Written questions by Whittome.

With reference to the written statement of 30 July 2024 on Adult Social Care Workforce, HCWS50, whether he plans to provide further funding for social work apprentice opportunities.

We take seriously our responsibility to help manage down the overall fiscal pressures in 2024/25, and therefore cannot commit further funding for social work apprenticeships at this time.Regarding the social care sector more generally, we are committed to building consensus on the long-term reform needed to create the National Care Service. A key step towards this will be introducing Fair Pay Agreements into the sector, which will work to empower worker representatives, employers and others in partnership to negotiate pay and terms and conditions in a regulated and responsible manner and will help to address the recruitment and retention crisis in the sector; in turn supporting the delivery of high-quality care.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the safety of LGBTQI+ people in Georgia following the On Family Values and Protection of Minors legislation being passed.

It is our view that, despite the title of the law, these laws undermine fundamental rights of freedom of expression and assembly, and risk discriminating against and stigmatising Georgia's LGBT+ groups. The UK works closely with our international partners to advance equality, including through the Equal Rights Coalition and the European LGBTI Focal Points Network. On 9 October I raised my concerns over recent legislative changes, including these laws, with Georgian Foreign Minister Darchiashvili, and emphasised the importance of protecting minority rights, and wider human rights.

Whether forthcoming legislation to ban conversion practices will include protections for those who are asexual.

This Government’s position is that conversion practices are abuse. Such practices have no place in society and must be stopped.Through the development of the Conversion Practices Bill, this Government will deliver on our manifesto commitment to bring forward a full, trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices, implementing key safeguards for LGBT people.We are committed to listening to all viewpoints as this work progresses, and to engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, organisations and all LGBT communities.

What assessment has she made of the potential impact of the legislative package on Family Values and Protection of Minors being signed into law in Georgia on that country's safe state designation under the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (Amendment of List of Safe States) Regulations 2024.

Our assessment of the situation in Georgia is set out in the relevant Country Policy and Information Notes, which are available on the Gov.Uk website. The latest update on sexual orientation and gender identity was issued in September 2024 following a review commissioned by and on behalf of the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration.Section 80AA(4) of the Nationality, Immigration and Act 2002 also requires, in respect of designated countries, that the Secretary of State—(a)must have regard to all the circumstances of the State (including its laws and how they are applied).We will continue to monitor the situation, working closely with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

If she make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing benefits for those (a) in supported accommodation and (b) subject to higher service charge payments.

Supported housing provides a vital service for the most vulnerable people in society, helping them live as independently as possible in the community. The benefits system recognises the extra costs and service charges associated with supported housing.Housing Benefit is paid to those on a low income living in supported accommodation if they meet criteria set out in legislation. Housing Benefit can cover all or part of the rent and any eligible service charges and in the majority of cases full rent is paid.The Secretary of State is required to undertake an annual uprating review of benefits and state pensions every year. The review will commence at the usual time this Autumn.

What steps she is taking to increase the availability of electric vehicle charge points for people who do not have off street parking.

The Government is committed to making EV charging infrastructure more affordable and accessible, particularly for those without off-street parking. The Local EV Infrastructure Fund is supporting local authorities in England to install tens of thousands of EV chargepoints. In addition, the Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant is supporting flat owners, renters, and those with on-street parking to install chargepoints on domestic premises.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that specialist violence against women and girls services are aware of the early release of prisoners with known histories of those offences.

The decision that this Government has taken to release some prisoners early is a difficult but necessary one.We want women and girls to feel safe, and ministers and officials are meeting regularly with the specialist women and girls’ sector to ensure they have the information they need to support victims and survivors throughout early release of prisoners. On 22 August, Minister Timpson and I chaired a roundtable meeting with over thirty groups representing victims and survivors to provide detail on the release process and support available for them. I have also been working closely with the sector and the Victims’ and Domestic Abuse Commissioners to ensure information reaches those working directly with victims and survivors every day.Ensuring victims and survivors are safe and supported is my priority, and I will continue to engage closely with the victims’ sector throughout this process and beyond.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of (a) trainee pilots accessing one standardised training course and (b) allowing new pilots to use their UK licence in EU countries without undertaking another course.

No assessment has been made as to the standardisation of training, as the training that an individual receives is dependent upon which licence they are seeking - such as a Private Pilots Licence (PPL) or Commercial Pilots Licence (CPL). The competencies required to be demonstrated may differ depending on the licence type being issued but are standardised within each licence type. The decision on whether to unilaterally allow UK licenced pilots to operate EU registered aircraft is entirely a decision for the European Union (EU) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Article 445(1) in the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement outlines the areas in which both the UK and EU may cooperate in aviation safety. Under these terms, any future mutual recognition of personnel licencing would require an expansion to the TCA.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure there is not a funding cliff edge for VAWG services in March 2025.

We have set out our mission to halve violence against women and girls within a decade. The Home Office funds a range of organisations to deliver vital services that help deliver this mission and regularly engage with key stakeholders to inform future planning.All decisions on funding will be made in due course as part of the Spending Review.

Media and Sport, whether she is taking steps to increase funding for arts and culture in the Nottingham East constituency.

We are in the early stages of the new Government and we are considering the full range of policy options to support the arts and creative industries, and help the cultural sectors to thrive.This government is committed to supporting culture, and making sure the arts and cultural activities will no longer be the preserve of a privileged few. Although individual decisions on financial support for arts bodies are rightly subject to the arm’s-length principle and a matter for Arts Council England, we are keen to ensure that funding for the arts is fairly distributed across the country.We are working with Arts Council England and others to understand what the challenges and opportunities are for our sectors. As part of the Government’s “Creating Growth” plan, DCMS is undertaking a review documenting current and past funding for the arts, culture, and heritage sectors.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of allowing people who are terminally ill to withdraw funds from private pensions.

If you have a private or workplace pension, you may be able to begin taking an income and/or lump sums from your pension at any age due to ill health. This provision is dependent on the rules of the scheme and is a matter for individual schemes and may vary. Scheme members should contact their scheme administrators in the event of ill health to ascertain any benefits that they may be entitled to under the rules of the scheme.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of allowing people who are (a) under pension age and (b) terminally ill to access their state pension.

The principle of having a State Pension age that is the same for everybody has the merit of simplicity and clarity and provides an important trigger moment for planning purposes. Unlike some Private Pensions, it has always been the case that nobody can claim their State Pension before they reach State Pension age. For those nearing the end of their life, the Government’s priority is providing people with financial support quickly and compassionately. Special benefit rules enable people who are nearing the end of their lives and have 12-months or less to live to get faster and easier access to certain benefits.