Written questions by Cooper.

How many people who complete the Professional Qualification in Probation then receive one of their preferred work placements as a qualified Probation Officer.

The allocation of trainee Probation Officers (PQIPs) into their first Probation Officer role as a Newly Qualified Officer is completed locally by the Probation Region. We do not hold data on this centrally to share. PQIPs are asked to identify three Probation Delivery Unit preferences and to note any personal circumstances that they would like to be considered. Whilst allocations must be completed in accordance with business need, individual preferences are always considered and as far as possible are granted. Any allocations will always take into account existing policy such as travel and subsistence.As of Spring 2025, a new, automated system will be used to manage Newly Qualified Officer allocations which will improve efficiency of the process.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 18 October 2024 to Question 8712 on Animal Welfare, what steps he plans to take to help improve animal welfare.

This Government was elected on a mandate to introduce the most ambitious plans to improve animal welfare in a generation. In our manifesto we laid out that we will ban trail hunting, ban the importation of hunting trophies, end puppy smuggling and farming and ban the use of snare traps. The Department has initiated a series of meetings with key animal welfare stakeholders as part of the development of an overarching approach to animal welfare. We will be outlining more detail of plans in due course.

How many people who complete the Professional Qualification in Probation remain in the Probation Service for at least five years after qualifying.

There were 648 staff who completed their Professional Qualification in Probation (PQIP) qualification between January 2018 and December 2019. 571 (88%) of these could be matched to subsequent HMPPS employment records. 415 (73%) of those that could be matched were still employed by the Probation Service 5 years after they completed their course. A further 32 (6%) were still employed within HMPPS but had moved outside of the Probation Service.

What the average processing time is for new-born out of country passport applications.

The information requested is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate costThe published processing guidance for children by country of application is identical for all persons applying from that country who are under 16 years old.

Innovation and Technology, whether the Bertin Review will consider the differences between the online and offline regulation of pornographic content.

The Independent Pornography Review assessed the effectiveness of current pornography legislation, regulation and enforcement. This included considering the difference in regulation for pornography online versus ‘offline’.The Review has now concluded, and the report has been published. It is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/creating-a-safer-world-the-challenge-of-regulating-online-pornography.

What recent discussions she has had with the British Transport Police on the adequacy of access to train operating company CCTV systems.

Police access to CCTV is an essential tool for use not only when investigating crime on the rail network, but also to equip Police Officers with effective situational awareness and evidence when making decisions in ongoing incidents. The Department is working with British Transport Police (BTP) and train operators to ensure sufficient access to CCTV, so that the force can carry out its policing duties across the rail network.

What information does her Department hold on the (a) shortest, (b) average and (c) longest period of time between (i) Electric Vehicle charging hub operators agreeing a lease with a Distribution Network Operator (DNO) and (ii) securing permission to install a DNO connection from highways authorities.

We do not hold that information.

What representations she has received from the British Transport Police on the potential merits of additional funding to help ensure it has adequate resources to review CCTV footage for all reported incidents of theft on the Govia Thameslink Railway network.

Police access to CCTV is an essential tool for use not only when investigating crime on the rail network, but also to equip Police Officers with effective situational awareness and evidence when making decisions in ongoing incidents. The Department is in regular contact with the BTP and the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) about making the best use of technology, including discussing funding options for new activities. The British Transport Police costs for policing the railways, including its resources for reviewing CCTV, are met by funding agreements with train operators rather than from the Department for Transport. The BTPA, which is independent and includes representatives from the rail industry, sets the BTP budget annually.

What assessment she has made of the potential of out-of-home delivery collection points to reduce the carbon footprint of home deliveries in the last-mile logistics sector.

The Department for Transport has not made an assessment relating to out-of-home delivery collection points and associated carbon footprint reductions. Tackling emissions from the freight sector, including last-mile deliveries, will support Government to make Britain a clean energy superpower and to meet the UK’s net zero commitments. We have recently confirmed that zero emission vans will continue to receive a grant for the 2025/26 financial year worth up to £5,000 depending on the model. The Department is currently consulting on proposals to reduce regulatory burdens for businesses operating zero emission vans (closes 3 March). This includes vehicles that may be used for last-mile deliveries and seeks views on measures to make it easier to use these vehicles in place of existing fossil fuel vans. The Government is also making it easier to switch to zero emission vehicles (ZEVs), by laying legislation on 25 February to amend driving licence rules for heavier ZEVs in line with their petrol and diesel equivalents. Subject to parliamentary approval, this change is expected to come into force in spring. In addition, through the Freight Innovation Fund the Government has supported EAV Ltd, a UK based SME, to undertake a large-scale trial of its e-cargo bike offer supporting the decarbonisation of last-mile deliveries.

Whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to allow opposite sex civil partners to convert their partnerships into a marriage without requiring a dissolution order.

In 2019, when civil partnerships were made available for opposite-sex couples in England and Wales, the Government ran a public consultation on the future of conversion rights between marriage and civil partnerships for both opposite and same-sex couples in England and Wales: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/civil-partnerships-next-steps-and-consultation-on-conversion#:~:text=We%20are%20seeking%20views%20on,be%20brought%20to%20an%20end This Government is considering all options, and we will update the House in due course.

What steps she is taking to notify eligible Ukrainians on the Ukrainian Permission Extension scheme.

To promote and raise awareness of the Ukraine Permission Extention scheme, the Home Office and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), alongside trusted partners, have run 9 community outreach events in London, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee. The department also engaged directly with stakeholders who have close links to the Ukrainian diaspora in the UK.This is supported by online guidance published on Gov.uk.We continue to explore further engagement opportunities where applicable.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 February to Question 29060 on Electric Bicycles: Accidents, whether she plans to require police forces to report on the number of accidents involving an e-bike.

Road injury collisions are reported to the Department by the police via a system known as STATS19. While there are no current plans to require forces to identify e-bikes within STATS19, the system is periodically reviewed to ensure that the collection remains relevant while managing reporting burdens for police forces. The identification of collisions involving e-bikes will be considered as part of the next such review.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the prevalence of alleged aggressive council tax debt collection practices.

Councils are responsible for the collection and enforcement of council tax. The government’s clear expectation is that councils will be proportionate and sympathetic to those in hardship when determining the most appropriate action to collect tax. The government will publish a consultation in 2025 to consider options to improve council tax billing and wider council tax administration changes to support taxpayers.

What the average processing time is for passports for children born outside the UK.

The information requested is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate costWhere no further information is required, His Majesty's Passport Office advises that British passport applications from the UK will normally take around three weeks. This includes applications for children, whether they were born in the UK or overseas.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing DBS checks that are portable for an individual applicant rather than an organisation.

A DBS certificate is sent directly to the applicant only. Where an individual applies for another role within the same workforce which is eligible and requires the same type of DBS check, they may use their existing certificate if the employer is content to accept it. In this context, it is the employer’s decision whether to use an existing certificate or to request a new one.The DBS Update Service, launched in June 2013, supports the portability of an individual’s certificate by ensuring the information is up to date. Once an individual joins the Update Service, they are able to keep their certificate up to date by giving employers permission to check if anything has changed on their certificate, as long as the role is in the same workforce and eligible for the same level of check as the existing certificate.The Update service allows existing and new employers to undertake instant online checking of DBS certificates with the individual’s consent, thus saving time and money. The applicant would only need to obtain a new certificate in cases where there has been a change in recorded information, or in cases where they need to apply for a different type of criminal record check. The Update Service is free to use for volunteers and costs £16 a year for paid employees.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 February 2025 to Question 25911 on Fractures: Health Services, if he will set targets for making fracture liaison services available for all NHS trusts.

Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) are a globally recognised care model and can reduce the risk of refracture for people at risk of osteoporosis by up to 40%. They can play a vital role in improving quality of life and increasing the number of years that can be lived in good health.We remain committed to rolling out FLS across every part of the country by 2030. Officials continue to work closely with NHS England to explore a range of options to provide better quality and access to these important preventative services.In the meantime, we are investing in 14 high-tech DEXA scanners, which are expected to provide an extra 29,000 scans to ensure that people with bone conditions get diagnosed earlier.

Whether she has received representations about extending the Adoption and special guardianship support fund to ensure it covers 12 months of therapeutic support.

No representations have been received on this issue. Under the current guidelines for the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund, applications for therapeutic support can already be submitted for up to a 12 month period. This has allowed children who start therapy at different points within the financial year to continue to receive it for 12 months. Although business planning decisions for next financial year have not yet been finalised, applications for the fund with therapy starting in this financial year are still being accepted and processed under business as usual.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 11 February 2025 to Question 28103 on Flats: Fire Prevention, whether she has held recent discussions with (a) mortgage lenders and (b) insurers on the form of alternative evidence they would accept in place of an EWS1 form issued by Adam Kiziak and Tri Fire.

As per the answer given to Question UIN 28103 on 11 February 2025, my officials continue to regularly engage with the mortgage lending and insurance industries.Where a mortgage lender who is a signatory to the statement on cladding is not accepting an EWS1 for a building which requires work to remediate building safety defects, then leaseholders should provide alternative evidence that their building is in the Cladding Safety Scheme, Building Safety Fund or covered by a developer that has signed the Developer Remediation Contract. This evidence could be, for example, a letter from MHCLG or the developer. Leaseholders can also complete a Leaseholder Deed of Certificate to evidence they qualify for the leaseholder protections in the Building Safety Act.For buildings which do not need remedial works, then lenders or insurers may accept Fire Risk Appraisals of External Walls.

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that the (a) workforce, (b) skills of the workforce and (c) funding is adequate to support the roll-out of his Department's retro-fitting schemes.

The Department has invested over £25 million to establish three Skills Training Competitions and the Heat Training Grant, which subsidise 33,000 retrofit training opportunities. The Heat Training Grant is on track to train 10,000 trained heat pump and heat network installers by April this year. These initiatives support the delivery of the Department’s retrofit schemes. The Government will continue to work with industry to facilitate a competent and robust retrofit supply chain in which businesses can grow. Further detail will be set out in our Warm Homes Plan later this year.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 February 2025 to Question 27888 on Brain: Tumours, if he will make it his policy to ensure that the National Institute for Health and Care Research provides feedback to each application for brain tumour research which does not secure funding.

The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). NIHR funding opportunities relevant to brain tumours are advertised, highlighting scope and remit, with guidance documents to assist applicants in shaping their applications. All unsuccessful applications receive extensive committee feedback and, where a study may be fundable with changes, applicants may be invited to resubmit at either the outline or full stage. In areas of strategic importance, including commissioned calls relevant to brain tumours, the NIHR will support with direct engagement with the study team to ensure the feedback is well understood and adequate support is in place, including that provided by the NIHR Research Support Service.Brain tumours remain one of the hardest to treat cancers in both adults and children. More research is urgently needed to inform efforts. This is why in September 2024, the NIHR announced new research funding opportunities for brain cancer research, spanning both adult and paediatric populations. The Department is committed to increasing our support for high quality brain tumour research, ensuring that funding is used in the most meaningful and impactful way. Further information on the new research funding opportunities for brain cancer research is available at the following link:https://www.nihr.ac.uk/news/new-funding-opportunities-novel-brain-tumour-research-launched