Written questions by Asato.

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 made an assessment of the potential merits of granting Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project status to large-scale anaerobic digestion and biomethane facilities; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project status designation on (a) the delivery of large-scale anaerobic digestion and biomethane projects and (b) the UK' net zero and energy security targets.

The Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) regime streamlines planning for major projects, making processes faster and fairer for developers and communities. Large-scale infrastructure is vital for secure, reliable, and affordable energy while meeting decarbonisation targets. Biomethane supports these goals as a low-carbon, domestically produced energy source. The Department is working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and other stakeholders to identify the best ways to enable deployment of larger anaerobic digestion and biomethane plants, including assessing whether NSIP designation is the most effective approach to remove barriers and accelerate delivery toward achieving the UK’s net zero targets.

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.

HM Treasury provides ongoing guidance to all staff on how to handle domestic abuse. The guidance provides comprehensive information on how to recognise the signs of domestic abuse and outlines the steps managers can take to offer appropriate support. HMT is also a member of the Employers Initiative on Domestic Abuse which provides additional resources to ensure all of our staff are able to recognise key signs and have additional support materials to hand to enable them to support staff members who may be experiencing 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.

The Scotland Office does not employ staff directly, all staff that join, do so on an assignment, loan or secondment from other Government bodies, principally the Ministry of Justice and the Scottish Government, who remain the employers.The Ministry of Justice and the Scottish Government provide extensive domestic abuse guidance and support for employees and their managers.

Innovation and Technology, 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.

DSIT is committed to supporting employees experiencing domestic abuse. We provide comprehensive advice to these employees and their managers including how to identify abuse, actions which colleagues and managers can take, and links to organisations providing advice and support. Our guidance also covers the actions of perpetrators and how disciplinary action would be implemented.In July 2024 we implemented Domestic Abuse Guidance for employees and line managers. Line managers can access departmental online information and 121 support is available for the line manager where this is needed for specific instances of domestic abuse.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, 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 Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is committed to supporting employees who may be experiencing domestic abuse. We provide comprehensive guidance for employees and their managers, including how to identify abuse, actions colleagues and managers can take, and links to organisations offering advice and support. This guidance also addresses the actions of perpetrators and outlines how disciplinary measures would be implemented.The FCDO has implemented a comprehensive Domestic Abuse Policy that applies to all UK-based and overseas staff, including those on loan or secondment. The policy sets out clear principles, definitions, and guidance to ensure appropriate support for affected employees. While mandatory domestic abuse training for all line managers has not yet been introduced, guidance and resources are available to help managers respond sensitively and appropriately. Dedicated Human Resources teams and wellbeing services provide specialist advice on handling disclosures and safeguarding staff. When the Cabinet Office training for managers is introduced, we will ensure strong engagement and uptake.

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 department has issued guidance for staff on domestic abuse. This guidance includes information for line managers on how to respond to staff experiencing domestic abuse alongside routes for further advice and support.

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 Department for Transport adopted a domestic abuse charter in 2018 which provides advice and guidance for staff affected by domestic abuse and for their colleagues and line management who may be called upon to support them. Line manager guidance on supporting staff experiencing domestic violence and abuse was strengthened further in 2024. This covered: the signposting of sources of support and advice such as the Employee Assistance Programme that all staff have access to; and outlining the flexible leave options available to deal with scenarios that might arise such as disruption of childcare arrangements, legal appointments, or a move of home. It also highlighted the importance of discretion and taking a reasonable approach where periods of sickness absence are directly linked to domestic violence or abuse. Line Managers receive standard line management training when they first take on a managerial role. This includes a focus on wellbeing, recognising signs of stress or poor mental health, and conducting supportive conversations. The training also covers signposting to resources such as the Employee Assistance Programme, internal wellbeing guides, and Mental Health First Aiders, which can be relevant when supporting staff experiencing challenging personal circumstances, including domestic abuse. DfT’s Gender Equality Network has committed to supporting the Safer Streets mission organised by White Ribbon UK, a campaign that engages with men and boys to prevent violence against women and girls. I have given permission for DfT to apply for White Ribbon accreditation.

Media and Sport, 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.

DCMS is committed to supporting employees experiencing domestic abuse.Our domestic abuse charter provides comprehensive advice to employees and their managers including how to identify abuse, actions to take, and links to organisations providing advice and support.There is currently no dedicated line manager training on responding to domestic abuse. A training product for managers is currently under development in the Cabinet Office. Once available, we will promote the take-up of this training product in our department.

Food and Rural Affairs, 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.

Defra has implemented employee and manager guidance for domestic abuse. The guidance offers support for those experiencing domestic abusethose who may have witnessed, or who may be supporting or managing a colleague affected by domestic abusethose who may have been accused of domestic abuse All employees and managers must hold regular one-to-one meetings to ensure personal and wellbeing needs are met and that access to the Employee Assistance Programme is clear and available. Additional training is available on the internal Learning Hub and covers key leadership and management skills such as effective communication, handling sensitive conversations, supporting wellbeing, and managing people issues. Once available, we will promote the take-up of the training product for managers currently being developed by the Cabinet Office.

Whether the forthcoming Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy and its delivery plan will include (a) funding and (b) measures to improve support for (i) child victims of criminal exploitation (ii) child victims of sexual exploitation, (iii) other victims of modern slavery, (iv) child victims of 'honour-based' abuse, and (v) child victims of forced marriage.

The new Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy will set the direction for the next decade, driving forward the Government’s bold ambition to halve VAWG within ten years. We’re working towards publication as soon as possible and I will continue to keep the House updated on its development and forthcoming publication.The Strategy will cover all forms of VAWG, including but not limited to sexual violence, domestic abuse, stalking, ‘honour’-based abuse, forced marriage, and sexual exploitation, and will address VAWG that can occur online as well as offline. All victims of VAWG are in scope of the Strategy and tackling child sexual abuse and exploitation will be covered.Extensive work is already underway across government to address all of these crimes.

What discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Education on improving consistency in identification of child victims of modern slavery by introducing a statutory definition of child criminal exploitation; and whether she will include a definition in an updated edition of the Working Together to Safeguard Children statutory guidance.

The Home Office is working closely with the Department for Education to improve the identification and response to victims of child criminal exploitation (CCE).As committed to in the Government’s manifesto, we are introducing a new offence of child criminal exploitation in the Crime and Policing Bill. The offence itself already defines CCE.In addition, we will include a definition of child criminal exploitation in the statutory guidance that the Government will issue to the police in relation to the new offence. The CCE definition in this statutory guidance will set out in layman’s terms the conduct captured by the offence as well as additional information for police and practitioners on how the offence should be applied and victims identified by the police. This will promote awareness and ensure there is a shared understanding of child criminal exploitation so that victims are better identified and receive the protection they need.We will also review existing guidance, including Working Together to Safeguard Children and consider what amendments to such guidance may be needed as a result of introducing this new offence.A public Call for Evidence on how the Government can improve the process of identifying victims of modern slavery, human trafficking and exploitation closed on 8th October, and the Home Office is analysing the responses received.

How many cases supported by the Forced Marriage Unit in each of the last five years resulted in a referral to the National Referral Mechanism; and what specialist support for girls affected by forced marriage is funded through the Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls programme.

The UK is a world leader in the fight to stamp out the harmful practice of forced marriage. The joint Home Office and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) has been working to combat forced marriage since 2005. The Forced Marriage Unit provides support to victims, those at risk of forced marriage, and advice to professionals through its public helpline and inbox. The support offered ranges from providing information and guidance, to consular assistance for victims who are British national and habitual residents overseas.The FMU works in an advisory capacity and therefore does not hold information on referrals of victims to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM). First Responders, such as Local Authorities, the police, Border Force, UKVI, and Immigration Enforcement, and specific NGOs, are responsible for identifying indicators of modern slavery and referring potential victims into the NRM for their cases to be considered by the appropriate Competent Authority.The Home Office also funds Karma Nirvana to operate the national ‘Honour’-Based Abuse (HBA) Helpline. This service aims, through the provision of a telephone line and e-mail service to support victims and survivors of HBA including forced marriage.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the revocation of the Online Safety Act 2023 (Commencement No 5) Regulations 2025 on the spread of child sexual abuse material online.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) is responsible for the development and implementation of the Designated Reporting Body (DRB), which will receive reports of CSEA from in-scope user-to-user service providers. The NCA has confirmed that the DRB has been delayed due to technical issues. By revoking the original SIs, the Government is granting the NCA time to resolve technical issues with the reporting portal and allow for the reporting portal to be thoroughly tested ahead of the portal becoming fully operational. This will significantly increase the prospect of an efficient, fully accessible and robust reporting mechanism when legislation comes into force.We expect the impact of this revocation to be minimal, given service providers can and already do report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in the US, as US-based services, under US law. NCMEC forwards any reports with a UK nexus to UK law enforcement.More broadly, until the CSEA reporting provisions within the Online Safety Act (OSA) comes into force, services can continue to act as they do now, including reporting under international law, to existing reporting bodies and law enforcement. Again, suspected CSEA cases with a UK nexus made via alternative channels, including reports made internationally, will continue to be passed to UK law enforcement.The NCA expects the DRB to go live in Spring 2026. The OSA’s provisions to report CSEA content to the NCA, including the Reporting Regulations, will be laid and will come into force in parallel with the operationalisation of the DRB in Spring 2026.

When regulations requiring providers of regulated user-to-user services to report child sexual abuse and exploitation content to the National Crime Agency will (a) be laid and (b) come into force.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) is responsible for the development and implementation of the Designated Reporting Body (DRB), which will receive reports of CSEA from in-scope user-to-user service providers. The NCA has confirmed that the DRB has been delayed due to technical issues. By revoking the original SIs, the Government is granting the NCA time to resolve technical issues with the reporting portal and allow for the reporting portal to be thoroughly tested ahead of the portal becoming fully operational. This will significantly increase the prospect of an efficient, fully accessible and robust reporting mechanism when legislation comes into force.We expect the impact of this revocation to be minimal, given service providers can and already do report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in the US, as US-based services, under US law. NCMEC forwards any reports with a UK nexus to UK law enforcement.More broadly, until the CSEA reporting provisions within the Online Safety Act (OSA) comes into force, services can continue to act as they do now, including reporting under international law, to existing reporting bodies and law enforcement. Again, suspected CSEA cases with a UK nexus made via alternative channels, including reports made internationally, will continue to be passed to UK law enforcement.The NCA expects the DRB to go live in Spring 2026. The OSA’s provisions to report CSEA content to the NCA, including the Reporting Regulations, will be laid and will come into force in parallel with the operationalisation of the DRB in Spring 2026.

For what reason the Online Safety Act 2023 (Commencement No 5) Regulations 2025, due to come into force on 3 November, were revoked on 9 October.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) is responsible for the development andimplementation of the Designated Reporting Body (DRB), which will receivereports of CSEA from in-scope user-to-user service providers.The NCA hasconfirmed that the DRB has been delayed due to technical issues.Until theDRB is ready to receive reports, the CSEA reporting provisions in the OSAcannot come into force.By revoking the original SIs, the Government is granting the NCA time toresolve technical issues with the reporting portal and allow for the reportingportal to be thoroughly tested ahead of the portal becoming fully operational.This will significantly increase the prospect of an efficient, fully accessible androbust reporting mechanism when legislation comes into force.The NCA expects the DRB to go live in Spring 2026. The OSA’s provisions toreport CSEA content to the NCA, including the Reporting Regulations, will belaid and will come into force in parallel with the operationalisation of the DRBin Spring 2026.

What steps his Department is taking to support the growth of the biomethane sector.

Biomethane can play an important role in reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels, boosting our energy security and helping us accelerate to net zero. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) is working with The National Energy System Operator (NESO) on biomethane’s role in clean power and net zero. DESNZ expects to publish a consultation on a holistic future policy framework for biomethane in financial year 2025-26, to follow the current Green Gas Support Scheme, which closes to new applications in March 2028.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential role of biomethane in the UK’s transition to (a) a clean power system and (b) in achieving net zero.

Biomethane can play an important role in reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels, boosting our energy security and helping us accelerate to net zero. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) is working with The National Energy System Operator (NESO) on biomethane’s role in clean power and net zero. DESNZ expects to publish a consultation on a holistic future policy framework for biomethane in financial year 2025-26, to follow the current Green Gas Support Scheme, which closes to new applications in March 2028.

Whether he has considered the assessment of the role of biomethane in the National Energy System Operator’s Future Energy Scenarios.

Biomethane can play an important role in reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels, boosting our energy security and helping us accelerate to net zero. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) is working with The National Energy System Operator (NESO) on biomethane’s role in clean power and net zero. DESNZ expects to publish a consultation on a holistic future policy framework for biomethane in financial year 2025-26, to follow the current Green Gas Support Scheme, which closes to new applications in March 2028.

Whether the civil service has implemented a domestic abuse policy for employees.

The Civil Service is committed to raising awareness of domestic abuse and providing guidance and support to managers and employees in tackling its occurrence and effects. It is for departments to decide their domestic abuse policy and the provision of paid special leave to victims of domestic abuse. Model policy guidance issued to departments by the Cabinet Office sets out a framework of advice and support for managers and their team members experiencing domestic abuse. The model guidance advises managers to consider using special leave to support domestic abuse victims. Other forms of special leave may also be relevant such as emergency leave for dependants and leave for court attendances.