Written questions by Morrison.

What is the average wait for a SEND tribunal appeal to be heard from receipt of the appeal and what was the average wait for a SEND tribunal appeal in each year from 2019-2025.

Awaiting answer.

For each of the last seven years, how many SEND7 request for change applications have been submitted to the SEND tribunal; how many of these applications have resulted in a new, sooner appeal date; and what was t

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of legislation protecting victims of crimes of a highly serious nature when their spouse has committed the crime against them in relation to distributing marital assets

The Government is determined that the family courts should be places of safety and fairness. We recognise that serious offences, including domestic abuse, can have profound and long-lasting effects on victim-survivors’ financial security.Assets owned by a...

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of new legislation creating standalone offences for extreme acts of violence and assault against women and girls.

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a national emergency. For too long, we have treated it as a fact of life. This Government will not accept that, which is why we have committed to halving VAWG in a decade. We will deploy the full power of the sta...

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of current sentencing guidelines in reflecting the seriousness of extremely violent and sexual offences against women and girls.

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a national emergency. For too long, we have treated it as a fact of life. This Government will not accept that, which is why we have committed to halving VAWG in a decade. We will deploy the full power of the sta...

What is the process for changing and updating sentencing guidelines set by the Sentencing Council.

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a national emergency. For too long, we have treated it as a fact of life. This Government will not accept that, which is why we have committed to halving VAWG in a decade. We will deploy the full power of the sta...

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of updating the sentencing guidelines in respect of crimes such as online grooming and other crimes of a highly serious and extreme nature against women and g

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a national emergency. For too long, we have treated it as a fact of life. This Government will not accept that, which is why we have committed to halving VAWG in a decade. We will deploy the full power of the sta...

What training judges are given to deal with crimes of an extremely serious nature including the repeated sexual abuse of women.

To preserve judicial independence, statutory responsibility for judicial training is held by the Lady Chief Justice, Senior President of Tribunals and Chief Coroner. These responsibilities are fulfilled by the Judicial College.To preside over serious sexu...

How judges are selected for trials of an extremely serious nature that include the abuse of women; and whether gender is considered as a factor in relation to the nature of the crimes involved.

To preserve judicial independence, statutory responsibility for judicial training is held by the Lady Chief Justice, Senior President of Tribunals and Chief Coroner. These responsibilities are fulfilled by the Judicial College.To preside over serious sexu...

Whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of the judicial system for a) the selection of judges and b) support for victims where judges are male in relation to crimes against women of an extremely serious

To preserve judicial independence, statutory responsibility for judicial training is held by the Lady Chief Justice, Senior President of Tribunals and Chief Coroner. These responsibilities are fulfilled by the Judicial College.To preside over serious sexu...

What the protocol is for distributing matrimonial assets following a crime of a highly serious nature committed by a spouse against the other a) pre and b) post-conviction.

The Government is determined that the family courts should be places of safety and fairness. We recognise that serious offences, including domestic abuse, can have profound and long-lasting effects on victim-survivors’ financial security.Assets owned by a...

What discussions he has had with the Office for Equalities and Opportunities on the potential impact of the shortening of custodial sentences on women's centres' (a) resources and (b) capacity, in relation to wom

The Sentencing Act introduces a presumption to suspend short sentences. Along with increased use of suspended sentences and increased flexibility to defer a sentence for longer, this is expected to reduce the number of women going to prison. We know that ...

If he will consider the potential merits of introducing a national duty of care for bailiffs.

The Government is committed to strengthening the regulation of the private enforcement (bailiff) sector and establishing an independent regulatory framework as soon as parliamentary time allows. Last year, we consulted on how to do so in a way that ensures that regulation is targeted, proportionate, as well as ensuring fair treatment for everyone, including people in vulnerable circumstances. This will build on the excellent work that the Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB) is already doing on a voluntary basis to improve standards in the sector. This includes the recent publication in March 2026 of Vulnerability and Ability to Pay Standards, strengthening expectations on the identification of vulnerability, affordability assessments and the use of sustainable repayment arrangements.

What steps he is taking to improve standards in relation to bailiffs.

The Government is committed to strengthening the regulation of the private enforcement (bailiff) sector and establishing an independent regulatory framework as soon as parliamentary time allows. Last year, we consulted on how to do so in a way that ensures that regulation is targeted, proportionate, as well as ensuring fair treatment for everyone, including people in vulnerable circumstances. This will build on the excellent work that the Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB) is already doing on a voluntary basis to improve standards in the sector. This includes the recent publication in March 2026 of Vulnerability and Ability to Pay Standards, strengthening expectations on the identification of vulnerability, affordability assessments and the use of sustainable repayment arrangements.

What steps he is taking to support Women's centres in Greater Manchester.

I welcome the positive work happening in Greater Manchester to support women involved in the criminal justice system, and the work of women’s community sector organisations that provide crucial infrastructure for the criminal justice system.His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) currently funds specialist support for women on probation through Commissioned Rehabilitative Services (CRS) delivered by third sector organisations, including providers of women’s centres. HMPPS is committed to ensuring CRS contracts deliver holistic, gender-specific support that meets women’s needs, informed by service users, stakeholders and providers.The Ministry of Justice is providing a further £7.2 million in 2025-2026 to support the women’s community sector. This funding is aimed at building sustainability, expanding interventions and increasing capacity, including residential provision where needed. Funding for future years is subject to internal allocations.

What assessment she has made of the levels of mental health issues among (a) parents and (b) young fathers during family court proceedings.

We recognise the impact that family court proceedings can have on parents, particularly victims of domestic abuse, and are committed to long-term reform of the family court to better support users.The family court has a range of powers to support and protect victims, including prohibiting in-person cross examination of survivors by alleged abusers and automatically providing special measures, such as the ability to provide evidence behind a screen.We have redesigned the information and guidance for separating families on GOV.UK, making it more user-friendly through extensive user-tested changes. We are also testing a triage tool which will support users to access information specific to their personal circumstances, alongside signposting to relevant support and advice services.Legal aid is available for parents in certain public and private family law matters subject to the relevant means and merits tests. Beyond legal aid, over £6 million will be provided in 2025–26 to 60 organisations, including Citizens Advice, Law Centres and AdviceNow, to expand free legal information and early support. The Help with Fees scheme ensures that court fees do not prevent parents accessing proceedings.The Government has not carried out a specific assessment of the levels of mental health issues among parents and young fathers during family court proceedings. However, the Government is aware of the impact involvement in family court proceedings can have on the mental health of both the parents and children involved. and encourages those affected to seek appropriate support from local NHS and voluntary services.In addition, the charity Support Through Court offers practical, procedural and emotional support to all parents facing court without legal representation. It operates across England and Wales and also offers a national helpline.

What assessment has she made of the accessibility and quality of support for both parents during family court proceedings.

We recognise the impact that family court proceedings can have on parents, particularly victims of domestic abuse, and are committed to long-term reform of the family court to better support users.The family court has a range of powers to support and protect victims, including prohibiting in-person cross examination of survivors by alleged abusers and automatically providing special measures, such as the ability to provide evidence behind a screen.We have redesigned the information and guidance for separating families on GOV.UK, making it more user-friendly through extensive user-tested changes. We are also testing a triage tool which will support users to access information specific to their personal circumstances, alongside signposting to relevant support and advice services.Legal aid is available for parents in certain public and private family law matters subject to the relevant means and merits tests. Beyond legal aid, over £6 million will be provided in 2025–26 to 60 organisations, including Citizens Advice, Law Centres and AdviceNow, to expand free legal information and early support. The Help with Fees scheme ensures that court fees do not prevent parents accessing proceedings.The Government has not carried out a specific assessment of the levels of mental health issues among parents and young fathers during family court proceedings. However, the Government is aware of the impact involvement in family court proceedings can have on the mental health of both the parents and children involved. and encourages those affected to seek appropriate support from local NHS and voluntary services.In addition, the charity Support Through Court offers practical, procedural and emotional support to all parents facing court without legal representation. It operates across England and Wales and also offers a national helpline.

What assessment she has made of the (a) adequacy of in-cell (i) toilet and (ii) washing facilities for prisoners at HMP Isle of Wight and (b) potential impact of those facilities on the wellbeing of prisoners.

It is correct that the in-cell facilities at HMP Isle of Wight are not on par with newer built prisons. This does mean that some cells on the Albany site do not have any in-cell toiletry or washing facilities, however alternative provisions are provided. Feedback from prisoners on these facilities is always welcomed, and filters into the establishments wider business, maintenance, and improvement plans.Prison staff are committed to ensuring that the religious needs of all prisoners are respected and accommodated, in line with the Equality Act 2010 and human rights legislation. It is recognised that Muslim prisoners, especially during periods such as Ramadan, may require additional time for washing rituals associated with prayer. While the standard time limit is seven minutes, the control room has the discretion to make reasonable adjustments for individual requests on a case-by-case basis. During the Holy Month of Ramadan, the system is adjusted to allow 12 minutes instead of the usual seven minutes to accommodate this important religious time.The current system at HMP Isle of Wight (Albany) aims to provide regular access to sanitation facilities while maintaining necessary security measures. Prisoners are allowed up to five exits each night, which provides multiple opportunities for accessing facilities. Staff remain committed to ongoing assessment and improvement of policies to ensure they adequately support prisoner health and wellbeing.Prison staff are committed to ensuring that all prisoners, including those with disabilities, have equal access to facilities and opportunities, in line with the Disability Discrimination Act. Although no issues have been raised directly with staff by any prisoner who is visually impaired, staff do recognise that the electronic keypad system may present challenges for visually impaired prisoners. Visually impaired prisoners can also call the control room on their intercom to request assistance with re-locking their doors, ensuring they can safely return to their cells after accessing communal facilities.

What assessment she has made of the impact of the electronic keypad system used to access communal facilities at night on prisoners with visual impairments at HMP Isle of Wight (Albany).

It is correct that the in-cell facilities at HMP Isle of Wight are not on par with newer built prisons. This does mean that some cells on the Albany site do not have any in-cell toiletry or washing facilities, however alternative provisions are provided. Feedback from prisoners on these facilities is always welcomed, and filters into the establishments wider business, maintenance, and improvement plans.Prison staff are committed to ensuring that the religious needs of all prisoners are respected and accommodated, in line with the Equality Act 2010 and human rights legislation. It is recognised that Muslim prisoners, especially during periods such as Ramadan, may require additional time for washing rituals associated with prayer. While the standard time limit is seven minutes, the control room has the discretion to make reasonable adjustments for individual requests on a case-by-case basis. During the Holy Month of Ramadan, the system is adjusted to allow 12 minutes instead of the usual seven minutes to accommodate this important religious time.The current system at HMP Isle of Wight (Albany) aims to provide regular access to sanitation facilities while maintaining necessary security measures. Prisoners are allowed up to five exits each night, which provides multiple opportunities for accessing facilities. Staff remain committed to ongoing assessment and improvement of policies to ensure they adequately support prisoner health and wellbeing.Prison staff are committed to ensuring that all prisoners, including those with disabilities, have equal access to facilities and opportunities, in line with the Disability Discrimination Act. Although no issues have been raised directly with staff by any prisoner who is visually impaired, staff do recognise that the electronic keypad system may present challenges for visually impaired prisoners. Visually impaired prisoners can also call the control room on their intercom to request assistance with re-locking their doors, ensuring they can safely return to their cells after accessing communal facilities.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the seven-minute time limit for Muslim prisoners at HMP Isle of Wight requiring additional time for religious washing rituals.

It is correct that the in-cell facilities at HMP Isle of Wight are not on par with newer built prisons. This does mean that some cells on the Albany site do not have any in-cell toiletry or washing facilities, however alternative provisions are provided. Feedback from prisoners on these facilities is always welcomed, and filters into the establishments wider business, maintenance, and improvement plans.Prison staff are committed to ensuring that the religious needs of all prisoners are respected and accommodated, in line with the Equality Act 2010 and human rights legislation. It is recognised that Muslim prisoners, especially during periods such as Ramadan, may require additional time for washing rituals associated with prayer. While the standard time limit is seven minutes, the control room has the discretion to make reasonable adjustments for individual requests on a case-by-case basis. During the Holy Month of Ramadan, the system is adjusted to allow 12 minutes instead of the usual seven minutes to accommodate this important religious time.The current system at HMP Isle of Wight (Albany) aims to provide regular access to sanitation facilities while maintaining necessary security measures. Prisoners are allowed up to five exits each night, which provides multiple opportunities for accessing facilities. Staff remain committed to ongoing assessment and improvement of policies to ensure they adequately support prisoner health and wellbeing.Prison staff are committed to ensuring that all prisoners, including those with disabilities, have equal access to facilities and opportunities, in line with the Disability Discrimination Act. Although no issues have been raised directly with staff by any prisoner who is visually impaired, staff do recognise that the electronic keypad system may present challenges for visually impaired prisoners. Visually impaired prisoners can also call the control room on their intercom to request assistance with re-locking their doors, ensuring they can safely return to their cells after accessing communal facilities.