forthcoming 10 Year Plan, with input from VCSE organisations directly influencing the plan’s content. As part of the 10 Year Health Plan’s national engagement exercise launched on 21 October 2024, we held 17 roundtables, attended by nearly 300 organisations, including VCSE groups, National Health Service trusts, professional bodies, and national charities. We also provided training, materials, and support to organisations to host their own events in communities across England. Over 600 community events took place with over 17,000 participants. The different components combined to create a programme that reached large numbers of people, engaged the widest range of groups and voices among the public, patients, and staff and partner organisations.

What proportion of his Department's spending was on (a) community, (b) acute and (c) primary care services in (i) Norfolk and Waveney and (ii) the rest of England by ICB area in the latest year for which statistics are available.

In 2023/24, the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB) spent £1,275.5 million on acute services, £240.9 million on community services, and £258.7 million on primary medical services. As a proportion of the Department’s Resource Departmental Expenditure Limit outturn of £182,819 million, as per the Department’s 2023/24 Annual Report, this is equivalent to approximately 0.7% for acute services, approximately 0.1% for community services, and approximately 0.1% for primary medical services. Further information on the Department’s 2023/24 Annual Report is available at the following link:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/676150ef26a2d1ff18253415/dhsc-annual-report-and-accounts-2023-2024-web-accessible.pdf#page=331The following table shows a full breakdown of spend across these three service areas by ICB in 2023/24:Integrated care boardAcute (millions of pounds)Community (millions of pounds)Primary medical services (millions of pounds)Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB1,115.9190.4217.8Cambridgeshire and Peterborough ICB1,026.2183.3220.4Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB1,725.5302.7326.0Mid and South East Essex ICB1,427.6230.1254.6Norfolk and Waveney ICB1,275.5240.9258.7Suffolk and North East Essex ICB1,140.2216.0230.4Nort East London ICB2,498.7470.5488.0North Central London ICB1,891.5362.2358.2North West London ICB2,798.4459.6518.9South East London ICB2,309.6457.6419.3South West London ICB1,928.2280.0344.9Birmingham and Solihull ICB1,612.5314.2339.7Coventry and Warwickshire ICB1,142.1174.4221.3Herefordshire and Worcestershire ICB861.5195.9186.8Derby & Derbyshire ICB1,268.2191.0252.9Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland ICB1,147.1231.6252.9Lincolnshire ICB928.0180.6189.4Northamptonshire ICB912.8124.0174.3Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB1,363.0257.3248.3Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICB612.2126.0115.2Staffordshire & Stoke on Trent ICB1,210.5311.9264.3Black Country ICB1,610.8277.6258.0Cumbria & North East ICB3,768.9724.4743.4Humber, Coast and Vale ICB2,019.4358.3388.4Sth Yorkshire ICB1,611.8267.4329.0West Yorkshire ICB2,776.8536.7571.6Cheshire & Merseyside ICB3,404.8648.2637.8Gtr Manchester ICB3,738.3665.2729.7Lancashire & Sth Cumbria ICB2,374.5399.2411.9Bucks, Oxfordshire & Berks West ICB1,831.3392.1383.8Frimley ICB753.1152.3178.3Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB2,032.0433.0372.4Kent and Medway ICB2,228.3460.0407.8Surrey Heartlands ICB1,210.2190.4217.0Sussex ICB2,045.6381.1415.3Bath & NE Somerset, Swindon & Wiltshire ICB1,010.6209.3218.3Bristol, Nth Somerset & South Gloucs ICB1,110.5226.2222.5Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly ICB651.9166.7144.1Devon ICB1,479.2339.5273.3Dorset ICB952.3198.9172.1Gloucestershire ICB641.1123.1161.4Somerset ICB703.2114.6143.1

Whether representatives from the (a) Israeli Defence Force and (b) Israeli government communicated to the UK Government that there were plans to attack Iran.

I hope that the hon. Gentleman understands that, as per the long standing convention, I cannot comment on intelligence matters.

Innovation and Technology, what information his Department hold on plans for data centres to be built in areas supplied by the new reservoir announced for (a) East Anglia and (b) Lincolnshire.

The Government does not routinely track individual plans for data centre developments. Water companies have no obligation to approve water for non-domestic uses, such as for data centres. Data centres may therefore be refused or restricted a supply connection if there are not sufficient water resources available. We encourage data centre developers to consider use of non-potable water, to embed water efficiency or water reuse in their design, and contact their proposed water and wastewater supplier early in the planning process to understand and plan for any potential water restrictions.

Food and Rural Affairs, what his planned timeline is for establishing water consumer panels.

As announced in July 2024, consumers will gain powers to hold water company bosses to account through powerful new customer panels. The Water (Special Measures) Act now provides Ofwat with the power to make rules on company governance, including rules which achieve having arrangements in place for involving consumers in decisions that are likely to have an impact on consumer matters. Ofwat will conduct a consultation this summer that will determine the new rule and allow for the establishment of the panels.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department has taken to monitor the steps water companies are taking to ensure drought preparedness.

Water companies are required to produce drought plans which are a statutory requirement and are expected to be reviewed annually. The Environment Agency (EA) as the regulator request an industry wide annual drought preparedness report every April. This covers companies’ readiness to respond to drought, updates on work it has done to improve its readiness, such as drought permit environmental assessments or training and exercises. In response to the dry weather this year, water companies are ready to or already have implemented communications regarding drought preparedness. In some areas, companies have stepped up their engagement with customers on using water wisely, managing demand and taking efforts to reduce leakages as part of their drought preparation measures. The EA continue to work with water companies to ensure they follow their drought plans. Water companies are continuing to attend the National Drought Group meetings to update regulators and stakeholders on the latest dry weather impacts and drought preparedness this summer.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of establishing local supply rights for community energy schemes to sell clean power locally.

The Department is considering a range of reforms to unlock renewable investment and pass through the benefits of cheaper renewables to consumers. This includes potential changes to support local and community energy. The Secretary of State previously commissioned Ofgem to explore policy and regulatory barriers to local supply, including route to market challenges. We are also learning from the responses to the Call for Evidence on barriers to community energy [1], which referenced local supply issues. The Department continues to work with Ofgem and key stakeholders to enhance our community energy offer. We will set out further detail in due course. [1] https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/barriers-to-community-energy-projects

Whether she plans to publish a formal follow-up to the Baroness Casey Review into policing; and what mechanisms are currently in place to (a) track and (b) publicly report on progress against its recommendations.

The Baroness Casey Review, commissioned by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to independently review its culture and standards, made a series of important and concerning findings. Any subsequent follow-up is a matter for the MPS, in conjunction with the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC)The Government has committed to improving police accountability, with new regulations on the dismissal of police officers who fail vetting laid last month. In addition, further regulations to strengthen the misconduct and performance systems are due to come into force later this monthIt is the responsibility of His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) to assess the operational performance of police forces in England and Wales. The performance of the MPS is assessed by HMICFRS, which last published a Police Effectiveness Efficiency and Legitimacy inspection (PEEL) report for the MPS in August 2024. HMICFRS released the MPS from its enhanced monitoring process known as ‘Engage’ in January 2025 after making improvements against recommendations set by the Inspectorate. The force has now returned to the routine stage of HMICFRS’ continuous monitoring process. The next PEEL report for the MPS is expected to be published during the next inspection cycle (2025-2027).

What assessment she has made of the implications for her Department’s policies on trans people in prison of the Supreme Court's decision on 16 April 2025.

The Supreme Court ruling brings clarity and confidence for women and service providers.This Government inherited the policy regarding allocation of transgender prisoners from the previous Government, and have not moved any transgender women into the women’s estate since taking office.Following the Supreme Court ruling in the For Women Scotland case, the Lord Chancellor has commissioned a review of transgender prisoner allocation policy.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2025 to Question 2958 on Carbon Emissions: Business, whether the Government plans to endorse the International Sustainability Standards Board.

The Government will shortly publish a consultation covering the endorsement of International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) Standards. It will seek views on UK versions of the ISSB Standards, which will be known as UK Sustainability Reporting Standards. The Government will take endorsement decisions later this year, following the consultation.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to update the Greening Government Commitments to include commuting.

The government is currently reviewing the Greening Government Commitments to ensure they remain aligned with government priorities.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights' publication Concluding observations on the seventh periodic report of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 12 March 2025, whether she will make it her policy to adopt the Committee's recommendations on guarantees for (a) safe and (b) adequate living conditions in temporary accommodation through a comprehensive regulatory framework.

The Government notes the UN Committee's recommendations on ensuring safe and adequate living conditions in temporary accommodation. Our Homelessness Code of Guidance provides a summary of the homelessness legislation duties, powers and obligations on local housing authorities, including the quality standards of temporary accommodation. Legislation is clear that temporary accommodation must be suitable for the needs of the household and that suitability of accommodation should be kept under review. Households may ask for a review of their accommodation if they feel it is unsuitable. Through the Renters’ Rights Bill, the government will consult on a reformed Decent Homes Standard for the social and private rented sectors in due course. It is the government’s intention that the Decent Homes Standard should apply to as much of the temporary accommodation sector as possible.

With reference to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights' publication Concluding observations on the seventh periodic report of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 12 March 2025, whether she will make it her policy to adopt the Committee's recommendations on the two-child limit and the benefit cap.

We value the UN’s Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights’ input and their perspectives on our policies. It is right that the government considers this report in full, and we will respond in line with the timescales set by the committee in their concluding observations. The Child Poverty Taskforce is continuing its urgent work and is exploring all available levers, including considering social security reforms, to drive forward short and long-term actions across government to reduce child poverty. Our metrics must also reflect the experience of poverty in households across the UK and the urgent need to focus on those children experiencing the most severe and acute forms of poverty. The Taskforce will consider how best to measure this as the strategy develops, including through our work on the material deprivation measure following the recent review of the material deprivation survey questions carried out by the Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

With reference to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights' publication Concluding observations on the seventh periodic report of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 12 March 2025, whether she will make it her policy to adopt the Committee's recommendations on enhancing measures to tackle poverty through measurable targets.

We value the UN’s Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights’ input and their perspectives on our policies. It is right that the government considers this report in full, and we will respond in line with the timescales set by the committee in their concluding observations. The Child Poverty Taskforce is continuing its urgent work and is exploring all available levers, including considering social security reforms, to drive forward short and long-term actions across government to reduce child poverty. Our metrics must also reflect the experience of poverty in households across the UK and the urgent need to focus on those children experiencing the most severe and acute forms of poverty. The Taskforce will consider how best to measure this as the strategy develops, including through our work on the material deprivation measure following the recent review of the material deprivation survey questions carried out by the Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Whether her Department plans to conduct a Child Rights Impact Assessment before the potential authorisation of Taser 10 for use by police forces in England and Wales.

Government decisions on whether to approve Taser for police use are informed by robust, independent technical and medical testing and assessments alongside an equality impact assessment which sets out any implications for those with protected characteristics, including age.

Whether a child's rights impact assessment has been prepared for the Crime and Policing Bill.

A number of economic impact assessments, economic notes and equality impact assessments covering measures in the Crime and Policing Bill have been published, and can be found here: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3938/publications.The Government has also published a human rights memorandum covering the measures in the Bill.