Written questions by Trickett.

How many and what proportion of pension credit cases have not been cleared within 50 days since September 2024.

The most recent information on processing times for Pension Credit was published in the DWP annual report and accounts 2023 to 2024 - GOV.UK (ARA) on 22nd July 2024. This shows that in 2023/24 DWP cleared 192,000 Pension Credit claims within the planned 50 working day timescale, equating to 77.7%. The next publication of the ARA will include claims processed in the Financial Year 2024 to 2025, which is due for publication in the summer.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the break up of Spirit on the Northern Ireland economy.

The Government is working with the Northern Ireland Executive to help ensure the best outcome for Spirit Aerospace and all its skilled and hardworking staff.The Northern Ireland Office and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) are fully aware of the commercial discussions taking place about the potential acquisition of the Spirit business. DBT continues to be in contact with Spirit, Airbus, Boeing and other potential buyers and we want to see an outcome that includes a commitment to develop and grow the aerospace industry in Northern Ireland both directly and through the supply chain.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of Airbus not completing the takeover of the Spirit AeroSystems site in Belfast on jobs (a) at Airbus and (b) throughout the supply chain in (i) Northern Ireland and (ii) Britain.

My Department and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is fully aware of the commercial discussions taking place about the potential acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems business. The Government is working with the Northern Ireland Executive to help ensure the best outcome for Spirit and all its skilled and hard working staff.DBT continues to be in contact with Spirit, Airbus, Boeing and other potential buyers. We want to see an outcome for Spirit that includes a commitment to develop Spirit and its supply chain as part of any acquisition and provides the best possible opportunity for growth and jobs in Northern Ireland.The UK Government is aware Spirit employs nearly five thousand staff at its sites in Northern Ireland and Scotland supplying world-class aerospace products across the globe. It is for this reason, and its contribution to the UK’s economy, that UKG has a keen interest in seeing that any acquisition provides the best opportunity for growth and investment.

What steps he is taking to support Spirit AeroSystems (a) production and (b) jobs.

The Government is working with the Northern Ireland Executive to help ensure the best outcome for Spirit Aerosystems and all its skilled and hardworking staff.The Northern Ireland Office and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) are fully aware of the commercial discussions taking place about the potential acquisition of the Spirit business. DBT continues to be in contact with Spirit, Airbus, Boeing and other potential buyers, and we want to see an outcome that includes a commitment to develop Spirit and its supply chain as part of any acquisition and provides the best possible opportunity for growth in Northern Ireland.DBT continues to provide support for Spirit’s Research and Development activity through the Aerospace Technology Institute programme.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a programme of routine ECG heart screening in schools and universities.

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) last reviewed screening for sudden cardiac death (SCD) in people under the age of 39 years old in 2019, and concluded that screening should not be offered. Further information on this review is available at the following link:https://view-health-screening-recommendations.service.gov.uk/sudden-cardiac-death/Research showed that the current tests are not accurate enough to use in young people without symptoms, and that treatments and interventions were not based on good scientific evidence to prevent SCD.To stop SCDs in young people, the current consensus is to focus on rapid identification and care of people who are likely to be at risk of SCD due to a family link or because they have had symptoms, and to train people to carry out cardiopulmonary resuscitation and to use defibrillators.NHS England has published guidance for inherited cardiac conditions which requires services to investigate patients with previously undiagnosed cardiac disease, suggestive symptoms, or from families with sudden unexplained deaths. Where a genetic variation is identified, cascade testing is offered to relatives based on risk.We are aware that the UK NSC has received a submission via its annual call process to consider SCD screening in young people aged 14 to 35 years old who engage in sport. The UK NSC is currently reviewing all annual call proposals. More information on the annual call process can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-nsc-annual-call-submitting-a-screening-proposal/uk-nsc-annual-call-how-to-submit-a-proposal

What steps she is taking to reduce trends in the level of sudden cardiac death amongst (a) school and (b) university aged young people.

In 2017, NHS England published a national service specification for inherited cardiac conditions (ICC), which defines the standards of care expected from organisations funded by NHS England. This specification covers young adults with previously undiagnosed cardiac disease. The aim of ICC services is to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of patients with ICCs. NHS England is currently reviewing this service specification, working with a broad range of stakeholders as part of the review, including NHS clinical experts, the Association of Inherited Cardiac Conditions, Cardiomyopathy UK, Heart Valve Voice, and the British Heart Foundation.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to make an assessment of Israel's compliance with international humanitarian law in the context of it's recent military activity in Syria.

We are monitoring the situation closely and continue to call on Israel to uphold their obligations to peace, stability, and security under international law. The Israeli government has stated that their presence in the Golan Heights buffer zone is defensive, limited and temporary - and we expect them to adhere to this commitment It is longstanding UK policy that the Golan Heights are occupied territory, and we do not recognise Israel's annexation of them. We oppose the construction of illegal settlements.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to make an assessment of Russia’s compliance with international humanitarian law in the context of it's military activity in Ukraine.

We are fully committed to holding Russian forces to account for any violations of international humanitarian law that have been committed in Ukraine. Established accountability mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court's investigations and Ukrainian domestic judicial processes are investigating allegations of atrocity crimes. The UK, US and EU established the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group, specifically to support Ukraine in its efforts to document, investigate and prosecute such crimes.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government recognises the Golan Heights as Syrian territory.

Our position remains clear: The Golan Heights are occupied territory and we do not recognise Israel's annexation of them. We continue to call on Israel and all actors to uphold their obligations to peace, stability and security under international law.

How much was spent on consultants across Government Departments in (a) 2023 and (b) 2024.

Consultancy spend across government is not centrally held and is held by each department. Cabinet Office spend on consultants is published in the Annual Reports and Accounts which are available on gov.uk.

How much his Department spent on consultants in (a) 2023 and (b) 2024.

Consultancy spend across government is not centrally held and is held by each department. Cabinet Office spend on consultants is published in the Annual Reports and Accounts which are available on gov.uk.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of funding for local government.

We are taking immediate action to begin addressing the challenges facing local government by ensuring that funding goes to the places that need it most.At the Autumn Budget, we announced over £4 billion in additional funding for local government services, including £1.3 billion which will go through the Settlement.

What estimate her Department has made of the cost to the public purse of disability benefits in (a) 2025 and (b) 2026.

Forecast expenditure on Disability benefits are only available by financial year, in 2025/26 they’re forecast to be £43.8 billion, and £46.4 billion in 2026-27. (Figures quoted in real terms based on 2024/25 prices). Disability benefits expenditure covers Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Armed Forces Independence Payment, and Attendance Allowance. Full details of this expenditure can be found in the published Outturn and Forecast Tables.

How much his Department has spent on consultants since 5 July 2024.

Information regarding expenditure on consultants for the period since 5 July 2024 for the core Department is unavailable, as it is currently unaudited. Fully audited figures for the year from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 will be available upon the publication of the Department’s Annual Report and Accounts (ARA) next year. The Accountability Report within the ARA includes a table on expenditure for Consultancy, Agency and Temporary workers.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what information his Department holds on whether the Israeli Defence Force has committed a breach of international law in Gaza.

The FCDO's International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Cell undertakes regular assessments of Israel's commitment and capability to comply with International Humanitarian Law, as well as aspects of its record of compliance in order to meet our legal obligations under the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria (SELC). Our assessments have raised concerns about possible breaches of IHL in the areas of humanitarian access and the treatment of detainees. The UK's robust export licensing criteria state that the Government will not issue export licences if there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of IHL. Given our conclusions on 2 September, we suspended relevant export licences to Israel for use in military operations in the Gaza.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the ability of Defence Fire and Rescue Service workers aged over 60 to carry out their role.

All Defence Fire and Rescue Service personnel aged over 60 are required to be in date with their operation fitness assessment which is undertaken annually. These fitness standards are in line with The UK National Fire Fighter Fitness Standards.

What steps he is taking to ensure (a) occupational health support and (b) other the health and wellbeing measures for Defence Fire and Rescue Services are similar to those provided to (i) Local Authority and (ii) Civil Aviation Authority Fire Services.

Defence Fire and Rescue Service personnel are provided with occupational health support through the Defence Business Services Occupational Health contract. Additional support can be accessed through the Ministry of Defence People Portal and the Civil Service Benevolent Fund. Occupational health support offers vary in Local Authority Fire and Rescue Service areas and the Civil Aviation Authority Fire Service.

If he will provide Defence Fire and Rescue Service workers an early pension get out clause at 57.

As Civil Servants, the Defence Fire and Rescue Service (DFRS) workforce pension scheme is administered by My Civil Service Pension and in accordance with MOD policy. Each occupation group can only apply the rules, in which Trade Unions have been consulted, associated with their particular pension scheme. Members of the DFRS continue to be subject to a Normal Retirement Age (NRA) of 65 but they may request approval to continue working beyond the NRA.

Whether he plans to equalise the pension age of Defence Fire and Rescue Service workers with their counterparts in (a) Local Authority and (b) Civil Aviation Authority Fire Services.

The Defence Fire and Rescue Service (DFRS) have no plans to equalise the pension age of its personnel with their counterparts in Local Authority and Civil Aviation Authority Fire Services.