Written questions by Rosindell.

What steps he is taking with the private care home sector to improve bed capacity within the NHS.

Local authorities should determine the volume and type of services, including care home beds, that are required to meet their responsibilities under the Care Act 2014. National Health Service integrated care boards, local authorities, and providers should work together to ensure that efforts to discharge individuals from hospital into social care are joined up and make best use of available resources, in line with the duty to cooperate set out in Section 82 of the NHS Act 2006.In December 2024 there were, on average, 12,000 adult patients in acute hospital beds per day with delayed discharges, 5% fewer than in December 2023.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to help support local authorities to tackle rodent infestations in public buildings.

Funding for local authorities is available through the Local Government Finance Settlement. The Settlement for 2025-26 makes available over £69 billion for local government, which is a 6.8% cash terms increase in councils’ Core Spending Power on 2024-25. The majority of funding in the Local Government Finance Settlement is unringfenced recognising that local leaders are best placed to decide how resources should be used to deliver local priorities, including providing pest control services.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help improve sea access infrastructure on St Helena.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) provided approximately £4.79 million in funding through the St Helena Economic Development and Investment Programme for the construction of a new port and cargo handling facilities at Rupert's Bay. The FCDO has also funded two new roads better connecting Rupert's Bay to Jamestown. The new facilities will allow for cargo operations to be moved from the current port at Jamestown, opening the waterfront for tourism purposes.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to help improve mutual twinning arrangements between local authorities and the British Overseas Territories.

With the support of funding from the UK Government, Hampshire County Council is twinned with Anguilla and St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, and Suffolk County Council is twinned with Montserrat. These partnerships are focused on learning and support in children and adults social care and education.Links between local authorities in the United Kingdom and with British Overseas Territories are principally a matter for those authorities themselves. However, the Government recognises that such links, as well as those between local authorities in the United Kingdom and abroad more generally can be beneficial to those authorities, bringing with them learning and best practice from all over the world as well as creating and deepening ties between people and communities. The Government is therefore supportive of more and better such links.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help promote governance standards on Pitcairn Island.

The UK Government is working with the governments of the Overseas Territories to achieve the highest standards in governance. In the Pitcairn Islands the Governor and Administrator are working with the Council to improve the delivery of public services. The Governor has commissioned a restructure of the Pitcairn Public Service to better service the needs of the community. The Minister for the Overseas Territories discussed the ongoing public services review with the Mayor of Pitcairn at the Joint Ministerial Council in 2024. The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office undertakes audits of the budgetary support it provides to the Government of the Pitcairn Islands, for which a fiduciary risk assessment has recently been undertaken by PWC.

What steps he is taking to help support the Northern Ireland Executive to prepare for extreme weather events.

The UK government is committed to working closely with the devolved governments to support climate adaptation across the UK and build resilience to risks such as those from extreme weather. Adaptation is a devolved matter, and the Northern Ireland Climate Change Adaptation Programme sets out the steps being taken to build resilience to climate risks in Northern Ireland. The policies and actions in the third National Adaptation Programme include those taken by the UK Government for the UK as a whole on reserved matters.The UK government also has an important role to play in coordinating the response to the impacts of extreme weather on the UK as was most recently seen during and after Storm Éowyn. Where UK Ministers and officials were in close contact throughout the response with their counterparts in the Northern Ireland Executive to facilitate the deployment of support as needed.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help improve sea access infrastructure on Tristan da Cunha.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) funds maintenance and upgrades to Tristan da Cunha's harbour through its provision of Technical Assistance and Essential Infrastructure programme. The programme has provided over £35,000 of funding towards the harbour in the current financial year. The FCDO will continue to ensure that access to Tristan da Cunha is maintained.

What steps he is taking to help tackle illegal narcotic trade within the Caribbean Sea.

A Royal Navy ship is persistently deployed to the Caribbean. In conjunction with the US, this ship conducts counter illicit trafficking operations to directly intercept drug smugglers. In addition, a Royal Naval officer provides UK liaison to the US Joint Inter Agency Task Force (South) in Florida to ensure that we collaborate to best effect with allies.

If she will take steps to ensure that English pupils are educated to a basic level in the history of each nation of the UK.

The national curriculum for history has a strong focus on British history. It gives teachers and schools the flexibility to teach pupils about the history of each nation of the UK across the three key stages.At key stage 1, pupils should be taught about changes within living memory, events beyond living memory that are significant nationally, and the lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national achievements. At key stage 2, when teaching about changes in British history, further foundations can be developed for the teaching of the history of each nation of the UK.Teaching about each nation of the UK can take place across the time periods and themes at key stage 3 and non-statutory examples are suggested across this key stage. The nations of the UK could also be taught within the requirement for the study of an aspect or theme in British history that consolidates and extends pupils’ chronological knowledge from before 1066 and within local history across the three key stages.As part of the flexibility all schools have in teaching the national curriculum, schools and teachers are able to determine which examples, topics and resources to use to stimulate and challenge pupils and reflect key points in history.The department announced a Curriculum and Assessment Review last year. The Review’s interim report is due to be published in early spring 2025, with a final report later in the year. The government is legislating so that, following the Review and the implementation of reforms, academies will be required to teach the new national curriculum, alongside other state-funded schools.

What his threshold is for using the Stormont brake mechanism within the Windsor Framework.

The statutory duties applicable to the Secretary of State in respect of the Stormont Brake are provided for in domestic law under Schedule 6B to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. This sets out the criteria against which any notification by MLAs is assessed.

What recent discussions she has had with the retail banking sector on the accessibility of high street banks.

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this parliament. Over 200 hubs have been announced so far, and over 100 are already open.Alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking and via the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK.The treatment of customers by UK banks is governed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which requires firms to provide a prompt, efficient, and fair service to all of their customers. This includes special considerations for vulnerable customers, such as the elderly and disabled. Additionally, under the Equality Act 2010, banks must make reasonable adjustments to ensure their services are accessible to all.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, What steps he is taking to help improve (a) healthcare infrastructure and (b) provision within Montserrat.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is committed to supporting the healthcare infrastructure and provision in Montserrat. It has continued its commitment to the building of the new hospital in Montserrat by providing up to £39.9 million through the Capital Investment Programme for Resilient Economic Growth. The new hospital will have a dedicated acute mental health room, plus two operating theatres including endoscopy and full diagnostic suite. The FCDO is also funding two ambulances for Montserrat which will arrive in the next few months and, working with the UK Health Security Agency, we are providing an epidemiologist from March.

What steps she is taking to tackle fraud within the private publishing sector.

We recognise that all businesses, including publishing houses, are a target for fraudsters. Government supports businesses through a number of measures including the Confirmation of Payee checks, which allow customers, including businesses, to confirm the name of a recipient before transferring money to them.We have also helped business to protect themselves against cyber threats, including cyber enabled fraud, through the National Cyber Security Centre and the ten regional resilience centres across England and Wales and the Police Cyber Alarm. The Stop! Think Fraud campaign also included advice for businesses on how to protect themselves from fraud.Further, an Economic Crime Survey is being conducted to find out more about the prevalence and impacts of economic crime (including fraud) against business. We expect the results to be published in mid-2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help improve sea access infrastructure on Montserrat.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is supporting the development of the port in Montserrat by providing a grant of £28.3 million from the UK's Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (UKCIF), which is delivered in partnership with the Caribbean Development Bank. The project also includes £7 million funding from the EU. The new pier will supplement the existing pier that was constructed after the volcanic eruptions. Additionally, the FCDO's has funded the acquisition of new dual-view scanners and explosion detection scanners for the seaport (and airport). The new scanners are to ensure Montserrat can meet the minimum standards for border controls. It also includes training of officials and decommissioning of the old equipment.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking with relevant organisations to help tackle anti-Christian religiously-aggravated criminal damage.

We are absolutely clear that all forms of racial and religious discrimination are completely unacceptable, including that directed at Christians, and we committed to protecting the right of individuals to freely practise their religion. Churches and Christian charities occupy a valuable position in society through their access to active citizens, their role within local communities and their good relationships with other faith groups. Government and police routinely assess potential threats to ensure that protective measures are in place to protect Christian communities and their places of worship against terrorism and hate crime. Government however does not hold detailed hate crime data broken down per constituency.

Communities and Local Government, how many instances of religiously aggravated criminal damage were reported in (a) England and (b) Romford constituency in the last 12 months.

We are absolutely clear that all forms of racial and religious discrimination are completely unacceptable, including that directed at Christians, and we committed to protecting the right of individuals to freely practise their religion. Churches and Christian charities occupy a valuable position in society through their access to active citizens, their role within local communities and their good relationships with other faith groups. Government and police routinely assess potential threats to ensure that protective measures are in place to protect Christian communities and their places of worship against terrorism and hate crime. Government however does not hold detailed hate crime data broken down per constituency.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking with relevant organisations to help tackle anti-Christian hate crimes.

We are absolutely clear that all forms of racial and religious discrimination are completely unacceptable, including that directed at Christians, and we committed to protecting the right of individuals to freely practise their religion. Churches and Christian charities occupy a valuable position in society through their access to active citizens, their role within local communities and their good relationships with other faith groups. Government and police routinely assess potential threats to ensure that protective measures are in place to protect Christian communities and their places of worship against terrorism and hate crime. Government however does not hold detailed hate crime data broken down per constituency.

Communities and Local Government, how many anti-Christian hate crimes were reported in (a) England and (b) Romford constituency in the last 12 months.

We are absolutely clear that all forms of racial and religious discrimination are completely unacceptable, including that directed at Christians, and we committed to protecting the right of individuals to freely practise their religion. Churches and Christian charities occupy a valuable position in society through their access to active citizens, their role within local communities and their good relationships with other faith groups. Government and police routinely assess potential threats to ensure that protective measures are in place to protect Christian communities and their places of worship against terrorism and hate crime. Government however does not hold detailed hate crime data broken down per constituency.

What steps she is taking to increase police officer (a) recruitment and (b) retention within Greater London.

The Government is committed to ensuring police forces are supported to effectively tackle crime. We are clear that visible policing is essential to restoring public confidence in the police. As a result, our expectation is that officer numbers must be protected.We expect the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to do all it can to halt the decline in officer numbers and prioritise frontline policing.The Government is supporting the MPS by providing the force with £3.8 billion of funding in the 2025/26 police settlement. This is a £226.9 million increase when compared with the 2024/25 settlement, equating to a 6.4% cash increase and 3.9% real terms. In addition for 2025/26, we have transferred some ringfenced funding to the core grant, of which the MPS will receive its funding formula share.We will work with the MPS and Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) to fully understand the force’s recruitment challenges. The MPS must ensure that they are taking every step available to put in place recruitment and retention plans that prevent further reductions in headcount and protect officer numbers.

What steps she is taking to increase the (a) recruitment and (b) retention of UKBA officers.

Regarding the recruitment of Border Force officers, the latest published staffing and finance figures can be found in the Home Office Annual Reports: Home Office annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK.However, Border Force workforce planning reflects our evolving requirements and comprises of multiple resourcing options with decisions being assessed against several factors including the potential impacts they may have. As well as having an existing group of highly trained officers, Border Force has run several fair and open competition recruitment campaigns over the last few months – including alternative working options – which were open to anyone interested in working for Border Force.On the issue of retention, we recognise that being a Border Force officer is a demanding role. That is why we have introduced additional mental health support to ensure our officers are supported if needed. Additionally, as a key recommendation of the Alexander Downer Review published in 2022, Border Force recognised the need to build on and improve their learning offer for staff at all levels of the organisation.A comprehensive programme of modernisation and development is currently underway within Border Force L&D in support of delivering these recommendations and wider strategic priorities. Our primary aim is the development of the capabilities required across operational and non-operational areas, and ensuring leaders and managers have the skills required to manage staff and develop their talent.