Written questions by Darling.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 December 2025 to Question 95517 on Access to Work Programme, what data his Department has used to determine that there should be a focus on ensuring consistency in decision-making; and if he will publish that data.

The Department routinely focuses on strengthening case manager learning, ensuring colleagues have the skills and expertise required to apply Access to Work policy and guidance fairly and consistently. This approach has been driven by our commitment to continuous improvement rather than by specific data sources.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 December 2025 to Question 95517, whether the Department has conducted a review or internal audit the consistency of decision-making applied within Access to Work since January 2020.

We hold regular consistency meetings with all Service Assurance Managers, during which cases are reviewed collectively and discuss any instances where inconsistencies may arise. This ensures that all managers apply processes and guidance correctly and uniformly, helping to support a fairer process. We are also reviewing all aspects of Access to Work as we develop plans for reform following the conclusion of the consultation.

What assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the report entitled Evaluation of pupil attainment and progression in Maths Schools, published in October 2025 by The Observatory for Mathematical Education.

When forming maths policy, the department considers a broad range of evidence. The department is aware of this report and will consider it alongside evidence from a range of other stakeholders, as well as internal analysis, when designing future policy.The government recognises the valuable contribution that maths schools make towards high-quality maths and further maths provision across the country, including in the Torbay constituency which is served by the Exeter Maths School. The department will open new maths schools in Durham and Nottingham, ensuring talented students in every region gain a chance to pursue advanced mathematics.

With regard to the Animals in Science Regulation Unit Annual Report 2024, published in December 2025, how many unannounced audits were there in 2024; and whether she plans to increase the number of unannounced audits by inspectors.

There were 10 unannounced audits in 2024, as reported in the published Animals in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU) 2024 Annual Report.ASRU will increase the number of unannounced audits as part of its programme of regulatory strengthening. The inspectorate is being expanded from an average of 14.5 inspectors in 2023 to 22 by March 2026, enabling a greater volume of risk‑based audits across the system.Both announced and unannounced audits play an important role in providing regulatory assurance. The number of audits alone should not be taken as a measure of regulatory impact: audit quality, depth and scope are central to assessing compliance effectively.

Between 1 January 2026 and 28 February 2026, how many licences have been granted under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 for projects that use a) cats b) dogs c) horses and d) non-human primates.

Between 1 January 2026 and 28 February 2026, one project licence was granted which authorised the use of dogs, and one was granted that authorised the use of non-human primates under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. No project licences were granted within this period that authorised the use of cats or horses.Official statistics are published on an annual basis and are available here: www.gov.uk/government/collections/animals-in-science-statistics

What plans her Department has to help ensure that emerging transport technologies, including electric and autonomous vehicles, are accessible and affordable for disabled people.

The Government recognises the importance of accessibility for emerging technologies and works closely with the Disabled Person’s Transport Advisory Committee and experts from leading accessibility organisations, such as the Motability Foundation, on policy development. To support electric vehicle accessibility, electric wheelchair accessible vehicles can receive a grant of up to £2,500 and attract the largest bonus credit in the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate. Government also works closely with industry on accessible charge point designs. Automated Vehicles have the potential to improve accessible transport options for older and disabled people. Government consulted on the statutory accessibility reporting requirement for Automated Passenger Services (APS) permits and is establishing the Accessibility Advisory Panel to help guide reporting and best practice for the accessibility of new services as they emerge. Government is also reviewing the legal framework for powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters, which has remained largely unchanged for nearly 40 years.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the accessibility of transport on barriers to employment experienced by disabled people.

The Department regularly conducts research and analysis that looks at the barriers faced by disabled people such as the ‘Work aspirations and support needs of health and disability customers’ and this can be found on GOV.UK. One way the Department supports disabled people to work with transport accessibility is through Access to Work. Access to Work contributes to the disability-related extra costs of working faced by disabled people and those with a health condition in the workplace that are beyond standard reasonable adjustments. It does not replace an employer’s duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments. The grant provides personalised support and workplace assessments, travel to work, support workers, and specialist aids and equipment.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of safeguards included in the Transition Plan for recreational water users, including those using waters outside designated bathing areas.

The Water Reform Transition Plan charts a clear path to the water system of the future, as set out in the recent water white paper. The transition plan will be accompanied by a new Strategic Policy Statement for Ofwat and ministerial direction for EA. These documents will set out what will change as we progress with reforms, the timeline and responsibilities. It will enable wide-ranging reforms to clean up our waters for recreational and non-recreational water users alike. The Bathing Water (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2025 will not feature in the Transition Plan, having recently been amended. In March 2025 the Government published its response to a consultation on amending the Bathing Water 2013 Regulations, noting the support for expanding the definition of a bather to include other recreational water users. Work has begun on an evidence review to consider the environmental and public health implications of any change.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her department plans to establish the public health task force recommended by the Independent Water Commission prior to the introduction of the Water Reform Bill.

Through an upcoming Water Bill, we intend to progress an ambitious, coherent reset of the legislative framework. As we take this forward, we will work in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care to ensure public health is considered broadly in our new water frameworks and regulations and to consider evidence gaps. Protecting and improving public health is a key consideration of the Government’s once-in-a-generation water reforms. A new Public Health Water Taskforce, led by the Chief Medical Officer for England, will be a key part of Government’s reforms to the water system. The Taskforce will provide independent and technical advice on public health risks from water and opportunities to improve treatment and protection.

Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential benefits of amending the Bathing Water regulations to include a wider range of recreational users.

In March 2025 the Government published its response to a consultation on amending the Bathing Water 2013 Regulations. In this, the Government noted the support for expanding the definition of a bather to include other recreational water users. Work has begun on an evidence review to consider the environmental and public health implications of any change.

What information his Department holds on the number of cases in which there have been miscommunications with respect to the Person Escort Record in the last 12 months.

Obtaining the information requested relating to possible miscommunications with respect to person escort records would require each prison to undertake a manual search of all such records for the period in question. That could not be undertaken without incurring disproportionate cost. When a prisoner arrives in prison reception, risk assessment procedures are carried out in accordance with HM Prison and Probation Service’s current policy frameworks. During the reception process, staff review all available documentation, including the person escort record, and any existing Digital Prison Service alerts, as well as undertaking an observational assessment of the prisoner’s presentation and behaviour. A structured reception screening is then carried out by both operational and healthcare staff, to identify any risks relating to suicide or self-harm, violence, vulnerability, physical or mental health issues, or other safeguarding concerns. In addition, a cell-sharing risk assessment (CSRA) is completed for all prisoners new to custody, to identify whether they would be likely to cause serious harm to another prisoner if they were to share a cell. When a prisoner is transferred, their CSRA accompanies them. If the CSRA cannot be located at the time of transfer, a new assessment is undertaken to ensure that risks are appropriately identified.The processes relating to capturing and transferring risk management information are set out in the Person Escort Record Policy Framework. The framework is currently being reviewed: this will help to capture a broader range of risk information, and support more accurate and consistent completion of the form.

What mechanisms his Department has put in place to help ensure that lessons identified in (a) inspections and (b) reports are implemented consistently across relevant agencies.

In response to all reports by HM Inspectorate of Prison and HM Inspectorate of Probation, H M Prison and Probation Service is required to produce a formal action plan, which is published on the GOV.UK website, to address concerns raised and recommendations made by the Inspectorate. Learning taken from Inspection reports directly informs policy review and development, and positive practice identified in reports is shared across the agency. Robust internal measures are in place to assure senior leaders that appropriate action is taken where lessons are identified.

What steps his Department is taking to help improve the accuracy of documentation used during transfers between custodial settings.

Obtaining the information requested relating to possible miscommunications with respect to person escort records would require each prison to undertake a manual search of all such records for the period in question. That could not be undertaken without incurring disproportionate cost. When a prisoner arrives in prison reception, risk assessment procedures are carried out in accordance with HM Prison and Probation Service’s current policy frameworks. During the reception process, staff review all available documentation, including the person escort record, and any existing Digital Prison Service alerts, as well as undertaking an observational assessment of the prisoner’s presentation and behaviour. A structured reception screening is then carried out by both operational and healthcare staff, to identify any risks relating to suicide or self-harm, violence, vulnerability, physical or mental health issues, or other safeguarding concerns. In addition, a cell-sharing risk assessment (CSRA) is completed for all prisoners new to custody, to identify whether they would be likely to cause serious harm to another prisoner if they were to share a cell. When a prisoner is transferred, their CSRA accompanies them. If the CSRA cannot be located at the time of transfer, a new assessment is undertaken to ensure that risks are appropriately identified.The processes relating to capturing and transferring risk management information are set out in the Person Escort Record Policy Framework. The framework is currently being reviewed: this will help to capture a broader range of risk information, and support more accurate and consistent completion of the form.

What processes are used to assess risks presented by people on admission to custodial facilities.

Obtaining the information requested relating to possible miscommunications with respect to person escort records would require each prison to undertake a manual search of all such records for the period in question. That could not be undertaken without incurring disproportionate cost. When a prisoner arrives in prison reception, risk assessment procedures are carried out in accordance with HM Prison and Probation Service’s current policy frameworks. During the reception process, staff review all available documentation, including the person escort record, and any existing Digital Prison Service alerts, as well as undertaking an observational assessment of the prisoner’s presentation and behaviour. A structured reception screening is then carried out by both operational and healthcare staff, to identify any risks relating to suicide or self-harm, violence, vulnerability, physical or mental health issues, or other safeguarding concerns. In addition, a cell-sharing risk assessment (CSRA) is completed for all prisoners new to custody, to identify whether they would be likely to cause serious harm to another prisoner if they were to share a cell. When a prisoner is transferred, their CSRA accompanies them. If the CSRA cannot be located at the time of transfer, a new assessment is undertaken to ensure that risks are appropriately identified.The processes relating to capturing and transferring risk management information are set out in the Person Escort Record Policy Framework. The framework is currently being reviewed: this will help to capture a broader range of risk information, and support more accurate and consistent completion of the form.

What mechanisms are in place to monitor the welfare of teachers while they are suspended.

By law, all maintained schools are required to have a capabilities policy, which sets out disciplinary and grievance procedures in the workplace. As employers, all schools and trusts must follow all aspects of employment law and equalities legislation in employment decisions. They should ensure that members of their workforce are fully aware of the process by which they can seek redress as a result of any grievance relating to their work at the school.Guidance for schools on disciplinary and grievance matters is provided by ACAS in its Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance, which makes clear that an employer has a legal 'duty of care' to support an employee during suspension and to look out for their wellbeing.

What oversight exists to ensure schools comply with national procedures when suspending teachers.

By law, all maintained schools are required to have a capabilities policy, which sets out disciplinary and grievance procedures in the workplace. As employers, all schools and trusts must follow all aspects of employment law and equalities legislation in employment decisions. They should ensure that members of their workforce are fully aware of the process by which they can seek redress as a result of any grievance relating to their work at the school.Guidance for schools on disciplinary and grievance matters is provided by ACAS in its Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance, which makes clear that an employer has a legal 'duty of care' to support an employee during suspension and to look out for their wellbeing.

Whether her Department plans to review how teacher suspensions are used in disciplinary investigations.

By law, all maintained schools are required to have a capabilities policy, which sets out disciplinary and grievance procedures in the workplace. As employers, all schools and trusts must follow all aspects of employment law and equalities legislation in employment decisions. They should ensure that members of their workforce are fully aware of the process by which they can seek redress as a result of any grievance relating to their work at the school.Guidance for schools on disciplinary and grievance matters is provided by ACAS in its Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance, which makes clear that an employer has a legal 'duty of care' to support an employee during suspension and to look out for their wellbeing.

How many graduates who graduated in the last five years are registered as claimants at jobcentres.

There has been no assessment made of the number of graduates who have graduated in the last five years and are claiming benefits.

How many full-time equivalent front-line customer support staff worked on his Department's bereavement line in each year between 2021 and 2026.

The number of staff employed is unpublished management information, collected and intended for internal departmental use and has not been quality assured to National Statistics or Official Statistics publication standard. ProductMar-21Mar-22 Mar-23Mar-24Mar-25Jan-26 RS Bereavement610550 490410500500 The Full Time Equivalent (FTE) figure supplied is at March for each financial year, and January for 2026 as this is the most up to date Data held for this financial year.The number Bereavement scheme staff has been derived from DWP's Activity Based Model (ABM). This model gives an estimated FTE based on a point in time estimate by Line Managers, as recorded on our internal systems each month.This total represents all aspects of Bereavement delivery, including Processing and Telephony.Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 FTE.

What the (a) average and (b) longest recorded wait time was on his Department's bereavement line in each year between 2021 and 2026.

The below table shows the Average Time to Answer and Maximum Time to Answer for all calls to Bereavement Services in an hours, minutes and seconds format (hh:mm:ss), itemised by each of the requested Reporting Years. Please note, that the current *2025 – 2026 reporting year, shows data up to and including 22/02/2026 only. Reporting YearProduct LineAverage Time to Answer (hh:mm:ss)Maximum Time to Answer (hh:mm:ss)2021-2022Bereavement Services00:06:3601:26:432022-2023Bereavement Services00:07:3201:33:002023-2024Bereavement Services00:06:3201:04:582024-2025Bereavement Services00:07:5301:55:072025-2026*Bereavement Services00:06:0200:50:59