Written questions by Martin.

What discussions she has had with Skills England on the decision to exclude level 7 apprenticeships from the Apprenticeship Levy; and whether she is exploring alternative support for firms to provide these qualifications.

The government is committed to spreading opportunities and economic growth supported by a strong skills system.This government has an extremely challenging fiscal inheritance. There are tough choices that need to be taken on how funding should be prioritised in order to generate opportunities for young people that enable them to make a start in good, fulfilling careers, and the department will therefore be asking more employers to step forward and fund a significant number of level 7 apprenticeships themselves outside of the levy-funded growth and skills offer.The department has received a wide range of representations on level 7 apprenticeships which it is currently considering. These have been received directly and via Skills England, which has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders on this matter and has shared its findings with the department.The department recognises the importance of providing clarity as soon as possible on future funding for level 7 apprenticeships and will communicate next steps in due course.

Communities and Local Government, whether Portsmouth City Council applied to participate in the High Street Rental Auctions scheme.

High Street Rental Auctions (HSRAs) can be used by any local authority in England to auction the lease of persistently vacant commercial properties. 11 local authorities are Early Adopters of High Street Rental Auctions. These will be amongst the first to deliver and champion these powers, working closely with the department and helping to shape future guidance. Portsmouth City Council did not apply to become an Early Adopter but is still able to use these powers. A fund of over £1 million is available to all English local authorities to support the delivery of HSRAs.

For what reason he approved Project Selbourne.

The Project Selborne contract began on 1 April 2021 and is implementing a transformation in the way that the Royal Navy delivers its training, unlocking more opportunities for them to fulfil their potential and get better trained people to the frontline, quicker. We keep the program made by Project Selbourne under review.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the training provided by Capita to the Royal Navy.

The Project Selborne contract began on 1 April 2021 and is implementing a transformation in the way that the Royal Navy delivers its training, unlocking more opportunities for them to fulfil their potential and get better trained people to the frontline, quicker. We keep the program made by Project Selbourne under review.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he has taken to help protect communities that are vulnerable to flooding.

As part of the Government’s Plan for Change, a record £2.65 billion will be invested over two years in building, maintaining and repairing flood defences, better protecting 52,000 properties by March 2026. Around 1,000 projects will receive funding in 24/25 and 25/26. An additional £50 million has been allocated to internal drainage boards for flood resilience in rural areas, while £60 million has been distributed to farmers affected by severe weather. From the investment programme, £108 million is being redirected for the maintenance and repair of flood assets, including £36 million for repairs following recent storms. The Government inherited an outdated funding formula for allocating money to proposed flood defences. The existing formula slows down the delivery of new flood schemes through a complex application process, and also neglects more innovative approaches to flood management such as nature-based approaches and sustainable drainage A consultation will be launched in the coming months which will include a review of the existing formula to ensure that the challenges facing businesses and communities are adequately taken into account when delivering flood protection. Additionally, in September 2024, the Government established the Floods Resilience Taskforce to improve preparedness and coordination across national, regional, and local levels.

With reference to the Answer of 14 February 2025 to Question 30583 on Undocumented Migrants: English Channel, on how many days Border Force implemented a red rating for expected numbers of small boat crossings in the Channel between (a) 5 July 2023 and 5 March 2024 inclusive and (b) 5 July 2024 and 5 March 2025 inclusive.

Border Force records show that crossing attempts were assessed as being ‘likely’ or ‘highly likely’ on 117 occasions between 5 July 2024 to 5 March 2025, and on 61 occasions between 5 July 2023 to 5 March 2024.

On how many days significant wave heights in the English Channel were forecast to be less than 0.5 meters high in each calendar month between January 2021 and December 2024.

The information requested is set out in the table below: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecTotal2021841311172320101971310155202212318112019222119137416920238147121316101415632120202455982120181613191210156

Whether her Department has taken steps to work with Portsmouth City Council to help increase pension credit take-up.

As part of our nationwide Pension Credit campaign, the Department has engaged with all councils in Great Britain, including Portsmouth City Council, via the regular LA Welfare Direct bulletins. The LA Welfare Direct 8/2024 bulletin in August featured a ‘c...

What recent discussions he has had with (a) the Ministry of Defence and (b) OFGEM on the AQUIND Interconnector project.

Details of Ministers’ and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. Published declarations include the purpose of the meeting and the names of any additional external organisa...

When he will publish a decision on the AQUIND Interconnector project.

The Secretary of State continues to follow the process stated in his letter of 12 July 2024 to AQUIND Limited and the Ministry of Defence regarding considering the MOD’s representations. The 12 July 2024 letter and further updates can be found on the Plan...

Communities and Local Government, what steps has she taken to ensure that the drive to build new social housing will include (a) an assessment of how much additional supported housing is required and (b) provisio

The Government has committed to delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. We will bring forward details of future investment at the Spending Review.Minister Ali set out on 10 September that the Government will...

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential merits of establishing a cross-departmental programme led by the Cabinet Office to (a) develop a long-term

The Deputy Prime Minister is leading cross-government work to deliver the long-term solutions we need to get us back on track to ending homelessness. This includes chairing a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG), bringing together ministers from across...

What steps he is taking to work with the six largest energy suppliers to ensure that they (a) help support vulnerable customers with their bills and (b) provide adequate social tariffs.

I have been meeting regularly with energy suppliers to outline my expectations of the standard of service that they should provide, including supporting vulnerable consumers.In August, I met with 13 suppliers – including the six largest suppliers – and en...

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to enable criminal charges to be brought against water company executives who persistently break the law.

The Water (Special Measures) Bill delivers on the Government’s commitment to bring criminal charges against persistent lawbreakers. Through the Bill, the maximum penalty for obstruction of investigations by the regulators will be strengthened to include i...

What steps she is taking to help improve educational outcomes for (a) children in social care and (b) other care-experienced young people.

This government will champion the ambitions of all children and ensure that background is not a barrier to success. In the department’s Children’s Wellbeing Bill, we will set out our plans to raise standards for all children in social care and will ensure...