Written questions by Shastri-Hurst.

What the current vacancy rate is for Crown Prosecutors, broken down by region.

The overall vacancy rate for ‘Crown Prosecutors’* across the 14 regional, geographic areas that make up the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is 4.5% (at the end of December 2025). The table below includes the regional breakdown for CPS vacancy rates applicable to these legal roles.For context, the vacancy rates are shown alongside the number of vacancies within each geographic area, against the current area Full Time Equivalent (FTE).*These figures include all legal staff designated as ‘Crown Prosecutors’ only. Actual FTEBudget FTE (T2)Vacancies (over) / underVacancy RateCymru Wales Area151.85163.2811.437.0%East of England Area145.80151.665.863.9%East Midlands Area176.25192.8316.588.6%London North253.48278.4825.009.0%London South248.80239.43(9.37)-3.9%Mersey Cheshire Area133.79137.323.532.6%North East Area110.03130.0720.0415.4%North West Area251.40243.14(8.26)-3.4%South East Area145.64151.465.823.8%South West Area128.69128.50(0.19)-0.1%Thames and Chiltern Area127.48144.0116.5311.5%Wessex Area121.19122.751.561.3%West Midlands Area230.80247.8217.016.9%Yorkshire and Humberside Area237.70247.539.824.0%14 Geographic Areas2,462.912,578.27115.364.5%

What the outstanding caseload is in the Crown Court, broken down by offence category and region.

The Ministry of Justice publishes data on the Crown Court open caseload on a quarterly basis in the Criminal Court Statistics publication. The latest available data covers the period up to September 2025 and this can be broken down by offence category and region using the Crown Court receipts, disposals and open cases tool. Criminal court statistics quarterly: July to September 2025 - GOV.UK

How many cases were adjourned due to lack of judicial availability in the last 12 months.

The Ministry of Justice publishes data on trials that are ineffective due to a judge or magistrate not being available. An ineffective trial does not go ahead on the scheduled trial date, and a further listing is required. This information can be found on a quarterly basis using the ‘Trial effectiveness at the criminal courts tool’ and filtering the reason to ‘23. Ineffective reason: Judge/magistrate availability’ at the link below: Criminal court statistics quarterly: July to September 2025 - GOV.UK

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answers of 15 December 2025 to Questions 98222, 98223, 98224, and 98225, what steps his Department is taking to monitor the accuracy of ICNIRP self-certification declarations submitted by telecommunications operators in respect of public exclusion zones for new and existing masts.

My Department does not monitor ICNIRP self-certification.

When she plans to publish a revised delivery timeline for issuing all outstanding Remedial Service Statements to retired teachers affected by Transitional Protection.

The department is working closely with the scheme administrator to process Remediable Service Statements (RSSs) as quickly and efficiently as possible. Several factors have affected the original delivery timeline, including technical dependencies, regulatory requirements, coordination with external partners and preparation for a transition of contractor.The combination of these factors means an accurate delivery timetable is not available at present. The department continues to monitor progress and is working closely with the scheme administrator to streamline processes and introduce automation where possible. Any pension adjustments arising from members’ choices will be backdated with interest to ensure members are not financially disadvantaged.The administrator will keep affected members informed of revised timelines through established channels, including My Pension Online and its website. The latest update is available here: https://www.teacherspensions.co.uk/news/public-news/2025/11/timeline-for-sending-out-remediable-service-statements-rss.aspx. As responsibility for this work transitions to the new administrator of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme in Summer 2026, the department is working with TCS to finalise the timeline for issuing all RSSs. Once the timeline is confirmed, it will be communicated to relevant members.

When he plans to publish the impact assessment for the removal of the right of defendants to elect for a jury trial.

An impact assessment will accompany our legislative measures, as is usual practice.

Which Minister is attending meetings to discuss NHS England’s Urgent and Emergency Care Daily Situation Reports.

In May 2025, I initiated meetings to reflect on lessons learnt from last winter and to discuss priorities and preparations for this winter. These meetings ran until September 2025. In addition to this my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, and the Chief Executive Officer of NHS England brought leaders from across the system together in September 2025.Since October 2025, my Rt. Hon. Friend and I have been chairing regular winter meetings to ensure the whole system was prepared for, and is responding well to, pressures this winter. The latest urgent and emergency care data is a standing agenda item within these meetings. Since the publication of NHS England’s Urgent and Emergency Care Daily Situation Reports on 4 December 2025, information from these reports has been considered as part of this standing item.

How often meetings are held to discuss NHS England’s Urgent and Emergency Care Daily Situation Reports.

In May 2025, I initiated meetings to reflect on lessons learnt from last winter and to discuss priorities and preparations for this winter. These meetings ran until September 2025. In addition to this my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, and the Chief Executive Officer of NHS England brought leaders from across the system together in September 2025.Since October 2025, my Rt. Hon. Friend and I have been chairing regular winter meetings to ensure the whole system was prepared for, and is responding well to, pressures this winter. The latest urgent and emergency care data is a standing agenda item within these meetings. Since the publication of NHS England’s Urgent and Emergency Care Daily Situation Reports on 4 December 2025, information from these reports has been considered as part of this standing item.

How many prisoners have been released in error since 5 July 2024 by prison.

Releases in error have been increasing for several years and are another symptom of the prison system crisis inherited by this Government. On 11 November, the Deputy Prime Minister announced a five-point action plan setting out initial steps to address this issue.Totals for releases in error, including a breakdown by releasing prison (or Prisoner Escort Custody Services), are published each July in the HMPPS Annual Digest, available via  HMPPS Annual Digest, April 2024 to March 2025 - GOV.UK , and provide data up to March 2025.The Government is determined to fix the issue of mistaken releases and ensure the public is properly protected.

Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to monitor the accuracy of ICNIRP self-certification declarations submitted by telecommunications operators in respect of public exclusion zones for new and existing masts.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is not responsible for public health considerations related to radio waves, nor for monitoring or measuring mobile network operators’ compliance with their existing obligations in this area. In the United Kingdom, the Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advises the Government on health impacts of electromagnetic fields (EMF) and monitors emerging evidence.Wireless network operators must comply with the guidelines set by The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection under licencing conditions set by Ofcom. Ofcom can enforce compliance, including the requirement to meet public EMF limits and maintain records demonstrating compliance.The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) requires operators declare that proposed sites comply with ICNIRP guidelines when submitting planning applications. As best practice, operators should provide self-certification statements with all applications confirming adherence to ICNIRP guidelines. The NPPF is the responsibility of Ministry for Housing, Communities, and Local Government.

Innovation and Technology, whether her Department plans to introduce mandatory third-party verification of ICNIRP compliance for telecoms mast installations above a specified power threshold.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is not responsible for public health considerations related to radio waves, nor for monitoring or measuring mobile network operators’ compliance with their existing obligations in this area. In the United Kingdom, the Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advises the Government on health impacts of electromagnetic fields (EMF) and monitors emerging evidence.Wireless network operators must comply with the guidelines set by The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection under licencing conditions set by Ofcom. Ofcom can enforce compliance, including the requirement to meet public EMF limits and maintain records demonstrating compliance.The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) requires operators declare that proposed sites comply with ICNIRP guidelines when submitting planning applications. As best practice, operators should provide self-certification statements with all applications confirming adherence to ICNIRP guidelines. The NPPF is the responsibility of Ministry for Housing, Communities, and Local Government.

Innovation and Technology, what guidance she has issued to local planning authorities on verifying ICNIRP self-certification against actual site conditions and public access restrictions.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is not responsible for public health considerations related to radio waves, nor for monitoring or measuring mobile network operators’ compliance with their existing obligations in this area. In the United Kingdom, the Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advises the Government on health impacts of electromagnetic fields (EMF) and monitors emerging evidence.Wireless network operators must comply with the guidelines set by The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection under licencing conditions set by Ofcom. Ofcom can enforce compliance, including the requirement to meet public EMF limits and maintain records demonstrating compliance.The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) requires operators declare that proposed sites comply with ICNIRP guidelines when submitting planning applications. As best practice, operators should provide self-certification statements with all applications confirming adherence to ICNIRP guidelines. The NPPF is the responsibility of Ministry for Housing, Communities, and Local Government.

Innovation and Technology, how many instances of non-compliance with ICNIRP public exclusion zone requirements for telecommunications masts have been identified in each of the last five years; and what enforcement action was taken in each case.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is not responsible for public health considerations related to radio waves, nor for monitoring or measuring mobile network operators’ compliance with their existing obligations in this area. In the United Kingdom, the Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advises the Government on health impacts of electromagnetic fields (EMF) and monitors emerging evidence.Wireless network operators must comply with the guidelines set by The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection under licencing conditions set by Ofcom. Ofcom can enforce compliance, including the requirement to meet public EMF limits and maintain records demonstrating compliance.The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) requires operators declare that proposed sites comply with ICNIRP guidelines when submitting planning applications. As best practice, operators should provide self-certification statements with all applications confirming adherence to ICNIRP guidelines. The NPPF is the responsibility of Ministry for Housing, Communities, and Local Government.

What data her Department holds for each police force on the time taken to resolve complaints brought in relation to policing standards and policy.

The Home Office does not hold complete data on the time taken to resolve police complaints.As overseers of the police complaints system in England and Wales, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) collect and publish data on public complaints, including information on the time taken to finalise complaint allegations.Published information can be found at:https://www.policeconduct.gov.uk/our-work/research-and-statistics/police-complaints-statisticsBreakdowns of timeliness by allegation type (nature of allegation) are not published.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of measures to improve the timeliness of probate claims.

HM Courts & Tribunals Service have invested in more staff, alongside system and process improvements to reduce and maintain lower processing times during the last year.The Ministry of Justice publishes regular data on probate timeliness in our regular quarterly family court statistics bulletin: Family Court Statistics Quarterly - GOV.UK

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of exempting foster carers from Council Tax in whole or in part.

Local authorities are responsible for the administration of council tax and have discretionary powers to apply exemptions or council tax discounts. This could include offering discounts to foster carers where they consider this appropriate. The Government has recently consulted on modernising and improving the administration of council tax. This included seeking views on the current range of council tax disregards provided in the system. The Government will publish its response to the consultation in due course.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of increasing the maximum age for post-foster care arrangements to age 25.

The government is committed to supporting care leavers as they transition to independence.Staying Put enables care leavers to prepare for independence more gradually in a stable and secure family setting. It enables young people to continue living with their former foster carer(s) when they turn age 18, potentially up to age 21, if both parties want this.We are committed to Staying Put arrangements but must prioritise the introduction of the Staying Close duty in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which provides support to those who cannot benefit from Staying Put.Staying Close offers tailored support for care leavers, including help to find and keep suitable accommodation and access to wraparound services such as health and wellbeing, education, training and employment. This measure ensures that eligible care leavers can receive support up to age 25, helping them to build stability and life skills and reducing the risk of homelessness and poor outcomes. This includes young people who might have previously been in a Staying Put arrangement.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of current national oversight arrangements for the implementation of the framework set out in the document Maintaining High Professional Standards procedures within NHS trusts.

Maintaining High Professional Standards was first published in 2005, and it remains an important framework for the initial handling of concerns about doctors and dentists in the National Health Service. All Department and NHS England guidance documents are kept under review.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that concerns raised by NHS whistleblowers on patient safety are (a) recorded, (b) escalated and (c) reviewed.

There are a number of avenues through which healthcare workers can speak up and raise concerns, with established procedures in place to record, act on, and escalate issues as needed.In England, more than 1,300 Freedom to Speak Up Guardians now support staff in speaking up. Their role involves working alongside governance, risk, and safety teams to ensure that speaking up translates into improvements in patient care, as well as identifying patterns and trends, for example, in patient safety incidents. Freedom to Speak Up Guardians collect and report anonymised data on the issues raised with them, including patient safety. This data is published by the National Guardian’s Office at the following link:https://nationalguardian.org.uk/learning-resources/speaking-up-data/The National Guardian’s Office and NHS England are ‘prescribed persons’, authorised to receive protected disclosures, including those in relation to safety and quality concerns. They are legally required to publish annual reports on protected disclosures and their outcomes.Every National Health Service organisation in England should be following the national Freedom to Speak Up policy, which outlines minimum standards for handling and addressing concerns. This policy ensures that all reported concerns are considered carefully and investigated objectively when necessary.

How many NHS staff were subject to Maintaining High Professional Standards procedures in each of the last five years.

The Department does not hold data centrally on how many National Health Service staff were investigated under the Maintaining High Professional Standards framework in each of the last five years. This data is also not held by NHS England.