Written questions by Smart.

What steps his Department has taken to recognise the service of people killed in the Battle of Arnhem.

The war dead of the Battle of Arnhem are commemorated in perpetuity, predominantly at Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, which is cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). Over 1,700 casualties of the Battle of Arnhem and Operation Market Garden are buried there, with over 240 being unidentified. The majority of those commemorated at Arnhem Oosterbeek are British servicemen, but the cemetery also contains Polish, Dutch and German casualties from the Battle of Arnhem. To this day, visiting veterans of the battle are greeted by crowds of appreciative Arnhem citizens who attend annual ceremonies, showing their gratitude for the efforts made by the Allies to liberate their city. Additionally, just under 40 CWGC World War Two graves are located in Arnhem (Moscowa) General Cemetery, which is Arnhem’s civilian cemetery. A single burial also lies in Arnhem Jewish Cemetery. The 80th anniversary of Operation MARKET GARDEN was commemorated last year, with a number of events attended by senior representatives from across Defence and Government, including the Minister for the Armed Forces in the House of Lords (Lord Coaker), the Minister for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories (Stephen Doughty MP), and senior military representatives. This year, like every other year, we commemorate all who have served and their sacrifice as part of the national act of remembrance.

How many former Seasonal Workforce officers for the UK Border Force were successful in gaining employment through regular recruitment processes after their contracts were ended in 2024.

In accordance with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles, all recruitment of this nature is conducted using a sifting process where identifying information is removed, and all appointments are made on merit through open and fair competition. As a result, it is not possible to determine whether any candidates were previously part of the seasonal workforce.

What steps her Department is taking to support (a) businesses and (b) charities that provide activities for children with SEND.

The department provides funding to deliver £24 million worth of grants each year to provide support to low-income families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people. We have also funded innovative grants that promote best practice for delivering services for short breaks.To support young people aged 16 to 24 with an education, health and care plan to secure and sustain employment, we are continuing to invest in supported internships by providing up to £12 million to March 2026. This funding will support local authorities to sustain their special educational needs and disabilities Employment Forums, training on employer engagement and training for job coaches. Indicative data from local authorities shows we reached our previous target of doubling the number of supported internships to 4,500 per year and our continued support will enable areas to sustain this.

When the Minister for Migration and Citizenship plans to respond to the correspondence of 2 May 2025 from the hon. Member for Hazel Grove, Ref LS06151.

A response will be sent to the hon. Member for Hazel Grove’s letter (ref LS06151) in due course to reflect the latest position on the British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024.As per The British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024 (Commencement) Regulations 2025, the Act will come into force on 22 July 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of proposed reductions to Official Development Assistance on women and girls’ reproductive (a) health and (b) rights.

The UK is committed to promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), recognising that health and rights are co-dependent and mutually reinforcing. Official Development Assistance (ODA) is one of multiple levers to achieve this. We will continue to work with international partners and use targeted funding, technical partnership and diplomatic engagement to provide leadership on SRHR.Following the recent Spending Review, detailed decisions on how the ODA budget will be used are being worked through as part of ongoing resource allocation processes. Decisions on individual programmes and thematic areas, such as sexual and reproductive health and rights, will be based on various factors including equality impact assessments. We will publish the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office ODA allocations for Financial Year 2025/26 in the Annual Report & Accounts in July.

What assessment she has made of the impact of (a) dynamic pricing and (a) general payments on the (i) working conditions and (ii) pay of private hire drivers.

Subject to any requirements under relevant legislation, pay and working conditions in the private hire vehicle sector are commercial matters between drivers and operators.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of bringing most unused pension funds within the value of a person’s estate for Inheritance Tax purposes on people currently receiving pensions.

I refer the Honourable Member to the answer given to UIN 55099.

What (a) safe and (b) legal routes are available for people in Gaza to seek asylum in the United Kingdom.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 13 March to Question 35970.

Whether she plans to introduce a (a) fast-track and (b) expedited process for applications to the Displaced Talent Mobility Scheme for people seeking refuge from (i) war zones and (ii) crisis situations.

The Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May, announced a review of the UK’s existing refugee resettlement and sponsorship schemes. This will ensure that there is a framework which will allow businesses, universities and communities to sponsor refugees to live, work and study in the UK. Further details will be set out in due course.

When she plans to respond to the correspondence of 23 May 2025 from the hon. Member for Hazel Grove on evacuation from Gaza.

The Minister for Migration and Citizenship replied on 1 July.

What (a) advice and (b) support her Department provides to UK citizens who wish to assist relatives in Gaza in seeking asylum in the United Kingdom.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 13 March to Question 35970.

What progress has been made on appointing a permanent Independent Prevent Commissioner.

An open competition to recruit the permanent Independent Prevent Commissioner is underway, and an update will be provided once an appointment has been made.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he is taking steps to help facilitate safe passage to Jordan for refugees fleeing Gaza.

The Government has been clear that civilians in Gaza must be protected, and that Palestinians should not be forced to relocate from Gaza to third countries. Jordan is a generous host to several million refugees from regional conflicts, and entry of refugees from Gaza into Jordan is a matter for the Government of Jordan. We continue to call on all parties in Gaza to protect civilians and urge the Government of Israel to enable life-saving aid to enter Gaza at scale, and to enable the seriously ill and wounded to leave Gaza for medical care.

Whether her Department plans to review how attendance at schools is recorded for students who have been transferred to another school.

Once a pupil has been transferred to another school, their name is deleted from both the admission and attendance registers.The ’Working together to improve school attendance’ guidance sets out the process clearly for schools in paragraphs 222-224. The guidance was drawn up following full public consultation and can be accessed here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66bf300da44f1c4c23e5bd1b/Working_together_to_improve_school_attendance_-_August_2024.pdf.This guidance explains the legal process set out in Regulation 9(1)(a) of The School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024, which can be accessed here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2024/208/regulation/9/made.

How many Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman cases are pending the appointment of the new Ombudsman.

There were 187 pending decisions when Paula Sussex CBE was appointed as the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman on 26 June 2025.

What steps he is taking to ensure that there is no gap between the end of the term of office of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman and their successor.

Paula Sussex has been appointed Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO). Arrangements are now in place, meaning all casework can progress as normal.

Whether her Department has made a recent assessment of the adequacy of the processes for businesses to advertise vacancies through Jobcentre Plus.

The Department for Work and Pensions has recently reviewed and continues to enhance the processes through which businesses advertise vacancies via Jobcentre Plus. Employers currently benefit from a range of flexible engagement routes: Direct Contact: Employers can reach out through the Employer Services Line or an online enquiry form to be connected with a local Employer Adviser, who provides tailored recruitment support. Find a Job Platform: This is DWP’s official online job posting service, free to use and accessible 24/7. It includes features such as bulk vacancy uploads, hybrid/remote job filters, and the ability to display Disability Confident status. When any employer uses Find a Job to post vacancies, they are also given the option to request contact from a local Employer Adviser for tailored recruitment support. Strategic Relationship Team: For large-scale or complex recruitment needs, the Strategic Relationship Team offers bespoke national-level support, including vacancy promotion, recruitment events, and candidate matching. Feedback from employer summits and innovation workshops has directly informed ongoing improvements. Employers have highlighted the importance of making Jobcentre Plus environments more welcoming and accessible. In response, best practice sharing is underway to improve the employer experience. Additionally, policy teams are reviewing the use of Jobcentre Plus premises for interviewing candidates who are not DWP customers. A new system has also been introduced to monitor employer engagement and campaign outcomes more effectively.As set out in the Get Britain Working White Paper, we are reforming Jobcentre Plus and creating a new service that will enable everyone to access support to find good, meaningful work, and support to help them to progress in work, including through an enhanced focus on skills and careers. As part of this, we will transform DWP’s employer offer and the way in which we engage with employers, using a test and learn approach to ensure the new service works hand in hand with them to help recruit the staff they need. The new service will support a broader range of employers, including those requiring skilled and specialist talent, to find the candidates they need. We will also work with employers to understand how to overcome the impact of recruitment practices which can act as a barrier for applicants, ensuring that a wide range of candidates can access employers’ vacancies regardless of these barriers.DWP has not only assessed but is actively evolving its vacancy advertising processes through Jobcentre Plus. The combination of employer feedback, strategic planning, and digital innovation ensures that the service is becoming more responsive, inclusive, and effective for businesses of all sizes.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the introduction of Class E to the Use Classes Order on the variety of businesses on high streets.

Class E of the Use Classes Order enables flexibility to change between uses commonly found on the High Street. No recent assessment has been made of the impact of the introduction of Class E on the variety of businesses on the high street.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of allowing businesses to contact their local Jobcentre Plus directly to advertise vacancies.

The Department can confirm that such an assessment has been made and that direct engagement is not only permitted but actively encouraged. Employers are already able to contact their local Jobcentre Plus directly through several well-established routes. The Employer Services Line (0800 169 0178) and an online enquiry form connect businesses with local Employer Advisers who provide tailored recruitment support. This includes help with writing job descriptions, promoting vacancies through local jobcentres and social media, arranging use of Jobcentre Plus premises for interviews, and facilitating participation in recruitment events such as job fairs. For businesses with more complex or large-scale recruitment needs, the Strategic Relationship Team offers bespoke support at a national level. This includes tailored recruitment solutions, vacancy tracking, and coordination with local JobCentre Plus's to ensure effective delivery. The Department continues to explore ways to improve employer engagement, including making JobCentre Plus premises more welcoming and accessible, and reviewing policies around the use of JobCentre Plus offices for interviews with non-DWP customers.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 June 2025 to Question 57756 on Asylum: Housing, whether she has a target date for making a decision on the extension of the move on period beyond June 2025.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave her on 13 June to Question 57756.