Written questions by Asato.

If she will commission an analysis of areas with the highest levels of prosecutions for truancy, to examine the contributing social, economic, and institutional factors, to help inform evidence-based policy responses.

The department conducts analysis of data received via its Parental Responsibility Measures for Attendance data collection, which provides information on the national use of legal interventions to improve school attendance, including prosecutions, by local authority. We will continue to use the results of this data analysis to inform conversations with local authorities on addressing barriers to attendance, using a ’support first’ approach to pupils’ attendance. The department’s guidance is clear that prosecutions should only be used as a last resort, where all other routes have been exhausted or deemed inappropriate in the circumstances of the individual case.

If her Department will take steps to help to minimise the potential impact on mothers who are prosecuted for their child’s truancy from school.

Absence is one of the biggest barriers to success for children and the government is committed to improving attendance through a support first approach.The Working Together to Improve School Attendance statutory guidance sets out clear expectations for schools, trusts, local authorities to work collaboratively with families to identify and address the underlying reasons for non‑attendance, and put in place support. This guidance can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-improve-school-attendance.Prosecution is a last resort, used only where support has been exhausted or not engaged with. In most instances, absences linked to illness, disability, mental health or special education needs should be authorised and not lead to prosecution. The decision to prosecute rests solely with the local authority, but paragraph 164 of the guidance sets out factors for their consideration, including public interest tests and equalities considerations.

What assessment her department has made of the potential impact on mothers who are prosecuted for their child’s truancy from school.

Absence is one of the biggest barriers to success for children and the government is committed to improving attendance through a support first approach.The Working Together to Improve School Attendance statutory guidance sets out clear expectations for schools, trusts, local authorities to work collaboratively with families to identify and address the underlying reasons for non‑attendance, and put in place support. This guidance can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-improve-school-attendance.Prosecution is a last resort, used only where support has been exhausted or not engaged with. In most instances, absences linked to illness, disability, mental health or special education needs should be authorised and not lead to prosecution. The decision to prosecute rests solely with the local authority, but paragraph 164 of the guidance sets out factors for their consideration, including public interest tests and equalities considerations.

Whether any police forces have instigated an investigation into trafficking crimes committed as part of the Epstein scandal.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council has established a national coordination group and has appointed a senior investigator to support forces in reviewing the extensive material and progressing any resulting investigations.

If she will take steps to develop a National Trauma Strategy for England.

The government recognises that trauma can have a profound impact on children’s lives and that addressing it requires support from the whole of society.The NHS provides specialist assessment, talking therapies and medical treatment for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as self‑help resources and routes to urgent or ongoing psychological support.Education settings also play an important role in identifying and supporting pupils affected by adversity, with the flexibility to choose the pastoral support that best meets their pupils’ needs. The department’s guidance emphasises creating safe, supportive environments and understanding the lasting impact trauma can have on wellbeing and learning.The government is expanding mental health support teams to ensure access to specialist mental health professionals in all schools and colleges by 2029, alongside £13 million in pilots to enhance support for children with more complex needs, including those linked to trauma, neurodivergence and disordered eating.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of making UK AISI / Thorn's guidance entitled Recommended Practice for AI-G CSEA Prevention, published in December 2025, mandatory for AI developers to prevent the creation of AI-generated child sexual abuse material.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 15 January 2026 to Question UIN 104313.

Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions she has had with Ofcom on the disproportionate impact Physical Infrastructure Access costs have on the deployment of fibre optic broadband in rural areas.

As the independent regulator for telecommunications, Ofcom is responsible for making regulatory decisions in the fixed telecoms sector, including on the Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) product.DSIT is engaging on this issue with Ofcom at an official level. In July, we published our draft Statement of Strategic Priorities for telecommunications, the management of radio spectrum, and postal services that sets out the Government’s view on infrastructure sharing in the fixed telecoms sector, including asking Ofcom to demonstrate greater transparency in how they calculate and set PIA prices.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that the introduction of digital and AI tools in mental health care enhances rather than replaces the work of qualified counsellors and psychotherapists, in line with guidance from professional bodies such as the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society.

To deliver the shift from analogue to digital that is set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will create a digital front door for mental health care through the NHS App to boost access to early support and empower people to take steps to manage their symptoms.Digital and artificial intelligence (AI) tools in mental health care can enhance and complement the work of qualified counsellors and psychotherapists, not replace human-delivered care. These tools can help with routine tasks like managing appointments, answering basic queries, updating clinical notes, and booking sessions. This means that clinicians can spend more time providing care to patients and patients have an improved experience across the care pathway, for example through reduced waiting times. Any new tools are introduced within a comprehensive regulatory framework in the National Health Service, underpinned by rigorous standards for safety, effectiveness, ethics, and data protection.Publicly available AI applications that are not deployed by the NHS, such as ChatGPT and Character.AI, are not regulated as medical technologies and may offer incorrect or harmful information. Users are strongly advised to be careful when using these technologies.

When statutory guidance will be produced on the duty to collaborate under the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024; and what plans the Government has to ensure its implementation following the decision to abolish PCCs and the upcoming changes to integrated care boards.

We will work closely with the Home Office and the Department for Health and Social care as Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) and Integrated Care Board reforms unfold and this will inform our consideration of implementation of the Duty to Collaborate under the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024. The Ministry of Justice has recently announced that it will be investing £550 million in victim support services over the next three years – the biggest investment in victim support services to date.We are taking this opportunity to review and strengthen the commissioning and delivery of victims’ services. In light of the announcement to abolish the PCC function in May 2028, we will also explore changes to the delivery of victims funding to ensure this is delivered in the best way in the future.

Innovation and Technology, when her Department plans to publish the review on the impact of social media on young people’s wellbeing and mental health commissioned in November 2024.

The feasibility study into research on any causal impact of social media and smartphones on children’s mental health and wellbeing has been completed. My department is considering the study’s recommendations for further research, and the report will be published in due course.

Whether he plans to extend support for anaerobic digestion plants due to expire under the Renewables Obligation.

The Government currently supports anaerobic digestion (AD) through the Renewables Obligation (RO), Non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive, Feed-in-Tariffs, and the Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS). The Government has no plans to extend the RO when it comes to an end from 2027 onwards. Since the RO was launched in 2002, the energy landscape has evolved, and the scheme no longer provides the correct market incentives or value for money for electricity generation.For biomethane from AD, the Government expects to consult this financial year on a policy framework to follow the GGSS, which closes to applications in 2028.

Whether her Department has (a) implemented a domestic abuse policy for staff and (b) trained line managers to effectively respond to staff who are experiencing domestic abuse.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) provides employment services, including policies, to staff and line managers in my department. Staff and line managers in my Department can access domestic abuse guidance and support which provides important information on how to best respond to anyone experiencing or who is a survivor of domestic abuse.

Whether his Department has (a) implemented a domestic abuse policy for staff and (b) trained line managers to effectively respond to staff who are experiencing domestic abuse.

DWP provides comprehensive guidance and information to raise awareness of domestic abuse and its impacts which is available specifically to line managers and employees to help identify and respond appropriately to employees who may be experiencing domestic abuse, including signposting to further support and advice. DWP also runs a national annual programme of activity to raise awareness and share guidance with line managers and employees – promoting the '16 days of action against domestic abuse campaign'.

What steps his Department is taking to support the (a) development of the anaerobic digestion and biomethane sector, (b) design of support mechanisms for that sector and (c) inclusion of biomethane in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme.

Biomethane production is supported by the Green Gas Support Scheme, which is open to applications until March 2028. Following the February 2024 call for evidence, the Government intends to consult on a future policy framework consultation this financial year. The UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) applies a zero emissions factor to biomethane combustion where supplied directly to ETS installations. Where injected into the gas grid, there is not currently a mechanism to ensure biomethane is accounted for separately. The Department is considering feedback on the impacts of this to inform next steps and will provide an update in due course.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has (a) implemented a domestic abuse policy for staff and (b) trained line managers to effectively respond to staff who are experiencing domestic abuse.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is committed to supporting staff that are experiencing, or going through the aftermath of, domestic violence. MHCLG has a published Domestic Violence policy. Our published policy includes guidance and support for Line Managers and individuals who are confided to about domestic violence issues and signposts to a range of resources and sources of support for colleagues experiencing domestic violence and for managers supporting colleagues. Once available, we will promote the take-up of the training product for managers currently being developed by the Cabinet Office.

Whether his Department has (a) implemented a domestic abuse policy for staff and (b) trained line managers to effectively respond to staff who are experiencing domestic abuse.

The Department for Business and Trade is committed to supporting employees experiencing domestic abuse and has guidance in place that outlines the support available to employees affected by domestic abuse.Line managers complete 'Manager Essentials' training, which promotes wellbeing and guidance on handling complex issues.Employees at risk of, or experiencing, domestic abuse can access:general awareness-raising training via the departmental intranetaccredited domestic abuse companions offering confidential guidance and supportan external resource hub providing professional advice and assistance.Once available, we will promote the take-up of the training product for managers currently being developed by the Cabinet Office.

Whether his Department has (a) implemented a domestic abuse policy for staff and (b) trained line managers to effectively respond to staff who are experiencing domestic abuse.

Defence is fully committed to supporting staff affected by domestic abuse and will continue to do so through dedicated awareness campaigns and training. Addressing domestic abuse is a ministerial priority and a shared responsibility for Defence leaders, as detailed in the Ministry of Defence Domestic Abuse Action Plan 2024-2029. Defence has a dedicated whole force policy on domestic abuse, Joint Service Publication (JSP) 913, which provides specific guidance for line managers. JSP_913_Whole_Force_Policy_on_Domestic_Abuse_-_Part_2_Guidance.pdf While Defence does not yet formally train line managers to respond to domestic abuse, we are undertaking work aligned to this approach. In our current action plan, we have committed to developing a staff briefing to further promote workplace support and set out line manager actions. This work is well underway and near completion. Defence is also an active member of the Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse (EIDA).

Whether his Department has (a) implemented a domestic abuse policy for staff and (b) trained line managers to effectively respond to staff who are experiencing domestic abuse.

The Department has committed to raising awareness of domestic abuse and providing guidance and support for employees and managers.The Department’s 2021 Domestic Abuse Charter commits to providing a safe, supportive workplace for staff affected by domestic abuse. It outlines practical support measures, guidance for managers, and a clear process for responding to disclosures, with the aim of breaking down taboos and ensuring staff wellbeing.The Department’s intranet provides a dedicated domestic abuse support page that includes the employee guide. The guide is designed to help all staff understand what domestic abuse is and what help is available, and contains a list of external organisations available for advice and support. Staff can also contact the Department’s Domestic Abuse Support Network via email for confidential advice and resources, or follow signposting to the Employee Assistance Programme, offering 24/7 confidential emotional and wellbeing support. The Department is also a member of the Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse which supports organisations to take action on domestic abuse.The Department provides guidance for managers to effectively support employees who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse. This guidance covers supporting affected colleagues, managing perpetrators, and ensuring a safe, supportive workplace. Further guidance and support for managers is available through Human Resources (HR). In 2022 and 2024, the Department provided training for HR and the Domestic Abuse Support Network members who provide support to managers and employees.

Whether his Department has (a) implemented a domestic abuse policy for staff and (b) trained line managers to effectively respond to staff who are experiencing domestic abuse.

DESNZ is committed to looking after the welfare of our staff. (a) We have Domestic Abuse guidance in place to support staff(b) We have Domestic Abuse guidance in place to support managers. We also promote Cross-Government Domestic Abuse awareness training.

Whether his Department has (a) implemented a domestic abuse policy for staff and (b) trained line managers to effectively respond to staff who are experiencing domestic abuse.

The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) follows the Ministry of Justice for its HR policies. The MoJ published updated domestic abuse guidance and support on their intranet in August 2025, helping staff and managers assess safety concerns, and providing information on how best to support individuals and teams. This guidance is readily accessible to all staff in the NIO alongside a range of wellbeing support.