Written questions by Duncan-Jordan.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of Earned Settlement proposals on vacancy rates for adult social care workers.

The Department of Health and Social Care works closely with the Home Office on issues relating to immigration and the adult social care sector, including the social care workforce.The Government ran a public consultation on whether the existing pathway for settlement should be increased to 15 years for those admitted to the United Kingdom to work in occupations skilled below Regulated Qualifications Framework Level 6, under the Skilled Worker and Health and Care routes. This includes care workers and senior care workers.The consultation, which ran for 12 weeks, opened on 20 November 2025 and closed on 12 February 2026. The Home Office is now reviewing and analysing all responses received. This analysis will help inform the development of the final earned settlement model.Following analysis of the consultation responses, the necessary impact assessments will be undertaken.

Media and Sport, what plans she has to ensure that public funding supports the parts of the cultural ecosystem most at risk, including the grassroots music sector.

DCMS and Arts Council England (ACE) are already focusing funding on the areas of the cultural sector most at risk, using both dedicated funds and wider investment. We have been clear that significant government investment, such as the £1.5 billion Arts Everywhere Fund, is focused on supporting organisations, particularly in underserved areas, to protect vulnerable cultural infrastructure and local venues, ensuring access nationwide. Arts Council England also directs National Lottery and National Portfolio funding toward underserved areas, prioritising inclusivity, community access and long-term sustainability across the sector. In addition, in response to Baroness Hodge’s review of ACE, we have highlighted the importance of ensuring that support is directed towards the places that need it most. We will also soon publish a Music Plan, drawing together all that the Government is doing to support the music industry. This includes the Government's Music Growth Package of up to £30m over three years, which aims to strengthen the talent pipeline, sustain vital music infrastructure and remove barriers to touring, supporting live performance and providing export opportunities to keep UK music globally competitive. Our Creative Places Growth Fund will provide £150m in total over 3 years to 6 Mayoral Strategic Authorities for them to distribute, according to local barriers and opportunities. This will allow areas to maximise the impact of national interventions, including the grassroots music sector.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of enabling concessionary bus pass holders to use services before 9am.

The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age, between 9.30am and 11.00pm on weekdays and all day at weekends and on Bank Holidays. The duration of the concessionary period was set out in the Transport Act 2000. The ENCTS costs around £795 million annually in reimbursement to operators. Any changes to the statutory obligations, such as extending the times of use, would therefore need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability. However, local authorities in England have the power to go beyond their statutory obligations under the ENCTS and offer additional discretionary concessions, such as extending travel times. The Government has confirmed over £3 billion from 2026/27 to the end of the Spending review period to support local leaders and bus operators across England to improve bus services. This includes multi-year allocations for local authorities under the Local Authority Bus Grant (LABG) totalling nearly £700 million per year. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council will be allocated £17.1 million under the LABG from 2026/27 to 2028/29, in addition to the £6 million they are already receiving this financial year. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services can be used in whichever way they wish to deliver better services for passengers, which could include extending discretionary concessions locally.

If she will set out the support available for children in care to help them prepare for life post-18 years.

Local authorities have the primary responsibility for supporting care leavers and must publish their ‘local offer’ for care leavers, setting out their legal entitlements, plus any further discretionary support they provide. All care leavers are entitled to support from a Personal Adviser (PA), whose role is to help care leavers access support from mainstream services, such as housing, healthcare, benefits, and to provide practical and emotional support to help them prepare for the challenges of adulthood. PAs work with the young person to develop a pathway plan which should include their career aspirations and ambitions, providing access to high quality information, advice and guidance to inform their plans for continuing education, training or employment.The department is going further through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, placing a new duty on local authorities to provide Staying Close support to care leavers up to the age of 25 where their welfare requires it. The bill also requires local authorities to publish information on their arrangements for supporting care leavers’ transition to adulthood, and seeks to change housing legislation so that care leavers cannot be found intentionally homeless.

Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the allocation of public funding exclusively to National Portfolio Organisations on non-national portfolio organisations.

The government’s support for culture is not exclusively for National Portfolio Organisations (NPO). In particular, Arts Council England (ACE) capital funding in the current Spending Review period is not limited to NPOs. For example, the Government launched the £425 million Creative Foundations Fund, an open-access capital programme supporting arts and cultural organisations across England to address urgent estate and infrastructure needs. The first £85 million round was open to any eligible organisations, with a further £340 million to be allocated by ACE in due course.The government has also decided to invest additional funding in ACE to support the NPO Programme within the wider context of large-scale open-access funds. As this programme is periodically open to competition, it allows opportunities for new entrants while supporting around 1,000 key cultural institutions across England. The extra funding will help address cost pressures and provide greater stability.

Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to facilitate the introduction of Article 4 directions in relation to Houses in Multiple Occupation by local authorities.

Local planning authorities already have powers to limit the proliferation of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) through 'Article 4' directions.

What assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the level of financial support for foster carers.

Foster carers do not foster for financial reward, but need adequate support to ensure that they, and the children in their care, can achieve and thrive.The department has set the National Minimum Allowance to cover the cost of looking after a child. The amount depends on the age and location of the child, but ranges from £176 to £309 per week, and increases annually along with tax relief and in line with inflation to reflect the cost of living.The department recognises that wider support, such as fees and expenses, remain inconsistent. To better understand this variation and the impact this has on recruitment and retention, we have committed to an in-depth study of fostering finances. Alongside this, we will work closely with local authorities to understand and promote the full range of incentives they offer to carers, such as council tax discounts or exemptions and reduced rate local authority parking.

Media and Sport, whether she has assessed the potential merits of establishing a Royal Commission on Youth on the challenges facing future generations.

This government recognises the scale of the challenges facing young people and is fully committed to addressing them. That is why we published the ‘Youth Matters: Your National Youth Strategy’ which sets out a 10-year plan to ensure every young person has somewhere to go, someone who cares for them and a community they feel part of. It is underpinned by extensive research and insights, including a national survey and The Big Ambition Analysis for the National Youth Strategy. We will hold yearly national hearings on the progress of the Strategy and publish an interim delivery report in 2027.We recognise that some of the challenges impacting young people have a systemic nature and the government is conducting specific reviews and consultations on key cross-cutting challenges. This includes the independent Milburn review analysing drivers of youth inactivity, the consultation on children’s use of technology as well as the reforms to the SEND system.

How many people assessed at a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment as having a terminal condition did not receive PIP under the Special Rules in each of the latest 12 months for which data is available.

The Department does not collect information centrally for analysis on whether a claimant’s condition is terminal. The Special Rules for End of Life allow people nearing the end of their life to get faster and easier access to PIP at the highest rates. The Department considers anyone likely to have fewer than 12 months to live as nearing the end of life.

What is the scope of the baseline report on child poverty; and whether it will outline what reduction in child poverty his Department aims to achieve for the 10 year strategy period.

The baseline report will provide further details on our approach to monitoring and evaluating the Child Poverty Strategy, as initially set out in the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework published alongside the Strategy, alongside the latest statistics and evidence. Our Child Poverty Strategy fulfils our commitment to reducing poverty this Parliament, lifting 550,000 children out of poverty, and sets out our ambition to tackle its structural drivers as part of a long-term, 10-year strategy. This Government has taken decisive action, with the interventions in the Strategy set to lead to the largest expected reduction in child poverty over a Parliament since comparable records began. From the very beginning of our time in government we have done what is needed to tackle child poverty – we have increased the minimum wage, expanded Free School Meals, invested in social and affordable housing, funded more Best Start Family Hubs, and removed the two-child limit.

Media and Sport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of appointing a Minister for Youth.

I am the Minister for Youth.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of taking steps to tackle noise pollution caused by high powered cars and motorbikes.

The Government takes the impact of excessive noise on health, wellbeing and the natural environment seriously. Strict noise regulations for cars and motorcycles are harmonised at an international level and require vehicles to demonstrate compliance before being placed on the market. It is ultimately for local authorities and the police to consider what the most appropriate enforcement routes may be for addressing issues with excessive vehicle noise within their area. The use of noise camera technology has already been taken forward by some local authorities.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of whether Perenco should pay further compensation for oil spill in Poole harbour.

The Environment Agency (EA) has undertaken a full investigation into the March 2023 oil spill in Poole Harbour and rigorously assessed Perenco’s £6 million Enforcement Undertaking (EU) in line with the EA’s Enforcement and Sanctions Policy. The package covers pollution clean‑up, compensation for verified claims, the development of a remediation plan, and funding for local environmental improvement projects. The EU was reviewed at both local and national levels within the EA to ensure it was proportionate, consistent, and reflected the operator’s level of responsibility. Independent impact reports commissioned by the Recovery Co‑ordination Group found that the environmental harm from the incident was short‑lived and localised, with limited long‑term impacts on wildlife, community, and the local economy. Perenco has additionally implemented operational improvements to reduce the risk of future incidents. Based on the EA’s assessment and the findings of the impact reports, the Secretary of State has not identified a need for further compensation.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of laying the provision relating to frozen pensions as a standalone instrument.

The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations 2026 are in general consequential on the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2026 and can only be laid once the Up-rating Order has been approved by Parliament. The Up-rating Regulations were laid on 6 March 2026 and will come into force on the same date as the Up-rating Order on 6 April 2026. This is a convention that has been in place for a number of years.

Whether his Department has produced (a) written advice and (b) guidance setting out the rationale for laying the provision relating to frozen overseas state pensions under the Negative procedure.

The provisions in the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations 2026 cannot be included in the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2026 because the powers on which the Up-rating Order relies are insufficiently wide to include these provisions. The Regulations are subject to the negative procedure, and this is a convention that has been in place for a number of years.

With reference to Regulation 3 of the Social Security Up-Rating Regulations 2026 laid on 6 March, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of making the provision relating to frozen overseas state pensions by Order rather than Regulations.

The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations 2026 are in general consequential on the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2026. The provisions in the Up-rating Regulations cannot be included in the Up-rating Order because the powers on which the Up-rating Order relies are insufficiently wide to include these provisions.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will hold a consultation on hunting with hounds.

In the Animal Welfare Strategy, published 22 December 2025, Defra confirmed its intention to consult in early 2026 on how to deliver a ban on trail hunting. The planned consultation will invite respondents to raise any matters which they consider relevant and will provide an opportunity to submit views on how to deliver an effective ban.

What plans she has to review teachers' contractual obligation to work for a maximum of 1265 hours over 195 days in a year.

Directed and undirected time is a contractual provision unique to teaching, and we know that many teachers work significantly more than 1265 hours; so, this year’s remit asked for the School Teachers Review Body’s (STRB) views on the benefits and drawbacks of the current working hours arrangements within the ‘School teachers pay and conditions’ document, to gather information as part of work to reduce working hours and make teaching a more attractive profession. To be clear, the department has not proposed the removal, or a specific change, to the current 1265 directed hours limit, which is a key teacher protection. We will take into account the Review Body’s views and evidence from statutory consultees, including unions, before considering whether to pursue any change to the provision for teachers or leaders. No policy change is being recommended or decided upon at this stage.

What assessment has she made as to the suitability of the teachers' contractual obligation to work for a maximum of 1265 hours over 195 days in a year.

Directed and undirected time is a contractual provision unique to teaching, and we know that many teachers work significantly more than 1265 hours; so, this year’s remit asked for the School Teachers Review Body’s (STRB) views on the benefits and drawbacks of the current working hours arrangements within the ‘School teachers pay and conditions’ document, to gather information as part of work to reduce working hours and make teaching a more attractive profession. To be clear, the department has not proposed the removal, or a specific change, to the current 1265 directed hours limit, which is a key teacher protection. We will take into account the Review Body’s views and evidence from statutory consultees, including unions, before considering whether to pursue any change to the provision for teachers or leaders. No policy change is being recommended or decided upon at this stage.

What steps are being taken to ensure those being migrated onto Universal Credit will receive transitional protection.

The Department is committed to ensuring that all eligible customers moving from legacy benefits to Universal Credit receive the Transitional Protection to which they are entitled. Transitional Protection is a safeguard designed to support a smooth financial transition from legacy benefits to Universal Credit for those required to move. Customers who make a Universal Credit claim in response to a Migration Notice, and who would otherwise receive a lower award on Universal Credit than they received on their legacy benefit, will receive Transitional Protection. To be eligible for Transitional Protection, customers must claim Universal Credit by the deadline set out in their Migration Notice, or within one month of that deadline (the “grace period”). The Department keeps detailed records of all customers who have been issued with a Migration Notice and their associated deadlines to ensure eligible customers are correctly identified.