Written questions by Blackman.

What criteria his Department intends to use to evaluate progress towards the Child Poverty Strategy’s headline metrics.

We want to see an enduring reduction in child poverty over this parliament as part of long-term, 10-year strategy for lasting change.The Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, published alongside the Strategy, sets out how we will track progress and evaluate success as part of our ongoing commitment to transparency, accountability and continued learning. It can be found here: Child Poverty Strategy: Monitoring and Evaluation Framework - GOV.UK.We will use two complementary headline metrics, relative poverty (after housing costs) and deep material poverty, as well as comprehensive programme of analysis focussing on the drivers of child poverty and the impact of specific interventions.Relative low income poverty is an internationally recognised income measure of poverty which reflects changing living standards over time. Deep material poverty is a new measure based on material deprivation, which reflects our commitment to addressing deeper child poverty. It is measured based on what families report they can afford.We will publish a baseline report next summer which will set out the latest statistics and evidence, with annual reporting thereafter to monitor and evaluate progress.We will continue to have a dedicated team in government that works with departments across the Government, the wider public, private sectors and civil society, to keep focus on tackling this stain of child poverty, with oversight from Ministers across Government.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of legally-binding child poverty reduction targets on cross-departmental coordination and prioritisation of resources.

Our Child Poverty Strategy fulfils our commitment to reducing poverty this Parliament and sets out our ambition to fundamentally fix the structural drivers of child poverty as part of a long-term, 10-year strategy for lasting change. From the beginning of our time in government we have acted on child poverty including through increasing the minimum wage, the Fair Repayment Rate for deductions from Universal Credit, and the removal of the two child limit from April 2026. In addition to the existing statutory duty on Government to publish poverty statistics annually, we will be monitoring progress using two complementary headline metrics. These will measure overall child poverty using our leading measure of relative low income and our new measure of deep material poverty that looks at families’ ability to afford essentials as well as their income and housing costs. The Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, published alongside the Strategy, sets out our plans to track progress against these metrics as part of our ongoing commitment to transparency, accountability, and continued learning. There will continue to be a dedicated team in government that, with Ministerial oversight, will work across government, the public and private sectors and civil society as we develop milestones and plans for delivering, monitoring and evaluating our strategy. We will publish a baseline report next summer which will set out the latest statistics and evidence, with annual reporting thereafter to monitor and evaluate progress.

If he will make it his policy to set child poverty and deep poverty reduction targets at the start of each Parliament.

Our Child Poverty Strategy fulfils our commitment to reducing poverty this Parliament and sets out our ambition to fundamentally fix the structural drivers of child poverty as part of a long-term, 10-year strategy for lasting change. From the beginning of our time in government we have acted on child poverty including through increasing the minimum wage, the Fair Repayment Rate for deductions from Universal Credit, and the removal of the two child limit from April 2026. In addition to the existing statutory duty on Government to publish poverty statistics annually, we will be monitoring progress using two complementary headline metrics. These will measure overall child poverty using our leading measure of relative low income and our new measure of deep material poverty that looks at families’ ability to afford essentials as well as their income and housing costs. The Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, published alongside the Strategy, sets out our plans to track progress against these metrics as part of our ongoing commitment to transparency, accountability, and continued learning. There will continue to be a dedicated team in government that, with Ministerial oversight, will work across government, the public and private sectors and civil society as we develop milestones and plans for delivering, monitoring and evaluating our strategy. We will publish a baseline report next summer which will set out the latest statistics and evidence, with annual reporting thereafter to monitor and evaluate progress.

Whether she received representations from Anas Sarwar MSP between 1 July 2025 and 27 November 2025 on the windfall tax on oil and gas companies.

The government receives representations from a wide range of stakeholders on the budget, including those from Scottish Labour.

What correspondence she has received from Anas Sarwar MSP between 1 July 2025 and 26 November 2025 on (a) the Budget and (b) the decision to allocate £820 million to the Scottish Government over the Spending review period through the Barnett formula.

The government listens to a wide range of representations to help shape the Budget, including those from Scottish Labour.

With reference to her Budget Statement of 26 November 2025, what was the evidential basis for the decision to allocate £820 million to the Scottish Government over the Spending review period through the Barnett formula.

The additional funding referenced is a result of the operation of the Barnett formula based on the decisions taken at the Autumn Budget.

With reference to her Oral Statement of 18 November 2025 on Asylum Policy (Official Report, Vol.775, c.509-513), whether equalities impact assessments have been made for the new measures announced.

Specific Equality Impact Assessments will be produced for individual policies in due course. These will be kept under review to ensure that there are no unintended impacts on people with protected characteristics.

With reference to her Oral Statement of 20 November 2025 on A Fairer Pathway to Settlement (Official Report, Vol.775, c.889-891), whether equalities impact assessments have been made for (a) the decision to extend the standard settlement qualification time from five to ten years and (b) the other measures she announced would go for consultation.

The new earned settlement model outlined in A Fairer Pathway to Settlement has been subject to an equality impact assessment. Equality impact assessments are kept under regular review.

With reference to his answer of 20 November to Question 91350, whether his predecessor was provided with DWP research report no. 447 “Evaluation of Automatic State Pension Forecasts”.

Ministers were informed of the relevance of report no. 447 and then provided with the full report in November 2025. We have decided to retake the decision as this report (no. 447) was not considered at the time of the original decision and was not shared with the previous Secretary of State.

Pursuant to his answer of 20 November to Question 91351, when he was first provided with DWP research report no. 447 “Evaluation of Automatic State Pension Forecasts”.

Ministers were informed of the relevance of report no. 447 and then provided with the full report in November 2025. We have decided to retake the decision as this report (no. 447) was not considered at the time of the original decision and was not shared with the previous Secretary of State.

With reference to his answer of 20 November 2025 to Question 91352, whether he can cite, excepting DWP research report no.434 "Attitudes to pensions: the 2006 survey", which other "research from 2006", Official Report, Vol. 759, column 168, his predecessor was referencing.

In her Oral Statement of 17 December 2024, the research from 2006 referenced by the former Secretary of State was the "Attitudes to pensions: the 2006 survey" Research Report no. 434. Research Report no.434 was published in 2007 but includes analysis from 2006. No other research from 2006 was referenced in the Oral Statement on 17 December 2024. In coming to her decision, the former Secretary of State gave the Ombudsman’s report full consideration and looked in detail at the findings, reviewing all the information and advice provided to her at the time by the Department.

When he first was first provided with the Department for Work and Pensions Research report No. 434, entitled Attitudes to Pensions: the 2006 Survey, published in 2007.

DWP research report no. 434 “Attitudes to pensions: The 2006 survey” was considered as part of the Government’s decision announced in the 17 December 2024 Oral Statement.DWP research report no. 447 “Evaluation of Automatic State Pension Forecasts”, was referenced in the 11 November 2025 Oral Statement and a copy of this report has been deposited in the Libraries of the House.We have decided to retake the decision as it relates to the communication of State Pension age as report no.447 contains relevant information that was not considered at the time of the original decision. In re-taking the decision, we will consider the evidence from report no.447 alongside other relevant evidence and material. The process to re-take the decision has already begun.

When his predecessor was first provided with the Department for Work and Pensions Research Report No. 434, entitled "Attitudes to Pensions: the 2006 Survey", published in 2007.

DWP research report no. 434 “Attitudes to pensions: The 2006 survey” was considered as part of the Government’s decision announced in the 17 December 2024 Oral Statement.DWP research report no. 447 “Evaluation of Automatic State Pension Forecasts”, was referenced in the 11 November 2025 Oral Statement and a copy of this report has been deposited in the Libraries of the House.We have decided to retake the decision as it relates to the communication of State Pension age as report no.447 contains relevant information that was not considered at the time of the original decision. In re-taking the decision, we will consider the evidence from report no.447 alongside other relevant evidence and material. The process to re-take the decision has already begun.

With reference to his predecessor's Oral Statement of 17 December 2024 on Women's State Pension Age Communication: PHSO Report, Official Report, Vol. 759, column 168, what the research from 2006 was that she was referring to.

DWP research report no. 434 “Attitudes to pensions: The 2006 survey” was considered as part of the Government’s decision announced in the 17 December 2024 Oral Statement.DWP research report no. 447 “Evaluation of Automatic State Pension Forecasts”, was referenced in the 11 November 2025 Oral Statement and a copy of this report has been deposited in the Libraries of the House.We have decided to retake the decision as it relates to the communication of State Pension age as report no.447 contains relevant information that was not considered at the time of the original decision. In re-taking the decision, we will consider the evidence from report no.447 alongside other relevant evidence and material. The process to re-take the decision has already begun.

When her Department plans to bring forward the secondary legislation required under the Building Societies Act 1986 (Amendment) Act 2024 to enact provisions around further alignment with Companies Law on execution of documents and use of common seals.

The government is committed to supporting the growth of building societies in line with the manifesto commitment to double the size of the mutual and co-operative sector. As part of this, the government is committed to ensuring that building societies can operate in a modern and supportive legislative environment. On 14 October 2024, the government introduced two statutory instruments to modernise the 1986 Act. The Building Societies Act 1986 (Amendment of Small Business Turnover Limit) Order 2024 came into force on 4 November 2024 and the Building Societies Act 1986 (Modifications) Order 2024 came into force on 6 January 2025. The government will look to give effect to the powers enabled through the Building Societies Act 1986 (Amendment) Act 2024 in due course.

When her Department plans to bring forward the secondary legislation required under the Building Societies Act 1986 (Amendment) Act 2024 to enact provisions around the disapplication of the wholesale funding limit for funds held for prudential purposes.

The government is committed to supporting the growth of building societies in line with the manifesto commitment to double the size of the mutual and co-operative sector. As part of this, the government is committed to ensuring that building societies can operate in a modern and supportive legislative environment. On 14 October 2024, the government introduced two statutory instruments to modernise the 1986 Act. The Building Societies Act 1986 (Amendment of Small Business Turnover Limit) Order 2024 came into force on 4 November 2024 and the Building Societies Act 1986 (Modifications) Order 2024 came into force on 6 January 2025. The government will look to give effect to the powers enabled through the Building Societies Act 1986 (Amendment) Act 2024 in due course.

What assessment she has made of the impact of fully implementing the provisions of the Building Societies Act 1986 (Amendment) Act 2024 via secondary legislation on (a) new lending capacity and (b) economic growth.

The government is committed to supporting the growth of building societies in line with the manifesto commitment to double the size of the mutual and co-operative sector. As part of this, the government is committed to ensuring that building societies can operate in a modern and supportive legislative environment. On 14 October 2024, the government introduced two statutory instruments to modernise the 1986 Act. The Building Societies Act 1986 (Amendment of Small Business Turnover Limit) Order 2024 came into force on 4 November 2024 and the Building Societies Act 1986 (Modifications) Order 2024 came into force on 6 January 2025. The government will look to give effect to the powers enabled through the Building Societies Act 1986 (Amendment) Act 2024 in due course.

Whether her department plans to publish statistics on the time taken by newly recognised refugees to submit family reunion applications.

Official statistics published by the Home Office are kept under review in line with the code of practice for statistics, taking into account a number of factors including user needs, the resources required to compile the statistics, as well as quality and availability of data.

Whether her Department carried out an equality impact assessment prior to suspending refugee family reunion.

Impacts on vulnerable individuals and equalities considerations are at the front and centre of our work. As required through the Public Sector Equality Duty, we consider equality impacts throughout the policy development process, refugee family reunion is no exception.The Home Office has carried out and published an Economic Note on the changes to the Immigration Rules on 4 September 2025.

Whether her Department carried out an economic impact assessment prior to suspending refugee family reunion.

Impacts on vulnerable individuals and equalities considerations are at the front and centre of our work. As required through the Public Sector Equality Duty, we consider equality impacts throughout the policy development process, refugee family reunion is no exception.The Home Office has carried out and published an Economic Note on the changes to the Immigration Rules on 4 September 2025.