Written questions by Maguire.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure young people with SEND can access the Youth Guarantee.

The ‘Get Britain Working’ White Paper introduced the Youth Guarantee, ensuring every 18 to 21 year-old in England can access education, training, an apprenticeship, supported internships or help to find work. The department is working to make this inclusive for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).The Youth Guarantee trailblazer scheme is providing £45 million funding for eight mayoral combined authorities from spring 2025. The Youth Guarantee trailblazers are testing focused support for vulnerable groups such as care leavers, young people with SEND and young people educated in alternative provision settings. This focused support includes mentoring, confidence building, coaching and financial management skills. This testing will inform the future rollout of the Youth Guarantee.The department is taking several other steps to help those with SEND access the Youth Guarantee, including:Introducing a new Foundation Apprenticeship and shorter more flexible apprenticeships to reduce entry barriers for young people with SEND.Increased wraparound and personalised support to improve mental health and employability support for school leavers.Continuing to invest to build the capacity and quality of Supported Internships by providing up to £12 million to March 2026. This includes a pilot testing supported internships with young people with SEND but who do not have education, health and care plans.The Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper commits to ‘building a system that leaves no learner behind’ by joining up skills and employment systems, expanding flexible training options, and guaranteeing access to education or work pathways for all, including those at risk of becoming not in education, employment, or training.

When she will make an emergency inspection of the Bramley Hill School in Surrey.

Private schools must meet the Independent School Standards, at all times, and are inspected at least every three years.Bramley Hill was inspected by Ofsted in March 2024 when all the Independent School Standards were found to be met.Concerns about safeguarding in a private school can be raised by contacting the Local Authority Designated Officer if an allegation is made against a member of staff, or the department if there are concerns about the school’s overall safeguarding culture or compliance.Where information suggests that children may be at risk, an emergency inspection can be commissioned.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of exposure to (a) glyphosate, (b) per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and (c) heavy metals in period products on public health.

During the passage of the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025, the Government committed to consult on period product safety. As part of this Officials are reviewing the need for any further research and testing for harmful chemicals and heavy metals in period products to complement the consultation. We are working closely with DEFRA who advise that studies carried out in the EU on chemicals in period products found that the chemicals identified were present only in low concentrations, with no evidence of significant risks to human health. Defra is continuing to monitor research in this area.

What steps he is taking to ensure there are a total of 19 RN Type 26 frigate vessels by 2030.

The Royal Navy is making substantial progress towards deploying autonomous systems alongside crewed platforms to increase the lethality of the fleet and deliver the SDR recommendationsThe Royal Navy has two frigate acquisition programmes that will ensure surface fleet capabilities are sustained. The current Type 23 Duke Class frigates will be replaced by eight Type 26 City Class frigates and five Type 31 Inspiration Class frigates. Type 26 frigates are expected to enter service from 2028 onwards, and all Type 31s are expected to be in service by the early 2030s. The Royal Navy is also continuing to make significant investment in its six Daring Class destroyers, the Type 45, to enhance and sustain the class into the late 2030s.

What steps he is taking to support survivors of child sex abuse committed (a) by military personnel and (b) on military bases.

The safety of the children of Service personnel, and young people under the age of 18 undertaking training, is of utmost importance to the Ministry of Defence (MOD), and we are committed to safeguarding and supporting victims of child sexual abuse. Our safeguarding system ensures that all concerns are dealt with promptly, sensitively, and align with statutory requirements. The MOD provides support to victims of serious crime, regardless of age, through the Victim Witness Care Unit, which is part of the Defence Serious Crime Command, when the offence has been committed by persons subject to service law. In the case of child victims, due to the heightened risk and safeguarding concerns, the Victim Liaison Officer (VLO) will take a proactive approach by engaging with Appropriate Adults, Social Workers, and specialist support services, such as Sexual Assault Referral Centres or Independent Sexual Violence Advisers. The VLO will also prioritise identifying local services near the victim's or family's location, including Advocacy services and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. In all circumstances, the victim will be supported by a range of personnel and agencies, both internal and external to Defence, to ensure their individual needs are fully met. Our safeguarding process is clearly set out in the Defence Safeguarding Policy (Joint Service Publication (JSP) 834), which defines the protection responsibilities and ensures safeguarding training is provided to equipped personnel with the knowledge and skills necessary to fulfil their safeguarding duties effectively. Defence Direction and Guidance for Training and Education (JSP 822) outlines that personnel under the age of 18 have particular care and welfare needs as well as additional legal requirements. JSP 822 flags that maturity and experience can vary considerably between individuals and as such those who are under the age of 18 may be more at risk than older trainees. It also directs establishments to provide comprehensive Supervisory Care Directives, record a Commander’s Risk Assessment and to comply fully with JSP 834. The Army Foundation College, Harrogate AFC(H) fully implements the MOD’s Zero Tolerance policies. It reports every instance of unacceptable sexual behaviour, and it has robust policies and processes in place to ensure the safety of students. Prior to each new intake of Junior Soldiers, AFC(H) Permanent Staff undertake refresher training covering all aspects of safeguarding, welfare and unacceptable sexual behaviour.

What steps he is taking to support armed forces spouses right to work abroad in the same country as their partner.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to supporting UK Service personnel and their families. The Armed Forces Covenant, which this Government has made a manifesto commitment to put into law, has at its heart the principle that those who serve and have served and their families should not be disadvantaged as a result of their Service. All Government Departments, not just MOD, are committed to upholding the Covenant. Improving prospects for partner employment is also a key theme of the Armed Forces Families Strategy. One of the actions taken by Defence is funding the Armed Forces Families Fund (AF3) to support this work. Between 2022 and today, a total of £2,242 million has been granted to fund projects supporting spouses and partners of Service personnel at national, local, and unit levels, both within the UK and overseas. This includes projects providing tailored training to spouses and partners, enabling them to get back into employment. In addition, Defence is currently working on guidance in line with the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant to encourage other Government Departments to support any employees who wish to work remotely from overseas to accompany their serving partner, so that they don’t have to compromise between their career and family life. We are currently reviewing a number of our international arrangements to ensure that spouses of UK Service personnel are able to remain in employment when they accompany their serving partners.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposed reductions to the number of roles in his Department’s overseas network on supporting British exporters abroad.

We are creating an overseas network which is ready to deliver for British business.In June we published our Trade Strategy including a vision for a more effective and agile overseas network, shaped by our assessment of the markets, sectors and opportunities that will drive UK economic growth for the next decade and beyond.We will focus more of our resource on attracting the high value inward investment the economy needs and tackling market access barriers that hold British businesses back. However, directly supporting British exporters will remain the biggest part of what DBT teams do overseas.

What steps he is taking to support female service personnel who have served in front-line roles.

Women are a crucial part of the Armed Forces community, and the Government is committed to ensuring their needs and experiences are better understood, and that they have access to the best possible support and opportunities. There is a well-established policy and process to provide support to all Service personnel who have served in front line roles. This is intended to address any pressure encountered on operations, as a result of day-to-day work or from exposure to individual risk or traumatic situations that may result in physical and/or mental ill health. The process provides support before, during and immediately post-deployment, with a follow-on phase which addresses the longer-term management of Service personnel. These are designed to reduce the likelihood of personnel developing stress or mental health problems throughout the deployment by providing information and support pre-deployment, monitoring personnel for signs of difficulty, providing support and conducting Trauma Risk Management during the deployment, and by providing decompression, unit briefings and offering support to personnel in the post-deployment phase. Commanders continue to monitor personnel throughout their career and support will be provided months or even years after a deployment has finished. When personnel leave the Armed Forces, mental health support continues to be provided by the NHS through programmes such as Op Courage, which is a mental health specialist service designed to help those due to leave the Armed Forces, Reservists, Veterans and their families.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of providing an exemption for hospices and charities providing health and care services from the increase in employer National Insurance contributions.

The Government has protected the smallest businesses and charities from the impact of the increase to employer National Insurance by increasing the Employment Allowance from £5,000 to £10,500. That means more than half of businesses with NICs liabilities either gain or see no change this year. The Government also provides support for charities via our tax regime, which is among the most generous of anywhere in the world, with tax reliefs for charities and their donors worth just over £6 billion for the tax year to April 2024. Furthermore, the government is investing £100 million to improve hospice facilities, and a further £26 million revenue funding to support children and young people’s hospices this year. This is the biggest investment in hospices in a generation.

What information his Department holds on the number of urgent repair call-outs to reserve bases in each month since January 2023.

The number of Priority 1 and 2 repair call-outs to Reserve Bases for each month since January 2023, are shown in the table below. Financial Year by Reporting MonthNumber of Call Outs RecordedJanuary 2023485February 2023372March 2023363April 2023321May 2023367June 2023335July 2023312August 2023371September 2023376October 2023458November 2023486December 2023217January 2024441February 2024329March 2024254April 2024301May 2024327June 2024262July 2024265August 202437September 202450October 2024101November 202479December 202473January 202595February 2025118March 202564April 202559May 202548June 202568July 202584August 202571September 202547

What information his Department holds on the cost to the public purse for urgent repair call-outs to reserve bases in each month since January 2023.

Costs based Work Order Estimates for Priority 1 and 2 Call Outs at Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Association LocationsReporting MonthSum of Cost per monthJanuary 2023£361,591.00February 2023£230,419.00March 2023£229,657.00April 2023£280,830.00May 2023£293,900.00June 2023£271,051.00July 2023£300,990.00August 2023£314,455.00September 2023£273,296.00October 2023£258,766.00November 2023£380,787.00December 2023£104,628.00January 2024£240,871.00February 2024£211,505.00March 2024£129,630.00April 2024£214,116.00May 2024£253,482.00June 2024£202,109.00July 2024£205,038.00Please note that the Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) went live for the Reserve Estate on 1 August 2024, information after this date is not held in the format requested.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of doubling the funding for Bereavement Support Payments.

Bereavement Support Payment helps ease the immediate financial pressures following a bereavement by way of an initial lump sum and up to 18 monthly instalments. Longer-term support is available through income replacement benefits such as Universal Credit. The Government keeps all benefits under regular review.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of a public awareness campaign on the law regarding the use of e-scooters.

We have committed to pursuing legislative reform for micromobility vehicles when parliamentary time allows. It will create safe, legal routes for people to use new transport technology and allow us to crack down on those determined to use e-scooters illegally or irresponsibly.As part of this, the Government will carefully consider how we communicate with the public on their current legal status, how that will be changing, and any future requirements they may need to comply with to use e-scooters lawfully.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of partnering with customs to monitor the importation of nitrous oxide.

Border Force works closely with law enforcement and our partners across the world to share intelligence in order to protect the public. We have seen a record level of drug seizures in FY2024, demonstrating police and Border Force are working relentlessly to stop illegal drugs from coming into the country and keep them off our streets. Nitrous Oxide is a Class C controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. It is an offence for a person to import or export nitrous oxide if they intend to wrongfully inhale it or if they know, or are reckless as to whether, it is likely to be wrongfully inhaled by some other person. “Wrongful inhalation” means inhalation other than for medical or dental purposes, and which is not accidental inhalation of nitrous oxide which has been released into the atmosphere (such as in industrial processes). Data on seizures of nitrous oxide and other controlled drugs at the UK border are published at:Seizures of Drugs in England and Wales, financial year ending 2024Border Force Transparency Data

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of implementing baby boxes that contain a free box of essential items for every baby born in England.

There are currently no plans to roll out baby boxes for every baby born in England. Some local organisations choose to provide baby boxes containing free items to families in their area. Whilst we welcome efforts to provide support to babies and their families, these boxes are sometimes shown as a place for babies to sleep. The Department advises that the safest place for babies to sleep is in a cot or a Moses basket, with further information available at the following link:https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/baby-basics/newborn-and-baby-sleeping-advice-for-parents/safe-sleep-advice-for-babies/The Lullaby Trust has provided guidance which states that baby boxes should only be used for sleep in unplanned and emergency situations, with further information available at the following link:https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/baby-safety/travel-and-weather/safer-sleep-away-from-home-in-emergency-situations/It is important that professionals, parents, and carers follow safe sleep guidance. Ensuring babies have an appropriate place to sleep reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, with further information available at the following link:https://www.nhs.uk/baby/caring-for-a-newborn/reduce-the-risk-of-sudden-infant-death-syndrome/#:~:text=always%20place%20your%20baby%20on,no%20higher%20than%20their%20shouldersMidwives, health visitors, general practitioners, and other health and care professionals all provide advice, support, and health promotion regarding safer sleep for families. As part of the universal Healthy Child Programme, health visiting teams offer safe sleeping advice, and intervention where appropriate, to families.The Government’s Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life strategy sets out how we will expand and strengthen family and health services in early childhood to improve child development, health, and education outcomes. Building on the £126 million funding boost for the Family Hubs and Start for Life Programme in 2025/26, Best Start Family Hubs will be rolled out to every local authority from April 2026. Best Start Family Hubs will provide a new evidenced-informed core offer for parents, a clear local mission around children’s early development, and a digital parenting offer.

With reference to p.10 of the Defence Industrial Strategy, published on 8 September 2025, what his Department's planned timetable is for setting out the membership of the Defence Investors Advisory Group.

The Secretary of State for Defence set out at the Defence Investment Summit on 10 September 2025 that the Defence Investors’ Advisory Group would be Chaired by Kerry Balwin. A second co-chair been chosen and will be announced shortly. The Group brings together some of the best minds from banking, pension funds, venture capital and Strategic Finance.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a ban on (a) shipping and (b) insuring Russian liquified natural gas by UK companies.

The UK has taken extensive action to limit energy revenues that fund Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. This includes Russian revenues from Liquified Natural Gas (LNG). Importing Russian LNG into the UK has been prohibited since January 2023. On 15 October the UK sanctioned 90 targets across Russia's energy, financial and military sectors. This includes targeting two of Russia's largest oil producers, Rosneft and Lukoil and seven specialised LNG tankers. We continue to explore all options for constraining Russian revenue further and we do not comment on future potential actions as to do so could undermine their effectiveness.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the deal to provide Norway with Frigates on Type 23 out of service dates.

The Ministry of Defence welcomes Norway’s defence procurement deal which will see a fleet of Type 26 Anti-Submarine Warfare frigates operate jointly by Britain and Norway in Northern Europe, significantly strengthening NATO’s northern flank. The Royal Navy is carefully managing the transition from Type 23 to Type 26 and Type 31 frigates, with the Duke Class Type 23s currently due to exit service in 2035. The Royal Navy continuously reviews out of service dates to achieve maximum availability of its’ platforms and ensure that it can meet its’ operational commitments.

What steps he is taking to help increase he number of suicide prevention services.

The Suicide Prevention Strategy for England, published in 2023, identifies eight priority groups for targeted and tailored support at a national level, including people in contact with mental health services. The strategy also identifies key risk factors for suicide, providing an opportunity for effective early intervention. The purpose of the Suicide Prevention Strategy is to set out our aims to prevent suicide through action by Government and other organisations. One of the key visions of the strategy to reduce the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health, so people feel able to seek help through the routes that work best for them. This includes raising awareness that no suicide is inevitable. The 10-Year Health Plan sets out ambitious plans to boost mental health support across the country. This includes transforming mental health services into 24/7 neighbourhood mental health centres, improving assertive outreach, expanding talking therapies, and giving patients better access to 24/7 support directly through the NHS App.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing a ban on importing Russian-derived oil products processed in third countries.

To further restrict the flow of funds to the Kremlin on 15 October the UK announced that it will ban imports of oil products refined in third countries from Russian-origin crude oil. We note the EU's announcement of a ban on the import of refined oil products containing oil of Russian origin. We will continue to work closely with partners to explore options to bear down on Russia's energy revenues.