Written questions by Khan.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of the introduction of an industry-wide (a) accreditation and (b) kitemark scheme for the safe fabrication of engineered stone products.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Health and Safety Executive’s enforcement powers in relation to employers exposing workers to respirable crystalline silica dust during the cutting of engineered stone products.

Awaiting answer.

What steps the Government is taking to help ensure compliance with Health and Safety Executive guidance prohibiting dry cutting of engineered stone without water suppression controls.

Awaiting answer.

Whether the Government plans to introduce a statutory prohibition on dry cutting of high-silica engineered stone without appropriate dust suppression measures.

Awaiting answer.

Whether he plans to make silicosis a reportable disease under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013.

Awaiting answer.

What recent discussions he has had with the Health and Safety Executive on improving health surveillance for workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica.

Awaiting answer.

Whether his Department is considering the introduction of a national screening programme for workers exposed to silica dust in the engineered stone industry.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment his Department has made of the prevalence of silicosis among workers employed in the engineered stone and kitchen fabrication sector.

Awaiting answer.

Whether he plans to fast-track Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit claims for workers diagnosed with advanced silicosis in line with arrangements for mesothelioma sufferers.

Awaiting answer.

What recent consideration his Department has given to recommendations from the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council on improving access to compensation and benefits for workers with silicosis.

Awaiting answer.

What guidance is provided to staff handling Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit claims involving terminally ill claimants with occupational lung disease.

Awaiting answer.

What estimate he has made of the number of workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica dust in the engineered stone sector.

Awaiting answer.

Whether additional funding has been allocated to the Health and Safety Executive to support inspections and enforcement activity in engineered stone workshops and related workplaces.

Awaiting answer.

What discussions his Department has had with industry representatives on improving consumer awareness of workplace safety standards in the manufacture of quartz and engineered stone kitchen surfaces.

Awaiting answer.

What steps he is taking to help remove barriers to work faced by young disabled people with complex needs in Birmingham Perry Barr constituency.

Disabled people and people with health conditions are a diverse group. Access to the right support, in the right place, at the right time, is crucial.Jobcentre Plus provides tailored, person-centred support to young disabled people, focusing on their individual needs. Disability Employment Advisors (DEAs) provide personalise support for people with health conditions and disabilities to enable them to achieve appropriate and sustainable employment. DEAs work closely with Youth Employability Coaches (YECs), who deliver longer-term support, specifically for young people facing with complex to work. Both DEAs and YECs work with partner organisations to ensure access to expert advice.The Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Education continue to work closely with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) on the design and delivery of their Youth Guarantee Trailblazer. WMCA has actively engaged its seven Local Authorities, which includes Birmingham, to co-develop and test place-based solutions aimed at tackling high youth unemployment, economic inactivity, and declining apprenticeship opportunities. Examples of programmes being delivered through the Trailblazer include work experience placements, pre-apprenticeship training, and NEET prevention. This locally tailored support is also accessible to young people with health conditions and disabilities. Insights from the Trailblazer will inform future national policy and delivery.In addition, young people with health conditions and disabilities can benefit from other locally delivered programmes such as Connect to Work and Workwell. Connect to Work, is a voluntary, high-fidelity programme, connecting work, health and skills support for people with challenges to employment, including health and disability. Workwell, provides a light touch intervention which focuses on prevention and support for people in work to sustain employment. It also supports people who have fallen out of work due to health and disability to return to the workplace.

Pursuant to the Answer of 1 July 2025 to Question 62414 on Funeral Payments, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of assessing the (a) ability and (b) willingness of other family members to take responsibility for a funeral within the Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payment.

The long standing state position is that individuals should look to make financial provision for their own funeral, and that where this has not happened family or friends who can take part or all of the responsibility for the cost of funeral arrangements should do so. Where responsibility for organising a funeral falls to those on qualifying benefits a Funeral Expenses Payment may be available, but eligibility criteria are designed to ensure the scheme is fair for taxpayers while supporting the most vulnerable with these costs. We continue to keep the Funeral Expenses Payment scheme under review to ensure it remains effective and sustainable within current budgetary constraints. This includes the eligibility criteria, application process, customer experience and administrative costs. We have not made a specific assessment of the impact of Funeral Expenses Payment eligibility criteria on the finances of local authorities.

Pursuant to the Answer of 1 July 2025 to Question 62414 on Funeral Payments, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of (a) amending the family-related questions for the application process and (b) reviewing the eligibility criteria for the Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payment, in the context of situations in which the next of kin has refused to pay for the funeral.

The long standing state position is that individuals should look to make financial provision for their own funeral, and that where this has not happened family or friends who can take part or all of the responsibility for the cost of funeral arrangements should do so. Where responsibility for organising a funeral falls to those on qualifying benefits a Funeral Expenses Payment may be available, but eligibility criteria are designed to ensure the scheme is fair for taxpayers while supporting the most vulnerable with these costs. We continue to keep the Funeral Expenses Payment scheme under review to ensure it remains effective and sustainable within current budgetary constraints. This includes the eligibility criteria, application process, customer experience and administrative costs. We have not made a specific assessment of the impact of Funeral Expenses Payment eligibility criteria on the finances of local authorities.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Funeral Expenses Payment's eligibility criteria on the finances of local authorities.

The long standing state position is that individuals should look to make financial provision for their own funeral, and that where this has not happened family or friends who can take part or all of the responsibility for the cost of funeral arrangements should do so. Where responsibility for organising a funeral falls to those on qualifying benefits a Funeral Expenses Payment may be available, but eligibility criteria are designed to ensure the scheme is fair for taxpayers while supporting the most vulnerable with these costs. We continue to keep the Funeral Expenses Payment scheme under review to ensure it remains effective and sustainable within current budgetary constraints. This includes the eligibility criteria, application process, customer experience and administrative costs. We have not made a specific assessment of the impact of Funeral Expenses Payment eligibility criteria on the finances of local authorities.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of simplifying the eligibility criteria for the Funeral Expenses Payment on (a) application processing times and (b) the administrative costs of processing applications.

The eligibility criteria for a Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payment are designed to ensure the scheme is fair for taxpayers, while supporting the most vulnerable with these costs. We continue to keep the Funeral Expenses Payment scheme under review to ensure it remains effective and sustainable within current budgetary constraints. This includes the eligibility criteria, application process, customer experience, processing times and administrative costs.

Whether her Department plans to assess the adequacy of the clarity of the application process for the Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payment for bereaved applicants.

The eligibility criteria for a Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payment are designed to ensure the scheme is fair for taxpayers, while supporting the most vulnerable with these costs. We continue to keep the Funeral Expenses Payment scheme under review to ensure it remains effective and sustainable within current budgetary constraints. This includes the eligibility criteria, application process, customer experience, processing times and administrative costs.