Written questions by Robertson.

Whether her Department plans to accept the recommendation of the Curriculum and Assessment Review to develop a programme of work to provide evidence-led guidance on curriculum and pedagogical adaptation.

The Curriculum and Assessment Review looked closely at how to break down the barriers that hold back children and young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, those with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), and those who are otherwise vulnerable.The department has accepted the recommendation to develop new evidence-led resources to support curriculum adaptation for all children and young people, including those with SEND in the government response published alongside the review. We will work in collaboration with experts and school leaders to create new Curriculum in Practice resources: a flexible suite of adaptive teaching strategies, case studies and real-world examples tailored to different phases of education.

What estimate she has made of the potential cost to the public purse of the planned geographical expansion of Start for Life services from 2025–26.

The 10-Year Health Plan sets out an ambitious agenda to improve the nation’s health. As part of this, we will expand Start for Life services and integrate zero- to five-year olds’ health and children’s services into communities, with a strong focus on the critical first 1,001 days. The integration of health services in Best Start Family Hubs is fundamental to improving outcomes for babies, children, and their families and for delivering on neighbourhood health. This is why the Government will prioritise funding the continuation of existing Start for Life services including for infant feeding, perinatal mental health, and parent-infant relationships. Provisional funding allocations have been shared with local authorities. The Government remains committed to supporting all local areas to strengthen and join up health services for babies, children, and their families.

What estimate his Department has made of the total funding required for Start for Life services over the next Spending Review period; and of how much funding will be required to support (a) geographical and (b) age-range expansion.

The 10-Year Health Plan sets out an ambitious agenda to improve the nation’s health. As part of this, we will expand Start for Life services and integrate zero- to five-year-olds’ health and children’s services in communities, with a strong focus on the critical first 1,001 days. The integration of health services in Best Start Family Hubs is fundamental to improving outcomes for babies, children and their families and delivering on Neighbourhood Health. This is why the Government will prioritise funding the continuation of existing Start for Life services including for infant feeding, perinatal mental health and parent-infant relationships. Provisional funding allocations have been shared with local authorities. The Government remains committed to supporting all local areas to strengthen and join up health services for babies, children and their families.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of extending Start for Life services to a wider age range on costs to the public purse.

The 10-Year Health Plan sets out an ambitious agenda to improve the nation’s health. As part of this, we will expand Start for Life services and integrate zero- to five-year olds’ health and children’s services into communities, with a strong focus on the critical first 1,001 days. The integration of health services in Best Start Family Hubs is fundamental to improving outcomes for babies, children, and their families and for delivering on neighbourhood health. This is why the Government will prioritise funding the continuation of existing Start for Life services including for infant feeding, perinatal mental health, and parent-infant relationships. Provisional funding allocations have been shared with local authorities. The Government remains committed to supporting all local areas to strengthen and join up health services for babies, children, and their families.

When his Department plans to confirm funding allocations for the Start for Life programme beyond 1 April 2026.

The 10-Year Health Plan sets out an ambitious agenda to improve the nation’s health. As part of this, we will expand Start for Life services and integrate zero- to five-year olds’ health and children’s services into communities, with a strong focus on the critical first 1,001 days. The integration of health services in Best Start Family Hubs is fundamental to improving outcomes for babies, children, and their families and for delivering on neighbourhood health. This is why the Government will prioritise funding the continuation of existing Start for Life services including for infant feeding, perinatal mental health, and parent-infant relationships. Provisional funding allocations have been shared with local authorities. The Government remains committed to supporting all local areas to strengthen and join up health services for babies, children, and their families.

What plans his Department has to ensure continued funding for Start for Life (a) infant feeding support, (b) parent–infant relationships, (c) perinatal mental health care and (d) other services.

The 10-Year Health Plan sets out an ambitious agenda to improve the nation’s health. As part of this, we will expand Start for Life services and integrate zero- to five-year olds’ health and children’s services into communities, with a strong focus on the critical first 1,001 days. The integration of health services in Best Start Family Hubs is fundamental to improving outcomes for babies, children, and their families and for delivering on neighbourhood health. This is why the Government will prioritise funding the continuation of existing Start for Life services including for infant feeding, perinatal mental health, and parent-infant relationships. Provisional funding allocations have been shared with local authorities. The Government remains committed to supporting all local areas to strengthen and join up health services for babies, children, and their families.

What data her Department holds on the number of recorded criminal incidents involving vehicles registered under the Motability Scheme in each of the last three years.

The Home Office holds data on the number of vehicle related incidents of crime recorded by the police in England and Wales.However, we do not hold data on whether a vehicle was used as part of the incident or the type of vehicle used.

What steps her Department has taken to help prevent the misuse of Motability vehicles in criminal activity.

The Home Office has not issued national guidance to police forces on the recording and investigation of criminal activity involving Motability vehicles.Enforcement of the law, including road traffic legislation, is an operational matter for individual police forces to determine in line with resources and local policing plans.The Government will continue to support the police to ensure that they have the tools needed to enforce road traffic legislation.

Whether his Department plans to (a) review and (b) update victim notification procedures.

The Victims’ Code is statutory guidance that sets out the minimum level of service that victims of crime should receive from the criminal justice system. Under the Code, victims have the right to information when reporting the crime, during investigation and prosecution, during the trial, and at the outcome of the trial. We will be consulting on a new Code in due course to make sure we get the foundations for victims right.Through the Victim and Courts Bill, we will be updating the legislative framework that establishes the Victim Contact Scheme to bring victims currently served by different post-conviction communication schemes into the Victim Contact Scheme and provide a new route for other victims to request information via a dedicated helpline. This will give victims confidence about the routes available to receive information about their offender’s release.

Whether her Department holds information on the proportion of crimes involving Motability vehicles where the vehicle was used (a) by the registered Motability customer, (b) by another person with permission and (c) without the registered customer’s consent.

The Home Office holds data on the number of vehicle related incidents of crime recorded by the police in England and Wales. However, we do not hold data on whether a vehicle was used as part of the incident or the type of vehicle used.

What information her Department holds on the number of recorded crimes in which motability vehicles were identified as being involved, listed by each police force area.

The Home Office holds data on the number of vehicle related incidents of crime recorded by the police in England and Wales.However, we do not hold data on whether a vehicle was used as part of the incident or the type of vehicle used.

What guidance she has issued to police forces on (a) recording and (b) investigating criminal offences involving Motability vehicles.

The Home Office has not issued national guidance to police forces on the recording and investigation of criminal activity involving Motability vehicles.Enforcement of the law, including road traffic legislation, is an operational matter for individual police forces to determine in line with resources and local policing plans.The Government will continue to support the police to ensure that they have the tools needed to enforce road traffic legislation.

Whether he has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on monitoring the misuse of Motability vehicles identified by police forces.

Motability Foundation is a registered charity regulated by the Charity Commission so is wholly responsible for the terms and the administration of the Motability Scheme. The Scheme is delivered by Motability Operations which is an independent commercial company under contract to the charity. Only those claimants in receipt of an eligible benefit can choose to join the Motability Scheme. Any misuse of a scheme vehicle is a matter for Motability, and they will take action as appropriate.DWP and Motability work closely to ensure that Scheme vehicles are used to meet the needs of disabled people. Where misuse of a Scheme vehicle is identified, including for criminal activity, appropriate action is taken to inform the police and recover the vehicle

What guidance has been issued to police forces on informing victims about the early release of offenders.

It is vital that information about an offender’s release is available to victims who need it most. Victims who are eligible for, and who have opted into, the Probation Service Victim Contact Scheme or Victim Notification Scheme will be informed about any changes to an offender’s release date where it is appropriate to do so. Responsibility for informing victims about release through each of these schemes sits with HMPPS Victim Liaison Officers.We have committed to improve the support and information for victims, which is why, through the Victim and Courts Bill, we are establishing a new route for all other victims to request information about an offender’s release, which will be delivered through a new, dedicated Helpline. This will give victims confidence about the routes available to receive information about their offender’s release.With regards to how many victims have been notified of the early release of their offender in each of the last five years, the information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that victims are informed when offenders are released early from custody.

It is vital that information about an offender’s release is available to victims who need it most. Victims who are eligible for, and who have opted into, the Probation Service Victim Contact Scheme or Victim Notification Scheme will be informed about any changes to an offender’s release date where it is appropriate to do so. Responsibility for informing victims about release through each of these schemes sits with HMPPS Victim Liaison Officers.We have committed to improve the support and information for victims, which is why, through the Victim and Courts Bill, we are establishing a new route for all other victims to request information about an offender’s release, which will be delivered through a new, dedicated Helpline. This will give victims confidence about the routes available to receive information about their offender’s release.With regards to how many victims have been notified of the early release of their offender in each of the last five years, the information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

How many victims have been notified of the early release of their offender in each of the last five years, broken down by police force area.

It is vital that information about an offender’s release is available to victims who need it most. Victims who are eligible for, and who have opted into, the Probation Service Victim Contact Scheme or Victim Notification Scheme will be informed about any changes to an offender’s release date where it is appropriate to do so. Responsibility for informing victims about release through each of these schemes sits with HMPPS Victim Liaison Officers.We have committed to improve the support and information for victims, which is why, through the Victim and Courts Bill, we are establishing a new route for all other victims to request information about an offender’s release, which will be delivered through a new, dedicated Helpline. This will give victims confidence about the routes available to receive information about their offender’s release.With regards to how many victims have been notified of the early release of their offender in each of the last five years, the information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with the pharmaceutical sector on promoting research and development investment in the UK.

Officials and Ministers from the department meet regularly with representatives from the pharmaceutical sector, including on investment in research & development.This includes engagement on the Life Sciences Sector Plan, which sets out the Government’s 10-year strategy to grow the UK’s Life Sciences sector and drive inward investment. The plan includes clear actions that will support R&D – from our commitment to reduce the set-up time for commercial clinical trials to fewer than 150 days, through to establishing a national Health Data Research Service together with the Wellcome Trust, backed by £600 million. Going further, in September, the Government launched the Life Sciences Transformational R&D Investment Fund, backed by £50m, which aims to support major R&D investments in the UK.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that the UK remains competitive for (a) pharmaceutical and (b) life sciences inward investment.

The Life Sciences Sector Plan sets out the Government’s 10-year plan to grow the UK’s life sciences sector, including pharmaceuticals, and drive inward investment. It includes 33 actions with clear milestones and metrics to support delivery — from setting up the Health Data Research Service alongside Wellcome; to committing to reduce clinical trial set-up times to under 150 days; to streamlining regulation and market access.Delivery is already underway: recruitment is advancing for the Chair and CEO of the new Health Data Research Service; we have launched Europe’s first Biofoundry for mRNA manufacturing; and announced the £85 million Obesity Pathway Innovation Programme with Eli Lilly.

What assessment she has made on the potential impact of reduced pharmaceutical investment on the economy.

The Government monitors a wide range of indicators to assess the UK’s economic performance. Official economic forecasts and assessments of policy impacts are set out in the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) Economic and Fiscal Outlook documents, the most recent of which was published in March 2025. The next publication will be in November 2025, providing further assessment of the UK’s economic performance. The Government recognises the pharmaceutical industry’s vital contribution to the UK economy through creating high-value jobs, driving innovation, and improving public health through access to effective treatments.

Whether his Department plans to review the voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing and access before the 2025 rebate increase takes effect.

The Government will always prioritise the needs of National Health Service patients and understands that delivering access to medicines is an important part of delivering frontline services. The pharmaceutical sector, and the innovative medicines it produces, are critical to our NHS and the Plan for Change.The voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing, access, and growth (VPAG) saw the headline payment rate for newer medicines increase significantly, taking effect in January 2025. This led to bringing forward the mid-scheme review of VPAG from autumn 2025 to earlier in the year. This review was carried out jointly with the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry to ensure that it continues to deliver for both the industry and NHS. Despite the Government putting forward an unprecedented offer, no agreement was reached as part of this review, however our door has remained open to engagement with industry on all matters relating to life sciences investment and development.The Government is also delivering the Life Sciences Sector Plan and 10-Year Health Plan, a 10-year vision backed by over £2 billion in investment and 33 actions, to support every stage of the life sciences value chain. This includes boosting UK manufacturing capacity and launching new research and development initiatives to accelerate innovation, ensuring the UK remains an attractive destination for pharmaceutical development and the launch of new medicines.