Written questions by Shannon.

What discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on accessibility of workplaces to wheelchair users.

The Equality Act 2010 (the Act) protects disabled people from discrimination in the workplace. The Act requires employers to make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees and jobseekers to ensure that they are not placed at a substantial disadvantage compared to their non-disabled colleagues. This could include improving access to premises for wheelchair users, through installing ramps or other auxiliary aids or services.

If he will hold discussions with Harland and Wolff on steps to help them resume manufacturing ships for the Royal Navy.

Harland & Wolff Plc, a major sub-contractor and a member of Team Resolute, the consortium delivering the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships for the Royal Navy, announced on 16 September 2024 that they would be winding down its non-core operations, but the four shipyards will continue to operate.Following a review of their financial situation, the Government is clear that the market is best placed to address the challenges the company is facing. We continue to work extensively with all parties to find an outcome for the company that continues to deliver shipbuilding and manufacturing in the UK.The successful delivery of the FSS programme remains a priority. There is extensive engagement with Navantia UK as the Prime Contractor to understand what steps the company is taking to ensure delivery of the FSS contract and management of its supply chain.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Education Secretary on the potential merits of teaching awareness of social media.

The government is working to make the internet safer, through the Online Safety Act to ensure platforms limit harmful content and by helping citizens gain skills to navigate the online world.Digital and media literacy skills are taught through several compulsory subjects within the school curriculum. This includes evaluating digital content, the implications of sharing personal data, harmful content and contact, cyberbullying, and over-reliance on social media. DSIT and DfE ministers collaborate to ensure these skills are integrated into education policy. The Government has also commissioned an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review which will consider digital and critical thinking skills.

Whether she plans to include a review of the current arrangements for religious education in the planned review of the national curriculum.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.Religious education (RE) is an important subject that should provide pupils with an opportunity to learn about a wide range of religious and non-religious beliefs. Religious education should help pupils to better understand the values and traditions of different religious communities, which is why it remains a compulsory subject in all state-funded schools in England for each pupil up to the age of 18.The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18, which is chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE. The review will seek to deliver a curriculum that reflects the issues and diversities of our society, ensuring that all children and young people are represented in their learning and have access to a broad range of subjects.The review group has recently launched a call for evidence, which sets out key questions and themes where it would particularly welcome input.Anyone can access and respond to the call for evidence or register to join a live event. The review is looking to hear from a range of experts across the sector, in addition to the regular contact departmental officials have with stakeholders on the matter of religious education.

What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the proposal of the Religious Education Council’s National Content Standard for Religious Education; and whether she plans to include the National Content Standard for Religious Education in the planned review of the National Curriculum.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.Religious education (RE) is an important subject that should provide pupils with an opportunity to learn about a wide range of religious and non-religious beliefs. Religious education should help pupils to better understand the values and traditions of different religious communities, which is why it remains a compulsory subject in all state-funded schools in England for each pupil up to the age of 18.The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18, which is chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE. The review will seek to deliver a curriculum that reflects the issues and diversities of our society, ensuring that all children and young people are represented in their learning and have access to a broad range of subjects.The review group has recently launched a call for evidence, which sets out key questions and themes where it would particularly welcome input.Anyone can access and respond to the call for evidence or register to join a live event. The review is looking to hear from a range of experts across the sector, in addition to the regular contact departmental officials have with stakeholders on the matter of religious education.

Whether she plans to hold discussions with the (a) National Association of Teachers of RE, (b) RE Council and (c) National Association of Standing Advisory Councils on RE on the Curriculum and Assessment Review.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.Religious education (RE) is an important subject that should provide pupils with an opportunity to learn about a wide range of religious and non-religious beliefs. Religious education should help pupils to better understand the values and traditions of different religious communities, which is why it remains a compulsory subject in all state-funded schools in England for each pupil up to the age of 18.The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18, which is chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE. The review will seek to deliver a curriculum that reflects the issues and diversities of our society, ensuring that all children and young people are represented in their learning and have access to a broad range of subjects.The review group has recently launched a call for evidence, which sets out key questions and themes where it would particularly welcome input.Anyone can access and respond to the call for evidence or register to join a live event. The review is looking to hear from a range of experts across the sector, in addition to the regular contact departmental officials have with stakeholders on the matter of religious education.

What recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of recent changes to the early release scheme.

SDS40 is a necessary measure to avoid the collapse of the Criminal Justice System. In designing the measure, we took every possible step to mitigate risk including an 8-week implementation period, clear offence exclusions, and a huge amount of collaboration with partners across the Criminal Justice System.Once released, offenders will be closely monitored by probation and subject to strict licence conditions, which if breached could lead to their immediate recall to prison.Following the first tranche of SDS40 releases that took place on 10 September, the Ministry of Justice and His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service have consulted our frontline and cross government partners on how things went. Following the release of prisoners under Tranche 1 on 10 September 2024 and Tranche 2 on 22 October, we are determined to continue to take every step possible to bring the prisons system under control, reduce reoffending and to keep the public safe.As the Lord Chancellor has previously announced, the change will be reviewed in 18 months.

What recent estimate she has made of the number of gangs that are involved in hare coursing.

The Government recognises the importance of tackling rural and wildlife crime and the impact hare coursing can have. We are committed to safeguarding rural communities, with tougher measures to clamp down on anti-social behaviour, strengthened neighbourhood policing, and stronger laws to prevent farm theft and fly-tippers.The National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU), which the Government provides funding to, oversees the police national response to wildlife crime, including hare coursing. It provides bespoke analytics each year to the 32 forces that are signed up to Operation Galileo, which has resulted in a 40% reduction in hare coursing, and have been successful in disrupting and prosecuting organised crime groups.The National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Wildlife and Rural Crime Strategy aims to target hare coursing through better preventative action, improved intelligence and enforcement.Policing in Northern Ireland is a devolved matter.

What discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Department for Communities on extending the warm homes plan to Northern Ireland.

We are committed to engaging with all Devolved Governments on our ambitious energy security and net zero plans going forward, while respecting the devolution settlements. Details of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. Published declarations include the purpose of the meeting and the names of any additional external organisations or individuals in attendance.

What discussions he has had with large energy companies in Northern Ireland on funding for onshore wind farms in (a) Strangford and (b) rural areas.

Energy policy is devolved to Northern Ireland but our ambition for onshore wind covers the UK and Northern Ireland will hopefully be a major contributor, already hosting a tenth of UK onshore wind capacity. More widely, collaboration between the UK Government and Devolved Governments is essential to accelerate Net Zero and deliver the Clean Energy Superpower Mission. The Government is working closely with governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to help work towards delivery of our respective climate targets and carbon budgets and Ministers from this department and the Devolved Governments met recently in Edinburgh to discuss this. Details of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. Published declarations include the purpose of the meeting and the names of any additional external organisations or individuals in attendance.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions on using farm effluage and sewage for anaerobic digestion instead of importing wood chippings as biomass.

There are anaerobic digestion plants across the UK that generate electricity through the combustion of biogas produced through the breakdown of sewage or agricultural waste. Biomass generators, in contrast, generate electricity through the combustion of solid fuel. As biomass is a different type of technology, it uses different types of feedstock. In general, sewage cannot substitute for solid biomass fuel.

What discussions she has had with the Department of Communities in Northern Ireland on supporting young adults with mental health issues back into work.

Social security is devolved in Northern Ireland and is administered by the Department for Communities and it is for the Devolved Government to decide how to deliver employment support. The Department understands the longstanding negative implications unemployment may have on young people. Disabled people and people with health conditions are a diverse group who deserve access to the right work and health support, in the right place, at the right time. We therefore have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work, including those that join up employment and health systems. Through our Get Britain Working Plan, we will introduce a new Youth Guarantee in England, meaning more opportunities for training, an apprenticeship or help to find work for all 18 to 21-year-olds. This will prevent young people becoming excluded from the world of work at a young age and ultimately help support better mental health. This will require input and expertise from a wide range of stakeholders, and we will engage with the devolved governments, including the Department for Communities as our plans develop.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to help tackle (a) forced disappearances, (b) the prolonged detentions of monks and nuns and (c) other suppression of (i) freedom of religion or belief and (ii) human rights in Tibet.

This Government will stand firm on human rights, including China's repression of the people of Tibet. We will champion freedom of religion or belief for all abroad, and work to uphold the right to freedom of religion or belief through our position at the UN, G7 and other multilateral fora, and through bilateral engagement.The Foreign Secretary raised human rights in his first meeting with China's Director of Foreign Affairs Commission Office and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, on 26 July.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of (a) human rights conditions and (b) respect for international law in the South Caucasus.

Long-term human rights concerns persist across the whole South Caucasus region. The UK Government regularly raises human rights obligations and commitments with the Governments of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, as well as discussing such matters with international counterparts. For example, I [Minister Doughty] spoke to Georgian Foreign Minister Darchiashvili on 9 October. I shared with him my deep concerns about the negative implications of Georgia's recent laws on Transparency and Foreign Influence and on Family Values and highlighted our concerns regarding the pressures being applied to civil society which undermine the Georgian people's ambition for a modern, inclusive and Euro-Atlantic future.

What steps he is taking to help prevent cases of Oropouche virus; and what discussions he has had with devolved Administrations on that virus.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) continuously monitors the global epidemiology of the Oropouche virus disease, and assesses risk to the United Kingdom’s population. The UKHSA works to reduce risk through the provision of travel advice to both travellers and healthcare professionals, including through the National Travel Health Network and Centre and through awareness raising through media engagement, when appropriate.The UKHSA has undertaken specific work to raise the awareness of the Oropouche virus disease among healthcare professionals, including targeted communication and discussion with professional obstetrics and gynaecology networks. UKHSA subject matter experts have contributed to publications in scientific and medical journals to raise clinician awareness. The UKHSA has also provided expert commentary to media outlets, to ensure that accurate travel health advice is included in media articles.Molecular testing for acute Oropouche virus disease is available in the UK through the UKHSA’s Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL), in Porton Down. Following the increase in cases in the Americas in 2024, the RIPL has also been performing active surveillance through testing samples submitted for dengue diagnosis, where the patient has travelled to a region affected by the Oropouche virus disease and subsequently tests negative for dengue. No imported cases have been detected in the UK to date. Epidemiological alerts published by the Pan American Health Organisation and World Health Organisation have been shared with the devolved administration’s public health organisations

What steps she is taking to encourage boys to apply for university.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.The department will support the aspiration of every person who meets the requirements and wants to go to university, regardless of their background and personal characteristics. Access to higher education (HE) should be based on ability and attainment. Opportunity should be available to all and it is our aspiration that no groups are left behind.It is critical that both boys and girls are supported with good advice, quality options and fair and transparent processes which ensure there are no barriers to them accessing high quality courses suited to their ability, interests and aspirations.The department expects schools and colleges to provide a stable, structured careers programme in line with the Gatsby Benchmarks. The Benchmarks include a clear expectation that every pupil should meet providers of the full range of learning opportunities, including universities. By the age of 18, all pupils who are considering applying for university should have had at least two visits to universities to meet staff and pupilsAll English HE providers that are registered with the Office for Students (OfS) and intend to charge higher fees must have an access and participation plan (APP) approved by the OfS. APPs should set out how a university or college will challenge risks to equality of opportunity in HE and include the underrepresented groups it will support. HE providers should refer to the Equality of Opportunity Risk Register published by the OfS when considering risk. They should also consider other local risks based on available evidence to address areas of under-representation.UCAS has introduced reforms to the admissions application form to increase transparency and improve clarity around the process. These include a new academic reference for the 2024 cycle, a new entry grades tool for the 2025 cycle and personal statement reform. These changes aim to enable students to make informed, ambitious choices and ensure universities hear from students in their own words.

Whether she has had discussions with her Northern Irish counterpart on the release from prison of convicted murderers.

The Lord Chancellor has not yet had discussions with Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive, however Ministers wish to meet counterparts soon. Officials regularly discuss a broad range of release policy issues through meetings such as the 5 Nations Forum which convenes quarterly.

Communities and Local Government, if she will hold discussions with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive on women sleeping rough because of domestic abuse.

The Deputy Prime Minister has been clear about the importance of resetting this department’s relationship with devolved governments so that we are increasing collaboration on shared opportunities and challenges. UK Government ministers talk regularly to counterparts in Northern Ireland across the full range of government business.Domestic abuse is a societal issue which affects people, mostly women and girls, across the UK. This Government is committed to tackling this horrendous crime, in line with our manifesto commitment to halve violence against women and girls within a decade.I recognise that the four nations of the UK face common challenges regarding domestic abuse and homelessness, which are devolved matters. In England, local authorities have a statutory duty to ensure support in safe accommodation is available to all victims of domestic abuse who need to flee their homes, and victims of domestic abuse have priority need for homelessness assistance meaning local authorities have a duty to secure suitable accommodation, including temporary accommodation, until settled accommodation is secured.

What discussions she has had with her Austrian counterpart on security for Taylor Swift concerts.

The government’s protective security system is rigorous and proportionate.It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals’ security.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he is taking steps with his Azerbaijani counterpart to help tackle corruption by politicians in that country.

The UK acknowledges that like many countries around the world, Azerbaijan faces challenges with tackling corruption. We remain in close contact with the Azerbaijani authorities and stand ready to provide support and expertise in tackling this issue.