Written questions by Smart.

Pursuant to the Answer of (a) 30 April 2025 to Question 46025 and (b) 24 April 2025 to Question 38415, whether her Department has considered aligning the data collection processes of police forces in relation to (i) contacts with individuals experiencing suicidal ideation and (ii) incidents where a suicide is in progress with the equivalent data collection processes used by UK Fire and Rescue Services in order to ensure consistent recording of such incidents across frontline.

The Home Office does not collect data from police on calls about suicidal ideation or where an apparent suicide is in progress and has no current plans to do so.

Whether his Department plans to introduce additional safeguards to prevent the mislabelling of jobs as apprenticeships.

Employers are required by law to pay their apprentices the correct rate of the National Minimum Wage. An apprenticeship combines on the job learning and classroom-based learning. Employers cannot call a worker an apprentice if they are not genuinely an apprentice.The existing enforcement mechanisms in place already protects workers and we are creating the Fair Work Agency to deliver a much-needed upgrade to enforcement of employment rights. The Fair Work Agency will provide better support to businesses on how to comply with the law and will take tough action against rogue employers who exploit their workers.If a worker believes they are not being paid correctly, they can seek confidential advice. If HMRC finds an employer has underpaid their workers, the employer is required to pay back the full amount owed to the worker and a penalty to the government.

Innovation and Technology, what progress her Department has made on enforcing the provisions of the Online Safety Act 2023 in relation to small-scale online suicide forums (a) through the Small but Risky Taskforce and (b) by other means.

Ofcom is the independent regulator of the Online Safety Act and is responsible for its enforcement. Within the first month of the Act’s illegal content duties coming into effect, Ofcom launched several enforcement programmes to monitor compliance with the regime, including into the provider of a pro-suicide forum, demonstrating small but risky sites as a high priority for enforcement. As demonstrated by their dedicated small but risky taskforce and recent enforcement actions, Ofcom will identify, manage and enforce against such services where there is a failure to comply with their duties.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that individuals who have been paid below the statutory minimum wage in circumstances involving mislabelled apprenticeships are compensated.

Employers are required by law to pay their apprentices the correct rate of the National Minimum Wage. An apprenticeship combines on the job learning and classroom-based learning. Employers cannot call a worker an apprentice if they are not genuinely an apprentice.The existing enforcement mechanisms in place already protects workers and we are creating the Fair Work Agency to deliver a much-needed upgrade to enforcement of employment rights. The Fair Work Agency will provide better support to businesses on how to comply with the law and will take tough action against rogue employers who exploit their workers.If a worker believes they are not being paid correctly, they can seek confidential advice. If HMRC finds an employer has underpaid their workers, the employer is required to pay back the full amount owed to the worker and a penalty to the government.

Whether her Department plans to (a) improve and (b) expand the financial education resources available through Oak National Academy to help support schools to provide financial literacy teaching.

In April last year, Oak National Academy (Oak) launched over 80 new financial education resources to support teachers in delivering high quality lessons and preparing children for life and employment in the modern world. The resources, which cover both primary and secondary, explore core financial concepts such as budgeting, saving and taxation, as well as more contemporary areas such as keeping money safe from scams, virtual spending whilst online gaming, and assessing claims made by influencers.These have been created in partnership with the mathematics education charity, MEI, and the Association of Citizenship Teaching, and cover mathematics, citizenship and financial education. Oak will keep its offer under review based on teacher feedback and any changes required following the Curriculum and Assessment Review.

What steps her Department is taking to enhance the teaching of financial education within the Personal, Social, Health and Economic curriculum.

I refer the hon. Member for Hazel Grove to the answer of 9 April 2025 to Question 43513.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that teachers receive adequate (a) training and (b) other resources to provide financial education.

I refer the hon. Member for Hazel Grove to the answer of 7 January 2025 to Question 21190.

What steps her Department is taking to strengthen the provision of financial education in schools beyond the mathematics curriculum.

I refer the hon. Member for Hazel Grove to the answer of 9 April 2025 to Question 43513.

How much her Department has spent on (a) salaries and (b) other related costs for (i) offices and (ii) staff for Police and Crime Commissioners in each of the last five years.

The Home Office does not provide specific funding for the offices of Police and Crime Commissioners. Core funding for policing is determined annually through the Police Funding Settlement. Total direct funding in 2025-26 is up to £17.6 billion.It is for PCCs to determine the level of support they need to exercise their statutory functions and deliver their objectives. The size and composition of the Office of the PCC and decisions as to salaries are also a matter for PCCs.PCCs are under a duty to publish certain information to ensure transparency in their decision-making and enable the public to hold them to account. This includes information relating to budgets and the composition of their office.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has considered the potential merits of re-introducing the imposition of dog licences.

We have no plans at this time to reintroduce an annual registration scheme or dog licenses. The old dog licence was repealed by the Local Government Act 1988 because it cost more to administer than the revenue it generated and was in effect an ownership registration scheme. Now that microchipping and registration on a compliant database is mandatory, this is no longer necessary.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that people (a) living in terrace housing and (b) who do not have access to off-street parking are able to access EV chargepoints.

The Government is committed to accelerating the roll-out of affordable and accessible charging infrastructure so that everyone, no matter where they live or work, can make the transition to an electric vehicle (EV). As of 1 August 2025, the Government and industry have supported the installation of 83,851 publicly available charging devices, up 26% on this time last year. The £381 million Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund will support the installation over 100,000 further local chargers, ensuring the rollout continues at pace to support drivers across the country.The Department is also working with local authorities to encourage the use of cross-pavement solutions and on the 13 July, announced the £25m Electric Vehicle Pavement Channel grant.

What plans his Department has to review the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.

The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) is independently reviewed every five years through the Quinquennial Review (QQR) to ensure it remains fit for purpose. The most recent QQR report was published in July 2023, with the previous Government's response issued in March 2024. Implementation of the accepted recommendations is currently underway. The Independent Medical Expert Group advises Ministers on medical and scientific aspects of the AFCS and related matters and also ensures the AFCS remains current with latest research and changing circumstances.

What steps her Department is taking to help support Universal Credit claimants during the review process.

Universal Credit Claim Reviews (UCR) primary purpose is to identify any incorrectness in a Universal Credit (UC) claim and correct retrospectively. This includes both over and under payments and helps ensure the claimant is paid the right entitlement, that they keep their claim up to date and avoid falling into or accumulating further debt. Whilst a standard review process is followed, agents tailor their approach to the review on a case-by-case basis and decide the correct course of action, including provision of additional support. This can include, but is not limited to, offering a call to discuss the process and understand any support required, advising the claimant on how to upload the requested information, giving the claimant further time to provide the requested information, and organising a home visit. Customers are also signposted to contact their agent if they have any questions or concerns about the review.

What measures are in place to ensure that claimants can effectively challenge Universal Credit Reviews.

Universal Credit Claim Reviews (UCR) primary purpose is to identify any incorrectness in a Universal Credit (UC) claim and correct retrospectively. This includes both over and under payments and helps ensure the claimant is paid the right entitlement, that they keep their claim up to date and avoid falling into or accumulating further debt. The claimant can contact their review agent via their online journal if they have any questions or concerns regarding and during the review. If the claimant is unhappy with the service they have received during their review, they can make a formal complaint by following the DWP’s complaint process available on GOV.UK: Make a complaint about JSA or UC - DWP Where the outcome of the review has led to a change in entitlement, a claimant can request a Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) to look at the decision again if they:think an error has been made or missed important evidencedisagree with the reasons for the decisionwant to have the decision looked at again Following the MR, the claimant can appeal the decision regarding their entitlement to benefits to HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS). Appeals are decided by the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal (SSCS). The tribunal is impartial and independent of government.

If he will take steps to amend the six-month limitation period for claiming payments from the National Insurance Fund in order that it begins from the date a company is confirmed as insolvent, rather than the date of dismissal, in cases where an employee is unable to submit a timely claim due to delays in (a) insolvency confirmation and (b) receiving the appropriate reference number.

The legal requirement to claim payment for redundancy in writing from the employer within six months of dismissal only applies to the redundancy element of the monies claimed from the National Insurance Fund. It does not apply to elements such as unpaid wages, holiday or notice pay.Applications can be submitted after 6 months if the claimant can provide evidence, such as any correspondence sent to the employer or relevant officer holder seeking payment. ACAS can provide advice in situations such as this.There are no plans to amend the 6-month time period.

What support is available to people who are dismissed from companies that later enter insolvency in submitting claims to the National Insurance Fund.

Where a dismissal occurs prior to an insolvency event the individual should contact the relevant officer appointed in the insolvency as a claim can still be made for payment from the National Insurance Fund. If the details of that officer are not known, the Redundancy Payments Service can provide these. Some elements of the claim may be affected by the time lapse between date of dismissal and the insolvency event.Help on how to claim is available from the ACAS, Citizens Advice Bureau or the RPS. There is also guidance on GOV.UK: Your rights if your employer is insolvent: Overview - GOV.UK.

When his Department plans to (a) develop and (b) implement a national roll-out strategy for fracture liaison services to support the (i) prevention, (ii) early identification and (iii) management of osteoporosis.

Fracture Liaison Services are commissioned by integrated care boards, which are well-placed to make decisions according to local needs.Our 10 Year Health Plan is committed to rolling out Fracture Liaison Services across every part of the country by 2030.

Whether NHS hospital trusts are fully funded to recruit all locally trained nursing graduates.

The Government is committed to supporting nursing graduates. On 11 August 2025, the Government announced the Graduate Guarantee for nurses and midwives. The guarantee will ensure that there are enough positions for every newly qualified nurse in England. The package of measures will unlock thousands of jobs and will ensure that thousands of new posts are easier to access by removing barriers for National Health Service trusts, creating opportunities for graduates and ensuring a seamless transition from training to employment.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending eligibility for weight-loss drugs to people who are pre-diabetic.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body that develops evidence-based recommendations on whether new licensed medicines should be routinely funded by the National Health Service. The NHS in England is legally required to fund medicines recommended by NICE. NICE has recommended several medicines licensed for weight loss for use on the NHS for patients meeting specified clinical criteria. People with prediabetes may be eligible for treatment with weight loss medicines if they meet the other criteria specified in NICE’s guidance.

What discussions he has had with Ofgem on holding electricity providers accountable for persistent power outages experienced by households.

Great Britain has one of the most reliable energy systems in the world and maintaining a secure electricity supply is a key priority for Government. The Department works closely with industry, regulators and other stakeholders to continually improve and maintain the resilience of the energy network. To help protect customers and ensure quality and reliable electricity supply, Ofgem sets Quality-of-Service Guaranteed Standards that must be met by each electricity network company. Ofgem also sets annual targets for customer interruptions and customer minutes lost. Each year Distribution Network Operators must report their performance against these measures to Ofgem. Ofgem then assesses, if targets have been met and rewards or penalises the network operators appropriately.