Amanda Hack

The Government engages regularly with communications providers to ensure that the industry-led switch-off of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) proceeds safely and with minimum inconvenience for end users. For many users, the upgrade will only involve unplugging their existing landline phone from the wall and plugging it into the back of their broadband router.

As part of the migration to VoIP, current landline-only consumers do not need to purchase a general broadband connection if they do not want one. Most users can retain the same telephone devices after the migration, but in scenarios where this is not possible, they will receive a replacement device for free. Existing contracts will not increase in price when customers are migrated to VoIP.

The Department does not hold data on the number of landline-only VoIP products but is working with stakeholders to identify those that require additional support during their PSTN migration, including consumers who are dependent on their landline.

The Government engages regularly with communications providers to ensure that the industry-led switch-off of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) proceeds safely and with minimum inconvenience for end users. For many users, the upgrade will only involve unplugging their existing landline phone from the wall and plugging it into the back of their broadband router.

As part of the migration to VoIP, current landline-only consumers do not need to purchase a general broadband connection if they do not want one. Most users can retain the same telephone devices after the migration, but in scenarios where this is not possible, they will receive a replacement device for free. Existing contracts will not increase in price when customers are migrated to VoIP.

The Department does not hold data on the number of landline-only VoIP products but is working with stakeholders to identify those that require additional support during their PSTN migration, including consumers who are dependent on their landline.

The Government engages regularly with communications providers to ensure that the industry-led switch-off of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) proceeds safely and with minimum inconvenience for end users. For many users, the upgrade will only involve unplugging their existing landline phone from the wall and plugging it into the back of their broadband router.

As part of the migration to VoIP, current landline-only consumers do not need to purchase a general broadband connection if they do not want one. Most users can retain the same telephone devices after the migration, but in scenarios where this is not possible, they will receive a replacement device for free. Existing contracts will not increase in price when customers are migrated to VoIP.

The Department does not hold data on the number of landline-only VoIP products but is working with stakeholders to identify those that require additional support during their PSTN migration, including consumers who are dependent on their landline.

The government is determined to break down barriers to opportunity and ensure the best start in life for every child, including those who are born prematurely.

The early years foundation stage (EYFS) framework sets the standards and requirements that all early years providers must follow. The EYFS is clear that every child is unique and that they develop and learn at different rates. It also describes the importance of responding to children’s individual interests and needs. Being born prematurely is not classified as a special educational need or a disability, however, when a premature child does need special educational needs and disability support, schools and early years settings are encouraged to identify and support them early as possible.

The investment announced at Budget to rebuild school buildings, alongside funding for children’s social care, breakfast clubs and early years, reflects the government’s commitment to putting education back at the forefront of national life.

To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests.

DVSA is experiencing some of the highest demand for driving tests it has ever seen. This, and continued high waiting times for tests, has contributed to a major shift in customer booking behaviour. Many customers now book their car practical test far earlier in their learning journey, sometimes before they have even had a practical driving lesson.

DVSA does not employ, encourage or licence anyone to provide a cancellation service checking for newly open slots. These apps or bots are not approved by the DVSA as they make it harder for candidates to get a test and can result in people paying more for a test than the official test fee of £62. Using such services also means that any changes to the test may not necessarily be relayed to the candidate.

The attached spreadsheet shows the number and percentage of practical driving test bookings where the initial test candidate’s driving licence number was subsequently changed to a different driving test candidate’s licence number in each month since January 2019.

To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests.

DVSA is experiencing some of the highest demand for driving tests it has ever seen. This, and continued high waiting times for tests, has contributed to a major shift in customer booking behaviour. Many customers now book their car practical test far earlier in their learning journey, sometimes before they have even had a practical driving lesson.

DVSA does not employ, encourage or licence anyone to provide a cancellation service checking for newly open slots. These apps or bots are not approved by the DVSA as they make it harder for candidates to get a test and can result in people paying more for a test than the official test fee of £62. Using such services also means that any changes to the test may not necessarily be relayed to the candidate.

The attached spreadsheet shows the number and percentage of practical driving test bookings where the initial test candidate’s driving licence number was subsequently changed to a different driving test candidate’s licence number in each month since January 2019.

The Department for Transport issues guidance to licensing authorities in England to help them regulate the sector. One of the aims of the guidance is to improve consistency in the licensing standards required by licensing authorities. Statutory guidance was issued in 2020 on measures that should be taken to protect children and vulnerable adults, and by extension all passengers, when using these services. Last year the Department issued updated best practice guidance which made recommendations to promote regulation that enables the provision of safe, accessible, available, and affordable services that meet the wide range of passenger needs by a thriving sector.

The number of complaints made to DWP regarding the Child Maintenance Service is published within table 11 of the Child Maintenance Service Official Statistics: Child Maintenance Service statistics - GOV.UK. Data is presented on a quarterly basis.

Table 1: Number of complaints received by the Child Maintenance Service

Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 5

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) are committed to delivering the best possible service to all customers. Customers can contact the CMS in a number of different ways.

This could be via the telephone, by post or through the CMS online service. Depending on what the query is and how it was made, response times can vary.

Whilst the DWP does not collate data on average response times for all queries across different CMS channels, we are working to improve the efficiency of our customer interactions. We will continue to review, evaluate, and enhance our service lines to meet demand and deliver a quality customer service.

The Government is currently considering what steps may need to be taken in relation to the safety of the non-surgical cosmetics sector. The Government will set out its position at the earliest opportunity.

Shoplifting has increased at an unacceptable level in recent yeara, with more and more offenders using violence and abuse against shopworkers to do this. We will not stand for it.

This Government will introduce a new offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores. We will also end the effective immunity, introduced by the previous Government, granted to low level shoplifting of goods under £200. These will be introduced in the first session Crime and Policing Bill.

The police made operational commitments in its October 2023 Retail Crime Action Plan, Retail Crime Action Plan (nbcc.police.uk) including a commitment for police across England and Wales to prioritise attendance where violence has been used towards shop staff.

Reporting crime to the police is the first crucial step in ensuring an appropriate police response. The Home Office is providing funding to the National Business Crime Centre to make it easier for retailers to report crime. We are also encouraging closer local partnerships between police and retailers, for example through Business Crime Reduction Partnerships, to help local police respond effectively to crimes reported.

Shoplifting has increased at an unacceptable level in recent yeara, with more and more offenders using violence and abuse against shopworkers to do this. We will not stand for it.

This Government will introduce a new offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores. We will also end the effective immunity, introduced by the previous Government, granted to low level shoplifting of goods under £200. These will be introduced in the first session Crime and Policing Bill.

The police made operational commitments in its October 2023 Retail Crime Action Plan, Retail Crime Action Plan (nbcc.police.uk) including a commitment for police across England and Wales to prioritise attendance where violence has been used towards shop staff.

Reporting crime to the police is the first crucial step in ensuring an appropriate police response. The Home Office is providing funding to the National Business Crime Centre to make it easier for retailers to report crime. We are also encouraging closer local partnerships between police and retailers, for example through Business Crime Reduction Partnerships, to help local police respond effectively to crimes reported.