Written questions by McMurdock.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer to Question 97399 on Local Government: Essex, what plans his Department has to help increase levels of public engagement with the local government reorganisation process for Greater Essex.

When we launched the consultation on local government reorganisation in Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock, we asked councils to use their existing mechanisms and forums to seek to bring the consultation to the attention of people and organisations in their local area. This is to facilitate the widest possible awareness of the consultation.The hon. Member’s constituents are able to respond to the consultation here.

What estimate his Department has made of the proportion of children in deep material poverty that will be lifted out of that level of poverty by 2030 in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.

The Department does not hold data on the number of children in deep material poverty broken down by geographical region or constituency. Estimates are available for the number of children and households that are expected to gain from the removal of two-child limit at constituency level here Poverty impacts of social security changes at Budget 2025 - GOV.UK. As deep material poverty is impacted by a range of un-modellable factors, such as families’ broader resources, support networks and financial resilience, it is not possible to model reductions in deep material poverty in the same way as for relative low income. Instead, we have provided analysis on number of children in deep material poverty who will gain from the strategy, which can be found at the link above. It is unacceptable that two million children are in deep material poverty, lacking the basic essentials - such as a warm home and healthy food. We estimate that 1.4 million children in deep material poverty will see an increase in household income as a result of the modelled measures in the Strategy.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the geographic distribution of deep material poverty across the UK.

The Department does not hold data on the number of children in deep material poverty broken down by geographical region or constituency. Estimates are available for the number of children and households that are expected to gain from the removal of two-child limit at constituency level here Poverty impacts of social security changes at Budget 2025 - GOV.UK. As deep material poverty is impacted by a range of un-modellable factors, such as families’ broader resources, support networks and financial resilience, it is not possible to model reductions in deep material poverty in the same way as for relative low income. Instead, we have provided analysis on number of children in deep material poverty who will gain from the strategy, which can be found at the link above. It is unacceptable that two million children are in deep material poverty, lacking the basic essentials - such as a warm home and healthy food. We estimate that 1.4 million children in deep material poverty will see an increase in household income as a result of the modelled measures in the Strategy.

What estimate her Department has made of the potential number of refugees who will enter the UK on a work and study visa in the next 5 years.

The Home Office has not made an estimate of the potential number of refugees who may enter the UK on work or study visas over the next five years.Student visa applications are rigorously assessed, and any indication of non-genuine intent, such as using the route for purposes other than study, will lead to refusal.While anyone in the UK has the right to claim asylum, asylum and human rights claims are carefully considered on their individual merits in accordance with our international obligations.

What estimate he has made of the (a) initial cost of implementation of the proposed Digital ID scheme and (b) annual cost of operating that scheme.

I refer the honourable Member to my answer to PQ93098.

With reference to the Government's proposed Digital ID implementation, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential for significant data breaches.

The National Cyber Security Centre is advising on how the new credential is built to the highest standard. Ensuring that security arrangements keep pace with the changing threat landscape will be central to the scheme.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Government's proposed Digital ID scheme, what assessment her Department has made on the potential risks of using One Login to support implementation of the scheme.

As with GOV.UK One Login, privacy and security will be core to the design of a new digital credential. We are working with the UK’s leading security experts – including the National Cyber Security Centre – to build a system with higher protections against identity fraud than ever before. Overall responsibility for the scheme sits with the Cabinet Office who will be launching a public consultation in the new year.

What recent steps his Department has taken to improve early diagnosis and treatment for people living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis in Essex.

The Government is committed to improving outcomes for people living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, including those in Essex.NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) gastroenterology programme is supporting local integrated care boards to reduce unwarranted variation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) services and to promote earlier diagnosis, proactive disease management, and increased access to IBD specialist nurses. GIRFT recommends measures such as rapid access to specialist review within four weeks, personalised care plans, and expanded endoscopy capacity, which together help shorten diagnostic times and improve treatment pathways for patients.To strengthen early and accurate diagnosis, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides evidence‑based guidance, including on the use of faecal calprotectin testing to differentiate IBD from functional bowel disorders and on ensuring timely referral for specialist assessment. The NICE quality standard for IBD sets out that people with suspected IBD should receive a specialist assessment within four weeks of referral, and local systems, including those in Essex, are expected to take this into account when planning and delivering services.NHS England has also developed an IBD RightCare scenario, which sets out what high‑quality, joined‑up IBD care should look like across the entire patient pathway, from suspicion of IBD through to diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management. This tool will support local commissioners and clinicians, including those in Essex, to identify opportunities to streamline referrals, reduce waiting times, and deliver consistent, evidence‑based care.Together, these initiatives are improving early diagnosis, supporting more personalised and coordinated treatment, and helping to ensure that people with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis in Essex can access high‑quality, timely National Health Service care.

Pursuant to Answer of 5th December 2025 to Question 94817, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) duplicate listings and (b) placeholder vacancies on commercial job platforms on the accuracy of reported vacancy levels.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 11th of December is attached.

If she will request that the Office of Rail and Road review Network Rail’s compliance with its statutory duties at East Tilbury level crossing in the context of a) freight-related barrier closures and b) community isolation.

ORR is the independent rail safety regulator, and we do not direct it in its role. ORR will review Network Rail’s compliance with its statutory duties at level crossings as part of any inspections of such sites and if deficiencies are found, then it will work with Network Rail to remedy them.

Pursuant to Answer of 9 December 2025 to Question 96030 on Level Crossings: Tilbury, what the longest barrier closure recorded at East Tilbury level crossing was during the most recent risk assessment; and what proportion of closures exceeded the average duration.

The Department does not hold this information in the format requested. I have asked Network Rail, as the infrastructure manager responsible for East Tilbury Level Crossing, to write to you as soon as the information is available.

What proportion of level crossing barrier down time at East Tilbury is attributable to freight services; and what the average and maximum barrier down times are for freight movement compared with passenger services.

The Department does not hold this information in the format requested. I have asked Network Rail, as the infrastructure manager responsible for East Tilbury Level Crossing, to write to you as soon as the information is available.

What assessment he has made of the feasibility of requiring JobCentre Plus districts to report outcomes for (a) full-time work, (b) part-time work and (c) training and skills provision.

The Department monitors Jobcentre performance through an internal performance framework aligned with the priorities set out in Get Britain Working White Paper. The framework is designed for internal management purposes and the data is not published externally. The Department recently published data on movements into work amongst people in the Universal Credit (UC) searching for work group - Get Britain Working: Labour Market Insights October 2025 - GOV.UK. We are reforming Jobcentre Plus and creating a new service across Great Britain that will enable everyone to access support to find good, meaningful work, and support to help them to progress in work, including through an enhanced focus on skills and careers.

What recent assessment she has made of the levels of unmet demand for SEND places in (a) Thurrock and (b) Basildon.

The statutory duty to provide sufficient school places, including for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), sits with local authorities. To support local authorities with this duty, in December, the department announced at least £3 billion for high needs capital between 2026/27 and 2029/30, to support children and young people with SEND or who require alternative provision. This builds on the £740 million invested in 2025/26, which is on track to create around 10,000 new specialist places. Of this funding, Thurrock council has been allocated just under £2 million, and Essex has been allocated just under £21 million.This funding is intended to create specialist facilities within mainstream schools that can deliver more intensive support adapted to suit the pupils’ needs. It can also be used to adapt mainstream schools to be more accessible and to create special school places for pupils with the most complex needs.It is ultimately up to local authorities to determine how to best prioritise their high needs capital funding to address local priorities.

Whether she is taking steps to ensure that data on illegal migrants whose whereabouts are unknown can be published in a verified form.

The nature of absconding is complicated because individuals frequently come in and out of contact. Whilst the Home Office has processes for the recording of absconder events, and for seeking to bring such individuals back into contact, the recording of information about absconders is complex and the operational systems involved do not currently support the production of robust statistics on this area.Official statistics published by the Home Office are kept under review in line with the code of practice for statistics, taking into account a number of factors including user requests, the public resources required to compile the statistics, and importantly the quality and availability of data. The Home Office does not publish data on subjects where the information held is known to be of a quality that would be unsuitable for appropriately supporting public debate.

What steps she is taking to establish the number of illegal migrants whose whereabouts are unknown.

The nature of absconding is complicated because individuals frequently come in and out of contact. Whilst the Home Office has processes for the recording of absconder events, and for seeking to bring such individuals back into contact, the recording of information about absconders is complex and the operational systems involved do not currently support the production of robust statistics on this area.Official statistics published by the Home Office are kept under review in line with the code of practice for statistics, taking into account a number of factors including user requests, the public resources required to compile the statistics, and importantly the quality and availability of data. The Home Office does not publish data on subjects where the information held is known to be of a quality that would be unsuitable for appropriately supporting public debate.

Pursuant to Answer of 5th December 2025 to Question 94817, what estimate he has made of the proportion of unemployed people included in the most recent unemployment-to-vacancy ratio figures who were classified as long-term unemployed.

The Office for National Statistics publishes figures each month on the number of long-term unemployed people and what proportion of people who are unemployed are long-term unemployed in tab 9 of table A01 - A01: Summary of labour market statistics - Office for National Statistics

What estimate he has made of the proportion of claimants who move into work via Jobcentre support who remain in work for more than six months.

The department has made no estimate of the proportion of claimants who move into work via Jobcentre support who remain in work for more than six months. The Department monitors Jobcentre performance through an internal performance framework aligned with the priorities set out in Get Britain Working White Paper. The Department recently published data on movements into work amongst people in the Universal Credit (UC) searching for work group - Get Britain Working: Labour Market Insights October 2025 - GOV.UK. We are reforming Jobcentre Plus and creating a new service across Great Britain that will enable everyone to access support to find good, meaningful work, and support to help them to progress in work, including through an enhanced focus on skills and careers.

What support she is providing to local authorities to help ensure they have a sufficient number of foster carers to meet local demand.

Foster care is one of my top priorities as Minister. The department is already investing £25 million of transformation funding for foster care, which is additional to the £15 million announced at the Autumn Budget covering the 2025/26 financial year. We are already working with over 60% of local authorities in England to transform the way they recruit and retain foster carers. The Spending Review also set aside funding for renovating and extending foster care homes.However, we know we need to go further and faster with recruiting and retaining more carers and we will set out more detail on our planned investments and reforms for fostering in due course.

Whether she plans to publish data on the number of migrant absconders in each of the last three years.

The nature of absconding is complicated because individuals frequently come in and out of contact. Whilst the Home Office has processes for the recording of absconder events, and for seeking to bring such individuals back into contact, the recording of information about absconders is complex and the operational systems involved do not currently support the production of robust statistics on this area.Official statistics published by the Home Office are kept under review in line with the code of practice for statistics, taking into account a number of factors including user requests, the public resources required to compile the statistics, and importantly the quality and availability of data. The Home Office does not publish data on subjects where the information held is known to be of a quality that would be unsuitable for appropriately supporting public debate.