Written questions by Johnson.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the earned settlement proposals on the number of applicants claiming caring benefits.

The Department has made no such assessment.

How many Risk Assessed Recall Review applications on behalf of prisoners serving a sentence of imprisonment for public protection have been (a) submitted, (b) accepted, and (c) directed for release, in each month since November 2024.

Since 1 November 2024, officials in the Public Protection Casework Section (PPCS) in HMPPS has on behalf of the Secretary of State considered the suitability of every newly recalled IPP prisoner for re-release under RARR. That means that the recalled offender does not need to make an application for RARR. In each case, officials in PPCS will have regard to any recommendation made by the offender’s community offender manager. The number of recalled IPP offenders re-released via RARR in each month from 1 November 2024 to 30 September 2025 is given in the table below.YearMonthRelease Decisions2024November02024December32025January82025February52025March82025April42025May42025June82025July72025August12025September2Note:Data quality: The figures in these tables have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.We have provided the RARR release data up to 30 September 2025 as we have only published general release data up to 30 September 2025.

How HMRC will demonstrate value for money on the long term rollout of the Managed Service provider model.

Customer demand for HMRC services can fluctuate significantly, both seasonally and in response to external events. HMRC uses Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to provide additional, flexible capacity to help manage these types of variations and support performance on customer helplines. Incorporating MSPs into the overall resourcing mix helps HMRC maintain customer service standards, while retaining expertise within its workforce. Other Government Departments (OGDs) already use MSP contracts to provide additional workforce flexibility. HMRC are currently in an initial approximately 18 month ‘proof of value’ phase using existing Government contracts. This will allow them to test, learn and ensure quality and value for money before wider implementation. Due to the design of the contract, HMRC can only confirm costs retrospectively. Much of the oversight work utilises existing HMRC staff who do that work for their internal services, thereby ensuring continuity across the services. Overall the projected cost for 12 months was approximately £23m. HMRC are conducting a joint evaluation, at quarterly intervals, of the performance of the MSP including its value for money with the Trade Unions which will include customer satisfaction, quality, productivity and other metrics. HMRC provides the initial training for the services covered by the MSPs, before approving suppliers to train subsequent cohorts of staff themselves. All operational guidance is developed, owned and updated by HMRC, and HMRC retains full decision‑making authority, with a dedicated team actively managing the partnership.

What the projected cost of the Managed Service Provider model is, including contract management and oversight costs; and whether that cost has been benchmarked against (a) recruiting and training permanent HMRC staff and (b) the use of temporary and surge staffing.

Customer demand for HMRC services can fluctuate significantly, both seasonally and in response to external events. HMRC uses Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to provide additional, flexible capacity to help manage these types of variations and support performance on customer helplines. Incorporating MSPs into the overall resourcing mix helps HMRC maintain customer service standards, while retaining expertise within its workforce. Other Government Departments (OGDs) already use MSP contracts to provide additional workforce flexibility. HMRC are currently in an initial approximately 18 month ‘proof of value’ phase using existing Government contracts. This will allow them to test, learn and ensure quality and value for money before wider implementation. Due to the design of the contract, HMRC can only confirm costs retrospectively. Much of the oversight work utilises existing HMRC staff who do that work for their internal services, thereby ensuring continuity across the services. Overall the projected cost for 12 months was approximately £23m. HMRC are conducting a joint evaluation, at quarterly intervals, of the performance of the MSP including its value for money with the Trade Unions which will include customer satisfaction, quality, productivity and other metrics. HMRC provides the initial training for the services covered by the MSPs, before approving suppliers to train subsequent cohorts of staff themselves. All operational guidance is developed, owned and updated by HMRC, and HMRC retains full decision‑making authority, with a dedicated team actively managing the partnership.

Who is responsible for training Managed Service Provider staff and trainers; and what role HMRC staff play in that process.

Customer demand for HMRC services can fluctuate significantly, both seasonally and in response to external events. HMRC uses Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to provide additional, flexible capacity to help manage these types of variations and support performance on customer helplines. Incorporating MSPs into the overall resourcing mix helps HMRC maintain customer service standards, while retaining expertise within its workforce. Other Government Departments (OGDs) already use MSP contracts to provide additional workforce flexibility. HMRC are currently in an initial approximately 18 month ‘proof of value’ phase using existing Government contracts. This will allow them to test, learn and ensure quality and value for money before wider implementation. Due to the design of the contract, HMRC can only confirm costs retrospectively. Much of the oversight work utilises existing HMRC staff who do that work for their internal services, thereby ensuring continuity across the services. Overall the projected cost for 12 months was approximately £23m. HMRC are conducting a joint evaluation, at quarterly intervals, of the performance of the MSP including its value for money with the Trade Unions which will include customer satisfaction, quality, productivity and other metrics. HMRC provides the initial training for the services covered by the MSPs, before approving suppliers to train subsequent cohorts of staff themselves. All operational guidance is developed, owned and updated by HMRC, and HMRC retains full decision‑making authority, with a dedicated team actively managing the partnership.

What steps are being taken to improve access to NHS dental care for children in deprived and rural areas.

We are aware of the challenges faced in accessing a dentist, particularly in more rural areas.The 10-Year Health Plan confirms that child dental health is a priority. We are introducing changes to dental access that will benefit children. Following public consultation, from April 2026 we will introduce a new course of treatment for fluoride varnish for children to be applied by suitably trained dental nurses in between regular check-ups. We will also increase remuneration for dentists for fissure sealants, to support increased use of this effective treatment for primary prevention purposes. These reforms will put patients with the greatest need first, incentivising urgent care and complex treatments.The Government is committed to ensuring people can access urgent dental care when they need it. Over the past year, integrated care boards have been commissioning additional urgent dental appointments and there is now an urgent care safety net available in all areas of the country. 1.8 million additional courses of National Health Service dental treatment were delivered between April and October 2025, compared to the corresponding months before the general election. Half of these additional treatments were delivered to children.In 2025/26, we invested £11 million in 147 local authorities and in 2026/27, we will be investing a further £10.5 million, as part of a multi-year settlement, in 151 local authorities to continue to implement the national targeted supervised toothbrushing programme for three- to five-year-olds. This is alongside the innovative partnership with Colgate-Palmolive. The aim is to reach up to 600,000 children targeted in the 20% most deprived areas of England to reduce inequalities.The Government is committed to achieving fundamental contract reform by the end of this Parliament.

What progress has been made in expanding the supervised tooth-brushing schemes for young children in England.

The supervised toothbrushing programme will reach up to 600,000 children living in the most deprived areas of England, supported by £11 million in 2025/26, with a further £10.5 million consolidated into the Public Health Grant in 2026/27. In the first year of the programme, four million free toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste have been donated to local authorities through our partnership between the Government and Colgate-Palmolive. An early phase evaluation is underway to understand how the programme is being delivered, including the number of schools and nurseries participating and the number of children attending these settings. Further information is available at the following link: https://phirst.nihr.ac.uk/evaluations/national_supervised_toothbrushing_programme/ The National Institute for Health and Care Research’s Public Health Research Programme will also evaluate effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. Further information is available at the following link: https://www.nihr.ac.uk/funding/evaluation-national-targeted-supervised-toothbrushing-programme-england/2025435?token=3ed518253355e77237e0cedf06584afcc8fbbb111251ef24c7315baf7c62502e

What steps his Department is taking to ensure the distinct health needs of children and young people are considered in the rollout of the neighbourhood health service.

The Government is committed to raising the healthiest generation of children ever and to ensuring that all children can access the right support at the right time. The shift to neighbourhood health, set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, will help deliver this ambition by strengthening and joining up support around the needs of babies, children, and young people. Neighbourhood health services will work together with Best Start Family Hubs, schools, and colleges, so that children get support quickly. On 17 March 2026, we published a Neighbourhood Health Framework, designed to provide clarity and consistency to integrated care boards, local authorities, and their partners, in developing and scaling neighbourhood health. The framework identifies children and young people as a high-priority cohort for improving health outcomes and recognises this as a joint endeavour between the National Health Service, local authorities, and wider partners. The framework is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/neighbourhood-health-framework

What steps his Department is taking to reduce child tooth decay rates.

Reducing rates of tooth decay is central to our commitment to help children to live healthier lives. Tooth decay is also almost entirely preventable. We are delivering the national targeted supervised toothbrushing programme for three- to five-year-olds in the most deprived areas. We are making preventative advice available to parents and young children, with oral hygiene embedded in the Healthy Child Programme and Best Start Parent Hub. Further information is available at the following two links: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/healthy-child-programme-high-impact-area-framework https://beststartinlife.gov.uk/ Water fluoridation is an effective intervention for reducing tooth decay and oral health inequalities. We will expand community water fluoridation in the north east of England from 2028, so that it reaches 1.6 million more people by April 2030, and assess further expansion in areas where oral health outcomes are worst. We are also acting to reduce sugar consumption, which is the main risk factor for tooth decay. The Soft Drinks Industry Levy will be extended to include pre-packaged milk based and milk substitute drinks, and the lower tax threshold at which the levy applies will be lowered from 5 grams to 4.5 grams of sugar per 100 millilitres.On 25 March, the Government launched a consultation on the proposed application of the new Nutrient Profiling Model to the advertising and promotions restrictions on less healthy food and drink.

What funding has been allocated to local authorities for programmes aimed at preventing childhood obesity.

Core funding for local authorities’ public health responsibilities is provided through the ring-fenced Public Health Grant which funds a range of preventative and treatment health services, including childhood obesity programmes. Local authorities are responsible for deciding how best to allocate their Public Health Grant to improve the health of their population and to fulfil their public health responsibilities.For 2025/26, the Government increased the Public Health Grant by £224 million. The Government will continue to invest in local authorities' vital public health work, providing more than £13.4 billion over the next three years through a consolidated Public Health Grant, giving local authorities greater certainty to support long term prevention planning to make the best decisions to promote better population health, including on childhood obesity.

What steps are being taken to ensure that children from low-income households can access healthy food and regular exercise opportunities.

As set out in our 10-Year Health Plan for England, we are taking decisive action on the obesity crisis and creating the healthiest generation of children ever. We are restricting junk food advertising targeted at children on television and online and have given councils stronger powers to block new fast-food outlets near schools. We have announced changes to the Soft Drinks Industry Levy and consulted on our proposals to ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children. We will go further by introducing mandatory reporting on the healthiness of sales for all large food businesses and strengthening the existing advertising and promotions restrictions by applying an updated definition of ‘less healthy food and drink’. We recognise that obesity is highly unequal and we are taking appropriate steps to support people to access healthier food. Through the Healthy Start Scheme, we are encouraging a healthy diet for pregnant women, babies, and young children under four years old from very low-income households and, in April 2026, we will be uplifting the value of weekly payments by 10%. The Government is committed to reviewing the School Food Standards so that these reflect the most recent dietary recommendations, free school meals will be extended to all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit from September 2026, and phase 1 of the free breakfast clubs programme will commence from April 2026, which will see a further 2,000 new schools delivering free breakfast clubs.We are also committed to breaking down barriers and getting more people moving, especially those living in more deprived areas. We will do this through delivering the new Physical Education and School Sport Partnerships network, continued investment in grassroots sport, and cycling and walking infrastructure. We have already teamed up with Joe Wicks and launched 'Activate’, a series of animated, fun five-minute workouts to help families and schools tackle inactivity among children.

What steps are being taken to reduce childhood obesity rates among children in areas of high deprivation.

As set out in our 10-Year Health Plan for England, we are taking decisive action on the obesity crisis and creating the healthiest generation of children ever. We are restricting junk food advertising targeted at children on television and online and have given councils stronger powers to block new fast-food outlets near schools. We have announced changes to the Soft Drinks Industry Levy and consulted on our proposals to ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children. We will go further by introducing mandatory reporting on the healthiness of sales for all large food businesses and strengthening the existing advertising and promotions restrictions by applying an updated definition of ‘less healthy food and drink’. We recognise that obesity is highly unequal and we are taking appropriate steps to support people to access healthier food. Through the Healthy Start Scheme, we are encouraging a healthy diet for pregnant women, babies, and young children under four years old from very low-income households and, in April 2026, we will be uplifting the value of weekly payments by 10%. The Government is committed to reviewing the School Food Standards so that these reflect the most recent dietary recommendations, free school meals will be extended to all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit from September 2026, and phase 1 of the free breakfast clubs programme will commence from April 2026, which will see a further 2,000 new schools delivering free breakfast clubs.We are also committed to breaking down barriers and getting more people moving, especially those living in more deprived areas. We will do this through delivering the new Physical Education and School Sport Partnerships network, continued investment in grassroots sport, and cycling and walking infrastructure. We have already teamed up with Joe Wicks and launched 'Activate’, a series of animated, fun five-minute workouts to help families and schools tackle inactivity among children.

What assessment his Department has made of whether current NHS funding allocations adequately reflect the health needs of children living in areas of high deprivation and inequality.

NHS England is responsible for funding allocations to integrated care boards (ICBs). NHS England takes advice on the underlying formula from the independent Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation. The formula takes account of population, age, need, and deprivation and health inequality considerations. High deprivation areas receive more funding per capita than low deprivation areas, given other, similar circumstances. ICB allocations for 2026/27 to 2028/29 were published on 17 December 2025, and are available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/allocations/We are committed to ensuring that resources are targeted where they are most needed. As announced in the 10-Year Health Plan, we are gradually ending the practice of providing deficit support funding and moving organisations to what is their fair share of National Health Service funding, worth £2.2 billion in 2025/26. This allows funding to be redirected more quickly to areas with the greatest health need across the country as part of ICB allocations. We are also reviewing the GP funding formula, known as the Carr-Hill formula, to ensure that resources are targeted most effectively.ICBs are responsible for commissioning services that meet the diverse needs of their local populations, including children. All ICBs in England are required to have an Executive Lead for Children and Young People, to ensure the interests of children are reflected in decision-making.The Government is committed to raising the healthiest generation of children ever and ensuring that all children can access timely support that meets their health needs. We are delivering on the vision for neighbourhood health set out in the 10-Year Health Plan to bring care closer to babies, children, and young people. Neighbourhood health services will work together with Best Start Family Hubs, schools, and colleges so that children get support quickly, including those with special educational needs and disabilities.

What progress the Government has made on strengthening the operation, consistency and availability of Out‑of‑Court Disposals, further to the recommendations on OOCDs set out by Sir Brian Leveson in Part 1 of his Review of Efficiency in Criminal Proceedings; and what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the analysis that a more effective OOCD framework could improve outcomes for racialised communities.

This Government is committed to improving early intervention and proportionality in the justice system, and Sir Brian Leveson’s Independent Review of the Criminal Courts has been an important part of shaping that direction. The Independent Review highlights the significant potential of Out of Court Resolutions to secure better outcomes by addressing the underlying causes of crime before offending can escalate. This subsequently benefits the community as it reduces the risk of reoffending, preventing future crime, and delivers quicker justice for victims. We are working with the Home Office as we consider the best options for strengthening the use of Out of Court Resolutions and will respond to the recommendations in the Review in due course.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed international student levy on the financial sustainability of higher education institutions in the context of the Office for Students' press release entitled Significant challenges continue to face higher education finances – with nearly half facing deficits in 2025-26, published on 20 November 2025.

The International Student Levy will require higher education (HE) providers to pay £925 per international student per year. This is broadly equivalent to a 4.5% fee, reduced from 6% proposed in the Immigration White Paper. Levy revenue will be fully reinvested into higher education and skills, including to reintroduce targeted maintenance grants.To mitigate disproportionate impacts on smaller providers, a 220-student allowance will apply to each provider per year. The levy will be introduced in 2028/29 and paid one year in arrears to support financial planning.An impact analysis published in November 2025 estimated that, in isolation, the levy would result in around £270 million in income losses to the sector in its first year. This impact analysis is accessible at: https://consult.education.gov.uk/international-student-levy-unit/international-student-levy/supporting_documents/international-student-levy-impact-analysispdf.We have also announced a tuition fee cap increase in line with forecast inflation for the 2025/26, 2026/27 and 2027/28 academic years, and will legislate, when parliamentary time allows, to increase caps automatically for future years. Over the next five years, these uplifts could generate an additional £6 billion for HE providers, significantly outweighing the currently projected less than £1 billion levy cost.

Whether the Department plans to review the legislative approach to the frozen pensions policy, including the option of presenting it in a form that enables routine parliamentary debate and vote.

The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations 2026 are consequential on the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2026. The regulations are subject to the negative procedure and are therefore only subject to Parliamentary debate if one is sought and granted. They were laid on 6 March 2026 and will come into force on the same date as the Up-rating Order on 6 April 2026. This is a convention that has been in place for a number of years.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the adequacy of opportunities for parliamentary scrutiny of the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations 2026, laid on 6 March 2026.

The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations 2026 are consequential on the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2026. The regulations are subject to the negative procedure and are therefore only subject to Parliamentary debate if one is sought and granted. They were laid on 6 March 2026 and will come into force on the same date as the Up-rating Order on 6 April 2026. This is a convention that has been in place for a number of years.

Whether the proposed International Student Levy aligns with the Government’s International Education Strategy and its target for growth in education exports.

As outlined in the International Education Strategy, the UK aims to both grow the value of education exports to £40 billion per year by 2030, whilst ensuring the sustainable recruitment of high-quality students, in line with the Immigration White Paper.International higher education (HE) students are only one part of the UK’s wider international education offer, which includes education exports and transnational education provision across the entire sector, from early years to schools, colleges and universities.Introducing a £925 flat-fee International Student Levy on English HE providers will support sustainable international student recruitment, whilst ensuring students contribute to the communities where they study, with the levy revenue funding the reintroduction of targeted maintenance grants for disadvantaged students.The UK’s world‑class HE sector will continue to offer an attractive and fulfilling experience to students from around the globe.

Whether her Department has considered alternative funding models for the reintroduction of maintenance grants, other than revenues raised through the proposed International Student Levy.

The department is reintroducing targeted, means-tested maintenance grants of up to £1,000 per year, funded by a levy on international student fees, with both being introduced in the 2028/29 academic year.This will ensure that the proceeds from international student fees benefit domestic learners, furthering our national opportunity mission, and creating stronger economic links between both home and international students.This government is clear that it welcomes and values the contributions to our society, economy and higher education providers made by overseas students who want to come to the UK. But it is right to ensure that the financial benefit these students provide also helps our most disadvantaged home students.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the economic impact of reduced international student numbers on regional economies and local communities from 2028/29 onwards.

The Higher Education Statistics Agency collects, processes and publishes data about higher education in the UK, including student numbers. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government supports and encourages collaboration between Mayoral Strategic Authorities, local authorities, and their higher and further education institutions – through policies such as Industrial Strategy Zones and Local Growth Plans – in recognition of the role that universities play in local communities and economic growth. The department, however, has not carried out a specific assessment on the impact from 2028/29 onwards.