Written questions by Bhatti.

Whether the Availability, Accessibility, Acceptability and Quality framework will ensure that scene-based competencies including scene management, evidence recovery, contamination control, forensic photography are (a) delivered and (b) assessed at Level 3.

On 20 October 2025, alongside the publication of the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, the department published a consultation on Post-16 level 3 and below pathways, which closed on the 12 January. The reforms set out in the consultation simplify the level 3 qualifications landscape into 3 pathways: T Levels, V Levels and A levels. They also reform the level 2 landscape so that it better supports students to progress to level 3 or into employment.V Levels will focus on core knowledge and skills linked with occupational standards, enabling progression to higher education, apprenticeships, or employment. T Levels combine sector-specific core content with a specialist component that develops competence in an occupation.As part of our consultation, we have been engaging with the sector on transition arrangements. We will set out our response to the consultation in due course.The department is working with awarding organisations, training providers, Skills England and sector representative organisations to develop these new qualifications, which will go through a series of checks for their quality and appropriateness for learners before being approved for funding.The UNICEF Availability, Accessibility, Acceptability and Quality framework is used primarily in humanitarian, healthcare, gender-based violence, and child protection settings to assess barriers to service access, rather than qualification content design. As with all new policies the department needs to meet the Public Sector Equality Duty, and the consultation included an equality and diversity impact assessment.The information requested on participation and regional access is not held centrally.

Whether an Equality Impact Assessment been completed and published for changes to scene-based competencies; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of those changes on (a) participation and (b) regional access.

On 20 October 2025, alongside the publication of the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, the department published a consultation on Post-16 level 3 and below pathways, which closed on the 12 January. The reforms set out in the consultation simplify the level 3 qualifications landscape into 3 pathways: T Levels, V Levels and A levels. They also reform the level 2 landscape so that it better supports students to progress to level 3 or into employment.V Levels will focus on core knowledge and skills linked with occupational standards, enabling progression to higher education, apprenticeships, or employment. T Levels combine sector-specific core content with a specialist component that develops competence in an occupation.As part of our consultation, we have been engaging with the sector on transition arrangements. We will set out our response to the consultation in due course.The department is working with awarding organisations, training providers, Skills England and sector representative organisations to develop these new qualifications, which will go through a series of checks for their quality and appropriateness for learners before being approved for funding.The UNICEF Availability, Accessibility, Acceptability and Quality framework is used primarily in humanitarian, healthcare, gender-based violence, and child protection settings to assess barriers to service access, rather than qualification content design. As with all new policies the department needs to meet the Public Sector Equality Duty, and the consultation included an equality and diversity impact assessment.The information requested on participation and regional access is not held centrally.

How many young people are undertaking training in AI.

Digital and artificial intelligence (AI) skills are essential for young people to succeed in education, employment and to engage effectively in a digital world. Following the recommendations of the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, we are strengthening digital education. The computing curriculum will remain the main route for teaching digital literacy, with clearer guidance on what pupils should learn. We are also considering how digital content should be included within other subjects and will work with experts to assess viability.To equip pupils for a digitally enabled world, we will replace the computer science GCSE with a broader computing GCSE and incorporate AI, data science, and topics such as bias into the curriculum in an age-appropriate way. We are also exploring a potential Level 3 qualification in data science and AI. Draft proposals will be subject to public consultation later this year.Evidence on the benefits and risks of students using generative AI is still emerging, so we will continue to build evidence and support the education sector to use AI safely and effectively. Schools using pupil-facing generative AI must carefully follow legal responsibilities, as outlined in our Generative AI policy paper.Student numbers for a range of approved Level 2 and 3 subjects can be found within educational statistics here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/.The actions we are taking forward are expected to increase the teaching of digital literacy and AI within the curriculum and encourage more young people to consider digital qualifications, bolstering the future pipeline of talent.

What steps are the government taking to ensure young people can use AI.

Digital and artificial intelligence (AI) skills are essential for young people to succeed in education, employment and to engage effectively in a digital world. Following the recommendations of the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, we are strengthening digital education. The computing curriculum will remain the main route for teaching digital literacy, with clearer guidance on what pupils should learn. We are also considering how digital content should be included within other subjects and will work with experts to assess viability.To equip pupils for a digitally enabled world, we will replace the computer science GCSE with a broader computing GCSE and incorporate AI, data science, and topics such as bias into the curriculum in an age-appropriate way. We are also exploring a potential Level 3 qualification in data science and AI. Draft proposals will be subject to public consultation later this year.Evidence on the benefits and risks of students using generative AI is still emerging, so we will continue to build evidence and support the education sector to use AI safely and effectively. Schools using pupil-facing generative AI must carefully follow legal responsibilities, as outlined in our Generative AI policy paper.Student numbers for a range of approved Level 2 and 3 subjects can be found within educational statistics here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/.The actions we are taking forward are expected to increase the teaching of digital literacy and AI within the curriculum and encourage more young people to consider digital qualifications, bolstering the future pipeline of talent.

How many young people are taking training in digital skills.

Digital and artificial intelligence (AI) skills are essential for young people to succeed in education, employment and to engage effectively in a digital world. Following the recommendations of the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, we are strengthening digital education. The computing curriculum will remain the main route for teaching digital literacy, with clearer guidance on what pupils should learn. We are also considering how digital content should be included within other subjects and will work with experts to assess viability.To equip pupils for a digitally enabled world, we will replace the computer science GCSE with a broader computing GCSE and incorporate AI, data science, and topics such as bias into the curriculum in an age-appropriate way. We are also exploring a potential Level 3 qualification in data science and AI. Draft proposals will be subject to public consultation later this year.Evidence on the benefits and risks of students using generative AI is still emerging, so we will continue to build evidence and support the education sector to use AI safely and effectively. Schools using pupil-facing generative AI must carefully follow legal responsibilities, as outlined in our Generative AI policy paper.Student numbers for a range of approved Level 2 and 3 subjects can be found within educational statistics here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/.The actions we are taking forward are expected to increase the teaching of digital literacy and AI within the curriculum and encourage more young people to consider digital qualifications, bolstering the future pipeline of talent.

What steps she is taking to provide young people with digital skills.

Digital and artificial intelligence (AI) skills are essential for young people to succeed in education, employment and to engage effectively in a digital world. Following the recommendations of the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, we are strengthening digital education. The computing curriculum will remain the main route for teaching digital literacy, with clearer guidance on what pupils should learn. We are also considering how digital content should be included within other subjects and will work with experts to assess viability.To equip pupils for a digitally enabled world, we will replace the computer science GCSE with a broader computing GCSE and incorporate AI, data science, and topics such as bias into the curriculum in an age-appropriate way. We are also exploring a potential Level 3 qualification in data science and AI. Draft proposals will be subject to public consultation later this year.Evidence on the benefits and risks of students using generative AI is still emerging, so we will continue to build evidence and support the education sector to use AI safely and effectively. Schools using pupil-facing generative AI must carefully follow legal responsibilities, as outlined in our Generative AI policy paper.Student numbers for a range of approved Level 2 and 3 subjects can be found within educational statistics here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/.The actions we are taking forward are expected to increase the teaching of digital literacy and AI within the curriculum and encourage more young people to consider digital qualifications, bolstering the future pipeline of talent.

With reference to the oral contribution by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury of 3 December 2025, Official Report, column 991, whether the Financial Conduct Authority be involved in the investigation.

A leak inquiry is now under way and the government does not comment on the details of leak inquiries. The Independent Adviser for Ministerial Standards has written to the leader of Reform UK and does not intend to investigate this matter. The Chief Executive Officer of the FCA has written to the Chair of the Treasury Select Committee and the FCA have not launched an enforcement investigation.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of higher rateable values and reduced business rates relief on the number of hospitality closures and empty units on high streets over the next three years.

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base. At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties as they recover from the pandemic. To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government announced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years, including protection for ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. This means most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest. More broadly, the Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto. The Government is doing this by introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties, including pubs. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year, and will benefit over 750,000 properties. The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since Covid. Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit. The Call for Evidence published at Budget seeks further evidence on the role business rates and reliefs play in investment, including Empty Property Relief.

With reference to the oral contribution by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury of 3 December 2025, Official Report, column 991, what she held discussions with the Independent Advisor on Ministerial Standards before announcing the investigation.

A leak inquiry is now under way and the government does not comment on the details of leak inquiries. The Independent Adviser for Ministerial Standards has written to the leader of Reform UK and does not intend to investigate this matter. The Chief Executive Officer of the FCA has written to the Chair of the Treasury Select Committee and the FCA have not launched an enforcement investigation.

With reference to the oral contribution by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury of 3 December 2025, Official Report, column 991, what the planned timetable is for the inquiry.

A leak inquiry is now under way and the government does not comment on the details of leak inquiries. The Independent Adviser for Ministerial Standards has written to the leader of Reform UK and does not intend to investigate this matter. The Chief Executive Officer of the FCA has written to the Chair of the Treasury Select Committee and the FCA have not launched an enforcement investigation.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the removal of business rates relief and business rates revaluation on high street businesses.

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base. At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties as they recover from the pandemic. To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government announced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years, including protection for ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. This means most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest. More broadly, the Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto. The Government is doing this by introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties, including pubs. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year, and will benefit over 750,000 properties. The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since Covid. Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit.

How many a) pubs, b) hotels, c) restaurants, d) indoor leisure and e) night clubs will have i) increased, ii) decreased and iii) the same business rates from April 2026.

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base. At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties, including those in the hospitality and leisure sectors as they recover from the pandemic. To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government announced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years, including protection for ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. This means most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest. For the pubs sector, the increase in rateable values will be 30%, which combined with the loss of the temporary RHL relief would lead to an increase in total bills paid by the sector of 45%. However, due to government intervention, the sector’s total bill will only increase by 4% next year. More broadly, the Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto. The Government is doing this by introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties, including pubs. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year, and will benefit over 750,000 properties. The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since Covid. Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit.

With reference to the oral contribution by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury of 3 December 2025, Official Report, column 991, how much funding her Department plans to provide for the leak inquiry.

A leak inquiry is now under way and the government does not comment on the details of leak inquiries. The Independent Adviser for Ministerial Standards has written to the leader of Reform UK and does not intend to investigate this matter. The Chief Executive Officer of the FCA has written to the Chair of the Treasury Select Committee and the FCA have not launched an enforcement investigation.

With reference to the oral contribution by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury of 3 December 2025, Official Report, column 991, what the terms of reference are for the investigation.

A leak inquiry is now under way and the government does not comment on the details of leak inquiries. The Independent Adviser for Ministerial Standards has written to the leader of Reform UK and does not intend to investigate this matter. The Chief Executive Officer of the FCA has written to the Chair of the Treasury Select Committee and the FCA have not launched an enforcement investigation.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of rateable value increases and changes to business rates relief on a) vacancy rates on local high streets, b) jobs, c) businesses closures and d) price levels.

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base. At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties. To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years to protect ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. Most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest. The Valuation Office Agency has published statistics on changes in the rateable value of properties in the 2026 revaluation. More broadly, the Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto. The Government is doing this by introducing permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year, and will benefit over 750,000 properties. The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since COVID. The 40% RHL relief was forecast to cost £1.7 billion in 2025/26, less than the £2.1 billion we are spending on Transitional Relief and Supporting Small Business relief in 2026/27. Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit. The new RHL tax rates will be 5p below the national tax rates.

What steps his Department is taking to reduce youth unemployment in the context of the hospitality sector.

The Government recognises the importance of the Hospitality in providing employment for young people. At Budget, we announced more than £1.5 billion of investment over the next three years, funding £820m for the Youth Guarantee to support young people to earn or learn, and an additional £725 million for the Growth and Skills Levy. Through the expanded Youth Guarantee, young people aged 16-24 across Great Britain are set to benefit from further support into employment and learning.We are supporting more than 50,000 young people into apprenticeships in England by fully funding apprenticeship training costs for all eligible 16-24-year-olds, removing the need for non-levy paying employers to co-fund these learners. We are also expanding foundation apprenticeships into sectors such as hospitality and retail, where young people are traditionally recruited.

Media and Sport, what recent assessment has her Department made of the potential impact of employer National Insurance Contribution increases in the financial year 2025/2026 on a) the charity sector and b) neurorehabilitation service providing charities.

This government recognises the vital role that charitable organisations and community groups play in providing crucial support to families and individuals across the country. These organisations, as well as the wider voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector, are integral to the Government’s vision for national renewal and delivery of the five national missions. DCMS Ministers have met with representatives from the VCSE sector and are aware of their concerns about changes to National Insurance Contributions (NICs). We recognise the need to protect the smallest businesses and charities, which is why we more than doubled the Employment Allowance to £10,500, meaning that more than half of businesses (including charities) with NICs liabilities will either gain or see no change in 2025/26. The UK continues to have one of the most generous charity tax regimes in the world. More than £6 billion in charitable reliefs were provided to charities, community amateur sports clubs and their donors last year.In January 2025, NHS England published Standardising community health services which outlines the core community health services that integrated care boards (ICBs) should consider when planning services for their local population. Community rehabilitation for people with neurological conditions is named as one of the ICB-funded core components of community health services.

What policy areas are in the scope of the upcoming acquired brain injury action plan.

We expect to publish the Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Action Plan in the first half of 2026. This will allow time to ensure the plan is in line with our 10-Year Health Plan and is robust, action-oriented, and reflects emerging priorities across health, social care, and other relevant sectors.The plan is designed to take a cross-Government approach and will cover several key areas to improve outcomes for people living with ABI. We are working with Government departments with responsibility for education, justice, housing and homelessness, work and benefits, transport, sport, and defence on the plan.The plan will ensure more consistent and comprehensive data gathering, alongside better mechanisms for sharing and accessing information. These improvements will support integrated care, inform commissioning decisions, and strengthen evidence-based policy development.

How the Government’s upcoming Acquired Brain Injury Action Plan will improve data recording and data access relating to brain injury survivors.

We expect to publish the Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Action Plan in the first half of 2026. This will allow time to ensure the plan is in line with our 10-Year Health Plan and is robust, action-oriented, and reflects emerging priorities across health, social care, and other relevant sectors.The plan is designed to take a cross-Government approach and will cover several key areas to improve outcomes for people living with ABI. We are working with Government departments with responsibility for education, justice, housing and homelessness, work and benefits, transport, sport, and defence on the plan.The plan will ensure more consistent and comprehensive data gathering, alongside better mechanisms for sharing and accessing information. These improvements will support integrated care, inform commissioning decisions, and strengthen evidence-based policy development.

When his Department will publish the Acquired Brain Injury Action plan.

We expect to publish the Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Action Plan in the first half of 2026. This will allow time to ensure the plan is in line with our 10-Year Health Plan and is robust, action-oriented, and reflects emerging priorities across health, social care, and other relevant sectors.The plan is designed to take a cross-Government approach and will cover several key areas to improve outcomes for people living with ABI. We are working with Government departments with responsibility for education, justice, housing and homelessness, work and benefits, transport, sport, and defence on the plan.The plan will ensure more consistent and comprehensive data gathering, alongside better mechanisms for sharing and accessing information. These improvements will support integrated care, inform commissioning decisions, and strengthen evidence-based policy development.