Written questions by Darling.

How many working-age people are in receipt of the PIP daily living component at (a) regional, (b) constituency and (c) local authority level by primary health condition; and what proportion of those claims were awarded less than four points in all daily living activities.

Table 1 in the attached excel file contains data, at the regional level, of claimants in receipt of the Daily Living award for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) by primary health condition and the proportion of those claims which were awarded less than four points in all daily living activities. Table 2 contains data, at the Parliamentary Constituency level, of claimants in receipt of the Daily Living award for PIP by primary health condition and the proportion of those claims which were awarded less than four points in all daily living activities. Table 3 contains data, at the Local Authority level, of claimants in receipt of the Daily Living award for PIP by primary health condition and the proportion of those claims which were awarded less than four points in all daily living activities.

What discussions he has had with the Food Standards Agency on its plans to publish its response to the consultation entitled Best Practice Guidance - Allergen Information for Non-Prepacked Foods; and what steps he is taking with the Food Standards Agency to improve the allergen information available to consumers.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has policy responsibility for food safety, including food allergen labelling, in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and is working to improve the availability and accuracy of allergen information for non-prepacked foods.A summary of the responses to the consultation entitled Best Practice Guidance - Allergen Information for Non-Prepacked Foods, along with corresponding guidance with supporting tools, was published on 5 March 2025. This is available at the following link:https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/summary-of-stakeholder-responses-consultation-on-best-practice-guidance-allergen-information-for-non-prepacked-foodsThe guidance is a positive step in improving the provision of allergen information for non-prepacked foods.Officials at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department of Health and Social Care are in close contact with the FSA, receiving regular updates on the implementation of this guidance.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 3 April 2025 to Question 44062 on Members: correspondence, if she will meet with the hon. Member for Torbay to discuss the potential impact of local government reorganisation on (a) Torbay and (b) the South West.

We are happy to meet with the member on local government reorganisation and will be in touch to arrange this.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she plans to take to ensure that the specific needs of (a) Torbay and (b) other deprived areas are considered following mergers into larger sub-regional authorities as part of local government reorganisation.

On 5 February I formally invited unitary proposals from all the councils in two tier areas and their neighbouring small unitaries. It is for councils to develop robust and sustainable proposals that are in the best interests of their whole area. As set out in the published criteria, unitary structures must prioritise the delivery of high quality and sustainable public services to citizens, and proposals should show how councils in the area have sought to work together in coming to a view that meets local needs and is informed by local views. We expect local leaders to ensure there is wide engagement with local partners and stakeholders, residents and businesses in working through options. This engagement should both inform the development of robust proposals and build a shared understanding of the improvements they expect to deliver through reorganisation. Following submission of these proposals to government, we will consider proposals carefully before taking decisions on how to proceed. It would be inappropriate for me to comment or give a view on specific unitary proposals, or to pre-empt future decisions under the statutory process.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions she is having with the Secretary of Health and Social Care to ensure that successful integrated care organisations (a) in Torbay and (b) in England are (i) preserved and (ii) not disrupted by local government restructuring.

The Government is committed to building a fairer Britain, to ensure people can live well for longer, and spend less time in ill health, regardless of where they are born or their financial circumstances. As set out in the English Devolution White Paper, government recognises the benefits that aligned geographical boundaries can have for improving co-ordination between public services. Within Integrated Care Systems, collaboration between local government and health partners is crucial to the delivery of high quality and efficient services for communities and patients. On 5 February 2025 I formally invited unitary proposals from all the councils in two tier areas and their neighbouring small unitaries, including Torbay Council. It is for councils to develop robust and sustainable proposals that are in the best interests of their whole area. As set out in the published statutory guidance, unitary structures must prioritise the delivery of high quality and sustainable public services to citizens, and the views of other public sector providers will be crucial to understanding the best way to structure local government. Following submission of proposals to government, we will consider proposals carefully before taking decisions on how to proceed. Ministers regularly have meetings with colleagues across government.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure that local government reorganisation will not undermine progress made in improving healthcare outcomes in (a) Torbay and (b) other areas.

The Government is committed to building a fairer Britain, to ensure people can live well for longer, and spend less time in ill health, regardless of where they are born or their financial circumstances. As set out in the English Devolution White Paper, government recognises the benefits that aligned geographical boundaries can have for improving co-ordination between public services. Within Integrated Care Systems, collaboration between local government and health partners is crucial to the delivery of high quality and efficient services for communities and patients. On 5 February 2025 I formally invited unitary proposals from all the councils in two tier areas and their neighbouring small unitaries, including Torbay Council. It is for councils to develop robust and sustainable proposals that are in the best interests of their whole area. As set out in the published statutory guidance, unitary structures must prioritise the delivery of high quality and sustainable public services to citizens, and the views of other public sector providers will be crucial to understanding the best way to structure local government. Following submission of proposals to government, we will consider proposals carefully before taking decisions on how to proceed. Ministers regularly have meetings with colleagues across government.

Communities and Local Government, whether funding allocated to Torbay to help tackle deprivation will be (a) protected and (b) ringfenced following local government reorganisation.

We remain committed to supporting the 75 places announced as part of the Plan for Neighbourhoods, including Torbay, throughout the reorganisation of local government.

Whether he plans to provide additional funding to ensure the sustainability of social prescribing in (a) the UK and (b) Torbay.

As part of our Mission to build a National Health Service that is fit for the future, the Government has underlined its commitment to taking a preventive approach to addressing health inequalities.We are determined to improve people’s physical and mental health, to support them to live longer and healthier lives, and we recognise the role that social prescribing can play in this.In March 2025, the Department agreed a further year of grant funding for the National Academy for Social Prescribing, securing £1.5 million to advance and expand social prescribing across England.The Department funds the workforce through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme, including for social prescribing link workers in primary care.In Torbay, two primary care networks employ a combined 8.6 whole time equivalent social prescribing link workers at a value of £364,958 per annum.The Torbay Better Care Fund invests a further £221,000 within the voluntary, community, and social enterprise sector to fund three whole time equivalent social prescribers, known as well-being co-ordinators, and a full-time manager.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of reductions in the level of relief through the Business Rates Relief scheme on small businesses.

We are creating a fairer business rates system that protects the high street, supports investment, and is fit for the 21st century. As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government is committed to protecting the smallest properties by freezing the small business multiplier in 2025-26 and protecting over a million properties from inflationary bill increases. In addition, over a third of properties (more than 700,000) already pay no business rates as they receive 100 per cent Small Business Rate Relief, with an additional c.60,000 benefiting from reduced bills as this relief tapers. To deliver our manifesto pledge, we also intend to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, with rateable values below £500,000, from 2026-27. Ahead of these changes being made, the Government recognises that businesses will need support in 2025-26 and has prevented the current RHL relief from ending in April 2025, extending it for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business. Without any Government intervention, RHL relief would have ended entirely in April 2025, creating a cliff-edge for businesses.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of reductions in the level of funding for holiday activities and food programmes on children from lower-income backgrounds.

The department invests in free holiday club places for children in low-income families, with all 153 local authorities in England delivering in the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays.The holiday activities and food (HAF) programme is delivered by local authorities to provide healthy meals, enriching activities and free childcare places to children from low-income families, benefiting their health, wellbeing and learning.As well as food provision, HAF lets children and young people continue their development outside of term time in a safe environment and opens opportunities for parents on low incomes to work extra shifts and support their families.Based on reporting from local authorities, over Summer 2024, local authorities reported that over 628,000 children and young people attended the HAF programme. Of these participating children, over 511,000 were funded directly by the HAF programme and over 433,000 were receiving benefits-related free school meals.Over Easter 2024, local authorities reported that over 377,000 children attended the programme, of which over 324,000 were funded directly by the HAF programme and over 276,000 were receiving benefits-related free school meals.Over Christmas 2024, local authorities reported that over 270,000 children attended the programme, of which over 250,000 were funded directly by the HAF programme and over 215,000 were receiving benefits-related free school meals.

When the Review of patient safety across the health and care landscape will be published.

The review of patient safety across the health and care landscape, by Dr Penny Dash, is planned to be published shortly.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 September 2024 to Question 3854 on Pension Credit: Armed Forces, if she will review the treatment of Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments in means-tested welfare benefits.

The receipt of War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) awards is already fully ignored when calculating eligibility for Universal Credit. The first £10 per week of a War Pension or AFCS award is disregarded in: income-related Employment and Support allowance; income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance; and Income Support. Armed Forces Independence Payments are fully disregarded in these benefits and can also allow the recipient to qualify for an additional disability amount. This contrasts with a benefit like Industrial Injuries Disablement benefit where there is no weekly disregard. Furthermore, these are legacy benefits, in the process of being replaced by Universal Credit, in which War Pensions and AFCS are ignored. By default, the first £10 per week of a War Pension or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme is disregarded in Housing Benefit. Furthermore, a discretionary scheme allows local authorities to disregard them fully. There are no plans to change the ways in which War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) awards interact with means tested benefits.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for his policies of the Animal Welfare Committee’s December 2024 recommendation on banning the importation of any domestic wild cat hybrids.

The Government welcomes the Animal Welfare Committee’s Opinion on the welfare implications of current and emergent feline breeding practices. We are carefully considering the Committee’s recommendations.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 September 2024 to Question 3854 on Pension Credit: Armed Forces, if her Department will review the treatment of Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments in means-tested benefits.

The receipt of War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) awards is already fully ignored when calculating eligibility for Universal Credit. The first £10 per week of a War Pension or AFCS award is disregarded in: income-related Employment and Support allowance; income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance; and Income Support. Armed Forces Independence Payments are fully disregarded in these benefits and can also allow the recipient to qualify for an additional disability amount. This contrasts with a benefit like Industrial Injuries Disablement benefit where there is no weekly disregard. Furthermore, these are legacy benefits, in the process of being replaced by Universal Credit, in which War Pensions and AFCS are ignored. By default, the first £10 per week of a War Pension or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme is disregarded in Housing Benefit. Furthermore, a discretionary scheme allows local authorities to disregard them fully. There are no plans to change the ways in which War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) awards interact with means tested benefits.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to grant additional powers to Plan for Neighbourhoods Boards beyond those of Town Deal Boards.

The Government set out a comprehensive, non-exhaustive list of the existing powers available to boards and local authorities in England in the published ‘policy toolkit’. The toolkit gives communities the tools and information they need to make informed decisions, empowering local people to have ownership over the future of their neighbourhood and local area. Similar toolkits for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be published shortly. The Plan for Neighbourhoods programme focuses on three long-term aims - building thriving places, strengthening communities and empowering people to taking back control instead of sticking plaster policies. In addition to the list of powers available to boards, we have doubled the number of interventions on which communities can spend the money, compared to the previous government’s programme, to ensure areas can deliver on the objectives of the programme.

How many teachers have been served with redundancy by (a) local authority area, (b) multi academy trust and (c) local authority in the last three months.

Supporting our expert teachers is critical to the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and boost the life chances for every child, as the within-school factor that makes the biggest difference to a young person’s educational outcomes is high-quality teaching. This is why the department will recruit 6,500 new expert teachers. Schools have the autonomy to make staffing and employment decisions as headteachers and school leaders are best placed to make workforce decisions that take into account local context and the needs of their pupils. As such, the department does not hold data on teacher redundancy. Information on the school workforce, including the number of teachers entering and leaving service in state-funded schools, is published in the ‘School workforce in England’ statistical publication which is available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england.

Pursuant to the Answer of 7 April 2025 to Question 43135, what historic information she holds on taxable state pension payments to people who are now deceased; and whether her Department would supply such data on request to the Department for Work and Pensions where a potential state pension underpayment is under investigation by that Department.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) share information via an established legislative gateway for the administration of the State Pension. When HMRC receive updates on State Pension payments from DWP, they store it for any tax years still subject to an end of year reconciliation check. The same process takes place for deceased customers. While HMRC may hold information on State Pension received from DWP to ensure the collection of tax, it complies with General Data Protection Regulations by deleting any customer data that is outside of the retention period for tax purposes.

If her Department will produce an impact assessment of the proposals outlined in the Pathways to Work Green Paper, published in March 2025.

Information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper will be published in due course, and some information was published alongside the Spring Statement. These publications can be found in ‘Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper’. A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months.

Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department issues on whether community engagement should be carried out through distinct channels from business engagement as part of local development planning.

Planning Practice Guidance on plan-making, which can be found on gov.uk here, highlights the importance of local communities and interested parties being able to track the progress of local development plans through Local Development Schemes. These must be made available publicly by local planning authorities and kept up to date.Together with Statements of Community Involvement, they outline how the local planning authority will engage and undertake public consultation in the preparation of the emerging local development plan, including with communities and other stakeholders.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of consulting on the introduction of changes to the eligibility requirement for the daily living part of the Personal Independence Payment.

Since the pandemic, the number of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) awards has more than doubled – up from 13,000 a month, to 34,000 a month. Action is needed now to target support better, so that we can protect this important safety net for future generations. That is why we are introducing a new eligibility requirement in PIP so that people must score a minimum of four points in one daily living activity to be eligible for the daily living component. We are bringing this forward via Primary Legislation so that Parliament can fully debate and vote on these changes. The changes will apply to new claims and award reviews from November 2026, subject to parliamentary approval.