Written questions by Duncan-Jordan.

With reference to the oral statement entitled Puberty-suppressing Hormones of 11 December 2024, Official Report, column 914, what groups representing trans youth he consulted with before making his decision to extend the ban on puberty blockers.

A full list of groups which represent trans youth and that were consulted as part of the Government’s targeted consultation is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/proposed-changes-to-the-availability-of-puberty-blockers-for-under-18s/outcome/9702c8a7-3299-4a01-94dc-a63861786dd9

What the average time is for a successful Pension Credit claimant to start receiving winter fuel payments.

The department does not hold data on the average time taken for a successful Pension Credit claimant to receive their winter fuel payment. However, where the customer is eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment, the department aims to make this payment within 2 weeks of the award of Pension Credit.

What estimate she has made of the potential savings to the public purse of means testing the winter fuel payment.

It is estimated that the changes to Winter Fuel Payments in England and Wales will save around £1.3 billion in 2024/25, rising to £1.5 billion by 2029/30. This figure has been published in the Office of Budget Responsibility’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook (October 2024), available here: https://obr.uk/docs/dlm_uploads/OBR_Economic_and_fiscal_outlook_Oct_2024.pdf

What steps he is taking to increase (a) the level of funding for and (b) access to Children's and Young People's Gender Services.

As my rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, set out during his oral statement to Parliament on 11 December 2024, the Government and NHS England are committed to implementing the recommendations of the Cass Review.NHS England has opened three new services in the North West, London, and Bristol that offer a fundamentally different clinical model, embedding multi-disciplinary teams in specialist children’s hospitals. A fourth service in the East of England will open in spring of next year. NHS England is making progress towards its commitment for there to be a specialist children’s gender service in every region by 2026, which will increase capacity and reduce the waiting list.Investment in children and young people’s gender services in 2024/25 has more than doubled compared to 2023/24 and this will increase further as new services are established.

If she will allow people in receipt of a state pension to claim carer’s allowance.

Pensioners can claim Carer’s Allowance, but under overlapping benefit rules it is not normally payable. I refer the honourable member to the answer I gave on 17 December 2024 to question UIN 18844 which sets this out.

If he will have discussions with Royal Mail on ensuring that NHS correspondence is given a guaranteed next day delivery status.

The NHS has a Digital First strategy and most urgent appointments are already communicated by other means. The Government does not have a role in the operational decisions of Royal Mail as it is an independent business. However, in November, I met with Royal Mail’s CEO, Emma Gilthorpe and discussed the importance of a reliable universal postal service for delivering NHS correspondence. I understand Royal Mail is working with NHS bodies to ensure they have a choice of speed and price, including protecting the option of a First-Class service six days a week for more urgent NHS letters.

What steps she plans to take to protect the privacy of people affected by proposals to allow investigators to access the bank accounts of people who claim benefits.

DWP investigators cannot access anyone's bank accounts, including under the proposed Eligibility Verification Measures within the Fraud, Error and Debt Bill.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of proposals to allow investigators to access the bank accounts of people who claim benefits.

DWP investigators cannot access anyone's bank accounts, including under the proposed Eligibility Verification Measures within the Fraud, Error and Debt Bill.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle antisemitism.

The appalling rise in antisemitism we have seen over the last year is a stain on our society, and the Government is absolutely committed to rooting out this abhorrent form of hatred. We have been working closely with the Independent Adviser on Antisemitism Lord Mann along with Jewish community voices such as the Community Security Trust on the most effective methods to tackle antisemitism.Government has committed further funding of £54 million for the Jewish Community Protective Security Grant to provide protective security measures (such as security personnel services, CCTV and alarm systems) at synagogues, Jewish educational establishments and community sites until 2028. We are in the process of finalising a more integrated and cohesive approach to tackling antisemitism and will announce more on this soon.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to reintroduce the use of neonicotinoid as a pesticide.

This Government is clear that we will change existing policies to end the use of neonicotinoid pesticides that threaten bees and other vital pollinators.

Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will publish a strategic plan for food security.

The Government is currently considering an ambitious food strategy that will set and deliver clear long-term outcomes that create a healthier, fairer, and more resilient food system, and in doing so will consider elements of the food system that can contribute towards those outcomes. More details will be made available in due course.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to introduce further legal protections for people affected by proposals to allow investigators to access the bank accounts of people who claim benefits.

DWP investigators cannot access anyone's bank accounts, including under the proposed Eligibility Verification Measures within the Fraud, Error and Debt Bill.

Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will publish information on food stock-to-consumption ratios in the UK.

Defra publishes a related measure, production to supply ratio, for a range of produce in its Agriculture in the UK publication. The same publication includes stock changes in its supply and use tables for cereals. The department’s UK Food Security Report 2024 also includes global stock to consumption ratios for a range of agricultural commodities.

If he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the locksmith industry in upholding standards of practice.

The UK’s framework for occupational regulation upholds public protection, whilst ensuring regulatory burdens on industry are proportionate. While the locksmithing profession is not subject to statutory regulation, several self-regulating expert trade associations and accreditation schemes exist within the industry. The Department for Business and Trade currently has no plans to make an assessment of the effectiveness of the locksmithing industry’s upholding of standards of practice.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2024 to Question 3666 on Private Education: VAT, what steps she plans to take to monitor the impact of the policy changes on military families.

HMRC routinely monitors the impact of policy changes. The measure to remove the VAT exemption for education and boarding services provided by private schools will be kept under review through communication with affected stakeholder groups and stakeholders as well as education departments across the devolved governments. The government greatly values the contribution of diplomatic staff and serving personnel and provides the Continuity of Education allowance (CEA) to ensure that the need for frequent mobility does not interfere with the education of their children. As the government set out in its Summary of Responses to the Technical Note on Applying VAT to Private School Fees, the MoD has increased the funding allocated to the CEA to account for the impact of any private school fee increases on the proportion of fees covered by the CEA, in line with how the allowance normally operates. A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) has been published which gives a clear explanation of the policy objective together with comprehensive assessment of the impacts on the Exchequer, individuals and families, businesses and the wider economy, equalities impacts, and any other specific area of impact. The TIIN can be found here: Applying VAT to private school fees - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

What assessment she has made of the (a) effectiveness and (b) value for money the privatised prison maintenance service.

The value and performance of the Department’s private-sector service providers are subject to ongoing contract management, and current performance is in line with expected parameters.As contracts approach expiry, assessments are conducted to inform decisions about future services. A 2023 assessment in partnership with the Cabinet Office determined that a privatised solution was the preferred option for future prison maintenance services. These contracts will be competitively tendered.

If she will review the eligibility rules for carer's benefits to enable more carers to combine paid work and unpaid care.

Unpaid carers play a vital role in supporting the elderly, disabled relatives or friends. Sometimes unpaid carers will need to turn to the benefit system for financial support, so it is right that we keep Carer’s Allowance under review, to see if it is meeting its objectives, and giving unpaid carers the help and support they need and deserve. The Government has announced that from April 2025 the weekly Carer’s Allowance earnings limit will be pegged to the level of 16 hours work at the National Living Wage (NLW) and in future it will increase when the NLW increases. This means that unpaid carers will be able to earn up to £196 per week net earnings and still receive Carer’s Allowance compared to £151 now. This means that an additional 60,000 unpaid carers will gain eligibility for the benefit between 2025/26 and 2029/30. This important change reduces a work disincentive inherent in the current Carer’s Allowance earnings system, but, as the Chancellor said at the Budget, we also need to look at the current “cliff edge” earnings rules. A taper, for example, could further incentivise unpaid carers to do some work. It could also reduce the risk of significant overpayments. However, introducing a taper in Carer’s Allowance is not without challenges and could significantly complicate the benefit as it currently stands and would mean a significant rebuild of the Carer’s Allowance computer system. DWP has begun some scoping work to see whether an earnings taper in Carer’s Allowance might be a feasible option in the longer term.Many carers who are receiving Carer’s Allowance and doing some work will also be receiving Universal Credit. For those receiving Universal Credit, the 55% taper rate and any applicable work allowance will help to ensure that people are better off in work.

If she will exempt military compensation as income when calculating entitlement to means-tested benefits.

I refer the honourable member to the answer I gave on 5 December 2024 to question UIN 16635.

If she will commission specialist support for carers who have not been in paid employment for some time on (a) managing finances, (b) work placements and (c) confidence building.

As we have promised in the recently published Get Britain Working White Paper, this government will be providing help more effectively by creating a new jobs and careers service to help people into work and get on at work, which will promote better joining up employment support. This will build on what the Department for Work and Pensions already offer to support carers. Part time carers on Universal Credit receive tailored support from their Jobcentre Plus work coach, who will adjust work related requirements to fit around their caring responsibilities. Support also includes skills training, career advice, job search help, volunteering opportunities and access to the Flexible Support Fund to aid job entry. Full time carers providing at least 35 hours caring per week, are not required to undertake any work-related activities, but they can access employment support voluntarily. Additionally, the department launched the Jobhelp pages offering advice to help carers make informed decisions about combining work and caring responsibilities.

Whether he plans to meet representatives of the hair and beauty industry to discuss the potential impact of the Budget on their sector.

The Chancellor has been clear that the government must take difficult choices. This was a budget to fix the foundations of the economy, and these tough decisions are intended to provide a platform for growth. I met with representatives from the sector at a Personal Care Roundtable on 19 November 2024. Representatives from the hospitality and personal care sector attended a Budget Broadcast call with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on 4 November 2024. There is ongoing engagement with the sector both at Ministerial and official level to understand the challenges facing the sector, including the impact of measures announced at Budget. Details of ministerial meetings are published quarterly on gov.uk in line with transparency data releases and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbt-ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings.