Written questions by Kaur.

What steps her Department is taking to support survivors of child sexual abuse who are affected by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority's same-roof rule.

We recognise the importance of effective support and redress for victims of sexual abuse. Criminal injuries compensation is part of a wider package of government-funded general and specialist support for victims of crime. Victims, including children, who suffer serious physical or mental injury as a direct result of a violent crime such as sexual abuse, may be able to access compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 (the Scheme).The first Scheme, dating from 1964, included an eligibility rule, commonly known as the ‘same roof’ rule. This rule prevented some victims of violent crime from receiving compensation if their assailant was a family member living with them at the time of the incident. The rule was changed in 1979 so that child victims of incidents that occurred on/after 1 October 1979 were no longer affected by it.Following a Court of Appeal judgment in 2018, the Scheme was amended to remove the pre-1979 same roof rule. In addition, provision was made for new applicants and applicants who had previously been refused an award under the rule to submit a claim. The amended Scheme came into force in June 2019. More than £21 million compensation has been paid to those affected by the rule since the amendments came into effect.There are time limits to apply for compensation under the Scheme. Following removal of the pre-1979 same roof rule, the time limit to apply was two years from the date the amended Scheme came into force. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, which administers the Scheme, has discretion to consider applications made outside of the time limit in exceptional circumstances. This includes applications relating to the same roof rule and where the applicant was a child at the time of the incident giving rise to the injury.Having concluded the previous administration’s review of the Scheme in April 2025, this Government is now considering how it can best provide the support that victims need and deserve. We are also driving other improvements for victims, including working on a new Victims’ Code, to raise awareness of compensation.

Whether her Department is taking steps to financially compensate historic survivors of child sexual abuse who are affected by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority's same-roof rule.

We recognise the importance of effective support and redress for victims of sexual abuse. Criminal injuries compensation is part of a wider package of government-funded general and specialist support for victims of crime. Victims, including children, who suffer serious physical or mental injury as a direct result of a violent crime such as sexual abuse, may be able to access compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 (the Scheme).The first Scheme, dating from 1964, included an eligibility rule, commonly known as the ‘same roof’ rule. This rule prevented some victims of violent crime from receiving compensation if their assailant was a family member living with them at the time of the incident. The rule was changed in 1979 so that child victims of incidents that occurred on/after 1 October 1979 were no longer affected by it.Following a Court of Appeal judgment in 2018, the Scheme was amended to remove the pre-1979 same roof rule. In addition, provision was made for new applicants and applicants who had previously been refused an award under the rule to submit a claim. The amended Scheme came into force in June 2019. More than £21 million compensation has been paid to those affected by the rule since the amendments came into effect.There are time limits to apply for compensation under the Scheme. Following removal of the pre-1979 same roof rule, the time limit to apply was two years from the date the amended Scheme came into force. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, which administers the Scheme, has discretion to consider applications made outside of the time limit in exceptional circumstances. This includes applications relating to the same roof rule and where the applicant was a child at the time of the incident giving rise to the injury.Having concluded the previous administration’s review of the Scheme in April 2025, this Government is now considering how it can best provide the support that victims need and deserve. We are also driving other improvements for victims, including working on a new Victims’ Code, to raise awareness of compensation.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of emotional based school avoidance on (a) pupils and (b) schools.

The absence crisis is one of the government's most challenging inheritances. By working alongside school staff and parents, the department is getting absence moving in the right direction with children attending over 3 million more days of school this year compared to last, and over 100,000 fewer children persistently absent.However, some pupils face complex barriers to attendance, such as those who have mental health conditions, or who have special educational needs and disabilities.The department knows that pupils and learners with a strong sense of belonging, accomplishment, autonomy and good health are more likely to attend school. New research has shown, for the first time, the link between mental health and school absence. Pupils with mental health problems are seven times more likely to miss more than 15 days of school than their peers. This research can be accessed at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/681b676c9ef97b58cce3e518/The_relationship_between_mental_ill_health_and_absence_in_students_aged_13_to_16.pdf.To tackle these issues, the government has made statutory the ‘Working together to improve school attendance’ guidance, which sets out a ‘support first’ approach. The department has published specific guidance for schools on mental health and attendance, accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-health-issues-affecting-a-pupils-attendance-guidance-for-schools. We are also committed to providing access to specialist mental health professionals in every school through expanding Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs). As of April 2025, NHS-funded MHSTs cover 52%, or 5 million, of pupils and learners. An additional 900,000 pupils and learners are expected to be covered by April 2026.

What steps her Department is taking to help reduce the level of emotional based school avoidance in (a) Southampton Test constituency and (b) England.

The absence crisis is one of the government's most challenging inheritances. By working alongside school staff and parents, the department is getting absence moving in the right direction with children attending over 3 million more days of school this year compared to last, and over 100,000 fewer children persistently absent.However, some pupils face complex barriers to attendance, such as those who have mental health conditions, or who have special educational needs and disabilities.The department knows that pupils and learners with a strong sense of belonging, accomplishment, autonomy and good health are more likely to attend school. New research has shown, for the first time, the link between mental health and school absence. Pupils with mental health problems are seven times more likely to miss more than 15 days of school than their peers. This research can be accessed at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/681b676c9ef97b58cce3e518/The_relationship_between_mental_ill_health_and_absence_in_students_aged_13_to_16.pdf.To tackle these issues, the government has made statutory the ‘Working together to improve school attendance’ guidance, which sets out a ‘support first’ approach. The department has published specific guidance for schools on mental health and attendance, accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-health-issues-affecting-a-pupils-attendance-guidance-for-schools. We are also committed to providing access to specialist mental health professionals in every school through expanding Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs). As of April 2025, NHS-funded MHSTs cover 52%, or 5 million, of pupils and learners. An additional 900,000 pupils and learners are expected to be covered by April 2026.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of gambling premises on (a) anti-social behaviour and (b) other crime.

Those experiencing gambling-related harm in England can access specialist treatment through specialist NHS Gambling Clinics available in every region of the country, including the Southern Gambling Service. There is also a range of support through the National Gambling Support Network.The Government has introduced a statutory levy on gambling operators to improve and expand the research, prevention and treatment of gambling harms. This will include ringfenced funding overseen by NHS England and appropriate bodies in Scotland and Wales to commission the full treatment pathway, from referral and triage through to aftercare. We will continue to work with NHS England in collaboration with the Scottish and Welsh governments, as well as third sector providers, to design and deliver our approach to treatment of gambling-related harms across Great Britain. Licensing authorities are able to set conditions on premises to mitigate risks posed by anti-social behaviour and crime. This can include imposing enhanced security requirements which take into account risks from their local area profiles. Premises licence holders must also conduct a local area risk assessment for each of their premises which includes risk mitigation around crime and anti-social behaviour. The local area risk assessment is subject to inspection by the licensing authority. There are also schemes such as Betwatch, a community-based crime prevention scheme between the Gambling Commission, the police, local council, and gambling premises, which is designed to tackle localised anti-social and criminal behaviour in and around betting shops.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help reduce (a) plastic pollution, (b) other litter and (c) fuel pollution in (i) rivers, (ii) streams and (iii) seas.

Cleaning up England’s rivers, lakes and seas is a top Government priority. That is why we are placing water companies under special measures through the Water (Special Measures) Act. The Act will drive meaningful improvements in the performance and culture of the water industry as a first important step in enabling wider, transformative change across the water sector. Urban diffuse pollution including highways drainage accounts for 18% of water quality failures. Highways drainage may contain polluting substances from fuel, oil and tyre wear. The Environment Agency is supporting National Highways in their mitigation of high-risk outfalls and is working with them on joint incident response strategies to minimise risk from road traffic accidents. The Environment Agency assesses every reported pollution incident and where serious or significant pollution is suspected Officers will attend to investigate and minimise pollution. It will also investigate any serious offending and takes appropriate action under its enforcement and sanctions policy. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/environment-agency-enforcement-and-sanctions-policy/environment-agency-enforcement-and-sanctions-policyThe Government is also working domestically and internationally to implement measures that will prevent plastic and other litter from reaching the environment. Furthermore, the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers will introduce a redeemable deposit on single-use in-scope drinks containers which can be claimed back by customers when the empty container is returned. DRS will reduce litter, increase recycling rates, create high quality recyclate for producers, and promote a circular economy.Littering is a crime that blights communities and the environment. This Government is considering what further steps are needed to help local authorities reduce litter and thus prevent it from entering and damaging our waterways and ecosystems.Marine litter and plastic pollution are transboundary problems, which is why the UK is calling for an ambitious international agreement to end plastic pollution by 2040 and working with our closest neighbours to implement the OSPAR Regional Action Plan for Marine Litter.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made on the potential impact of gambling advertising, promotion and sponsorship on the (a) mental health and (b) finances of (i) people with a gambling problem and (ii) people susceptible to a gambling problem.

This government recognises that while advertising is a legitimate advantage which licensed operators have over illegal gambling firms, increased exposure to gambling advertising can have an impact on gambling participation. Some forms of advertising can also have a disproportionate impact on particular groups, such as children and those who are already experiencing problems with their gambling.There are existing robust rules in place to ensure that advertising and marketing, whenever it appears, is socially responsible, with a particular regard to the need to protect children, young persons and other vulnerable persons from being harmed and exploited. The Gambling Commission is also introducing new requirements for operators to allow customers to have greater control over the direct marketing they receive, and measures to ensure that incentives such as free bets are constructed in a socially responsible manner.However, we recognise that more can be done to improve protections. We have set the gambling industry a clear task to raise standards and this work will be monitored closely.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle gambling harms (a) nationally and (b) in Southampton Test constituency.

Those experiencing gambling-related harm in England can access specialist treatment through specialist NHS Gambling Clinics available in every region of the country, including the Southern Gambling Service. There is also a range of support through the National Gambling Support Network.The Government has introduced a statutory levy on gambling operators to improve and expand the research, prevention and treatment of gambling harms. This will include ringfenced funding overseen by NHS England and appropriate bodies in Scotland and Wales to commission the full treatment pathway, from referral and triage through to aftercare. We will continue to work with NHS England in collaboration with the Scottish and Welsh governments, as well as third sector providers, to design and deliver our approach to treatment of gambling-related harms across Great Britain. Licensing authorities are able to set conditions on premises to mitigate risks posed by anti-social behaviour and crime. This can include imposing enhanced security requirements which take into account risks from their local area profiles. Premises licence holders must also conduct a local area risk assessment for each of their premises which includes risk mitigation around crime and anti-social behaviour. The local area risk assessment is subject to inspection by the licensing authority. There are also schemes such as Betwatch, a community-based crime prevention scheme between the Gambling Commission, the police, local council, and gambling premises, which is designed to tackle localised anti-social and criminal behaviour in and around betting shops.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help protect the marine (a) environment and (b) biodiversity.

Protecting the ocean, and its biodiversity will deliver on our domestic and our international commitments, such as achieving Good Environmental Status in domestic seas and supporting the Global Biodiversity Framework target to protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030. Key steps we are taking are set out in the latest UK Marine Strategy ‘programme of measures’ published on 29 January 2025. This includes information about our network of Marine Protected Areas, our Highly Protected Marine Areas, Fisheries Management Plans, actions to eliminate or minimise bycatch of sensitive marine species, and work done under the English Seabird Conservation and Recovery Pathway. The UK also provides global leadership in marine protection, as chair of the Global Ocean Alliance and Ocean Champion of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, supporting the global target to protect at least 30% of the ocean. In addition to implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework under the Convention of Biological Diversity, we are delivering conservation and management of cetaceans under the International Whaling Commission, ratifying the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement, and are working with international partners to agree an ambitious treaty to end plastic pollution.

Food and Rural Affairs, what progress his Department has made on improving responsible access to nature.

The Government recognises the importance of providing access to the outdoors for people’s health and wellbeing and is working to ensure that this access is safe and appropriate. We are committed to increasing access to nature, and have already set out several ambitious manifesto commitments to expand opportunities for the public to enjoy the outdoors, including the creation of nine new national river walks and three new national forests in England. We are currently developing policy to improve access to nature, working closely with other Government departments and key stakeholders. In addition, we are already delivering key initiatives aimed at increasing access to green spaces and the countryside, including: Completing the King Charles III England Coast Path, which will become the longest waymarked and maintained coastal walking route in the world. With over 2,400 miles of the route now approved and 1,430 miles already open, this will also create 250,000 hectares of new open access land within the coastal margin.Designating Wainwright’s Coast to Coast route as a National Trail across the north of England.Delivering the £16 million ‘Access for All’ programme, which is designed to make our protected landscapes, national trails, forests, and the wider countryside more inclusive and accessible to all. In addition, the Government has made the decision to repeal the cut-off date for the registration of historic rights of way, preventing the loss of hundreds of miles of unregistered paths. This will ensure that these paths remain available to the public for future generations. This change will be formally enacted when parliamentary time allows.

Whether he has considered extending the funding of the Community Energy Fund.

The Government recognises the role community groups play in our efforts to tackle climate change. On 21 March, Government announced the Great British Energy Community Fund, which will continue the work of the Community Energy Fund to provide funding and support, from planning to strategic advice, to community energy stakeholders, helping to increase the roll-out of renewable energy projects.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of pollution of chalk streams on (a) water quality, (b) biodiversity and (c) human health (i) nationally, (ii) in the River Test and (iii) in the River Itchen.

Cleaning up our waters, including iconic sites such as chalk streams is a top government priority. That is why on 23 October 2024, the Secretary of State announced the launch of an independent commission to fundamentally transform how our water system works. Fixing the systemic issues in the water system is essential to address the multiple pressures facing chalk streams, namely over abstraction, phosphorous pollution and physical modifications of habitats. There is significant investment and improvement work taking place within the Test and Itchen catchments. This includes extensive monitoring of environmental indicators on water quality and ecology; regulation of operators within the catchments such as water and agriculture sectors; working with the water industry on reducing reliance on harmful abstractions and ensuring compensation and mitigation while alternative sources are delivered (for example, Havant Thicket reservoir and associated schemes) and tackling diffuse water pollution. Much of this work includes contributions from a wide range of partners including wildlife trusts, rivers trusts, fisheries managers, landowners, water companies and regulators. The Environment Agency undertakes regular sampling of the biodiversity in the Test and Itchen and publishes the results on the Environment Agency’s Ecology and Fish Data Explorer. This is freely available via the Government’s Open data website: EA Ecology & Fish Data Explorer

What steps his Department is taking to improve (a) medical support for and (b) access to medical support for people with Crohn's disease (i) in England and (ii) in Southampton.

NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time Programme on gastroenterology aims to reduce variations in care, increase early diagnosis and proactive management of Crohn’s disease and colitis, and increase access to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) specialist nurses. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has also produced a range of guidance on IBD, Crohn’s disease and colitis, to support early diagnosis and effective management of these conditions. It ensures that the care provided to people with IBD is based on the best available evidence. In the last two years, NICE has recommended four new drugs for the treatment of moderate to severe Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, namelt Upadacitinib, Risankizumab, Mirikizumab and Etrasimod.NHS England’s National Bladder and Bowel Health Project is delivering better care for people with IBD, with a focus on developing clinical pathways. NHS England commissions specialised colorectal services nationally to support equity of access to high-quality treatment for patients with IBD requiring complex surgery. This work is supported within NHS England by the clinical leadership of the Specialised Colorectal Services Clinical Reference Group, which is made up of experts in surgery, medicine, radiology, pathology and nursing, alongside patient and public voice representatives.To raise awareness of IBD among general practitioners and other primary care staff, the Royal College of General Practitioners has produced an Inflammatory Bowel Disease Toolkit. The toolkit outlines when to suspect IBD, the appropriate investigative tests and diagnostic tools for IBD, how to manage a flare-up of symptoms and how to support patients with IBD.

What information his Department holds on the number of undiagnosed cardiovascular diseases and conditions in young people; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of undiagnosed cardiovascular diseases and conditions on young people.

Data on the number of undiagnosed cardiovascular diseases and conditions in young people is not held centrally as these conditions are undiagnosed. The National Health Service, however, offers screening to young persons, those aged under 35 years old, where a family member has suffered from a sudden cardiac death. The charity Cardiac Risk in the Young offers subsidised cardiac screening to all young people aged between 14 and 35 years old and may hold data on the number of young people requesting screening outside of the NHS.NHS England published in 2017 a national service specification for Inherited Cardiac Conditions (ICC), which defines the standards of care expected from organisations funded by NHS England. This specification covers young adults with previously undiagnosed cardiac disease. The aim of the ICC services is to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of patients with ICCs.NHS England is currently reviewing this service specification, working with a broad range of stakeholders as part of the review, including NHS clinical experts, the Association of Inherited Cardiac Conditions, Cardiomyopathy UK, Heart Valve Voice, and the British Heart Foundation. NHS England does not have a national audit programme for ICCs, and therefore no treatment data is held centrally.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to improve the water quality of (a) the River Test, (b) the River Itchen and (c) other chalk streams nationally.

Cleaning up our waters, including iconic sites such as chalk streams is a top government priority. That is why on 23 October 2024, the Secretary of State announced the launch of an independent commission to fundamentally transform how our water system works. Fixing the systemic issues in the water system is essential to address the multiple pressures facing chalk streams, namely over abstraction, phosphorous pollution and physical modifications of habitats. There is significant investment and improvement work taking place within the Test and Itchen catchments. This includes extensive monitoring of environmental indicators on water quality and ecology; regulation of operators within the catchments such as water and agriculture sectors; working with the water industry on reducing reliance on harmful abstractions and ensuring compensation and mitigation while alternative sources are delivered (for example, Havant Thicket reservoir and associated schemes) and tackling diffuse water pollution. Much of this work includes contributions from a wide range of partners including wildlife trusts, rivers trusts, fisheries managers, landowners, water companies and regulators. The Environment Agency undertakes regular sampling of the biodiversity in the Test and Itchen and publishes the results on the Environment Agency’s Ecology and Fish Data Explorer. This is freely available via the Government’s Open data website: EA Ecology & Fish Data Explorer

What steps he is taking to help improve diagnostic rates for cardiovascular conditions and diseases in young people in (a) Southampton and (b) England.

The Government is committed to tackling the biggest killers, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), and our Health Mission sets an ambition to reduce premature mortality from heart disease and stroke by 25% within a decade. The 10-Year Health Plan, once published, will set out the Government's overarching vision for delivering the critical shift from a focus on treating illness to preventing conditions such as CVD.Specific national strategies targeting the improvement of CVD diagnostic rates in children and young people are not featured in current public health programs. However, NHS England’s work emphasises the importance of early intervention and prevention across all age groups, and is committed to improving CVD care and outcomes through enhanced diagnostic support in the community, better personalised planning, and increased access to disease-specific rehabilitation.Southampton City Council’s Children and Young People’s Strategy 2022-2027 outlines how they will invest in prevention, working with schools and communities to identify needs and deliver services as early as possible. The Health and Wellbeing Strategy similarly focuses on promoting healthy choices and behaviours in children to reduce CVD risk factors. The Government and NHS England will support local leaders to make the best choices to meet the needs of their local populations.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of trends in the number of Nigerians living in makeshift internally displaced person camps who have been displaced due to violence and religious persecution.

Internal displacement in Nigeria remains high and is largely concentrated in North-East Nigeria. Through our Humanitarian and Resilience Programme (HARP), we have reached approximately one million people, reducing mortality and increasing resilience for people with the most severe humanitarian needs in the North-East, including those displaced by conflict and violence. Additionally, through the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership (SDP), the UK is working with Nigeria's security forces to tackle violence against civilian communities. Our Strengthening Peace and Resilience programme ('SPRING') is working to reduce rural violence in northwest and north-central Nigeria, including by supporting collaboration and productive livelihoods for both farmers and pastoralists, and strengthening conflict early warning, management and response.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 December 2024 to Question 21170 on School Libraries: Finance, what steps she is taking to increase levels of (a) literacy rates and (b) reading for pleasure in (i) primary and (ii) secondary schools in Southampton Test constituency.

High and rising school standards, with excellent foundations in reading, writing and mathematics, are at the heart of the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life.​In recognition of this, the department has implemented a range of measures to support reading for pleasure. The English Hubs programme supports the teaching of phonics, early language development and reading for pleasure, with a further £23 million committed for the 2024/25 academic year to support this work. Southampton Test’s nearest English Hub is Springhill English Hub. Further information on Springhill English Hub can be found here: https://englishhubs.net/english_hubs/springhill-english-hub/.Furthermore, the government’s reading framework provides guidance on improving the teaching of reading, to ensure that every child is not only able to read proficiently but also develops a genuine love of reading.On 5 February, the government announced a £2 million investment to drive high and rising standards in reading and writing. Building on the success of phonics, teachers will receive additional training to help children progress from the early stages of phonics in reception and year 1 through to reading fluently by the time they leave primary school. This will be delivered through the English Hubs programme. In secondary school, teachers will be offered new training and resources this year to help them support readers at all levels and next year the department will commission further training that will be focused specifically on struggling readers in secondary school who are at risk of falling behind. The department will also publish a writing framework in the summer, which will be a first step to support schools in delivering high quality writing provision across England.The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, which will look closely at the key challenges to attainment for young people, in line with the government’s ambition for a curriculum that delivers excellent foundations in reading, writing and mathematics.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to improve freedom of religion for Baháʼís globally.

The UK remains strongly committed to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all abroad. It is our firm opinion that no one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. We are championing the right to FoRB and promoting tolerance and mutual respect through our engagement in multilateral fora, our bilateral work, and our programme funding.The continued systematic targeting of the Baha'i community, which includes unfair arrest and detention, land grabs, and denial of burial rights, is unacceptable. We are committed to working with international partners to hold countries to account for its repression of the Bahai's, and other religious or belief minorities, including at the United Nations.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the persecution of Baháʼís in (a) Iran and (b) the Middle East.

We condemn any instance of state repression against Baha'is globally. The UK was instrumental in delivering the Iran Human Rights resolution, adopted by the United Nations Third Committee in November 2024, which spotlighted Iran's appalling treatment of Baha'is and called on Iran to release all religious practitioners imprisoned for their membership in or activities on behalf of a minority religious group, and to ensure that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief.We also track the treatment of the Baha'is across the Middle East, including in Yemen through meeting their representatives in the UK and lobbying the relevant authorities. The Government strongly condemns the continued persecution of the Baha'is and other religious minorities. We are working with our international partners to raise these concerns directly with the Houthi authorities and urge the release of all Yemenis detained for their beliefs or nationality.