Written questions by McMurdock.

What research his Department has conducted on the potential impact of kidney disease on mental health.

The Department funds research on health and social care through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including the potential impact of kidney disease on mental health.These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality. Welcoming applications on the impact of kidney disease on mental health to all NIHR programmes enables maximum flexibility both in terms of the amount of research funding a particular area can be awarded, and the type of research which can be funded.In the past five financial years, the NIHR has allocated £2.051 million in new direct research funding to six projects related to kidney disease, in which the psychosocial aspects of living with or undergoing treatment or testing for kidney disease were addressed as part of the research.Details of NIHR funding allocated to individual research awards are openly published and updated quarterly on the ‘Open Data’ site of the NIHR website, at the following link:https://nihr.opendatasoft.com/explore/

Whether she has met with representatives of Kinship's #ValueOurLove campaign to discuss potential reforms to the kinship care system.

The government recognises the important role that kinship carers play in caring for some of the most vulnerable children. The government is determined to give every child the opportunities they deserve, and kinship carers play a crucial role in delivering this. Departmental officials and I regularly engage with the charity Kinship as well as other key sector stakeholders to discuss and consult on ongoing and future reforms to the kinship care system.

What proportion of attempted re-entries are successfully detected under the reciprocal agreement with France.

Two individuals who had previously been returned from the UK to France under the reciprocal exchange agreement attempted to re-enter. They were detected, detained, and their cases expedited for return. We are not aware of any other attempts to re-enter the UK from those returned to France under the scheme.We continue to work closely with our French counterparts to ensure that those who are returned under the agreement do not re-enter the UK illegally.

Pursuant to the Answer of 21 November 2024 to Question 14399 on Offenders: Electronic Tagging, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of alcohol monitoring tags in reducing the level of alcohol related reoffending.

The Department keeps the use of alcohol monitoring under review and has commissioned a programme of evaluations to assess impact on compliance and reoffending. For community sentences, compliance with court‑imposed alcohol bans is high. Published statistics show a compliance rate with the ban of over 97% for days monitored, since introduction, as shown here: Electronic Monitoring MI Publication, June 2025 - GOV.UK.For post‑custody use, we published the Alcohol Monitoring on Licence (AML) process and interim impact evaluation in October 2025, linked here: Alcohol monitoring on licence: process and interim impact evaluation - GOV.UK.Enforcement decisions are recorded within individual probation case management records and are taken on a case‑by‑case basis by supervising practitioners. To collate this locally held information could only be done at a disproportionate cost. Non‑compliance can lead to proportionate enforcement ranging from further engagement with the person on probation through formal warnings and breach action, up to recall where risk or persistent non‑compliance warrants it.We publish regular Alcohol Monitoring Statistics. The latest publication sets out statistics on AAMR orders and the use of AML orders from 31 July 2025 to 30 November 2025 and can be found here: Ad-Hoc Alcohol Monitoring Statistics Publication, Dec 2025 - GOV.UK.

How many alerts were triggered by alcohol monitoring tags in December 2024; and what proportion of those alerts resulted in enforcement action, including recall to prison and return to court.

The Department keeps the use of alcohol monitoring under review and has commissioned a programme of evaluations to assess impact on compliance and reoffending. For community sentences, compliance with court‑imposed alcohol bans is high. Published statistics show a compliance rate with the ban of over 97% for days monitored, since introduction, as shown here: Electronic Monitoring MI Publication, June 2025 - GOV.UK.For post‑custody use, we published the Alcohol Monitoring on Licence (AML) process and interim impact evaluation in October 2025, linked here: Alcohol monitoring on licence: process and interim impact evaluation - GOV.UK.Enforcement decisions are recorded within individual probation case management records and are taken on a case‑by‑case basis by supervising practitioners. To collate this locally held information could only be done at a disproportionate cost. Non‑compliance can lead to proportionate enforcement ranging from further engagement with the person on probation through formal warnings and breach action, up to recall where risk or persistent non‑compliance warrants it.We publish regular Alcohol Monitoring Statistics. The latest publication sets out statistics on AAMR orders and the use of AML orders from 31 July 2025 to 30 November 2025 and can be found here: Ad-Hoc Alcohol Monitoring Statistics Publication, Dec 2025 - GOV.UK.

Pursuant to Answer of 12 January 2026 to Question 102638, what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions for individuals convicted of immigration-related offences.

The Ministry of Justice has not made an assessment of the cost effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions for individuals convicted of immigration-related offences. Rehabilitation pathways (including for this cohort) are determined by an individual’s assessed risk and needs, ensuring interventions are targeted and proportionate. Reoffending more broadly imposes a significant financial burden on the public, costing an estimated £22.7 billion per year (adjusted to 2024/25 prices). Our rehabilitative interventions are delivered in line with the evidence base which suggests that employment and education programmes and substance misuse treatment can reduce the risk of reoffending. For example, offenders who leave custody into employment are up to 9 percentage points less likely to reoffend, and a similar percentage reduction in reoffending for those who have engaged in any form of in-prison education. Similarly, an MoJ experimental statistical report found a 19-percentage point reduction in the 2-year rate of reoffending for offenders who successfully completed treatment compared to those who dropped out.

How many arrests have been made for breaches of immigration bail conditions in each of the last three years.

The Home Office does not hold the specific information requested on arrests for breaches of immigration bail conditions.The Home Office collects and publishes information on arrests for notifiable offences (including Stop and search, arrests and mental health detentions) and bail statistics (including Police custody and pre-charge bail) on an annual basis. The most recent statistics for each are:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/stop-and-search-arrests-and-mental-health-detentions-march-2025https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-custody-and-pre-charge-bail-year-ending-march-2024

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answers of 14 January 2026 and 13 October 2025 to Questions 102364 and 77631 on Local Government: Reorganisation, whether his Department has conducted research comparing the average cost effectiveness of providing public services in (a) unitary and (b) two-tier councils.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 77631 on 13 October 2025.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 December 2025 to Question 99417 on Undocumented Migrants, what steps she is taking to strengthen (a) statutory and (b) operational powers to (i) relocate and (ii) detain illegal migrants.

In our Restoring Order and Control statement, we set out a series of measures designed to increase the rate of removal of illegal migrants from the UK, focusing on five areas. First, scaling up removals of those whose claims have failed. Second, imposing sanctions on countries that refuse to take their citizens back. Third, reforming our appeals system. Fourth, pursuing legal reform, both nationally and internationally. Finally, tackling other barriers that are used today to block removals.Immigration detention plays a key role in maintaining effective immigration controls and securing the UK’s borders. We have made significant reforms to detention over the past few years in line with external reports and recommendations including strengthening our powers to detain individuals who arrive unlawfully through the Border, Security and Asylum Act 2025, enabling detention from the point an individual is notified they are liable for removal. We also expanded the detention estate with the opening of IRC Campsfield in December 2025.

What recent steps her Department has taken to reduce the risk of children being groomed through applications and games accessible to children such as TikTok, Snapchat, and Roblox.

Grooming through social media, messaging apps, and online games is a serious threat. Government is unequivocal in its commitment to protecting children from these crimes and we are determined to ensure that offenders cannot use these platforms to target children with impunity.The Online Safety Act introduces world‑leading protections for children by placing robust duties on tech to mitigate risks to children. Crucially, the Act requires companies whose services pose heightened risks to children’s safety companies, such as those with chat functions, friend‑finding features and livestreaming tools, to implement stronger and more proactive safeguards, including effective moderation, robust age assurance and safer design. Ofcom, as the regulator, will have strong enforcement powers to ensure compliance.Alongside platform regulation, the Government is taking decisive action to prevent harm before it occurs. In line with new commitments in the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, we are clear that children must be protected from being coerced into sharing nude images and from being drawn into cycles of sextortion, grooming and abuse. That is why we have set out an ambitious goal to make it impossible for children in the UK to take, share or view a nude image, and we are working proactively with industry to make this a reality. This complements wider work to ensure that children’s access to smartphones and digital services is safe, appropriate and protective of their wellbeing.The Government continues to work closely with law enforcement, industry, and child protection experts to ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of efforts to tackle online child sexual abuse.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the ability of third-party contractors to appropriately distribute UK financial aid.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer he received on 12 January in response to Question 102520.

What data her Department holds on the proportion of children who experienced cyber bullying in 2025; and what steps her Department is taking with Cabinet colleagues to reduce this.

The department monitors the prevalence of bullying among children and young people through the National Behaviour Survey (NBS).The most recent NBS results, for the 2024/25 academic year, showed that 21% of secondary school aged pupils reported being bullied in the past 12 months. Of those pupils, 29% reported that at least some of the bullying occurred online.The department is procuring an expert and evidence-led review into best practice on behaviour and preventing and tackling bullying, including cyber-bullying. The learning from this will support leaders to develop safe, supportive school cultures.Through statutory relationships, sex and health education, pupils are taught about online relationships, the implications of sharing private or personal data (including images) online, harmful content, cyberbullying, what over-reliance on social media looks like and where to get help.

Innovation and Technology, whether her Department plans to introduce mandatory age verification measures to prevent children accessing social media applications.

The Online Safety Act requires in-scope services, including social media, to protect children from illegal, harmful content and age-inappropriate content. Services likely to be accessed by children are required to use highly effective age assurance to prevent children encountering the most harmful content such as pornography.The government has announced a short, swift consultation on further measures to keep children safe online, accompanied by a national conversation. It will seek views on a range of measures, including what the right minimum age for children to access social media is, as well as explore a ban for children under a certain age. We will also look closely at Australia and their ban on social media for under 16s.

Innovation and Technology, whether her Department has recently analysed the mental health impacts of social media use on children and young people under the age of 16.

Ofcom has found that 64% of all children, and 95% of 13-15 year olds, use social media.The current evidence base on the impacts of social media on children’s wellbeing and mental health is mixed. The latest review of existing literature, published on 20 January, found that evidence remains inconclusive about causal links between social media use and mental wellbeing.On 20 January, the government announced a short, swift consultation on further measures to keep children safe online, accompanied by a national conversation. It will seek views on a range of measures, including what the right minimum age for children to access social media is, as well as whether there should be curfews overnight or breaks to stops excessive use or doom scrolling.The government is clear that it will act quickly and robustly to deal with concerns that are being raised.

What recent steps her Department has taken to educate children on the safe use of social media.

As part of statutory relationships, sex and health education (RSHE), pupils are taught about online safety and harms, including the implications of sharing private or personal data online, and the risks associated with over-reliance on social media.The department published updated RSHE guidance in July 2025, including new content on artificial intelligence, deepfakes, and how social media can escalate conflicts. Pupils should be taught how to identify when social media is used as part of bullying, harassment and other forms of abusive and/or illegal behaviour, and how to recognise and manage peer influence on social media in relation to risk-taking behaviour and personal safety. The department’s guidance on teaching online safety covers how to teach about all aspects of internet safety.In response to the recently published Curriculum and Assessment Review, we are committed to strengthening digital and media literacy in the updated national curriculum. Full details of the final report are accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/curriculum-and-assessment-review-final-report.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of levels in smartphone usage on children's (a) level of reading comprehension and (b) average time spent reading per week.

The department knows that reading for pleasure is hugely important and brings a range of benefits, yet just 1 in 3 children aged 8-18 say they enjoy reading in their free time, and a recent omnibus survey found that 31% of parents of primary-aged children and 40% of parents of secondary-aged children said their child prefers spending time online or playing video games, citing this as a barrier to encouraging reading in their free time.The department has launched the National Year of Reading 2026, in collaboration with the National Literacy Trust, to address long-term declines in reading enjoyment through engaging new audiences, reshaping public attitudes and building the systems needed to embed lasting, meaningful change.The National Year of Reading encourages everyone to see how reading, in all its forms, can unlock more of our existing passions and interests, from reading a story in a print book or on an e-reader, to reading a magazine article or an online blog, to listening to an audio book on a phone or tablet. Recognising that, digital technology is not incompatible with the National Year of Reading.

Innovation and Technology, what information her Department holds on the number of children under 16 who have access to social media.

Ofcom has found that 64% of all children, and 95% of 13-15 year olds, use social media.The current evidence base on the impacts of social media on children’s wellbeing and mental health is mixed. The latest review of existing literature, published on 20 January, found that evidence remains inconclusive about causal links between social media use and mental wellbeing.On 20 January, the government announced a short, swift consultation on further measures to keep children safe online, accompanied by a national conversation. It will seek views on a range of measures, including what the right minimum age for children to access social media is, as well as whether there should be curfews overnight or breaks to stops excessive use or doom scrolling.The government is clear that it will act quickly and robustly to deal with concerns that are being raised.

Innovation and Technology, whether her Department holds any information on the average number of times children receive smartphone notifications per day; and what assessment she has made of the implications for her Department's policies of the campaign group Smartphone Free Childhood's finding that teenagers receive over 200 notifications per day.

Ofcom has found that 64% of all children, and 95% of 13-15 year olds, use social media.The current evidence base on the impacts of social media on children’s wellbeing and mental health is mixed. The latest review of existing literature, published on 20 January, found that evidence remains inconclusive about causal links between social media use and mental wellbeing.On 20 January, the government announced a short, swift consultation on further measures to keep children safe online, accompanied by a national conversation. It will seek views on a range of measures, including what the right minimum age for children to access social media is, as well as whether there should be curfews overnight or breaks to stops excessive use or doom scrolling.The government is clear that it will act quickly and robustly to deal with concerns that are being raised.

Innovation and Technology, whether she has received communications from social media companies on the effectiveness of their measures to prevent children accessing their social media platforms.

DSIT has regular discussions with social media companies about online safety matters, including protecting children from accessing harmful content.Under the Online Safety Act, in-scope services must implement measures to protect children from illegal and harmful content. Measures include implementing age assurance to prevent children encountering the most harmful content such as pornography. Ofcom is the regulator of the Act and can take robust enforcement action against services failing to comply with their duties. Ofcom’s analysis shows over 6000 services now use age assurance.We expect Ofcom to publish data this year on children’s online experiences since the child safety duties came into force.

Innovation and Technology, whether her Department has met representatives of the Smartphone Free Childhood campaign to discuss parental concerns about children’s access to smartphones and social media.

DSIT officials regularly engage with a range of stakeholders to discuss a variety of issues including parental concerns concerning children’s access to smartphones and social media.Creating a safer online world for children is a priority for this government and we are committed to continue working with campaigners like Smartphone Free Childhood, civil society and industry to achieve this goal.Details about ministerial meetings are published quarterly on GOV.UK.