Written questions by Holden.

Pursuant to the Answer of 7 January 2025 to Question 21387 on Rachel Reeves: Self-assessment, for what reason she does not plan to publish her tax return.

I refer the hon member to the answer given on the 7 January 2025 to UIN 21387.

Whether Baroness Casey made a declaration of political activity following her appointment as Lead Non-Executive Director.

Baroness Casey followed the published process for declaring any interests.https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/non-executive-board-member-declaration-of-interests-process/non-executive-board-member-declaration-of-interests-process#contextInterests will be published in due course on the department’s website.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 January 2025 to Question 21699 on Gonorrhoea: Health Services, what data his Department holds on the cost of treating gonorrhoea to the NHS; and if he will publish that data.

The data on the cost of treating gonorrhoea to the National Health Service is not held centrally. This is because most gonorrhoea infections are treated with antibiotics in sexual health services using funding from the Local Authority Public Health Grant. In 2023, there were 85,223 diagnoses of gonorrhoea in sexual health services in England.For infections and complications requiring treatment in secondary care, the UK Health Security Agency estimates that the cost to the NHS of treating gonorrhoea in secondary care in 2022/23 was approximately £2,000 per in-patient admission. Data on the number of admissions is not held centrally.

How many (a) national and (b) local inquiries have been carried out into rape grooming gangs.

It is essential that we continue to learn from past failings on group-based Child Sexual Exploitation to improve and strengthen our ongoing response to grooming gangs offending.The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), led by Professor Alexis Jay, was conducted over seven years and engaged with more than 7,000 victims and survivors. None of the 20 recommendations from the final report were implemented by the previous Government. IICSA also conducted a dedicated two-year investigation into abuse by organised networks and published a report in February 2022. His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue (HMICFRS) published an inspection into the effectiveness of the police response to group-based Child Sexual Exploitation in December 2023. Local inquiries have also taken place in many local authority areas including Rotherham, Oldham, Rochdale, Bradford and Telford.

If he will take steps to ensure the availability of positive mental health initiatives including (a) on-site mental health resources, (b) training for employers in mental health first aid and (c) helplines for the construction industry.

Considerable investment has been made in improving mental health in the construction sector. Since 2018, the Construction Industry Training Board has supported 950 employers and invested over £1.5m in mental health projects, including training mental health first aiders, and providing awareness training and other resources. The Construction Leadership Council is working in partnership with the Mates in Mind charity, the University of Warwick, and firms in the construction industry, to identify the underlying factors leading to poor mental health, and how to tackle these.

How many prisoners have been (a) released in error and (b) released in error and not re-apprehended under the Early Release scheme as of 8 January 2025.

On 10 September 2024, the Government took the necessary and unavoidable step to move certain release points from 50% to 40%, with an initial tranche of eligible offenders released on this date, and a second tranche released on 22 October 2024.There was an issue with a repealed Breach of Restraining Order offence, which meant that 37 offenders were released in error in the first tranche because they were incorrectly sentenced. This specific cohort were all returned to custody. All prisoners in custody with this offence recorded against them were reviewed to ensure there were no further releases in error.We have published data on how many offenders were released on the first day of both initial SDS40 release tranches (1,889 prisoners for Tranche 1, and 1,223 prisoners for Tranche 2). The number of people who have been released in error since September 2024 forms a subset of releases in error data which is scheduled for future publication. In accordance with the requirements of the Code of Practice for Official Statistics, we may not give any early indication of the contents of these statistical reports. Annual totals for releases in error are published each July in the HMPPS Annual Digest, available via Prison and Probation Performance Statistics - GOV.UK.

Whether her Department provides support programs including (a) appropriate training, (b) mentorship and (c) career pathways to encourage young people to enter the construction sector.

This government is working to create a clear, flexible, high-quality skills system that supports people of all ages, breaking down the barriers to opportunity and driving economic growth.The department has already established Skills England to ensure we have the highly-trained workforce needed to deliver the national, regional and local skills needs of the next decade. It will ensure the skills system is clear and navigable for both young people and older adults, strengthening careers pathways into jobs across the economy.A wide range of government-funded programmes are available for people of all ages to access education and training and develop a career pathway in construction. These include apprenticeships, T Levels, Skills Bootcamps, and Free Courses for Jobs.There are currently 91 high-quality apprenticeship standards in the construction and the built environment sector, with a further two standards in development. The department has introduced innovations to support growth of training programmes in the sector. For example, we are making apprenticeships more flexible through flexi job apprenticeships. There are Skills Bootcamps around the country that offer courses in different areas of construction.The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education has recently published occupational maps on their website displaying the apprenticeship progression opportunities in each occupation. The occupational maps can be accessed via their website at: https://occupational-maps.instituteforapprenticeships.org/. These maps also specify if the occupation is embedded within the green occupational landscape and deliver sustainable outcomes.​T Levels also provide an excellent option for 16 to 19 learners and include valuable workplace experience through an industry placement of at least 45 days. Thousands of young people have benefited from T Levels in subject areas such as Design, Surveying and Planning, and Building Services Engineering, which can lead to rewarding careers in the construction sector. ​​​There are 21 ​Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) currently available in the Construction and the Built Environment occupational route, with a further 19 becoming available from September 2025. HTQs are level 4 and 5 qualifications which have been independently approved as providing the skills employers need. Examples of HTQs currently available in these areas include Higher National Diploma (HND) in Modern Methods of Construction, HND in Architectural Technology and HNC Construction Quantity Surveying.High-quality careers advice is an essential part of our missions to break down the barriers to opportunity and to drive economic growth. Our ambition is for everyone to have access to impartial careers information, advice and guidance throughout their lives. This will help open up more opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds to access the skills and training they need to succeed in the workplace and to advance their careers.

Food and Rural Affairs, if the Environment Agency plans to run an internship programme which is open to people from white British backgrounds in 2025.

The Environment Agency offers several career entry opportunities open to people from all ethnic backgrounds (including White British backgrounds) who meet the criteria of the specific programme. In 2025 these programmes include: Industry Placements (temporary position) – paid 12-month placement in environmental science, engineering and business and communications disciplines)Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Quest Scholarship programme (temporary position) - paid 8-week summer placement for engineering studentsEntry level apprenticeships (permanent position) – various entry level apprenticeships usually attached to a permanent role lasting between 12 and 24 monthsDoctoral Training Partnerships (work placement) – University PhD funded short term (4 weeks to 3 months) placements working on collaborative science projects Further information about career entry opportunities is publicly available on the Environment Agency’s careers website: Early careers - Environment Agency.

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to improve trade links between Northern Ireland and the channel ports.

The Department for Transport is supporting Great Britain–Northern Ireland maritime freight connectivity through implementation of the Windsor Framework to streamline goods movement.

Whether any internship programmes at (a) MI5, (b) M16 and (c) GCHQ were open to people from white British backgrounds.

Yes. In recent years, UKIC has run a number of internships and placement schemes. They are designed to provide insight about what it is like to work in UKIC to individuals who have particular skills and expertise, want to work in a particular area and/or are from demographics and backgrounds under-represented across Government. Any internship participant wishing to subsequently apply for employment with UKIC or the Civil Service is required to take part in a fair and open competition, in the normal way, with selection based on merit.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 6 January 2025 to Question 21057 on Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Unpaid Work, if he will list each internship scheme operated by (a) his Department and (b) the Environment Agency since July 2024; how many interns were recruited in each scheme; how the interns were paid; and what restrictions were placed on who could apply.

Defra has participated in the following annual programmes for a minimum of three years: Cabinet Office led internship programmes: Summer Internship Programme (6-8 weeks) : 2024 - 41 internsAutism Exchange Internship Programme (4 weeks) : 2024 - 6 interns Salary:Interns are paid through the department payroll for the duration of their internship.Salary is based on the National Living Wage each year. In 2024 salary was £430.00 per week for both schemes. In 2025 salary will rise to £452 per week and the Autism Programme will extend to 8 weeks Defra Analytical Internships Summer Internships (3 months) : 2024 - 11 internsSandwich Internships (12 months) : 2024 - 7 interns Salary:Interns are paid through the department payroll for the duration of their internship, with the majority employed at Administrative Officer (AO) level. Salary is £28,680 for London (based on the Minimum for the grade) or £25,070 for National (based on the Minimum for the grade) Social Research Sandwich Placements are engaged at Executive Officer (EO) level. Salary for London - £32,220 (based on Minimum for grade) or £28,710 National (based on Minimum for the grade). Environment Agency Programmes Defra has participated in the following annual programmes for a minimum of 3 years: Industry Placement (12 months) : 14 Interns Salary:Interns are paid through the department payroll for the duration of their internship.In 2024, Grade 2 salary minimum - £24,096 per annum, pro rata. Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Quest Scholarship programme (8 week): 5 interns Salary:Interns are paid through the department payroll for the duration of their internship.In 2024 Grade 2 salary £24,096 per annum pro rata for the 8 week summer placement. In addition, the Environment Agency offers £1,000 per annum to each candidate in scholarship fee for each year at University. The ICE pay £500, a total of £1,500 per year as a scholarship fee. The EA also pays the candidate a further £2,000 when they join the Graduate Training Scheme after University Entry level apprenticeships - various including Environmental Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship (12 – 24 months) : 6 apprentices Salary:Apprentices are paid through the department payroll for the duration of their apprenticeshipSalary is variable depending on apprenticeship type and can go up to Grade 4 salary minimum £33,000 per annum pro rata Doctoral Training Partnerships (up to 3 months) : 4 interns Salary:No salary –work placements funded by the applicants’ PhD programme/university Summer Development Internship Programme (12 weeks) : 24 interns Salary:Interns are paid through the department payroll for the duration of their internship.2024 Grade 2 salary minimum £24,096 per annum pro rata This scheme aims to widen development opportunities and access to careers for those starting out on their careers, in this case specifically from underrepresented ethnic groups. The latest data (Q2 2024-2025) from the EA shows that 6.4% of Agency staff are from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background, against a representation goal of 7.6% this year and a 2021 Census representation of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic respondents in England and Wales of 18.3%.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 January 2025 to Question 19417 on Genetics: Diseases, how much funding was provided by NHS England to the Genetic Risk Equity project; and what that funding was used for.

The project began in 2022/23, with total spend being £2.7 million. The following table showing the breakdown by year and to the nearest £100,000:YearSpend (£)2024/251,000,0002023/241,000,0002022/23700,000Source: NHS EnglandNote: The funding was spent on additional midwifery capacity, genomics associates, neonatal nurses (2024/25 only) and genetic literacy/public health outreach. 5% was spent on project management and evaluation.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of changes to (a) Business Property Relief and (b) employer National Insurance contributions on SMEs in the defence sector.

The Ministry of Defence recognises the vital contribution that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) make within the defence industry, and we have a long-standing commitment to improve our engagement with such suppliers in order to broaden and strengthen our supply-base. As individual suppliers and contractors will manage the changes to Employer National Insurance Contributions and Business Property Relief differently, it would be extremely difficult for the Department to estimate the impact this will have on SMEs in the defence sector.

Communities and Local Government, what estimate she has made of the increase in the number of veterans able to vote due to the introduction of the Veterans ID card as voter ID.

All veterans eligible to vote already have the opportunity to do so. If they do not have one of the accepted forms of identification, they are able to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate, free of charge, or they can choose to vote by post or by proxy.The Veteran Card has been issued to approximately 250,000 former service personnel, and they will be able to use these as ID at the polling station from May 2025 onwards. We have no data on the number of those veterans who do not possess another form of accepted voter ID.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill on the illegal sale of tobacco products in (a) non-grocery and (b) non-newsagent premises.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will put us on track to a smoke-free United Kingdom, helping to reduce around 80,000 preventable deaths and reduce the burden on the National Health Service and on the taxpayer.Whilst the published impact assessment on the Bill makes no specific assessment of the potential impact on the illegal sale of tobacco products in non-grocery and non-newsagent premises, we expect most retailers who sell tobacco, regardless of the type of business, to comply with the new and existing measures in the Bill. Further impact assessments will be prepared in advance of secondary legislation, including for a future licensing scheme, which aims to crack down on rogue retailers.The Bill takes bold action to strengthen enforcement and crack down on rogue retailers who break the law regardless of the type of business. It introduces new £200 fixed penalty notices (FPNs), in England and Wales, to support Trading Standards Officers to take swifter enforcement action by issuing on-the-spot fines rather than needing to go through lengthy court processes. Trading Standards will be able to issue a £200 FPN for a range of offences, including to anyone who illegally sells tobacco products to someone underage.The Bill also provides powers for Ministers in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland to introduce a licensing scheme for the retail sale of tobacco products, herbal smoking products, cigarette papers, vaping, and nicotine products. The licensing scheme will support legitimate businesses, act as a deterrent to rogue retailers and provide enforcement agencies with further opportunities to bring penalties against these retailers. We will consult on the details of the licensing scheme ahead of introducing regulations, including the types of business which may hold a licence and the licence conditions.

If she will make it her policy to remove the gender-neutral toilets in her Department in Marsham Street.

The current number and location of gender neutral toilets in the Home Office’s Marsham office was established under the previous government in October 2017, at a cost of £36,963.20, and has remained unchanged since that time.There are no plans to spend further public money on the reconfiguration of the Home Office’s toilets.

What proportion of efficiency savings she plans to require of Government departments in each year of the Spending Review Phase 2 in order to meet her planned 5% savings over this Parliament; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of levels of efficiency savings announced in (a) her Department's policy paper entitled Fixing the foundations: public spending audit 2024-25, published on 29 July 2024 and (b) the Autumn Budget 2024 on her planned 5% efficiency savings over this Parliament.

In developing their plans for the Spending Review departments will need to find 5% savings and efficiencies against their current budgets, to help drive out waste and ensure all funding is focused on the Government’s priorities. The Government will set out its spending plans in the multi-year Spending Review in June 2025. The Government uses the Government Efficiency Framework to distinguish between efficiencies and savings.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 December 2024 to Question 16341 on Political Parties: Discrimination, if she will issue guidance on the distinction between philosophical and political belief.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has issued guidance and codes of practice covering philosophical belief. What is and is not a political belief as opposed to a philosophical belief is a question that is for individuals to consider and, if necessary, the courts to determine, if raised in the context of Equality Act 2010 protections.

What the (a) average and (b) maximum cost to the NHS was of untreated gonorrhoea in the latest year for which data is available; and what assessment he has made of the impact of this on the NHS.

The information requested is not held centrally.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the implementation of a generational ban on tobacco sales on trends in the level of (a) counterfeit cigarettes and (b) contraband cigarettes being consumed in the UK.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bridlington and The Wolds on 11 December 2024 to Question UIN 17992.