Written questions by Chamberlain.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of simplifying application forms for social security entitlements.

The Department continues to review the experience of users of its services, and seeks to balance application simplicity with obtaining the information needed for an accurate award. A key objective of DWP’s Service Modernisation Programme, drawing on end user research, is to assess how applications should be made in the future, and consider the opportunities for more user friendly and easily accessible services. DWP Agents and third-party organisations are available to support customers with applications. For those without third party support, DWP provides various support to assist with benefit applications. The Department’s Visiting Service offers the most vulnerable applicants help with form completion.

What steps she is taking to support (a) credit unions and (b) other responsible lenders.

The Government has made clear its strong support for the credit union sector, recognising the value that credit unions bring to their members in local communities across the country in providing products and affordable credit. In her Mansion House speech on 14 November, the Chancellor announced new measures to support the growth of the credit union and mutuals sector. This included publishing a call for evidence on the potential to reform common bonds for credit unions in Great Britain, asking the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) to produce a report on the mutuals landscape by the end of 2025, and welcoming the establishment of an industry-led Mutual and Co-operative Business Council. The Government recognises that credit, when provided responsibly, can be crucial for people facing unexpected expenses or managing their cash flow. Alongside continuing to engage with the banking and mutuals sector, HM Treasury is considering access to affordable credit more broadly as part of the financial inclusion strategy work announced last year.Additionally, Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) play an important role in the provision of credit to SMEs and individuals, promoting access to finance, and offering an alternative to mainstream lenders. The Government has a renewed commitment to the CDFI sector and launched the Community ENABLE Funding programme through the British Business Bank in November 2024. This has the overall purpose of increasing the supply of debt finance to smaller businesses by supporting CDFIs.

What steps her Department is taking to effectively communicate to eligible people over State Pension age that they may be entitled to Carer’s Allowance.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is constantly working to improve the way it communicates information and is committed to encouraging older people to claim Carer’s Allowance where they are entitled to it. Information and advice about entitlement to Carer’s Allowance may be available from a range of outlets including DWP and other helplines, gov.uk and other internet sites, local authorities, Citizens Advice and welfare benefit offices, Social Services, voluntary organisations, such as, Age UK, Carers UK and Carers Trust and MacMillan, public libraries, health clinics, doctors' surgeries and health visitors.

What steps she is taking to share data between her Department and HMRC to identify households eligible for Pension Credit.

HMRC and DWP already have well established data-sharing processes and procedures, which are governed by the rules on how data can be accessed, shared and used whilst safeguarding individuals’ data and privacy. DWP officials are currently working with HMRC to explore how to use data more effectively to help identify pensioner households most likely to be eligible for Pension Credit and to target them directly.

If she will publish any guidance provided to the DVLA on methods of communicating with license holders.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) uses several methods of communicating with licence holders to ensure they are kept informed.The DVLA sends out important documents, reminders, notifications by traditional mail and encrypted email where a licence holder consents to correspond in this way. The DVLA also provides a suite of online driver services, where customers can renew their driving licence or notify a medical condition.Licence holders can access their information and manage their driving licence, vehicle registration and other services if they have a customer account. Digital tax reminders are already available within the customer account and this is being extended to include digital driving licence reminders. Customers can track the progress of their driving licence application and communicate with the DVLA using this service.The DVLA also provides customer service via telephone, which allows licence holders to ask questions or resolve issues directly. In addition to these services, the DVLA uses social media platforms to share information and updates with the public about its services.The DVLA has a dedicated team responsible for the improvement of its driver licensing services and communications.

How many driving licenses have been revoked in each month since January 2024.

The table below provides the number of drivers who have been revoked in each month since January 2024. VolumesMonthDrivers revoked under the New Drivers Act 1995Group 1(car & motorcycle) drivers revoked on medical groundsGroup 2(bus and lorry) drivers revoked on medical groundsJan-241,1733,226341Feb-241,1213,214322Mar-241,1603,164342Apr-241,1483,094248May-241,2013,099260Jun-241,1252,616294Jul-241,2233,603424Aug-241,0913,298359Sep-241,1063,345342Oct-241,1123,410390Nov-241,1113,109331Dec-241,0482,503301Jan-251,0833,056415Feb-25N/A3,032353Total14,70243,7694,722 Group 1 and 2 revocations should not be added together as there will be an element of double accounting. The medical standards for Group 2 driving are higher than Group1 and Group 2 drivers may lose just their Group 2 entitlement or may lose both Group 1 and 2 entitlement.

How many applications were opened under the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (a) Pathway 1, (b) Pathway 2 and (c) Pathway 3 in each month since August 2021.

The Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP) brings together existing Afghan resettlement schemes into a single, efficient pipeline. Further information about this is available on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/afghan-resettlement-programme. The Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) is not application based. Eligible people are prioritised and referred for resettlement under its 3 pathways, and further information about the scheme can be found on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/afghan-citizens-resettlement-scheme. Whilst the Home Office has not published the specific information requested, our latest Afghan resettlement operational data publication (found on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/afghan-resettlement-programme-operational-data/afghan-resettlement-programme-operational-data) shows that since the end of Op Pitting (in August 2021) up until the end of December 2024 we have welcomed around 34,940 people to safety from Afghanistan and the region. This includes 31,944 individuals who have been resettled under the ARP.* The operational data publication also shows that we have so far granted Indefinite Leave to Remain to:9,784 under ACRS Pathway 11,247 under ACRS Pathway 21,594 under ACRS Pathway 3 Further statistics on individuals resettled or relocated under the Afghan schemes are available in the latest Immigration System Statistics release published on 27 February 2025. This can be accessed on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immigration-statistics-quarterly-release.

How many applications were classed as under consideration in the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (a) Pathway 1, (b) Pathway 2 and (c) Pathway 3 in each month since August 2021.

The Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP) brings together existing Afghan resettlement schemes into a single, efficient pipeline. Further information about this is available on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/afghan-resettlement-programme. The Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) is not application based. Eligible people are prioritised and referred for resettlement under its 3 pathways, and further information about the scheme can be found on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/afghan-citizens-resettlement-scheme. Whilst the Home Office has not published the specific information requested, our latest Afghan resettlement operational data publication (found on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/afghan-resettlement-programme-operational-data/afghan-resettlement-programme-operational-data) shows that since the end of Op Pitting (in August 2021) up until the end of December 2024 we have welcomed around 34,940 people to safety from Afghanistan and the region. This includes 31,944 individuals who have been resettled under the ARP.* The operational data publication also shows that we have so far granted Indefinite Leave to Remain to:9,784 under ACRS Pathway 11,247 under ACRS Pathway 21,594 under ACRS Pathway 3 Further statistics on individuals resettled or relocated under the Afghan schemes are available in the latest Immigration System Statistics release published on 27 February 2025. This can be accessed on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immigration-statistics-quarterly-release.

How many applications were rejected under the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (a) Pathway 1, (b) Pathway 2 and (c) Pathway 3 in each month since August 2021.

The Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP) brings together existing Afghan resettlement schemes into a single, efficient pipeline. Further information about this is available on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/afghan-resettlement-programme. The Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) is not application based. Eligible people are prioritised and referred for resettlement under its 3 pathways, and further information about the scheme can be found on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/afghan-citizens-resettlement-scheme. Whilst the Home Office has not published the specific information requested, our latest Afghan resettlement operational data publication (found on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/afghan-resettlement-programme-operational-data/afghan-resettlement-programme-operational-data) shows that since the end of Op Pitting (in August 2021) up until the end of December 2024 we have welcomed around 34,940 people to safety from Afghanistan and the region. This includes 31,944 individuals who have been resettled under the ARP.* The operational data publication also shows that we have so far granted Indefinite Leave to Remain to:9,784 under ACRS Pathway 11,247 under ACRS Pathway 21,594 under ACRS Pathway 3 Further statistics on individuals resettled or relocated under the Afghan schemes are available in the latest Immigration System Statistics release published on 27 February 2025. This can be accessed on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immigration-statistics-quarterly-release.

How many applications were closed under the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (a) Pathway 1, (b) Pathway 2 and (c) Pathway 3 in each month since August 2021.

The Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP) brings together existing Afghan resettlement schemes into a single, efficient pipeline. Further information about this is available on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/afghan-resettlement-programme. The Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) is not application based. Eligible people are prioritised and referred for resettlement under its 3 pathways, and further information about the scheme can be found on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/afghan-citizens-resettlement-scheme. Whilst the Home Office has not published the specific information requested, our latest Afghan resettlement operational data publication (found on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/afghan-resettlement-programme-operational-data/afghan-resettlement-programme-operational-data) shows that since the end of Op Pitting (in August 2021) up until the end of December 2024 we have welcomed around 34,940 people to safety from Afghanistan and the region. This includes 31,944 individuals who have been resettled under the ARP.* The operational data publication also shows that we have so far granted Indefinite Leave to Remain to:9,784 under ACRS Pathway 11,247 under ACRS Pathway 21,594 under ACRS Pathway 3 Further statistics on individuals resettled or relocated under the Afghan schemes are available in the latest Immigration System Statistics release published on 27 February 2025. This can be accessed on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immigration-statistics-quarterly-release.

What recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of airport expansion on the ability of the UK to meet its net zero targets.

The government is committed to reaching net zero by 2050 and meeting our climate change obligations, as set out in the Climate Change Act. Delivering greener transport to help make Britain a clean energy superpower is a Department for Transport priority. We have been clear that any airport expansion proposals will need to demonstrate they contribute to economic growth and can be delivered in line with the UK’s legally binding climate change commitment. DfT analysis shows that we can achieve aviation net zero 2050 under a range of assumptions about future technology development without the Government needing to intervene directly to limit airport expansion.

How many applications were approved under the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (a) Pathway 1, (b) Pathway 2 and (c) Pathway 3 in each month since August 2021.

The Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP) brings together existing Afghan resettlement schemes into a single, efficient pipeline. Further information about this is available on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/afghan-resettlement-programme. The Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) is not application based. Eligible people are prioritised and referred for resettlement under its 3 pathways, and further information about the scheme can be found on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/afghan-citizens-resettlement-scheme. Whilst the Home Office has not published the specific information requested, our latest Afghan resettlement operational data publication (found on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/afghan-resettlement-programme-operational-data/afghan-resettlement-programme-operational-data) shows that since the end of Op Pitting (in August 2021) up until the end of December 2024 we have welcomed around 34,940 people to safety from Afghanistan and the region. This includes 31,944 individuals who have been resettled under the ARP.* The operational data publication also shows that we have so far granted Indefinite Leave to Remain to:9,784 under ACRS Pathway 11,247 under ACRS Pathway 21,594 under ACRS Pathway 3 Further statistics on individuals resettled or relocated under the Afghan schemes are available in the latest Immigration System Statistics release published on 27 February 2025. This can be accessed on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immigration-statistics-quarterly-release.

What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues on improving support for unpaid carers.

Supporting unpaid carers is a cross-Government issue which requires cross-Government support. I recently met with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets in the Department for Business and Trade and the Minister of State for Social Security and Disability in the Department for Work and Pensions to look at how we can work together more closely to support unpaid carers.The Government has already taken steps to support unpaid carers. From April 2025, we are increasing the Carer's Allowance weekly earnings limit from £151 a week to £196. This means carers can earn up to £10,000 a year whilst still retaining Carer's Allowance; this is approximately an additional £2,000 a year.The Government recognises the challenges facing the adult social care system. That is why the Government is launching an independent commission into adult social care as part of our critical first steps towards delivering a National Care Service.The commission will start a national conversation about what working age adults, older people, and their families expect from adult social care, including exploring the needs of unpaid carers who provide vital care and support.The Government is also committed to reviewing the implementation of Carer’s Leave and examining the benefits of introducing paid Carer’s Leave.

If he will take steps to ensure that the cross-government delivery plan for ME/CFS establishes a common UK-wide approach.

The final delivery plan for myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, will cover the population of England only.However, due to the United Kingdom-wide nature of this issue, we have maintained engagement with the devolved administrations during the analysis of the consultation responses on the interim delivery plan, as well as on the ongoing development of the final plan.We will continue to work closely with those devolved administrations to ensure that policy development and learning across the UK’s nations is shared.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to stop the escalation of violence in Juba, Sudan.

On 16 and 17 January, violent protests and looting of Sudanese businesses took place in Juba and across South Sudan. Security forces rapidly managed to restore calm but around 10,000 people were displaced and an unknown number killed. The protests were triggered by reports (including footage circulated on social media) of South Sudanese civilians being killed by allied militias of the Sudanese Armed Forces in Wad Madani, Sudan. Working with partners, the Foreign Secretary is determined to re-energise a political process on ending the Sudan conflict, protecting civilians, and getting aid to where it is most needed. The UK has also raised the importance of ensuring the protection of all civilians with the transitional government of South Sudan. This includes my visit to South Sudan in August 2024 where I pressed the South Sudanese Government to make progress towards peaceful, credible and inclusive elections, emphasising the need for political dialogue to ensure peace and stability.

How many Parliamentary Private Secretary position holders have changed roles since September 2024.

Details of changes to Parliamentary Private Secretary post holders since the September 2024 list was published will be included in the next list when it is published on gov.uk.

If he will publish a list of Parliamentary Private Secretaries.

A list of Parliamentary Private Secretaries was published by the Cabinet Office in September 2024 on gov.uk and is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/list-of-parliamentary-private-secretaries-pps-september-2024. It will be updated periodically.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 November 2024 to Question 13623 on Agriculture: Inheritance Tax, whether she has made a comparative assessment of the potential impact of (a) agricultural property relief and (b) busines

The Government published information about the reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief at www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms. It is expected that up to around 2...

Pursuant to her answer of 12 September 2024 to Question 4167 on Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority: Staff, how many in-person inspections were carried out by GLAA officers on farms in Scotland in

The GLAA has conducted, at minimum, the following number of inspections on farms in Scotland over the last 5 years:2019 – 52020 – 102021 – 222022 – 72023 – 7These figures include compliance and enforcement inspections, as well as joint inspections with ot...

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to phase-out the use of (a) glyphosate and (b) other pesticides in public spaces.

It is for each local authority to decide the best way of delivering effective and cost-effective weed control in its operations without harming people or the environment. We are working with stakeholders in the sector to increase awareness and uptake of I...