Written questions by McMurdock.

How many people are employed by the police in roles where the primary focus is on diversity, equality and inclusion.

Police forces that reflect the communities they serve are crucial to tackling crime and maintain public trust and confidence in a modern diverse society.Decisions about police recruitment and the allocation of resources are a matter for Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners and are therefore managed locally by forces. It is for Chief Constables and directly elected PCCs, and Mayors with PCC functions to make decisions based on their local knowledge and experience.The Home Office does not hold data centrally on the number of diversity, equality and inclusion roles in police forces, or on the amount spent by forces on these roles.

Whether she plans to publish an analysis of (a) Higher Education Statistics Agency and (b) Office for National Statistics data on graduate employment to inform higher education (i) curriculum and (ii) skills policy.

The department publishes employment and earnings outcomes of graduates and postgraduates each year, based on data collected by the Higher Education Statistics Authority, His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, and the Department for Work and Pensions. The publication includes breakdowns by subject studied, as well as graduate characteristics, and detailed information about which industries graduates worked in after studying a particular subject and their movements between industries after graduation. The publication can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/leo-graduate-and-postgraduate-outcomes/2022-23#dataBlock-d7be0f33-0ec5-4b78-98ed-ba6f25dfb414-charts. This data has been available since 26 June 2025.The department also publishes graduate labour market statistics. This publication uses data from the Office for National Statistics’ Labour Force Survey to compare employment and earnings outcomes between graduates, postgraduates and non-graduates. The publication can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/graduate-labour-markets/2024. This data has been available since 5 June 2025.The department uses these publications as part of the evidence base to inform higher education and skills policy.

Media and Sport, whether she plans to take steps to ensure that taxpayer-funded local radio stations continue to produce content that is tailored to local audiences, rather than shifting towards increased national programming; and what steps she has taken to help protect the distinct local character and public service value of such stations.

Local radio continues to bring localities together by reflecting local experiences and delivering local news and information.The BBC is the only public radio broadcaster and is funded by the licence fee. It is for the BBC to decide how it delivers its services, given it is operationally independent from the Government. However, the BBC is required under the terms of its Charter and its Framework to continue to provide distinctive and genuinely local radio services, with content that reflects and represents people and communities from all corners of the UK.Local commercial radio stations, which are not tax payer funded, that broadcast on AM or FM are subject to requirements to provide local news and information and these requirements were recently revised by the Media Act 2024. The implementation of the revised local news requirements is currently being reviewed by Ofcom, following the closure of a consultation on 22 September 2025.Community radio stations - such as Gateway 97.8 which covers the Basildon area - provide an essential contribution to local audiences with tailored content of a distinct local character. Whilst community radio stations are mostly funded by advertising and community support, DCMS does provide financial support to community radio stations through the Community Radio Fund. This is operated by Ofcom, and provides grant funding to to support the sustainability and growth of the sector.

How many and what proportion of children and young people on the waiting list for ADHD assessment had been waiting for over a year in June 2025.

For the first time, NHS England published management information on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessment waiting times at a national level on 29 May 2025 as part of its ADHD data improvement plan; it has also released technical guidance to integrated care boards (ICBs) to improve recording of ADHD data, with a view to improving the quality of ADHD waits and diagnosis data as well as publishing more localised data in future.The most recent data, published in August 2025, is available at the following link:https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mi-adhd/august-2025NHS England established an ADHD taskforce which brought together those with lived experience with experts from the National Health Service, education, charity and justice sectors to get a better understanding of the challenges affecting those with ADHD, including in accessing services and support. An interim report was published on 20 June 2025, with the final report expected in due course, and we will carefully consider its recommendations.

What estimate he has made of the number of new referrals for ADHD assessments in the past month.

For the first time, NHS England published management information on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessment waiting times at a national level on 29 May 2025 as part of its ADHD data improvement plan. It has also released technical guidance to integrated care boards (ICBs) to improve recording of ADHD data, with a view to improving the quality of ADHD waits and diagnosis data as well as publishing more localised data in future.The most recent data was published in August 2025 and is available at the following link:https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mi-adhd/august-2025Data in this publication is sourced from a number of existing NHS England datasets and the publication is known to contain a number of data quality issues, more details about which are available at the following link:https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mi-adhd/supporting-informationNHS England established an ADHD taskforce which brought together those with lived experience with experts from the National Health Service, education, charity and justice sectors to get a better understanding of the challenges affecting those with ADHD, including in accessing services and support. An interim report was published on 20 June, with the final report expected later this year, and we will carefully consider its recommendations.

What steps he is taking to improve (a) infrastructure, (b) better understanding of complex patients and (b) staff (i) morale and (ii) experience in the 10 Year Health Plan.

The 10-Year Health Plan detailed our ambition to deliver a National Health Service fit for the future through three big shifts: from hospital to community, from analogue to digital, and from sickness to prevention.Regarding infrastructure, the plan set out our aim to establish neighbourhood health centres in every community over the course of the next 10 years, transforming healthcare access and delivering healthcare closer to home for those that need it most. We are also increasing health capital budgets to over £14.6 billion by the end of the Spending Review period, namely 2029/30, to invest in the NHS and wider health infrastructure, a £2.3 billion real terms increase from 2023/24 to 2029/30.To better our understanding of patients with complex health needs, we will set a new standard that, by 2027, 95% of people with complex needs will have an agreed care plan. As outlined in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will expect all care plans to be co-created with patients and cover their holistic needs, not just their treatment. They will align with national standards for high quality care but, within that, give patients significant choice and freedom.As set out in the plan, the Government is committed to making the NHS the best place to work, by supporting and retaining our hardworking and dedicated healthcare professionals. We will roll out staff treatment hubs that will ensure staff have access to high quality support for occupational health, including support for mental health and back conditions. We will also work with the Social Partnership Forum to introduce a new set of staff standards for modern employment, covering issues such as access to healthy meals, support to work healthily and flexibly, and tackling violence, racism and sexual harassment in the workplace.

What steps she is taking to support local authorities with SEND provision.

To improve the consistency of outcomes, the department is funding regional improvement and innovation alliances which promote collaboration and mutual learning between local authorities, driving consistent improvements in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision across regions.Launched in January 2023, the Ofsted/Care Quality Commission area SEND inspection framework will also inspect all local areas by 2027 to drive better outcomes and consistency. All inspection reports include recommendations for improvement, with departmental intervention to prioritise children’s needs where necessary.The department is working with 32 local authorities as part of the SEND and alternative provision Change Programme to test reform proposals to improve inclusive mainstream practice, create a sustainable system and deliver national consistency through local delivery.Regarding financial support, in the 2025/26 financial year, the department is allocating high needs revenue funding of over £12 billion and capital funding of £740 million for places and provision for children and young people with complex SEND in England.

What recent discussions she has had with business representatives on levels of business confidence.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Treasury Ministers and Senior Officials regularly meet with businesses and business representation organisations. These meetings provide an opportunity for the Government to hear the views of the business community, and aid in the formation of policy. These engagements are ongoing.

What plans she has to ensure that SEND reforms improve consistency of outcomes across local authorities.

To improve the consistency of outcomes, the department is funding regional improvement and innovation alliances which promote collaboration and mutual learning between local authorities, driving consistent improvements in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision across regions.Launched in January 2023, the Ofsted/Care Quality Commission area SEND inspection framework will also inspect all local areas by 2027 to drive better outcomes and consistency. All inspection reports include recommendations for improvement, with departmental intervention to prioritise children’s needs where necessary.The department is working with 32 local authorities as part of the SEND and alternative provision Change Programme to test reform proposals to improve inclusive mainstream practice, create a sustainable system and deliver national consistency through local delivery.Regarding financial support, in the 2025/26 financial year, the department is allocating high needs revenue funding of over £12 billion and capital funding of £740 million for places and provision for children and young people with complex SEND in England.

What estimate he has made of the proportion of illegally traded medicines intercepted by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency Criminal Enforcement Unit.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), acting on behalf of my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, is responsible for the regulation of medicines intended for human use in the United Kingdom. This includes applying the legal controls on the retail sale, supply and advertising of medicines which are set out in the Human Medicines Regulations 2012.The MHRA’s Criminal Enforcement Unit (CEU) works hard to identify those involved in the illegal trade in medicines and takes robust enforcement action where necessary. The Agency also works closely with overseas health regulators, customs authorities, law enforcement agencies, and private sector partners.Since 1 January 2025, the MHRA and its partners have seized over 8.5 million doses of unauthorised or falsified medicines at the United Kingdom border, together with another 3.9 million doses seized as a result of direct operational activity conducted by the CEU.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the 25% withdrawal penalty on Lifetime ISAs on the level of first-time buyers purchasing a property valued marginally above the £450,000 cap.

The Lifetime ISA (LISA) is designed to help people buy their first home or save for later life. You can withdraw funds (plus a government bonus) to buy a first home under £450k, from age 60, or if terminally ill.Data from the latest UK House Price Index shows that while the average price paid by first-time buyers has increased, it is still below the LISA property price cap in all regions of the UK except for London, where the average price paid is affected by boroughs with very high property values.This Government is committed to helping first time buyers own their own home and will do this by building 1.5 million more homes.The Government keeps all aspects of savings tax policy under review.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of business confidence levels on levels of (a) investment and (b) job creation in the economy.

The Government monitors a wide range of indicators to assess the UK’s economic performance, including measures of business confidence. Many of these confidence measures are volatile and can move materially from month to month. Official economic forecasts and assessments of policy impacts are set out in the Office for Budget Responsibility’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook documents, the most recent of which was published in March 2025.Kickstarting economic growth is the Government’s primary mission and businesses are central to this. The Government is committed to going further and faster to drive growth and raise living standards, working in close partnership with business design and delivery policy. For example, at the recent Spending Review, the government increased funding for employment support to over £3.5 billion by 2028-29, tackling inactivity and ensuring more people are in better jobs by helping people to access the skills they need to progress.

What assessment she has made of potential implications for her policies of trends in the level of business confidence included in the Business insights and impact on the UK economy confidence intervals, published by the Office of National Statistics, in the last six months.

The Government monitors a wide range of indicators to assess the UK’s economic performance, including measures of business confidence. Many of these confidence measures are volatile and can move materially from month to month. Official economic forecasts and assessments of policy impacts are set out in the Office for Budget Responsibility’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook documents, the most recent of which was published in March 2025.Kickstarting economic growth is the Government’s primary mission and businesses are central to this. The Government is committed to going further and faster to drive growth and raise living standards, working in close partnership with business design and delivery policy. For example, at the recent Spending Review, the government increased funding for employment support to over £3.5 billion by 2028-29, tackling inactivity and ensuring more people are in better jobs by helping people to access the skills they need to progress.

What steps he is taking to ensure that jobseekers receive prompt CV support.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 10 September to PQ 73218

What steps he is taking to monitor the effectiveness of employment support programmes for young people.

I refer the Hon. member to the answer I gave 16 September to PQ 75889, referencing DWP evaluations which demonstrate the effectiveness of support programmes for young people. The department will continue to build on the existing evidence base as we test, learn and improve the support available to help young people to find, stay in, and progress in work. Our current evaluation plans include a dedicated evaluation of the Youth Guarantee Trailblazers. Preparatory research is already underway to map activities, identify outcome pathways, and understand the supporting systems. As part of this research, we will also assess the feasibility of different methods to evaluate the impact of the Youth Guarantee Trailblazers. A process and theory-based evaluation will also be commissioned as part of a wider Get Britain Working Trailblazer evaluation, scheduled to begin in early 2026.

What steps she is taking to ensure the Lifetime ISA continues to help first-time buyers.

Data from the latest UK House Price Index shows that while the average price paid by first-time buyers has increased, it is still below the Lifetime ISA (Individual Savings Accounts) property price cap in all regions of the UK except for London, where the average price paid is affected by boroughs with very high property values. Having a single property cap across the UK simplifies the Lifetime ISA for savers and account providers. This Government is committed to helping first time buyers own their own home and will do this by building 1.5 million more homes. The Government keeps all aspects of tax and savings policy under review.

Whether she plans to bring forward proposals to reform the Lifetime ISA scheme in the Autumn Budget 2025.

Data from the latest UK House Price Index shows that while the average price paid by first-time buyers has increased, it is still below the Lifetime ISA (Individual Savings Accounts) property price cap in all regions of the UK except for London, where the average price paid is affected by boroughs with very high property values. Having a single property cap across the UK simplifies the Lifetime ISA for savers and account providers. This Government is committed to helping first time buyers own their own home and will do this by building 1.5 million more homes. The Government keeps all aspects of tax and savings policy under review.

Whether she plans to introduce an indexation mechanism to ensure the Lifetime ISA property price cap remains in line with (a) inflation and (b) housing market trends.

Data from the latest UK House Price Index shows that while the average price paid by first-time buyers has increased, it is still below the Lifetime ISA (Individual Savings Accounts) property price cap in all regions of the UK except for London, where the average price paid is affected by boroughs with very high property values. Having a single property cap across the UK simplifies the Lifetime ISA for savers and account providers. This Government is committed to helping first time buyers own their own home and will do this by building 1.5 million more homes. The Government keeps all aspects of tax and savings policy under review.

What estimate she has made of the number of Lifetime ISA holders that have paid a withdrawal penalty in each of the last five years.

The number of Lifetime ISA holders who have made an unauthorised withdrawal and hence, paid a withdrawal penalty for tax years 2020/21 to 2023/24 is available in the Annual Savings Statistics publication, specifically in the Lifetime Individual Savings Accounts Tables 1a. The figures for tax year 2024/25 will be released in the 2025 Annual Savings Statistics publication on 18th September 2025. Link:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66ed20d8c8398625c331e80c/Lifetime_Individual_Savings_Account_Tables_2024.ods Annual savings statistics - Official statistics announcement - GOV.UK

What recent assessment she has made of the potential reasons for the attainment gap between boys and girls at the end of Key Stage 2.

All children and young people should have every opportunity to succeed. However, the department knows that, on average, attainment for boys is lower than girls and we continue to monitor this at all key stages.Although the gap has narrowed slightly from 2024, provisional 2025 key stage 2 data shows girls continue to outperform boys at the expected standard in all subjects, except for mathematics.High and rising standards are key to strengthening outcomes and closing gaps for every child and young person. The department is driving improvements through new regional improvement in standards and excellence teams, the Curriculum and Assessment Review and support to boost primary literacy, including the publication of the Writing Framework and with additional phonics to fluency reading support.Building on this, our upcoming Schools White Paper will set out our vision for a system that drives educational excellence for every child no matter who they are.