Written questions by Johnson.

Whether the review of the Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) mandate will (a) take into account the latest data published by Autotrader showing that the average price of a new Electric Vehicles is now lower than petrol vehicles and (b) consider the role of the ZEV mandate in helping to achieve this outcome.

The long-committed Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate Review will be published by early 2027 and we will begin engagement this year. This Review will take into account a wide range of data to understand ZEV market conditions.

Whether his Department has assessed the potential impact of recent changes to planned core education hours in public sector prisons on its compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty.

The Department complies with the ongoing Public Sector Equality Duty to have due regard to the potential equality impacts of decisions to make changes to the provision of education in prisons at both a national and local level. Changes to planned core education hours vary across different prisons because the national funding formula for prison education has been refreshed, to ensure that allocations are a fair reflection of prison population, function and regional cost differences. Governors and Heads of Education, Skills and Work undertake needs analysis to understand the characteristics and needs of their local prison population, and commission education based on this information. New Core Education contracts also have strengthened requirements around Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Providers are required to adhere to the Public Sector Equality Duty, and must continuously maintain an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion action plan to ensure equity of access to learning.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 February 2026 to Question 112445 on Shipping and with reference to section 4 of her Department's publication entitled Seafarers in the UK Shipping Industry: 2025, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the (a) level of the availability and (b) uptake of ratings apprenticeships.

The Department remains committed to increasing the number of seafaring jobs and ratings apprenticeships in the UK. The apprenticeship levy remains available for use in the maritime industry, including for ratings apprenticeships in England, and the Department and MCA continues to fund 50% of a cadetship through the Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) fund, which was recently increased to £19.4m. Apprenticeships are a devolved matter, with ratings apprenticeships available in England in areas including deck rating, marine engineering and officer of the watch. Officials are engaging with industry and the Department for Work and Pensions to increase the uptake of maritime apprenticeships, particularly in areas where industry has reported skills shortages. We regularly discuss relevant areas with other Departments. The recommendations of the review of the effectiveness of funding for UK seafarer training are being assessed by officials.

What assessment she has made of the recommendations in the independent review of the effectiveness of funding for UK seafarer training, published by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on 13 April 2026.

The Department remains committed to increasing the number of seafaring jobs and ratings apprenticeships in the UK. The apprenticeship levy remains available for use in the maritime industry, including for ratings apprenticeships in England, and the Department and MCA continues to fund 50% of a cadetship through the Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) fund, which was recently increased to £19.4m. Apprenticeships are a devolved matter, with ratings apprenticeships available in England in areas including deck rating, marine engineering and officer of the watch. Officials are engaging with industry and the Department for Work and Pensions to increase the uptake of maritime apprenticeships, particularly in areas where industry has reported skills shortages. We regularly discuss relevant areas with other Departments. The recommendations of the review of the effectiveness of funding for UK seafarer training are being assessed by officials.

Further to the Answer of 17 February 2026 to Question 112445 on Shipping, what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Education on the (a) availability and (b) uptake of ratings apprenticeships in England and Wales.

The Department remains committed to increasing the number of seafaring jobs and ratings apprenticeships in the UK. The apprenticeship levy remains available for use in the maritime industry, including for ratings apprenticeships in England, and the Department and MCA continues to fund 50% of a cadetship through the Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) fund, which was recently increased to £19.4m. Apprenticeships are a devolved matter, with ratings apprenticeships available in England in areas including deck rating, marine engineering and officer of the watch. Officials are engaging with industry and the Department for Work and Pensions to increase the uptake of maritime apprenticeships, particularly in areas where industry has reported skills shortages. We regularly discuss relevant areas with other Departments. The recommendations of the review of the effectiveness of funding for UK seafarer training are being assessed by officials.

If she will make it her policy not to expand Managed Service Provider usage until the joint HMRC and PCS evaluation is concluded and reviewed.

HMRC is currently in the Proof of Value phase for the use of Managed Service Providers (MSPs), supported by a joint evaluation agreed with the PCS trade union. The evaluation covers service quality, productivity, customer experience and value for money, and is intended to inform any future decisions about MSP use. HMRC expects to complete the first phase of this evaluation in April, after which the findings will be reviewed internally and used to inform future decisions on the MSP approach. The evaluation will help ensure that any next steps are evidence‑based and aligned with service needs and value for money. Any future planning decisions will be made through normal business planning and Spending Review processes, informed by the evaluation evidence. The findings will be considered alongside operational need, value for money and commercial sensitivities, and used to shape HMRC’s future approach to the use of MSPs.

When she expects the joint HMRC and PCS evaluation of the Managed Service Provider Proof of Value trial will be completed and published.

HMRC is currently in the Proof of Value phase for the use of Managed Service Providers (MSPs), supported by a joint evaluation agreed with the PCS trade union. The evaluation covers service quality, productivity, customer experience and value for money, and is intended to inform any future decisions about MSP use. HMRC expects to complete the first phase of this evaluation in April, after which the findings will be reviewed internally and used to inform future decisions on the MSP approach. The evaluation will help ensure that any next steps are evidence‑based and aligned with service needs and value for money. Any future planning decisions will be made through normal business planning and Spending Review processes, informed by the evaluation evidence. The findings will be considered alongside operational need, value for money and commercial sensitivities, and used to shape HMRC’s future approach to the use of MSPs.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the earned settlement proposals on the number of applicants claiming caring benefits.

The Department has made no such assessment.

With reference to his Department's publication entitled Universal Credit Statistics updated on 17 March 2026 showing people with indefinite leave to remain were 2.7% of Universal Credit claims, whether his Department holds other information of migrants claiming benefits.

The latest statistics showing the percentage of people on Universal Credit in Great Britain by immigration status were published on 17 February 2026, and reported that in January 2026 the percentage of people on Universal Credit in Great Britain with the immigration status of indefinite leave to remain was 2.6%. Information relating to other benefits is not held on digital systems, in a way that allows it to be extracted for the publication as official statistics.

Whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the expected increase in public funds claimed by migrant workers.

Ministers and officials at DWP and the Home Office regularly discuss a range of matters.Most migrants with temporary visas cannot access the benefit system. Access to public funds and benefits is usually at the point of settlement, which for most people will be after they have lived in the UK legally for five years, and the Home Office Earned Settlement policy consultation is looking at increasing this to ten years. The Home Office are also consulting on changing the default position to maintain No Recourse to Public Funds at settlement and lifting this only at the point of British citizenship.

How many Risk Assessed Recall Review applications on behalf of prisoners serving a sentence of imprisonment for public protection have been (a) submitted, (b) accepted, and (c) directed for release, in each month since November 2024.

Since 1 November 2024, officials in the Public Protection Casework Section (PPCS) in HMPPS has on behalf of the Secretary of State considered the suitability of every newly recalled IPP prisoner for re-release under RARR. That means that the recalled offender does not need to make an application for RARR. In each case, officials in PPCS will have regard to any recommendation made by the offender’s community offender manager. The number of recalled IPP offenders re-released via RARR in each month from 1 November 2024 to 30 September 2025 is given in the table below.YearMonthRelease Decisions2024November02024December32025January82025February52025March82025April42025May42025June82025July72025August12025September2Note:Data quality: The figures in these tables have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.We have provided the RARR release data up to 30 September 2025 as we have only published general release data up to 30 September 2025.

How HMRC will demonstrate value for money on the long term rollout of the Managed Service provider model.

Customer demand for HMRC services can fluctuate significantly, both seasonally and in response to external events. HMRC uses Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to provide additional, flexible capacity to help manage these types of variations and support performance on customer helplines. Incorporating MSPs into the overall resourcing mix helps HMRC maintain customer service standards, while retaining expertise within its workforce. Other Government Departments (OGDs) already use MSP contracts to provide additional workforce flexibility. HMRC are currently in an initial approximately 18 month ‘proof of value’ phase using existing Government contracts. This will allow them to test, learn and ensure quality and value for money before wider implementation. Due to the design of the contract, HMRC can only confirm costs retrospectively. Much of the oversight work utilises existing HMRC staff who do that work for their internal services, thereby ensuring continuity across the services. Overall the projected cost for 12 months was approximately £23m. HMRC are conducting a joint evaluation, at quarterly intervals, of the performance of the MSP including its value for money with the Trade Unions which will include customer satisfaction, quality, productivity and other metrics. HMRC provides the initial training for the services covered by the MSPs, before approving suppliers to train subsequent cohorts of staff themselves. All operational guidance is developed, owned and updated by HMRC, and HMRC retains full decision‑making authority, with a dedicated team actively managing the partnership.

What the projected cost of the Managed Service Provider model is, including contract management and oversight costs; and whether that cost has been benchmarked against (a) recruiting and training permanent HMRC staff and (b) the use of temporary and surge staffing.

Customer demand for HMRC services can fluctuate significantly, both seasonally and in response to external events. HMRC uses Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to provide additional, flexible capacity to help manage these types of variations and support performance on customer helplines. Incorporating MSPs into the overall resourcing mix helps HMRC maintain customer service standards, while retaining expertise within its workforce. Other Government Departments (OGDs) already use MSP contracts to provide additional workforce flexibility. HMRC are currently in an initial approximately 18 month ‘proof of value’ phase using existing Government contracts. This will allow them to test, learn and ensure quality and value for money before wider implementation. Due to the design of the contract, HMRC can only confirm costs retrospectively. Much of the oversight work utilises existing HMRC staff who do that work for their internal services, thereby ensuring continuity across the services. Overall the projected cost for 12 months was approximately £23m. HMRC are conducting a joint evaluation, at quarterly intervals, of the performance of the MSP including its value for money with the Trade Unions which will include customer satisfaction, quality, productivity and other metrics. HMRC provides the initial training for the services covered by the MSPs, before approving suppliers to train subsequent cohorts of staff themselves. All operational guidance is developed, owned and updated by HMRC, and HMRC retains full decision‑making authority, with a dedicated team actively managing the partnership.

Who is responsible for training Managed Service Provider staff and trainers; and what role HMRC staff play in that process.

Customer demand for HMRC services can fluctuate significantly, both seasonally and in response to external events. HMRC uses Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to provide additional, flexible capacity to help manage these types of variations and support performance on customer helplines. Incorporating MSPs into the overall resourcing mix helps HMRC maintain customer service standards, while retaining expertise within its workforce. Other Government Departments (OGDs) already use MSP contracts to provide additional workforce flexibility. HMRC are currently in an initial approximately 18 month ‘proof of value’ phase using existing Government contracts. This will allow them to test, learn and ensure quality and value for money before wider implementation. Due to the design of the contract, HMRC can only confirm costs retrospectively. Much of the oversight work utilises existing HMRC staff who do that work for their internal services, thereby ensuring continuity across the services. Overall the projected cost for 12 months was approximately £23m. HMRC are conducting a joint evaluation, at quarterly intervals, of the performance of the MSP including its value for money with the Trade Unions which will include customer satisfaction, quality, productivity and other metrics. HMRC provides the initial training for the services covered by the MSPs, before approving suppliers to train subsequent cohorts of staff themselves. All operational guidance is developed, owned and updated by HMRC, and HMRC retains full decision‑making authority, with a dedicated team actively managing the partnership.

What progress has been made in expanding the supervised tooth-brushing schemes for young children in England.

The supervised toothbrushing programme will reach up to 600,000 children living in the most deprived areas of England, supported by £11 million in 2025/26, with a further £10.5 million consolidated into the Public Health Grant in 2026/27. In the first year of the programme, four million free toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste have been donated to local authorities through our partnership between the Government and Colgate-Palmolive. An early phase evaluation is underway to understand how the programme is being delivered, including the number of schools and nurseries participating and the number of children attending these settings. Further information is available at the following link: https://phirst.nihr.ac.uk/evaluations/national_supervised_toothbrushing_programme/ The National Institute for Health and Care Research’s Public Health Research Programme will also evaluate effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. Further information is available at the following link: https://www.nihr.ac.uk/funding/evaluation-national-targeted-supervised-toothbrushing-programme-england/2025435?token=3ed518253355e77237e0cedf06584afcc8fbbb111251ef24c7315baf7c62502e

What steps are being taken to improve access to NHS dental care for children in deprived and rural areas.

We are aware of the challenges faced in accessing a dentist, particularly in more rural areas.The 10-Year Health Plan confirms that child dental health is a priority. We are introducing changes to dental access that will benefit children. Following public consultation, from April 2026 we will introduce a new course of treatment for fluoride varnish for children to be applied by suitably trained dental nurses in between regular check-ups. We will also increase remuneration for dentists for fissure sealants, to support increased use of this effective treatment for primary prevention purposes. These reforms will put patients with the greatest need first, incentivising urgent care and complex treatments.The Government is committed to ensuring people can access urgent dental care when they need it. Over the past year, integrated care boards have been commissioning additional urgent dental appointments and there is now an urgent care safety net available in all areas of the country. 1.8 million additional courses of National Health Service dental treatment were delivered between April and October 2025, compared to the corresponding months before the general election. Half of these additional treatments were delivered to children.In 2025/26, we invested £11 million in 147 local authorities and in 2026/27, we will be investing a further £10.5 million, as part of a multi-year settlement, in 151 local authorities to continue to implement the national targeted supervised toothbrushing programme for three- to five-year-olds. This is alongside the innovative partnership with Colgate-Palmolive. The aim is to reach up to 600,000 children targeted in the 20% most deprived areas of England to reduce inequalities.The Government is committed to achieving fundamental contract reform by the end of this Parliament.

What steps his Department is taking to reduce child tooth decay rates.

Reducing rates of tooth decay is central to our commitment to help children to live healthier lives. Tooth decay is also almost entirely preventable. We are delivering the national targeted supervised toothbrushing programme for three- to five-year-olds in the most deprived areas. We are making preventative advice available to parents and young children, with oral hygiene embedded in the Healthy Child Programme and Best Start Parent Hub. Further information is available at the following two links: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/healthy-child-programme-high-impact-area-framework https://beststartinlife.gov.uk/ Water fluoridation is an effective intervention for reducing tooth decay and oral health inequalities. We will expand community water fluoridation in the north east of England from 2028, so that it reaches 1.6 million more people by April 2030, and assess further expansion in areas where oral health outcomes are worst. We are also acting to reduce sugar consumption, which is the main risk factor for tooth decay. The Soft Drinks Industry Levy will be extended to include pre-packaged milk based and milk substitute drinks, and the lower tax threshold at which the levy applies will be lowered from 5 grams to 4.5 grams of sugar per 100 millilitres.On 25 March, the Government launched a consultation on the proposed application of the new Nutrient Profiling Model to the advertising and promotions restrictions on less healthy food and drink.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure the distinct health needs of children and young people are considered in the rollout of the neighbourhood health service.

The Government is committed to raising the healthiest generation of children ever and to ensuring that all children can access the right support at the right time. The shift to neighbourhood health, set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, will help deliver this ambition by strengthening and joining up support around the needs of babies, children, and young people. Neighbourhood health services will work together with Best Start Family Hubs, schools, and colleges, so that children get support quickly. On 17 March 2026, we published a Neighbourhood Health Framework, designed to provide clarity and consistency to integrated care boards, local authorities, and their partners, in developing and scaling neighbourhood health. The framework identifies children and young people as a high-priority cohort for improving health outcomes and recognises this as a joint endeavour between the National Health Service, local authorities, and wider partners. The framework is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/neighbourhood-health-framework

What funding has been allocated to local authorities for programmes aimed at preventing childhood obesity.

Core funding for local authorities’ public health responsibilities is provided through the ring-fenced Public Health Grant which funds a range of preventative and treatment health services, including childhood obesity programmes. Local authorities are responsible for deciding how best to allocate their Public Health Grant to improve the health of their population and to fulfil their public health responsibilities.For 2025/26, the Government increased the Public Health Grant by £224 million. The Government will continue to invest in local authorities' vital public health work, providing more than £13.4 billion over the next three years through a consolidated Public Health Grant, giving local authorities greater certainty to support long term prevention planning to make the best decisions to promote better population health, including on childhood obesity.

What steps are being taken to ensure that children from low-income households can access healthy food and regular exercise opportunities.

As set out in our 10-Year Health Plan for England, we are taking decisive action on the obesity crisis and creating the healthiest generation of children ever. We are restricting junk food advertising targeted at children on television and online and have given councils stronger powers to block new fast-food outlets near schools. We have announced changes to the Soft Drinks Industry Levy and consulted on our proposals to ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children. We will go further by introducing mandatory reporting on the healthiness of sales for all large food businesses and strengthening the existing advertising and promotions restrictions by applying an updated definition of ‘less healthy food and drink’. We recognise that obesity is highly unequal and we are taking appropriate steps to support people to access healthier food. Through the Healthy Start Scheme, we are encouraging a healthy diet for pregnant women, babies, and young children under four years old from very low-income households and, in April 2026, we will be uplifting the value of weekly payments by 10%. The Government is committed to reviewing the School Food Standards so that these reflect the most recent dietary recommendations, free school meals will be extended to all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit from September 2026, and phase 1 of the free breakfast clubs programme will commence from April 2026, which will see a further 2,000 new schools delivering free breakfast clubs.We are also committed to breaking down barriers and getting more people moving, especially those living in more deprived areas. We will do this through delivering the new Physical Education and School Sport Partnerships network, continued investment in grassroots sport, and cycling and walking infrastructure. We have already teamed up with Joe Wicks and launched 'Activate’, a series of animated, fun five-minute workouts to help families and schools tackle inactivity among children.