Written questions by Mohamed.

What steps his Department is taking to improve transparency in arms licensing.

The UK's Export Control regime is one of the most transparent in the world. Since this Government came into office, we have ensured publications of export licensing information are as timely as possible in order to aid public and Parliamentary scrutiny.The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) publishes a significant amount of information. This includes quarterly and annual statistics on export and trade control licensing decisions and supporting tools such as the publicly searchable database of licensing data. We have also periodically published additional information releases relating to specific exports and destinations, to support public and parliamentary scrutiny.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure UK-origin components are not used in military operations in breach of the UK’s export control criteria and international law.

That is the whole purpose of of Export Control system, which is one of the most robust export licensing regimes in the world. Exporters seeking to export controlled military or dual-use goods must seek an export licence before doing so, as set out in the Export Control Order 2008.Export licence applications are rigorously assessed by the Export Control Joint Unit against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, which includes consideration of the UK’s international and domestic commitments, including sanctions and where the UK has suspended exports of military equipment to certain destinations.

Innovation and Technology, what steps she has taken to implement the Replacing animals in science strategy.

The strategy sets out a long‑term, cross‑government programme to accelerate the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods, with clear delivery responsibilities assigned across government and partner organisations. Those responsible have begun delivery and the inaugural meeting of the cross‑government ministerial group established to oversee implementation has taken place. Several commitments, including the establishment of a preclinical translational models hub, are already well advanced. The Government plans to publish a delivery update, including key performance indicators, later in 2026.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the risk that schools could be discouraged from identifying children with SEND due to inadequate resourcing and capacity under the proposed reforms to the SEND system.

I refer the hon. Member for Dewsbury and Batley to the answer of 20 April 2026 to Question 119169.

Whether the Government assessed the efficacy of reforms to SEND provision in Wales when developing her Department's White Paper entitled Every Child Achieving and Thriving, published on 23 February 2026.

I refer the hon. Member for Dewsbury and Batley to the answer of 8 April 2026 to Question 119168.

With reference to her Department's White Paper entitled Every Child Achieving and Thriving, published on 23 February 2026, whether she has made an assessment of the number and availability of trained professionals needed to deliver the proposed Experts at Hand service.

I refer the hon. Member for Dewsbury and Batley to the answer of 24 March 2026 to Question 121419.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that the views of families of children with SEND, including those expressed through consultation responses and stakeholder engagement, are reflected in the final policy proposals relating to SEND reform.

The department’s ongoing 12-week consultation is underpinned by an engagement programme designed to ensure the views of families are at the heart of our special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms. Working with the Council for Disabled Children, we are delivering a national programme of nine regional events, dedicated sessions led by children and young people, and bespoke webinars for parents, carers and the sector.To ensure a broad range of representation, we have established two ministerially led groups, the SEND Development Group and the Complex Needs Group, which meet monthly to provide strategic challenge.These efforts are supported by weekly policy 'deep dives' with experts and parent representatives to explore specific themes like mainstream inclusion and assessments.Engagement is also continuing with children and young people, ensuring that our proposals are tested by those with direct and lived experience.All insights gathered through these channels, alongside formal consultation responses, will be analysed to shape final policy proposals.

If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of local authority complaints policies in meeting the needs of adults with severe learning disabilities.

The Local Authority Social Services and National Health Service Complaints (England) Regulations 2009 require local authorities that provide adult social care services to have complaints procedures that follow a certain process. They should work with the person raising the complaint to try and resolve it.If someone is not satisfied with the outcome of their complaint to the local authority, then the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) can investigate individual concerns. The LGSCO is the independent complaints lead for adult social care and investigates complaints from those receiving social care. Details of how to complain to the LGSCO can be found at the following link:https://www.lgo.org.uk/make-a-complaintThere is also a help and advice line available via telephone on 0300 061 0614, or one can write to The Local Government Ombudsman, PO Box 4771, Coventry, CV4 0EH.

What guidance his Department provides to local authorities on accepting complaints relating to the treatment of vulnerable adults raised by (a) relatives, (b) carers, (c) friends and (d) other third parties.

Anyone who is concerned that an adult with care and support needs is at risk of, or experiencing abuse or neglect, can contact the safeguarding adults team at the relevant local authority to raise a safeguarding enquiry.Where a local authority has reasonable cause to suspect that an adult in the local authority’s area has needs for care and support, whether or not the authority is meeting any of those needs, and appears to be at risk of, or experiencing abuse or neglect, and is unable to protect themselves as a result of those needs, the local authority must carry out a safeguarding enquiry.Under section 68 of the Care Act 2014, local authorities must provide an independent advocate for adults involved in safeguarding enquiries when they would otherwise struggle to understand, retain, use, or weigh information, or to communicate their views.

What mechanisms exist for investigating allegations of abuse of adults with learning disabilities in social care settings.

When a local authority has reasonable cause to suspect an adult in the local authority’s area has care and support needs, is at risk of, or experiencing abuse or neglect, and cannot protect themselves because of those needs, it must carry out a safeguarding enquiry.Local authorities must work with their partners under section 6(7) of the Care Act 2014, and those partners must also work with the authority to carry out their care, support, and adult protection duties.Our 10-Year Health Plan sets out to tackle health inequalities and offer people with disabilities more holistic, on-going support in the community.Action is underway to improve access and support for people with a learning disability through mandatory training for health and care staff, continued uptake of annual health checks and health action plans, and the Mental Health Act reforms.

What steps the Government is taking to strengthen safeguarding protections for adults with learning disabilities receiving local authority care services.

When a local authority has reasonable cause to suspect an adult in the local authority’s area has care and support needs, is at risk of, or experiencing abuse or neglect, and cannot protect themselves because of those needs, it must carry out a safeguarding enquiry.Local authorities must work with their partners under section 6(7) of the Care Act 2014, and those partners must also work with the authority to carry out their care, support, and adult protection duties.Our 10-Year Health Plan sets out to tackle health inequalities and offer people with disabilities more holistic, on-going support in the community.Action is underway to improve access and support for people with a learning disability through mandatory training for health and care staff, continued uptake of annual health checks and health action plans, and the Mental Health Act reforms.

What guidance his Department issues to local authorities on consulting with families before moving adults with learning disabilities to supported living and residential placements.

Decisions about care placements are made locally, based on individual assessments of need and personal circumstances. Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities are tasked with the duty to shape their care markets and commission services to meet the diverse needs of all local people. This includes commissioning a variety of different providers and specialist services that provide genuine choice to meet the needs of local people, and that offer quality and value for money.There is no single national assessment of the impact of out‑of‑area placements on disabled adults and their families. However, local authorities should engage with people who draw on care and support, and their families and carers, to inform commissioning decisions and to consider the outcomes which matter to them. This is reflected in the Care and Support Statutory Guidance, which supports local authorities to fulfil their Care Act duties, including expectations around involvement and co‑production with people who draw on care and support and their families.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact on disabled adults and their families when placements are made far from their home communities.

Decisions about care placements are made locally, based on individual assessments of need and personal circumstances. Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities are tasked with the duty to shape their care markets and commission services to meet the diverse needs of all local people. This includes commissioning a variety of different providers and specialist services that provide genuine choice to meet the needs of local people, and that offer quality and value for money.There is no single national assessment of the impact of out‑of‑area placements on disabled adults and their families. However, local authorities should engage with people who draw on care and support, and their families and carers, to inform commissioning decisions and to consider the outcomes which matter to them. This is reflected in the Care and Support Statutory Guidance, which supports local authorities to fulfil their Care Act duties, including expectations around involvement and co‑production with people who draw on care and support and their families.

What guidance his Department issues to local authorities on consultation with families before moving adults with learning disabilities to supported living or residential placements.

Decisions about care placements are made locally, based on individual assessments of need and personal circumstances. Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities are tasked with the duty to shape their care markets and commission services to meet the diverse needs of all local people. This includes commissioning a variety of different providers and specialist services that provide genuine choice to meet the needs of local people, and that offer quality and value for money.There is no single national assessment of the impact of out‑of‑area placements on disabled adults and their families. However, local authorities should engage with people who draw on care and support, and their families and carers, to inform commissioning decisions and to consider the outcomes which matter to them. This is reflected in the Care and Support Statutory Guidance, which supports local authorities to fulfil their Care Act duties, including expectations around involvement and co‑production with people who draw on care and support and their families.

What local authority adult safeguarding procedures are required to accept concerns raised by individuals acting on behalf of adults who lack the capacity or ability to complain themselves.

Anyone who is concerned that an adult with care and support needs is at risk of, or experiencing abuse or neglect, can contact the safeguarding adults team at the relevant local authority to raise a safeguarding enquiry.Where a local authority has reasonable cause to suspect that an adult in the local authority’s area has needs for care and support, whether or not the authority is meeting any of those needs, and appears to be at risk of, or experiencing abuse or neglect, and is unable to protect themselves as a result of those needs, the local authority must carry out a safeguarding enquiry.Under section 68 of the Care Act 2014, local authorities must provide an independent advocate for adults involved in safeguarding enquiries when they would otherwise struggle to understand, retain, use, or weigh information, or to communicate their views.

Media and Sport, if she will hold discussions with relevant stakeholders on the adequacy of public swimming pool provision and the long-term sustainability of access to swimming pools for residents in Dewsbury and Batley constituency.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring public access to swimming facilities, which are great spaces for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy, and which play an important role within communities. The ongoing responsibility of providing access to public leisure facilities lies at local authority level, with funding levels set as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement. The Government encourages local authorities to make investments which offer the right opportunities and facilities for the communities they serve, investing in sport and physical activity with a place-based approach, to meet the needs of individual communities. The local Active Partnership for the constituency, Yorkshire Sport Foundation is best placed to provide guidance on how to access support for swimming pools. I would be happy to ask my officials to facilitate a conversation with the Yorkshire Sport Foundation and relevant stakeholders, if that would be helpful.

Whether his Department collects data on the number of adults with learning disabilities placed outside their local area by local authorities.

The Department does not collect data specifically on the number of adults with learning disabilities who are placed outside their local authority area. However, national statistics on adults with learning disabilities receiving long-term support are published annually in the Adult Social Care Activity Report. Where out-of-area placements are made, local authorities have a duty under the Care Act 2014 to ensure that, among other things, decisions are based on a consideration of each individual's needs and preferences.

If she will commission an independent review into how student finance products, including Plan 2 loans, are communicated to prospective students, with particular regard to transparency and informed consent.

Plan 2 student loans were devised by previous administrations and students in England starting degrees under this government have different arrangements. Since the 2023/24 academic year, new students in England receive their loans on Plan 5 terms and conditions, not on Plan 2 terms. As Plan 2 loans are not available for prospective students in England, there is no impact on existing borrowers.Students sign the terms and conditions of student loans before any money is paid to them. Student loans already contain borrower protections. For example, repayments are linked to income, not to the amount borrowed or interest applied. Repayments are made at a constant rate of 9% above the earnings threshold. Borrowers earning under the earnings threshold are not required to make repayments. Any outstanding loan, including interest built up, is cancelled at the end of the loan term with no detriment to the borrower, and debt is never passed on to family members or descendants.Student finance and higher education funding is a complex, interconnected system, and we are considering a range of options to make the system fairer. However, funding arrangements must be considered to ensure they are fiscally responsible.

Whether the Government plans to introduce any additional safeguards to ensure that changes to student loan repayment terms do not have retrospective adverse impacts on existing borrowers.

Plan 2 student loans were devised by previous administrations and students in England starting degrees under this government have different arrangements. Since the 2023/24 academic year, new students in England receive their loans on Plan 5 terms and conditions, not on Plan 2 terms. As Plan 2 loans are not available for prospective students in England, there is no impact on existing borrowers.Students sign the terms and conditions of student loans before any money is paid to them. Student loans already contain borrower protections. For example, repayments are linked to income, not to the amount borrowed or interest applied. Repayments are made at a constant rate of 9% above the earnings threshold. Borrowers earning under the earnings threshold are not required to make repayments. Any outstanding loan, including interest built up, is cancelled at the end of the loan term with no detriment to the borrower, and debt is never passed on to family members or descendants.Student finance and higher education funding is a complex, interconnected system, and we are considering a range of options to make the system fairer. However, funding arrangements must be considered to ensure they are fiscally responsible.

What vetting procedures apply to individuals employed in adult social care roles involving contact with vulnerable adults.

The intention of Care Quality Commission (CQC) Regulation 19 Fit and proper persons employed of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 is to make sure providers only employ 'fit and proper' staff who are able to provide care and treatment appropriate to their role and to enable them to provide the regulated activity.To meet this regulation, providers must operate robust recruitment procedures, including undertaking any relevant checks. They must have a procedure for ongoing monitoring of staff to make sure they remain able to meet the requirements, and they must have appropriate arrangements in place to deal with staff who are no longer fit to carry out the duties required of them.The CQC can assess compliance with these regulations through assessment and monitoring activity. Where a breach of regulation or non-compliance is identified, The CQC can take regulatory action.An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check must be undertaken prior to the recruitment of all care workers. In line with the CQC guidance for DBS checks, staff working with vulnerable adults can only start work before a DBS certificate is received if they have had a DBS Adult First Check, are appropriately supervised, and do not escort people away from the premises unless accompanied by someone with a DBS check.