Written questions by Dodds.

What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the powers of councils to improve street accessibility.

Local authorities are bound by the Public Sector Equality Duty and it is for them to ensure any schemes they take forward are delivered in a way that allows them to comply with this duty. The Department provides guidance in Inclusive Mobility on designing accessible public realm, and the need for streets to be accessible to all is highlighted in other guidance documents as a matter of course. In 2018 local authorities were asked to pause any new shared space schemes that incorporated a level surface and were at the design stage. Existing schemes or ones that were contractually committed or under construction were not in scope to avoid incurring financial penalties. This is still the position, and it is for local authorities to determine what changes may be required to existing schemes, taking into account their obligations under equalities legislation.

What progress Active Travel England has made on creating a disabled people's panel to help inform its work.

Active Travel England (ATE) does not have any current plans to create a disabled people’s panel and does not set policy. ATE routinely works with the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee and disabled representative organisations to improve its output, such as guidance products. ATE is setting up a technical advisory group to help improve its products and processes so they better address the barriers people face to active travel, particularly those from underrepresented groups.

Whether her Department has provided guidance to local authorities on (a) legacy shared space schemes and (b) how streets covered by those schemes can be altered to be made more accessible for blind and partially sighted people.

Local authorities are bound by the Public Sector Equality Duty and it is for them to ensure any schemes they take forward are delivered in a way that allows them to comply with this duty. The Department provides guidance in Inclusive Mobility on designing accessible public realm, and the need for streets to be accessible to all is highlighted in other guidance documents as a matter of course. In 2018 local authorities were asked to pause any new shared space schemes that incorporated a level surface and were at the design stage. Existing schemes or ones that were contractually committed or under construction were not in scope to avoid incurring financial penalties. This is still the position, and it is for local authorities to determine what changes may be required to existing schemes, taking into account their obligations under equalities legislation.

What steps his Department is taking to protect Iranian (a) dissidents, (b) activists, and (c) journalists residing in the UK from (i) harassment, (ii) surveillance (iii) and intimidation by agents of the Iranian regime.

The UK Government will continue to use all appropriate tools at our disposal to protect the UK and its people against any threats from the Iranian state. Any attempt by a foreign state to intimidate, harass or harm individuals in the UK will not be tolerated, and will be thoroughly investigated.The National Security Act 2023 strengthens our legal powers to counter transnational repression and provides the security services and law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to deter, detect, and disrupt modern-day state threats. In March, I announced a package of measures to tackle state threats from Iran. This included our decision to place Iran on the Enhanced Tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS).I also announced new training for all frontline police officers on state threats; further sanctions against Iranian-linked criminal groups; an independent review of the parts of our counter-terrorism framework which could be applied to state threats; continued support to the Jewish community; and strengthened enforcement of our immigration measures to protect the UK from Iranian interference. Finally, the National Protective Security Authority and Counter Terrorism Policing will continue to provide protective security advice and support to individuals and organisations threatened by the Iranian regime and its criminal proxies, including Persian language media organisations.In line with recommendations from the Defending Democracy Taskforce’s Transnational Repression Review, new guidance is available on GOV.UK to provide those who believe themselves to be at-risk of TNR with practical advice for their safety both physically and online. Anyone who thinks they might be a victim should report incidents or suspicious activity to the Police via 101, a local police station, or 999 in emergencies.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help support (a) women and (b) political prisoners under threat from the Iranian regime.

We continue to support women and political prisoners in Iran through sustained action alongside international partners in multilateral fora. In the past eight months, the UK was integral to the delivery of two Iran human rights resolutions. The first, adopted by the UN Third Committee in November 2024, condemned Iran's intensified and targeted repression of women and girls, and called on Iran to immediately and unconditionally release persons arbitrarily detained for the exercise of their human rights and fundamental freedoms, including human rights defenders, journalists and all those who remain under detention for taking part in peaceful protests. The second, adopted by the Human Rights Council in April 2025, renewed the mandate of the Special Rapporteur, and renewed and expanded the mandate of the Fact-Finding Mission to investigate a wider breadth of violations, and to establish the facts, circumstances and structural causes of such violations, including discrimination on grounds of gender and political views. Our Ambassador to Iran and I continue to raise human rights directly with the Iranian Government.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 13 March 2025 to Question HL5327 on Israel and Palestinians: Development Aid and in the context of discussions held in the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on the potential impact of the Associations Bill (Amendment—Donation from Foreign State Entity) 2024 on the UK’s overseas development assistance to (a) Israeli and (b) Palestinian (i) humanitarian and (ii) human rights organisations.

We are deeply troubled by the proposed non-governmental organisation (NGO) taxation bill which threatens to undermine the ability of NGOs to operate effectively and continue their essential work in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). We continue to raise these concerns with the Israeli government. Israel must immediately allow the UN and NGOs to safely deliver aid at scale and in line with humanitarian principles.

Whether there will be an increase in the pupil premium following the introduction of free school meals for all pupils from families on Universal Credit.

The allocation of pupil premium funding to schools will continue to be based on the existing earned income threshold for free school meal eligibility of £7,400 in the 2026/27 financial year.The pupil premium eligibility criteria also includes children looked-after or previously looked-after by their local authority.The department is reviewing how we allocate pupil premium funding in the longer term.

How many local authorities have been able to auto-enrol children for free school meals; and whether she expects that the new expanded eligibility will increase this number.

I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Oxford East to the answer of 25 June 2025 to Question 58496.

Whether the pupil premium will be linked to the current income unit only.

The allocation of pupil premium funding to schools will continue to be based on the existing earned income threshold for free school meal eligibility of £7,400 in the 2026/27 financial year.The pupil premium eligibility criteria also includes children looked-after or previously looked-after by their local authority.The department is reviewing how we allocate pupil premium funding in the longer term.

What assessment her Department has made of the reasons for the reduction in the number of children put on the child protection register for reasons including sexual abuse from (a) 2022-23 to (b) 2023-24 in England and Wales.

Baroness Casey’s national audit on group-based child sexual exploitation recommended the department interrogate the child protection data to identify the causes of the decline in child sexual abuse and exploitation representation.The government has committed to urgently reviewing the child protection data. We must better understand the decline in child sexual abuse and exploitation representation in the assessment data and the reasons for variation across local authorities.By the end of 2025, we will publish analysis that aims to better understand what has happened regarding the decline in child protection data on child sexual abuse and exploitation.This will include analysis of child abuse victims’ demographics, outcomes, trends and local area variation over time. We will also work with the Child Sexual Abuse Centre to understand the specific issues outlined in this recommendation and will publish any related research once concluded.Child sexual abuse is an abhorrent crime that no child should ever have to face, and it is of paramount importance that we do more to protect vulnerable children from the horrors of this crime.

What assessment her Department has made of the reasons for the reduction in the number of (a) SINs and (b) rapid reviews submitted to the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel in (i) 2023-24 compared with (ii) 2022-23.

The department’s official statistics show that in the year ending 31 March 2024, there were 405 serious incident notifications and 330 rapid reviews, respective decreases of 51 and 72 from the year prior. The statistics are based on one notification per incident, which can relate to more than one child in some instances.We are aware that, in some instances, not all incidents that meet the definition for a serious incident are communicated. The department will continue to work with the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel and local authorities to ensure the notification of serious incidents that meet the criteria as set out in the statutory guidance ‘Working together to safeguard children’.The government has also committed to urgently reviewing the effectiveness of serious incident notifications in relation to child sexual abuse and exploitation in line with Baroness Casey’s national audit on group-based child sexual exploitation.

Whether the Curriculum and Assessment Review includes (a) media and (b) artificial intelligence literacy.

The Curriculum and Assessment Review’s terms of reference set out that it will seek to refresh the curriculum to ensure children and young people leave compulsory education ready for life and ready for work, building the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to thrive. This includes embedding digital skills in their learning.In its interim report, the Review noted the importance of the curriculum keeping pace with the rise of artificial intelligence and trends in digital information, including a renewed focus on digital and media literacy and critical thinking skills.During its current phase of work, the Review is considering whether there is sufficient coverage of key knowledge and skills in this area to prepare children and young people for future life and to thrive in a fast-changing world.The Review’s final report and recommendations will be published in the autumn, at which point the government will respond.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his Israeli counterpart on the availability of fuel in Gaza for (a) desalination and (b) healthcare services.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. We remain deeply concerned at the lack of fuel supply in Gaza, which puts vital services such as water desalination at risk. On 18 July, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) described the deepening fuel crisis in Gaza, including the impact on solid waste collection and availability of clean water supplies and health services. We highlighted the impact of the lack of fuel on water supplies and hospitals and the critical situation for Gaza's children at a session of the UN Security Council which we co-called on 16 July. The Foreign Secretary raised the importance of ensuring adequate healthcare for Palestinians in a call with Foreign Minister Sa'ar on 22 July. As the Prime Minister stated on 29 July, the UK will recognize the state of Palestine in September unless Israel takes substantive steps to end the crisis, including restarting without delay the supply of humanitarian support to the people of Gaza to end starvation.

When decisions on applications for (a) leave in line and (b) status in line will resume.

The Home Office has not paused decisions for leave in line applications. Children born in the UK to parents with protection status may claim asylum in their own right in accordance with the validity requirements set out in paragraph 327AB of the Immigration Rules. These decisions have also not been paused.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to (a) the UN and (b) other international bodies on the need for protection of civilians during the Sudan conflict.

We continue to engage actively with the UN and other international actors to push for the protection of civilians in Sudan. On 15 April, the Foreign Secretary hosted the London Sudan conference alongside the African Union (AU) and the EU, as well as France and Germany as co-chairs. There was a broad agreement among participants about the responsibility of parties to the conflict to protect civilians and uphold their obligations under international law and this was reflected in the co-chairs statement which followed the conference. More recently the UK attended the meeting of the Consultative Group on Sudan in Brussels on 26 June and contributed to discussions with the UN Secretary General's Personal Envoy on Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, on his plans to convene proximity talks with the warring parties, including on protection issues. Earlier this year in February, the Minister for Africa spoke with the AU's Special Envoy for the Prevention of Genocide and Atrocities where he highlighted the credible evidence of human rights abuses and violations in Sudan and pressed the AU to continue to draw attention to atrocities in Sudan.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to reduce the economic (a) stability and (b) powers of people involved in human rights abuses in Sudan.

The UK condemns human rights violations and abuses committed by the warring parties in Sudan. Since the outbreak of the conflict in 2023, the UK has frozen the assets of nine commercial entities linked to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces. These sanctions were designed to disrupt the financial networks fuelling the war, to press the parties to engage in a sustained and meaningful peace process, allow humanitarian access and to commit to a permanent cessation of hostilities. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the UK also supported the imposition of UN sanctions on two RSF generals for their crimes against civilians in November 2024. We will continue to work closely with partners at the UN Security Council to enforce these. UK leadership has been critical to the continued scrutiny of Sudan at the UN Human Rights Council, where we are the leader of the Core Group alongside Germany and Norway. The UK also led lobbying for the renewal of the Fact-Finding Mission mandate in October 2024 to ensure allegations of human rights violations and abuses by all sides are investigated impartially.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to the warring parties in Sudan about the protection of civilians.

As part of our diplomatic and political efforts to achieve peace in Sudan, we continue to engage with the warring parties. Senior officials, including the UK Special Representative for Sudan, have travelled to Port Sudan on several occasions in 2025 for talks with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). On 9 April, ahead of the Sudan Conference, the Minister for Africa spoke with Babikir Elamin, Sudanese Chargé d'Affaires in London, and pressed him specifically on humanitarian access to ensure aid can reach those most in need. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials have also spoken with representatives from the Rapid Support Forces on different occasions since the start of the conflict in Sudan in 2023. We have used these exchanges to request that their leadership make every effort to protect civilians.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taken to sanction people involved in human rights abuses in Sudan.

The UK condemns human rights violations and abuses committed by the warring parties in Sudan. Since the outbreak of the conflict in 2023, the UK has frozen the assets of nine commercial entities linked to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces. These sanctions were designed to disrupt the financial networks fuelling the war, to press the parties to engage in a sustained and meaningful peace process, allow humanitarian access and to commit to a permanent cessation of hostilities. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the UK also supported the imposition of UN sanctions on two RSF generals for their crimes against civilians in November 2024. We will continue to work closely with partners at the UN Security Council to enforce these. UK leadership has been critical to the continued scrutiny of Sudan at the UN Human Rights Council, where we are the leader of the Core Group alongside Germany and Norway. The UK also led lobbying for the renewal of the Fact-Finding Mission mandate in October 2024 to ensure allegations of human rights violations and abuses by all sides are investigated impartially.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his Israeli counterpart on the availability of medical-grade baby formula at the El-Tahrir Children's Hospital in Gaza.

We remain gravely concerned by the lack of adequate medical care in Gaza; nearly all Gaza's hospitals are damaged or partly destroyed according to the World Health Organization. Humanitarian workers must be protected and medical and aid workers must be able to do their jobs safely. On 19 May, the UK released a joint donors statement with 26 other signatories on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, calling for a full resumption of aid into Gaza and for Israel to allow the UN and other aid organisations to operate independently. The Foreign Secretary spoke to Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar on 22 June to press Israel to restore humanitarian access. UK support has enabled the delivery of 1.3 million items of life-saving medicines, over 70,000 wound care packs and more than 500,000 patient consultations delivered through UK-Med. We have and will continue to press Israel to allow the entry of all necessary medical and nutritional supplies.

What steps her Department is taking to establish a national, statutory mechanism to (a) identify and (b) support children with a parent in prison.

I refer my right hon. Friend, the Member for Oxford East to the answer of 18 June 2025 to Question 58709.