Written questions by Vickers.

What support her Department provides to local authorities preparing bids for rail reopening projects.

The Department is open to requests for support and engages directly with local authorities as they develop business cases. It should be noted that rail enhancements projects are rarely proposed as 'bids' but rather considered on the basis of Business Cases and can be considered at any stage of development for entry into the portfolio in line with the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline policy and Market Led Proposals guidance. The previous Government established a programme of potential railway reinstatement projects under the banner of ‘Restoring Your Railways’. Most of the projects in the programme were unfunded, which is why the programme was closed in July 2024.

What steps he is taking to reduce waiting times for military medical appointments.

A new appointment management approach adopted by Defence Primary Healthcare (DPHC) medical centres across the UK, has resulted in a 26% reduction in waiting times for patients accessing doctor appointments in primary healthcare. Total Triage, introduced by DHPC, is designed to reduce unnecessary face-to-face appointments and enable greater and quicker access to medical care for those in need. Under the new arrangements patients submit a request through the online form, or phone the medical centre where the request is triaged and allocated to a suitable qualified clinician. This ensures the patient gets to see the right healthcare worker at the right time. This has resulted in an end to the usual morning rush of phone calls to book appointments, reducing pressure on reception staff, and in patients being treated more quickly. Total Triage is part of wider programme of primary healthcare to deliver better healthcare to Armed Forces personnel, including the introduction of SMS appointment reminders and combining practices to increase access to medical services and resources.

What support her Department provides to employers in Stockton West constituency to increase disability confidence in recruitment.

Nationally, in our Get Britain Working White Paper, published November 2024, we committed support for employers to recruit, retain, and develop staff. As part of that, the Secretaries of State for Work and Pensions and Business and Trade have asked Sir Charlie Mayfield to lead ‘Keep Britain Working’, an independent review to consider how best to support and enable employers to recruit and retain more people with health conditions and disabilities, promote healthy workplaces, and support more people to stay in or return to work from periods of sickness absence. Sir Charlie Mayfield will deliver a final report with recommendations in the autumn. In addition, in January this year, we launched an expert academic panel to advise us on boosting neurodiversity awareness and inclusion at work. The panel will consider the reasons why neurodivergent people have poor experiences in the workplace, and a low overall employment rate, making their recommendations later this autumn. The Disability Confident (DC) Scheme encourages employers to create disability inclusive workplaces and to support disabled people to get work and get on in work. It provides employers with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to attract, recruit, retain and develop disabled people in the workplace and to take positive action to address the issues disabled employees face. At my request, officials have been discussing with stakeholders options for making the DC scheme criteria more robust. The Government is working towards announcing next steps for improving the scheme later this autumn. DWP also has a digital information service for employers, (www.support-with-employee-health-and-disability.dwp.gov.uk), which provides tailored guidance to businesses to support employees to remain in work. This includes guidance on health disclosures and having conversations about health, plus guidance on legal obligations, including statutory sick pay and making reasonable adjustments. Access to Work aims to support the recruitment and retention of disabled people into employment. It is a personalised discretionary grant that provides support with workplace adjustments beyond an employer’s obligation as outlined in the Equality Act 2010. As part of our Plan for Change, and as set out in the Pathways to Work Green Paper published in March, we are consulting on the future of Access to Work and how to improve the programme to help more disabled people into work and support employers ensuring value for money for taxpayers. We will review all aspects of Access to Work after evaluating the findings of the Pathways to Work consultation. In the area of Stockton DWP talks to employers about the diverse range of customers available for work, which includes those with a disability. The benefits of being a DC employer is promoted, including referencing Stockton Borough Council as a DC leader. Employers are signposted to the DC website and follow up conversations are held to offer support in becoming a DC employer. DWP has also contacted employers who have received an award for being dementia friendly to consider being DC. To support jobseekers who have disabilities DWP actively seeks placements with DC employers to aid them in their journey back into work. Work is about to start with Sainsburys, which is a DC employer, on recruitment for a new store in the area and will involve supporting customers with disabilities to consider and apply for roles.

What support is available for reservists to help them balance defence service with civilian employment.

The Ministry of Defence works closely with Reservist employers to maximise the support Defence provides to Reservists. As part of this, Defence encourages employers to provide a minimum of 10 days additional paid leave to allow Reservists to complete their training throughout the year.

What funding she is providing for youth justice services in areas of high need.

For 2025/26, this Government is providing c.£94 million in funding to Youth Offending Teams (YOTs) to support the operation and provision of youth justice services across England and Wales. This funding enables YOTs to provide interventions and support tailored to the needs of children in their local area. Despite the challenging fiscal environment this Government inherited, this is an increase on the previous year.In addition, c.£15 million has been allocated to the Turnaround Programme, which provides funding to all YOTs to intervene earlier and address the reasons that lead to children offending. Since the programme launched in 2022 this has enabled YOTs to reach up to 20,500 additional children not currently on their statutory caseloads.

What recent steps she has taken to improve road safety outside schools in high-traffic areas.

Local authorities also have a range of traffic management measures available to them to help improve safety outside schools including reducing speed limits, traffic calming, and introduction of a School Street where appropriate.  On 19 November 2024 Active Travel England and the Department for Transport published joint School Streets Guidance. The guidance is available at School Streets: how to set up and manage a scheme - GOV.UK The Government treats road safety with the utmost seriousness and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. The Department for Transport is developing our road safety strategy, the first in over a decade and we will set out more details in due course.

What steps she is taking to support local authorities in tackling illegal encampments.

The police and local authorities are equipped with a range of powers to respond to unauthorised encampments. These include long-standing provisions under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, as well as additional powers introduced through the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.The response to unauthorised encampments is led locally, involving multi-agency collaboration between local authorities, police, and relevant services. This approach supports community engagement and ensures that responses are tailored to local needs.Statutory guidance issued by the Home Office sets out how these powers should be applied, including the importance of considering welfare needs and ensuring that any enforcement action is lawful, necessary and proportionate.The criminal offence in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, introduces penalties for those who cause significant damage, disruption or distress while residing on land without permission in or with a vehicle, and refuse to leave when asked. The offence is punishable by a prison sentence of up to 3 months, or a fine of up to £2,500, or both, and/or seizure of the vehicle.

What recent steps she has taken to reduce levels of antisocial behaviour in town centres in the North East.

This Government wants town centres to be vibrant, welcoming places where businesses thrive and people feel safe and come to shop, socialise and live.Police and Crime Commissioners are leading on targeted action to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour that blights our town centres and high streets as part of the Safer Streets Summer Initiative. The work is being delivered in partnership with councils, schools, health services, businesses, transport providers and community groups all playing a role over the summer.Under the initiative, partners will use targeted enforcement, visible policing and place-based interventions to reduce retail and street crime and anti-social behaviour in over 500 town centres and high streets, including Stockton-on-Tees, across England and Wales. The full list of the Safer Streets Summer Initiative locations (also shown regionally) can be found here: List of Safer Streets summer initiative locations - GOV.UKIn addition, the Home Office is also providing £66.3 million funding in 2025-26 to all 43 forces in England and Wales to deliver high visibility patrols in the areas worst affected by knife crime, serious violence and anti-social behaviour. Cleveland Police will receive £1,420,423 of this funding to use across the county.

What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of prison safety in Category (a) B and (b) C prisons.

Safety in prisons is a key priority, and we are working hard to make prisons as safe as possible for staff and prisoners.We have specialist staff and equipment to stop the smuggling of contraband in prisons, such as drugs, weapons and mobile phones, which can fuel violence and create instability.Prisons face a range of factors which impact on their safety, and these often vary between types of prisons, which is why it is important that all prisons have local safety strategies that address the local drivers of safety, whilst operating within the approach set out in the national Prison Safety Policy Framework.

What discussions her Department has had with police representative bodies on the (a) design and (b) eligibility criteria for a medal recognising medically discharged officers injured in the line of duty.

Any official award is a gift from the Government, on behalf of His Majesty The King to recognise individuals within policing and emergency services personnel. The creation of a new award requires cross Government consensus and approval from the Committee on The Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals, before advice is put to HM The King to make his final decision.The Home Office will continue to consider proposals for new awards for members of the emergency services. It is only right that we recognise the sacrifices made by the emergency services, and it is important to make sure this is considering fully and carefully to ensure any changes are proportionate and effective.

What recent steps she has taken towards delivering a medal for police officers medically discharged due to injuries sustained while serving.

Any official award is a gift from the Government, on behalf of His Majesty The King to recognise individuals within policing and emergency services personnel. The creation of a new award requires cross Government consensus and approval from the Committee on The Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals, before advice is put to HM The King to make his final decision.The Home Office will continue to consider proposals for new awards for members of the emergency services. It is only right that we recognise the sacrifices made by the emergency services, and it is important to make sure this is considering fully and carefully to ensure any changes are proportionate and effective.

What representations her Department has received from police officers’ associations on the introduction of a medal for officers medically discharged as a result of service-related injuries.

Any official award is a gift from the Government, on behalf of His Majesty The King to recognise individuals within policing and emergency services personnel. The creation of a new award requires cross Government consensus and approval from the Committee on The Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals, before advice is put to HM The King to make his final decision.The Home Office will continue to consider proposals for new awards for members of the emergency services. It is only right that we recognise the sacrifices made by the emergency services, and it is important to make sure this is considering fully and carefully to ensure any changes are proportionate and effective.

How many additional police officers have been deployed in Cleveland Police since July 2024.

The Home Office does not hold the data requested.The Home Office collects and publishes data biannually on the number of police officers, as at 31 March each year, in the ‘Police Workforce, England and Wales’ statistical bulletin which can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-workforce-england-and-wales.Table H1 of the data tables accompanying the publication includes the number of police officers available for duty by Police Force Area which excludes police officers on long term absence. Monthly breakdowns, including a figure for July 2024, however, are not available.

What recent assessment she has made of trends in the level of court backlogs in the North East.

For criminal courts, despite a brief fall at the end of 2024, the open caseload at the Crown court in the North East has steadily increased since 2022, with 10,678 open cases at the end of March 2025.For this financial year (25/26), this Government is funding a record allocation of Crown Court sitting days to deliver swifter justice for victims – 110,000 sitting days next year, 4,000 higher than the last Government funded.As a result of increased Government funding, the North East circuit will sit an extra 1,500 days in FY25/26, taking the total to around 15,000 days. The additional sitting time will be focused on reducing the time taken for a Crown Court trial to be heard.As of March 2025, the Magistrates’ Court criminal workload across the North East stands at 46,444 cases. This represents an increase of 6,206 (15%) compared to March 2024. As with the Crown Court, the Magistrates’ Court across the North East have seen receipts exceed disposals.For family courts, in public law the open caseload has reduced from 1,846 to 1,742 from May 2024 to May 2025, and in private law from 4,418 to 3,858 from May 2024 to May 2025. This means that we are delivering swifter justice and resolution for families and children.

What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of rail connectivity between Teesside and other major economic centres.

I recognise the important part that reliable rail connections play for a growing economy like Teesside. As well as allocating significant investment to reopen Hartlepool platform 3 in June 2024, which will allow more trains to pass through the station, we are working with train operators to make the best use of the available infrastructure and to improve reliability to deliver the services passengers need. My department has regular discussions with Mayor Houchen and other Northern leaders on their aspirations for a more connected and reliable rail service across Teesside and the whole North East.

What progress she has made on electrification of rail lines serving Teesside.

This government is investing significantly in the North East to improve transport connectivity and grow the economy. Following the recent Spending Review, the Tees Valley mayoral combined authority will receive funding to deliver local transport projects, such as a new platform at Middlesbrough railway station, through various funds, including the City Region Sustainable Transport and Transport for City Regions settlements (CRSTS and TCR). The Mayor is responsible for ensuring delivery of these projects and report regularly into the Department on progress. The Government currently has no plans to electrify rail lines serving Teeside.

What discussions she has had with local authorities on co-locating justice and support services.

There have been no discussions with local authorities on co-locating justice and support services. However, this Government is committed to ensuring victims have access to support and information, and that this is delivered efficiently and effectively at a local level. We intend to commence provisions in the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024, which introduces a statutory Duty to Collaborate on relevant authorities, including local authorities, local policing bodies and Integrated Care Boards, to work together when commissioning support services for victims.The Duty aims to ensure local commissioners gain a better understanding of the needs of victims in their area, create a more strategic approach to commissioning and remove barriers for those seeking to access support. We will be consulting on the guidance on the Duty to Collaborate in due course.

What support is available to victims of domestic abuse on navigating the civil court system.

Victims of domestic abuse in both the civil and family court systems have the protection of special measures such as giving evidence via a video link or from behind a screen, and prohibition of direct cross examination of a victim by a perpetrator.The Government recognises that victims of domestic abuse may need help to understand their legal rights and navigate the courts systems in civil and family proceedings. Legal aid is available for private family matters, such as child arrangements, financial remedy proceedings and divorce if an individual is a victim of domestic abuse or at risk of being abused. Legal aid is also available for domestic abuse victims for certain urgent protection applications – for example, non-molestation orders and occupation orders.In addition, the Ministry of Justice is providing funding to support litigants in person, including domestic abuse victims, to help them navigate the civil justice system effectively, including preparation for court and support at court. In 2025/26, over £6 million of funding will be provided to 60 organisations to support the delivery of free legal support and information, both in-person and online. This includes some Citizens Advice and Law Centres, Rights of Women and AdviceNow, as well as organisations that specifically focus on supporting victims of domestic abuse.Support is also provided via a specialist service FLOWS (Finding Legal Options for Women Survivors), delivered by RCJ Advice, to support victims of domestic abuse to apply for protective orders in the family courts. The service can help all survivors, whether or not they are eligible for legal aid.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of Operation Soteria on the prosecution of sexual offences.

The new Centre for VAWG and Public Protection, which launched in April 2025, has brought together three existing victim orientated policing programmes, including Operation Soteria, to oversee the response to all forms of VAWG and child sexual abuse. This will ensure that this expertise can be harnessed and put into practice in forces across the country, intensify cooperation and enhance intelligence sharing.Through Operation Soteria, we are supporting police and prosecutors to deliver a step-change in how they investigate rape. The Home Office invested £9.4 million to develop a new National Operating Model (NOM) for the investigation of rape. This model was developed through Operation Soteria, which brought together frontline policing from across 19 forces and academics from a range of disciplines to test new tools and techniques. All police forces in England and Wales are now implementing this new approach to rape investigations.It is not possible to link changes in metrics solely to Operation Soteria, as they are likely to be the result of various changes introduced to improve outcomes in adult rape cases however, there have been positive improvements in some key metrics since forces began implementing Operation Soteria – such as prosecution volumes.

What progress she has made on expanding multi-agency safeguarding hubs across police forces in the North East.

Multi-agency working is critical to safeguarding children, and multi-agency safeguarding hubs (or ‘multi-agency front doors’) play an important role in the safeguarding system. However, the Government is going further to better protect children, including through the introduction of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill which is establishing multi-agency child protection teams and improving information sharing, including through a single unique identifier.