Written questions by Wild.

Whether he has recently considered measures to improve the accountability of CAFCASS.

As a Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by the Ministry of Justice, the oversight and assurance arrangements for Cafcass are carried out in accordance with the Arms-Length Body Code of Practice. Specific areas of oversight are also covered in the Framework Document between the Ministry of Justice and Cafcass, which sets out the sponsorship governance arrangements, financial management and performance reporting. The Framework Document is reviewed and updated at least once every three years unless exceptional circumstances arise. The next scheduled review of the framework is due to be undertaken by December 2026.Cafcass is subject to regular inspections by Ofsted, At the most recent full inspection, conducted in January 2024, Cafcass was rated as “outstanding”, the key finding of the Ofsted report are available here. Ofsted also undertook a ‘focused visit’ between 21 and 23 October 2025, which considered Cafcass’s work in relation to private law proceedings where domestic abuse is a factor. Ofsted’s letter of findings is available here.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 November 2025 to Question 87080 on Child Arrangement Orders, if he will make such an assessment.

The Government does not have any plans to undertake a formal assessment of the efficacy of child arrangement orders. However, we have recently published a review of the courts’ application of the presumption of parental involvement that explored the impact of decisions about child arrangements on child welfare. The Review found a high incidence of orders for direct contact between children and parents, even in cases where a parent has caused or posed a risk of harm. The evidence from the review suggested this could have long term negative impacts for children.The Government is continually working with stakeholders to ensure that the family justice system delivers outcomes that work for children and families. The Government recently announced its intention to repeal the presumption of parental involvement from the Children Act 1989 when parliamentary time allows, alongside a wider package of family court reforms. A Child Arrangements Order may be made by the court in private family law cases to determine whom a child is to live with, spend time with or otherwise have contact with. Child Maintenance calculations are carried out by the Child Maintenance Service and are based on HM Revenues and Customs data. The calculation represents an amount of money that is broadly equal to the amount that a paying parent would spend on the child if they were still living with them, irrespective of the income or assets of the receiving parent.The Children Act 1989 states that the welfare of the child is the paramount consideration in family proceedings. The welfare checklist in the Children Act 1989 requires decision-makers to consider the ascertainable wishes and feelings of the child concerned, and the Government has no plans to change this.The Government believes that children’s voices must be central to family court proceedings and is delivering a new approach to private family law proceedings, known as Pathfinder. Under the Pathfinder model, a far greater proportion of children are engaged by Cafcass or Cafcass Cymru compared with the Child Arrangements Programme, and the court process puts a greater emphasis on the voice of the child through the ordering of a Child Impact Report (Report), which contains clear recommendations from the social worker, taking into account the child’s wishes and feelings.

Whether he has considered changes to child arrangement orders that would affect child maintenance requirements for parents without custody.

The Government does not have any plans to undertake a formal assessment of the efficacy of child arrangement orders. However, we have recently published a review of the courts’ application of the presumption of parental involvement that explored the impact of decisions about child arrangements on child welfare. The Review found a high incidence of orders for direct contact between children and parents, even in cases where a parent has caused or posed a risk of harm. The evidence from the review suggested this could have long term negative impacts for children.The Government is continually working with stakeholders to ensure that the family justice system delivers outcomes that work for children and families. The Government recently announced its intention to repeal the presumption of parental involvement from the Children Act 1989 when parliamentary time allows, alongside a wider package of family court reforms. A Child Arrangements Order may be made by the court in private family law cases to determine whom a child is to live with, spend time with or otherwise have contact with. Child Maintenance calculations are carried out by the Child Maintenance Service and are based on HM Revenues and Customs data. The calculation represents an amount of money that is broadly equal to the amount that a paying parent would spend on the child if they were still living with them, irrespective of the income or assets of the receiving parent.The Children Act 1989 states that the welfare of the child is the paramount consideration in family proceedings. The welfare checklist in the Children Act 1989 requires decision-makers to consider the ascertainable wishes and feelings of the child concerned, and the Government has no plans to change this.The Government believes that children’s voices must be central to family court proceedings and is delivering a new approach to private family law proceedings, known as Pathfinder. Under the Pathfinder model, a far greater proportion of children are engaged by Cafcass or Cafcass Cymru compared with the Child Arrangements Programme, and the court process puts a greater emphasis on the voice of the child through the ordering of a Child Impact Report (Report), which contains clear recommendations from the social worker, taking into account the child’s wishes and feelings.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 November 2025 to Question 87077 on Children: Custody, what estimate he has made of the number of families reached by the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme in a) Norfolk and b) North West Norfolk constituency.

Since my response to PQ 87077 on 10 November 2025, uptake of the Mediation Voucher Scheme has continued to grow. The scheme has now helped over 51,000 families access mediation services since its launch.Decisions on the continuation or expansion of the Mediation Voucher Scheme beyond March 2026 form part of the ongoing funding allocations discussion for the three-year Spending Review period. Any decisions on if and how the scheme could be expanded will be taken once the allocations process has concluded, should the scheme continue.Local authority-level reporting on voucher take-up is something we are working towards. Our new client survey now collects location data, which will allow us to provide more detailed insights in the future.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 November 2025 to Question 87077 on Children: Custody, whether his Department has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of expanding the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme.

Since my response to PQ 87077 on 10 November 2025, uptake of the Mediation Voucher Scheme has continued to grow. The scheme has now helped over 51,000 families access mediation services since its launch.Decisions on the continuation or expansion of the Mediation Voucher Scheme beyond March 2026 form part of the ongoing funding allocations discussion for the three-year Spending Review period. Any decisions on if and how the scheme could be expanded will be taken once the allocations process has concluded, should the scheme continue.Local authority-level reporting on voucher take-up is something we are working towards. Our new client survey now collects location data, which will allow us to provide more detailed insights in the future.

With reference to the press release entitled, Hundreds of quangos to be examined for potential closure as Government takes back control, published on 7 April 2025, if he will provide an update on progress of the review and when it is expected to be completed.

The ALB Review, formally launched on 7th April 2025 is ongoing, its outcomes will be communicated in due course.

With reference to section 5.3: Tackling child poverty and reforming welfare of the Budget 2025, when he expects to bring forward legislative changes.

Our Autumn Budget emphasised our commitment to a fairer welfare system that is fit for the future and provides value for taxpayers. This includes removing the two child limit from April 2026. This will lead to a substantial reduction in child poverty, helping to break the cycle of disadvantage. Given the requirement for primary legislation, we are progressing this as quickly as possible.

Pursuant to the answer of of 7 May 2025 to question 48538, what the timetable is for the Crown Estate negotiating a Partnership Agreement with GB Energy.

Great British Energy's Strategic plan, published on 4 December 2025, sets out detail regarding arrangements between the two organisations.

If she will provide a list of assets held by the Crown Estate.

This information can be found on The Crown Estate website.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the oral answer of 20 November 2025, Official Report, column 851, whether she will make it her policy to summon the Russian Ambassador if lasers are directed at RAF pilots by Russian vessels.

It is the long-standing policy of the UK Government not to set out the circumstances in which we would or would not summon the Russian Ambassador, but we maintain a number of channels for communicating with the Russian Government and holding them accountable for their actions. On the wider issues raised, I refer the Hon Member to the responses provided by the Minister for the Armed Forces in the urgent question debate on Thursday 20 November.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 29 October 2025 to Question 82390 on Iraq and Syria: Islamic State, what part the UK is taking in the re-structure of the Global Coalition against Daesh agreed at the Madrid Small Group meeting; and how the revised working group mechanisms will affect the UK’s regional priorities in (i) Syria, (ii) Iraq, (iii) Central Asia, and (iv) sub-Saharan Africa.

As stated in the answer to which the Hon Member refers, the UK's priority remains the enduring defeat of Daesh in all regions where they or their affiliates are operating, and we continue to work closely with a wide range of international partners towards that goal.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 29 October 2025 to Question 82390 on Iraq and Syria: Islamic State, what role the UK is playing in the Terrorist Travel Working Group of the Global Coalition against Daesh; and what outcomes her Department expects from UK participation in that forum.

As stated in the answer to which the Hon Member refers, the UK's priority remains the enduring defeat of Daesh in all regions where they or their affiliates are operating, and we continue to work closely with a wide range of international partners towards that goal.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 29 October 2025 to Question 82390 on Iraq and Syria: Islamic State, what work her Department is undertaking with partners through the ISIS-Khorasan Province Diplomatic Grouping; and what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of that work on countering ISIS-K activity.

As stated in the answer to which the Hon Member refers, the UK's priority remains the enduring defeat of Daesh in all regions where they or their affiliates are operating, and we continue to work closely with a wide range of international partners towards that goal.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 29 October 2025 to Question 82390 on Iraq and Syria: Islamic State, what steps she is taking with Coalition partners to (a) leverage new technologies and (b) counter the online use of the internet for Daesh recruitment.

As stated in the answer to which the Hon Member refers, the UK's priority remains the enduring defeat of Daesh in all regions where they or their affiliates are operating, and we continue to work closely with a wide range of international partners towards that goal.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 29 October 2025 to Question 82390 on Iraq and Syria: Islamic State, what contribution the UK is making to Coalition efforts to address the security risks associated with detained (a) Daesh fighters and (b) Daesh-supporting non-combatants held in detention camps in Syria.

As stated in the answer to which the Hon Member refers, the UK's priority remains the enduring defeat of Daesh in all regions where they or their affiliates are operating, and we continue to work closely with a wide range of international partners towards that goal.

How many primary schools in a) Norfolk and b) North West Norfolk constituency do not have a school library.

I refer the hon. Member for North West Norfolk to the answer of 22 October 2025 to Question ​​81502​.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to protect gene editing provisions in ongoing trade negotiations with the European Union.

Under the UK-EU Common Understanding, it is recognised that there will be areas where the UK will retain its own rules. The scope and detail of those areas are now part of ongoing negotiations. Throughout this process, we have been clear on the importance of maintaining the UK’s ability to regulate precision breeding in a way that supports innovation, gives farmers access to new tools, and upholds high standards of safety. We continue to engage closely with stakeholders and devolved administrations to ensure that our approach reflects the best available scientific advice and maintains the UK’s position as a world leader in Agri-tech.

Food and Rural Affairs, what measures are being taken to ensure that the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act supports research and field trials involving the genetic editing of sugar beet to improve resistance to Virus Yellows disease.

The secondary legislation needed to implement The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023 for plants in England commenced on 13 November 2025. This marks a major milestone, enabling research trials to take place and providing a route to market for precision bred products. Through Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme (FIP), we are funding innovative research projects and earlier this year, the Department announced a £12.5 million competition focused specifically on precision breeding. Previous projects funded under FIP includes a research project by Tropic, British Sugar and the John Innes Centre to develop sugar beets through precision breeding that are resistant against Virus Yellows.

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 November 2025 to Question 87415 on Solar Power, how much solar power generating capacity from installations smaller than 150kW capacity are (a) operational, (b) under construction and (c) awaiting a planning decision.

The Government does not hold this information. The monthly deployment statistics I cited in my previous answer use different capacity thresholds but indicate that, as of September 2025, 7.72GW of capacity was available from installations smaller than 50kW. We do not have data about the number of projects below 150kW under construction or awaiting planning decisions. Most installations smaller than 150kW will be on rooftops. These installations can generally be constructed quickly. Typically, they do not require an application for planning permission as they fall under permitted development rights.

Whether her Department has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of permitting self-defence weapons on personal safety.

The Government has no plans to permit the possession or use of currently prohibited weapons, such as pepper sprays or tasers, for self-defence purposes. Pepper sprays and tasers are prohibited under section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968.The Government considers that increased availability of such items potentially increases the risk of them being used by violent criminals, alongside a risk that they may be used inappropriately or irresponsibly in a variety of different circumstances, increasing the risk of serious injuries.