Every parliamentary written question tabled by Suella Braverman this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 101–120 of 591 · this parliament
What assessment he has made of trends in the level of demand for clearer national safeguarding standards for staff‑only spaces in NHS hospitals.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Whether he plans to review the Transitioning in the Workplace policies used by NHS Trusts to ensure they include risk assessments for all staff affected by changes to single‑sex facilities.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Whether his Department has made an assessment of the adequacy of NHS England guidance on managing requests for gender‑identity‑related workplace adjustments including where these affect single‑sex spaces used by staff.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Whether his Department plans to issue updated national guidance to NHS trusts on the provision of single‑sex changing rooms for staff.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact on school attendance and educational outcomes for children whose ADHD or autism assessments have been delayed due to the pause of Right to Choose pathways.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
What steps his Department is taking to ensure that Integrated Care Boards provide clear, timely and accessible information to families affected by changes to assessment pathways.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of pausing the Right to Choose pathways on trends in the level of demand for private assessments among families unable to access NHS support.
The Government has recognised that, nationally, demand for assessments for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays for accessing such assessments. The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan will make the National Health Service fit for the future, and reforms to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities focus will improve early intervention and support.It is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) in England to make appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to autism assessments and ADHD services, in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.The Medium-Term Planning Framework, published 24 October, sets out expectations for local areas to improve access to autism and ADHD services, and was explicit that ICBs and providers are expected to optimise existing resources to reduce long waits for autism and ADHD assessments and improve the quality of assessments by implementing existing and new guidance, as published. NHS England introduced Activity Management Plans to help manage variably funded activity when providers risk exceeding their Indicative Activity Plans. There is a statutory requirement for ICBs to remain within annual funding allocations and to deliver on agreed financial plans. Providers are not asked to close referrals or prevent access to the pathway but, where required, once planned activity levels have been met, they are asked to manage new referrals on a waiting list until they have capacity within their contracted activity envelope. There is guidance for the use and implementation of Indicative Activity Plans and Activity Management Plans, detailed in the NHS Standard Contract Technical Guidance. We are absolutely clear that use of these must not restrict patients' choice of provider. The Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB) understands that waiting for an autism or ADHD assessment can be difficult for individuals and families, and is committed to improving access to meaningful support while people wait. NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight redesigned a clinically-optimum diagnostic model on 31 March 2026. As part of their wider transformation programme, the Hampshire and the Isle of Wight ICB is introducing new services designed to offer earlier help, even when a formal diagnosis has not yet been made. From 1 April 2026, every area in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight will have a place based Children’s Neurodiversity Team. These teams will:- bring together professionals across education and healthcare;- offer practical advice, support, and guidance for families; and- support children based on their needs, without requiring a diagnosis; While patients are waiting for a Right to Choose ADHD or Autism assessment there are a range of services to access for support, which are available at the following link:https://www.hantsiow.icb.nhs.uk/application/files/4917/7495/4596/HSIOW_ICB_-_Right_to_choose_Supporting_you_while_you_wait_for_your_assessment_.pdfMore broadly, in December 2025, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, launched the independent review into the Prevalence and Support for mental health conditions, ADHD and autism. The review is chaired by Professor Peter Fonagy, with vice chairs Professor Sir Simon Wessely and Professor Gillian Baird.The final report, due in the summer, will make recommendations on how the Government, the health system, and the wider public services can respond to increasing demand for support more fairly and effectively so that people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place.
What assessment he has made of the potential implications of the Newcastle Employment Tribunal judgment of 16 January 2026 for NHS policies on staff changing facilities and the provision of single‑sex spaces.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the pause on school attendance, mental health and family stability among children awaiting ADHD and autism assessments.
The Government has recognised that, nationally, demand for assessments for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays for accessing such assessments. The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan will make the National Health Service fit for the future, and reforms to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities focus will improve early intervention and support.It is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) in England to make appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to autism assessments and ADHD services, in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.The Medium-Term Planning Framework, published 24 October, sets out expectations for local areas to improve access to autism and ADHD services, and was explicit that ICBs and providers are expected to optimise existing resources to reduce long waits for autism and ADHD assessments and improve the quality of assessments by implementing existing and new guidance, as published. NHS England introduced Activity Management Plans to help manage variably funded activity when providers risk exceeding their Indicative Activity Plans. There is a statutory requirement for ICBs to remain within annual funding allocations and to deliver on agreed financial plans. Providers are not asked to close referrals or prevent access to the pathway but, where required, once planned activity levels have been met, they are asked to manage new referrals on a waiting list until they have capacity within their contracted activity envelope. There is guidance for the use and implementation of Indicative Activity Plans and Activity Management Plans, detailed in the NHS Standard Contract Technical Guidance. We are absolutely clear that use of these must not restrict patients' choice of provider. The Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB) understands that waiting for an autism or ADHD assessment can be difficult for individuals and families, and is committed to improving access to meaningful support while people wait. NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight redesigned a clinically-optimum diagnostic model on 31 March 2026. As part of their wider transformation programme, the Hampshire and the Isle of Wight ICB is introducing new services designed to offer earlier help, even when a formal diagnosis has not yet been made. From 1 April 2026, every area in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight will have a place based Children’s Neurodiversity Team. These teams will:- bring together professionals across education and healthcare;- offer practical advice, support, and guidance for families; and- support children based on their needs, without requiring a diagnosis; While patients are waiting for a Right to Choose ADHD or Autism assessment there are a range of services to access for support, which are available at the following link:https://www.hantsiow.icb.nhs.uk/application/files/4917/7495/4596/HSIOW_ICB_-_Right_to_choose_Supporting_you_while_you_wait_for_your_assessment_.pdfMore broadly, in December 2025, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, launched the independent review into the Prevalence and Support for mental health conditions, ADHD and autism. The review is chaired by Professor Peter Fonagy, with vice chairs Professor Sir Simon Wessely and Professor Gillian Baird.The final report, due in the summer, will make recommendations on how the Government, the health system, and the wider public services can respond to increasing demand for support more fairly and effectively so that people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place.
How many reported assaults on teachers and school staff occurred in each of the last five years.
No member of school staff should feel unsafe or face violence or abuse in the workplace. The department will work with the sector to make clear that abuse against teachers will not be tolerated.Schools have a duty and a responsibility to protect pupils and staff and the government supports them with a range of guidance to help fulfil their responsibilities, including advice on health and safety, school security and targeted advice on gangs and youth violence. More information on work-related violence can be found in guidance from the Health and Safety Executive: https://www.hse.gov.uk/violence/.The department publishes data on suspensions and permanent exclusions in state-funded schools in England, including those with a reason of physical assault on adults. To note, the numbers of suspensions and permanent exclusions is not the same as the number of incidents. A suspension could relate to a number of incidents, and up to three reasons can be given for suspensions and permanent exclusions.The most recent full academic year release, covering 2023/24, can be found at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/suspensions-and-permanent-exclusions-in-england/2023-24.
How many complaints about pupil suspensions were upheld by her Department in each of the last five years.
The department’s School Complaints Compliance Unit considers complaints about exclusions including pupil suspensions in relation to both academies and local authority maintained schools. Complaints are categorised as exclusions complaints on our case management system. Data on complaints logged as exclusion complaints for the last five academic years is in the table below: Number of exclusion complaints upheld or partially upheld by the departmentAcademic YearNumber of academy exclusion complaintsNumber of maintained school exclusion complaints2020/211372021/221382022/231152023/242752024/251392025/26*139Total9043 *Complaints received and closed up to and including 31 March 2026.
What assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of current penalties for parents whose children fail to attend school regularly.
Evidence on the use of legal interventions for non-attendance, including penalty notices and prosecutions, is considered alongside wider attendance data and local authority feedback to assess the effectiveness of current penalties.Attendance data for unauthorised absence in the 2024/25 academic year showed our approach is having a positive impact, as the proportion of absence due to unauthorised holiday fell from 0.53% in 2023/24 to 0.48% in 2024/25 meaning approximately 1.3 million fewer absence sessions due to unauthorised holidays across the 2024/25 school year. The overall rate of absence fell by 0.37 percentage points, resulting in over five million more days in school last year.Our guidance is clear that enforcement should be used as a last resort and as part of a broader support-first approach. 93% of penalty notices issued in 2024/25 were for unauthorised term-time holidays, demonstrating that fixed penalty notices are being used primarily in circumstances where support is not appropriate, as intended.The department continues to work with schools and local authorities to promote effective practice and improve attendance outcomes for all pupils.
What data his Department collects on the number of older people required to move from care home placements following a transition to local authority funding; and if he will publish that data.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Whether her Department plans to review the current level of fines for school non‑attendance.
The law entitles every child of compulsory school age to an efficient, full-time education and it is the legal responsibility of every parent to make sure their child receives that education. Our guidance emphasises a support first approach and makes clear that fines and legal intervention should only be used where support has been exhausted, not engaged with, or is not appropriate. Fines remain one part of our system for reducing school absence, therefore the amount must reflect the potential short and longer-term impact of absence on the pupil, their teachers, and other pupils at the school. If parents cannot afford to pay a school attendance penalty notice, they should contact their local council immediately to explain their financial situation, as they may be able to offer guidance or support.
What recent discussions she has had with representatives of local authorities on improving the attendance enforcement regime for parents of persistently absent pupils.
The department’s statutory ‘Working together to improve school attendance’ guidance sets clear expectations for schools and local authorities on attendance support and the proportionate use of enforcement, including when penalty notices or prosecution may be considered for persistent non‑attendance. The national framework for penalty notices is intended to improve fairness and consistency by ensuring they are considered at a consistent point across the country and on an individual basis, preventing the use of blanket rules.The guidance emphasises a support‑first approach and makes clear that legal intervention should only be used where support has been exhausted, not engaged with, or is not appropriate, including in most cases of unauthorised term‑time holidays. The department engages regularly with local authorities to support consistent implementation and keeps the attendance enforcement system under review.
How many suspensions were issued in each of the last five academic years, broken down by type of school.
Statistics on suspensions, by academic year and school type, is available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/suspensions-and-permanent-exclusions-in-england/2023-24. This has been available since 10 July 2025.
What support is available to parents facing financial hardship who are issued with penalty notices for their child’s non‑attendance at school.
The law entitles every child of compulsory school age to an efficient, full-time education and it is the legal responsibility of every parent to make sure their child receives that education. Our guidance emphasises a support first approach and makes clear that fines and legal intervention should only be used where support has been exhausted, not engaged with, or is not appropriate. Fines remain one part of our system for reducing school absence, therefore the amount must reflect the potential short and longer-term impact of absence on the pupil, their teachers, and other pupils at the school. If parents cannot afford to pay a school attendance penalty notice, they should contact their local council immediately to explain their financial situation, as they may be able to offer guidance or support.
What guidance is provided to schools and local authorities on when to issue penalty notices or pursue prosecution for persistent non‑attendance.
The department’s statutory ‘Working together to improve school attendance’ guidance sets clear expectations for schools and local authorities on attendance support and the proportionate use of enforcement, including when penalty notices or prosecution may be considered for persistent non‑attendance. The national framework for penalty notices is intended to improve fairness and consistency by ensuring they are considered at a consistent point across the country and on an individual basis, preventing the use of blanket rules.The guidance emphasises a support‑first approach and makes clear that legal intervention should only be used where support has been exhausted, not engaged with, or is not appropriate, including in most cases of unauthorised term‑time holidays. The department engages regularly with local authorities to support consistent implementation and keeps the attendance enforcement system under review.
What her Department's policy is on arresting and detaining parents overnight in connection with Education Act 1996 non‑attendance offences, particularly in cases where the parent ensured the child attended school and the absence occurred after the school had assumed duty of care.
The department does not hold responsibility for policy on arrests or detentions as this is a matter for the Home Office, as the department responsible for policing. We do not hold data on parents in custody.
What avenues of redress are available to residents and families wishing to challenge decisions to move care home residents; and what steps he is taking to improve awareness of those rights.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.