Every parliamentary written question tabled by James McMurdock this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 3,061–3,080 of 3,503 · this parliament
Communities and Local Government, how many Voter Authority Certificates have been issued since January 2023.
224,106 applications for Voter Authority Certificates have been received between January 2023 and 13 February 2025. The decision to issue or reject an application is a matter for the relevant Electoral Registration Officer.
Communities and Local Government, what her planned timetable is for the publication of the Government Strategy for Elections.
We will be setting out the Government’s approach to elections and electoral reform for this Parliament in a published document before summer recess. This will include our approach to the delivery of our manifesto commitments and the outcomes of our review of electoral registration and conduct, in which we are consulting with various sector stakeholders.
What steps she is taking to ensure that the salaries of prison officers reflect their job responsibilities.
HMPPS is committed to ensuring that we have a fair, transparent and effective pay and reward system, which reflects the demands of public-sector prisons. HMPPS uses an externally and independently designed, bespoke job evaluation scheme to evaluate the relative size and weight of the different roles across the Prison Service, including Prison Officers. The job evaluation scheme was developed using wide-ranging research and consultation with staff and trade unions.Prison Officer roles (and all roles within the Prison Service) have job descriptions which focus on the activities that occupy the majority of their time, setting out the main responsibilities, activities and duties of the role. Through the job evaluation process, jobs are scored and grouped together in pay bands. Prison Officers are employed on pay band 3.Pay for Prison Officers is informed by the independent recommendations made by the Prison Service Pay Review Body (PSPRB) each year.In making their recommendations, the PSPRB takes account of the written and oral evidence submitted by Government as well as evidence and representations made by the recognised Trade Unions, including the Prison Officers’ Association. The PSPRB considers a range of factors including perceived or actual changes to the roles and responsibilities of Prison Officers as presented through the evidence, as well as financial indicators such as private sector wage growth, inflation, and future Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecasts.There has been significant recent investment in Prison Officer pay. The 2024/25 Prison Service pay award delivered a pay rise of at 5% for all band 3 to 5 Prison Officers, Supervising Officers and Custodial Managers on modernised terms and conditions. This brings the starting salary for an entry level officer (on the national rate, 39 hours with unsocial hours) from £32,851 (as at 1 April 2023) to £34,494 (as at 1 April 2024).
What steps she is taking to ensure prisons are not (a) overcrowded and (b) understaffed.
This Government inherited a criminal justice system in crisis, with prisons running at over 99% capacity and on the brink of total collapse. If our prisons overflowed, police would have been unable to make arrests and we would have faced the total breakdown of law and order. We had to take emergency measures in order to avoid disaster. Our priority is to ensure there is enough capacity in the prison estate in the short and longer term.Our 10-year Prison Capacity strategy published on 11 December sets out plans to deliver 14,000 prison places, maintain the places in our estate to ensure we have sufficient accommodation and explore the acquisition of land should we need to build more prison places.We remain committed to ensuring prisons are sufficiently resourced and that we retain and build levels of experience, both of which are fundamental to delivering quality outcomes in prisons.As of 30 September 2024, there are 23,571 Band 3-5 prison officers in post, and nationally across establishments we are at 99.5% of our Target Staffing Figure (when using hours adjusted FTE).Substantive recruitment efforts will continue at all sites where vacancies exist or are projected, with targeted interventions applied to those prisons with the most need.
Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the age people can receive full Carers allowance above retirement age.
I refer the honourable member to the answer I gave on 14 October 2024 to question UIN 6904.
What steps she is taking to reduce the number of positive mandatory drug tests in prisons.
We know that drugs drive reoffending and are committed to supporting offenders into recovery so they can turn their lives around.It is crucial we have a multi-pronged approach to tackling drugs - to curb the supply of drugs into prisons, several security measures have been implemented, including tackling the use of illicit mobile phones in prison, since we know they drive drug supply.To support prisoners into recovery and steer them away drugs, there are 81 prisons with Incentivised Substance Free Living Units which provide a dedicated, supportive environment for any prisoner who wants to live drug-free in prison.As set out in our manifesto, we have committed to increasing access to purposeful activity in prisons, recognising its critical role in reducing demand for drugs and supporting recovery.To bring together this rehabilitative and security focused approach to tackling drug use, 54 Drug Strategy Leads in key prisons are working to ensure that local drug strategies are effectively implemented.
Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to review voter identification rules.
This government is committed to reviewing and, where necessary, making changes to the voter identification policy to address any aspects that prevent or discourage legitimate electors from voting. This review includes assessing data from research and consulting with stakeholders such as the Electoral Commission. On the 14th of October the government laid the statutory instrument required to add the Veteran Card to the list of identification documents accepted in polling stations. Any further proposals for changes to the policy wil lbe brought forwards in due course.
What steps she is taking to improve working conditions for prison officers.
Prison officers work in difficult environments every day, with some of the most challenging people in our society and we recognise their critical importance in keeping the public safe. We strive to ensure that they work in safe and decent conditions.To protect staff from serious assaults, PAVA, a synthetic pepper spray, is available for prison officers to use in the adult male estate. Over 13,000 next generation Body Worn Video Cameras are available across public sector prisons, meaning every Band 3-5 officer can wear a camera whilst on shift. This provides high-quality evidence to support prosecutions against those who commit assaults on staff.We provide extensive mental health support, including a 24-hour helpline, confidential counselling, and online wellbeing services. Our Trauma Risk Management practitioners and Care Teams provide further support following any incidents while on duty. The Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) offers confidential 24/7 telephone helpline for counselling and provides a range of wellbeing and health promotion workshops. We offer a range of services to support staff wellbeing, which include Care Teams and Mental Health Allies, who are trained to provide support and signposting to any member of staff involved in an incident within the prison or when conducting official duties, present in all public sector prisons.We recognise prison officers deserve a fair reward for their challenging work. That is why one of the first actions of this Government was accepting the independent pay review body recommendations for 2024/2025, delivering a 5% pay rise, raising officers’ starting salaries to over £34,000. We value the work of our recognised Trade Unions in representing the views of their members, and Ministers will continue to engage with them to improve working conditions going forward.
What assessment she has made of potential implications for her policies of the proportion of university students who leave their university courses early due to mental health issues.
This government is breaking down barriers to opportunity by ensuring young people receive the mental health support they deserve. It is vital that higher education (HE) students are supported to achieve and thrive during their time at university.Figures on non-continuation following year one of entry to HE are published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency for full-time first-degree entrants starting courses between the 2014/15 and 2019/20 academic years. Further information is available in Table T3 at: https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/performance-indicators/non-continuation.More recent information on continuation rates, which are the inverse of non-continuation, for first year full-time degree entrants entering HE are published by the Office for Students (OfS). This is available at: https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/data-and-analysis/access-and-participation-data-dashboard/data-dashboard/.The proportion of UK domiciled student enrolments to HE providers who declared a mental health condition, such as depression, schizophrenia or anxiety disorder, was 5.6% in the 2022/23 academic year, compared with 1.8% in 2014/15. Although specific data on the number of students who have left their course due to a mental health issue is not known, we are determined that action is taken so students can maximise the opportunity to study in HE.This government has committed to recruiting 8,500 additional staff across children and adult NHS mental health services.To drive meaningful change in HE mental health support, the HE Student Support Champion, Professor Edward Peck, is chairing the HE Mental Health Implementation Taskforce. The taskforce includes representatives from students, parents, mental health experts and the HE sector. The taskforce published its second stage report in December, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/higher-education-mental-health-implementation-taskforce.We appointed the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Safety in Mental Health to undertake a National Review of HE Student Suicides. This review has seen excellent engagement from universities and will publish its report in the spring, with a focus on highlighting lessons learned and recommendations for better prevention of student suicides.
Communities and Local Government, what criteria her Department plans to use to determine how additional funding for the Affordable Homes Programme will be distributed.
The government is committed to delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation.At the Budget on 30 October 2024, the Chancellor set out details of an immediate one-year cash injection of £500 million to top up the existing Affordable Homes Programme which will deliver up to 5,000 new social and affordable homes.On 12 February 2025, the government announced a further cash injection of £300 million to the existing Affordable Homes Programme which will deliver up to 2,800 new homes, with more than half being Social Rent homes.In awarding contracts under the programme, Homes England and the GLA respectively assess the need for grant on a site-by-site basis. In agreeing how much grant a project requires they will take into account the costs for building out the site with how much grant is needed to make that project viable, and the overall value for money for the programme.More details of the bidding process and criteria can be found on gov.uk here for London and on gov.uk here for projects outside London.
How many and what proportion of university students left their university courses early due to mental health issues in the 2024-25 academic year.
This government is breaking down barriers to opportunity by ensuring young people receive the mental health support they deserve. It is vital that higher education (HE) students are supported to achieve and thrive during their time at university.Figures on non-continuation following year one of entry to HE are published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency for full-time first-degree entrants starting courses between the 2014/15 and 2019/20 academic years. Further information is available in Table T3 at: https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/performance-indicators/non-continuation.More recent information on continuation rates, which are the inverse of non-continuation, for first year full-time degree entrants entering HE are published by the Office for Students (OfS). This is available at: https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/data-and-analysis/access-and-participation-data-dashboard/data-dashboard/.The proportion of UK domiciled student enrolments to HE providers who declared a mental health condition, such as depression, schizophrenia or anxiety disorder, was 5.6% in the 2022/23 academic year, compared with 1.8% in 2014/15. Although specific data on the number of students who have left their course due to a mental health issue is not known, we are determined that action is taken so students can maximise the opportunity to study in HE.This government has committed to recruiting 8,500 additional staff across children and adult NHS mental health services.To drive meaningful change in HE mental health support, the HE Student Support Champion, Professor Edward Peck, is chairing the HE Mental Health Implementation Taskforce. The taskforce includes representatives from students, parents, mental health experts and the HE sector. The taskforce published its second stage report in December, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/higher-education-mental-health-implementation-taskforce.We appointed the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Safety in Mental Health to undertake a National Review of HE Student Suicides. This review has seen excellent engagement from universities and will publish its report in the spring, with a focus on highlighting lessons learned and recommendations for better prevention of student suicides.
What steps she is taking to help reduce the suicide rate amongst male university students.
This government is breaking down barriers to opportunity by ensuring young people receive the mental health support they deserve. It is vital that higher education (HE) students are supported to achieve and thrive during their time at university.Figures on non-continuation following year one of entry to HE are published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency for full-time first-degree entrants starting courses between the 2014/15 and 2019/20 academic years. Further information is available in Table T3 at: https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/performance-indicators/non-continuation.More recent information on continuation rates, which are the inverse of non-continuation, for first year full-time degree entrants entering HE are published by the Office for Students (OfS). This is available at: https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/data-and-analysis/access-and-participation-data-dashboard/data-dashboard/.The proportion of UK domiciled student enrolments to HE providers who declared a mental health condition, such as depression, schizophrenia or anxiety disorder, was 5.6% in the 2022/23 academic year, compared with 1.8% in 2014/15. Although specific data on the number of students who have left their course due to a mental health issue is not known, we are determined that action is taken so students can maximise the opportunity to study in HE.This government has committed to recruiting 8,500 additional staff across children and adult NHS mental health services.To drive meaningful change in HE mental health support, the HE Student Support Champion, Professor Edward Peck, is chairing the HE Mental Health Implementation Taskforce. The taskforce includes representatives from students, parents, mental health experts and the HE sector. The taskforce published its second stage report in December, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/higher-education-mental-health-implementation-taskforce.We appointed the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Safety in Mental Health to undertake a National Review of HE Student Suicides. This review has seen excellent engagement from universities and will publish its report in the spring, with a focus on highlighting lessons learned and recommendations for better prevention of student suicides.
Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to (a) increase standards and (b) improve the regulation of social housing.
All registered providers of social housing are required to deliver the outcomes of the regulatory standards set by the independent Regulator of Social Housing.On 1 April 2024, to complement the existing proactive economic regulation of private registered providers of social housing, a new, proactive consumer regulation regime was introduced. The Regulator of Social Housing has begun proactively seeking assurances that registered providers are meeting the outcomes of the strengthened consumer standards through routine inspections of large landlords (those with more than 1,000 homes). Following inspection, the Regulator issues all large landlords with a consumer grading to ensure it is clear how landlords are performing.The Regulator works intensively with providers who are not delivering the outcomes set out in the standards and has a series of powers at its disposal when it identifies serious failings.The government is committed to taking further action to raise quality standards in both rented sectors, and to strengthen residents’ voices. In the coming months, we will bring forward legislation on Awaab’s law for the social rented sector, consult on a new Decent Homes Standard, and introduce new requirements on competence and conduct and access to information.
Communities and Local Government, what engagement she has had with local communities on the construction of the Coryton Energy Park.
Due to the role of MHCLG Ministers in the planning system it would not be appropriate for me to comment on specific cases. For the same reason, Ministers do not actively engage communities in relation to specific development proposals.Local planning authorities are required to publicise applications for a minimum of 21 days, prior to determining planning applications, and must take any material matters raised into consideration when making a decision.
Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to (a) increase awareness of fire risks for residents living near to Coryton Energy Park and (b) provide information to residents about what they can do to stay safe in the event of a fire.
Due to the role of MHCLG Ministers in the planning system it would not be appropriate for me to comment on specific cases. For the same reason, Ministers do not actively engage communities in relation to specific development proposals.The Health and Safety Executive regulates grid-scale batteries within a robust framework which requires industry to act at all stages of the battery’s deployment to ensure safety. Of particular relevance to fire safety, the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (2002) set out requirements to protect workers and others from fire risks.
Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has conducted an impact assessment of the fire risk for residents living near Coryton Energy Park.
Due to the role of MHCLG Ministers in the planning system it would not be appropriate for me to comment on specific cases. For the same reason, Ministers do not actively engage communities in relation to specific development proposals.The Health and Safety Executive regulates grid-scale batteries within a robust framework which requires industry to act at all stages of the battery’s deployment to ensure safety. Of particular relevance to fire safety, the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (2002) set out requirements to protect workers and others from fire risks.
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of youth employment on the mental health of young people.
We know that quality employment contributes positively to mental health and leads to independence and a feeling of fully participating in society. In 2023, one in five 16–24-year-olds who were not in education, employment, or training in England reported a mental health condition, a significant increase from 2012 figures. In addition, a growing number of young people report that their mental health is a barrier to finding work. Addressing the rising number of young people who are not in education, employment, or training is a priority for the Government and ensuring young people can get clinical support where they need it is a vital part of our response. As part of this the government will provide access to specialist mental health professionals in every school through expanding Mental Health Support Teams. The government also announced in the Great Britain Working White Paper that it will establish a Youth Guarantee, in England, so that every young person aged 18 to 21 has access to further learning, help to get a job or an apprenticeship. This will build on the many existing interventions to help people overcome the barriers of mental and physical ill health and get into or stay in work, with the positive health benefits this brings. This includes Connect to Work, a supported employment programme that joins up work skills and health support for disabled people, those with health conditions and people with complex barriers to employment; and Employment Advisers in NHS Talking Therapies where people experiencing mental health issues can access employment support as part of their therapy journey.
What estimate she has made of the level of unemployment in young people aged 16-24 in the latest period for which data is available.
The latest 16-24 UK unemployment level is published and available at: A01: Summary of labour market statistics - Office for National Statistics
If she will make a comparative assessment of the rates of youth unemployment in (a) the UK and (b) other OECD countries.
OECD youth unemployment rate data is available at: OECD Data Explorer • Infra-annual labour statistics
If she will publish the Terms of Reference for the review into the handling of prison capacity.
The Terms of Reference for the review into the handling of prison capacity were published on Friday 7 February following a Written Ministerial Statement to Parliament. The Terms of Reference can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prison-capacity-review-terms-of-reference/review-into-handling-of-prison-capacity-terms-of-reference.