Written questions by Stafford.

Whether she plans to expand financial education into the primary school curriculum.

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

If she will commission a review into the role of (a) Bitcoin and (b) other digital assets (i) as a reserve asset and (ii) in other future financial strategy.

As per responses from my predecessor, the Proceeds of Crime Act provides a clear process for the management and realisation of seized assets, while the UK's official reserves are governed by established investment principles. There are currently no plans to amend either framework or to commission a review into the potential role of Bitcoin and other digital assets as reserve assets or in a wider financial strategy.

Whether she has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on managing seized cryptocurrency assets as long-term strategic holdings rather than liquidating them.

As per responses from my predecessor, the Proceeds of Crime Act provides a clear process for the management and realisation of seized assets, while the UK's official reserves are governed by established investment principles. There are currently no plans to amend either framework or to commission a review into the potential role of Bitcoin and other digital assets as reserve assets or in a wider financial strategy.

What discussions she has had with LINK on widening the criteria for establishing additional banking hubs.

While the Government engages with LINK on a range of issues, decisions regarding changes to LINK’s independent assessment criteria are a matter for LINK and the financial services sector. The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets across the UK, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 230 hubs have been announced so far, and over 180 are already open.

Communities and Local Government, whether he has had discussions with local authorities in (a) Surrey and (b) Hampshire on maintaining support for community transport operators following local government reorganisation.

Local support for community transport operators remains a matter for local authorities in Surrey and Hampshire, or any future local authorities that may be set up following local government reorganisation. Before a local government reorganisation proposal can be implemented, the Secretary of State must first consult any council affected that has not submitted the proposal, as well as any other persons considered appropriate. This includes local public service providers in the area. The consultation on local government reform in Surrey closed on 5 August. A decision will now be made on which proposal, if any, to implement. Hampshire is part of the Devolution Priority Programme and final proposals for local government reform in the county are due to submitted to the Government by 26 September.

Whether she plans to use recently closed independent schools as alternative accommodation for illegal immigrants.

No, there are no current plans. Home Office officials work in collaboration with other government departments on a future strategy for asylum accommodation, aiming to develop a better, long-term model of accommodation supply, which may be more locally led, should reduce competition for affordable housing, and help deliver new supply. Greater emphasis is being placed on engagement and collaboration with local authorities, and a variety of options are being tested. Value for money, community cohesion and the wellbeing of asylum seekers will continue to be at the forefront of decision making as officials continue to explore options and develop this strategy.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to prohibit cane corso dogs under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

The Government currently have no plans to add these breed types to Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Owners of any breed of dog which is dangerously out of control are breaking the law. We will continue to encourage responsible dog ownership across all breeds of dog and to consider whether the current dog control rules are sufficient to ensure communities are protected.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of driver licensing for community transport operators; and if she will review access to (a) D1 and (b) Certificate of Professional Competence licences for (i) volunteer and (ii) community drivers.

The previous government published a Call for Evidence in 2022 on driver licensing. It sought views on whether changes to D1 licensing could be made in a positive way to help industry, including community transport operators, without detrimental impact on road safety. The results were published in 2023 and despite there being support for removing D1 driver licence testing to increase the pool of drivers, there was no evidence that road safety would not be compromised. There are circumstances when a driver may be able to drive a minibus with a category B (car) licence when stipulations are met and when driving under a Transport Act 1985 permit. Access to D1 licences requires additional testing for drivers who passed their car test after 1997. A Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) is not required for volunteer or community drivers unless driving professionally for hire or reward. However, CPC training and testing are available to those who wish to enhance their skills or pursue professional driving roles.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of charging infrastructure for community transport operators using electric minibuses in rural areas.

The government recognises the vital role community transport plays in connecting people to places, facilitating independence and providing access to essential services, employment, education and leisure. The Government is driving forward the expansion of public charging infrastructure so that everyone, no matter where they live or work, in urban or in rural areas, can confidently make the switch to an electric vehicle.As of 1st July 2025, there were 10,903 public EV charging devices in rural areas of England. The number of public charging devices in rural areas of England increased by 33% from July 2024 to July 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what her planned timetable is for bringing into force the provisions of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 that provide consumer protections for homeowners on freehold estates.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question UIN 74882 on 12 September 2025.

What estimate she has made of the potential impact of (a) digitising and (b) centralising the firearms licensing process on police time.

The Government has no plans to introduce the centralisation of the firearms licensing process. The Firearms Act 1968 places statutory responsibility for firearms licensing on the Chief Officer of Police of each individual force in England, Wales and Scotland.This framework is supported by Statutory Guidance to Chief Officers of Police issued by the Home Secretary in respect of firearms licensing and by Authorised Professional Practice issued by the College of Policing.

What the conclusive findings were of the Government-funded psilocybin trial that concluded in February 2024.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Clinician Scientist Fellowship titled ‘A Feasibility RCT of Single-Dose Psilocybin in Unipolar Depressive Disorder Resistant to Standard Treatments’ is shown on the NIHR Funding and Awards website as concluding in February 2024. The progress of this award was significantly delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The results are therefore not yet available and are due to be released in 2026.The main aim of this award is to investigate the feasibility of conducting a trial in this patient group and to contribute towards the design of a more definitive study. The award has resulted in the creation of the Psychoactive Trials Group at King’s College London, which is one of the world’s most experienced clinical research teams in this emerging area of treatment.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of bank branch closures on older people’s access to cash.

The Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those in vulnerable groups, and is committed to protecting access to cash for individuals and businesses. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) assumed regulatory responsibility for access to cash in September 2024. Its rules ensure cash continues to be a viable method of payment for the millions of people who depend on it and requires the reasonable provision of free cash withdrawal and deposit facilities for personal current accounts. The Government is also working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this parliament. These hubs will provide small businesses and individuals with critical access to cash. Over 180 Banking Hubs are already open across the UK. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK. While branch closures are commercial decisions for banks, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) guidance expects firms to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs and put in place alternatives where reasonable. This seeks to ensure that branch closures are implemented in a way that treats customers fairly. Where a resident, community organisation or other interested party feels access to cash in their community is insufficient, they can submit a request for a cash access assessment to LINK, the industry appointed coordinating body responsible for carrying out assessments. Further information about submitting a cash access request can be found on LINK’s website.

Whether her Department has conducted a risk or opportunity assessment of the potential strategic use of seized Bitcoin assets as part of the UK's financial reserves.

Under the Proceeds of Crime Act, which sets out necessary steps for the management and realisation of assets, the seizure, recovery and management of Bitcoin assets is subject to consideration of independent law enforcement and the courts. There are no currently plans to amend the Act to divert seized coins to a centrally held fund or reserve.

What assessment she has made of the potential long-term fiscal merits of retaining the Bitcoins held by UK authorities in connection with investment fraud.

Under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA), which sets out the necessary steps for the management and realisation of assets, the seizure, recovery and management of Bitcoin assets is subject to consideration of independent law enforcement and the courts.There are no current plans to amend the Act to divert seized coins to a centrally-held fund or reserve.I am unable to comment on any ongoing civil recovery investigations.

What steps she is taking to ensure that people impacted by (a) long-term health conditions and (b) disabilities are consulted during the review of changes to Personal Independence Payment.

I am committed to co-producing the review with disabled people, including those with long term health conditions and disabilities, the organisations that represent them, clinicians, experts, Members of Parliament and other stakeholders, to ensure that a wide range of views and voices are heard.I have been engaging over the summer to consider the process for the work of the review and consider how it can best be co-produced to ensure that expertise from a range of different perspectives is drawn upon. I will share more details on this and how disabled people and other stakeholders will be involved in the review as plans progress.

Innovation and Technology, for what purposes government agencies monitor social media activity by members of the public; and whether there are limits on the scope of such monitoring.

Within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the National Security Online Information Team (NSOIT) leads the department’s operational response to information risks to UK audiences within its ministerially defined remit which concerns public safety and national security. The NSOIT has compliance policies and procedures in place, in accordance with all applicable legislation, to ensure that individuals are not monitored and their rights are respected. Its privacy notices are available on GOV.UK.

Innovation and Technology, what his policy is on the (a) storage, (b) retention and (c) use of data collected from social media monitoring activities by (i) government departments and (ii) affiliated agencies.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology complies with UK data protection legislation, ensuring data is used fairly, and handled appropriately. That includes data collected from social media monitoring activities.For example, DSIT’s National Security Online Information Team (NSOIT) conducts targeted open-source analysis to identify and assess potential threats within its ministerially agreed remit of public safety and national security. NSOIT has a privacy notice which sets out how data will be stored, retained and used in the course of its work and this is available on gov.uk.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of establishing an Older People’s Commissioner for England.

The Department for Work and Pensions has not made an assessment on an Older People’s Commissioner. Our commitment to the pensions Triple Lock throughout this Parliament will see millions of pensioners receive up to £470 more this year added to their State Pension and our increased income threshold for Winter Fuel Payments of £35,000 a year will see over three quarters of pensioners in England and Wales receiving the payment later this Winter. DWP currently offers employment support for those older jobseekers affected by low confidence, menopause, health and disability or caring pressures, and out of date skills or qualifications. Through Midlife MOTs, delivered in Jobcentres across the UK, and online, we support older people to assess their health, finances and skills. The Government is reforming Jobcentre Plus and creating a new jobs and careers service that will enable everyone, including the over-50s, to access support to find good, meaningful work, and support to help them progress in their careers. This includes an enhanced focus on skills and careers advice.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to the licensing system for Section 2 shotguns on rural economies.

We will be undertaking a public consultation later this year on the greater alignment of the controls on shotguns with other firearms.The Government response to the 2023 firearms licensing consultation, published on 13 February this year, included a commitment to having a consultation on strengthening the licensing controls on shotguns.We will carefully consider the views put forward to the consultation in due course and this includes the possible impact of any changes.