Written questions by Maskell.

If she will make an estimate of the number and proportion of (a) children and (b) young people not in school; and if she will commission a review into the reasons behind such absences.

The government is committed to taking steps to better understand how many children of compulsory school age in England are not in school. Beginning October 2022, aggregate data on children in elective home education (EHE) and children missing education (CME) was collected from local authorities for the first time. Recent data shows on census day in autumn 2023, local authorities reported an estimated 33,000 CME that are not registered at school or otherwise receiving suitable education. This is an increase of approximately 4,900 children from the summer 2023 census day. In the autumn 2023 term, where known by the local authority, primary reasons given for CME included the child having moved out of the country, the child having moved out of the local authority and the child is awaiting a school application outcome. As at the census date in autumn 2023, an estimated 92,000 children were in EHE. This includes adjustments made for non-response and is based on a figure of 87,700 reported by 95% of local authorities. This is an increase from an estimated 80,900 in the previous autumn term. The leading reasons provided for deciding to home educate were philosophical, mental health, lifestyle and school dissatisfaction. The government is committed to making it a statutory duty for local authorities to maintain children not in school registers and submit data returns to the department when requested to do so. Additionally, from autumn this year, the department is mandating the collection of aggregate data on EHE and CME from local authorities in the 2023/24 academic year. This will increase the amount and detail of information available to local authorities and government on local and national levels, allowing the department to identify outlying local data and improve understanding of the drivers. Alongside better data, the government will help to tackle drivers of children not being in school including via a requirement for school to cooperate with their local authority on school admissions, special educational needs and disabilities inclusion and place planning.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he plans to take to ensure that oil from Russia is not imported to the UK through a third party.

The action taken by the UK and partners to limit Russian energy revenues is having a significant impact, with Russia forced to shoulder a 24% reduction in oil and gas revenues in 2023 compared to 2022. We took robust action against Russia's 'shadow fleet' alongside allies at the European Political Community, and we are exploring further options to strengthen our sanctions, including in the energy sector.

What discussions she has had with Universities on the financial viability of the sector.

The Office for Students (OfS), as the independent regulator of higher education (HE) in England, is responsible for monitoring the financial sustainability of registered HE providers, and therefore undertakes regular engagement with the sector. The government recognises the financial strain that some providers are facing, and works closely with the OfS to monitor emerging risks and issues within the sector and to ensure there are robust mitigations in place to ensure the interests of students are protected. The department also undertakes regular engagement with sector representatives and providers to understand the risks and issues facing the sector and to discuss the overall climate for HE provider financial sustainability. The department is looking forward to speaking with providers in the coming weeks, months and years on a variety of matters, including financial sustainability.

If she will commission a review into the funding of further education.

Further education (FE) plays a critical role in delivering the government’s missions and ensuring that everyone has access to the opportunities they need, breaking down the barriers to their success and boosting economic growth. FE funding in future years will be considered as part of the Spending Review.

What her policy is on divesting North Sea oil and gas production.

The Government is strongly committed to the net zero transition, but it is clear that North Sea oil and gas production will be with us for decades to come. The Government will manage the North Sea in a way that manages existing fields for their lifespan and does not jeopardise jobs, even as we take steps to reduce our reliance. Transforming the financial sector so that it is aligned with net zero can be supported by companies having a transition plan that is specific to them, detailing how their business will align with net zero. This will support an orderly transition.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete being present on heritage buildings that serve as (a) museums and (b) galleries; and if she will take steps to support their restoration.

Individual building owners are responsible for health and safety, including responding to safety alerts such as reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). DCMS is in regular contact with museum and gallery sector bodies, who have consulted their members and report that RAAC is not a widespread issue.The department funds the Museum Estate and Development Fund through Arts Council England. The Fund makes substantial grants of up to £5 million to support infrastructure works and repairs, and RAAC mitigation works are eligible. DCMS Arm’s Length Bodies also provide a variety of Capital funds, resilience grant schemes, and expert buildings advice to the museums sector.

Media and Sport, what steps she plans to take to help support locations that are on the tentative list for designation as a world heritage site.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is actively engaging with all the sites on the UK's Tentative List, which includes regular check-in meetings and the provision of specific guidance on both UK Government and UNESCO processes for nominations.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on the potential merits of dis-investing from oil products which originated from Russian-based crude oil.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works closely with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to ensure the effective design and implementation of relevant sanctions. The action the UK and its partners have taken to limit Russian energy revenues is having a significant impact, including reducing Russia's oil and gas revenues by 24% in 2023 compared to 2022. We are exploring further options to strengthen our sanctions, including in the energy sector.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of including measures to enable targets of bullying at work to take cases to an employment tribunal in the proposed Employment Rights Bill.

This Government is committed to delivering the Plan to Make Work Pay in full and updating Britain's employment protections, so they are fit for our modern economy and the future of work. This includes commitments to support the wellbeing of workers, including their long term physical and mental health, and to ensure employers create and maintain workplaces and working conditions free from harassment. Ministers are identifying the most appropriate delivery mechanisms for the commitments in the Plan, including an Employment Rights Bill that will be introduced to Parliament within 100 days of taking office.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of the introduction of a tourism tax.

We have no plans to introduce a tourism tax.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on repurposing frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine.

This Government is clear that Russia is responsible for its illegal war in Ukraine. That includes its obligations under international law to pay for the damage it has caused in Ukraine. Together with our G7 partners, we have agreed to make available approximately $50 billion to Ukraine by the end of the year, by advancing the extraordinary profits generated by immobilised Russian Sovereign Assets. The FCDO is working closely with HM Treasury to deliver this commitment as soon as possible. We will continue to explore further options to support Ukraine with our allies.

Media and Sport, if she will take steps to introduce a licensing scheme for short term holiday lets.

Short-term lets are an integral part of the UK’s visitor accommodation offer. The government is clear that they bring a range of benefits to local and national economies.The government also recognises that communities in tourism destinations, particularly coastal and rural communities, must be able to benefit from thriving tourism but ensure the spirit of their community is preserved when holiday season ends.Parliament legislated for a registration scheme for short-term lets in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. The government is continuing to explore the introduction of such a scheme, which is now a statutory requirement.

What assessment has he made of the feasibility of replacing Russian crude oil imported through a third country with renewable and sustainable energy production.

All importers of oil and oil products into the UK must provide proof of origin to demonstrate that goods are not of Russian origin to enforcement authorities. The Government is committed to ensuring that third countries are not used by Russia to evade sanctions and will continue to keep sanctions under review. The UK will continue to have reliable supplies of fuels from a diverse range of suppliers while we transition to Net-Zero.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring that oil tankers that pass through the English Channel are adequately insured.

The Government recognises the importance of addressing the safety and security of vessels that transit through the English Channel, such as the possible environmental threat posed by oil tankers in the Russian ‘shadow fleet’. At the recent European Political Community Summit, the UK secured agreement from 44 European countries and the European Union to work together to deter and disrupt exactly this type of dangerous activity posed by the ‘shadow fleet’. The Government will also consider further measures to deter the ‘shadow fleet’ from operating in the English Channel.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a national career framework for social care staff that is integrated with the job-evaluated Agenda for Change pay and conditions framework in the NHS.

Those working in social care have been ignored for too long, and so will be at the heart of our initial reforms. We will start by engaging with care workers and trade unions to deliver a long over-due new deal, which will include establishing the first ever Fair Pay Agreement for care professionals. The details of this will be agreed as part of this process.

If he will make it his policy to introduce standardised training for staff working in social care.

Enhancing skills for staff working in social care is of critical importance, and we want care to be both personalised and of outstanding quality. We are currently reviewing our approach and will work with the sector and other interested organisations, such as the recently announced Skills England, to agree on the right approach.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the eligibility criteria for the Health and Care Worker visa on the ability of social care employers to recruit staff.

The Department does not intend to make a specific assessment of the impact of the eligibility criteria on the ability of social care employers to recruit staff. The Government will continue to monitor workforce capacity in the sector closely, including the role of international recruitment.We recognise the scale of reforms needed to make the adult social care sector attractive, to support sustainable workforce growth, and reduce the reliance on international recruitment. We want it to be regarded as a profession, and for the people who work in care to be respected as professionals.

What steps he plans to take to support NHS trusts which are seeking a new hospital in the next 10 to 15 years.

The Government is concerned by the condition of hospital infrastructure across the National Health Service estate and acknowledges there was significant interest among NHS trusts to join the New Hospital Programme (NHP). We recognise that change is desperately needed to deliver an NHS fit for the future and provide patients across the country with the care they need.Strategic, value for money investments in capital projects are critical to achieving these missions. This may be in new hospitals, significant upgrades, or other targeted capital investments. The Department is currently reviewing capital requirements in line with the Government’s missions and as part of our internal Spending Review preparations.Any support for NHS trusts seeking new hospital infrastructure beyond 2030 will follow the Government setting out its priorities and funding at the Spending Review in Autumn 2024.

If he will take steps to establish a royal commission on social care.

The Government is determined to tackle the challenges facing adult social care. We want everyone to live an independent, dignified life, which is why we are committed to reform and will take steps to create a National Care Service.We will be setting out more detail of our priorities for adult social care in due course.

If she will take steps to ensure that legal aid is available to people using the family courts who have been subject to (a) financial control and (b) domestic abuse.

The Government is committed to supporting victims of domestic abuse.In private family proceedings, legal aid is available for child arrangements, financial remedy proceedings and divorce for domestic abuse victims, including those subjected to economic abuse, and where the child is at risk of abuse, subject to providing the required evidence and meeting the means and merits tests.Emergency representation is available for the purpose of obtaining urgent protection, such as non-molestation orders. We understand how important it is that anyone who needs a protective order can access legal advice and representation quickly, whatever their means. An eligibility waiver is available for victims of domestic abuse applying for an injunction or other protective order, which means they can receive legal aid even if they would not otherwise pass the means test, though they may then have to pay a financial contribution towards their legal costs.In public family proceedings, means-free legal aid is available for parents and children in public family law children cases, including care proceedings and adoption proceedings under the Children Act 1989 and in related proceedings. Legal aid is also available to prospective kinship carers, subject to the means and merits test. Victims of domestic abuse do not need to provide evidence of abuse when accessing legal aid for public family matters.