Written questions by Babarinde.

If she will take steps to introduce medal recognition for emergency services personnel injured in the line of duty.

The Home Office is happy to consider proposals for new medals for members of the emergency services who get injured in the line of duty. It is only right that we recognise the sacrifices made by these personnel, and it is important to make sure this is done in a proportionate and effective manner.Any official medal for emergency services personnel is a gift from the Government, on behalf of His Majesty The King to recognise individuals within the service. The creation of a new medal requires cross Government consensus and approval from the Committee on The Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals (“HD Committee”), before advice is put to HM The King to make his final decision.

What steps her Department has taken to stop vetting processes barring those with criminal records being offered peer support roles in the justice sector.

The Ministry of Justice supports employment for people with lived experience of the criminal justice system, and we are committed to giving them the support they need to thrive.The Department is responsible for the care, supervision and rehabilitation of thousands of people. As well as reducing re-offending, there is a duty to protect the public, and victims of crime. Security vetting is vital to ensure that we can deliver these objectives effectively.For people with lived experience who are unable to attain security clearance, including for peer support roles, we have introduced two alternative entry schemes: Going Forward into Employment and Standard Plus. Applicants with recent offending history or who have recently left prison are risk-assessed for suitable roles within the organisation.These schemes allow a more holistic approach to risk assessment, taking into account evidence of personal growth and rehabilitation, with a greater focus on how we can mitigate any risks, so that HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) can make use of the skills and qualities that people with lived experience may be able to offer the organisation.There are, however, certain offences that we consider to pose an unmanageable risk to the safety and security of HMPPS, those working in any capacity, for or on behalf of HMPPS, prisoners, people on probation, visitors, and the public. This may mean that individuals who have committed these offences may never be granted security clearance.

What steps she is taking to expand peer-led initiatives in prisons and probation services.

Peer mentoring already plays an important role in supporting rehabilitation within prison and probation services. It is currently used in various ways, including providing lived experience insights of probation community requirements, and direct one-to-one mentoring. Some peer-led services are also delivered by external organisations, further supporting rehabilitation efforts. Overall, there is national variation in delivery of peer led services.The Ministry of Justice has not specifically assessed the contribution of peer mentoring schemes in relation to reducing offending.The Ministry of Justice intends that any expansion of peer-led initiatives is informed by evidence, ensuring that growth supports safe and effective rehabilitation. Additionally, every prison has been encouraged to deliver peer mentoring as part of the prison regime. This will help to embed peer support across the custodial estate, promoting rehabilitative engagement and enhancing prisoners’ access to mentoring opportunities.There are several routes currently available for training and accreditation with most prisons offering a peer mentoring training and some offering higher learning with City and Guilds and other advice and guidance qualifications. In probation there has also been localised training created to deliver to peer mentors.The funds for peer support schemes in both custody and community settings are delivered through various routes within prison and probation budgets. Funding is allocated regionally and locally by leadership teams, often through commissions and direct awards. As this funding is embedded within broader rehabilitation and resettlement budgets, it is not possible to publish a single figure for departmental spending on these initiatives.

How much funding her Department is providing to promote peer support schemes in (a) custody and (b) community settings in the criminal justice system.

Peer mentoring already plays an important role in supporting rehabilitation within prison and probation services. It is currently used in various ways, including providing lived experience insights of probation community requirements, and direct one-to-one mentoring. Some peer-led services are also delivered by external organisations, further supporting rehabilitation efforts. Overall, there is national variation in delivery of peer led services.The Ministry of Justice has not specifically assessed the contribution of peer mentoring schemes in relation to reducing offending.The Ministry of Justice intends that any expansion of peer-led initiatives is informed by evidence, ensuring that growth supports safe and effective rehabilitation. Additionally, every prison has been encouraged to deliver peer mentoring as part of the prison regime. This will help to embed peer support across the custodial estate, promoting rehabilitative engagement and enhancing prisoners’ access to mentoring opportunities.There are several routes currently available for training and accreditation with most prisons offering a peer mentoring training and some offering higher learning with City and Guilds and other advice and guidance qualifications. In probation there has also been localised training created to deliver to peer mentors.The funds for peer support schemes in both custody and community settings are delivered through various routes within prison and probation budgets. Funding is allocated regionally and locally by leadership teams, often through commissions and direct awards. As this funding is embedded within broader rehabilitation and resettlement budgets, it is not possible to publish a single figure for departmental spending on these initiatives.

What steps she is taking to ensure that peer mentors in the criminal justice system are adequately trained and supported in their roles.

Peer mentoring already plays an important role in supporting rehabilitation within prison and probation services. It is currently used in various ways, including providing lived experience insights of probation community requirements, and direct one-to-one mentoring. Some peer-led services are also delivered by external organisations, further supporting rehabilitation efforts. Overall, there is national variation in delivery of peer led services.The Ministry of Justice has not specifically assessed the contribution of peer mentoring schemes in relation to reducing offending.The Ministry of Justice intends that any expansion of peer-led initiatives is informed by evidence, ensuring that growth supports safe and effective rehabilitation. Additionally, every prison has been encouraged to deliver peer mentoring as part of the prison regime. This will help to embed peer support across the custodial estate, promoting rehabilitative engagement and enhancing prisoners’ access to mentoring opportunities.There are several routes currently available for training and accreditation with most prisons offering a peer mentoring training and some offering higher learning with City and Guilds and other advice and guidance qualifications. In probation there has also been localised training created to deliver to peer mentors.The funds for peer support schemes in both custody and community settings are delivered through various routes within prison and probation budgets. Funding is allocated regionally and locally by leadership teams, often through commissions and direct awards. As this funding is embedded within broader rehabilitation and resettlement budgets, it is not possible to publish a single figure for departmental spending on these initiatives.

What assessment her Department has made of the contribution of peer support programs to reducing reoffending rates in the criminal justice system.

Peer mentoring already plays an important role in supporting rehabilitation within prison and probation services. It is currently used in various ways, including providing lived experience insights of probation community requirements, and direct one-to-one mentoring. Some peer-led services are also delivered by external organisations, further supporting rehabilitation efforts. Overall, there is national variation in delivery of peer led services.The Ministry of Justice has not specifically assessed the contribution of peer mentoring schemes in relation to reducing offending.The Ministry of Justice intends that any expansion of peer-led initiatives is informed by evidence, ensuring that growth supports safe and effective rehabilitation. Additionally, every prison has been encouraged to deliver peer mentoring as part of the prison regime. This will help to embed peer support across the custodial estate, promoting rehabilitative engagement and enhancing prisoners’ access to mentoring opportunities.There are several routes currently available for training and accreditation with most prisons offering a peer mentoring training and some offering higher learning with City and Guilds and other advice and guidance qualifications. In probation there has also been localised training created to deliver to peer mentors.The funds for peer support schemes in both custody and community settings are delivered through various routes within prison and probation budgets. Funding is allocated regionally and locally by leadership teams, often through commissions and direct awards. As this funding is embedded within broader rehabilitation and resettlement budgets, it is not possible to publish a single figure for departmental spending on these initiatives.

Whether she plans to support the reintroduction of Eurostar services to (a) Ebbsfleet and (b) Ashford.

I recognise the continued disappointment felt by communities and businesses in Kent about the continued cessation of Eurostar services. I too am keen to see the reinstatement of these services, recognising this is a commercial decision for Eurostar.The Government is engaging with Kent stakeholders, including MPs, councillors and representative organisations to discuss this issue and is committed to continue to explore potential solutions including with potential new operators.

If she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the recommendations of the report entitled Nothing has changed, published by Citizens Advice Eastbourne in January 2025.

We are committed to reforming the system of health and disability benefits so that it promotes and enables employment amongst as many people as possible. We will set out our proposals in a Health and Disability Green Paper ahead of the Spring Statement. Whilst there will be no specific assessment made from the report, we are committed to putting the views and voices of disabled people at the heart of all that we do, so we will consult on these proposals with disabled people and representative organisations. We welcome the views of Citizens Advice Eastbourne and all other stakeholders.

Communities and Local Government, what progress she has made on the implementation of the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023.

The Government is taking action to implement the measures in the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023. On 4 November I laid a Written Ministerial Statement confirming that we will publish the consultation in the new year. We also remain committed to establishing a Supported Housing Advisory Panel.A consultation on the measures in the Act will be published shortly. We are in the process of establishing the Supported Housing Advisory Panel. This has closed to applications, and we will confirm membership of the Panel in due course.

If he will make an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential merits of supporting sports and leisure facilities with energy costs.

The Government is committed to making energy affordable for everyone, including non-domestic consumers. The best way to safeguard against spikes in bills is to speed up our transition towards clean power. In the short-term we will strengthen the measures in place to protect these consumers from unfair and expensive energy contracts.

What steps her Department is taking to help support local authorities to fix (a) poor quality and (b) unsafe pavements.

The Government is committed to enabling local highway authorities to maintain and renew their local highway networks, including the footways that make up such an essential part of them. The Chancellor announced an extra £500 million for local highway maintenance at Budget 2024 for the 2025/26 financial year, which, for most authorities including East Sussex County Council, will mean an increase of nearly 40% compared to the current financial year. The funding is for all parts of the highway network, including footways, and it is up to each authority to determine how the funding is spent. The Government encourages local highway authorities to consider the needs of all road users, including pedestrians, when planning their highway maintenance programmes. As well as the big uplift in maintenance funding, the Government has also announced an extra £100 million investment in active travel infrastructure next year, which will allow local authorities to improve footways in their areas. Further details of how this funding will be allocated will be announced shortly.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of Sections 69-72 of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 on human rights.

This Government will defend the rule of law and uphold human rights. We are carefully considering the impact of sections 69-72 of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 on human rights.

What funding her Department provided to the (a) Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline, (b) National Perpetrator Helpline, (c) Men’s Advice Line, (d) Galop national LGBT+ victims' Helpline, (e) National Stalking Helpline and (f) Revenge Porn Helpline in financial year (i) 2023-24 and (ii) 2024-25.

The Home Office allocated funding to the following organisations in FY2023-24 and FY2024-25:Name of organisationFY2023-24 AllocationFY2024-25 AllocationRefuge - National Domestic Abuse Helpline£2,079,718£1,000,000Respect – Perpetrator Helpline£150,000£150,000Respect – Men's Advice Line£290,000£200,000Galop – LGBT+ Victims Helpline£200,000£200,000Suzy Lamplugh Trust – Stalking Helpline£160,430£160,430South West Grid for London – Revenge Porn Helpline£150,000£150,000Karma Nirvanan – Honour Based Abuse Helpline£165,000£165,000Total£3,195,148£2,025,430The Home Office has allocated funding to Karma Nirvana – Honour Based Abuse Helpline as outlined in the table above.

What (a) employment and (b) mental health support is available to entrepreneurs whose businesses go into liquidation.

The Department for Work and Pensions' new jobs and careers service will bring together Jobcentre Plus with the National Careers Service in England. This will deliver a new, locally led system of work and health support for those who are economically inactive, including entrepreneurs whose businesses have gone into liquidation. The support includes face-to-face, phone, and a radically enhanced digital offer through a single 'front door' for those wishing to get back into work. Entrepreneurs looking for support with common mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety can self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies Services or be referred by their GP. Anyone in England experiencing a mental health crisis can now speak to a trained NHS professional at any time through a new mental health option on NHS 111. Information on where to find local NHS support is available to the public through the NHS every mind matters website https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/. There is also the Hub of Hope, which is the UK’s leading mental health support database. The Hub brings local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support and services together in one place, so that anyone struggling can find the most appropriate support. The Hub can be found at hubofhope.co.uk.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of raising the temperature threshold requirement for triggering the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol.

The Severe Weather Emergency Provision (SWEP) is a voluntary protocol which can be triggered for any adverse weather condition that poses a risk to people who are homeless or rough sleeping. In such circumstances, the local authority will work closely with local partners to provide emergency accommodation.Extreme cold weather conditions can cause serious health problems or even death for those who are exposed overnight or for long periods of time. Historically, SWEP was triggered when the temperature forecast was zero degrees or below for three days. It is now best practice to take a common-sense approach; where the temperature forecast approaches zero, the impact of rain, snow and wind chill are considered, and the ‘feels like’ temperature is checked, along with conditions underfoot (e.g., ice).Guidance on SWEP is published by Homeless Link and is available here: https://homeless.org.uk/knowledge-hub/guidance-on-cold-weather-provision-swep-and-heatwaves/

What funding her Department provided to the (a) Survivors Trust Helpline, (b) National Male Survivor Helpline, and (c) Rape Crisis England and Wales helpline in financial year (i) 2023-24 and (ii) 2024-25.

The Ministry of Justice funds a range of support services for victims and survivors of sexual violence.In financial year (FY) 2023-24, the Ministry of Justice provided funding of £38,907.75 to Survivors Trust Helpline (grant funding ended on 30 June 2023), £244,887.00 to the National Male Survivor Helpline, and £2,522,082.32 to the national 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line delivered by Rape Crisis England and Wales.In FY 2024-25, the Ministry of Justice has allocated £244,887.00 to the National Male Survivor Helpline, and £2,751,465.85 to the national 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line delivered by Rape Crisis England and Wales. The Survivors Trust Helpline was not funded by the Ministry of Justice in FY 2024-25. The actual grant funding amounts provided in FY 2024-25 will not be confirmed until after the FY ends, as actual spend may differ from that which is forecast.

What guidance has been issued on the use of inclusive language by NHS staff with respect to the LGBTQ+ community.

No guidance has been issued to National Health Service staff about the use of inclusive language. The Government expects the NHS to deliver services in line with the Equality Act 2010, having appropriate regard to protected characteristics as defined in the act.NHS England has the document, A national framework for NHS – action on inclusion health, which defines inclusion health as an umbrella term used to describe people who are socially excluded, who typically experience multiple interacting risk factors for poor health, such as stigma, discrimination, poverty, violence, and complex trauma, which includes ensuring the needs of LGBT+ people are considered. The framework is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/a-national-framework-for-nhs-action-on-inclusion-health/

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of proposals to increase the maximum sentence for coercive control beyond five years.

Controlling and coercive behaviour (CCB) is a particularly insidious form of domestic abuse and I recognise the devastating impact that it has on victims.The Ministry of Justice has launched an Independent Review of Sentencing chaired by former Lord Chancellor, David Gauke, which is currently ongoing. The Review will specifically look at offences primarily committed against women and girls, and the Government is dedicated to ensuring that the harm caused by these devastating crimes is appropriately and proportionally reflected in the sentencing framework.Separate to changes in sentencing, through the Victims and Prisoner Act 2024, offenders convicted of coercive or controlling behaviour, who are sentenced to 12 months or more, will soon be automatically managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA). This change will place serious coercive or controlling behaviour offending on an equal footing with serious and/or violent offenders and create greater consistency in how these domestic abuse offenders are managed in the community. The extra monitoring of offenders, and restrictions which can be placed upon them, via MAPPA management will serve to reduce their risk of reoffending and give greater assurance of safety to previous victims in the coming monthsTackling VAWG in all its forms, including CCB, is a top priority for this Government.

What steps her Department is taking to reduce the processing time for Disclosure and Barring Service checks for people working in the health and social care sector.

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is operationally independent from the Home Office and operates to service standards of completing 85% of Basic check applications within 2 days, 85% of Standard check applications within 3 days, and 80% of Enhanced check applications within 14 days.The DBS year to date performance against these targets up to November 2024 is 87.9% for Basic checks, 90.2% for Standard checks, and 75.7% for Enhanced checks. These attainments apply to applications across all employment sectors, including the health and social care sectors.Specific support to the health and social care sectors is provided by the DBS Partnerships Team who have held recent meetings with NHS England, NHS Employers, Skills for Care, Care Quality Commission and Home Care Association, as well as on a regional level with local NHS, local authorities and care providers, about how checks are processed and how to improve the quality of applications submitted to the DBS in order to reduce processing times.The DBS also provides the ‘adult first’ service to employing organisations in the care sector. Under this service, organisations can request a check of the DBS adults’ barred list and, depending on the result, a person can be permitted to start work, under supervision, with vulnerable adults before the result of an Enhanced DBS check.

How many domestic abusers are serving prison sentences in England and Wales.

It is not possible to robustly calculate the number of domestic abusers in prison or their reoffending rate. This is because these crimes are recorded under the specific offences for which they are prosecuted, such as intentional strangulation or suffocation.This Government is prioritising public protection from, and rehabilitation for, this cohort through measures such as better training for probation officers and improved use of monitoring technology. We have also recently introduced Domestic Abuse Protection Orders, which brings together the strongest elements of existing orders to protect victims.This Government also ensured that a range of offences linked to domestic abuse have been excluded from the early release programme, unlike the scheme run by the previous Conservative Government. We have set out an unprecedented mission to halve violence against women and girls within a decade, using every tool available to us to deliver transformative change.