Written questions by Shannon.

What discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Department for Communities on extending the warm homes plan to Northern Ireland.

We are committed to engaging with all Devolved Governments on our ambitious energy security and net zero plans going forward, while respecting the devolution settlements. Details of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. Published declarations include the purpose of the meeting and the names of any additional external organisations or individuals in attendance.

What recent estimate she has made of the number of gangs that are involved in hare coursing.

The Government recognises the importance of tackling rural and wildlife crime and the impact hare coursing can have. We are committed to safeguarding rural communities, with tougher measures to clamp down on anti-social behaviour, strengthened neighbourhood policing, and stronger laws to prevent farm theft and fly-tippers.The National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU), which the Government provides funding to, oversees the police national response to wildlife crime, including hare coursing. It provides bespoke analytics each year to the 32 forces that are signed up to Operation Galileo, which has resulted in a 40% reduction in hare coursing, and have been successful in disrupting and prosecuting organised crime groups.The National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Wildlife and Rural Crime Strategy aims to target hare coursing through better preventative action, improved intelligence and enforcement.Policing in Northern Ireland is a devolved matter.

What recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of recent changes to the early release scheme.

SDS40 is a necessary measure to avoid the collapse of the Criminal Justice System. In designing the measure, we took every possible step to mitigate risk including an 8-week implementation period, clear offence exclusions, and a huge amount of collaboration with partners across the Criminal Justice System.Once released, offenders will be closely monitored by probation and subject to strict licence conditions, which if breached could lead to their immediate recall to prison.Following the first tranche of SDS40 releases that took place on 10 September, the Ministry of Justice and His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service have consulted our frontline and cross government partners on how things went. Following the release of prisoners under Tranche 1 on 10 September 2024 and Tranche 2 on 22 October, we are determined to continue to take every step possible to bring the prisons system under control, reduce reoffending and to keep the public safe.As the Lord Chancellor has previously announced, the change will be reviewed in 18 months.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions on using farm effluage and sewage for anaerobic digestion instead of importing wood chippings as biomass.

There are anaerobic digestion plants across the UK that generate electricity through the combustion of biogas produced through the breakdown of sewage or agricultural waste. Biomass generators, in contrast, generate electricity through the combustion of solid fuel. As biomass is a different type of technology, it uses different types of feedstock. In general, sewage cannot substitute for solid biomass fuel.

What steps he is taking to help prevent cases of Oropouche virus; and what discussions he has had with devolved Administrations on that virus.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) continuously monitors the global epidemiology of the Oropouche virus disease, and assesses risk to the United Kingdom’s population. The UKHSA works to reduce risk through the provision of travel advice to both travellers and healthcare professionals, including through the National Travel Health Network and Centre and through awareness raising through media engagement, when appropriate.The UKHSA has undertaken specific work to raise the awareness of the Oropouche virus disease among healthcare professionals, including targeted communication and discussion with professional obstetrics and gynaecology networks. UKHSA subject matter experts have contributed to publications in scientific and medical journals to raise clinician awareness. The UKHSA has also provided expert commentary to media outlets, to ensure that accurate travel health advice is included in media articles.Molecular testing for acute Oropouche virus disease is available in the UK through the UKHSA’s Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL), in Porton Down. Following the increase in cases in the Americas in 2024, the RIPL has also been performing active surveillance through testing samples submitted for dengue diagnosis, where the patient has travelled to a region affected by the Oropouche virus disease and subsequently tests negative for dengue. No imported cases have been detected in the UK to date. Epidemiological alerts published by the Pan American Health Organisation and World Health Organisation have been shared with the devolved administration’s public health organisations

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of (a) human rights conditions and (b) respect for international law in the South Caucasus.

Long-term human rights concerns persist across the whole South Caucasus region. The UK Government regularly raises human rights obligations and commitments with the Governments of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, as well as discussing such matters with international counterparts. For example, I [Minister Doughty] spoke to Georgian Foreign Minister Darchiashvili on 9 October. I shared with him my deep concerns about the negative implications of Georgia's recent laws on Transparency and Foreign Influence and on Family Values and highlighted our concerns regarding the pressures being applied to civil society which undermine the Georgian people's ambition for a modern, inclusive and Euro-Atlantic future.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to help tackle (a) forced disappearances, (b) the prolonged detentions of monks and nuns and (c) other suppression of (i) freedom of religion or belief and (ii) human rights in Tibet.

This Government will stand firm on human rights, including China's repression of the people of Tibet. We will champion freedom of religion or belief for all abroad, and work to uphold the right to freedom of religion or belief through our position at the UN, G7 and other multilateral fora, and through bilateral engagement.The Foreign Secretary raised human rights in his first meeting with China's Director of Foreign Affairs Commission Office and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, on 26 July.

What discussions she has had with the Department of Communities in Northern Ireland on supporting young adults with mental health issues back into work.

Social security is devolved in Northern Ireland and is administered by the Department for Communities and it is for the Devolved Government to decide how to deliver employment support. The Department understands the longstanding negative implications unemployment may have on young people. Disabled people and people with health conditions are a diverse group who deserve access to the right work and health support, in the right place, at the right time. We therefore have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work, including those that join up employment and health systems. Through our Get Britain Working Plan, we will introduce a new Youth Guarantee in England, meaning more opportunities for training, an apprenticeship or help to find work for all 18 to 21-year-olds. This will prevent young people becoming excluded from the world of work at a young age and ultimately help support better mental health. This will require input and expertise from a wide range of stakeholders, and we will engage with the devolved governments, including the Department for Communities as our plans develop.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he is taking steps with his Azerbaijani counterpart to help tackle corruption by politicians in that country.

The UK acknowledges that like many countries around the world, Azerbaijan faces challenges with tackling corruption. We remain in close contact with the Azerbaijani authorities and stand ready to provide support and expertise in tackling this issue.

What discussions she has had with her Austrian counterpart on security for Taylor Swift concerts.

The government’s protective security system is rigorous and proportionate.It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals’ security.

Whether she has had discussions with her Northern Irish counterpart on the release from prison of convicted murderers.

The Lord Chancellor has not yet had discussions with Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive, however Ministers wish to meet counterparts soon. Officials regularly discuss a broad range of release policy issues through meetings such as the 5 Nations Forum which convenes quarterly.

Communities and Local Government, if she will hold discussions with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive on women sleeping rough because of domestic abuse.

The Deputy Prime Minister has been clear about the importance of resetting this department’s relationship with devolved governments so that we are increasing collaboration on shared opportunities and challenges. UK Government ministers talk regularly to counterparts in Northern Ireland across the full range of government business.Domestic abuse is a societal issue which affects people, mostly women and girls, across the UK. This Government is committed to tackling this horrendous crime, in line with our manifesto commitment to halve violence against women and girls within a decade.I recognise that the four nations of the UK face common challenges regarding domestic abuse and homelessness, which are devolved matters. In England, local authorities have a statutory duty to ensure support in safe accommodation is available to all victims of domestic abuse who need to flee their homes, and victims of domestic abuse have priority need for homelessness assistance meaning local authorities have a duty to secure suitable accommodation, including temporary accommodation, until settled accommodation is secured.

What steps she is taking to encourage boys to apply for university.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.The department will support the aspiration of every person who meets the requirements and wants to go to university, regardless of their background and personal characteristics. Access to higher education (HE) should be based on ability and attainment. Opportunity should be available to all and it is our aspiration that no groups are left behind.It is critical that both boys and girls are supported with good advice, quality options and fair and transparent processes which ensure there are no barriers to them accessing high quality courses suited to their ability, interests and aspirations.The department expects schools and colleges to provide a stable, structured careers programme in line with the Gatsby Benchmarks. The Benchmarks include a clear expectation that every pupil should meet providers of the full range of learning opportunities, including universities. By the age of 18, all pupils who are considering applying for university should have had at least two visits to universities to meet staff and pupilsAll English HE providers that are registered with the Office for Students (OfS) and intend to charge higher fees must have an access and participation plan (APP) approved by the OfS. APPs should set out how a university or college will challenge risks to equality of opportunity in HE and include the underrepresented groups it will support. HE providers should refer to the Equality of Opportunity Risk Register published by the OfS when considering risk. They should also consider other local risks based on available evidence to address areas of under-representation.UCAS has introduced reforms to the admissions application form to increase transparency and improve clarity around the process. These include a new academic reference for the 2024 cycle, a new entry grades tool for the 2025 cycle and personal statement reform. These changes aim to enable students to make informed, ambitious choices and ensure universities hear from students in their own words.

What support her Department provides to young girls with autism in schools.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.For too long the education and care system has not met the needs of all children, particularly children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with parents struggling to get their children the support they need and deserve.This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with SEND or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.The large majority of pupils diagnosed with autism as their primary type of need are boys. There is ongoing research and awareness on the different presentation of autism traits according to gender and the late, under and misdiagnosis of girls and women. This gender imbalance is greater for autism than for any other primary type of need.The department holds and funds the Universal SEND Services contract, which brings together SEND-specific continuing professional development and support for the school and further education workforce. The programme aims to improve outcomes for children and young people, including those with autism. As part of the contract, the Autism Education Trust (AET) provide a range of training and support for staff on autism including a live 90 minute ‘making sense of autism’ training. The training covers topics such as understanding autism, reasonable adjustments for pupils and how to listen to and learn from the perspectives of autistic pupils. The AET offer also addresses autism in girls and helps education staff understand more about how autism may present differently in girls. Since the contract began in May 2022, over 185,000 professionals have received training from AET training partners.

What discussions he has had with his counterparts in the devolved Administrations on potential energy bill increases.

Collaboration between the UK Government and Devolved Governments is essential to accelerate Net Zero and deliver the Clean Energy Superpower Mission. The Government is working closely with governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to help work towards delivery of our respective climate targets and carbon budgets. Details of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. Published declarations include the purpose of the meeting and the names of any additional external organisations or individuals in attendance.

If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of guidance issued by his Department on the best time to take blood pressure medication.

The National Health Service monitors evidence on all interventions and updates our public facing guidance accordingly. The routine review of blood pressure medication guidance on the NHS website is due in December 2024. However, the timing of medication is a clinical decision which is made by doctors, and depends on several patient factors.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Georgian counterpart on human rights in that country.

I [Minister Doughty] spoke with Georgian Foreign Minister Darchiashvili on 9 October. I shared with him my deep concerns about the negative implications of Georgia's recent laws on Transparency and Foreign Influence and on Family Values. The pressures being applied to civil society and on human rights protections undermine the Georgian people's ambition for a modern, inclusive, Euro-Atlantic future. More needs to be done to embed Georgia's previous impressive progress - on combating corruption, improving prison conditions, and launching a human rights strategy - into reforms that enhance judicial independence and political freedoms, and protect minority rights.

If his Department to will make an assessment of the adequacy of support for the physical health of service people.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to the health and wellbeing of our Armed Forces personnel. For those personnel requiring medical intervention the Defence Medical Services (DMS) provides occupationally focused primary healthcare to serving Armed Forces personnel, to ensure that they are medically fit, mentally and physically, to undertake their duties. For wounded, injured and sick personnel, the Defence Recovery Capability is a MOD-owned capability designed to deliver programmed, command-led and coordinated support. Each person who comes under the Defence Recovery Capability will get a tailored Individual Recovery Plan which enables them to focus on either their return to duty or transition to civilian life. The Department is reviewing its medical capabilities, including the provision of healthcare delivered by DMS to Armed Forces personnel as part of the Strategic Defence Review. The review will report in the first half of 2025.

What guidance her Department issues to police forces on the (a) recording and (b) retention of personal information on police data bases for hate incidents that are not deemed to be a crime.

This Government has already committed to reversing the previous Government’s decision to downgrade the monitoring of antisemitic and Islamophobic hate.It is vital that the police can capture data relating to non-crime hate incidents when it is proportionate and necessary to help prevent serious crimes which may later occur.We are carefully considering how best to protect individuals and communities from hate whilst balancing the need to protect the fundamental right to free speech. We are also ensuring the police can spend their time dealing with issues that matter most to communities. We will set out next steps in due course.

Whether he has had discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on increasing funding for local council sports grants (a) for young sports groups and athletes in Ards and North Down Council Borough and (b) generally.

My officials have engaged with Treasury officials on this matter.The Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme has over 17 projects in 2024-25 in Northern Ireland. This Government is determined that, through our investment in grassroots sport, the legacy of the Paris Olympics and Euro 2024 is measured not just in trophies, but in choices and chances for every child wherever they live and whatever their background.Sport is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland, and I would encourage the hon Gentleman to liaise with the Department for Communities about local sports grants in his constituency.