Written questions by Champion.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 February 2025 to Question 28486 on Child Sexual Abuse Independent Panel Inquiry, which Ministers sit on the cross-Government ministerial group that are considering remaining Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse recommendations.

The Home Office set up an inter-ministerial group in late 2024, which I chaired the first meeting on the 12th November 2024.Ministers from the Home Office, Cabinet Office, Department for Education, Department of Health and Social Care, Ministry of Justice, Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, Department of Culture, Media and Support and Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government are involved in these discussions.This forum will continue to meet regularly to support the Government’s action on the IICSA recommendations and broader efforts to tackle child sexual abuse across government.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 6 February 2025 to Question 27261 on Israel: Hamas, if he will make an assessment of the value of Overseas Development Aid spent in the last five years that has been destroyed during the course of the conflict in Gaza.

The UK works closely with trusted partners to ensure timely reporting and monitoring of aid losses. Following the ceasefire, partners are continuing to assess the situation on the ground after 15 months of conflict. Our understanding of the impact on UK aid provided will be drawn from these assessments. To note, UK funding is used to support a wide range of activities and services, as well as provision of goods. We welcome reports that more aid has been entering Gaza during the ceasefire period and continue to urge all parties to ensure that aid can safely and effectively reach those who need it in all parts of Gaza.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to Answer of 6 February 2025 to Question 27260 on Gaza: Energy and Water Supply, if he will request that the funding supplied to the World Bank for the construction and restoration of critical energy and waste infrastructure in Gaza will be tendered to Gaza-owned construction companies.

According to the World Bank's Procurement Regulations, eligible firms and individuals from all countries are allowed to offer goods, works, non-consulting services, and consulting services for Bank-financed projects globally. This means that suppliers or contractors based in Gaza have the same rights as those from other regions to participate in bids targeting Gaza.

Pursuant to the Answer of 28 January 2025 to Question 24854 on Sexual Offences: Crown Court, whether judges have been informed of the one-year pilot scheme.

Since 28 May 2024, the Ministry of Justice has been running a one-year pilot for victims of rape and sexual offences, whose cases were heard at the Crown Court, to request a copy of the judge’s sentencing remarks free of charge.The judiciary were informed of the pilot before launch. Requests for court transcripts are considered by judges and the release of transcripts is ultimately a judicial decision in each individual case. We will continue to engage the judiciary as we assess the pilot’s impacts and determine next steps.We recognise the importance of ensuring that eligible victims know about the pilot and how to apply. We have provided the Witness Service, whose role is to support victims and witnesses at court, with an information sheet on the pilot to distribute to any eligible victims.On 10 February 2025, His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service had received c.350 applications under the pilot.

Pursuant to the Answer of 28 January 2025 to Question 24854 on Sexual Offences: Crown Court, how many people have applied to the one-year pilot scheme.

Since 28 May 2024, the Ministry of Justice has been running a one-year pilot for victims of rape and sexual offences, whose cases were heard at the Crown Court, to request a copy of the judge’s sentencing remarks free of charge.The judiciary were informed of the pilot before launch. Requests for court transcripts are considered by judges and the release of transcripts is ultimately a judicial decision in each individual case. We will continue to engage the judiciary as we assess the pilot’s impacts and determine next steps.We recognise the importance of ensuring that eligible victims know about the pilot and how to apply. We have provided the Witness Service, whose role is to support victims and witnesses at court, with an information sheet on the pilot to distribute to any eligible victims.On 10 February 2025, His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service had received c.350 applications under the pilot.

Pursuant to the Answer of 28 January 2025 to Question 24854 on Sexual Offences: Crown Court, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of displaying information of the one-year pilot scheme in courts.

Since 28 May 2024, the Ministry of Justice has been running a one-year pilot for victims of rape and sexual offences, whose cases were heard at the Crown Court, to request a copy of the judge’s sentencing remarks free of charge.The judiciary were informed of the pilot before launch. Requests for court transcripts are considered by judges and the release of transcripts is ultimately a judicial decision in each individual case. We will continue to engage the judiciary as we assess the pilot’s impacts and determine next steps.We recognise the importance of ensuring that eligible victims know about the pilot and how to apply. We have provided the Witness Service, whose role is to support victims and witnesses at court, with an information sheet on the pilot to distribute to any eligible victims.On 10 February 2025, His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service had received c.350 applications under the pilot.

What the value was of Pension Credit overpayments that were written off as resulting from official error in each of the last three years.

Value of Official Error Pension Credit Scheduled Write Offs ValueFebruary 2022 - January 2023£28.802mFebruary 2023 - January 2024£24.858mFebruary 2024 - January 2025£27.856m Above table identifies the value of Official Error Pension Credit Overpayments written off at source by referring benefit offices within the last 3 years.These overpayments do not reach Debt Manager for recovery as PC overpayments are not recoverable and are written off when the overpayment is identified at source.Data is GB only.

With reference to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse final report, published in October 2022, which Department has lead responsibility for implementing the recommendations of that report.

The Home Office has the lead responsibly across Government for tackling child sexual abuse. However, the final 20 recommendations of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse are wide-ranging and cut across multiple Government departments lead responsibilities. That is why a cross-Government ministerial group is continuing to consider and work through the remaining recommendations.The Home Secretary has committed, in her statement to Parliament on the 16 January 2025, that the Government will lay out a clear timetable for taking forward the 20 recommendations of the final report before Easter.

With reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security of 6 November 2024, Official Report, col 71WH, whether his Department has made an assessment of the effectiveness of the US Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act in tackling the use of forced labour in supply chains.

We will continue to assess and monitor the effectiveness of the UK’s existing measures alongside other policy tools to tackle forced labour in supply chains.The Government views import bans as one of a range of tools that could be used to tackle forced labour in global supply chains. The UK continues to raise issues on human rights, including China's repression of the peoples of Xinjiang.

Which services she has distributed £500m to Family Help funding to.

'Keeping children safe, helping families thrive’, published in November 2024, sets out this government’s approach to reforming the system of support for children and families, including the national rollout of Family Help, multi-agency child protection and family group decision-making reforms through the Families First Partnership programme.From April 2025, the government will make over £500 million available to local authorities to roll out the Families First Partnership programme. The funding, announced as part of the local government funding settlement (LGFS), will be allocated across all 153 local authorities in England in two grants:£253.5 million, previously for the Supporting Families programme, consolidated with other grants into a single Children and Families Grant.£270 million of additional investment in the Children’s Social Care Prevention Grant.The final LGFS for both of the grants, including grant determination letters and local authority by local authority allocations, can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/final-local-government-finance-settlement-england-2025-to-2026#grant-determinations-2025-to-2026.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many British UNRWA workers were expelled as a result of the Israeli legislation enforced on 30 January 2025.

The United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has not released data on the nationality of international staff members who left the Occupied Palestinian Territories as a result of Israeli legislation which came into force on 30 January. The UK remains opposed to the legislation; the vital work of UNRWA in ensuring that Palestinians have access to education and healthcare must be protected in Gaza as well as the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The UK continues to lead international action to press for a resolution to this urgent issue. On 31 January we joined with Germany and France to call on Israel to abide by its international obligations and live up to its responsibility to ensure full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance and the provision of basic services to the civilian population.

What definition of child practitioner his Department uses for children's (a) health and (b) mental health services.

Children and young people’s wellbeing practitioners assess and support children and young people with mental health problems, improving their access to therapies. Further information on children and young people’s wellbeing practitioners is available at the following link:https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/psychological-therapies/roles-psychological-therapies/childrens-wellbeing-practitioner

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much and what proportion of UK aid expenditure has been destroyed during the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The UK has announced £129 million for the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) so far this financial year, providing vital services to civilians in Gaza and the West Bank, and to Palestinian refugees across the region. The majority of our aid budget for the OPTs is disbursed as funding to trusted partners. We conduct thorough due diligence assessments of partners to ensure procedures are in place to manage the risks of aid diversion and to report losses. Programmes are monitored regularly, including through annual and project completion reviews. Third Party Monitoring strengthens our assurance, learning and evidence-gathering.

What distinguishes child practitioners from other professionals working in children's mental health services.

Children and young people’s wellbeing practitioners assess and support children and young people with mental health problems, improving their access to therapies. Further information on children and young people’s wellbeing practitioners is available at the following link:https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/psychological-therapies/roles-psychological-therapies/childrens-wellbeing-practitioner

What (a) functions and (b) responsibilities are assigned to child practitioners.

Children and young people’s wellbeing practitioners assess and support children and young people with mental health problems, improving their access to therapies. Further information on children and young people’s wellbeing practitioners is available at the following link:https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/psychological-therapies/roles-psychological-therapies/childrens-wellbeing-practitioner

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the World Bank on steps to ensure construction businesses in Gaza benefit from recently announced funding towards the restoration of critical water and energy infrastructure.

The UK has committed an additional £2 million of funding through the World Bank to support the construction and restoration of critical energy and water infrastructure in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including Gaza. This will compliment our diplomatic advocacy alongside the Office of the Quartet and funding efforts to support the resumption of basic services in Gaza as well as other enabling conditions for early recovery efforts in Gaza.

Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to make a decision on the inclusion of decapod crustaceans in the Animal Welfare Act 2006; and what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on their inclusion in the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

The Government is committed to an evidence-based approach to improve welfare standards for decapod crustaceans and cephalopod molluscs. Defra is commissioning research and expert opinion to inform any future policy decisions and welcomes the continued dialogue with stakeholders. No policy decisions have been made. The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues, and Cabinet discussions are considered confidential.

What steps he is taking to ensure local integrated care boards implement NHS guidance on equitable access to fertility treatment for same-sex female couples.

Funding decisions for health services in England are made by integrated care boards (ICBs) and are based on the clinical needs of their local population. ICBs are expected to commission fertility services in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. We are aware that compliance with these guidelines is variable for same-sex female couples and other groups.The NICE is currently reviewing the fertility guideline and will consider whether the current recommendations for access to National Health Service-funded treatment are still appropriate. We expect this review to be published later in 2025. The Department is working with NHS England to consider future policy options to support ICBs to provide more equitable in vitro fertilization services.

Whether he has made a recent assessment of the adequacy of access to fertility treatment for female couples.

Funding decisions for health services in England are made by integrated care boards (ICBs) and are based on the clinical needs of their local population. ICBs are expected to commission fertility services in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. We are aware that compliance with these guidelines is variable for same-sex female couples and other groups.The NICE is currently reviewing the fertility guideline and will consider whether the current recommendations for access to National Health Service-funded treatment are still appropriate. We expect this review to be published later in 2025. The Department is working with NHS England to consider future policy options to support ICBs to provide more equitable in vitro fertilization services.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 23 December 2024 to Question 20215 on Animal Experiments, what her planned timetable is for publishing the plan.

The Government is committed to supporting the uptake and development of alternative methods to the use of animals in science. We are currently engaging with partners from sectors with interests in animal science as to how we will take this commitment forward, including the publishing of a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods. We expect to publish this strategy later this year