Written questions by Ryan.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending eligibility requirements for the NHS Health Check to adults aged between 25 to 39.

The NHS Health Check, a core component of England’s cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention programme, assesses the risk factors for CVD in people aged 40 to 74 years old, provides advice on how to reduce the risk of developing CVD, and refers people to behaviour support programmes, clinical assessment, and treatment where appropriate.Data shows that the older a person is, the more likely it is they will attend their NHS Health Check, with the highest uptake in the 70 to 74 year old age group.We are undertaking a review of the evidence for expanding eligibility to people under 40 years of age. This work will inform the ongoing policy for the NHS Health Check programme.

What steps she is taking to ensure children in (a) key stage 1 and (b) key stage 2 have sufficient access to (i) high-quality play provision and (ii) adequate time for play at school.

Play is essential to development and learning for young children. This is recognised in the early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework, and schools, governing bodies and academy trusts are responsible for ensuring the school day includes opportunities for social interaction, physical activity and enrichment activities.Government guidance sets out the expectation that a school week is a minimum of 32.5 hours inclusive of breaks, providing lots of opportunity for schools to incorporate time for play and other activities.

What steps he is taking to support jobs in the defence sector.

Defence is not just the cornerstone of national security, but it is also an engine for growth. The Defence Industrial Strategy will deliver good jobs and rewarding careers in Defence, that support communities across our nations. I am also working with my Ministerial colleagues as part of a cross-Government effort to identify and grow the skills the UK defence sector will need for the future.

What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the classification of ketamine as a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971; and if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of reviewing that classification.

No recent assessment has been made. Ketamine was moved from Class C to Class B in 2014, in accordance with advice provided by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD). The ACMD’s recommendation was based on evidence of ketamine’s potential for harm at that time. The Government continues to assess any emerging evidence of harm and keeps drugs controls under review. Any decisions about drug classification are made after seeking expert advice from the ACMD.

Pursuant to the Answer of 1 November 2024 to Question 10959 on British Nationality: Assessments, what her planned timescale is for reviewing the Life in the UK handbook; and if she will take steps to introduce practical citizenship classes to support the integration process.

The Life in the UK handbook is reviewed periodically to ensure it remains up to date and correct. The current impression of the handbook, published in 2023, was reviewed earlier this year. We aim to publish the next impression, with amendments, before the end of 2024. We expect to finalise the next periodic review of the handbook towards the end of 2025. The Home Office works with its commercial partners to ensure a range of learning materials are available to support those who wish to study for the Life in the UK test. These include a mobile app, an e-learning zone and study guides available in digital and paper formats.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of support available to businesses developing technologies to reduce carbon emissions.

The Government policies supporting businesses to develop technologies to reduce carbon emissions adhere with the Department's published monitoring and evaluation framework, which sets out our commitment to robust and proportionate monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of our policies (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/desnz-monitoring-and-evaluation-framework). Example programmes through which the Government provides support for low carbon technology development include the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio and its predecessor, the Energy Innovation Programme. Both of these are monitored through Key Performance Indicators and subject to external evaluations. An evaluation of the Energy Entrepreneurs Fund, for instance, found that it was effective at accelerating technological progress (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-entrepreneurs-fund-phases-1-7-final-evaluation).

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) updating the Life in the UK (i) handbook and (ii) citizenship test and (b) introducing integration classes to help people adjust to life in the UK.

The Life in the UK test is important for anyone applying to settle permanently in the UK to ensure they have an understanding of the democratic principles underlying British society and aspects of our culture and traditions. The handbook and questions are periodically reviewed to ensure the information is up to date and correct.Individuals granted asylum have access to work and to mainstream services that support their integration, and receive a Welcome Guide to provide information to support their cultural orientation and integration into life in the UK.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to help tackle Islamophobia.

Islamophobia, and all forms of religious and racial hatred, have absolutely no place in our society. No one should be targeted because of the colour of their skin, or their faith. This Government is clear that perpetrators of such hate crimes will face the full force of the law.Up to £29.4 million per year will be made available for protective security at mosques and Muslim faith schools until 2027/28. The Protective Security for Mosques Scheme provides physical protective security measures (such as CCTV, intruder alarms and secure perimeter fencing) to mosques and associated Muslim faith community centres.British Muslims are a crucial part of Britain’s history and British life today. This Government will not tolerate Islamophobia in any form and has committed to a more cohesive and integrated approach to ensure that all forms of hatred are stamped out of our communities. We will keep the House updated on this work to strengthen our communities.

If she will make an assessment of the (a) adequacy of safeguards against the misuse of online application forms for Lasting Power of Attorney and (b) potential merits of only providing forms following discussions with officials who are satisfied that Lasting Power of Attorney would be in the interests of vulnerable people.

Under the current system, the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a prescribed paper form, which to be used must be made validly and registered by Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). The form can be completed online but must then be printed, signed, and sent to OPG for processing.LPAs are private agreements between individuals. While the OPG has a role in checking these documents meet the requirements for registration prior to use, and in investigating any alleged misuse, it cannot prevent an eligible person from making one.

Pursuant to the Answer of 26 July 2024 to question 726 on Emergency Services: Medals, if she will take steps to introduce a medal for seriously injured and medically retired emergency service personnel.

It is only right that we recognise the sacrifices made by the emergency services, and the Home Office is happy to consider proposals for new medals for members of the emergency services.Any official policing medal is a gift from the Government, on behalf of His Majesty The King to recognise individuals within the service. The creation of a new medal requires cross Government consensus and approval from the Committee on The Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals (“HD Committee”), before advice is put to HM The King to make his final decision.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Homelessness code of guidance for local authorities, published on 22 February 2018, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the guidance on (a) priority need and (b) emergency accommodation provision for single men who (i) do not fit the priority categories and (ii) are rough sleeping.

Homelessness legislation and guidance makes clear people who are vulnerable have priority need. This includes a duty to provide the household with temporary accommodation until settled accommodation is secured.Homelessness levels are far too high. We are determined to tackle this and will develop a new cross government strategy, working with mayors and councils across the country, to get us back on track to ending homelessness once and for all.

If she will take steps to improve the (a) process and (b) tools used to diagnose SEND in children.

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. The department wants to drive a consistent and inclusive approach to supporting children and young people with SEND through early identification, effective support, high quality teaching and effective allocation of resources. The department’s approach will support families, breaking down the barriers to opportunity for their children.The department knows that parents have struggled to get the right support for their children, particularly through long and difficult Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan processes. The department wants to make sure that EHC plan applications are processed promptly and, where required, are issued as quickly as possible so that children and young people can access the support they need. The department has listened to a wide range of people such as children and young people, parents, schools, colleges and local authorities and their partners, and it is deciding how to proceed based on these insights.The department is also investing heavily in the SEND system, for example:Investing a further £21 million to train 400 more educational psychologists across specialists.Announcing that funded support for the 11,100 schools registered for the Nuffield Early Language Intervention programme would continue for 2024/25.In partnership with NHS England, funding the Early Language and Support For Every Child (ELSEC) to trial new ways of working to earlier identify and support children with speech, language and communication needs in early years and primary schools, utilising Therapy Support Assistants.Funding the Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) programme, which will deploy specialists from both health and education workforces within mainstream primary school settings. PINS will build teacher and staff capacity to identify and meet the needs of neurodiverse children, including those with speech and language needs, through whole-school interventions.Funding up to 7,000 early years staff to gain an accredited Level 3 early years SENCO qualification to support the development of the early years' workforce.

What steps she is taking to reduce the time taken for Access to Work benefit applications to be approved.

The Department for Work and Pensions is committed to reducing waiting times for new applications for Access to Work, as well as renewals. We are considering the best way to deliver that for customers. We have increased the number of staff processing Access to Work claims and have prioritised applications from customers who are about to start a job, and renewals.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of ambulance response times.

We have been clear our assessment is that ambulance response times have been wholly inadequate in recent years. Patients with serious conditions such as suspected strokes waited over 34 minutes on average last month for an ambulance to arrive – nearly twice as long as the 18-minute standard.  This Government is committed to returning the NHS to the Constitution’s standards.