Written questions by Kearns.

Whether she has considered the potential merits of extending the access to work scheme to fund train tickets.

Access to Work contributes to the disability-related extra costs of working faced by disabled people and those with a health condition in the workplace that are beyond standard reasonable adjustments. It does not replace an employer’s duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments. The grant provides personalised support and workplace assessments, travel to work, support workers, and specialist aids and equipment. Access to work funding is used to support people’s ability to travel to work, it can fund a support worker, such as a travel buddy, to help on train journeys. Access to Work pays for the practical support that enables a person with eligible disabilities or health conditions to travel. Access to Work wouldn’t normally consider making payments to a customer if they can use suitable public transport but consideration will be made on disability, illness or health condition that may improve or get worse over time. The support that a customer will receive from Access to Work is dependent upon their needs and circumstances at the time they make an application. Case managers will use the current guidance to ensure Access to Work principles are considered when making a decision on support.

Whether he has considered the potential merits of extending the period for additional claims on the War Pension Scheme to six months.

There are no plans to change the time limits associated with claims under the War Pension Scheme to six months. It may be helpful to explain that this time limit does not prevent a claim for additional benefits being made after three months. If a claim for additional benefits is made after this time limit, the additional payments are made from the date of that claim. Whereas, if additional benefits are claimed within the time limit, payments will be backdated to the date of the original claim. The current process ensures timely support for claimants, preserves administrative efficiency, and safeguards the fairness and sustainability of the scheme. Claimants are made aware of this timeframe, but exceptions to it exist, such as if the claimant was unable to make a claim due to exceptional circumstances, or if new evidence comes to light that was not previously available.

What the immigration status was for Hamada Salah at the time he was sentenced for a sexual offence.

Any disclosures of the immigration or asylum status of suspects will be made in line with the processes set out in the National Police Chiefs’ Council interim guidance published on the 13 August.

If her Department will take steps to help (a) address delays in Citroën’s airbag recall repairs and (b) ensure drivers receive appropriate (i) support and (ii) reimbursement.

The Secretary of State recently wrote to Stellantis to express serious concerns about the customer impact of the stop-drive recall currently affecting Citroën and DS Automobiles cars in the United Kingdom. That correspondence urged Stellantis to take immediate steps to:Improve the effectiveness of their customer support, and that they make effective their commitments for ensuring that all affected owners – especially those with urgent mobility needs – are provided with viable alternatives, whether through courtesy cars, financial compensation, or at-home repair servicesPrioritise vulnerable customers who rely on their vehicles for essential travel – such as key workers, carers, and individuals with disabilitiesEnhance transparency by clearly communicating the timelines for resolution, and the alternative transport or compensation provisions that are in place.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will provide the Intelligence and Security Committee with intelligence assessments conducted as part of his Department’s China audit.

The Foreign Secretary has invited the Intelligence and Security Committee to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to receive a briefing from his senior officials on the China Audit.

If he will provide guidance on how Parliamentarians may scrutinise the visit of the National Security Advisor to Beijing, in the context of his decision not to give evidence to Parliamentary Committees.

The Government has confirmed that the National Security Adviser will attend a private session with the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy in Parliament.

If he will publish a summary of the discussions held by the National Security Advisor and Chinese Foreign Minister in Beijing on 14 July 2025.

The Government does not routinely comment on the meetings of the National Security Adviser, which are often sensitive in nature.

Whether the Prime Minister authorised the National Security Advisor to meet with the Chinese Foreign Minister in Beijing on 14 July 2025.

The National Security Adviser discusses a wide range of national security matters with the Prime Minister. The Government does not routinely comment on the meetings of the National Security Adviser, which are often sensitive in nature.

If the National Security Advisor will give evidence to a Parliamentary Committee following his meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister on 14 July 2025.

The Government has confirmed that the National Security Adviser will attend a private session with the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy in Parliament.

What the immigration status was for Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu at the time he was charged with three counts of sexual assault.

Any disclosures of the immigration or asylum status of suspects will be made in line with the processes set out in the National Police Chiefs’ Council interim guidance published on the 13 August.

What the immigration status was for Rabie Knissi when he was sentenced for a sexual offence committed in March 2024.

Any disclosures of the immigration or asylum status of suspects will be made in line with the processes set out in the National Police Chiefs’ Council interim guidance published on the 13 August.

What the immigration status was for Khaliz Ali Alshimery at the time he committed rape in November 2023.

Any disclosures of the immigration or asylum status of suspects will be made in line with the processes set out in the National Police Chiefs’ Council interim guidance published on the 13 August.

What the immigration status was for Ziad Khawla at the time he was charged with the rape of a minor in Belfast.

Any disclosures of the immigration or asylum status of suspects will be made in line with the processes set out in the National Police Chiefs’ Council interim guidance published on the 13 August.

What the immigration status was for Dan Tesfalul at the time he was sentenced for the rape of a woman in Norwich in May 2024.

Any disclosures of the immigration or asylum status of suspects will be made in line with the processes set out in the National Police Chiefs’ Council interim guidance published on the 13 August.

What the immigration status was for Sadeq Nikzad when he raped a minor in Falkirk in October 2023.

Any disclosures of the immigration or asylum status of suspects will be made in line with the processes set out in the National Police Chiefs’ Council interim guidance published on the 13 August.

What the immigration status was for Kamren Khan at the time he was charged with multiple rapes of a child between April and July 2025.

Any disclosures of the immigration or asylum status of suspects will be made in line with the processes set out in the National Police Chiefs’ Council interim guidance published on the 13 August.

If she will make an impact assessment of the use of touchscreen devices in Reception Baseline Assessments.

The digital elements of the reception baseline assessment (RBA) have been in development since 2019 and subject to extensive trials with teachers and pupils, using the Standards and Testing Agency’s internationally recognised assessment development approach. This has included item validation trials in 2020, 2021 and 2023 involving 2,801 pupils across 277 schools, and a technical pre-test trial in 2022 where 2,406 assessments were completed across a nationally representative sample of 254 schools. In November and December 2024, a voluntary trial involving over 1,000 schools took place, and participating schools undertook key activities needed to administer the assessment, including completing a sample assessment with three pupils. Input from the trials and extensive review by early years experts and teachers has helped shape the content and the digital platform to meet the needs of schools and pupils.The revised RBA remains interactive and play-based, retaining the use of small toys and verbal responses for other questions. Pupils can respond verbally to on-screen questions if they do not wish to interact with the screen, and a paper-based alternative is available where this is more suitable for the pupil.Schools, trusts, and local authorities are responsible for making decisions that best meet their educational and operational needs regarding the use of technology in the classroom. The department does not set specific requirements for how often schools should use tablets. To help schools make informed decisions when procuring technology, the department has published advice and guidance to schools through the digital and technology standards and the plan technology for your school service.

Whether her Department has undertaken an impact assessment in relation to the use of touchscreen devices in Reception Baseline Assessments.

The digital elements of the reception baseline assessment (RBA) have been in development since 2019 and subject to extensive trials with teachers and pupils, using the Standards and Testing Agency’s internationally recognised assessment development approach. This has included item validation trials in 2020, 2021 and 2023 involving 2,801 pupils across 277 schools, and a technical pre-test trial in 2022 where 2,406 assessments were completed across a nationally representative sample of 254 schools. In November and December 2024, a voluntary trial involving over 1,000 schools took place, and participating schools undertook key activities needed to administer the assessment, including completing a sample assessment with three pupils. Input from the trials and extensive review by early years experts and teachers has helped shape the content and the digital platform to meet the needs of schools and pupils.The revised RBA remains interactive and play-based, retaining the use of small toys and verbal responses for other questions. Pupils can respond verbally to on-screen questions if they do not wish to interact with the screen, and a paper-based alternative is available where this is more suitable for the pupil.Schools, trusts, and local authorities are responsible for making decisions that best meet their educational and operational needs regarding the use of technology in the classroom. The department does not set specific requirements for how often schools should use tablets. To help schools make informed decisions when procuring technology, the department has published advice and guidance to schools through the digital and technology standards and the plan technology for your school service.

What discussions his Department has had with the National Grid on the potential impact of the cost to the public purse for compensation for communities in relation to the erection of pylons on its decisions to opt for (a) electric pylons and (b) subsea cables for energy transmission.

Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

When she expects the Police Remuneration Review Body Report to be published.

On 1 August, the previous Home Secretary announced that the Government has accepted the PRRB’s recommendations in full, including a 4.2% consolidated pay increase for police officers (up to and including the rank of Chief Superintendent), effective from 1 September 2025.To support forces with the cost of the pay award, the Home Office is providing additional funding of £120m in 2025/26.