Written questions by Dhesi.

What steps they are taking to help increase productivity within their Department through the use of (a) artificial intelligence and (b) effective use of data.

The department is committed to improving its productivity, including through artificial intelligence (AI) and effective use of data.For example, a Microsoft Azure Open AI sandbox environment has been enabled to limited groups of users within the department, allowing them to build and test AI models based on specific use cases in a safe and secure environment. This has allowed the department to safely and securely test 12 use cases ahead of a launch into production and wider rollout to our workforce. If testing goes well, newly-developed technologies are expected to be rolled out to staff from December 2024. We believe these will be amongst the first bespoke generative AI tools launched in government and will allow the department to deliver its services to the public at a faster pace and lower cost.The department is also mid-way through the migration of its analysts to the new Analytical Data Access service, giving analysts and policy teams a single point of access to key departmental data. This data is fully governed, secure and discoverable using the latest cloud technology tools. This is significantly improving the speed and reliability of the department’s data to better inform holistic policy and funding considerations, and support scenario planning. It also provides a secure environment for utilising AI and large language models, where both lawful and ethical.The department draws on a range of resources, published on GOV.UK, to inform its AI and data usage, for example, the Generative AI Framework and the Ethics, Transparency and Accountability Framework. We also work closely with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to widen access to the data we are responsible for via the existing ONS Secure Research Service, and are also partnering with the ONS to support development and integration of department data into the new Integrated Data Service.The department also has access to the Central Digital and Data Office, based in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, for expert advice. We will continue to regularly review our usage of AI and data to maximise productivity benefits for staff and the public.

What steps he is taking to improve retention rates in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) are highly valued, specialist personnel. We are committed to listening to their concerns and keeping a continued dialogue to address the issues they have raised. Recruitment and retention of staff remains a priority for the RFA and is part of the Defence-wide initiative driven at Ministerial level through the recently established Recruitment and Retention Board. Work is ongoing to address the ongoing pay dispute raised by Maritime Trade Unions and to improve RFA terms and conditions of employment.Work is focussed on addressing issues in the short term, while also generating meaningful improvements to the RFA "offer" overall, to ensure it remains competitive in the long term. There are a number of initiatives in support of this which include updating working practices - such as part-time, flexible, and family-friendly arrangements - modernising allowances and pay, and shortening the timescales of recruitment.

How many people were (a) prosecuted and (b) convicted for making hoax calls to the emergency services in each of the last five years.

The Ministry of Justice publishes data on the number of defendants prosecuted and convicted, including for ‘Improper use of public electronic communications network’ which will include hoax calls. This can be obtained by using HO offence code 19607 in the Outcomes by Offences data tool, which can be downloaded from the Criminal Justice Statistics landing page here: criminal-justice-system-statistics-quarterly-december-2023.However, it is not possible to identify only those offences that involved making hoax calls to the emergency services. This information may be held on court records but to examine individual court records would be of disproportionate costs.

What steps he is taking to reduce instances of post traumatic stress disorder within the ambulance service.

At a national level, NHS England has a wide-ranging package of support for National Health Service staff. This includes a health and wellbeing guardian role to ensure board level scrutiny of local support systems, a focus on healthy working environments, tools, resources to support line managers to hold meaningful conversations with staff to discuss their wellbeing, and emotional and psychological health and wellbeing support.NHS England has worked with The Ambulance Staff Charity to fund the development of the Ambulance Staff Crisis phoneline which provides immediate, independent, and confidential support to ambulance staff experiencing suicidal ideation or a mental health crisis. Further information on The Ambulance Staff Charity is available at the following link:https://www.theasc.org.uk/

What steps he is taking to reduce instances of post traumatic stress disorder within the armed forces.

Measures are in place to increase awareness at all levels and to mitigate the development of operational stresses. These include pre-and post-deployment briefing and the availability of support, assessment and (if required) treatment, both during and after deployments. This is available to all personnel, whether Regular or mobilised Reservists. The families of returning personnel are also offered advice on the possible after-effects of an operational deployment. All Service personnel have access to mental health support throughout their career, including medical and non-medical services. The Trauma Risk Management process (TRiM) is a Tri-Service endorsed strategy for providing support to Armed Forces personnel involved in a traumatic event, whether on Operations or in any other circumstance. TRiM aims to help individuals use their own coping mechanisms in order to keep them operationally effective, and to identify if further help is needed. For Armed Forces personnel requiring mental healthcare, including for post-traumatic stress disorder, the DMS provides a responsive, flexible, accessible, and comprehensive treatment service.

If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the compensation provided to Equitable Life investors via the Equitable Life payment scheme.

The Equitable Life Payment Scheme has been fully wound down and closed since 2016 and there are no plans to reopen any decisions relating to the Payment Scheme or review the £1.5 billion funding allocation previously made to it. Further guidance on the status of the Payment Scheme after closure is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equitable-life-payment-scheme#closure-of-the-scheme.

What steps she is taking to ensure timely responses to Pension Credit applications.

The Department has secured funding for additional staffing to assist with the processing of the additional Pension Credit claims being made. The Department is significantly increasing the resource on Pension Credit to ensure it processes claims as quickly as possible, with approximately 500 additional staff to support the increase in applications generated from the successful Pension Credit take-up campaign.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the progress of research on treatments for (a) Alzheimer's and (b) dementia.

The Department funds research into dementia via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The Government is investing into research on treatments for dementia, such as the £49.9 million NIHR Dementia Trials Network (D-TN), which will deliver a coordinated network of early phase dementia trial sites, including for Alzheimer’s disease. The work undertaken by the NIHR D-TN will be complemented by the £20 million Dementia Clinical Trials Accelerator, designed to position the United Kingdom as the destination of choice for late phase clinical trials in dementia and neurodegenerative diseases.The Government is also funding the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI), which conducts world-leading discovery science across neurodegenerative diseases and translates knowledge into tools and therapies that make a real, tangible difference. The NIHR is investing £20 million into the UK DRI over four years to enable discoveries to be taken out of the laboratory and into the lives of people that need them.The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health including dementia. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients, and health and care services, and its value for money, and scientific quality. In all disease areas, the amount of NIHR funding depends on the volume and quality of scientific activity.

How many surrender bins there were during the knife amnesty between 26 August 2024 and 23 September 2024.

Between 26 August 2024 and 23 September 2024, the Government ran a surrender and compensation scheme to allow owners of zombie-style knives and zombie-style machetes to surrender them and claim compensation before these weapons became prohibited by law on 24 September 2024.All police force areas in England and Wales designated specific police stations where weapons could be surrendered, and a list of the designated police stations was published at:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66c8a1f099faef7c8c117834/Zombie-Style_Knives_-_List_of_Designated_Police_Stations.pdfThis Government is working with its new Coalition to tackle knife crime on the design of future surrender and compensation schemes.The scheme required those surrendering a weapon to attend a designated police station where a staff member or police officer would take control of the weapon, and if the person was claiming compensation, their details would be taken.

What recent steps he has taken to meet the target for 85% of cancer patients to be treated within 62 days of referral.

We will get the National Health Service diagnosing cancer on time or earlier, treating it faster, and we will improve patients’ experience across the system.Improving 62-day performance and early diagnosis are already key priorities for NHS England. Lord Darzi’s report will inform our 10-Year Health Plan to reform the NHS, which includes further details on how we will improve cancer diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes.

What the timeline is for the increase in the number of attendance mentors for schools.

On 11 October 2024, the department announced an additional £15 million to expand the attendance mentoring programme to at least 10,000 pupils across ten new areas.Mentoring support is expected to begin in April 2025. More information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/thousands-of-pupils-receive-support-to-boost-school-attendance--2.

If she will make an estimate of the number of knives that were surrendered during the knife amnesty between 26 August 2024 and 23 September 2024.

We will be shortly publishing the outcome of the surrender and compensationscheme for zombie style knives and machetes. This will include the numbers surrendered under the scheme.

What steps her Department is taking to reduce knife crime in Slough.

Halving knife crime over the next decade is a key part of the Government’s Safer Streets mission, and we are taking immediate action to tackle the scourge of serious violence on our streets. We have implemented the ban on zombie-style knives and machetes, outlawing the manufacture, supply, sale and possession of those lethal blades, and we will go further – with a consultation on the ban of ninja swords being launched shortly.We will also create a new Young Futures programme – with new Prevention Partnerships and youth hubs so we can intervene earlier to prevent at-risk young people from being drawn into violent crime.The Government’s manifesto included a commitment to introduce a new offence of criminal exploitation of children, to go after the gangs who are luring young people into violence and crime, and we will set out more detail on this in due course.

What steps his Department is taking to improve the provision of mental health services for young people in Slough.

It is the responsibility of the NHS Frimley Integrated Care Board to make available appropriate provision to meet the mental health and other care needs of children and young people in Slough.Nationally, we will recruit 8,500 additional mental health workers across children and adult mental health services to reduce delays and provide faster treatment, which will also help ease pressure on busy children and young people’s mental health services.We will also provide access to specialist mental health professionals in every school in England so that mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, can be identified early on and prevented from developing into more serious conditions in later life. We will also roll out open access Young Futures hubs for children and young people in every community. This national network is expected to bring local services together, and deliver support for teenagers at risk of being drawn into crime or facing mental health challenges.We are currently working with colleagues at NHS England and across Government to consider options to deliver these commitments.

What steps he is taking to help prevent the use of nitazenes.

The Department is actively monitoring the threat posed by synthetic opioids such as nitazenes, and is working to increase awareness of their dangers and prevent people using them. Information on synthetic opioids and the dangers they pose is available from the helpline and website, talktofrank.com, provided by FRANK, the national drug information and advice service, supported by the Government.Education on drug use is also a statutory component of relationships and sex education, and health education in England. The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) and the Department for Education have commissioned lesson plans and other resources to support teachers to deliver quality drug prevention, which are available to schools. The lesson plans target primary and secondary students, teaching them how to manage influences and pressure, and keep themselves healthy and safe. These resources are in the process of being updated, and there will be increased emphasis on the risks of synthetic drugs.To improve surveillance, the OHID has been working with partners in Government to create a new, enhanced Drugs Early Warning System. This collates information from a wider range of sources, for example ambulance callout data, and will produce regular reports for local areas on current threats, including nitazenes.Drug and alcohol treatment services and local authority public health teams raise awareness of the risk of drug use through targeted campaigns with their local populations, and the OHID supports them in this.

What recent assessment he has made of trends in the levels of non-fatal drug overdoses.

We know that most overdoses take place in the community. They are largely transitory and hidden events, making it difficult to accurately monitor trends in non-fatal overdoses. The Department monitors hospital admissions data for drug poisonings, which predominantly relate to non-fatal cases.We will continue to report this proxy data to local authorities to inform monitoring of local progress on reducing deaths and harms from drugs. We are reviewing the best approach for monitoring national trends in harms.

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of mental health services available for young people in Slough.

NHS Frimley Integrated Care Board is responsible for making adequate and appropriate provision available to meet the mental health and other care needs of children and young people in Slough.

What additional support she plans to provided to (a) parents and guardians and (b) children to help tackle the root causes of persistent school absences.

Tackling school absence is at the heart of the department’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity. However, 20.7% of children remain persistently absent, missing 10% or more of lessons, and we recognise that supporting parents, guardians and children is vitally important in overcoming this.This is why the department has published the ’Working together to improve school attendance’ guidance, which became statutory in August 2024. The guidance promotes a 'support first' approach, setting clear expectations that schools and local authorities should work with families to address barriers to attendance in a sensitive way. To support parents, we have published a parent-facing version of the guidance and have worked with schools to strengthen communications to parents around attendance.In addition, backed by £15 million, the government is expanding attendance mentoring to reach 10,000 more children and cover an additional ten areas. This is alongside the commitment to roll out funded breakfast clubs to all primary schools to ensure all children are ready to learn.Mental health support is particularly important for enabling pupils to attend. The department has provided grants for all schools to train a senior mental health lead. We are also committed to delivering access to specialist mental health professionals in every school.

What specialist mental health support she plans to provide to secondary schools to help tackle absences.

Poor mental health in children and young people is a significant contributing factor in school absence, and a key barrier to opportunity and learning, that the government is committed to addressing.To tackle mental ill-health among children and young people, the government has committed to provide access to specialist mental health professionals in every school. We need to ensure any support meets the needs of young people, teachers, parents, and carers which is why we are exploring a range of options. This includes existing programmes of support with evidence of a positive impact, such as Mental Health Support Teams in schools and colleges. The government will also be putting in place new Young Futures hubs, including access to mental health support workers, and will recruit an additional 8,500 new mental health staff to treat children and adults.This is in addition to activity to support schools and local authorities to tackle the school absence challenge, which includes setting clear expectations for schools, trusts and local authorities to provide a ‘support first’ approach to attendance. Departmental guidance can be viewed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-improve-school-attendance.The department is also piloting attendance mentors, offering 1:1 targeted support to 10,000 persistently absent pupils and their families across 15 local authorities to identify and address barriers to education.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to improve the provision of youth services in Slough.

As set out in section 507B of the Education Act 1996, local authorities have a statutory duty to secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, sufficient provision of educational and recreational leisure-time activities for young people. At the Autumn Budget, we announced £1.3 billion of extra funding through the Local Government Finance Settlement for the next financial year.This Government recognises the vital role that youth services play in improving young people’s life chances and wellbeing. That is why, on 17 October 2024, the Secretary of State committed to a new National Youth Strategy, co-produced with young people and the youth sector to support a generation to succeed.