Written questions by Anderson.

What interim support his Department is providing to integrated care boards in relation to NHS dentist shortages in Ashfield constituency.

We are determined to rebuild National Health Service dentistry, but it will take time and there are no quick fixes. Strengthening the workforce is key to our ambitions.Integrated care boards have started to advertise posts through the Golden Hello scheme. This recruitment incentive will see up to 240 dentists receiving payments of £20,000 to work in those areas that need them most for three years.We have launched a 10-Year Health Plan to reform the NHS, a central part of which will be our workforce. We will publish a refreshed workforce plan to ensure the NHS has the right people, in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the care patients need when they need it.To rebuild dentistry in the long term, we will reform the dental contract with the sector, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.

How many referrals has HMRC received from local enforcement authorities in relation to the penalty regime introduced through the Tobacco Products (Traceability and Security Features) (Amendment) Regulations 2023.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has received 312 referrals from local enforcement authorities in relation to the penalty regime introduced through the Tobacco Products (Traceability and Security Features) (Amendment) Regulations 2023. These regulations extended powers to enable Trading Standards to tackle non-compliance with the UK’s Tobacco Track and Trace system, which regulates tobacco at all stages of the supply chain, from manufacture through to retail. Trading Standards can make referrals to HMRC on potential breaches of the law, for HMRC to impose penalties.

If she will increase sentences for offences committed with a knife.

Tackling knife crime is a priority and this Government is determined to do all it can to break the deadly cycle of violence that devastates the lives of individuals, families and communities.The maximums available for existing knife offences include up to 4 years’ imprisonment for carrying a knife or threatening with an offensive weapon being 4 years’ imprisonment. Where someone is actually harmed by a knife or offensive weapon, there are a range of offences that the offender may be charged with, such as causing grievous bodily harm. These can result in lengthy sentences, up to life imprisonment. Sentencing in individual cases are a matter for our independent judiciary.We will be reforming the sentencing framework in line with most of the recommendations made by the Independent Sentencing Review in May 2025 to ensure that our prisons never run out of space again, which would place the public at unconscionable risk.

What steps she is taking to help ensure access to cash in Ashfield constituency.

The Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those in vulnerable groups, and is committed to protecting access to cash for individuals and businesses.The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) assumed regulatory responsibility for access to cash in September 2024. Its rules require the reasonable provision of free cash withdrawal and deposit facilities for personal current accounts.  Data from LINK (the operator of the UK’s largest ATM network) identifies 66 ATMs in Ashfield, including 47 free-to-use ATMs. The UK’s largest banks and building societies are required to assess the impact of a closure or material alteration of a relevant cash withdrawal or deposit facility and put in place a new service if necessary. Assessments are undertaken by LINK, the industry designated coordinating body responsible for conducting cash access assessments. LINK take into account a number of factors including those unique to each location, such as the size and vulnerability of the population and whether it is reasonable for people to travel to nearby facilities, factoring in geographic barriers such as hills, rivers and major roads. Where a resident, community organisation or other interested party feels access to cash in their community is insufficient, they can submit a request for a cash access assessment. Further information about submitting a cash access request can be found on LINK’s website.The Government is also working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK by the end of this Parliament. These hubs will provide small businesses and individuals with critical cash and in-person banking services.  Over 225 banking hubs have been recommended to date and over 150 are already open.

If she will increase the number of police officers in neighbourhood teams in Nottinghamshire.

The Government has committed to restoring neighbourhood policing through the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee. This includes putting thousands more police personnel on the beat in neighbourhood policing roles up and down the country. As a part of this pledge, Nottinghamshire Police have been allocated £3,570,488 funding in 2025/26 to bolster their neighbourhood policing teams.Based on their funding allocation, Nottinghamshire Police’s projected growth over 2025/26 will be 30 police officers (FTE), 20 Police Community Support Officers (FTE), and 20 Special Constables (headcount).

What steps is she taking to help tackle illegal immigration from Iran.

We continue to work closely with our partners across the Middle East to enhance capabilities concerning irregular migration and border security across the region, to further disrupt serious organised crime, including organised immigration crime and illicit drug flows.

How many knife crimes were reported in Nottinghamshire in each of the last five years.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 22 May is attached.

What recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the increase in National Insurance contributions on organisations that deliver services for SEND children.

Most children with special educational needs and disabilities receive their education in mainstream schools. With the increase in employers’ National Insurance contributions from April 2025, the department is providing additional funding of over £930 million in the 2025/26 financial year to support mainstream schools and special schools.

What steps she is taking to retain police officers in Nottinghamshire.

The retention of police officers is a priority for the Home Office and the National Police Chiefs Council. Voluntary resignation rates in England and Wales, at 3.4%, are low compared to other sectors. Experienced officers are incredibly valuable which is why forces should be using evidence-based strategies to manage the retention and progression of officers. Retention activity is supported by the College of Policing which provides a learning platform to all forces that contains insights and guidance, themed around attraction, recruitment, onboarding and retention.In 2025-26, overall funding for policing will total up to £19.6 billion, an increase of up to £1.2 billion when compared to the 2024-25 police settlement. Nottinghamshire Police will receive up to £301.6 million in funding in 2025-26, an increase of up to £18.0 million when compared to the 2024-25 police settlement equating to a 6.4% cash increase.Of this, as part of the Officer Maintenance Ringfenced Grant, £376.8 million will be available to forces to maintain officer numbers at expected levels. Nottinghamshire Police has been allocated up to £6.2 million for maintaining a headcount of 2,408 officers.As part of the Neighbourhood Policing Grant, £200 million will be available to forces in 2025/26 to support the Government’s commitment in delivering 13,000 additional personnel into neighbourhood policing teams by the end of this parliament. Nottinghamshire Police has been allocated £3.6 million for an increase of 30 police officers, 20 PCSOs and 20 Special Constables.

Whether she plans to increase the length of sentences for shoplifting.

Sentencing in individual cases is a matter for the courts, and the courts have a range of sentencing powers to deal with each offender effectively and appropriately, including discharges, fines, community sentences, suspended sentences and imprisonment.The maximum penalty for an offence is set by Parliament and is designed to cover the most serious imaginable behaviours that may fall under that offence. We continue to keep maximum penalties under review to make ensure they reflect the seriousness of the offending behaviour.Under the previous Government, shop theft increased to an unacceptable level, with more and more offenders using violence and abuse against shopworkers. We will not stand for this as everybody has a right to feel safe at their place of work.That is why, through our Crime and Policing Bill, we are introducing a new offence of assaulting a retail worker. The new offence will carry a maximum prison sentence of six months and/or an unlimited fine, matching the current sentence guidelines for common assault. It will also come with a presumption for a court to apply a Criminal Behaviour Order. This will prohibit the offender from doing anything described in the order, which might include a condition preventing specific acts which cause harassment, alarm or distress, or preventing an offender from visiting specific premises.The Crime and Policing Bill will also introduce new measures to address the perceived immunity for ‘low value’ shop theft. With this change, there will no longer be a threshold categorising shop theft of goods worth £200 and under as ‘low value’. Instead, all cases of shop theft will be taken seriously irrespective of the value of goods stolen, with a maximum custodial penalty of 7 years. Shop theft of any amount is illegal, and repealing this legislation will ensure everyone understands this.

What steps she is taking to inform clients of WW&J McClure solicitors that their trusts are no longer viable.

The Ministry of Justice does not hold responsibility for informing clients about the status of their legal arrangements with private law firms. The legal profession in England and Wales is regulated independently of government. Responsibility for solicitors’ conduct lies with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), overseen by the Legal Services Board. The SRA’s role involves protecting clients and the public. The different ways in which they can provide support to consumers of legal services can be found on their website: SRA | What you can expect from us | Solicitors Regulation Authority.The Government is aware of the issues surrounding WW&J McClures’ collapse, which involve multiple regulators responding to former clients across Scotland, England and Wales. Government officials have been engaging with the SRA, which has confirmed it is continuing to investigate the situation.With regards to the issue of raising awareness among clients of McClures, there are requirements with respect to the advertising and publication of an insolvency so that creditors and other interested parties are made aware. The administration of McClures was advertised as required in the London Gazette. Information for former clients of McClures in Scotland was also published by Law Society of Scotland. For clients in England and Wales, the SRA also issued a public update, which remains available on their website SRA | WW&J McClure and Jones Whyte | Solicitors Regulation AuthorityIn addition, for clients of McClures across Great Britain, Jones Whyte published an extensive list of FAQs, covering the number of clients it had taken on, the steps it was taking to contact those clients, and the procedure for clients to transfer to another legal firm if they wished.The Ministry of Justice has not held discussions with third-party intermediaries who were involved in selling trusts that were subsequently managed by WW&J McClures solicitors. Under the Legal Services Act 2007, the creation of a trust is not a reserved legal activity. This means that such activity may have involved individuals or organisations who were not regulated legal professionals. Where the sale of such trusts involved financial advice or services, this would be covered by the financial regulatory regime overseen by HM Treasury.Officials from the Ministry of Justice have engaged with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) regarding the collapse of WW&J McClure solicitors and the regulatory concerns arising from their handling of client trusts.The SRA has confirmed that it is carrying out an investigation into the former partners of the firm. As those individuals are no longer on the roll of solicitors, the SRA is limited in the enforcement action it can currently take. However, any concerns identified during the course of the investigation would be taken into account if any former partner seeks to return to legal practice.The Ministry continues to monitor this issue through regular engagement with legal regulators and remains in contact with the SRA as it progresses its investigation. The SRA has published a public update on its website for affected clients and other interested parties: SRA | WW&J McClure and Jones Whyte | Solicitors Regulation Authority

What recent discussions her Department has had with third parties who sold trusts that then came under the authority of WW&J McClure solicitors.

The Ministry of Justice does not hold responsibility for informing clients about the status of their legal arrangements with private law firms. The legal profession in England and Wales is regulated independently of government. Responsibility for solicitors’ conduct lies with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), overseen by the Legal Services Board. The SRA’s role involves protecting clients and the public. The different ways in which they can provide support to consumers of legal services can be found on their website: SRA | What you can expect from us | Solicitors Regulation Authority.The Government is aware of the issues surrounding WW&J McClures’ collapse, which involve multiple regulators responding to former clients across Scotland, England and Wales. Government officials have been engaging with the SRA, which has confirmed it is continuing to investigate the situation.With regards to the issue of raising awareness among clients of McClures, there are requirements with respect to the advertising and publication of an insolvency so that creditors and other interested parties are made aware. The administration of McClures was advertised as required in the London Gazette. Information for former clients of McClures in Scotland was also published by Law Society of Scotland. For clients in England and Wales, the SRA also issued a public update, which remains available on their website SRA | WW&J McClure and Jones Whyte | Solicitors Regulation AuthorityIn addition, for clients of McClures across Great Britain, Jones Whyte published an extensive list of FAQs, covering the number of clients it had taken on, the steps it was taking to contact those clients, and the procedure for clients to transfer to another legal firm if they wished.The Ministry of Justice has not held discussions with third-party intermediaries who were involved in selling trusts that were subsequently managed by WW&J McClures solicitors. Under the Legal Services Act 2007, the creation of a trust is not a reserved legal activity. This means that such activity may have involved individuals or organisations who were not regulated legal professionals. Where the sale of such trusts involved financial advice or services, this would be covered by the financial regulatory regime overseen by HM Treasury.Officials from the Ministry of Justice have engaged with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) regarding the collapse of WW&J McClure solicitors and the regulatory concerns arising from their handling of client trusts.The SRA has confirmed that it is carrying out an investigation into the former partners of the firm. As those individuals are no longer on the roll of solicitors, the SRA is limited in the enforcement action it can currently take. However, any concerns identified during the course of the investigation would be taken into account if any former partner seeks to return to legal practice.The Ministry continues to monitor this issue through regular engagement with legal regulators and remains in contact with the SRA as it progresses its investigation. The SRA has published a public update on its website for affected clients and other interested parties: SRA | WW&J McClure and Jones Whyte | Solicitors Regulation Authority

If she will increase the length of sentences for people who commit violent crime against retail workers.

Sentencing in individual cases is a matter for the courts, and the courts have a range of sentencing powers to deal with each offender effectively and appropriately, including discharges, fines, community sentences, suspended sentences and imprisonment.The maximum penalty for an offence is set by Parliament and is designed to cover the most serious imaginable behaviours that may fall under that offence. We continue to keep maximum penalties under review to make ensure they reflect the seriousness of the offending behaviour.Under the previous Government, shop theft increased to an unacceptable level, with more and more offenders using violence and abuse against shopworkers. We will not stand for this as everybody has a right to feel safe at their place of work.That is why, through our Crime and Policing Bill, we are introducing a new offence of assaulting a retail worker. The new offence will carry a maximum prison sentence of six months and/or an unlimited fine, matching the current sentence guidelines for common assault. It will also come with a presumption for a court to apply a Criminal Behaviour Order. This will prohibit the offender from doing anything described in the order, which might include a condition preventing specific acts which cause harassment, alarm or distress, or preventing an offender from visiting specific premises.The Crime and Policing Bill will also introduce new measures to address the perceived immunity for ‘low value’ shop theft. With this change, there will no longer be a threshold categorising shop theft of goods worth £200 and under as ‘low value’. Instead, all cases of shop theft will be taken seriously irrespective of the value of goods stolen, with a maximum custodial penalty of 7 years. Shop theft of any amount is illegal, and repealing this legislation will ensure everyone understands this.

What information her Department holds on the number of retail workers who have experienced violent crime at work in each of the last five years.

The Home Office publishes data on the number of incidents of violent crime recorded by the police in England and Wales. The latest data can be found here:Police recorded crime and outcomes open data tables - GOV.UKThe data includes incidents of robbery of business property, which includes robbery of retail premises as well as other business premises. Other types of violent crime against retail workers will fall under other categories of violent crime, such as assault with injury. It is not currently possible to identify which of these incidents were committed against retail workers during the course of their work.In the Crime and Policing Bill, we are bringing forward a new offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores.The offence will be allocated a specific Home Office Crime Recording Rule, which will help provide a more complete picture of the problem, in turn informing future policy decisions and enabling the police to respond accordingly.The Home Office has also published estimates from the Commercial Victimisation Survey (CVS) on the proportion of retail premises which experienced at least one incident of violent crime. This data can be found here:Crime against businesses statistics - GOV.UK

Whether she has had discussions with the Solicitors Regulation Authority on trusts that were under the authority of WW&J McClure solicitors.

The Ministry of Justice does not hold responsibility for informing clients about the status of their legal arrangements with private law firms. The legal profession in England and Wales is regulated independently of government. Responsibility for solicitors’ conduct lies with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), overseen by the Legal Services Board. The SRA’s role involves protecting clients and the public. The different ways in which they can provide support to consumers of legal services can be found on their website: SRA | What you can expect from us | Solicitors Regulation Authority.The Government is aware of the issues surrounding WW&J McClures’ collapse, which involve multiple regulators responding to former clients across Scotland, England and Wales. Government officials have been engaging with the SRA, which has confirmed it is continuing to investigate the situation.With regards to the issue of raising awareness among clients of McClures, there are requirements with respect to the advertising and publication of an insolvency so that creditors and other interested parties are made aware. The administration of McClures was advertised as required in the London Gazette. Information for former clients of McClures in Scotland was also published by Law Society of Scotland. For clients in England and Wales, the SRA also issued a public update, which remains available on their website SRA | WW&J McClure and Jones Whyte | Solicitors Regulation AuthorityIn addition, for clients of McClures across Great Britain, Jones Whyte published an extensive list of FAQs, covering the number of clients it had taken on, the steps it was taking to contact those clients, and the procedure for clients to transfer to another legal firm if they wished.The Ministry of Justice has not held discussions with third-party intermediaries who were involved in selling trusts that were subsequently managed by WW&J McClures solicitors. Under the Legal Services Act 2007, the creation of a trust is not a reserved legal activity. This means that such activity may have involved individuals or organisations who were not regulated legal professionals. Where the sale of such trusts involved financial advice or services, this would be covered by the financial regulatory regime overseen by HM Treasury.Officials from the Ministry of Justice have engaged with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) regarding the collapse of WW&J McClure solicitors and the regulatory concerns arising from their handling of client trusts.The SRA has confirmed that it is carrying out an investigation into the former partners of the firm. As those individuals are no longer on the roll of solicitors, the SRA is limited in the enforcement action it can currently take. However, any concerns identified during the course of the investigation would be taken into account if any former partner seeks to return to legal practice.The Ministry continues to monitor this issue through regular engagement with legal regulators and remains in contact with the SRA as it progresses its investigation. The SRA has published a public update on its website for affected clients and other interested parties: SRA | WW&J McClure and Jones Whyte | Solicitors Regulation Authority

How many seizures of (a) cigarettes, (b) hand rolling tobacco and (c) other tobacco products have been made by Border Force at (i) seaports, (ii) airports and (iii) postal services, in each of the last five years.

The below statistics from Border Force’s transparency data outline the number of cigarettes and weight of tobacco seized in each of the last five years, but are not broken down by the location where they were seized.2020 – 509,032,596 Cigarette sticks, 110,774.2kg Tobacco2021 – 961,939,889 Cigarette sticks, 136,835.9kg Tobacco2022 – 827,211,419 Cigarette sticks, 93,717.57kg Tobacco2023 – 823,818,908 Cigarette sticks, 67,730.03kg Tobacco2024 – 934,104,940 Cigarette sticks, 72,143.33kg Tobacco

How many (a) calls and (b) online submissions have been made to HMRC fraud hotline in relation to (i) illegal tobacco and (ii) illegal alcohol in each of the last five years.

The tables below show the number of contacts received by HMRC Fraud Reporting Gateway in relation to Alcohol and Tobacco: Alcohol: YearOnline SubmissionTelephone SubmissionTotal24/2531,7287,85739,58523/2427,4439,04536,48822/2330,6888,18438,87221/2221,10710,67431,78120/2127,2968,15235,448 Tobacco: YearOnline SubmissionTelephone SubmissionTotal24/257,6052,0949,69923/245,4161,8737,28922/235,6252,0607,68521/221,5582,4243,98220/211,9881,5353,523

If he will make it his policy to support future applications for sustainable mining of coal.

The Government has committed to not granting new coal licences and has set out its policy position in a written statement on 14th November 2024 https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2024-11-14/hcws215.

What steps her Department is taking to increase SEND funding in Nottinghamshire.

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.Following the Autumn Budget 2024, the department is providing an increase of £1 billion for high needs budgets in England in the 2025/26 financial year. This brings total high needs funding for children and young people with complex SEND to over £12 billion. Of that total, Nottinghamshire County Council is being allocated over £130 million through the high needs funding block of the dedicated schools grant (DSG), which is an increase of £10.8 million on their 2024/25 DSG high needs block, calculated using the high needs national funding formula.Departmental officials regularly meet with representatives of special schools to discuss a wider variety of matters, including funding levels.

What steps his Department is taking to improve access to healthcare for the elderly population in Ashfield constituency.

We recognise that patients are finding it difficult to see a general practitioner (GP), and we are committed to bringing back the family doctor so patients with complex conditions and the elderly population receive the care they deserve. We have invested an additional £889 million in GPs and, through the 2025/26 GP Contract, have incentivised primary care networks (PCNs) to improve continuity of care.The Enhanced Health in Care Homes framework is a key contractual requirement for PCNs, ensuring coordinated healthcare services for care home residents across the country. Under the terms of this framework, all residents must have a comprehensive assessment of need completed and personalised care and support plans put in place within seven days of admission or re-admission to a care home, and all care homes must have a weekly home round supported by a multidisciplinary team.