Written questions by Wilson.

If she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the recommendations outlined in the Fairness Foundation's report entitled Wealth Gap Risk Register, published on 15 October 2024.

While income and wealth are not always directly correlated, distributional analysis shows that Government decisions at Autumn Budget 2024 and Spending Review 2025, Phase 1 are progressive and benefit households in the lowest income deciles the most, on average as a percentage of income in 2025-26. The Government is committed to making sure the wealthiest in our society pay their fair share of tax. That is why the Chancellor announced a series of reforms at Autumn Budget 2024 to help fix the public finances in as fair a way as possible. The increases in tax are concentrated on the highest income households. Overall, on average, all but the richest 10% of households will benefit from policy decisions in 2025-26.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made recent representations to his (a) French and (b) Spanish counterpart on long-stay visas for UK citizens who need to spend more than 90 days within a given 180-day period in those countries.

The Government recognises that our partnerships are strengthened when our citizens legally live in, work in, and visit our respective countries. My officials and I regularly engage our French and Spanish counterparts on a range of issues affecting UK nationals, including on visa matters. Whilst the Government recognises frustrations around accessing long-stay visas in some countries, this is ultimately a matter for national governments and parliaments.

How many accidents involving the police have involved e-bikes in the last five years.

The information requested is not held by the Department.

Which schools that are awaiting refurbishment through the school rebuilding programme (a) have and (b) have not had those works brought forward due to the presence of RAAC.

The government has committed £1.4 billion to continue the current School Rebuilding Programme (SRP) in 2025/26, reconfirming our commitment to rebuild or refurbish 518 schools and sixth form colleges across England, prioritising delivery based on need.All schools within the programme, including those with confirmed reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, are prioritised for delivery according to the condition of their buildings, readiness to proceed and efficiency of delivery. The department also takes into account the suitability and longevity of any temporary accommodation schools and sixth form colleges may have in place. Expected delivery timeframes have been communicated to all responsible bodies and specific start dates are communicated at least a month in advance of the project entering delivery. Since we communicated these timescales, we have not made any significant changes to them to move start dates around.Just under half of SRP projects have started various stages of delivery activity and the department plans to increase the number of existing school rebuilding projects to 100, of which delivery begins in the next financial year so work can start more quickly.Once a school enters delivery, a project team carries out a feasibility study which determines the scope of the works. SRP projects typically take 3 to 5 years to complete.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 January 2025 to Question 23432 on Prisons: Fires, how many cell fire alarms in the identified prisons were found to be (i) working and (ii) not working.

We undertake regular maintenance and inspection of cell fire detection devices to ensure that any potential issues are identified and addressed promptly. This is crucial to maintaining a safe environment within prisons.To obtain the information requested, it would be necessary to examine individually each of 2,931 fire investigations, to determine whether failure of a cell fire detection device had been reported. That could not be done without incurring disproportionate cost.

If her Department will make an estimate of the number of (a) universities and (b) higher education buildings where reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete is present.

The higher education (HE) sector is independent from government and it is therefore for individual providers to determine and address any estate issues. The Institution of Structural Engineers has published guidance that HE institutions can refer to on investigating and assessing reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). Departmental officials engaged with Universities UK and HE mission groups during 2023, to direct HE providers to RAAC guidance from the Institution of Structural Engineers and to departmental RAAC guidance for state-funded education buildings.

If she will make an estimate of the number and proportion of practitioners in the (a) early years and (b) childcare sectors that have received training on SEND identification.

The department knows that children’s early years are crucial to their development, health and life chances. We recognise the importance of the early identification of needs to ensure the right support is put in place as early as possible to ensure children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and developmental differences and delays can get the best start in life.The department wants all early years educators to feel confident in identifying and supporting developmental differences and delays, including knowing how to access further support and advice when needed. To support this we have funded training for up to 7000 special educational needs co-ordinators (SENCOs), have published new resources, including a free online training module and SEND assessment guidance to help early educators to identify, assess and support children in their settings, and announced funding support for the Nuffield Early Language Intervention programme for this academic year for children needing extra support with their speech and language development.When a child is between two and three-years-old, educators must review their progress and provide parents or carers with a brief written summary of their development in key areas. This summary highlights strengths, areas needing additional support, and strategies to address any concerns. Guidance is available to help educators accurately assess a child's development and work closely with parents and professionals to provide necessary support.

How many and what proportion of children under 18 that have received detention and training orders have had an identified SEND issue since 2023.

From 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2024, 429 children (under 18) were admitted into the Children and Young People Secure Estate under a detention and training order. Of these, 44% (where information is known) were identified as having special educational needs or disabilities. These figures are derived from responses gathered to inform placement decisions, and do not represent formal diagnoses.

Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 17 January 2025 to Question 22681 on Broadcasting, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact on the protection of children online of including podcasts in the broadcasting code.

Ofcom, the independent regulator, is responsible for drafting and maintaining the Broadcasting Code, which outlines standards for television and radio broadcasting in the United Kingdom. The Government has no plans to make an assessment of the potential impact on the protection of children by including online podcasts in the Broadcasting Code.

What steps her Department plans to take to support family owned small and medium sized enterprises with changes in the level of (a) the National Living Wage and (b) Business Property Relief.

At Autumn Budget, the Government took a number of difficult but necessary decisions on tax, welfare, and spending to restore economic stability, fix the public finances, and support public services. These were tough decisions given the situation we inherited from the previous administration, but the Government has done so in a way that makes the tax system fairer and more sustainable.Specifically to support small and medium businesses, including family businesses, the Budget announced generous tax reforms including more than doubling the employment allowance to £10,500, maintaining the Small Profits Rate and marginal relief at their current rates and thresholds, maintaining the Annual Investment Allowance, and freezing the small businesses multiplier for 2025-26.The government has protected smaller family businesses from BPR changes, providing a very significant level of relief with the first £1 million of business assets continuing to receive 100% relief and then 50% thereafter.Each year, the independent Low Pay Commission produces recommendations to the Government on the National Living Wage rates. At Autumn Budget, the Government accepted the LPC’s recommendations on the rates in full, meaning that NLW rate will rise to £12.21 per hour from April 2025.

If he will take steps to (a) scale up and (b) roll out the DISCOVER workshop programme led by the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

The Brief Educational Workshops in Secondary Schools Trial, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, was a large school-based study of a cognitive behavioural therapy-based intervention led by the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, using the DISCOVER intervention.The study found that the DISCOVER intervention was modestly clinically effective for reducing depressive and anxiety symptoms among 16 to 18 year olds. The study’s findings highlight that, given the importance of addressing mental health needs early in this adolescent population, additional research is warranted to explore this intervention.There are currently no national plans to scale up and roll out the DISCOVER workshop programme.We recognise the importance of early intervention. Nearly 500 National Health Service funded mental health support teams were operational in approximately 8,500, or 34% of, schools and colleges across England by the end of March 2024, covering 4.2 million, or 44% of, pupils or learners. These teams work with young people and parents to manage mild to moderate mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, while also assisting schools to develop a whole-school approach to positive mental health and wellbeing.Building on this, we will provide access to a specialist mental health professional in every school so that mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, can be identified early on and prevented from developing into more serious conditions in later life. We will also roll out Young Futures hubs in every community.

If he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of results of the Brief Educational Workshops in Secondary Schools Trial, published in June 2024, by the National Institute for Health Research and King College London.

The Brief Educational Workshops in Secondary Schools Trial, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, was a large school-based study of a cognitive behavioural therapy-based intervention led by the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, using the DISCOVER intervention.The study found that the DISCOVER intervention was modestly clinically effective for reducing depressive and anxiety symptoms among 16 to 18 year olds. The study’s findings highlight that, given the importance of addressing mental health needs early in this adolescent population, additional research is warranted to explore this intervention.There are currently no national plans to scale up and roll out the DISCOVER workshop programme.We recognise the importance of early intervention. Nearly 500 National Health Service funded mental health support teams were operational in approximately 8,500, or 34% of, schools and colleges across England by the end of March 2024, covering 4.2 million, or 44% of, pupils or learners. These teams work with young people and parents to manage mild to moderate mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, while also assisting schools to develop a whole-school approach to positive mental health and wellbeing.Building on this, we will provide access to a specialist mental health professional in every school so that mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, can be identified early on and prevented from developing into more serious conditions in later life. We will also roll out Young Futures hubs in every community.

If he will commission a survey of the mental health of children and young people in 2025.

Although there are no plans at present to commission further follow up waves to the 2017 Mental Health of Children and Young People in England survey, the Department recognises its importance. We will publish any such plans in due course.

How many prison cell fires there were in 2024, broken down by institution.

The overwhelming majority of the cell fires were considered ‘minor’ and quickly dealt with by staff, and medical assessment is provided for anyone who may have been exposed to smoke or heat. Where it is found that a fire is the result of arson, or of recklessness, the prisoner responsible will face robust punitive action, which can include further criminal charges. All operational staff receive Respiratory Protective Equipment training. Prison officers receive it as part of their Prison Officer Entry Level Training.The requested information is provided in the table below:PrisonNumber of firesHM Prison Altcourse39HM Prison Ashfield0HM Prison Askham Grange2HM Prison Aylesbury11HM Prison Bedford55HM Prison Belmarsh17HM Prison Berwyn53HM Prison Birmingham48HM Prison Brinsford49HM Prison Bristol48HM Prison Brixton19HM Prison Bronzefield36HM Prison Buckley Hall5HM Prison Bullingdon72HM Prison Bure1HM Prison Cardiff2HM Prison Channings Wood13HM Prison Chelmsford16HM Prison Coldingley4HM Prison Cookham Wood2HM Prison Dartmoor1HM Prison Deerbolt23HM Prison Doncaster45HM Prison Dovegate73HM Prison Downview2HM Prison Drake Hall1HM Prison Durham16HM Prison East Sutton Park1HM Prison Eastwood Park3HM Prison Elmley30HM Prison Erlestoke17HM Prison Exeter13HM Prison Featherstone3HM Prison Feltham31HM Prison Five Wells68HM Prison Ford0HM Prison Forest Bank137HM Prison Fosse Way33HM Prison Foston Hall7HM Prison Frankland4HM Prison Full Sutton22HM Prison Garth27HM Prison Gartree13HM Prison Grendon1HM Prison Guys Marsh78HM Prison Hatfield1HM Prison Haverigg1HM Prison Hewell10HM Prison High Down19HM Prison Highpoint37HM Prison Hindley24HM Prison Hollesley Bay1HM Prison Holme House41HM Prison Hull22HM Prison Humber67HM Prison Huntercombe15HM Prison Isis35HM Prison Isle of Wight20HM Prison Kirkham0HM Prison Kirklevington Grange0HM Prison Lancaster Farms6HM Prison Leeds31HM Prison Leicester23HM Prison Lewes42HM Prison Leyhill0HM Prison Lincoln5HM Prison Lindholme96HM Prison Littlehey3HM Prison Liverpool32HM Prison Long Lartin33HM Prison Lowdham Grange79HM Prison Low Newton0HM Prison Maidstone3HM Prison Manchester53HM Prison Moorland9HM Prison Morton Hall4HM Prison New Hall2HM Prison Northumberland9HM Prison North Sea Camp0HM Prison Norwich57HM Prison Nottingham20HM Prison Oakwood42HM Prison Onley26HM Prison Parc65HM Prison Pentonville28HM Prison Peterborough40HM Prison Portland26HM Prison Prescoed2HM Prison Preston12HM Prison Ranby49HM Prison Risley16HM Prison Rochester24HM Prison Rye Hill0HM Prison Send0HM Prison Spring Hill2HM Prison Stafford1HM Prison Standford Hill2HM Prison Stocken20HM Prison Stoke Heath6HM Prison Styal26HM Prison Sudbury2HM Prison Swaleside116HM Prison Swansea3HM Prison Swinfen Hall19HM Prison Thameside70HM Prison The Mount13HM Prison The Verne1HM Prison Thorn Cross1HM Prison Usk0HM Prison Wakefield17HM Prison Wandsworth98HM Prison Warren Hill1HM Prison Wayland22HM Prison Wealstun56HM Prison Werrington15HM Prison Wetherby23HM Prison Whatton0HM Prison Whitemoor23HM Prison Winchester23HM Prison Woodhill83HM Prison Wormwood Scrubs6HM Prison Wymott11Total2931Data source: HMPPS Fire Reporting Tool, Sphera Cloud

What steps her Department is taking to increase (a) awareness and (b) uptake of the Adoption and Special Guardian Support Fund for eligible families.

Local authorities, Adoption England and Regional Adoption Agencies promote the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) to families throughout their adoption journey as a source of support should they need it.In December 2023, the department changed the name of the Fund from the Adoption Support Fund to the ASGSF, to reflect the eligibility of special guardianship order (SGO) families and encourage increased numbers of applications for therapy where these families might need support.The department does not hold definitive data on the number of families eligible for the ASGSF at any one time. During the period from 7 February to 31 December 2024, 18,030 individual children have accessed support through the ASGSF.

How many families are eligible for the Adoption and Special Guardian Support Fund; and how many of these have accessed the fund since 7 February 2024.

Local authorities, Adoption England and Regional Adoption Agencies promote the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) to families throughout their adoption journey as a source of support should they need it.In December 2023, the department changed the name of the Fund from the Adoption Support Fund to the ASGSF, to reflect the eligibility of special guardianship order (SGO) families and encourage increased numbers of applications for therapy where these families might need support.The department does not hold definitive data on the number of families eligible for the ASGSF at any one time. During the period from 7 February to 31 December 2024, 18,030 individual children have accessed support through the ASGSF.

What funding he plans to provide for child and adolescent mental health services in the next financial year.

Priorities and spending for the next financial year will be set out in the NHS Operational Planning Guidance for 2025/26, which is due to be published shortly. It will then be for integrated care boards, in line with the national guidance, to make their own decisions on allocations to services in their areas, including child and adolescent mental health services.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of a suicide prevention strategy aimed at (a) school and (b) university students.

The government is committed to reducing the numbers of lives lost to suicide, including through prevention in educational institutions.The Department of Health and Social Care published a Prevention Strategy for England on 11 September 2023 with over 130 actions aimed at reducing the suicide rate. The strategy also sets ambitions to improve support for people who self-harm and people who have been bereaved by suicide. As part of the strategy, a number of groups have been identified for consideration for tailored or targeted action at a national level, including children and young people.Guidance to schools is reviewed regularly, including the statutory ‘Keeping children safe in education’ guidance that all schools must have regard to. Amongst other things, the guidance sets out the role all staff must play in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, including identifying where mental health concerns are also safeguarding concerns and making appropriate referrals into early help support services and statutory support services as appropriate.The statutory guidance for relationships, sex and health education (RSHE), which came into force in September 2020, advises that schools should approach teaching about self-harm and suicide carefully and should be aware of the risks to pupils from exposure to materials that are instructive rather than preventative, including websites or videos that provide instructions or methods of self-harm or suicide. The guidance can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education.The department is currently reviewing the RSHE guidance and as part of this process the department will explore whether additional content is required on suicide prevention.The National Review of Higher Education Student Suicides will report with important lessons for better supporting students and preventing tragedies in higher education (HE) settings in the spring. This will be published alongside updated data on HE student suicides from the Office for National Statistics.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 January 2025 to Question 21873 on Teachers: Pay, when she plans to publish the allocation of the £300 million revenue funding for Further Education in the 2025/26 financial year.

The Autumn Budget 2024 provided an additional £300 million revenue funding for further education (FE) for the 2025/26 financial year to ensure young people are developing the skills this country needs.On 15 January the department notified education institutions via the Education and Skills Funding Agency update that approximately £50 million of this funding will be made available to general FE colleges and sixth form colleges for the period April to July 2025. This one-off grant will enable colleges to respond to current priorities and challenges, including workforce recruitment and retention. Schools and academies will also continue to get grant funding for their 16 to 19 provision over this period.The remaining funding will be made available in 16 to 19 funding rates for the 2025/26 academic year, with the aim of ensuring that all 16 to 19 providers are funded on an equitable basis from 2025 to 2026. We are preparing the operational detail of the 16 to 19 funding rates and formula and the allocations timeline for the 2025/26 academic year. We aim to publish more information as soon as we can and will provide a further update in due course.The full update can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esfa-update-15-january-2025.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing (a) licencing for builders and (b) affordable recourse for people impacted by rogue builders.

This Government is working to ensure we have a high-quality and professional construction industry, which delivers safe work and has consumer protection at the heart of this. Any licencing scheme would need to be robust, proportionate and evidence based.The Consumer Rights Act 2015 sets out the standards consumers can expect from traders and remedies if these rights are breached. Consumers can seek redress through the Small Claims Court, where they can pursue claims of up to £10,000 against a rogue builder. Citizens Advice provides information on making claims and can refer complaints on to Trading Standards for appropriate enforcement action.