Written questions by Goldman.

Whether the Probation Service is continuing to fund neurodiversity specialist services.

Awaiting answer.

What steps he is taking, with the Secretary of State for Justice, to tackle the use of SLAPPs to silence victims of sexual violence.

The Government implemented the Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) measures in the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) in June 2025, which provides protection against SLAPPs relating to economic crime. The equalities impacts of those measures were considered at the time of their introduction.The Government recognises that SLAPPs can arise across a wider range of cases beyond economic crime and is considering all options for reform to ensure that all forms of SLAPPs are addressed appropriately.

Whether he has conducted an equality impact assessment on the current 'economic crime' limitation of anti-SLAPP measures; and whether he has assessed the potentially disproportionate impact of that limitation on women and minority groups, who may be targeted for non-economic social advocacy.

The Government implemented the Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) measures in the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) in June 2025, which provides protection against SLAPPs relating to economic crime. The equalities impacts of those measures were considered at the time of their introduction.The Government recognises that SLAPPs can arise across a wider range of cases beyond economic crime and is considering all options for reform to ensure that all forms of SLAPPs are addressed appropriately.

With reference to his Answer to Question 103509, when he expects Dame Lynne Owens’ independent investigation into the mistaken release of Hadush Kebatu from HMP Chelmsford on 24th of October 2025 to conclude.

On 11 November, the Deputy Prime Minister announced a five-point national action plan to reduce releases in error, which includes strengthening release checks across prisons and commissioning an independent review led by Dame Lynne Owens.The Deputy Prime Minister has recently received the review and is carefully considering Dame Lynne’s findings and recommendations. The Government will respond shortly.

When he expects Dame Lynne Owens’ independent investigation into the mistaken release of Hadush Kebatu from HMP Chelmsford on 24th of October 2025 to conclude; and whether he plans publish the findings in full.

On 11 November, the Deputy Prime Minister announced a five-point national action plan to reduce releases in error, which includes strengthening release checks across prisons and commissioning an independent review led by Dame Lynne Owens.The Deputy Prime Minister has asked Dame Lynne Owens to report back by the end of February 2026, with recommendations on how to reduce the likelihood of releases in error in the future.Following this, the Deputy Prime Minister will consider the findings and recommendations carefully.In line with the Deputy Prime Minister’s commitment to transparency, Parliament will be kept informed of the outcomes related to the review.

What steps he is taking to help ensure that children are safeguarded in cases where allegations of parental abuse have been made but no formal legal restrictions are yet in place.

The welfare of children is the paramount concern in family proceedings.Established multi-agency safeguarding arrangements are in place to ensure that children are protected swiftly and effectively in both public and private family proceedings. Where needed, there are clear referral routes for communicating cases to Local Authorities. These procedures ensure that concerns about the immediate welfare of children are identified and escalated promptly with the appropriate agencies.This government is delivering a package of reform to the family courts to ensure that children continue to be safeguarded and supported. This includes the expansion of the Pathfinder programme, which promotes child safeguarding through early multi-agency collaboration, expert domestic abuse support, and greater emphasis on the voice of the child.