Written questions by Holden.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of placing restrictions on marriage between first cousins.

Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Marriage Act 1949 sets out prohibited degrees of relationship for marriage. Section 1 of the Marriage Act 1949 sets out that any marriages that take place within prohibited degrees of relationship are void. Under the legislation, prohibited degrees of relationship for marriage include marriages to a sibling, parent or child, but not marriages between first cousins. The Sexual Offences Act 2003 also makes sexual activity with the above family members, amongst others, a criminal offence, but this does not include first cousins. Placing restrictions on first cousin marriage would require changes to the Marriage Act 1949 and potentially the Sexual Offences Act 2003.We are aware that all aspects of weddings, including first cousin marriage, are important issues. We will take the time as a new Government to properly consider our marriage law, including the Law Commission’s 2022 wedding report, before publicly setting out our position.

If she will bring forward legislative proposals to put the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime in England and Wales on a statutory basis.

The Victims’ Code, which sets out the minimum level of service that victims and survivors of crime should receive, is already a statutory code of practice, that primary legislation requires the Secretary of State to issue. This means agencies must act in accordance with the Code unless they have good reasons not to do so. Part 1 of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024, once implemented, will put the obligation to comply with the Code on a clear statutory footing. It will also keep the Victims’ Code as a statutory code of practice, which allows the flexibility for future amendments to be made to the Code to better serve the changing needs of victims, without requiring amendments to primary legislation. We will consult on a new version of the Code next year.We will go further as we consider the best ways to scrutinise compliance once the new Code is in place, including by increasing the powers of the Victims’ Commissioner, to ensure there is more accountability where the needs of victims are not being met.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of freezing state pensions on British citizens living overseas.

No assessment has been made. The UK's policy on the up-rating of the UK State Pension for recipients living overseas is a longstanding one. The UK state pension is payable worldwide without regard to nationality and is uprated abroad where we have a legal requirement to do so.

What guidance is available to the partners of Ministers on the acceptance of gifts.

The new Ministerial Code sets out the guiding principles ministers should consider when offered any gift, hospitality or service. These principles also apply to their family members. The new Ministerial Code also sets out details of a new Register of Ministers' Gifts and Hospitality, which brings the publication of ministerial transparency data more closely into line with the parliamentary regime for gifts and hospitality. Gifts, hospitality or services given to ministers in their capacity as constituency MPs or members of a political party fall within the rules relating to the Registers of Members’ and Lords’ Interests.

Pursuant to the Answer of 31 July 2024 to Question 1207 on Ministers: Media and the Answer of 15 October 2024 to Question 7434 on Political Parties: Donors, whether his Department has issued guidance to Departments on what constitutes a senior media figure for the purposes of publishing that data.

Details of official meetings held in a ministerial capacity with external organisations or individuals are declared quarterly, alongside details of all meetings with senior media figures. Ministers’ Transparency Guidance, which is published on GOV.UK, details what constitutes a senior media figure for the purposes of publishing this data.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support grassroots music venues.

The Government is working closely with the live music sector to support an economically sustainable grassroots music sector. Following the Autumn Budget, we are continuing to support Art Council England’s (ACE’s) successful Supporting Grassroots Music fund which provides grants to grassroots music venues, recording studios, promoters and festivals of live and electronic music gig-goers across the UK.The Government response to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee’s report on grassroots music venues will be published soon. It will set out in further detail the Government’s position on working with industry to support the grassroots music sector.

With reference to the announcement on freeports in October 2024 at the Commonwealth visit, what processes are in place to coordinate policy announcements between Departments and the Prime Minister's office.

The Budget announced five custom sites within Freeports will be opening, meaning that there will now be eight operational Freeports. I will not comment on internal Government processes.

With reference to his the Prime Minister’s comments on BBC Newscast on 12 October 2024, when did the Government's view on P&O change.

The Government has been working at pace to fulfil the commitments we made in opposition to improve workers’ rights at sea. The Employment Rights Bill includes a measure to close a loophole by ensuring that the UK Government is notified of intended redundancies irrespective of a vessel’s flag state. We will also, via amendment during the bill’s passage, introduce powers to allow the UK to strengthen workers’ rights at sea and implement international conventions relating to seafarer employment. We have now laid regulations to implement the Seafarers’ Wages Act so that from next month the National Minimum Wage equivalent will be paid.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2024 to Question 7430 on the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals, if he will make an assessment of the current merits of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, as a British order of chivalry.

There is no further update to my answer of 10 October 2024, Official Report, PQ 7430.

With reference to the Prime Minister’s speech of 6 July 2024 and to the Cabinet Office guidance entitled List of Cabinet Committees and their membership, updated on 21 October 2024, for what reason the Prime Minister is not chairing the Mission Delivery Boards.

Missions are a priority for the Government. The Prime Minister has established a Cabinet committee structure, including mission boards, to support his policy agenda. Secretaries of State chair mission boards to drive delivery of mission outcomes, supported by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who is responsible for driving mission delivery across government, ensuring mission-led government is at the heart of the administration.

For what reason the Prime Minister’s new Envoy for the Nations and Regions did not attend the first meeting of the Council for the Nations and Regions.

The attendee list at the first meeting of the Council for the Nations and Regions was: the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the First Ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, and the regional Mayors.

Whether the Prime Minister plans to reinstate the portrait of Horatio Nelson in 10 Downing Street once it has undertaken its restoration work by the Government Art Collection.

The portrait of Horatio Nelson is currently with the Royal Museum Greenwich for frame conservation, and the portrait will be reinstated in 10 Downing Street once that work is complete.

Pursuant to the answer of 21 October 2024, to Question HL1279, on Ministers: Official Gifts, whether the Prime Minister will pay a tax charge on his gifts from Lord Alli.

I refer the Right Hon. Member to my Noble Friend's answer of 07 October 2024, Official Report, HL1279. The Prime Minister follows the rules outlined in the Employment Income Manual.

Whether there was a cost to the public purse of the performance by Sir Elton John at the International Investment Summit.

There was no fee for Sir Elton John to perform at the International Investment Summit.

With reference to (a) written statement entitled Cabinet Committees, published on 10 October 2024, HCWS118 and (b) his Department's publication entitled List of Cabinet Committees, updated on 21 October 2024, for what reason the Deputy Prime Minister was not listed as a member of the National Security Committee in the version published on 10 October.

The National Security Council is a Cabinet Committee, membership of Cabinet Committees is decided by the Prime Minister. In recognition that the Deputy Prime Minister would be regularly invited to attend, she has been made a permanent member as of 21 October 2024.

If she will take steps to issue revised guidance to schools on requirements for developing individual health care plans for pupils with epilepsy.

Statutory guidance, ‘Supporting pupils at school with medical conditions’, recommends the use of individual healthcare plans as good practice. They can help schools support pupils with medical conditions, providing clarity about what needs to be done, when and by whom. The school, healthcare professionals and parents should agree, based on evidence, when a healthcare plan would be appropriate. ‘Supporting pupils at school with medical conditions’ can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5ce6a72e40f0b620a103bd53/supporting-pupils-at-school-with-medical-conditions.pdf.The department will keep the statutory guidance under review as we take forward the commitment to delivering an inclusive mainstream system.The department engages closely with school leaders and their representative organisations on a wide range of issues, including supporting pupils with medical conditions.

What assessment she has made with Cabinet colleagues of the adequacy of (a) online and (b) telephone services for voluntary National Insurance contributions.

To support customers, an enhanced online State Pension forecast service was launched on 29 April 2024. New functionality enables the majority of working age customers to view their payable gaps and make payments online. This service has successfully allowed a large number of people to self-serve, with a satisfaction rate of over 80%. The National Insurance helpline remains in place for customers who are unable to use the online service or who need additional assistance. In October 2024, performance on this helpline was in line with service standards.

Pursuant to the Answer of 31 October 2024 to Question 11172 on Workplace Pensions, what her planned timetable is for the Pensions Review.

Phase Two of the Governments landmark Pensions Review will launch later this year. The timetable for delivery will be published in due course as part of the Terms of Reference.

What assessment she has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential merits of abolishing business rates.

The government will create a fairer business rates system that protects the high-street, supports investment, and is fit for the 21st century. Autumn Budget 2024 announced the first steps including an intention to introduce permanently lower multipliers for high street retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties from April 2026. To fund this sustainably the government also intends to introduce a higher multiplier on properties with Rateable Values (RV) of £500,000 or more. During the interim period, for 2025-26, RHL properties will receive a 40% relief on business rates bills up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business. The small business multiplier paid by properties with RVs below £51,000 will also be frozen for a further year. The government published a discussion paper at Budget which sets out priority areas for further reform and invites stakeholders to a conversation about transforming the system over the Parliament.

What proportion of people no longer eligible for the winter fuel allowance are higher or additional rate taxpayers.

The Winter Fuel Payment continues to be paid to pensioner households with someone receiving Pension Credit . This means that the Winter Fuel Payment will be better targeted to low income pensioners who need it. Winter Fuel Payments are paid on a household basis whereas taxpayer status is on an individual basis.455,000 individuals over the state pension age are estimated to pay higher rate income tax, and 39,300 additional rate income tax.