Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the quality and timeliness of services provided to victims of crime by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.
Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 (the 2012 Scheme) does not prescribe a time limit for applications to be decided.
Most applications are decided within 12 months. Each case must be considered on its own facts. In most cases, CICA requires information from third parties such as the police and medical authorities in order to decide a claim.
Some applications will by necessity take longer to decide. This could be where information is not available due to ongoing court proceedings, where CICA needs time to assess the long-term impact of complex injuries (e.g. brain injuries), or where there is an application for loss of earnings (which requires at least 28 weeks of loss).
CICA understands the importance of its role in giving recognition, redress and closure to its applicants. It works closely with a range of victims’ organisations including those that are members of its biannual Stakeholder Engagement Forum. This continues to provide valuable insights which help to inform how it can further improve its service.
On 4 August 2025 I visited CICA staff at their offices in Glasgow to see for myself and better understand the work that they do, both to process applications and to make future improvements to their service. I hope it will reassure you that throughout my visit, it was very clear to me that staff are committed to making the compensation application process as straightforward as possible and to minimise its potential for re-traumatisation of victims. Clear and sensitive communication is a clear priority. I was struck on my visit by the organisation’s clear dedication to supporting victims through their application journey.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department has assessed the potential merits of requiring providers of digital landline services to provide a battery back-up of greater than one hour duration for vulnerable and landline dependent customers.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government is committed to ensuring that any risks from the industry-led migration of the copper based Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) are mitigated for everyone across the UK.
In November 2024, the Government secured additional safeguards from the telecoms industry. These include the provision of free battery back-ups for vulnerable and landline dependent customers to ensure access to emergency services go beyond one hour in a power outage. Many communication providers have gone further, providing battery back-ups of 4-7 hours. This includes Vodafone, BT, KCOM, and Zen Internet. Ofcom, the telecoms regulator, are responsible for setting minimum standards.
In March 2026, the Government and industry agreed a new Fixed Telecoms Charter to extend these safeguards to all future fixed telecoms modernisation programmes.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will bring forward guidance for parents who have been released from prison on co-parenting and handling children's emotional response.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The government is supporting all families, including parents who have been released from prison through Best Start Family Hubs (BSFHs) and Healthy Babies, backed by over £900 million investment over the next three years, to deliver a more connected, prevention-led system that improves outcomes for babies, children and their families.
The recently published ‘Best Start Family Hubs’ guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/best-start-family-hubs-and-healthy-babies-guidance-for-local-authorities.
This guidance sets out expectations for local authorities to provide inclusive, accessible and joined up support for families facing disadvantage or disruption. This includes promoting strong parent child relationships, supporting positive co-parenting, and addressing children’s social and emotional development, through advice and support for all families, with proactive outreach to disadvantaged groups.
Best Start Family Hubs act as a single, local front door to support, including evidence-based parenting programmes and support for parents. Local authorities are expected to take a proactive and inclusive outreach approach, working with voluntary and community sector partners where appropriate, to engage seldom‑heard and disadvantaged families and reduce barriers to access.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending eligibility for the meningococcal B vaccination to children and young people who were not eligible for the routine infant immunisation programme introduced in 2015.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Meningococcal disease is an uncommon but serious disease caused by meningococcal bacteria. The MenACWY vaccine offers good protection against several strains of meningococcal disease and is routinely offered to teenagers in school years 9 and 10. However, it does not protect against all strains. Other strains, such as Meningitis B (MenB), can circulate among young adults.
Decisions on vaccination programmes follow independent expert advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The JCVI does not currently recommend a routine MenB booster vaccination for adolescents and young adults, however the JCVI routinely reviews new evidence as it emerges and my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has asked them to reexamine eligibility for meningitis vaccines.
The importance of raising awareness in parents, teenagers, and other adults about the signs and symptoms of meningitis remains key. There are a range of resources developed by the UK Health Security Agency, co-branded with the National Health Service, that set out these key messages and their importance, such as the teenage guide to immunisation.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing funding for community based organisations which offer peer-to-peer support for fathers inside prisons and post-release and the effects on levels of reoffending.
Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip
We know that enabling prisoners to maintain and strengthen family ties is a vital contributing factor to their rehabilitation and avoidance of re-offending.
Following negotiations with service providers, we have reduced the cost of telephone calls across the public sector prison estate by 20%. These reduced rates, which took effect on 1 April 2025 and apply until 31 May 2027, were introduced to make communication more affordable and to support rehabilitation.
We recognise the important role that community-based organisations, including those offering peer-to- peer support, can play in assisting offenders in custody and on release, including with regard to family relationships and resettlement. A common set of standards for peer support and mentoring schemes is being developed across the estate, to ensure consistency, quality, and appropriate safeguards. While the existing evidence base points to promising benefits, it is not yet strong or consistent enough to justify large scale investment. An incremental, evidence led approach is therefore being taken: testing models, improving data collection, and working with academic partners to strengthen evaluation. H M Prison & Probation Service is focusing on the value of pro-social peer relationships as part of a wider rehabilitative culture model. This aligns with the principles of psychologically informed practice, desistance, and supporting people in custody to build problem-solving skills, positive identities, and constructive relationships.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment has she made of the affordability for incarcerated parents of current communication policies in prisons to speak with their families.
Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip
We know that enabling prisoners to maintain and strengthen family ties is a vital contributing factor to their rehabilitation and avoidance of re-offending.
Following negotiations with service providers, we have reduced the cost of telephone calls across the public sector prison estate by 20%. These reduced rates, which took effect on 1 April 2025 and apply until 31 May 2027, were introduced to make communication more affordable and to support rehabilitation.
We recognise the important role that community-based organisations, including those offering peer-to- peer support, can play in assisting offenders in custody and on release, including with regard to family relationships and resettlement. A common set of standards for peer support and mentoring schemes is being developed across the estate, to ensure consistency, quality, and appropriate safeguards. While the existing evidence base points to promising benefits, it is not yet strong or consistent enough to justify large scale investment. An incremental, evidence led approach is therefore being taken: testing models, improving data collection, and working with academic partners to strengthen evaluation. H M Prison & Probation Service is focusing on the value of pro-social peer relationships as part of a wider rehabilitative culture model. This aligns with the principles of psychologically informed practice, desistance, and supporting people in custody to build problem-solving skills, positive identities, and constructive relationships.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make an assessment of the affordability of the costs of call credit for incarcerated parents.
Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip
We know that enabling prisoners to maintain and strengthen family ties is a vital contributing factor to their rehabilitation and avoidance of re-offending.
Following negotiations with service providers, we have reduced the cost of telephone calls across the public sector prison estate by 20%. These reduced rates, which took effect on 1 April 2025 and apply until 31 May 2027, were introduced to make communication more affordable and to support rehabilitation.
We recognise the important role that community-based organisations, including those offering peer-to- peer support, can play in assisting offenders in custody and on release, including with regard to family relationships and resettlement. A common set of standards for peer support and mentoring schemes is being developed across the estate, to ensure consistency, quality, and appropriate safeguards. While the existing evidence base points to promising benefits, it is not yet strong or consistent enough to justify large scale investment. An incremental, evidence led approach is therefore being taken: testing models, improving data collection, and working with academic partners to strengthen evaluation. H M Prison & Probation Service is focusing on the value of pro-social peer relationships as part of a wider rehabilitative culture model. This aligns with the principles of psychologically informed practice, desistance, and supporting people in custody to build problem-solving skills, positive identities, and constructive relationships.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the effect of prolonged RSS delays on retired and ill‑health pensioners, and what additional support is being provided to vulnerable members awaiting statements.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
The department recognises the importance of issuing Remediable Service Statements (RSSs) to affected members as part of the McCloud remedy and continues to closely monitor progress made by Teachers’ Pensions in delivering these statements.
The backlog has arisen due to the scale and complexity of the remedy, which requires the recalculation of historic pension service and depends on complete and accurate data from employers that can date back several decades. To address the backlog, Teachers’ Pensions has increased dedicated resources and implemented a phased delivery plan to ensure remaining cases are completed as quickly and accurately as possible. Senior oversight and regular performance reporting are in place to track progress.
The department recognises that delays may be particularly concerning for retired members and those in receipt of ill health retirement benefits. Retired members often already have benefits in payment, and any underpayments identified will be paid in full, with interest applied in line with legislation. Additional support is available for vulnerable members, including escalation routes for urgent and complex cases.
Teachers’ Pensions has improved the frequency and clarity of secure messages, increased engagement through social media, and strengthened training for helpline staff to ensure better understanding of individual circumstances. Member feedback continues to inform further service improvements, and the department is working closely with the scheme administrator to oversee delivery.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps are being taken to improve communication by Teachers’ Pensions with affected members, in terms of secure messages, helpline staff knowledge of cases and delivery timelines.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
The department recognises the importance of issuing Remediable Service Statements (RSSs) to affected members as part of the McCloud remedy and continues to closely monitor progress made by Teachers’ Pensions in delivering these statements.
The backlog has arisen due to the scale and complexity of the remedy, which requires the recalculation of historic pension service and depends on complete and accurate data from employers that can date back several decades. To address the backlog, Teachers’ Pensions has increased dedicated resources and implemented a phased delivery plan to ensure remaining cases are completed as quickly and accurately as possible. Senior oversight and regular performance reporting are in place to track progress.
The department recognises that delays may be particularly concerning for retired members and those in receipt of ill health retirement benefits. Retired members often already have benefits in payment, and any underpayments identified will be paid in full, with interest applied in line with legislation. Additional support is available for vulnerable members, including escalation routes for urgent and complex cases.
Teachers’ Pensions has improved the frequency and clarity of secure messages, increased engagement through social media, and strengthened training for helpline staff to ensure better understanding of individual circumstances. Member feedback continues to inform further service improvements, and the department is working closely with the scheme administrator to oversee delivery.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the impact of the backlog in issuing Remediable Service Statements and what steps are being taken to ensure timely completion of the remaining cases.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
The department recognises the importance of issuing Remediable Service Statements (RSSs) to affected members as part of the McCloud remedy and continues to closely monitor progress made by Teachers’ Pensions in delivering these statements.
The backlog has arisen due to the scale and complexity of the remedy, which requires the recalculation of historic pension service and depends on complete and accurate data from employers that can date back several decades. To address the backlog, Teachers’ Pensions has increased dedicated resources and implemented a phased delivery plan to ensure remaining cases are completed as quickly and accurately as possible. Senior oversight and regular performance reporting are in place to track progress.
The department recognises that delays may be particularly concerning for retired members and those in receipt of ill health retirement benefits. Retired members often already have benefits in payment, and any underpayments identified will be paid in full, with interest applied in line with legislation. Additional support is available for vulnerable members, including escalation routes for urgent and complex cases.
Teachers’ Pensions has improved the frequency and clarity of secure messages, increased engagement through social media, and strengthened training for helpline staff to ensure better understanding of individual circumstances. Member feedback continues to inform further service improvements, and the department is working closely with the scheme administrator to oversee delivery.