Written questions by Tugendhat.

Whether her Department plans to support Kent County Council with levels of admissions following the introduction of VAT on private schools.

HM Treasury published a tax information and impact note (TIIN) on applying VAT to independent school fees, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-on-private-school-fees/applying-vat-to-private-school-fees#who-is-likely-to-be-affected. The note contains information on the impacts on individuals and families, and the government’s estimates of the number of pupils expected to enter the state sector as a result of this policy. The government does not collect pupil-level data from private schools and therefore cannot track pupil movements out of private schools into the state sector. Latest published figures confirm that pupil numbers remain within historical patterns seen for over 20 years, with no evidence of excessive pressure on the state system. The department works with local authorities to help them fulfil their duty to secure school places, including for children with special educational needs and disabilities.The reforms to VAT and business rates, ending the exemptions which private schools previously enjoyed, are expected to raise £1.8 billion a year by 2029/30. This measure will raise essential revenue that will be invested in our public services, such as our £3.7 billion increase to school funding in 2025/26, taking core school funding to £65.3 billion compared to £61.6 billion in 2024/25.

How many pupils have transferred from public to state schools since July 2024; and what discussions she has had with schools on the impact of those transfers on student to teacher ratios in classrooms.

HM Treasury published a tax information and impact note (TIIN) on applying VAT to independent school fees, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-on-private-school-fees/applying-vat-to-private-school-fees#who-is-likely-to-be-affected. The note contains information on the impacts on individuals and families, and the government’s estimates of the number of pupils expected to enter the state sector as a result of this policy. The government does not collect pupil-level data from private schools and therefore cannot track pupil movements out of private schools into the state sector. Latest published figures confirm that pupil numbers remain within historical patterns seen for over 20 years, with no evidence of excessive pressure on the state system. The department works with local authorities to help them fulfil their duty to secure school places, including for children with special educational needs and disabilities.The reforms to VAT and business rates, ending the exemptions which private schools previously enjoyed, are expected to raise £1.8 billion a year by 2029/30. This measure will raise essential revenue that will be invested in our public services, such as our £3.7 billion increase to school funding in 2025/26, taking core school funding to £65.3 billion compared to £61.6 billion in 2024/25.

On what dates (a) letters were sent and (b) meetings were held between (i) officials and (ii) Ministers in her Department with North Kent College on future governance arrangements with Hadlow Rural Community School.

The department values the Hadlow Rural Community School’s land-based curriculum offer. We have been, and remain, willing to consider how the department might support the school to continue to provide a broad land-based offer.As part of this consideration, in October 2024 departmental officials were in contact with North Kent College to understand their appetite for allowing the school to access the college’s neighbouring land-based facilities.Ministers have had no contact with North Kent College about this matter.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of issuing Afghans resettled under the (a) Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy and (b) Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme who were directly employed by the UK Government with Proof of Employment certificates.

On 1 March 2025, the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme and the Afghan Citizen Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) will become part of the Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP). The ARP is a cross-Government delivery programme which will bring existing resettlement routes into one, single pipeline. It is designed to make the delivery of Afghan resettlement simpler and more cost-effective, to help deliver better outcomes overall. Unfortunately, it is not feasible to breakdown those relocating to the UK by job role, including those who worked directly for His Majesty’s Government, in order to issue Proof of Employment certificates. However, the Government will continue to support those Afghans who have resettled in the UK through the ARP. This includes through supporting Afghan arrivals into self-sufficiency as quickly as possible to restart their lives in the UK.

If he will establish a statutory timeframe for communicating decisions on applications submitted under the (a) Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy and (b) Afghan Family Members policy.

Every application submitted under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme is considered on a case-by-case basis taking into account the evidence available. Whilst every effort is made to process applications as quickly as possible, some complex cases can take longer to process so that the appropriate decision is reached in each case. Due to this individual approach, a statutory timeframe would not be suitable. I am paying close attention to this issue and have asked officials to make every effort to ensure decision-making is accelerated wherever possible, in particular for cases that have been awaiting an answer for some time. This approach remains unchanged following the announcement of the Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP), which draws Afghan resettlement into a single delivery pipeline whilst retaining the current eligibility criteria of individual schemes such as ARAP. We inherited a considerable backlog in applications to process as the new Government and I am aware that people have been waiting longer than I would want for an outcome of an application. Therefore, I have directed officials to ensure that this backlog is cleared at pace whilst ensuring every case is processed correctly.

How many applications for additional family members seeking to resettle in the UK to join a principal who has already been resettled via the (a) Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy and (b) ex-Gratia scheme for Afghan interpreters are under consideration; and what proportion of these have been pending for more than six months.

As of 12 February 2025, there are 1,062 outstanding Additional Family Member (AFM) applications from individuals who have already been resettled under the current and previous Afghan resettlement schemes administered by the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Of these, 502 have been pending for more than six months. Whilst every effort is made to process applications as quickly as possible, each application is considered on a case-by-case basis taking into account the evidence available. The MOD has received over 170,000 separate ARAP applications, some of which are duplicates or erroneous, but all require individual deliberation. Within this, certain cases are particularly complex and can take longer to process in order to reach the appropriate outcome. We inherited a considerable backlog in applications to process as the new Government and I am aware that people have been waiting longer than I would want for an outcome of an application. Therefore, I have directed officials to ensure that this backlog is cleared at pace whilst ensuring every case is processed correctly.

If he will take steps to ensure that vulnerable Afghan family members are included in any new resettlement scheme.

The Government announced in December 2024 the launch of the Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP), a cross-Government programme that will bring existing Afghan resettlement schemes into one single pipeline. Whilst this is not a new resettlement scheme, it will ensure we support those eligible Afghans and their family members, including those who are vulnerable, to rebuild their lives in the UK.

Whether the Leave Outside the Rules process for Afghan family members will remain in place.

The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) operates under the Immigration Rules set out under Appendix ARAP. Amendments were made to Appendix ARAP in November 2022, resulting in additional family members who are eligible and suitable for entry clearance to be granted under the Immigration Rules instead of outside the Rules. During Operation PITTING a number of Afghan nationals were ‘called forward’ for evacuation, in addition to those who were called forward as eligible persons under the ARAP Immigration Rules but were unintentionally separated from their family members during the evacuation efforts. The Government launched ACRS Pathway 1, Stage 2: Separated Families Route on 30 July 2024 specifically to reunite families unintentionally separated during Operation PITTING. It is now closed to referrals, and we have already begun to see arrivals and families be reunited using this route.

How many requests for a review of negative decisions on Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy applications are awaiting resolution; and what proportion of these have been under review for more than six months.

As of 12 February 2025, there are 3,467 outstanding requests for a review of a negative decision on an Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) principal or Additional Family Member (AFM) application. Of these, 1,604 have been pending for more than six months. Whilst every effort is made to process applications as quickly as possible, each application is considered on a case-by-case basis taking into account the evidence available. The Ministry of Defence has received over 170,000 separate ARAP applications, some of which are duplicates or erroneous, but all require individual deliberation. Within this, certain cases are particularly complex and can take longer to process in order to reach the appropriate outcome. We inherited a considerable backlog in applications to process as the new Government and I am aware that people have been waiting longer than I would want for an outcome of an application. Therefore, I have directed officials to ensure that this backlog is cleared at pace whilst ensuring every case is processed correctly.

Food and Rural Affairs, what statutory guidance his Department issues to water companies on issuing compensation to customers in cases where the minimum standards of service required under The Water Supply and Sewerage Services (Customer Service Standards) Regulations 2008 have not been met.

The Water Supply and Sewerage Services (Customer Service Standards) Regulations 2008 are often referred to as the Guaranteed Standards Scheme (GSS). The GSS establishes baseline expectations for customer service and corresponding payments to be made to affected customers when the standards have not been met. The independent economic regulator Ofwat provides guidance on the scheme, as well as monitors and makes determinations to resolve disputes over GSS claims between companies and customers. Following a public consultation, the Government confirmed on 17 December 2024 that it will introduce new and increased statutory payments of double the previous amounts or more. The changes will also see the list of circumstances that can trigger compensation expand. Furthermore, in October 2024 UK and Welsh Governments launched what is expected to be the largest review of the water sector since privatisation, with an Independent Water Commission to examine the sector and its regulatory framework.

What discussions her Department has had with (a) Aviva, (b) Legal & General, (c) Pension Insurance Corporation and (d) Scottish Widows on public sector involvement in the consolidation of corporate sponsored defined benefit pension schemes in the last 12 months.

The Treasury engages regularly with the UK insurance sector on a range of issues, including on the consolidation of corporate sponsored defined benefit pension schemes which are also discussed with a wide range of other stakeholders. More broadly, the Government has consulted on options for private sector defined benefit schemes, including proposals on a public sector consolidator. The Government is currently considering consultation responses and will set out its response in due course.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 20 January 2025 to Question 23337 on Local Government: Debts, what will happen to existing Council debt following local government reorganisation where a local authority is carrying debt but is not subject to either an (a) best value notice and (b) exceptional financial support framework.

It is the responsibility of councils to manage their budgets, and it is standard for councils to borrow and to hold debt, which they will do in the normal course of business. Local government reorganisation does not change this.

Communities and Local Government, what criteria she plans to use to determine which local authorities are selected for the Devolution Priority Programme.

The Government is seeking to provide a fast track to mayoral devolution by May 2026 for areas ready to come together under sensible geographies which meet the criteria set out in the White Paper.

Communities and Local Government, what will happen to existing Council debt following local government reorganisation.

It is the responsibility of councils to manage their budgets, and it is standard for councils to borrow and to hold debt, which they will do in the normal course of business. Local government reorganisation does not change this. The government has a framework to support councils in financial difficulty. Previous Secretaries of State used statutory powers to intervene in a small number of councils failing their best value duty partly associated with high levels of unsustainable debt. We will continue to work with best value commissioners in these councils to support the councils’ financial recovery.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Renters' Rights Bill on the ability of Offices of the Police and Crime Commissioner to provide accommodation for police officers.

The government will continue to engage with stakeholders, including representatives of police forces and Police and Crime Commissioners, to ensure that the provisions of Renters’ Rights Bill operate effectively.