Written questions by Sollom.

How many people were remanded into prison custody by Crown Courts in England and Wales in each year from 2018-2024; of these people, how many were not guilty of charges for which remanded or not proceeded against; and what was the (a) median, (b) mean and (c) 90th percentile for time on remand in prison for those not guilty of charges for which remanded or not proceeded against for each year.

The Ministry of Justice publishes data on the number of those remanded in custody and bailed together with details of the final sentence at criminal courts in England and Wales in the remands data tool. This can be downloaded from the Criminal Justice Statistics landing page here: Criminal Justice Statistics.However, data held centrally does not include information on the time a person spent on remand in prison. Data on the number of remand prisoners in each prison in the HMPPS estate is routinely published within the Offender Management Statistics Quarterly (OMSQ): Offender management statistics quarterly - GOV.UK.

How many people were remanded into prison custody by Magistrates' Courts in England and Wales in each calendar year from 2018 to 2024; of these people, for each year, how many were guilty but given a non-custodial sentence; and for each year, what was the (a) median, (b) mean and (c) 90th percentile for time on remand in prison for those found guilty and given non-custodial sentences.

The Ministry of Justice publishes data on the number of those remanded in custody and bailed together with details of the final sentence at criminal courts in England and Wales in the remands data tool. This can be downloaded from the Criminal Justice Statistics landing page here: Criminal Justice Statistics.However, data held centrally does not include information on the time a person spent on remand in prison. Data on the number of remand prisoners in each prison in the HMPPS estate is routinely published within the Offender Management Statistics Quarterly (OMSQ): Offender management statistics quarterly - GOV.UK.

How many people were remanded into prison custody by Crown Courts in England and Wales in each year from 2018 to 2024; of these people, for each year how many were guilty and sentenced to immediate custody; and for each year, what was the (a) median, (b) mean and (c) 90th percentile for time on remand in prison for those found guilty and sentenced to immediate custody.

The Ministry of Justice publishes data on the number of those remanded in custody and bailed together with details of the final sentence at criminal courts in England and Wales in the remands data tool. This can be downloaded from the Criminal Justice Statistics landing page here: Criminal Justice Statistics.However, data held centrally does not include information on the time a person spent on remand in prison. Data on the number of remand prisoners in each prison in the HMPPS estate is routinely published within the Offender Management Statistics Quarterly (OMSQ): Offender management statistics quarterly - GOV.UK.

How many people were remanded into electronically-monitored court bail by magistrates' courts in each year between 2018 and 2024; how many of those were (a) later found not guilty and (b) had charges not proceeded against; and what the (i) median, (ii) mean and (iii) 90th percentile for time on electronically-monitored remand was for people (A) found not guilty of charges for which remanded and (B) not proceeded against.

The Ministry of Justice publishes data on the number of those remanded in custody and bailed together with details of the final sentence at criminal courts in England and Wales in the remands data tool. This can be downloaded from the Criminal Justice Statistics landing page here: Criminal Justice Statistics.However, data held centrally does not include information on the time a person spent on remand in prison. Data on the number of remand prisoners in each prison in the HMPPS estate is routinely published within the Offender Management Statistics Quarterly (OMSQ): Offender management statistics quarterly - GOV.UK.

What the (a) median, (b) mean and (c) 90th percentile for time on electronically-monitored remand by magistrates' courts was for people found guilty and given non-custodial sentences in each year between 2018 and 2024.

The Ministry of Justice publishes data on the number of those remanded in custody and bailed together with details of the final sentence at criminal courts in England and Wales in the remands data tool. This can be downloaded from the Criminal Justice Statistics landing page here: Criminal Justice Statistics.However, data held centrally does not include information on the time a person spent on remand in prison. Data on the number of remand prisoners in each prison in the HMPPS estate is routinely published within the Offender Management Statistics Quarterly (OMSQ): Offender management statistics quarterly - GOV.UK.

How many people were remanded into prison custody by Crown Courts in England and Wales in each year from 2018-2024; of these people, how many were guilty but given a non-custodial sentence; and what was the (a) median, (b) mean and (c) 90th percentile for time on remand in prison for those found guilty and given non-custodial sentences.

The Ministry of Justice publishes data on the number of those remanded in custody and bailed together with details of the final sentence at criminal courts in England and Wales in the remands data tool. This can be downloaded from the Criminal Justice Statistics landing page here: Criminal Justice Statistics.However, data held centrally does not include information on the time a person spent on remand in prison. Data on the number of remand prisoners in each prison in the HMPPS estate is routinely published within the Offender Management Statistics Quarterly (OMSQ): Offender management statistics quarterly - GOV.UK.

What the (a) median, (b) mean and (c) 90th percentile for time on electronically-monitored remand by magistrates' courts was for people found guilty and sentenced to immediate custody in each year between 2018 and 2024.

The Ministry of Justice publishes data on the number of those remanded in custody and bailed together with details of the final sentence at criminal courts in England and Wales in the remands data tool. This can be downloaded from the Criminal Justice Statistics landing page here: Criminal Justice Statistics.However, data held centrally does not include information on the time a person spent on remand in prison. Data on the number of remand prisoners in each prison in the HMPPS estate is routinely published within the Offender Management Statistics Quarterly (OMSQ): Offender management statistics quarterly - GOV.UK.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of (a) non-regulated and (b) non-medical practitioners performing aesthetic procedures on the health and safety of people in St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire constituency.

The Department published its response to the consultation entitled The licensing of non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England on 7 August 2025. The response is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/licensing-of-non-surgical-cosmetic-procedures/outcome/the-licensing-of-non-surgical-cosmetic-procedures-in-england-consultation-responseAs set out in the response, the Government is committed to protecting public safety by introducing legal restrictions to ensure that cosmetic procedures that are deemed to pose the highest level of risk to the public are classed as Care Quality Commission regulated activities, which can only be performed by specified regulated healthcare professionals. The Government is also committed to developing and implementing local authority licensing for lower risk procedures, using powers granted through the Health and Care Act 2022, and to introducing age restrictions for those undergoing non-surgical cosmetic procedures.The development of policy in this area will continue to be subject to stakeholder engagement, public consultation, impact assessments, and parliamentary procedures. There are no plans to specifically assess the potential impact of non-regulated and non-medical practitioners performing aesthetic procedures on the health and safety of people in the St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire constituency.

When his Department plans to publish its response to the consultation entitled The licensing of non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England, published on 3 September 2023.

The Department published its response to the consultation entitled The licensing of non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England on 7 August 2025. The response is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/licensing-of-non-surgical-cosmetic-procedures/outcome/the-licensing-of-non-surgical-cosmetic-procedures-in-england-consultation-responseAs set out in the response, the Government is committed to protecting public safety by introducing legal restrictions to ensure that cosmetic procedures that are deemed to pose the highest level of risk to the public are classed as Care Quality Commission regulated activities, which can only be performed by specified regulated healthcare professionals. The Government is also committed to developing and implementing local authority licensing for lower risk procedures, using powers granted through the Health and Care Act 2022, and to introducing age restrictions for those undergoing non-surgical cosmetic procedures.The development of policy in this area will continue to be subject to stakeholder engagement, public consultation, impact assessments, and parliamentary procedures. There are no plans to specifically assess the potential impact of non-regulated and non-medical practitioners performing aesthetic procedures on the health and safety of people in the St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire constituency.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of cuts to funding for non-specialist software under the Disabled Students’ Allowance on costs for universities to support disabled students.

The department has not withdrawn funding for assistive technology under the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). Students who require assistive software and training due to their disability will continue to receive support through DSA. Universities remain responsible for making reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010. No new criteria are planned for publication ahead of the 2025/26 academic year.The department reviewed the provision of non-specialist spelling and grammar software and found that the required functionality to meet students’ disability-related support needs is available through free-to-access software. As a result, the department does not expect that this change will lead to additional costs for universities in supporting disabled students. Therefore, no formal assessment of the impact on university support costs was undertaken.

When she plans to publish the criteria for universities to meet to ensure appropriate reasonable adjustments for disabled students, following the withdrawal of Assistive Technology funding; and whether these criteria will be in place before the start of the academic year in September 2025.

The department has not withdrawn funding for assistive technology under the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). Students who require assistive software and training due to their disability will continue to receive support through DSA. Universities remain responsible for making reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010. No new criteria are planned for publication ahead of the 2025/26 academic year.The department reviewed the provision of non-specialist spelling and grammar software and found that the required functionality to meet students’ disability-related support needs is available through free-to-access software. As a result, the department does not expect that this change will lead to additional costs for universities in supporting disabled students. Therefore, no formal assessment of the impact on university support costs was undertaken.

With reference to pages 12 and 19 of the report published by the Office for Students entitled Financial sustainability of higher education providers in England: 2025, published on 8 May 2025, what steps her Department is taking to reduce the potential impact of market competitiveness on (a) regional higher education provision and (b) access to higher education for students from underrepresented backgrounds.

Market competitiveness is a longstanding feature of our independent and autonomous higher education (HE) sector.The regional and local provision of HE, and access to HE for students from underrepresented backgrounds, are both important components of our strategy for HE.HE providers have duties to co-operate in the development and review of Local Skills Improvement Plans and have regard to the plan when making decisions in relation to their technical education or training provision.The department will support the aspiration of every person who meets the requirements and wants to go to university, and will act to address the persistent gaps for different student groups and to break down the barriers to opportunity.The department will soon publish its plans for HE reform as part of the post-16 Skills White Paper.

What steps his Department is taking to increase confidence in the UK as a reliable manufacturing base for global trade.

Manufacturing is crucial for the UK's economy, driving innovation, creating jobs, and boosting national security and resilience. This government recognises that we need to maximise growth in manufacturing to maintain a global competitive edge and uphold our reputation as a trusted reliable international trading partner.This is why we have recently published our Modern Industrial Strategy, Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, Trade Strategy and SME Strategy. These interlocking strategies will work together to set out the government's offer to support growth, strengthening businesses at home to ensure success abroad.

How many universities have had debt restructuring packages facilitated by the Office for Students involving (a) the Department for Education, (b) external consultants and (c) commercial lenders since 2018.

The Office for Students (OfS) has not facilitated debt restructuring packages of any university since 2018.Universities are independent from government and as such are responsible for managing their finances. This includes negotiations with commercial lenders.While the OfS has statutory duties in relation to the financial sustainability of the higher education (HE) sector, the government has a clear interest in understanding the sector’s level of risk. As such, the department continues to work closely with the OfS in order to better understand the sector’s changing financial landscape.This government is committed to supporting the sector in moving towards a more stable financial footing. That is why we have made the difficult decision to increase tuition fee limits by 3.1%, in line with inflation, from the 2025/26 academic year.Moreover, we have appointed Professor Edward Peck as OfS Chair, where he will play a key role in strengthening the OfS’s commitment to financial sustainability while also expanding opportunities in HE.We aim to publish our plans for HE reform soon as part of the Post-16 Skills White Paper, and work with the sector and the OfS to deliver the change that the country needs.

What role her Department has in facilitating agreements between financially distressed universities and their commercial lenders.

The Office for Students (OfS) has not facilitated debt restructuring packages of any university since 2018.Universities are independent from government and as such are responsible for managing their finances. This includes negotiations with commercial lenders.While the OfS has statutory duties in relation to the financial sustainability of the higher education (HE) sector, the government has a clear interest in understanding the sector’s level of risk. As such, the department continues to work closely with the OfS in order to better understand the sector’s changing financial landscape.This government is committed to supporting the sector in moving towards a more stable financial footing. That is why we have made the difficult decision to increase tuition fee limits by 3.1%, in line with inflation, from the 2025/26 academic year.Moreover, we have appointed Professor Edward Peck as OfS Chair, where he will play a key role in strengthening the OfS’s commitment to financial sustainability while also expanding opportunities in HE.We aim to publish our plans for HE reform soon as part of the Post-16 Skills White Paper, and work with the sector and the OfS to deliver the change that the country needs.

What discussions he has had with Integrated Care Boards on the potential impact of the outsourcing of soft facilities management staff at hospitals on (a) staff pensions, (b) sick pay and (c) annual leave.

Contract award decisions in the National Health Service which may involve the transfer of staff delivering “soft” facilities management services to other suppliers fall directly to individual NHS bodies, who are responsible for running their own procurement exercises. Ministers at the Department do not have general powers in legislation to direct trusts in relation to the exercise of any of their functions, including in relation to specific contractual decisions. The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE) allow for terms and conditions of service to be protected or frozen as they stand on the date of transfer to a new employer. This includes annual leave entitlement and sick pay. Under the Fair Deal for Staff Pensions policy, employees who are members of the NHS Pension Scheme can retain access to their existing pension arrangements, or be offered a comparable scheme by the new employer. The Government expects that any outsourced services are delivered by trusts in a way that improves quality, ensures greater stability and longer-term investment in the workforce, and delivers better value for money, as part of the broader commitments on procurement, as set out in the Make Work Pay programme, with further information available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/make-work-pay NHS staff continue to work incredibly hard on delivering the best possible care for patients, and wherever they work across the health service, we expect the highest standards and good terms and conditions.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the increase in the level of (a) misinformation and (b) disinformation from (i) non-state actors on social media platforms (ii) all sources during elections.

DSIT takes the threat of mis- and disinformation from all actors extremely seriously. The 2024 General Election and 2025 Local Elections ran smoothly and securely, with no serious information incidents affecting their integrity. DSIT, as part of the Defending Democracy Taskforce, worked with partners across government and social media platforms to minimise information risks during the election.Since then, the Online Safety Act’s illegal content duties came into force in March 2025, requiring platforms to address and remove illegal content, including content that incites violence, intends to harm, intimidate, or deceive voters into changing their vote, or constitutes foreign interference.

What recent assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of the report by the Education Committee on Support for childcare and the early years, published on 26 July 2023.

​​The department recognises the valuable work of the Education Committee through its report on support for childcare and early years. We have considered the report’s findings and recommendations carefully and have since expanded access to childcare. We are further expanding childcare entitlements so that from September 2025, eligible working parents can access 30 hours of early education and childcare a week from the term after their child turns nine months.The government’s Plan for Change set out the department’s commitment to give children the best start in life, breaking the link between background and opportunity. This month, we published our landmark strategy, ‘Giving every child the best start in life’, putting children’s first years at the heart of work to improve life chances. This is a fundamental step change in how government drives up quality in early education, ensuring places are available in every community, and restores crumbling family services for the next generation, as the government places £1.5 billion of cash behind the reforms.​Insights from the report, committee members and wider experts, alongside engagement with parents and the early years and families sectors, have been invaluable in informing the contents of our Best Start in Life strategy.​

How many universities in England have received emergency financial support from (a) her Department and (b) the Office for Students since July 2024; and what the value of that support was.

The government has not provided emergency funding to any university since 4 July 2024.Universities are independent from government and as such must continue to make the necessary financial decisions to ensure their long-term sustainability. If a university was at risk of failure, the department would work with the Office for Students (OfS) to ensure that students are protected, recognising the significant impact university closure would have on their future.The OfS dedicates significant resources to ensuring the sector's financial sustainability but does not provide emergency financial support to universities. It assesses financial sustainability on a case-by-case basis and does not disclose the identity of institutions deemed to be at material risk, as this is considered highly commercially sensitive. The OfS’ most recent report on the sector’s financial condition can be found here: https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/publications/financial-sustainability-of-higher-education-providers-in-england-2025/.While the sector is autonomous, we are committed to creating a secure future for our world-leading universities.The department has appointed Professor Edward Peck as OfS Chair, where he will play a key role in strengthening the commitment of the OfS to monitoring the financial health of the sector. Additionally, we made the difficult decision to uplift tuition fee limits by 3.1% (in line with inflation) from the 2025/26 academic year. The department will publish its plans for higher education reform as part of the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper this summer.

What criteria the Office for Students uses to determine emergency financial support for universities; and if she will publish those criteria.

The government has not provided emergency funding to any university since 4 July 2024.Universities are independent from government and as such must continue to make the necessary financial decisions to ensure their long-term sustainability. If a university was at risk of failure, the department would work with the Office for Students (OfS) to ensure that students are protected, recognising the significant impact university closure would have on their future.The OfS dedicates significant resources to ensuring the sector's financial sustainability but does not provide emergency financial support to universities. It assesses financial sustainability on a case-by-case basis and does not disclose the identity of institutions deemed to be at material risk, as this is considered highly commercially sensitive. The OfS’ most recent report on the sector’s financial condition can be found here: https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/publications/financial-sustainability-of-higher-education-providers-in-england-2025/.While the sector is autonomous, we are committed to creating a secure future for our world-leading universities.The department has appointed Professor Edward Peck as OfS Chair, where he will play a key role in strengthening the commitment of the OfS to monitoring the financial health of the sector. Additionally, we made the difficult decision to uplift tuition fee limits by 3.1% (in line with inflation) from the 2025/26 academic year. The department will publish its plans for higher education reform as part of the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper this summer.